Sri Lanka has no obligation to abide by the 13th Amendment
Posted on November 4th, 2012
Asada M Erpini
A report in a local English daily on 04 November states that, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-India has reiterated its call for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the ConstitutionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. The constitution that India is referring to is not IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s but Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s, a country which is completely different from India and an independent sovereign nation over which India has no business whatsoever as far as constitution making or constitution amendments is concerned. India is also reported to have stated that there should be credible investigations into allegations as regards atrocities during the Eelam war IV.
One can readily agree with the sentiments of India on some aspects of the above statements. Sri Lanka certainly should initiate credible investigations into the atrocities that had been committed in Sri Lanka, but the period of investigation should not be restricted to that of Eelam War IV and the implied accused the Sri Lankan armed forces, but should span the entire nearly 30 years during which the LTTE massacred tens of thousands ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, these decades during which civilians got blown up in smithereens in bomb explosions and the peasants were butchered by machete-wielding young Tamil women ended in May 2009. India naturally will be among the prime accused because it was IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Indira and her son Rajiv who facilitated with military training a rag tag bunch of street thugs to evolve into the most ferocious terrorist group in the world. And, then there are the members of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and the Canadian Tamil Congress, and many other such outfits that are comfortably cocooned in the most affluent countries in the world, who provided financial and moral support to the LTTE for the latterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s dastardly operations in Sri Lanka. The co-accused in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”credible investigationsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ that India seems so keen about is these groups that wreaked havoc on innocent people in a once-peaceful country, claiming ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”discrimination of TamilsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
The constitution of any sovereign nation is the bedrock on which the country came into existence and on which it continues to carry on. When the citizens of that country feel that the constitution needs to be amended, it is the very same people that decide what they should be and the time frame for implementing them. The whole world knows that the 13th Amendment to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s constitution was something that was rammed down Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s throat by India when Rajiv Gandhi was at the helm of the latterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s affairs: the people of Sri Lanka never asked for it, nor were they ever given an opportunity to show their approval or disapproval.
“We are encouraged by the Indian intervention at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva on November 1ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, an individual identified as Suren Surendiran of the GTF outfit is reported to have said. The man reportedly talks of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-serious issues including militarization, lack of political will to resolve the Tamil National QuestionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
Militarization, or more correctly deciding on the strengths and the locations of the armed forces of Sri Lanka, is a matter for the Minister of Defence of Sri Lanka. People who have left Sri Lanka for good and obtained citizenship in other countries need not worry about the manner in which the present government conducts its affairs: after all, they did not wish to stay behind in Sri Lanka and opted to move out, which is their prerogative over which no other should complain.
Terrorism that destroyed Sri Lanka for nearly three decades originated in the Northern Province, with the Sun God Prabakaran who led the gang coming from Velvetithurai, a place not having a reputation as a locality where people engaged in legally-sanctioned activities lived. One would say that the JVP insurrections of 1971 and 1986 were mere childƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s play in comparison to the vicious acts of the LTTE. It is essential that Sri Lanka deploys adequate numbers of armed personnel in the North and the East so that terrorism will not rise again. While some of these would be active fighting units, the others would be responsible for the crucial job of intelligence and espionage so that any resurgence of LTTE or any other form of terrorism can be nipped in the bud. Furthermore, the very same factor demands that Sri Lanka stations the armed forces in the heaviest concentrations in the North in comparison to any other provinces.
Additionally, the GTF and its partners in crime should be told in clear terms that whatever that they cherish under the phrase ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil National QuestionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is not anything that the sovereign nation of Sri Lanka is ready to entertain: Sri Lanka is willing to accommodate peace loving Sinhalas, Tamils, Moors, Malays, Burghers and Vanniye Eththos, who can live happily ever after in the emerald isle. Those who wish to have a Tamil nation have one already: Tamil Nadu of India has over 70 million Tamils who practice the same religion, language, culture, food habits and dress code. An additional bonus is that its leaders are clearly concerned ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” at least going by the pronouncements and the statements to UN – about the welfare, dignity and self respect of Tamils.
Throw out the 13th Amendment without delay. If Sri Lankans wish to see amendments in their constitution, they ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” and no interfering busybody from another country dictating to them – should do it through accepted legal norms.
November 4th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Sri Lanka has NO OBLIGATION whatever to INDIA to implement the 13th Amendment.
What OBLIGATION does a VICTIM have towards a CRIMINAL who held a GUN to his head and demanded signing over his property?
NONE! ZERO! ZILCH! …. in Common Law AND in International Law! No agreement made under DURESS is valid in Law.
Did Czechoslovakia have an OBLIGATION to HONOR the INFAMOUS Munich Agreement and LEAVE the Sudentenland, that was robbed by Nazi Germany under the THREAT of INVASION, in German hands?
No! Czechoslovakia ABROGATED the Munich Agreement after the defeat of Germany in WW II.
Does Sri Lanka have an OBLIGATION to HONOR the INFAMOUS 13th Amendment IMPOSED by India upon Sri Lanka under Military Occupation of a large part of Sri Lanka by Indian Forces?
The ANSWER, my friend, blows in the wind: NO OBLIGATION WHATEVER!
Note that the same CLUB of Western Nations (UK and France) who failed to honor their DUTY TO DEFEND Czechoslovakia and threw it to the German Wolves, are the same VULTURES now demanding Sri Lanka to honor the 13th Amendment imposed by India upon Sri Lanka under the Military Threat of Permanent Occupation, throwing Sri Lanka to the Indian Wolves!
They only care ONLY about their own agenda and their own security; “human and democratic rights” they shout from the rooftops are MERELY A CLOAK to DISGUISE their own interests. “Human and Democratic rights” are forgotten, of course, when they wage criminal wars in far off lands, arrogating the law unto themselves, with their PUPPETMASTER … United Nations …. in charge of the puppet show to hoodwink the global audience.
November 4th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
NB:- India re-iterates its call for implementation of the 13th Ammendment. The request, or the Order to implement it, is attached with a ‘ fear close ‘ vis-a-vis ~~ that there should be credible investigations into allegations as regards atrocities during the Eelaam War IV. DONT OUR LEGISLATORS SEE THAT THIS IS THREAT AND INTIMIDATION ? The impeachment chandiyas are with the tails between their legs, it appears. SHAME. SHAME.
Then, the “Our Souls” of the GTF and CTC, and others of their ilk, are shouting out, using their hackneyed phrase, Thef Tamil National Question. This is a ploy to collect FUNDS from the Low Caste Tamil Di-as-Pariahs, to keep these aforesaid Master Crook Tamil “OUR SOULS” in the lap of living luxurious lives. A steady flow of DOLLARS to the TAMIL TREASURY is assured. Tamil ingenuity indeed. Master Brains–Master Crooks.
To whom is the Government waiting for ?
November 4th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
If the provincial councils are abolished I will be the happiest person. Whether or not the government has guts to do it, I have a big question mark. The recent discourse by the goverment may have been initiated due to Divineguma, once it is resolved, the idea may again be swept under the carpet. Like the patriotic Diaspora, the citizens must also join the outcry. Only through a mammoth campaign, (preferably headed by Gotabhaya), the country may be able to achieve this sweetest most goal. There is way to go.
November 4th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
This Government has lost its track. Because of Gota, the war was won. Probably due to Gota’s influence MR did not give in for foreign pressure. By living and working in US, Gota may have a better understanding of how they think than MR. Who knows?? Other than what Gota involved, everything the GOSL did are below par. the whole system is in a mess. Education, Petroliam, Legal sector, Health sector… reconciliation with Tamil population in the North… Handling TNA, Handling India… Mervin’s drama’s…etc, etc … these are all a bunch of jokers..
Whatever Gota involved are clean and tidy, the war, city of Colombo etc. GOSL’s handling of post war diplomacy was an utter failure. They have lazy defunct ministers who support 13th Amendment and also people like GL… I don’t know if they are genuinely thinking of clearing the country’s name from the bloody war. Exactly with the Geneva events happening, they went ahead to impeach the CJ… what a bad timing, even though the cause may be genuine… All the ministers are acting like fools except for few like Basil.
I doubt very much if they will abolish the 13th Amendment.. Some old ministers are talking about 13+. Some of them are paid in $$$$’for doing so.
With such a mandate, MR can do it single handed… but he is not doing it. How long is he waiting.
Luckily, we have a weak UNP and JVP. Otherwise our Ranawiruwo may be already in Hague, with the amount of money that LieTTE is throwing on these false propaganda…
November 4th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
13A, forced on us by the same Indians who were responsible for the training of the LTTE, has led to the over-politicization of Sri Lanka, ending up with many a village thug ending up with political power like a “monkeys with a razor in his hand”.
Constitution of a country is the centre piece of the political authority.Sri Lankans and Sri Lankans alone have the legitimate right to change it to fit the needs of our country. Even though most of the political parties, including the present ruling party, were against the Indian imposed 13A, it appears that they have lost the political will to remove it and save the country from self-imposed separatism.
Now that Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, our defence secretary has expressed in no uncertain terms that the 13A is an obstacle to maintaining security, territorial integrity and development of the country, just like many a contributor to this forum, all patriotic Sri Lankans are waiting anxiously for this day.
As a democracy, Sri Lankans have given the mandate to the GOSL to govern the country in a way to ensure that SL will never go back to the LTTE days of the past. They not only deserve the right to enjoy the freedom they gained through the loss of many a kith and kin, but also expect the GOSL to govern the country with wisdom and foresight so that they will be able to live in a prosperous SL in peace and harmony.
Over-politicization of our small island has led to divisions and economic ruin of the country. It is high time for the GOSL to take the right decision to abolish this 13A through a general referendum and save the country from impending disaster. All Sri Lankans and the future generations would thank this government and remember them for ever for reuniting a divided country and getting rid of a self-imposed divisive political system.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:41 am
Sri Lanka has however an obligation to its minorities. The obligation is to provide them equal opportunities as citizens, afford them equal protection as citizens, recognise their language and cultural rights, take into account their concerns in governance and permit them to participate in governance at the national level.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
November 5th, 2012 at 4:27 am
Narendran,
There is no such obligation.
Then UK also has a similar obligation towards Tamils in UK. Does UK give them these things?
SL Tamils have EVERY RIGHT a UK Tamil has.
There is no need to give more.
If this pestering demands don’t stop, it makes sense to use the military option to eliminate those who make RACIST demands.
Veddhas are also minorities. Why not make the Veddha language an official language?
November 5th, 2012 at 4:48 am
Sri Lanka has no obligation to abide by the 13th Amendment- NO
not only GR but also his gran Son can not touch 13A imposed by Great Indian !!!
MR have over 40 years of experiance in Lanka politic clever enough to carry out Indian blue print fully!!!
India won the war with out blood in their Hand !!! Now indians need step to keep Sri lanka in her control forever !!!
We Lankan ( Tamils & Sinhalese ) are modayas (Muddalkal) !!! get ready for Eelam war V !!!
November 5th, 2012 at 4:54 am
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
There is no need to give more.If this pestering demands don’t stop- Dr atleast now you undrestand why we were begint VP even We know 100% his is terrist ( known evil(VP) is better than unknow Evil(MR))
Dr Joint with TETG Mega Minterial Govt ! you can apply for Animal well fair miniterial post still not full filled yet !!!
will you get elected (votes) ??? that is big question !!!
November 5th, 2012 at 5:30 am
Lingam,
This doctor makes me sick. He is a liar. He has all the qualifications to win votes under TNA.
November 5th, 2012 at 5:39 am
Dham
He was sick for LTTE as well !!! but he done some good charity work for war affected people after the war from his own money & his anti LTTE friends !
November 5th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Dham
He has all the qualifications to win votes under TNA- NO If Dr join TNA Suresh Premechandran will become sucit bomber!
This Austalin Dr live in cockuland !! Dr should be happy with what he is geting from GR while he is in Sri Lanka for his hollydays!
November 5th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran: You said
1. “Sri Lanka has however an obligation to its minorities. The obligation is to provide them equal opportunities as citizens, afford them equal protection as citizens …”
NO, Sri Lanka has NO OBLIGATION to “minorities” per se’, but YES, Sri Lanka the OBLIGATION to assure the SAME EQUAL rights for ALL CITIZENS, and to hold ALL citizens ACCOUNTABLE to their EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY to obey the law, serve and defend the country, IRRESPECTIVE of Community.
In other words, GOVERNMENT, acting in the PUBLIC SPHERE, should be BLIND to Communal differences.
2. “Recognise their language rights” …. YES, and the Government should institute a fair policy purely because it eases effective governance; otherwise it could let people use whatever language they wish. In my view, the Tri-Lingual Policy advocated by MR is the best, compulsorily requiring proficiency in both Sinhala and Tamil from ALL citizens, and compulsory proficiency in English so that Sri Lankans can swim like fish in the ocean of the world as a whole.
3. “Recognise their cultural rights” …. NO, the Government should have NO BUSINESS promoting cultural rights of any community. That should be RELEGATED to the PRIVATE SPHERE of the lives of individuals. Let people enjoy their culture in their PRIVATE homes and PRIVATE institutions.
But, when they interact with others outside those private institutions they should be governed by PUBLIC laws … such as those prohibiting discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, language, caste, sex, and wealth. For example, a Tamil Brahmin should have the right to deny entry to lower-caste Tamil into their PRIVATE homes, or to a PRIVATE devotional area within their own home, or into marraige with their children, if they so choose, but they should be prohibited by law from denying entry to a PUBLIC Hindu temple, to a rental home, or to a job in their business serving the public.
4. “take into account their concerns in governance and permit them to participate in governance at the national level. ” ” … YES, allow them that as EQUAL citizens of Sri Lanka, through the ELECTORAL and other mechanisms of Governance available EQUALLY to ALL citizens of Sri Lanka, but NOT because they are “Tamil” people who should be separately REPRESENTED at the National, or at ANY OTHER LEVEL, of Governance, through positions reserved for that Community.
If COMMUNAL representation in governance were to be allowed for Tamils, then there would have to be SEPARATE REPRESENTATION for the SINHALA people and the MUSLIM people as well …. and we are back where we began …. dividing Sri Lanka … and its citizenship rights on Communal bases. There would again be INTERMINABLE accusations of “discrimination” and “unfairness” in the allocation of government benefits. We are back to ending riots!
Do you realize that this is EXACTLY what is happening in India, where with the good intention of uplifting disadvantaged people, Government assistance is allocated on the basis of CASTE …. Scheduled Castes, Other Disadvantaged Castes, and what have you, ad infinitum, ad nauseam, leading to a goldrush in getting communities identified and defined as “caste disadvantaged”. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of poor Brahmins pull rickshaws and clean toilets in New Delhi and elsewhere, without government aid because they are “high caste” … BY DEFINITION … because they wear the “Purna Noola” around their scrawny necks. This communal allocation of benefits has led to frequent civil strife and riots in India. As one Indian Supreme Court judge remarked “There is no country in the world like India where people rush to degrade themselves socially to receive government handouts!” This is one of the reasons why I say, that India has NO WISDOM IN GOVERNANCE to offer Sri Lanka … they are mired in communal policies that pit their communities against one another. BIG is not BETTER or WISER!
Allocation of National Benefits on COMMUNAL bases is a terribly UNFAIR, and inexorably DIVISIVE way of assisting people, that creates more problems than it solves. The CORRECT WAY to allocate National Benefits to the needy, is to base that allocation on verified NEED, and NEED ALONE, irrespective of Community.
Your recommendation of SEPARATE REPRESENTATION for Minorities at the National Level is a step on this path to COMMUNAL HELL paved with good intentions.
November 5th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Ananda,
1. “NO, Sri Lanka has NO OBLIGATION to “minorities” per se’, but YES, Sri Lanka the OBLIGATION to assure the SAME EQUAL rights for ALL CITIZENS, and to hold ALL citizens ACCOUNTABLE to their EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY to obey the law, serve and defend the country, IRRESPECTIVE of Community.”
I applaud your position. This is the proper and permanent cure for our ailments. All other solutions are palliatives to treat symptoms and not the cause. My question is how likely is this scenario? Would the Sri Lankan state roll back various acts of ommision and commision which have over the years severely circumscribed the concept you advocate?
3.” “Recognise their cultural rights” …. NO, the Government should have NO BUSINESS promoting cultural rights of any community. That should be RELEGATED to the PRIVATE SPHERE of the lives of individuals. Let people enjoy their culture in their PRIVATE homes and PRIVATE institutions. ”
I once again agree. If the state takes its hands off the cultural (including the religious) aspects of life of all peoples, there will not be any need for what I have highlighted. Once again how possible is what you suggest in reality? The law and order mechanism should also function optimally and in a fair manner to give form to what you advocate.
I am also for banning all caste-based references and considerations from public life. What people want to do within their homes and families is their private business.
4. ” YES, allow them that as EQUAL citizens of Sri Lanka, through the ELECTORAL and other mechanisms of Governance available EQUALLY to ALL citizens of Sri Lanka, but NOT because they are “Tamil” people who should be separately REPRESENTED at the National, or at ANY OTHER LEVEL, of Governance, through positions reserved for that Community.”
I agree quite enthusiastically. However, how realistic is this considering what has transpired over almost 65 years of our history? If it can be made to happen, it will be dream come true for me.
I have had the opportunity to meet President Rajapakse thrice, along with delegations of like minded persons. I always had the impression after these meetings that the president wants to move in the direction you suggest and I wish. However, he has failed to articulate this policy clearly and loudly. The post-war investments in the north and east, the manner in which the IDP crisis was handled and the tri-lingual language policy are in the right direction. His efforts at learning Tamil and speaking Tamil in public was an enlightened move. I have been very critical of the TNA for not responding positively to these moves.
What is needed is for the president to clearly postulate his vision.
Thank you once again for your enlightened positions. My objecive in engaging in some of the discussions in Lanka Web, is to bring out such enlightened thoughts from particularly the Sinhalese. The Tamils have to hear these as the voice of the Sinhalese majority. I hope our dreams for Sri Lanka will come true. Let us continue to contribute our mite, through at least what we write and comment.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
November 5th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Who is this Erpini? Paki? I think this fellow has no idea why a constitution exists!
13 will live for ever.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Mu-Dalit,
Didn’t you say the same for Thalaivar?
13 will FOLLOW Thalaivar to hell!
When IPKF came, they disarmed ALL Tamil armed groups EXCEPT LTTE.
So 13 is the mother of SOLE REPRESENTATIVE nonsense of LTTE.
Father was July 1983.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:36 am
M.S.MUDALI
13 will live for ever- NO it will die peace fully natural dead ( realy specking already dead not bried yet -the day Mr A Amirthalingam dead)
Mudali We tamil want live with our rasict attitute as same as sinhala rasiction we both community are equal partners of risitiom ( a coin two side)!
I will agrred with Lorenzo also We said Thalaivar never die but chinhalabn send him paralogam ( heavan) !!!
in our We both communitywhoever have tini brain know this 13A good intention to keep our mother lanka united as similar to indian states ! but We Tamil divered to this as our first stone to Tamil EEla dream now ( similar insident Sinhala Head JRJ divered IPKF againt us(LTTE)) !
So now Our Tamils part is fight to keep this already dead (body) 13A to alive !
Our Chinhala brothers part is to bery this 13A before Tamil start to build next stone for their Eelam dream with this 13A!!!
We will We will win it !
Namoungal Naalai pirakkum Thamil Eelam!
Long live to Moddu Chinhalavan & Modaya Demil !!!
November 6th, 2012 at 4:24 am
Andy Lingam and Dham,
Some of my positions are defined by the following:
“Rajasingham Narendran debates recent history with Ilaya Seran Seguttuwan
Courtesy of the Sri Lanka Guardian
Communal relations in independent Sri Lanka
I read with interest the response of Ilaya Seran Seguttuwan to my note titled, ‘A brief overview of post- independence history of communal relations in Sri Lanka’ (Sri Lanka Guardian of 19th Sept’2011). [article 01, article 02 ] The criticism he directs at me is more valuable than the complements, in view of his erudition, experience and long involvement in Sri Lankan affairs. He has raised a couple of issues that require explanations from me.
1.“For reasons not clear, he is a strident critique of the TNA, the TULF and the Tamil leadership under Mr. Sambanthan and colleagues- bar a few instances he passes some complementary remarks on this grouping”.
Yes, I am very critical, because throughout our post-independence history the Tamils have been led in a short sighted manner by their so-called leadership (I have used the pre-fix so-called to emphasize that leadership means something entirely different to me). This includes G.G.Ponnambalam’s Tamil Congress. Their politics has been emotive and reactive. They did not provide a practical vision as to how the Tamils, a minority, could have found a place commiserate with their numbers in an independentSri Lanka. Their efforts were directed towards maintaining the post-independence status quo at any cost. This was untenable, unreasonable and irrational. The alternatives they demanded from federalism to an independent Tamil Eelam were a red flag to the Sinhala politicians and people. The need for greater devolution of power to the periphery within Sri Lanka was a necessity. However, the whole concept was tainted by the sectarian nature of the demands made by the Tamil leadership. The attempt to involve India in the problems of independent Sri Lanka was a further mistake. The traditional antipathy and fear of India, which meant at one time the Tamil part ofIndia, among the Sinhalese, was not recognized by the Tamil leadership. The legitimate desire of the Sinhalese to play a greater role in the affairs of the newly independent nation and its legitimacy was not recognised by the Tamil leadership. The failure to keep their distance from the LTTE, when it went wrong, lost whatever creditability that was left with the Sinhala people. Their arm twisting politics were a failure. Their inability to win the Sinhalese to their cause was calamitous. They have led the Tamils almost to a dead end, with the help of their alter ego, the LTTE. How can they continue to talk on behalf of Tamils, in these circumstances, especially from a debilitated position the Tamils are in after the war?
Coming to the post-war scenario, the TNA and most of the Tamil leadership have failed to acknowledge the enormity of the destruction in many spheres and the tragedy that had befallen the war-affected. They have been playing the role of vultures, in trying to feed on the misery of the war-affected Tamils. They have played a very negative role in the post-war recovery process. They have been critical where unwarranted. They have been untruthful in many instances. They have exaggerated incidents out of proportion to their relevance and importance. They have also failed to mobilize help and the goodwill needed to help the war-affected. They have failed to enunciate a new vision for the Tamils and continue to talk in terms of a long lost past. Their priorities are not at all related to the needs of the people in the north and east. This annoys me more than anything else. They have failed to capitalize on the good will prevailing among the Sinhala people to forge a partnership with the government. Their decision to support Sarath Fonseka at the last presidential election was a tactical error, based on a wrong reading of political realities. They are yet engaging in the arm twisting politics that have failed us and alienated us from the national main stream. The TNA is an anachronism we are forced to live with. I am not prepared to accept them as the only alternative available. There has to be new leadership and this will take time to evolve. We can live with the present dispensation for some more time until this happens. I find the present dispensation much more acceptable than the alternative in the form of the TNA and its allies. The TNA and its allies, as presently constituted, would lead us to oblivion.
I have to end this answer with the question, what have the Federal party, the TULF and now the TNA, done for the Tamils in the past and are capable of doing in the future, compared to the achievements of Sir.P.Ramnathan and Saumyamoorthy Thondaman? At least the Tamil Congress got us the cement factory and the Paranthan Chemicals !
2.”He gives the impression of being more pro-government even in instances where this appears to be patently against Tamil interests. He makes very little effort to (not) leave the impression he is more inclined towards Pro-Douglas policies”.
Impressions are often misleading and definitely are in this instance. I am pro-Tamil and pro-Sri Lanka. My position is defined by the current realities and completely divorced from the past. I think there should be a complete break between pre- and post- 18th May’2009. I have witnessed what the government has done in the past two and a half years and am thankful for that. More needs to be done and these can be done only by the government and with the help of the government. I would rather work with the government or encourage the government to achieve what is urgently needed by the Tamils, rather than criticize it on the basis of what is not important for the Tamils now.
I am for a united Sri Lanka, where the north and east will continue to reflect their predominant ‘Tamilness’. I do not think any devolution of power will be useful for the Tamils, until they have recovered fully from the devastation of war and are on their feet as a proud people. I do not think that the north and east should be the exclusive preserves of the Tamils or Tamil-speaking people. While I do not condone state-aided colonization, I welcome Sinhala, Muslim and Plantation Tamil migrations to the north and east. We need this to bring about an economic transformation in these areas. I may sound pro-government because of these positions. I believe the whole of Sri Lankais ours to live and that the government should ensure our rights, safety and security, wherever we live. I have not hesitated to criticize the government on its approach to politics in the north and east, after the war.
Tamil interests to me at present mean survival, recovery, reconciliation, peace and security. All other considerations are secondary and distant. I am not supporting those seeking political power in the north and east by hook or by crook. Their interests are not the interest of the Tamils. As much as all the Tamils were not Tigers, the Tamil politicians visible at present are not the Tamils.
I am not inclined towards pro-Douglas policies in any way. I am a vocal critic of his politics, antics and mischief, but have muted my criticism in the recent past, because my criticism had made no difference and likely will not make a difference. My silence is because of frustration at the status-quo.
3. “Differing from Dr.R.N I make bold to suggest education did not benefit one section of the Jaffna Tamil society only. It benefitted all of them, arguably, some more than others”.
You are absolutely right. It benefitted some substantially more than others. This was my case.
You do not agree with my use of the words, “They were caught with their pants down”. I should have said instead they were caught without even their underwear.
Semantics aside, what I meant to say was that they were totally unprepared for the tragedy that befell them. It was no doubt a tragedy that could have been avoided if wisdom had prevailed among the Sinhala leadership of that time. It was an indictment also of the Tamil leadership which had failed to anticipate this outcome.
4. “Let us hope the good influence NR (should be RN) is believed to enjoy with the Rajapakse brothers—-”.
Your belief and those of others who assume so, is absolutely wrong. I hope what I have said at meetings with the government and in my writings have some effect. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have no close contact with any of them beyond official contacts on a few occasions that followed my membership in a Diaspora delegation. I do not court them and they do not court me. This protects my independence, despite the perception that I am pro-government. I will of course not hesitate to contact them if the occasion warrants it.
To conclude, ISS, I am glad that you agree with much of what I have said. Coming from you it matters much to me. Your criticism has given me an opportunity to explain and I am sure these may not be acceptable to many Tamil readers, even if acceptable to you. I am also glad you are ready to engage me in a civilized debate.
************
Rajasingham Narendran’s previous eSsay, the one that drew ISS’s comments
A Brief Overview of Post-independence Politics — History of Communal Relations in Sri Lanka
The problems of a section of Jaffna Tamils in the post-independence years were portrayed by Tamil politicians (also from the same section) of the day , as those of all Tamils. This was a historical mistake of immense proportions. The Vaddukottai resolution was the outcome.
This was the result of the advantage they had by way of high quality schools, the propensity for hard work, the sacrifice their parents made in investing in education and the conditions inJaffna-over crowding and lack of opportunities- that had to be left behind.
The American missionaries who were directed toJaffna, by a suspicious British colonial administration paved the way for the development of an excellent school system inJaffna. This was an inadvertent advantage that became a problem for the dominating section of Jaffna Tamils in the post-independence period.
Other sections of the Tamils in Jaffna, the Tamils in the Vanni and Mannar and the Tamils in the East, did not experience the same circumstances nor advantages. The plantation Tamils were virtual slaves, looked down upon by all so-called Sri Lankan Tamils. Basil Rajapakse calling Muthu Sivalingam a Para-demala, which is much referred to, was totally uncivilized. However, how we the Sri Lankan Tamils looked down upon and treated the plantation Tamil was also uncivilized and disgraceful. This class of Jaffna Tamils were also very much in the fore front of oppressing other Sri Lankan Tamils in the name of caste. The Jaffna Tamils, who had the advantage of a good education, also wielded an influence disproportionate to their numbers in national political affairs.
The affairs in Sri Lankain the immediate post-independence period, were very much skewed in favour of a section of Jaffna Tamils. The Sinhala dominated governments had to correct this situation and empower the majority Sinhala community. This was natural and had to inevitably happen. the Tamils were no more intelligent than the Snhalese and no more capable either, although many Tamils thought they were. They enjoyed calling the Sinhalese ‘Modayas’- handicapped by their very identity!
How the Sri Lankan governments tried to correct this imbalance was wrong, short sighted and brutal. Instead of investing in education in the South and other disadvantaged Tamil areas and bringing in a time framed affirmative action program, the governments forced the pace through Sinhala only, dismantling of merit based selection processes and of course the standardization schemes for University admissions. The language used by the Sinhala politicians and some societal leaders to justify their actions were insulting, inflammatory and unwise These measures while advancing the cause of the Sinhalese, set back the country as a whole. The section of the Jaffna Tamils who had planned their entire life on following a particular path to education, employment and prosperity, were literally caught with their pants down!
These Jaffna Tamils who had the advantages in their favor and had come to consider their advantage a God-given right, reacted vehemently (and later violently)and tried to hang on to their inadvertent and disproportionate advantages, misled and egged on by their so-called leaders, who were also stupid not to comprehend that the times had changed. A clash was inevitable. The riots, the murder and mayhem became a way of life. Short sighted actions and equally short sighted reactions, orchestrated by the extremists on both sides led to the civil war and its aftermath. The advantaged section of Jaffna Tamils were in the vanguard of Tamil reactions and have exposed the other Sri Lankan Tamils to the outcome. The Governments in Sri Lanka, failed to act rationally and in a far sighted manner to nip evolving and escalating problems in the bud.The governments became a part of the evolving problems.
The balance has been corrected in favour of the majority Sinhala population now. However, the tide has turned against all Sri Lankan Tamils. All Tamils from the north and east are a disadvantaged people now. There has to be affirmative action in their favour. The Plantation Tamils have progressed thanks to Saumyamoorthy Thondaman’s political acumen and vision.
This is where we stand now. How do we proceed into the future? Should there be a change in our approach- from both the Sinhala and Tamil sides?
A time for wisdom- based sober thought to prevail has come.” (www.thuppahi.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/rajasingham-narendran-debates-recent-history-with-ilaya-seran-seguttuwan/)
November 6th, 2012 at 4:45 am
You can talk big. But exaggeration, dishonesty must stop first before people accept your Bana.
November 6th, 2012 at 5:56 am
Dham
exaggeration, dishonesty must stop first – they are heart beats ! you want to Dr to dei first ?
You can talk big , big talk than big talk than big talk than Nathikadal (Mullivakkal) thuvasam !!! than accept banana in IDP camp !!!
November 6th, 2012 at 7:11 am
Naren has some sense but others..non-sense!
November 6th, 2012 at 7:26 am
M.S.MUDALI
Naren has some sense- that why he was in our LTTE top of kit list !!!
November 12th, 2012 at 1:19 am
The TERRORISTS of the JVP were just as BAD as the TERRORISTS of the LTTE.
Hero Worship of Murderous Terrorist Leaders such as Rohana Wijeweera should be banned just as the Glorification of the Arch Murderer Velupillai Prabhakaran should be BANNED!
……………
Sri Lanka Marxists to hold 23rd November Hero Commemoration
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Nov 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) prepares to hold the 23rd commemoration of its late leader Rohana Wijeweera and others died in the 1987-90 insurrection.
The November Hero remembrance ceremony will be held in the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre, in Colombo in in the afternoon on November 13th.
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and the General Secretary Tilvin Silva will deliver the keynote addresses at the commemoration ceremony.
A book on JVP history from 1965 to 1994 is also to be launched at this function.
Meanwhile, the breakaway Frontline Socialist Party has also planned to hold a November Hero Commemoration on November 13 at Henry Pedris Ground in Colombo.
JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera was killed by Sri Lankan police on November 13, 1989.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Lanka now wants to clip wings of provincial councils
By P K Balachandran
NewIndianExpress.com
November 12, 2012
The Sri Lankan Government would ask the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), which is to be set up to draft a new devolution package, to ‘drastically’ prune the powers of the Provincial Councils (PCs), a source close to the regime told Express here on Sunday.
The government would not go to the extent of abolishing the PCs, which were set up at New Delhi’s instance following the India-Sri Lanka Accord of July 1987, but it was bent on pruning the powers of the PCs drastically to rid them of features which abridged the powers of the national parliament and the directly elected Executive President, the source said.
The 13th Amendment and the Provincial Councils (PC) Act of 1987 had placed several constraints on parliament’s ability to make laws on subjects devolved to the provinces.
They also curbed the powers of the provincial Governor who was supposedly an agent of the Centre. The Sri Lankan Centre was not given the powers that the Indian Centre had vis-a-vis the States to curb separatism and misrule. The Sri Lankan Centre’s hands were tied by prohibitions and the cumbersome procedure of passing laws with a two-thirds majority and, in some cases, through a referendum.
The source said the government was afraid that a Tamil-dominated Northern Province ruled by the “separatist” Tamil National Alliance (TNA) might spin out of control and make unacceptable demands on the Centre. The fear that India and Tamil Nadu might collude with TNA to destabilise Sri Lanka again (as they did in the 1980s) was very much there, he added.
The source said that the Rajapaksa government was keen on having the Provincial Councils Act amended before the Northern Provincial elections scheduled for late 2013. To enable this, the PSC would be constituted soon, whether or not the Tamil National Alliance joined it, the source added.
The Mahinda Rajapaksa government has a two-thirds majority in parliament needed to amend the constitution. And, as Basil Rajapaksa, the powerful Economic Development Minister in Lanka, has said the government is ready for a referendum too.