By Ian

In 2005 presidential election the people excluding the voters of north, voted almost equally to two candidates giving a slight edge to the current president. How did the voting percentages increase substantially after the war? There were a small percentage of new voters. But the main reason for the increase is due to some voters who voted for the UNP candidate in the 2005 presidential election voting for UPFA after the defeat of LTTE.

Why did a section of the voters who voted for UNP candidate subsequently voted for UPFA? In my belief the reason is they though UPFA is a better is safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country. Many UNP supporters believe the liberal attitude and the pro-west stance of the UNP leadership will not be conducive to the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

All political parties naturally have parasite supporters who support parties for personal benefit. They don’t care for the country or for a party. But the crowd that overnight shifted to UPFA are the UNP supporters who put country before self benefit.

The recent issue with the Former Army Commander and some people voicing their opinion in support of the candidacy of the popular General gives a very clear message. The message is they continue to care for the integrity of the country rather than blindly supporting a candidate.

Putting an end to separatism Vs ending to LTTE

It is important to understand the difference of separatism and LTTE to understand what is happening in voter minds. Many are aware that defeat of LTTE is not the end of separatism. In fact many separatist believe the defeat of LTTE is better for the future of the ealam. The reason that they can convince and win the support of the western countries without the terrorist label. The economic refugees are also in a better footing without LTTE label. Therefore one can argue that defeat of LTTE may lead to separatism in the future.

How can the defeat of LTTE be a win for the separatism?

If with the defeat of LTTE the separatism ended the Diaspora separatists would have gone to their enclaves and gone silent. This didn’t happen. The western countries who were our supporters have become our enemies. It happened due to the intense separatist activity. It is very clear that the separatist are trying their lobbying and influence with the west to win federal or similar concessions.  Their cry is past, present and future discriminations by the majority. The separatists have infiltrated enough political establishments in the west to reach this goal and such infiltration will continue in the future too. Their sole intention is after obtaining devolution with support of the west, to commence the next level of agitation campaigns for another fee decades to win a separation.

How to avoid this pit fall?

The only way to avoid this pitfall is to find a solution to ‘discrimination cry’ without resorting to devolution of power based on ethnic lines. Many writers have pointed out the use of bill of rights or anti discrimination acts as the solution. This is the safeguard for the minorities the western countries have given. Nothing more nothing less. Therefore these western countries cannot demand from Sri Lanka more or devolution on ethnic lines as a solution to so called discrimination.

It is also holds the key to handle the Common candidate issue

Coming back to the General Fonseka issue, what is playing in the minds of the people who shifted their support to UPFA from UNP in provincial council elections? One issue may be the corruption and family rule. Political corruption is not new to Sri Lanka and nor is family rule new. In my view the biggest fear playing in the minds of the people who shifted their support to UPFA is what will happen after the presidential election.

Analyzing the mind of the voter who shifted from 2005 voting to 2009 voting is the key to maintain the winning pattern.  The voter may be wondering on the following in considering whom it supports in the presidential election.

(a)     Would electing UPFA candidate as president lead to extensive devolution on ethnic lines? Will that lead to separatism in the future? This fear is aggravated by reports of so called secret agreement with India to win their support to the war. The Indian reports of promises of extensive devolution once the war is won have not been dismissed. It is a fair reservation as when a person says that solution will be given after the presidential election one can wonder why? Is it because the ‘solution’ if given before could cost him the election? If that is the case is it a solution that will not be acceptable to the masses? If that is a solution that is not acceptable to the masses is it one that could lead to separation of Sri Lanka in the future? These are fair and crucial fears that a person who is keen to safeguard the integrity of the country could have.

 (b)   Or having or supporting an anti-devolution candidate will be beneficial for the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Rather than doing this very important political thinking and analysis, the current Government is going on a path of vilifying the General. They should rather convince the population that it has the qualities what they are looking for. The UPFA should convince country is safer with them as much as with the General. Continuation of the current campaign will distance the UNP voter who started supporting UPFA and push them to a common candidate who support territorial integrity or push them back to UNP.

My advice to the current president is to give that assurance that supporting UPFA will not lead to devolution after the Presidential election.

How can UPFA give a convincing assurance?

The UPFA and its leaders have displayed that they most of the time give promises they don’t intend to keep. They gave many promises to JVP that basically won them the presidency and chased them away after winning the presidential election.  Many other pacts and people have been used and discarded. The credibility is an issue of statements and assurances.

How can UPFA convince the voters to the people who shifted from UNP purely because of their love for the country to remain with them?

They need to thoroughly convince the people they defeated LTTE to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country. Towards this they need to carryout comprehensive constitutional amendments to make any kind separatism or devolution on ethnic lines impossible.  To win the support of the non UPFA parties towards this they should couple this with extensive bill of rights or anti discriminatory laws to the constitution that will safeguard the minority rights.

Fully implementing the 17^th amendment will also take many voters away from UNP and anti UPFA blocks. This together with bill of rights or similar minority protection legislation coupled with extensive anti separatist constitutional amendment will most definitely win the UPFA the next presidential election. It will win Sri Lanka credibility in the western world. Lastly it will be a comprehensive win for every citizen of Sri Lanka. What else citizens of Sri Lanka ask for? They get the assurance of integrity of their country protected by strong constitutional provisions. Minorities (ones that are without ulterior motives) gets constitutional protection against discrimination, other kind of discriminations (such as political) will end, and the Independent Commissions as envisaged in the 17^th amendment will take politicization away from the day to day life. It will also be a win for Rajapaksas and UPFA as they could rule the country for several more decades.

Although a skeptic, I sincerely hope our motherland will be fortunate to have the president and the other leaders of the government thinking in these lines.  Unfortunately the chances however are that the current present will win the PE somehow and give extensive devolution that will be the starting point of separation of the country in 50 or so years, and we will never see the benefits of 17^th amendment. I pray that I’d be proven wrong.

By Ian

For many of us we have won the war. But for me we have won a crucial battle of the war and the end of the war is yet to come. The ‘war’ for separation that started in the 1920’s created division amongst its people and destabilized a country that had highest per capita GDP in Asia. This war is still not over and unless defeated is likely to be there until one day the Ealam is created in Sri Lanka. Defeating the separatist war will take diplomatic, constitutional, communication and other ‘warfare’ efforts used consistently, effectively and intelligently.

Winning LTTE war will not guarantee that there will not be separatism

With regard to the war with LTTE, since 1980’s to 2002 we were only fighting isolated battles. At that time we failed to strategize and have a sustained and all out effort. That changed in 2006. In the last 3 years, thanks to outstanding and unprecedented leadership and execution Sri Lanka won the war against the LTTE. If this didn’t happen we wouldn’t be in the position of confidence that Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity would be somewhat safe. But is it now safe? Is the Real war to divide Sri Lanka over?

 It is my belief we are now repeating a strategizing error in the remaining part of this ‘war’. The war is still fought with the same ferocity to divide Sri Lanka. The difference is now most parts of the war is and will be fought in other parts of the world.  Defense establishments are busy putting final nails on LTTE pursuing the new leaders of the outfit. Is this the only direction we should be looking at? Would putting an end to LTTE ensure that there won’t be an international sustained efforts by the behind the scene separatists to somehow someday achieve their dream land?

I will not be surprised if some separatists consider that defeat of LTTE is a victory in the path of reaching Ealam. This I say because I believe that separatism started long before Prabakaran. Prabakaran hijacked that to build an empire centered on him as the Sun God. The last stages of the war managed to create empathy of the western governments towards separatists while removing Prabakaran from the equation. For many who are behind the scene separatists this is an ideal opportunity.  We must realize with certain things we do and certain thing we don’t do we are playing in to the hands of the separatists that are still active. We need to stop for a moment and try to comprehend the new directions of the separatism. What is happening in international political, communication, and other fronts? What are they attempting to do?  Then we need to re-strategize our focus on to fighting the next stage of the separatist war.

 International support

Many new countries created in the recent history such as Israel, Kosovo, East Timor was done with the support and the backing of the US led western world. Tamil separatists have now succeeded in winning the sympathy of the west. There is no doubt that for GOSL’s the anti-west stance was crucial to win the latest battle (War against LTTE). But we need to realize that to negate a separation threat in the future GOSL has to be on the good side of the west.  Whilst the anti-west stance played it part there is no point continuing to ridicule the US led west.  Comparing IDP issue to Hurricane Katrina delays may elicit applause in political meetings but would not do much to diffuse the agendas of the west. More we try to portray as an ‘arrogant enemy’ of the west, it is better for the separatists who want to be darlings of them. Explaining and updating the west through diplomatic channels and diplomatic language and politely refusing the pressure should be the name of the game. Building bridges to clear the misinformation that has reached the western policy tables such as ‘discriminations by Sinhalese’ etc. needs to done with a high powered teams, and sustained and well strategized diplomatic efforts. We may even have to emulate the separatists in hiring lobbyist, spokespersons, and supporters from the international elite and also perhaps cultivate congressmen and the likes to be on our side.

 Curtail the funding to separatists

Banning LTTE in US, Canada and some parts of Europe also helped in the war against LTTE. Recently an unsuccessful attempt was made to get the ban lifted in the US. This should be clear evidence that the separatists have not given up. If we simplify the issue to say that it is only some people want to continue to collect the money we may be missing the issue. It could be that the funds are required to keep on financing the political lobbyists, senators, congressmen, MPs, TV and news channels such as BBC, Channel 4 etc. to built the international sympathy and support for the next stage of the separatist agenda. If the ban is lifted not only they can raise money legally but also do the canvassing legally. The recent clip on Channel 4 is also an indication that the separatist war is still on. The way we handled that particular issue is a good example of fire fighting. Exact same way we fought the LTTE war from 1980’s to 2002. We have to see the bigger picture. What have we done to curtail the funding of the separatists?  Everything that curtailed the funding that was done in the past was done by the western governments and not by GOSL. Foreign ministry and Defense Ministry can easily open dialogues with the western governments and law enforcement agencies to publish telephone numbers in the media to inform of unauthorized collections and collectors. This will be a service we do some of the Sri Lankan Tamil expatriates who do not want to give money to separatists. They do it due to fear. If the ban on LTTE and TRO is lifted they will continue to do this legally. GOSL and her diplomatic arm should be mobilized to do this work guided by the defense ministry. Establishing intelligence arms in all our embassies with clear targets and work plans with the responsibility of cultivating relationships with the local anti-terrorist agencies could be a starting point. This needs to be done especially in the countries that collections are the highest such as USA, Canada, Australia and Norway etc.

 Constitutional support

If President Rajapakse and Defense Secretary Rajapakse are going to hold their positions for ever we can be sure that separatism will not happen in Sri Lanka. But a suicide bomb, natural death, plane crash or an election can change this in one week or in one or two decades. Where is the protection against separatism after that?  Prabakaran and his stooges thought he was immortal and paid the price for that. The Rajapakses should realize that they are not immortal and bring forward strong amendments to the constitution that would make separatism, promoting separatism, entering in to agreements like infamous CFA, excessive devolution that could lead to separatism, ethnic based politics (this is underway) and  ethnic based devolutions illegal and requiring a 2/3 majority in a referendum. Apart from this there could be many other constitutional safeguards pundits can think about to ensure that maximum possible protection against separatism is provided in the constitution.

To a lesser extent, as many writers had opined equal opportunities acts or bill of rights would also be much useful to silence the west and mis-informers of the west on ‘discrimination’ allegations. In my view we are only using the popularity of the ending of war to get political gains by way of Provincial council elections etc. and not using the popular support for things that is crucial for future territorial integrity. At least why can’t we do both?

 Communicating the IDP issue

The current situation with the IDP camps are used and abused by the separatist Diaspora to garner further international support and solidify the new found ‘empathy’ of the west towards their agendas. GOSL has totally failed in the communication issue. Separatists wants IDP’s ’settled’ soon so that sleeping LTTE cadres among IDPs can be activated to emulate Iraq style resistance in the north and recommence atrocities in the south. If this happens naturally the innocent Tamils in the north will be again be subjected to hardships due to security operations. This is exactly what the separatists want. By eliminating and reducing this threat by the screening the GOSL is trying to make the life of the IDPs in the future a peaceful one. The civilians will be the main beneficiaries if there is no fighting or terrorism in that area. GOSL needs to communicate the benefits to IDPs by doing what they are doing with the camps. If not properly and adequately communicated this alone can be a major issue that separatists Diaspora would be capitalizing on for some years to come. It will also continue to be a thorny issue with GOSL relationship with the west. 

Web Communication

In the past there was Tamilnet that was responsible for spreading misinformation to the world on the ‘Tamil issue’ and LTTE. In the recent past Defencenet.lk managed to counter the misinformation by the Tamilnet. Some patriots launched www.tamilnet.tv to show the hierocracy of tamilnet in a hilarious but in a very effective manner. Now the communication has gone to the next step. Today there are several more focused and well coordinated sites in various languages. Listed below are few of these.  

www.infotamil.ch  (this is available in Dutch, Italian, English, French & Tamil),

http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com,

http://www.uktamilnews.com/

http://www.tamileelamnews.com

If separatism is not the agenda of the people behind the scenes what is the objective of the above sites? Anti separatist propaganda by the state and patriots, in Sri Lanka and aboard are still in anti LTTE mode. The war against LTTE is over, but separatism is not. All patriots and GOSL should now examine and comprehend and strategize their future activities for the continuing threat and not the bygone threat.

 Other communications

Separatists have created a fake history of Sri Lanka including the mythical ‘Tamil Kingdom’ and Sinhalese discrimination etc. and have managed to brainwash many recent generation Tamils and also the world community. According to Goebbels theory in another 30-40 years this fake history will be the one that will be taken as the truth. I have read in many sites the true Sri Lankan history and also how separatists transferred the ‘Ealam’ dream to Sri Lanka when their master plans of a Tamil country failed during Indian independence in 1948 and later in 1960’s. There are isolated literature about the Chelvanayagam, LTTE’s creation and abuse of July 1983, discrimination by Tamils against other communities, ethnic cleansing of the north etc.   But if one talks to a Sri Lankan in their 20’s they don’t know what really happened as what they have seen is a war from their birth. This is true for many Sri Lankans. Don’t we need to get this literature in many parts of the net to book form and publish them in many languages? If a foreigner talks to a misguided Tamil youth in the west they can passionately repeat what the mis-information campaigns have fed them.  How many young Sri Lankans if asked of the history of war and separatism can explain the truth? Don’t we need a simple book on the true history of the issue in all possible languages that can be made available to every young Sri Lankan in all parts of the world so they could keep the fire burning against separatism? This is one example of a gap in communication but not the only one.

 Anti-separatist Diaspora coordination

Much work was done by the Sri Lankan Diaspora to counter the propaganda activities of LTTE agents in the western capitals. Sri Lankan Diaspora would continue to spent their time and energy to support GOSL in their efforts free of charge. The defense ministry should establish a Diaspora coordination unit so that interested parties could send information, their ideas and also tips on activities of separatist agents in their own localities to the minister of defense. This may result in more coordinated efforts of the anti-separatist Sri Lankan Diaspora rather than the uncoordinated efforts they had carried out this far.

General

Many in the past said Prabakaran was the ‘savior’ of the Tamil people. After May 2009 some including columnist Mr. DBS Jeyeraj said Prabakaran is a traitor to Tamils as he destroyed or wasted the best chances Tamils had by not capitalizing on strengths (probably refereeing to not accepting federal and other strong devolution proposals during LTTE’s hay days). The same could happen to HE Mahinda Rajapakse. If they do not use this extraordinary opportunity and make very strong irrevocable changes including constitutional, defense, diplomatic fronts, international relations and communications etc. that ensures that separatism does not ever happen in Sri Lanka, in few years some may look down on Maharajano as the person who didn’t capitalize on the best opportunity to put a permanent end to separatism.

The purpose is not at all to demean the victory in May 2009. It is to point out ways of making the victory durable and if possible permanent. Hence my attempt is to convince all patriots that only the war against LTTE came to an end in May 2009 and the WAR against separatism is NOT over.  As the famous Sinhalese song says “Duka sepa deka peralai, riya saka lesa loke”.  If we don’t do the right things when we are up on the issue we might live to regret later when things are not so good.  If we don’t act wisely now we may end up unknowingly aiding and abetting the creation of the Ealam in a future date due to our actions and omissions. Hence it is time to curtail celebrations and shift from sole anti LTTE focus and attempt to comprehend and strategize for the hidden and future threat against territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. There could be many other things we need to do. Some actions suggested above are few samples to get to my point through of need of re-strategizing. The re-strategizing has to be done at GOSL level, Defense establishments’ level, and also in the local and overseas patriots’ level.   If this is done many would come up with many other ideas on how to put an end to this menace permanently.  If we don’t do this it will take another 30-40 years to realize that we have lost ground. I know that Sri Lankans will rise again and save the country. But many passionate patriots who are in the front line today will not be living then. Therefore let’s make sure that we put the final nails against separatism in every sphere so that the job for our children and grand children in the future to safeguard the motherland is easier.

By Ian

 

The real victims of the war that ravaged in the country are/were the innocent civilians of all communities. Whatever the political solution if given will only benefit few people who will come to power and not the civilians in the north and east.

 

In my belief the government could get extensive support and participation of the private sector and the private individuals to expediently bring the normalcy to the civilians in the NE who had suffered immensely. We Sri Lankans can develop NE without the support of INGOs but by using our collective generosity and ideas.

 

 

Importance of rapid development in NE

 

If the current President, Defense Secretary and the heads of armed forces are going to be at the helm for next century we can be assured that the separatist head will not emerge again. However it is not going to be so. Hence we have use other ways to make sure that the uprising does not reoccur. While providing constitutional, security and other safeguards against the repetition we should also do things that will make man power not available for another uprising. In almost all insurgency movements it is clear that the rebel leaders use the frustrations in the youth due to lack of jobs etc. to convert the anger towards the centre or towards another community they paint as advantaged. If there are educational opportunities and then job opportunities the youth will take the normal course and be busy in life to support the armed rebellion sacrificing a good life. Therefore the best way to prevent another uprising is create opportunities to the youth.

 

Importance of participation of the southern people/corporate in NE development

 

LTTE brainwashed the ordinary Tamils in the north that the majority is discriminating against them. Apart form the language issues, they also highlighted some the imaginary and some real disparity of opportunities to gain support for their ‘cause’. The resultant war also went on to cement the anger among the ordinary Tamils against the southerners. Now if the people of the other parts get together in developing the NE then the anger of the ordinary people (if any)of any discrimination by the majority will also can be removed to a certain extent. Ordinary people from the south frequenting the north and east and been seen and hands -on involvement in upgrading the lives of the ordinary folks will rebuilt that love and trust that existed in the past before the self serving Tamil politicians and subsequently LTTE crated this mental divide. Also we could substantially reduce the involvement of foreign NGOs that get involved in the development thereby reducing the ill effects of these NGOs on the territorial integrity of the country.

 

 

Private and state partnership

 

There are several areas the state has to provide infrastructure such as roading, Water and Electricity and water etc. Also there are areas the state can do such as tax breaks for companies that establish in NE and provide employment to the people.  However there are also several areas such as education and healthcare where large private and state sector companies can contribute and assist the state to do the restoration work expediently and also contribute in thinking and managing using the private sector management skills. A list of areas is given below for other thinkers to expand on it and work together in making the lives of the ordinary people of North and East far better than that they lived under the LTTE.

 

Education

 

(a)    To request all large corporates of both public and private sector to adopt 1 to 3 schools each in the NE. The corporate sector includes state and private banks, listed companies, private companies, state corporations, high net worth individuals and other philanthropists.

(b)   The said companies can rebuild the school infrastructure including buildings, laboratories, libraries, furniture, sports equipment and sports infrastructure.

(c)    The could provide funds to recruit additional teachers (in addition to what state could provide) for sports activities, teaching English, teaching IT  and also to fill other teacher shortages between what the stat could initially provide.

(d)   The companies could provide resource persons to prepare children for examinations and also for career guidance etc.

(e)    The companies also could provide scholarships for school education period and also later for university education, to the needy children of their allocated schools.

(f)    The companies could also assess the gaps in nutrition levels of the children and provide addition meals and supplementary nutrition requirements.

(g)   If the companies so wish they could provide additional support to the families of the children of the allocated schools.

(h)   Once the children complete their education the suitable children can be absorbed to apprenticeships programs and for employment for the said companies.

(i)     The company that is assisting the hospital is allowed to publicize the fact that the hospital is supported ad maintained by them within the premises and elsewhere.

(j)     The private sector managers will bring many innovations this and once a year the best school supporting company could be selected and recognized based on the output.

 

Higher education

 

(a)    To set up at least one more university to the north and set up several post school industrial schools (such as IT school, Hotel school, Nursing School, Automobile training institute, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning training school etc) that are affiliated to the university.

(b)   To let private sector educational institutions to set up similar schools to absorb the numbers that cannot be absorbed to the state set up.

 

Health

 

(a)    Similar to the schools request the interested private companies to adopt a rural, basic, or general hospital in the area.

(b)   While the state is providing the medical officers, nursing staff and pharmaceutical needs etc, the private companies who are interested in participating could renovate the buildings and add new buildings for wards, administration offices, doctors quarters, public areas etc to the hospital and maintain the buildings in a neat and tidy manner.

(c)    They could also provide adequate number of hospital beds so that the patients do not have to sleep on the floors like some state hospitals.

(d)   The private company that adopts the hospital and its staff could also collect funds of use its own funds to assist the government to provide diagnostic equipments etc to the hospitals.

(e)    The company that is assisting the hospital is allowed to publicize the fact that the hospital is supported ad maintained by them within the premises and elsewhere.

(f)    The private sector managers will bring many innovations this and once a year the best hospital supporting company could be selected and recognized based on the output.

 

Creation of employment

 

(a)    To categorize North and East as special development zones under BOI and Income Tax regulations and to provide significant tax concessions for investments that create employment in the said areas.

(b)   To make the Termination of Employment Act of 1971 not applicable to the said investment that will enable the companies to hire and fire. This is to ensure that the companies will hire larger numbers without having to worry about reductions if the outputs or profits are below the expected levels.

(c)    To provide PAYE concessions or reduced PAYE rates for the people who become employed in the NE areas for a period of 10 years.

(d)   To identify resources such as chemical deposits and invite local and foreign companies to set up processing plants and manufacturing plants of finished goods rather than exporting the resources as raw material.

(e)    To encourage entrepreneurs and companies to create employment opportunities in NE and the best performers to be recognized nationally.

 

Land & irrigation

 

(a)    To takeover the land that was allocated to favorites of LTTE and redistribute among the population for agriculture and other purposes.

(b)   All families that were in camps should be given minimum of 2-5 acres of rural land to enable them to develop a sustainable agricultural income.

(c)    To provide land for agriculture also to people of other communities to ensure there is adequate ethnic integration and avoid a mono-ethnic enclaves.

(d)   To invite private companies to lease land and have mass scale farms using modern agricultural machinery and farming methods and good cold storage and a cold chain.

(e)    To resurrect the tanks and water ways in the area to provide water for agricultural development. This can be dome on sramadana method using volunteers from the south.

(f)    To reserve sufficient land to expand and implement an extensive roading infrastructure with town bypassing, motor ways, and link roads.

 

Town Planning

 

(a)    To use experienced town planners to plan modern cities in NE.

(b)   To provide minimum of 30% common areas in the cities such as parks etc rather than planning congested cities.

(c)    To implement latest regulations for new buildings including minimum number of floors etc for effective land utilization.

(d)   To approve large shopping complexes with adequate parking that provide shopping space for small time traders rather than small shops with multiple entrances to the main roads.

(e)    To have designated vehicle parking areas and parking buildings to avoid traffic and parking congestions for at least 50 years.

(f)    To ban payment shops in all towns.

(g)   To plan cities in such a way that there will be designated financial services areas, designated shopping areas, designated residential areas, rather than a jumble of everything in all areas.

(h)   Implement mono rails etc in main cities to reduce the traffic.

(i)     To charge a fee for all vehicles entering main cities to recover part of the costs

(j)     While road construction and maintenance are done by the local councils, to allocate the main roads to private companies to maintain the surroundings and landscaping etc to give a modern outlook to the roads.

 

Tourism

 

(a)    To allocate land from the scenic and close locations from historic places to the main hotel chains of the country to built tourist hotels.

(b)   To allocate land to others to build middle and lower level accommodation facilities for the tourists.

(c)    To provide facilities to the hotel owners association or to the tourist board to built and operate a comprehensive one or more hotel schools in the north.

(d)   To develop comprehensive tourist tours and maps for the benefit of the inflow of foreigners that would visit as tourists to the area in the coming years.

 

 

Road development

 

(a)    Invite local and foreign companies to build main roads and motor ways on BOO and BOT basis and charge tolls for usage. This will reduce the state funding required for construction of roads.

(b)   To use tax systems connected to the fuel price to fund the other roads.

(c)    Local government bodies to maintain other roads and the costs to be recovered from rates.

 

Security

 

(a)    To provide fool proof electronic National Identity Card to all citizens in Sri Lanka with proper finger print records etc.

(b)   To build a data base of all citizens of Sri Lanka under a unique number that can be connected to the passport, NIC, bank accounts, telephone connections, vehicle registration and tax file.

 

 

Summary of advantages

 

(a)    Reducing the funds required by the state to restoration work due to some areas been handled by the corporate sector.

(b)   Reducing the involvement of foreign NGOs etc that works against the benefit of the country.

(c)    Speedier restoration rather than a slower pace if the work had to depend on state funds.

(d)   The rebuilding of the trust and the love between the communities by the involvement of southern corporate and its people in developing and maintaining the assets that benefits the ordinary masses of the north and east.

(e)    Sense of achievement in the southern companies and the people in participation in once in a life time issue of the country.

 

 

(Note: Some of these ideas such as getting the private sector companies involved in the education and healthcare sector can also be implements in other parts of the country. Let’s hope that the Ministers would think innovatively in this aspect for the betterment of the people)

By Ian

 

(a)    Sri Lanka as a state having to spend billions to quell the terrorism.

(b)   Sri Lanka having to finance the services such as education and health etc. in the north and the east for 30 years when it was under LTTE control, while there was no tax collection from the said areas.

(c)    Irreversible impact on the Sri Lankan economy due to much reduced investments and low employment creation due to the war for 3 decades.

(d)   The untold sufferings of the Tamil population under LTTE control.

(e)    Massive impact on the life of civilians in other parts of Sri Lanka including the impact due to bombs etc.

(f)    The massive costs Sri Lanka now have to foot to reconstruct the infrastructure that was ravaged by the war.

 

The financing of LTTE and its fronts had beneficiaries too. They were

 

(a)    LTTE hierarchy who benefited from the funds such as Selvarasa Pathmanathan.

(b)   The LTTE supporters that managed get refugee status and citizenship in the western countries ‘selling’ the war.

 

Some of the fronts of LTTE such as TRO were banned in the recent past by the western governments. With the bans some of the funds were also frozen. The changing of the tune by KP and the remaining LTTE fronts to show that they were ‘victims’ against a ‘genocide’ and they are now willing to do anything the west wants could be a ruse to get the bans on LTTE and its fronts lifted.  Lifting of the ban will give them the access to the frozen funds for their use and also possibly to recommence the terrorism and other operations.

 

Sri Lanka should formulate a task force of lawyers locally and internationally to seek the funds of LTTE and its front organizations to the SL coffers, before the now sympathetic western governments lift the ban on the LTTE and related terrorist front organizations. Sri Lankan should seek these funds to use to develop the infrastructure that was damaged or ruined by LTTE in the north and in the east by fighting a war that was directly financed by the fundraising organizations such as TRO. GOSL can use the funds for the direct benefit of the civilians rescued.  Thanks to LTTE many of these civilians were left with only the cloths in couple of suitcases. There are enough precedents for such a move to use the funds of the killers to compensate the victims.

 

If the bans of LTTE and fronts are lifted and the funds frozen released to the LTTE fronts they will have a head start for the ealam war 6 that will ruin the prospects of the civilians to start a fresh life in the north and the east. On the other hand if the funds are used for the benefit of the civilians they could have a better life style now onwards than they would otherwise if GOSL is to depend solely on the funds that are available to them. Over to you the patriotic legal luminaries in Sri Lanka and overseas to explore this as soon as possible.

By Ian

The military phase of liberation of Sri Lanka has ended and it would bring a sigh of relief to average people of all communities. The people who were used as a human shields and made to go from place to place, some of the expatriate Tamil citizens who were made to contribute to the ‘cause’ by coercion, and the people who lived with a fear of losing their lives and lives of loved ones to a bomb, are the average people who would be happy to see an end to the military phase.

 

Now some parties in Sri Lanka, some Tamil expatriates and some politicians in the west manipulated by Norwegians are talking of a political phase. What is this political phase? Would the issues concerning the average people will be solved by a political solution? Would the structure of the political solution be used as a stepping stone to achieve separation? I am sure many celebrating the freedom from the war have several doubts and concerns in these lines.

 

The truth is the hidden hands of the Tamil national movement are now trying to use the international limelight they got due to the cunning human shield and lies of genocide, starvation, shelling, deaths to pressurize the government for a federal solution. Basically the separatists are now trying to get though losing the war what they couldn’t achieve through winning.

 

The hidden plan is to use the federal status if obtained through the international community as a stepping stone for an Ealam through a referendum or any by another war.  The international community will now be parroting the worlds such as ‘discrimination by the majority’, ‘political aspirations of minority’ and other choice terms to pressurize Sri Lanka to concede to a federal solution.

 

In summary the ‘issues’ raised by the separatists to demand a ‘political solution’ are

 

 

(a)    Tamils being a community with 70 million do not have their own country.

(b)   The Tamils in Sri Lanka are discriminated.

(c)    Tamils have political aspirations that should be fulfilled and Indian Federal model is the best or only solution.

(d)   Sinhalese will colonize the Tamil areas.

 

 

Issue 1: Tamils being a community with 70 million do not have their own country.

 

This may be true but Sri Lanka is not responsible for that. There are 60 million Tamils living in India and further 10 million in Canada, Malaysia, UK and other places. Sri Lankan does not have to give territory from its already tiny country so that Tamils can have their own country. The ealamists followed the strategies of Jews in creating Israel, the strategies of the separatists in creation of Kosovo and also added new dimensions to the separation campaigns. However thanks to the leadership and the armed forces of Sri Lanka they won the war against all odds. The attention they managed to create at the last stages are now been used to demand a federal solution expecting to use it for cessation later. If a western country thinks that Tamils should have their own country they are welcome to provide territory from their land to establish the Tamil Ealam.

 

Issue 2. The Tamils in Sri Lanka are discriminated.

 

The Tamils in Sri Lanka are not discriminated. But as usual in the third world countries lower segments of the communities are discriminated by the wealthy, powerful and the elite. This is prevalent in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and many African and South American nations and not unique to Sri Lanka.

 

The biggest discrimination to the Tamils came form the Tamils due to their caste systems and regional superiorities. Lower casts were looked down by the higher casts. The lower cast people could not go to a place of worship. Also Jaffna Tamils are considered superior to the Batticaloa Tamils or to up country Tamils. These are the issues that affected the majority of the Tamil population rather than any discriminators coming from the majority Sinhalese.

 

Most importantly none of these grievances mainly due to caste system or social status will not be solved by a federal system.

 

 

Issue 3. Tamils have political aspirations that should be fulfilled. India style federal model is the best

 

Tamils and many other communities can have political and other aspirations. Muslims in the country also have political aspirations so are the burghers and Malays. This does not mean that Sri Lanka can break the country in to pieces for everyone to fulfill their political aspirations.

 

Coming to India, has the federal system fulfilled the aspirations of the masses in Tamil Nadu? The influential live in incomprehensible luxury while large numbers live in poverty. Poverty levels in Tamilnadu are higher than that of Sri Lanka. So what do we expect to achieve by giving an Indian type federal system? Who will benefit from a federal system?  Are we to do all that so few set of people can become chief ministers, prime ministers, ministers and MPs and have a good life? Will that help all the population? NO it will not. What we and the International community should be keen on is a system or a solution that benefits the masses and not selected few.

 

 

Grievance 4. Sinhalese will colonize Tamil areas

 

What has happened in the last 30 years is that LTTE managed to ethnically cleanse the north of the country from its Sinhalese and Muslim inhabitants. Also if the country is to give equal rights to its people one cannot have areas allocated to communities. In the United States or in United Kingdom there are no states allocated to Spanish or Greeks. Also there are no states solely allocated to Blacks. Hence Sri Lanka cannot be expected to have a state or a region that is solely allocated to Tamils.

 

All citizens of Sri Lanka should be able to live in any area of their choice and own property and conduct a peaceful life. Other communities have let Tamils live in all the provinces other than North and East and Tamils want the international community to support and help them  discriminate against the other Sri Lankans.

 

 

Equal Opportunity Legislation solves the grievances (if any)

 

 

The best Sri Lanka now do is to immediately implement comprehensive Equal Opportunity Legislation in the same lines as in the western countries that will safe guard the rights of its people. The western countries have implemented equal opportunity acts to safeguard the rights of the racial and other ‘minorities’ and to prevent discrimination. Hence Sri Lanka too should follow suit with comprehensive Equal Opportunity Act to prevent all kinds of discriminations based on age, race, gender, caste, political affiliations, religion etc. As this is what the western world provides for all communities living in their lands and hence they cannot insist for anything beyond this.

 

 

 

Disadvantages of a Political Solution

 

(a)    Any political solution will lead in to further escalation of the issues and pushing in to a separation. Already plans are drawn by the influential separatist expatriates to use the international community to get federal state and later convert to a separate state. Like they used lies and deception to win the sympathy they will invest another set of lies to convince that federal solution is not giving their rights and separation is the only solution.

 

(b)   This will not guarantee any additional rights or benefits to the poor masses but only provide few powerful individuals from the elite classes additional powers and luxuries like it has happened in Tamilnadu.

 

(c)    The lower castes Tamils will be continued to be discriminated by the upper which was the main grievances the majority of the lower cast Tamils had.

 

(d)   Other discriminations such as political will continue as in Tamilnadu where part in power will assist their stooges and no meritocracy in play.

 

(e)    Only benefits the Tamils in the North and not other minorities such as Muslims in the East etc.

 

 Advantages of Comprehensive Equal Opportunity Legislation

 

(a)    There is no risk of suing it as a stepping stone for separation.

 

(b)   Every citizen will benefit and not limited to the higher ups in the economic or social status.

 

(c)    There is no way the lower caste person be discriminated and thereby eliminating a major grievance among the Tamils.

 

(d)   The benefits are not limited to one race but other minority communities such as Muslims and poor segments of the Sinhalese will also benefit.

 

(e)    International community cannot demand from Sri Lanka anything more than the protections they have provided the minorities in their countries.

 

(f)    It will create the society based on merit devoid of any racial, religious, or political bias. This will also remedy many non-ethnic issues of the country such as political favors etc.

 

(g)   No community can accuse of Sri Lanka of discrimination to get sympathy or wage war when equal rights legislation in place.

 

 

 

Therefore Sri Lanka should immediately study the equal opportunity legislation that are implemented in the western world and draft and implement similar legislation as s solution to the issues and to win the hearts and minds of the average Tamil population in Sri Lanka. However the separatists will not be happy with equal opportunity legislation as they were only using a set of ‘invented grievances to obtain the sympathy of the international community.

 

Implementing an equal opportunity legislation will not be the solution to all the problems., The government has to strategize and implement infrastructure development projects, massive incentives for investments from the state sector, private sector and foreign investments to cerate jobs and most importantly the implement a comprehensive security plan to ensure that the separatists will not regroup and start destabilize again are also critical.

 

 

Each friend and patriot of Sri Lanka is responsible to educate the political establishment that equal opportunity legislation is the way to address the grievances if any (and to meet international demands) and NOT any kind of devolution on ethnic lines.

 

Otherwise the sacrifices made by countless members of the defense forces will be in vain and Sri Lanka will be at square one in 30-40years fighting separation attempts by a state of the federation.

 

Simply any kind of political solution expecting a resolution, will only push this issue further towards another bout of conflict to until it graduates to a separate state and bring immense sufferings to our people. The same masses who are celebrating the end of the war.