India is no friend of Sri Lanka: the Indian PM’s statement to his Parliament proves it again!
Posted on March 7th, 2013
Asada M Erpini
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankans keep on coming across, ad nauseum, statements in the local media, uttered by many who should be in the know, that India is a friend of Sri Lanka, and the cultural and religious links between the two nations span for over two and a half millennia. If that really is the case, it is well and good, and the large majority of peace-loving Sri Lankans, no doubt, will gladly embrace that position and welcome every Indian with garlands of jasmine. But the statements and the actions of the bigwigs in India clearly lead many to believe that this is not the case at all, and that one cannot expect it even in oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wildest dreams.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A Sri Lankan media report on 07 March stated thus: ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Addressing the Indian Parliament on March 6, Indian PM has said that his government very seriously takes the sentiments expressed by members of the parliament on the issue of human rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka and the lack of progress on reconciliation, accountability and political devolution in Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are many glaring absurdities in this statement attributed to the gentleman from India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ First and foremost, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an independent sovereign nation. It is sad that the doctor (the learned) has forgotten ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” or conveniently ignored ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” that Sri Lanka is not one of the states in the union of states that comprises India. It is up to the President of Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” who is the equal of any Head of State, be it India, US or any other sovereign country on international matters ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” to decide on the course of action that he deems fit to take as regards ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-reconciliation, accountability and political devolution in Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. The Sri Lankan Head of State does not pontificate to India on how it should deal with Kashmir, Sikkim or Assam. The least that Sri Lanka can expect, or demand, is that the highly educated Prime Minister ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” unlike a few before him who occupied the prestigious position because of family connections ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” leaves Sri Lanka alone to manage its own affairs.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The next point is that the President of Sri Lanka is capable of dealing with the problems of Sri Lankan citizens. When the entire world stated that the LTTE could not be defeated militarily, and was treated on par with the duly elected government of Sri Lanka by many affluent nations headed by Norway, it was the same President who took the gang of marauding blood thirsty killers head on and ushered in peace to the island nation. This was in spite of the numerous road blocks that had been erected by many in the rich countries who even thought it was proper to demand the Head of a sovereign nation to call off the offensive, so that the killers would be given succour to come back another day to do what they knew best – killing the innocents.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Indian PM refers to the 13th Amendment (13A), as if that this is the panacea for all ills of Sri Lanka. He sadly has forgotten that this amendment is nothing that Sri Lankan ever desired, but an unwanted intrusion into the sovereignty of Sri Lanka that was conceived and delivered at the door step of Sri Lanka by an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”illustriousƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ predecessor of his. One of the key elements in 13A was the surrender of arms by LTTE, but all that happened was Pirabhaharan handing over a puny pistol ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” in the glare of TV cameras ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” and it was the valiant armed forces of Sri Lanka that defeated the Sri Lanka-based military wing of LTTE. 13A was a mere pus vedilla, as many Sri Lankans may say, as far as the handing over of weapons by LTTE was concerned. On the other hand, 13A spawned provincial councils with their governors and a plethora of ministers that eat into the meagre resources of the country. A widely read English daily says, quoting a senior Minister, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-the last elections held for the North-Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provinces in September last year had cost the government coffers as much as Rs. 672,750,000ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. This is precious money that Sri Lanka could have spent on development, and the Indians want the system that they forced down the throat of the then (1987) President of Sri Lanka to continue.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The most important aspect that is relevant to the Indian PMƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s statement is that if he is so concerned about the welfare of the Tamils in Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” who incidentally are not citizens of India, but happen to be nationals of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” is to invite the whole bunch to come back to India from where their ancestors descended on Lanka. At the same time, it may be worthwhile if the Indian PM remembers that it is not only the present day Tamils of Sri Lanka who draw their origins to India: the Sinhalas, too, are recorded to have come from various regions of British India ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” West Bengal, Bangladesh and many other such places ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” and they have very visible cultural and religious links to todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is a sad irony that all the tears that the Indian PM can shed are on behalf of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Tamils. Why not, for change at least, cry ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” even a few crocodile tears would do – for the plight of the Sinhalas who bore the brunt of the atrocities committed by LTTE during three decades, and by proxy, by India?
March 7th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
WE HAVE BEEN TELLING FROM A LONG TIME THAT INDIA IS NOT OUR “”loku ayya”” BUT OUR FOOLISH BACKBONELESS POLITICIANS GO AFTER THEM
March 7th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
India is our #1 enemy. Even before Sonia, Indians were enemies.
e.g. Mahatma Ghand – brought 250,000 Tamilans from India to Jaffna and told them to settle down in Jaffna.
e.g. Indira Ghandh – trained LTTE
March 7th, 2013 at 7:34 pm
It is worthwhile to note that Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) fully understood the Indian hegemony around the time of Independence. The Cabinet of ministers was made up of better educated, more nationalist and more objective members than now.
First Ceylon parliament with a prime minister was introduced in 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence. Ceylon was offered indepedence and it was independent in all forms except by name. Just two months after India gained independence, Ceylon and Britain signed the Anglo-Ceylon Defence Partnership Agreement. This was a clear attempt to face the obvious Indian threat. Ceylon officially gained independence only after this Agreement was in place.
Thanks to the protection of this agreement, the government in 1948 passed the Citizenship Act which was a bold move highly beneficial to the nation.
However, India and its ally Russia (Soviet Union) blocked Ceylon at the UN mainly over the Agreement. Ultimately Ceylon had to cancel the Agreement in 1955. Only then did Russia stopped its objection and Ceylon became a UN member. However, along with the cancellation of the Agreement, India started to interfere as expected. Gradually India got the Citizenship Act provisions reversed and after 1987 India has an Accord with Sri Lanka to push its defence interests. The 1947 Agreement was not without problems, however, it was a good attempt to prevent a known danger – the gravest danger faced by the nation.
Hopefully the present leadership with act with foresight and come to a defence agreement with a global power to ward off Indian intereference. Contrasting leadership of 1948 and 2013 can be seen from the conduct of the respective rulers then and now.
March 8th, 2013 at 12:29 am
To my mind the solution is simple: Beg for, borrow or make the deterent asap by getting help from our friends. Then they will leave us alone. In the mean time white van the traitors and increase the strenth of the militory in the north (send their families too). Do not waste anymore time.
March 8th, 2013 at 3:48 am
Thanks ASAD for clearly pointing the dangers of India. Sri Lankans better wake up to realitiy from the dramworld of strong past cultural links with India against the political realities of India today – S de Silva – London
March 8th, 2013 at 7:12 am
People from Indian sub continent have been enemies from the time of Rawana. Seetha ran away with great rawana.
March 8th, 2013 at 7:24 am
Another brilliant piece of writing by Shenali – http://www.eurasiareview.com/08032013-rights-of-sri-lankas-soldiers-vs-ltte-terrorists-oped/#comment-509958
March 8th, 2013 at 8:02 am
Christie
Seetha ran away with great rawana than Ramar came to Sri lanka sit out from great Rawana !!!
like Godaya done to VP May2009 ! Happy Now !
March 8th, 2013 at 8:54 am
And dont forget. Rama didnt come alone. He brought millions of monkeys with him. Monkeys are waiting for another tour.
March 8th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Hey Indian PM, before you talk about Human Rights of Sri Lankan Tamils, make Tamil an Official Language of India.
Then give equal rights to Tamils and Dalits.
If you have not done yet, make sure that you look after the Human Right Violations of millions of street children of India who have been enslaved and prostituted in every corner of the metropolises – protect their human rights first.
What sort of funny jokers these Indian politicians are???
March 8th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
India wants to be friends with Sri Lanka. Their predicament is the Tamil Nadu Tamils. Central government wants their support. So to please them they toe their line. What Indian Government should do is to tell this Tamil politicians to stop conforntational politics and join the Sri Lankan Government. We all know diaspora fled the country, skipping safety of neighbouring India, for greener pastures, to escape LTTE forced conscriptions. Sinhalese have no problem with Tamils and vice versa. But diaspora make all this noise because some vote-greedy mps in those countries ‘sings for their supper’. Both Sinhalese and Tamils are facing extinction if the things left the way they are now. While Sinhalese and Tamils killing each other, muslims quadrupled and secured deputy ministerial, ministerial, mayors, deputy mayors etc. etc with the increased numbers. Now they control the Sri Lankan Government and Sri Lanka. They are grabbing lands and resettling their people at will. Then they will multiply and in few years will be the majority. They have already over taken the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. India should tell Tamil Nadu politicians they have to live in the real world. Be realistic. There was no Tamil kingdoms in Sri Lanka. Only mythical ones. We can’t see any ancient buildings in anywhere in the country. Simply no Anuradhapuras, no Polonnaruwas in the country. Nobody has ever seen one. So it is a myth simply. So live in the real world. Change or both races will be extinct in few years. You have proof in front of your eyes, what happened in Bangladesh, Pakisthan, Afganisthan, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Egypt. Tamils’ confrontational politics will serve only one purpose. Expediting both races extinction from the Island. India also should be worry about this in the long run. They are already surrounded by muslim countries. It will be a muslim sandwich if Sri Lanka succumb to their multiplying. India already has more muslims than whole of Pakisthan. India should stop this non-sense and tell Tamil Nadu Tamils about the real danger they are facing. Their extinction along with the Sinhalese!
March 8th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Dear Prime Minister of India,
1. Double Standards of India and not Implementing the UN Resolutin on Kashmir.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_47
The resolution recommended that in order to ensure the impartiality of the plebiscite Pakistan withdraw all tribesmen and nationals who entered the region for the purpose of fighting and that India leave only the minimum number of troops needed to keep civil order. The Commission was also to send as many observers into the region as it deemed necessary to ensure the provisions of the resolution were enacted. Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and continued fighting, holding on to the portion of Kashmir under its control.[5] Subsequently India refused to implement the plebiscite claiming the withdrawal of Pakistan forces was a prerequisite as per this resolution.[6] In 1990 after nearly four decades, the United States changed its position and is no longer urging a plebiscite in Kashmir, saying the dispute should be settled through direct negotiations between India and Pakistan.[7]
The resolution was adopted paragraph by paragraph; no vote on the resolution as a whole was taken.
During the course of its engagement with the Kashmir Conflict, spanning 23 years (1948-1971), the U.N passed a number of resolutions, which were aimed at mediation and resolution of the conflict. Between 1948 and 1971, the U.N Security Council passed 23 resolutions on Kashmir Conflict.
The U.N resolutions regarding the Kashmir issue are not self-enforceable. In other words the resolutions are recommendatory in nature and can be enforced only if the parties to the dispute, viz. India and Pakistan, consent to their application. Indian refusal to implement the U.N resolutions on Kashmir was to relegate them to the margins of the conflict.
http://middleeast.about.com/od/pakistan/qt/Kashmir-UN-Resolution.htm
2. Human Rights Violations by India on Kashmir
http://hellinparadise.150m.com/
For more than half a century Kashmir, or Paradise on Earth as it is called, has suffered due to the extremely brutal Indian occupation.
Since 1988 over 80 000 civilians including women and children have died at the hands of the Indian army and paramilitary forces.
Their crime?
They want India to end the brutal occupation of Kashmir, their homeland.
Read on to learn about India’s ethnic cleansing campaign in Kashmir and how you can help stop the carnage.
March 9th, 2013 at 2:10 am
I agree with Amarasiri. Stop hanging on to ancient Indian myths that even Indians have rejected – Move on – learn to use the brain rather than rely on unproven blind faith. Dump giving up desires, aim for extinction deadly beliefs. Aim for achieving potential and self preservation. Learn to compete to survive.
Dump possible Indian agents such as Sunil who are trying to exterminate the Sinhalese, by promoting Nalanda type beliefs.