By Charles.S.Perera

The fact finding Mission ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Indian Lokh Sabha led by the leader of the Opposition Sushima Swaraj has gone back. They have gone having instructed us as to what we should do to separate our Communities, giving more privileges to one ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Community not speaking of the other Communities whose interests with which ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ they were apparently not concerned . What they were seeking was the situation ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Tamil Community; rightly so as they were being observed by the Tamil Nadu political stalwarts.

But In Sri Lanka one cannot speak only of the Tamil Community without speaking of the other Communities as they are all interrelated and the interest of one Community affects the interest of the other Communities. HenceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  it wasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  a strange fact finding Mission.

They have told usƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  how we should implement the 13th Amendment, andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  resettle the IDPs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Their instructions, advice and demands are directed towards the Government of Sri Lanka, without forcing the TNA ,which is the party that adulates India, while mumbling the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-pride of being Sri LankansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, to be flexible andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  make reasonable demands.

But they were ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ more respectful towards the recalcitrant TNA, and have not demanded of them to respect the constitution of Sri Lanka, not to go round the world accusing the Government of Sri Lanka, talking through their hats about the aspirations of the Tamil people and demand more powers for the provinces in the North and East which ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the other provinces do not demand.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

They did not ask the TNA being Members of the Parliament of Sri Lanka should while respecting the relevant sections of the Constitution,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  without transgressing any of the Articles ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the Constitution in their speech and action, should also participate in Parliamentary Committees as loyal citizens and responsible politicians.

Our media apparently had no questions to put to the fact finding Mission, though they always vociferous and jump to criticise the Government of Sri Lanka.

The leader of the Indian delegation had said that they had come to see theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  progress Sri Lanka has made since the end of the armed conflict in May, 2009ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.. andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  get a sense of the situationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  with regard to the way forward to achieving a lasting and broad based peace in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  But unfortunately India despite its support for the development of some of the infrastructure activities, had not been a help to force the very un-Sri Lankan TNA MPs to stop their disruptive activities .

The delegation could have explained to the TNA MPS that they are standing in the way of the government which is making the maximum effort to reconcile the Communities and develop the country havingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  removedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  terrorismƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and brought peace into the country.

It is easy to ask the government to persuade the TNA to join the PSC, but it is TNA ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ working hand in hand with Rudrakumaran and his anti Sri LƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  anka groups like Prabhakaran the terrorist leader,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  which does not want to participate in any Government project that would damage their interest to form a Tamil Ealam State in the North and East with police and land power, nominally being within a United Sri Lanka but having their own provincial government where the Government will not be able to intervene in case they run the Provincial Council independent of government authority.

That would not be in the interest of Sri Lanka and doing so would be helping the TNA even to recommence terrorist activities in the provinces under their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-jurisdictionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, not forgetting that the initial group of terrorists was trained in India.

Sushma Swaraj says, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We have noted the improved situation regarding the resettlement of IDPs. However, a significant number of them continue to be in transit situations or with host families.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Our task will not be complete until they return to their original homes.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Similarly, while there has been substantial progress in the area of rehabilitation and reconstruction, a lot remains to be done.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We are prepared to assist in whatever way possible, in a spirit of partnership and cooperation.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

Sri Lanka has ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ alreadyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  managed with nearly 300ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 000 IDPs and the majority of them have been settled to their satisfaction, what remains is only a fraction of what we had dealt with single handedly without the assistance and theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  support ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  India. The few thousands that remain would also be settled down when demining is completed without the assistance of India whose bona fides is now being questioned.

Ms.Swaraj , had as every one else, spoken about the LLRC and the importance of implementing the recommendationsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  urgently.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  DonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t we the Sri Lankans know the urgency of implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC which had been appointed by our President ?

It is not the Americans or the Indians that have to tell us when and how we should implementƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the recommendation of the LLRC.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is not really their d..n business.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  No body told us how toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  eliminate terrorism, we did it ourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  way even though the terrorist friendly Robert O Blake told us ad nauseam that there is no military solution to terrorism but a political solution.

ThenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the Indian delegationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  spoke of matters that do not concern them such as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. reduction of high security zones, return of private lands by the military and demilitarization, including phasing out of the involvement of the security forces in civilian activities and restoration of civilian administration in the Northern Province. We have noted the assurance given by the Government of Sri Lanka in Parliament that it will ensure the withdrawal of security forces from community life and confine their role to security matters.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It has to be reiterated, again and again, that our armed forces areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  special, different from the Armed Forces of India , or any Western country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is our soldiers that fought against terrorism, some of themƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  giving their lives and limbs to bring peace to Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are of our people and by their brave intervention in a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-war ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- against the terrorist have become a vital part of our country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are not the type of soldiers that could be confined to Military Camps.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They have to be deployed every where whether one likes it or notƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for the security of the people and the protection ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  their motherland.

They-the soldiers should be seen by every one, every day and appreciated for the role they played to bring peace to Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are now in a no-war situation and apart from the necessity toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  keep vigilance over some parties like that of the TNA, which ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ may re introduce terrorist elements, the soldiers should also be employed in other civil activities beneficial to themselves, to the people and the country. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In America after their wars in Vietnam etc. their soldiers became a danger to American society, some of them being psychologically affected by the gruesome wars.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We cannot see that happening to our Soldiers who are our heroes

Therefore entrusting our soldiers with security or civil activity ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is no business of India or any other country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They need not tell us how to deploy the persons of our Armed Forces.

The Leader of the delegation had said that the Tamil people complained that the Army interfered into their daily life.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Unfortunately the Sri Lanka Army is there to stay and theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Tamil people have to get used to the presence of Soldiers, which is both in their interestƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and in the interest of the country.

For thirty years they had got used toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  living in fear of the terrorists who unlike the Sri Lankan Soldiers came to take away their children and make demands of their support at gun point.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore complainingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  about the presence of Soldiers is not in absurd. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Is it not better to live with Soldiers who are protective without beingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  aggressive, or is it better to live in fear again with another spate of terrorism which is likely, if there is no proper security ?

It is better miss the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-arthadhama poojaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ at midnight and do it at a clean place at home, rather than risk their lives to a terrorist rump who may perpetrate an act of terror.

Meaningful devolution of power taking into account Tamil peoplesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ equality, dignity, justice and self-respect , could easily be served by Tamil people integrating in to the main stream of Sri Lankan Nation hood, without being a special Communal group of Tamils trying toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  remain outside the main Nation Body of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

That is some thing the Indian Delegation should have emphasised to Sampanthan of TNA.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  But obviously the Indian Delegation was trying to fortify the Tamils in Sri Lanka as a separate entity to woo the Tamil Nadu politicians.

The 13^th Amendment is obsolete and it is now a hindranceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for Sri Lanka to go forward. It is being utilised by India who authored it, and Sampanthan and the TNA as an obstacle of reconciliation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It should be withdrawn from the constitution and caste aside to clear the way forward.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is wrong for the Indian Delegation to have harped on that as it is a purely Indian innovation which does not fit into Sri Lankan way of thinking.

The Unity of the Communities should be built on understanding, mutual respect and confidence in each other rather on a piece of legislation that had been imposed on us.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore , we should speak neither of 13A or 13A plus in speaking of post-terrorist Sri Lanka.

It all depends on the Tamil people of Sri Lanka, whether they want to be an integral part of the larger Sri Lankan Nation or remain outside as a separate entity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If it is the latter then they cannot fall back on a 13A if it has been removed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Then the necessity would make the Tamils perhaps give up their Communal difference to be one with the rest of the Communities.

ThenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sushima Swaraj goes on to say, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦…ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These projects gave us some satisfaction that India’s assistance, especially in the areas of humanitarian assistance, temporary shelter, housing, de-mining, education and vocational training, public health, connectivity, and revival of agriculture and other livelihood activities, has been able to make a difference to the lives of the peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

India should get rid of its ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- TamilNadu fearƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and come forward to help Sri Lanka as a nationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and not asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka a patch work of Communities.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It is true the brunt of the suffering from terrorism had been the lot of the Tamil people in the NorthƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and East, but since after elimination of Sri Lanka we are building a nation it has to be taken into account that even ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ those of the South lived in constant fear of death and massacre andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  could not organise their lives properly.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore India should not keep on harping on the Tamil Communal ticket but get involved in the process of reconciliation and building peace and harmony every where in Sri Lanka.

Lastly Ms.Swaraj Says, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦..ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  India and Sri Lanka are bound by ties of history, geography and culture. Our partnership must therefore progress in the spirit of being the closest of neighbours and friends whose destinies are intertwinedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

But that does not mean that India should ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-some timeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ revert to back stabbing, in order to satisfy the Tamil Nadu politicians who are driven politically through sentiments, hatred and desire for revenge rather than through wisdom and intellectual maturity.

The Tamil Nadu politicians should be more diplomatic in their relation with Sri Lanka , developing astute political relations which could, if they desire so help the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, without trying to separate them from their legitimate right of being a part of the Sri Lankan Nation to which they have a better claim than to beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-petsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ of the TamilNadu because of their Tamilness.

If the Tamils of Sri Lanka were to be in Tamil Nadu , they will suffer social degradation through Caste system, where as in Sri Lanka they are equal citizens among the Sinhala and Muslim compatriots without any discrimination caste or racial.