74 Responses to “Shouldn’t TAMIL EELAAM be in TAMIL NADU?”

1. Lorenzo Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 3:33 pm

   “If Tamils cannot integrate – Tamil Nadu is the best option.”

   If Tamils cannot integrate – Tamil Nadu is their ONLY option.

   “Those that accept false propaganda and lies may like to visit Sri Lanka to realize that Tamils in Sri Lanka are better off than Tamils in any other part of the world.”

   This is the problem. That is why all Indian illegals land here. Tamils in SL should NOT be better off than Tamils anywhere in the world. We are encouraging Tamil Elam instead of Tamil Nadu.

2. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 4:23 pm

   At one stage the Central government in India annexed Tamil Nadu to quell their political agitation. The difference between our politicians and the rest of the world is that our guys are heros at home but succumb to pressure by foreign governments, being too conservative and diplomatic. They fail to take a solid stance although only in one instance Mahinda took a stand during the last stages of the war and unfortunately now facing the consequences. We need leaders with backbones. We should not also forget how we nationalised oil companies and faced sanctions. Gota, as the leader, I presume would withstand external pressure and face foreign governments with conviction. Just like Obama, Gota too might succumb to pressure, only time will tell. All external forces including politicians in especially English speaking countries who oppose everything what we do (US has criticised recently the ‘speedy settlements’) must be enlightened by our country’s representatives and organisations such as SLUNA and SPUR, to accept the solution of Tamil Nadu as the Tamil Homeland. This will be the greatest lesson we can teach these ‘unclean’ hypocritical, caste conscious Indians, (also most Tamils) who make a mess everywhere they set their feet on.

3. nandimitra Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 7:16 pm

   Tamils have a problem they want to have the cake and eat it. Sinhalese specially its leaders have a bigger problem The ahem hamuduruwane mentality. Spineless to the core best exhibited in the comments at this site. even legitimate criticism of the leaders are defended to the core by the sycophants. They can do no wrong. JRJ was the best example, whilst he was alive he was the fox, the best the god who was going to save Sri Lanka. Today we are paying the price, corruption to the core, Education and healthcare in a mess, a long unnecessary war because he thought he could teach a lesson to India, the country in dire state economically with the govt trying to even tax wells. Now he is a deflated leader. Until the Sinhalese rise up against injustice this country of ours is on a slippery slope. Mind you out of all the communities it is the majority Sinhala Buddhists that are pauperised. Talking about tamil nadu being the natural home of the Tamils is not the answer. We need leaders with a spine who will defend justice and fair play and the tamils muslims will unite with the Sinhalese to establish a viable state.

4. gdesilva Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 8:54 pm

   This is the most logical solution – firstly, US and the rest of the Western cohorts will be thrilled as this will effectively break up the big Indian market. Isn’t this what they always want to achieve? Break up big markets into smaller manageable ones which can be remotely controlled. This will keep the Tamil diaspora happy as they will then have their very own homeland. Sri Lanka will have a solution for this festering wound and India will get what it richly deserves.

5. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 11:07 pm

   As nandimitra observes, what we need in our country are true patriotic leaders not playing the game of diplomacy. If we continue on this path we will be hammered by Indians and Anglo Saxons. As one Englishman observed Tamils (not all) are generally sycophants, he called the ‘pussy’ people, who will curl around the leg and get whatever they want. They do this in every country. I can remember Thamilselvan with a strange laugh whenever Anglos interviewd him and lied and convinced the Anglos, the most ignorant, arrogant race ever to walk on this planet. If someone is critical of the government even some forum members construe that as wrong and goes on with His Excellancy crap! When the government does good we need to appreciate it – like the win over terrorism. when they do bad like harbouring corruption, destruction of Sinharaja and other forests to gain political mileage then we need to take them head on and fight the government. How many projects were abondoned by government due to pressure applied by individuals, organisations and people. This is not with the noble idea of bringing down a government and wishing a slimy, sleezy leader who was groomed by a old fox, to lead the country. But to bring redress to a situation, taking case by case basis. Gota shows the right leadership, which is now needed very badly in Sri Lanka. Let him tell the world that eelam is already in India and we are not interested to give a single inch of our land to unreasonable agitators , terrorist sympathisers.

6. Raj Sivanathan Says:
   October 19th, 2012 at 11:11 pm

   This type of article or any comment similar to this is not going to educate anybody but will create more racism in our society. Therefore Shenali and others should stop or do further research properly before publishing it. If this type of mentality is going to be amongst us, it will never solve the problem easily but only help to divide the country into two without even the Tamil Diaspora’s help. Tamils have been forced to demand Eelam by some bad rulers of Sri Lanka. Moderate people like us cannot justify any of this explanation. Even TNA or majority of the Tamil community do not like separation. I am a frequent traveler; I know exactly what is happening in Sri-Lanka on a day to day’s basis. The way things are, the current government is not in good stand compared to a few years ago amongst Sri Lankans and the world community.

   The President has hundreds of advisers but there are no Tamils amongst them. There is no one close to Mr. Kathirkamar’s intellectual capacity. Most of the advisors are racists and nationalists may be Shenali should join the camp. The Tamil problem will soon end in separation. Although we do not like the idea of separation, we do not want to become puppets of India or others. I am proud to be Sri Lankan. The only ways the problem can be solved is by trusting each other and act genuinely and create dialogue.

   Stop using caste system and past colonial divide and rule tactics in current political and economical situation. This caste system and infighting in temples are all over the world amongst Sri Lankans.
   I am more worried about innocent Sinhala man’s survival back home than Tamil people’s survival. Shame (including me) that Sinhala people are leaving out of Sri-Lanka by boat risking their life having false Tamil names and passports. Already million Sinhala women are going through hardship in the Middle East as house maids. You should write for better treatment of these women.
   I have evidence of one Sinhala man who arrived and settled in Melbourne under the name of Subramaniam. This person cannot speak or write Tamil and English and has never been to the North. Shouldn’t we all feel ashamed of this situation? There are Sinhalese boat people arriving in Australia who are returned without much publicity. If they have been allowed to live here, millions will arrive in a short time. Are they going to claim Little Sri Lanka here? Why these people did not come during the war time or before? Did you ask this question yourself? Do you think the distance has become shorter now? The problem is in Sri Lanka.

   We should look at the root cause of Sri Lanka’s issues and problems. Not listen to south Indian politicians or hard core elements. Once the issues are identified, we should try to eliminate and solve the issues. It can only be done by this Government if they want to create a better Sri- Lanka. I have faith and believe that they can solve the problem if they do not listen to nationalist elements.
   Don’t bring division among Sri Lankan’s here, there or any where. We have passed that level. Tamils are not claiming Tamil Eelam here or any where in the world. What they are requesting is what was promised by GOSL.
   All previous GOSL as well as the current one have said clearly throughout that “we will sort out their grievances”.
   In July 2009 when I was in Sri Lanka, President requested a mandate and I was at the press conference, he said once he gets the mandate he will solve the Tamil issue. Sri Lankans have given him the mandate, elected him for a second term. Still people are waiting for him to solve the country’s’ political problem. Of course he has problems too but this cannot be prolonged, we have seen the bad and worst during Prabaharan’s destruction. We do not want another 300 thousand Prabaharans to rise up and destroy the whole country. There are possibilities of three million Sinhala Prabaharans also joining this time. No country will help GOSL.
   I am a humanitarian; I cannot justify any more destruction and people dying I love peace. It is a beautiful country those who like my view join with me to promote peace. Those who do not like my views I do not hate them either.
   Once Malaysia, Singapore and Burma governments looked up at our country’s progress. All retirees of those countries returned back to Sri Lanka for better life and to give better education to their children in Sri Lanka.
   We expatriates should jointly promote GOSL at the same time identify the GOSL‘s mistakes too without fear.

   One day I would go back to Sri Lanka with my children and grand children and make them proud to be Sri Lankan.

7. Dham Says:
   October 20th, 2012 at 1:53 am

   “Let him tell the world that eelam is already in India and we are not interested to give a single inch of our land to unreasonable agitators , terrorist sympathisers.” – exactly. provoked , he will.

   But I do not agree with the Englishman.
   Problem is, unlike in the past, when we called our Tamil Nadu uncles who live in Sri Lanka illegally “kallathonis” , now we have no respect for our Tamil brothers , we treat all of them like”kallathonis” . Obviously this is not our fault but we must still try and train them to be one of us.
   In the past there was excellent relationship between race and it was a colourful nation. Now there is this group always reminding Tamil people that there are 50 milling Tamils in Nadu, which is not helpful.
   Only way is to vote them out. But we don’t market ourselves properly in Jaffna. Charles Aiyya travelled there and his friend clearly told him this.
   Cannot bulid relationships by having Dougles’ group terrorising ordinary people. Proper law and order and confidence should be established.
   I can see more danger will be arriving soon, not from tamils but from Muslims, more and more Whabism arriving and numbers growing. Now they are more than Tamils. When they reach 20% you will see Shriya law emerging.

8. Saman Dissanayake Says:
   October 20th, 2012 at 2:53 am

   To dham,

   We Buddhists are 70.2 % as per the recent census.(Tamils 12.6% Muslims 9.7 % Christians 7.4 %).the fact is as per 2001 census Buddhists were 69 %.new census showing 2.2 % increase.why worry yourself and creating panic atmosphere.(muslims are since 1990 at same percentage).

   More-over my personel views are,all Sri lankans are equal citizens,need secular constitution(which should gurantee the equal rights of every Sri Lankans),no any cast,creed,Religion have supremacy, etc.

9. S de Silva Says:
   October 20th, 2012 at 3:16 am

   Yes Shenali, Tamil Elam should be in Tamil Nadu, the birthplace and origin of the Dravidian Race – and NOT ever in Sri Lanka! Many have always been saying this in these columns but never hear these words from the politicos in power or in the Opposition who should be saying it and forcefully too. – There must be a good enough reason and I guess, repeat I guess, the fear of Indian retaliation on SL leaders by threats of War Crimes charges, Diplomatic pressure etc etc.may be a possiblility – S de Silva – London

10. Christie Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 4:41 am

    Great article. Malasia and Sigapore have pot Tamils and pther in their right place. All of the natives like us who have suffere under the British-Indian imperialism and Indian colonialism should rise against these Indian colonial parasites.

    Aparasite causes more havoc than the carrier.

11. Christie Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 5:00 am

    Great article. Malasia and Sigapore have put Tamils and pther Indians in their right place. All of the natives like us who have suffere under the British-Indian imperialism and Indian colonialism should rise against these Indian colonial parasites.

    A parasite always causes more havoc than the carrier.

    Talking about Tamils in Malasia, one of the leading terrorist was from malasia who settled in a Western country. Are Malasian Tamils involved in blowing up Upali’s lear jet. The answer is in the positive.

    I think the opportunity India had to create a eelam has expired. The goepolitics and geoeconomis are different to what it was in 1951 when India managed to divide the Sinhalese. They did the same in Fiji some time back and tried the same before Dr Mahathiar in Malasia.

    Tamils have forgotten that they demanded freedom from the Indian Empire after the separation from the British. Indian Central government gunned down more than a lakh of Tamils.

    That was the only claim the Tamils ever made for their birth right from the British made Indian Empire.

12. Fran Diaz Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 8:45 am

    In Lanka, all are seeking well being, happiness & Peace. These are worthy goals.

    If some Tamil folk want their own country, this is what we say to them :

    “Tamils of the world must seek their Tamil Eelam in Tamil Nadu – already home of 72 Million Tamils”.

13. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Certainly Raj S’s above comment needs a response and the voting he has received does not reflect his sentiments. Raj, those of us who have studied with Tamils, who were taught by Tamils, who worked with Tamils and lived among Tamils have a different perspective about Tamils than some chauvanist Sinhala Buddhists. I have been an ardent critic of LTTE and their Sakkili sympathysers for a very long time, and NOT TAMILS, even before some of the forum members were not even in their testicles of their fathers. (from 1975 when I worked at Valashane, where the first separitists meeting was held in the newly built Kovil within the housing colony and the info and activities at this venue was conveyed to Mahinda, a close friend of mine, a young MP at that time and he questioned this in Parliament – hopefully the Hansard carries this and later conveyed to Minister T.B. Subasingha, who through CID had a man working their as a labourer to gather more info)
    This concept of Tamil Nadu as homeland for Tamils is nothing new. Most of us have been hitting this for a very long time (in SL only things written by Lawyers, Doctors and PhDs are recognised a pathetic situation partly due to our stupid British Conditining) ) I do not know whether the Caste system has an impact now as it was then when I worked at Valashena Paper Mill. I truly believe in changing all Tamilised names in Sri Lanka as proposed by my teacher at Uni, to meaningful Sinhala names as Tamilsed Sinhala names of places in Sri Lanka HAS NO MEANING behind them, while the Sinhala names have solid meanings. That’s my first point. Begin with the root. Yapane was the place controlled by Yapa, a Sinhala name and leader, as I have learnt it – P. read late Ven. Madihe Pannasiha thero’s book on this matter and refre the website by my teacher at Uni – http://dh-web.org/place.names/).
    True some moderate Tamils, fear of reprisals in the past didn’t come out in the open and fight the LTTE and the rump (sakkiliyas – remember Jaffna Tamils invented this word to differentiate themselves from Indian Tamils in Estate labour and now JTs has inherited it – boomarang effet) But now you guys need not fear and why don’t you all openly criticise LTTE and the rump and form organisations to fight them abroad, to convince especially the Anglo Saxon fool and locally and support GOSL initiatives to solve the Tamil grievances – which brings out to my last point

    Can you please elaborate the ‘Tamil Grievances’ here in an article or comment, in point form, (please do not postpone) so that one of us can forward them to GOSL or if our idiotic politicians ever read the articles/comments of the elite forums, will come to know EXACTLY your grievances are. Now don’t say things like we need 100% of Medical faculty or Engineering Faculty entry as happened before while the Jaffna lectures gave all the hints to Tamil students just before the Adv. Level exam. My collegue at Uni got the whole Botany paper from a Jaffna friend before the 1966 ADV Level exam, at Mount where he studied and an English lecturer at Peradeniya was sacked on solid proof – documented.

    On a lighter note why I push Gota as the leader of the Sri Lanka. Abaya means No Fear, so Gotabaya means GOT NO FEAR. I wonder what my vote count would be ha ha not that I give a damn about it.

14. Dilrook Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Dear Sunil:

    What you say about Tamil university admission is true.

    This is why I propose ethnicity based university standardisation. That is fair for all. Otherwise very soon mainly Tamils will enter university from Colombo and Kandy Districts in addition to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mulaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa districts having only Tamils in university admission.

    Ethnicity should be traced to the census record. No census record, no university entry. That will deter Tamil Nadu illegal immigrants who flock to the island in very large numbers today. The relatively better free education system is one attraction.

    Unless it is done, Sinhalese, Muslims and Upcountry Tamils will be assistants of Jaffna Tamils in all professional jobs as happened during colonial rule. Sinhalese, Muslims and Upcountry Tamils were severely discriminated by Jaffna Tamils in Ceylon Electricity Board, the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and even in certain departments of some companies including Hayleys Ltd.

    Similarly, disparities in land ownership, unemployment and other important matters must also be assessed and a level playing field (not a dog eat dog situation) must be created for all.

15. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Eelam is the ancient Tamil name for the whole of Sri Lanka. The Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathy has also referred to the island as ‘Singala Thhevu (Sinhala island), This while implyig the Sinhalaese were a majority, does deny the significant Tamil presence. ‘Sinhala and Tamil’ Eelams are within this island-the larger Eelam, more in the mental spheres of the community leaders concerned than the communities at large. Thel Lon and the Tiger are inhabitants of the same jungle! Let us not continue talking or writing utter nonsence, at this stage of our national evolution. What we have to find a system to co-exist within this island as different communities and build a nation that is Sri Lanka. Even if there is only one Tamil leftin this island he/she should be treasured as a relic of our heritage!

    The principle grievance of the Tamils today is the short, medium and long-term needs of the war affected. This has not been effectively or adequately addressed yet. The other issues of concern to the Tamils are:

    1. Non-repetition of the anti-Tamil riots of the past. These concern their security in terms of person and property- a law. order and justice issue that has to seriously adrressed.

    2. Equal opportunities and non-discrimination in practice, based on the principles of merotocracy.

    3. Implementation of the provisions in the constitution regarding the use of Tamil and its status as an official language.

    4. Constitutional arrangements to manage their community-specific affairs in cconsultation and with support of the state.

    5. Constitutional arrangements to effectively participate in the affairs of the state.
    6. Sanction of the right to sing the Tamil official version of the national anthem in Tamil.

    Caste is a dying issue among the Tamils now. The so-called low castes are a majority now and are upwardly mobile. They are emerging from a dark tunnel into light and yet carry the burden of long years of subjugation and intimidation. However, they are out of the tunnel now.

    The TNA is not synonymous with the Tamils, as much as LTTE were not. The TNA, though being elected yet, does not today represent the needs of the Tamils in their present circumstances. History will identify the TNA as the albatross around the Tamil neck! It is a self-inflicted wound on the Tamil polity. An unfortunate feature of the Tamil fate! The same can be said of many individuals and parties, who claim to speak on bahalf of the Sinahalese and Muslims. We have yet not matured enough to speak of Sri Lankans as a whole and address the issues concerning the minorities, in a wholesome manner yet, despite a calamity that is only three and a half years behind us. Both the Democratic and Rebublican parties, yet dominated by the ‘Whites” came together to address the major problems of the ‘Black’minority in the US, decades back. This permitted Barak Obama to become president. It is time we attian this stage of political maturity immediately.

    What do some commntators mean by demanding that Tamils integrate? If they are demanding integration into a national mosaic, I welcome it. Tamils should be given the choice of being Tamils and Sri Lankan at the same time. If assimilation is demanded in the name of integration, it is not acceptable in this day and age. Even if the Tamils refuse to integrate, they will and have to yet remain in Sri Lanka, because they are Sri Lankan citizens and most of them are part of the ‘Primordial’ gene pool of Sri Lanka, which they share with the Sinahalese. The others who have migrated from India in recent centuries are also citizens of Sri Lanka now and have a right to what they want to be, within Sri Lanka. This also applies to many South Indians- Tamils included, who have become Sinhalese with time- assimilation-, though classified as separate castes!

    Shenali, emerging as apromising young writer, should use her talents to bring the peoples of Sri lanka together and rise above the mud and the muck that are threatening to overwhelm us once again.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

16. aloy Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    I too was inclined to give a negative vote on Raj Sivanathan’s comment but refrained in doing so because of his last para. Istead of talking in abstract terms why he does not give some concreate evidence of discrimination in point form?.

17. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Rajasinham S – your comment is greatly appreciated. Let us wait until Raj S too repond as his grievances could differ to yours and let other Tamils too respond. Let us put everything together and forward this to the President himself, as it seems he is the ONLY decision maker in the country as every problem ends up in his office as the clowns, jokers and incompetent team of his, including those so called ‘Advisors’ are simply impotent.
    Wisdom will prevail if people will refrain from hinting Shenali a racist as I don’t see a semblance of racism in her. She has a well balanced mind a rarity among Sinha+hela people.
    In fact we Sinha+hela people too have some grievances stemming from overbearence of outsiders to interfere in our internal affairs of our Lankadeepa, Singala Thhevu, Taprobane, Serendib, Ceylan, Ceylon, Sri Lanka whatever we call it. However never allow this name Eelam as it’s so repulsive in the present context.

18. shenali Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Let us first get some factors straight.

    1. The fundamental question is – WHAT DO THE (SRILANKAN) TAMILS REALLY WANT
    The demands are many coming from all corners – Tamil Diaspora (LTTE and Non-LTTE backed), Tamil Nadu (Pro-Tamil and Pro-LTTE), TNA – with not much relevance given to the ordinary Tamils or even the Estate Tamils (as they too are after all Tamil)

    This means that WANT and the GIVING OF THAT WANT must first be LOCAL (that is applicable internally to Sri Lankan Tamils) and it must be related to what TAMILS (Jaffna, Trinco, Batticoloa, Estate Tamils, and other Tamils living in Sri Lanka) EXCLUSIVELY are denied legislatively and constitutionally which other ethnic communities enjoy except them.
    In other words – Sri Lankan Tamils (not Tamil Nadu, not foreign passport holding Tamils….) must let us all know what they are denied that other communities enjoy.

    Additionally, these must apply to the PRESENT which means that it is pointless refering to past incidents if it is not related to the present grievances.

    However,

    No sooner that “want” touches cross-ocean demands and heralds voices from Tamils of different citizenry in a quest for a Tamil Homeland then we would have to strictly follow the principle that as an ethnic community a homeland for Tamils belongs in no other place than Tamil Nadu – it is where the Dravida Nadu movement started, it is where rightfully Tamils already make up the majority, it is where they have all the freedom to protect and preserve their cultural heritage without bias or discrimination – Tamils have no argument against this and India should have none either as it was demanded before independence.

    Therefore it is important that the Sri Lankan Tamils differentiate what they want in terms of local needs and international aspirations. Both cannot be given and certainly the 2nd will never be given.

    Let us also take some ground realities into the equation:

    Fact 1 : India will never give Eellam in either Tamil Nadu or Sri Lanka – because India knows it is detrimental for its status. It is perfectly happy continuing to champion a cause to which it is giving only halfhearted assistance – upping pressures only to increase benefits on India’s central government to increase its stake in Sri Lanka. Concern for Tamils is not on any Indian Central GOvt agenda

    Fact 2 : While All Tamils are not LTTE – All LTTERs were Tamil and not many Tamils even now is openly ready to disassociate themselves from either LTTE or the TNA who openly declares that the LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamils.

    Fact 3 : No Tamil can deny that the LTTE despite controlling the North and areas of the East did anything to develop the infrastructure or even the standard of living of the people….this is why Maoists are different to the LTTE and why India can never eliminate them.

    Fact 4 : Tamil population in the North is hardly 500,000 – while close to 1m live outside and mostly among Sinhalese… also note that the Sri Lankan Tamil population was far less than the Estate Tamil population all through the 1900s upto 1953….and why would Tamils want to continue to claim discrimination but live amongst the Sinhalese?

    Bottomline is Sri Lanka will never allow Sri Lanka to be divided…

19. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    Dilrook – we Sinha+hela people were discriminated against not only during the colonial period but it continued with the ‘colonial mentality’ people up until SWRD, who gave the death blow to these people and especially Colombons, and got the right place for bright people from rural areas be it North or South, replacing English. The hypocritical ‘unclean’ Indians have separate dorms for Uni students based on caste and now they attempt to teach us about discrimination of Tamils. The Ayyas from North still control most enterprises in South India and thats what I heard. I sincerely believe in proportional selection on merit basis but also believe in more Technical education rather than this too much emphasis on academic education and produce more practical minded people. Also a staggered completion of the degree or diploma as seen in US etc. rather than confining the completion period to a rigid of 3 or 4 years. Now what about the left over? I passed all 4 subjects but was low on aggregate, (as our exams were based on memory reproduction rather than on aptitude), to enter Medicine (thank god for that). Should we allow Private Unis under strict standardisation by a Uni Admin body? Over to you.
    Tamil Naduans entry to our country should be severly curtailed as they rob our gold, the maniac race who collect gold.

20. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 20th, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Sunil Wijepala,

    Dem-ela people should abhor outside interference too. The Sinha-hela and the Dem-ela people should find an accomadation within the island to prevent this happening. A divided house usually invites outside interference.

    I am for a united Sri Lanka -irrespective of whether it is unitary or otherwise- where all individuals and communities will live as equals. We are equal by law, but in practice it is not so. Of course, the majority of the citizens, whether they be Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims, also not treated as equals in this country. There are problems within problems.

    The Sinahalese, being the overwhelming majority will obviously wield more political power. This has to be accepted. However, the power should be wielded wisely and judiciously. The power should be wielded on the basis of respect for every individual in the country and what he/she wants to be within the boundaries of the law.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran.

21. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:23 am

    Shenali,

    It is no longer a question of what the Tamils want. The modes of pursuit of what the Tamils wanted as defined by their politicians and militants and how these were perceived by those who ruled this country, have led to where the Tamils are today.

    It is now for the Sinhala polity and the GOSL to identify the veracity of the core issues of concern to the minorities- Tamils of various hues and others- and find solutions. Denial or asking the Tamils to find a Tamil Eelam in Tamil Nadu are not the answer. Why did the demand for Tamil Eelam come about? What are your answers to the Sinhala-only and University admissions issues? What are your answers to the many anti-Tamil riots from 1958-1983? Of course, the LTTE brought about more misery on the Tamils and the whole country. This cannot be denied. There are many issues connected with our past that yet influence Tamil thinking. The Tamil politicians of course find this fertile hunting grounds.

    Let us dissect and analyse our history to find where we went wrong and did wrong by the minorities. If we find problems with how we are governed and the constitution & laws that directs us, let us find solutions. Let us not any longer bury our heads in the sand.

    All citizens in Sri Lanka want to be ruled justly and feel secure. All citizens want tomorrow to be better than today. All citizens want their children to do better than them. All citizens also want what they have inherited by way of language, culture and religion to be bequethed to their progeny intact and improved.

    The state should provide the space for all this to happen. No citizen should be disadvantaged in the pursuit of these goals.

    I personally have no objections to Sinhalese and Muslims moving to the north and east on their own volition and living there in accordance with their identity. If there are impediments to this they should be removed. However, state-planned and state-sponsored democratic changes would be unacceptable, as in the past. As much as the Tamils should feel safe to be what they are in the south, the Sinhalese and Muslims who wish to live in the north and east should feel . They should be able to learn in their language , communuicate in their language and practice their religion, as they want to. They can even form their ghetos or community areas, if they want to. These are everyone’s rights as citizens of Sri Lanka and should be part of the political culture we have to create and live by. No citizen should feel disadvantaged in any part of Sri Lanka, because of his/identity or financial status.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

22. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:41 am

    Narendran,

    “I am for a united Sri Lanka -irrespective of whether it is unitary or otherwise- where all individuals and communities will live as equals.”

    This is total nonsense due to:

    1. What we need is a UNITARY SL, not a united SL. People in SL are anyway united.

    2. Communities MUST NOT have equal rights. Only individuals can have equal rights. There is not a country in the world where communities have equal rights.

    e.g. If 75% of the population says “A” and 25% of the people say “B”, the ultimate decision should be “A”, NOT “B” and NOT a combination of “A” and “B”.

23. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:42 am

    “The Sinahalese, being the overwhelming majority will obviously wield more political power. This has to be accepted. However, the power should be wielded wisely and judiciously. The power should be wielded on the basis of respect for every individual in the country and what he/she wants to be within the boundaries of the law.”

    Absolutely.

    That is EXACTLY what they did in 1956.

    It was well within the law.

24. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:44 am

    Narendran,

    If you are serious about peace and equal rights, STOP talking about Tamil grievances. Instead talk about grievances of everyone.

    e.g. unemployment, poverty, land problems, hunger, etc.

    Only Tamil racists talk ONLY about Tamil grievances and aspirations and do NOT talk about grievances and aspirations of the entire country.

25. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:55 am

    1. Non-repetition of the anti-Tamil riots of the past. These concern their security in terms of person and property- a law. order and justice issue that has to seriously adrressed.

    It has not happened for 29 years and therefore is NOT a serious issue. Tamils MUST give back ALL land they took from Sinhalese and Muslims in Jaffna. Do you agree? If you don’t agree, you are only wasting your time.

    2. Equal opportunities and non-discrimination in practice, based on the principles of merotocracy.

    Metrocracy or majoritarianism must be decided by DEMOCRACY, not you or me. If most people say “A”, that should be the decision. Others must comply.

    3. Implementation of the provisions in the constitution regarding the use of Tamil and its status as an official language.

    If it relates to 13A, FORGET IT. It is not OUR Constitution but Indian imposition. Otherwise, YES.

    4. Constitutional arrangements to manage their community-specific affairs in cconsultation and with support of the state.

    There is the Hindu affairs ministry and Tamil cultural affairs ministry. That is sufficient.

    5. Constitutional arrangements to effectively participate in the affairs of the state.

    This is a joke. MANY Tamils participate in affairs of the state. e.g. Kadirgamar, Jeyaraj, Douglas, Karuna, KP, Thonda, Thambimuttu, Minnal Ranga, Pillayan, TNA MP from Ampara, etc. JUST join in or join them.

    6. Sanction of the right to sing the Tamil official version of the national anthem in Tamil.

    ONLY AFTER India sings its national anthem in Tamil. Otherwise it become a joke. Imagine a Colombo school with Sinhala and Tamil mediums singing the national anthem? It will be the joke of the world. National anthem must be sung in Sinhala only as in other countries.

26. nandimitra Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 1:29 am

    The Sinhala buddhists are the most discriminated community in this country in spite of the propaganda.. Economicaly pauperised by economy that is catering to the minority, this majoritism is only on paper. Sinhala buddhist are ethnically economically cleansed from the economic power houses. Aren’t the sinhalese not the once who are slaving in the ME, Aren’t they the once who can’t get a job unless they are in the ministers list, . This country will never prosper until their is true justice, meritocracy, educational opportunity, freedom from want and thought that go up to make a civilised society. What we have today is an uncivilised society where corruption is rampant and practice the law of the jungle. If there is good governance sinhalese, tamils and muslims will be proud to be sri lankan.

27. Raj Sivanathan Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 1:42 am

    Sunil, Thanks for your support,

    from my previous reply,
    We should look at the root cause of Sri Lanka’s issues and problems. Not listen to south Indian politicians or hard core elements. Once the issues are identified, we should try to eliminate and solve the issues. It can only be done by this Government if they want to create a better Sri- Lanka.

    My interpretation of root cause only from your time and my time period which is after independence. Otherwise we allow too much old history of Sri Lanka debate. which will be waste of time.

    All previous GOSL as well as the current one have said clearly throughout that “we will sort out their grievances”.
    of Tamil problems throughout their campaign.

    There fore I am not going to agree of Shenali’s statement of ” what do the Tamils ( Sri Lankan) Really want” as the writer does not know.

    Dr.R.Narendran has identified and elaborated in point form which am support of it too. Only way our input will be considered by accepting and appointing Sri Lanka Diaspora ministry or Group by GOSL.Otherwise we are wasting our energy.

28. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 1:51 am

    FINALLY, we are getting some ACTION on our repeated calls for ELIMINATING the Provincial Council System COMPLETELY!

    Let us GET RID OF this FOREIGN IMPOSED suicide pill THREATENING the INTEGRITY, SURVIVAL and PRODUCTIVITY of Sri Lanka.

    It ENCOURAGES separatism by creating DEMANDS for control of each Province by COMMUNAL groups. It lays the basis for the transformation of Sri Lanka into a patchwork of Ethno-Religious Apartheid Bantustans constantly at war with each other. The tax receipts of those areas will become “legalized” war chests funding separatist activities.

    It DILUTES the WRIT of the CENTRAL government, and enables Provincial Bureaucrats to appeal to Foreign Nations directly for support, and engage in foreign diplomacy, bypassing the Central Government. Foreign governments will recognize them as people who are the SOLE REPRESENTATIVES of the people of those regions and exercise de-facto and de-jure CONTROL of those regions.

    It represents an ADDITIONAL COSTLY LAYER of UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRACY of highly paid politicians living off the backs of citizen tax payers. This represents an UNPRODUCTIVE OVERHEAD.

    It raises ADDITIONAL INTERNAL BARRIERS to development of the country across provincial boundaries in the NATIONAL INTEREST, as we already seen in the TNA opposition to the Divi Neguma Bill, and the Mahaveli Development Scheme prior to the defeat of the LTTE.

    The right to freely elect Representatives to the National Parliament is FRANCHISE ENOUGH for any law-abiding Citizen of Sri Lanka. No additionalmultiple layers of electoral rights are necessary

    No administrative units larger than Districts, Municipalities and Villages are necessary for the EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE of Sri Lanka. Everything else is UNNECESSARY UNPRODUCTIVE overhead.

    FREE Sri Lanka from the 13th AMENDMENT and the Provincial Council System for GOOD, and RE-ASSERT the INDEPENDENCE of our SOVEREIGN Nation!

    ……………….
    Sri Lanka considering to repeal Provincial Council system – report

    ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

    Oct 21, Colombo: Inner circles of the Sri Lankan government are considering to repeal the Provincial Council system that was established under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to devolve power, according to a report in a local Sunday newspaper.

    Quoting an unnamed senior Minister, the Sinhala Weekly Divaina reported that the government is under pressure from both inside and outside to repeal the Provincial Councils system since the 13th Amendment has become a threat to the unity of the country.

    Organizations and individuals supporting the government have pointed out that a 19th Amendment to the Constitution can be brought to decentralize the power and abolish the 13th Amendment since the government has a two-third majority.

    A majority of the government believes the provincial council system will lead to another conflict in the country in the future and will be a hindrance to the development of the country, the report further said.

    The Provincial Council system was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1987 as a requirement of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed between India and Sri Lanka to end the civil war.

    Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, according to the report, at separate occasions have expressed that the provincial council system is an obstacle to government’s development programs.

    The report goes on to say that some organizations island wide are organizing protests to pressure the government to abolish the provincial council system.

    Sri Lanka’s Sinhala National and Buddhist Organizations have commenced collecting one million signatures for a petition demanding the abolition of 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

29. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 2:16 am

    Laurenso,

    Non-repetition of riots for 29 years was because a war was being waged for almost 30 tyears. What is gurantee they would not recur ? This is fear that yet dominates Tamil thoughts. I have been a victim and I live in Sri Lanka, in the belief that they wont be repeated. I have run over hills to save my life and know what it feels like. Yet, there is a lingering fear deep within me, bexause of what I experienced.

    I have been repeatedly saying the 13th amendment relating to the PCs is a meaningless piece of crap foisted on all Sri Lankans.

    Many of your comments are off the mark. I assume you live in Australia and if so, you should know what it is to feel discriminated. If you are not discriminated in any way in Australia, then I am sure you understand the direction Sri Lanka has to go. If you are yet living in Sri Lanka and hold the views you do, it unfortunate.

    Dr.Rajsingham Narendran

30. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 2:21 am

    Let Sri Lanka CONDITION the extradition of KP to India on the simultaneous extradition of Vaiko and other Indian Tamils, who aided and abetted the LTTE to murder the citizens of Sri Lanka, and violated Sri Lanka’s immigration laws by surreptiously entering Sri Lanka for terrorist activities, to Sri Lanka!

    That should give India some FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

    …………..
    Delhi to discuss KP’s extradition?

    By The Nation
    October 21, 2012

    A fresh controversy surrounds the extradition demand of the former LTTE international arms procurer, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP from India as the latest reports from New Delhi indicate that the Center is now discussing the issue again, reports reaching Colombo from the Indian Capital disclosed.Diplomats at the Indian High Commission in Colombo declined to comment on the issue stating that “It is too premature for them to comment”.

    According to Indian reports, a recent statement made by a government official at a press briefing in Colombo that Pathmanthan faced no charges had irked New Delhi. They said Pathmanathan was not only wanted by India but also has a warrant issued on him by the Interpol to be tried for acts of global terrorism.
    Pathmanathan is now involved in Northern development projects through his organization, North Eastern Rehabilitation and Development Organization.At the weekly Cabinet press briefing held on Friday (19), Minister of Mass Media and Information, Keheliya Rambukwella claimed the government had not ‘forgiven’ K.P. and allowed him to go free. He said the statement by Director General of the Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalla that no action could be taken against K.P. as there were no complaints or evidence against him “might have been a misinterpretation”. However, Rambukwella said the government was looking into the possibility of using K.P. as a government witness and including him in its continuing dialogue with the Tamil Diaspora. He added that K.P. had so far played a pivotal role for the success of ongoing dialogue with the Diaspora.

31. aloy Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:16 am

    Raj S.
    To my mind Lorenzo has adequately given response to the list of grievances enumerated by Raj N except for item No. 2. ie consideration of meritocracy. Before the district quota system was introduced for uni admissions, a population of less than 10% was having about 35% of enrolments in at least Engineering. It is unfair and was corrected by gosl. Its resources are limited, hence there should be contributions from those who established these schools in the north by way of private universities to cater for everybody

32. aloy Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:21 am

    A ministry for Diaspora should be a simple matter. We already have more than 100 minister and I am sure the president will consider it favourably.

33. Dham Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:26 am

    Raj ( both rajs) , (Answers are given within brackets)
    1. Non-repetition of the anti-Tamil riots of the past. These concern their security in terms of person and property- a law. order and justice issue that has to seriously adrressed.
    (Cannot gurantee. anti-Tamil riots occured because of LTTE. If there is another LTTE , it may repeat although not likely)

    2. Equal opportunities and non-discrimination in practice, based on the principles of merotocracy.

    (This was a problem for the Sinhalese. Tamil professors prevented Sinhalese from entering Unis before they stppoed practicals. This is a fact. Again such discriminatory, injustice stoppped by Tamils, kamma will look after you.)

    3. Implementation of the provisions in the constitution regarding the use of Tamil and its status as an official language.

    (This is already there to the extent that Tamils are only 10%. What is the justification to match the 70% majority ?)

    4. Constitutional arrangements to manage their community-specific affairs in cconsultation and with support of the state.
    ( can you please elaborate what are the “community-specific affairs” ?. These afairs are not common to both Sinahla and Tamil citizens ?)

    5. Constitutional arrangements to effectively participate in the affairs of the state.
    ( We had so many eminent excellent statesmen already- even currently so many Tamils participating in the excess of 10% quota. What do you want ?)
    6. Sanction of the right to sing the Tamil official version of the national anthem in Tamil.
    ( A strange “Grievevance” this one. No problem with me for singing and dancing if you like it.)

34. M.S.MUDALI Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:44 am

    Shenali can advise the Aussies to delete all the states in Australia and destroy the federal system.

    Further she feels that the Tamils need a separate state and cannot live with Sinhalese who claim Buddhist but like to kill Tamils. Her idea will be followed with a small correction by the TAMILS and not LTTE in the furture; The Eelam is in Sri lanka.

35. M.S.MUDALI Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:48 am

    Donkey Lorenzo:
    When are you going to start the robbery mission in Colombo? Tamils will run to their homelands as usual! If you and your sakkili Parawa fishing goons make another riot against Tamils, India will send army, not to making peace but to capture all Sri lanka. India have that option only now. China or USA never question India.

36. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 4:31 am

    Narendran,

    Unfortunate Tamils in the Diaspora, SL and India! No point crying for the same things LTTE could NOT get.

    IF Tamils are living in fear of riots why do they create GHETTOS in Colombo in swarms? Why don’t they just get out and go to where it is safe?

    Well, they don’t because they are PERFECTLY safe in SL.

    For your information, I’m a Tamil Anglican with origins from the north. I never experienced July 1983 because I was not born then. My parents were not affected because SINHALESE people saved them from RIOTING TAMILS. Yes, the riot was MAINLY carried out by poor Tamils who were DISCRIMINATED by racist Tamils along caste lines.

    Whenever caste comes for discussion Tamil Nadians run away!

    Riots killed only 2,000 Tamils in the last 29 years.
    Tamil Tigers killed 100,000+ Tamils in the SAME period!
    Tamil Tigers left behind 89,000 Tamil “Mahaveer” war widows who engaged in immoral acts to make ends meet!
    IPKF killed, raped, produced illegitimate Tamil children with over 10,000 Tamils in just 3 years!

    Look how foolish your arguments are. Are you numerically challenged?

37. Raj Sivanathan Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 5:08 am

    Lorenzo,
    Please describe the racist Tamil riots, when, where and how you were affected?

38. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 7:55 am

    Lorenzo,

    You are taking about an era you have not experienced. This shows in your comments. Please also note that I have differenciated between grievances and concerns in my original comment.

    Dham,

    Your comment relating to Tamil professors and the practicals, originates from the venom spewed by Cyril Mathew.
    These accusations were subsequently proved wrong.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

39. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Raj,

    “Please describe the racist Tamil riots, when, where and how you were affected?”

    This is NOT about you and me. This is about the nation – SL and the Tamil community.

    After winning the election in 1977, RACIST TAMIL united liberation front attacked Sinhala students in Jaffna. They left Jaffna TAMIL ONLY GHETTO university. This put Tamils in the south in danger.

    TAMIL tigers killed many POLICE officers (police officers are CIVILIANS).

    Then Tamil racists realized they have no future in SL and started the riot along with some govt (JSS) goons. They knew the EXACT addresses of OTHER Tamils in Colombo.

    Anyway as I explained above, Tamils killed in the riots was next to NOTHING compared to other events Tamils INFLICTED upon themselves.

    Riots killed only 2,000 Tamils in the last 29 years.
    Tamil Tigers killed 100,000+ Tamils in the SAME period!
    Tamil Tigers left behind 89,000 Tamil “Mahaveer” war widows who engaged in immoral acts to make ends meet!
    IPKF killed, raped, produced illegitimate Tamil children with over 10,000 Tamils in just 3 years!

40. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Narendran,

    “You are taking about an era you have not experienced.”

    What is better – harboring hatred over events that happened AN ERA AGO and living in it or moving forward?

    Looks like you are still stuck in the 1980s. No wonder you people have no future!!

    Anyway nice ESCAPE from my questions.

    Tamils MUST give back ALL land they took from Sinhalese and Muslims in Jaffna. Do you agree? If you don’t agree, you are only wasting your time.

    IF Tamils are living in fear of riots why do they create GHETTOS in Colombo in swarms? Why don’t they just get out and go to where it is safe?

    If you are serious about peace and equal rights, STOP talking about Tamil ONLY grievances. Instead talk about grievances of everyone.

    e.g. unemployment, poverty, land problems, hunger, etc.

    As long as you hold on to “WE THAMIZ” parasite attitude, nothing good will happen to you. Drop it and start talking about problems affecting EVERY SL. Think outside the Tamil box.

41. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Ananda,

    “Sri Lanka considering to repeal Provincial Council system – report”

    That is very good news.

    Can’t wait until this Indian dirty piece of our constitution is flushed down the toilet.

42. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    Did you notice the following 3 landed in lankaweb on the same day!!

    Saman Dissanayake
    Raj Sivanathan
    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

    It is a plot by the same person.

    Saman Dissanayake = Raj Sivanathan = Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

    One SL name. The other 2 Tamil Nadu names.

    The TNA=LTTE strategy. LTTE comes as TNA and says it is different!!

    If grenades were DISCOVERED in TNA jokers’ houses, they too have ended up in Nanthikadal. Unfortunately these were not discovered under MP privileges.

    That was how LTTE was wiped out but TNA survived.

    Now these people are DESPERATE.
    They LOST the eastern province TOTALLY.
    They went to India and begged, nothing happened. Manmohan showed them the door.
    Then they crept to and wept in the Chinese embassy and start begging. Thinking that they too can play the China card. :))
    Kicked out from there too.
    Now they come here begging. They started by copy pasting from Buddhist scripts to win sympathy.

    Just like Velu who quoted from holy scripts in his LAST Mahabooru Day speech in 2008.

    Please read what Hon Gotabhaya has to say. He has identified this threat very clearly.

    After Gotabhaya dies the biggest kovil in Jaffna must be dedicated to God Gotabhaya (Kothapaya) – Maka Kothapaya Kovil.

    The great warrior who liberated Tamils from terror, child soldiers, indignity, suicide bombers and other dirt.

43. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    Raj Sivanathan
    Rajasinham Narendran
    I think the forum has collected enough Tamil grievances and now for some action. Two options are available. One is to submit a petition signed by Tamils and whoever to the Sri Lanka President, enumerating the grievances for clarity or we can submit the above mentioned grievances direct to the President for consideration. I think the former would be far more effective and its easy to originate. Just go to
    http://www.change.org/start-a-petition?utm_source=petitiononline&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sap
    or
    let us know to submit the grievances direct to President Mahinda Rajapakse. Which option would you like? Pl. respond. In the meantime in an elite forum personal vilification should be avoided at all cost. Otherwise we too would go down the path of our pathetic politicians. Over to you guys.

44. Dilrook Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    Instead of criticising, I’m amazed by Tamils’ persistent demand to get their grievances addressed. It is not the perfect way forward but it has worked well for them.

    Sinhalese have more grievances than Tamils but never complain. It is time we complain about grievances too. In developed countries there are consumer groups, farmer groups, alliances of retailers and groups of wholesalers. Their individual bargaining has resulted in equilibrium where fair-play ensures. This is the model for the Sinhalese. We must also peacefully agitate to address our grievances.

    There are serious grievances of the Sinhala community in education, landlessness, constitutional right to live anywhere, rights over language and state religion of the majority as in other democratic countries and in preventing outsiders interfering in the island nation to promote their rightful citizens in Sri Lanka.

45. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    The TNA itself provided the impetus for the VAST MAJORITY of Sri Lankan citizens to GO IN EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION to its DEMANDS for DEVOLUTION of Power to Former Separatists.

    Not quite what they wanted, is it? Once again their THREATS are EXPLODING in their own faces! The MORE they PUSH, the MORE it BACKFIRES!

    Now their TREASONOUS trips to India and Tamil Nadu will resume, to wail and weep that they are unable to acquire through treasonous BLACKMAIL in PEACETIME what they failed to WIN through murderous VIOLENCE in WAR!

    The PATRIOTS of LANKA must STAND FIRM to teach these UNREPENTANT TRAITORS that they will NEVER SUCCEED in resurrecting their Racist Aparthied Caste Ridden Eelam in our Motherland.

    Same Equal Rights, YES!
    Separate Greater Rights, NEVER!

    ……………
    Sri Lanka Tamil party to campaign against government’s attempts to centralize powers

    ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

    Oct 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says it would carry out a campaign against the government’s attempt to centralize powers in the center.

    TNA Leader R. Sampanthan has said the government is in a position to take steps to centralize powers at present because it is in control of many provinces in the country.

    “People in different parts of the country are greatly prejudiced with regard to provincial government to which they have much better access being able to implement programs in line with the democratic wishes of the people,” he has observed.

    He has added that the government, which has managed to muster a two-thirds majority in parliament through undemocratic means, is seeking to misuse the two-thirds majority to achieve its political objectives.

    Referring to the proposed Divi Neguma Bill, Sampanthan has said the Bill entrusts development activities in the whole country to the Economic Development Ministry.

    “We are opposed to the policy of concentration of power to the center and depriving the provinces of the powers given to them by the Constitution,” the TNA leader has said.

    There is a growing consensus in the country to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which devolves power to the provincial councils.

46. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 6:49 pm

    Sri Lanka Minister requests a referendum to abolish power devolution amendment

    ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

    Oct 21, Colombo: Wimal Weerawansa, Sri Lanka Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities has requested from the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold a referendum to repeal the Provincial Council system.

    Writing a letter to the President, the leader of the government coalition party National Freedom Front has suggested replacing the Provincial Council system with a devolution unit based on the district.

    Weerawansa argues that the parliament will be helpless amidst the powers of the Provincial Councils soon due to the judiciary definitions of the articles of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which was forced by India under the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987.

    He further says that the people’s opinion must be consulted to abolish the Provincial Council system which was established without people’s consent.

    The campaign in Sri Lanka to repeal the provincial council system brought into existence by the 13th Amendment is growing momentum as the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, is refusing to participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee proposed by the government to devolve power.

47. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    But, but, but … why does India refuse?

    After all, India sees fit to insert itself into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs at every opportunity; why not provide reciprocal privileges, at least in this instance when cross-international-border radioactive contamination is a distinct possibility?

    Now, there are few other matters we want to get equal representation, given our concerns regarding our kinfolk in India … like those Separatist Demands for “Political Solutions” from Kashmiris, and multivarious other insurgents of the North Eastern states of India. Let us not forget the dear old Naxalites and the Tamil Liberation Army either.

    Yo, India! Can we talk about these issues? Just a wee bit …. Huh?

    …………
    Nuclear threat: India turns down Lanka’s request

    By Leon Berenger
    SundayTimes.lk
    October 21, 2012

    Asia’s biggest nuclear plant to begin operations soon 160 km from Puttalam

    India has refused to accept a year-long request to have Sri Lankans to be part of safety committees in the event of a nuclear fallout at the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant in Tamil Nadu to be commissioned shortly, Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) Chairman Dr. Ranjith Wijayawardana said yesterday.

    The matter was taken up by Sri Lanka when officials from both governments met during a two-day meeting in New Delhi a fortnight ago to discuss Sri Lankan concerns on the plant, but the Indian side remain non-committal.

    Dr. Wijayawardana said the AEA sought to become a part of the Safety Monitoring Committee at Kudankulam. The controversial nuclear facility is some 160 kilometres from Sri Lanka’s North-Western coast.

    “We are keen on keeping a close watch on the work at the plant and for this, Sri Lanka has sought permission from India to be part of the safety monitoring mechanism,” Dr. Wijayawardana said.

    He conceded that Colombo’s concern regarding the safety issues surrounding the nuclear complex that is set to be commissioned before the end of the year was relayed to the relevant authorities in India one year ago, but Delhi had failed to respond until earlier this month.

    On an invitation from New Delhi this month, a Sri Lankan delegation held talks with Indian officials and the issue was discussed at length, Dr. Wijeyawardana said.

    He said Sri Lanka failed to obtain a firm assurance that it would be allowed to be on hand to monitor the functioning of the plant and more talks on the subject were put off for mid next year — after the scheduled commissioning of the plant, an indication that India was not willing to share information on the issue. “We have initiated a bilateral approach and we are hoping that India will cooperate in the best interest of everyone concerned,” Dr. Wijayawardana said.

    Last week the Sunday Times reported that India was willing to provide an early warning system to Sri Lanka in case of a nuclear fallout from the plant.

    “We have already put in place several precautionary measures that include the installation of five early warning devices. These devices, provided by the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA), have already been set up at naval outposts in Kankesanturai, Mannar, Delft Island, Kalpitiya and Colombo. Three more devices were to be installed in Galle, Trincomalee and Samanalawewa,” Dr. Wijayawardana said. He said a special task force comprising security forces officers, experts, volunteers and officials from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) was also at hand to deal with a crisis situation.
    Environmentalists, however, slammed Sri Lankan officials for failing to advise the Government on the dangers posed by this complex.

    Hemantha Vithanage, executive director of the Centre for Environmental Justice and Friends of the Earth, said the AEA had failed to address the seriousness of the issue and advise the Government accordingly.

    “In India there is a howl of protests against the plant, but Sri Lanka which is the closest country to the controversial complex has chosen to be on bended knees and listen to the dictates of Delhi. In case of a mishap at Kudankulam there is little Sri Lanka can do to stay out of the way, early warning systems or otherwise, since radiation particles travel fast,” he said.
    Mr. Vithanage said the Sri Lankan coast was the most vulnerable.

    “For example Puttalam is just 160 kilometres away from Kudankulam while Chennai is some 450 kilometres away and therefore India is not really bothered,” he said.

    In addition concerns were also raised on the dumping of nuclear waste from the plant with fears that they might be pumped into the Indian Ocean which would lead to a disaster for marine life in the region, the environmentalist said.

48. Raj Sivanathan Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    Lorenzo,

    I am not approve of your comments, I have my own pride and dignity. I am a Proud Tamil Sri Lankan born in Jaffna to Tamil parents currently living in Melbourne. Now you have abused my birth name.I would rather stop at stage with a final question. Is is website belong to you?

49. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    Raj,

    “Is is website belong to you?”

    No.

    BUT SL belongs to me (and like minded people), not you.

50. Lorenzo Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    I’m a proud AND TRIUMPHANT Sri Lankan belonging to the HUMAN RACE with little regard for a person’s ethnicity.

51. Dham Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Double Rajs,
    It is fact that Tamil bastards started this “favouring tamils” business. Nothing to do with Cyril Mathew. It is a fact.
    It is a fact I myself experience.
    It is a fact that some of my fellow Tamil brothers came better results than our results started getting very poor marks than us in a overseas University while doing masters degree. I have personally helped such friends even during examinations, even though I lost a big opportunity becasue of a tamil bastard lecturer set completely strage problems and passed the paper to tamil students. While being very close as friends they told us what happened.
    This is my personal experience, you cannot challange. Froget about Cyril mathew – I never liked him.
    You buggers trying to potray tamils are innocent and Sinhala are discriminating Tamils.

    If you tamils want to live in Sri lanka they should change. No other choice.

52. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Dham – this myth about Tamils have an edge on Math etc. over Sinhalese were disproved at Katubadde, where at inception foreign lecturers were there. The Sinhala students did definite score better marks than Tamils according to a friend of mine, marked by foreign lecturers and some Sinhala lecturers who were boarded at our house and they too aired the same view. Its a great myth created by some people. What injustice we faced while Tamil lecturers were giving hints in Jaffna – well these things will be denied by Jaffna Tamils. I am not here to make a rift but this was a fact.
    Anyway our Tamil brethren now should decide to submit a petition or just forward their grievances to President direct – on that we can help. This is my second call.

53. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 21st, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    this was my first call
    Raj Sivanathan
    Rajasinham Narendran
    I think the forum has collected enough Tamil grievances and now for some action. Two options are available. One is to submit a petition signed by Tamils and whoever to the Sri Lanka President, enumerating the grievances for clarity or we can submit the above mentioned grievances direct to the President for consideration. I think the former would be far more effective and its easy to originate. Just go to
    http://www.change.org/start-a-petition?utm_source=petitiononline&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sap
    or
    let us know to submit the grievances direct to President Mahinda Rajapakse. Which option would you like? Pl. respond. In the meantime in an elite forum personal vilification should be avoided at all cost. Otherwise we too would go down the path of our pathetic politicians. Over to you guys.

54. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 22nd, 2012 at 3:09 am

    Sunil Vijayapala,

    You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT in you comment on “this myth about Tamils have an edge on Math etc. over Sinhalese were disproved at Katubadde”.

    Actually that MYTH was really disproved very much before the Katubedde campus even came into existence, but the opening up of opportunities to the vast majority of disenfranchised students in the country has now allowed statistics to DISPROVE that FALSEHOOD.

    I am a graduate of E-Fac at Peradeniya (graduated with BSc in ME, and in EE one year later during my employment as an instructor at E-Fac). I was in the so-called “Exemption Batch” of 18 students, nearly 46 years ago, who were exempted from the 1st year of the 4 year Engineering curriculum on the basis of our outstanding performance at the university entrance examination. We joined the batch of students who were admitted one year before us.

    I can categorically vouch for the fact that there was no difference between the best Sinhala and the best Tamil students. Furthermore, a far greater number of my Sinhala batchmates went onto get MSc and PhD degrees, largely through their own efforts without Govt scholarships, than my Tamil batchmates.

    One difference that I did see was that the ratio of Tamil students to Sinhala students was far greater than the ratio of Tamil people to the Sinhala people in the population of the country as a whole, with Jaffna schools sending large numbers of exclusively Tamil students, while Colombo schools sent students from every community, including Tamil students. At that time, there were very few engineering students from outstation schools. Another telling statistic of the disparity in opportunity was that Sinhala Buddhist students, from the majority community of Sri Lanka, were a small minority among my engineering batchmates.

    That reflected the INEQUITY in educational opportunities that the majority Sinhala Buddhist community of Sri Lanka had historically suffered, first under colonial administrations, and then in the first 25 years of independence under myopic governments of independent Sri Lanka.

    It is only with the creation of better outstation schools with facilities and teachers for teaching science, comparable to Jaffna and Colombo schools, and the growth of other university campuses teaching science and engineering, like Katubedde, that this tide of inequity began to turn, and the vice-like grip of Tamils and Colombians on science education in Sri Lanka began to fade.

    Once that happened, an equal opportunity to get a science and engineering education, and a lucrative job that lies beyond it, was made available for the first time to the majority of students of Sri Lanka. Today, the very best students entering science and engineering faculties of universities seem to come from Maha Vidyalayas that did not even exist in my day.

    While this regional disparity in the quality of schools existed, the absence of Sinhala students in the universities was incorrectly held up as “proof” that Sinhala students were either “inferior to” or “not as hardworking” as Tamil students. That laid the basis for cries of “discrimination” when the doors to quality higher education was thrown open to all students and Sinhala students, now labelled as “inferior” began to enter the universities in greater numbers.

    NOTHING could be further from the truth than this RACIST MYTH … if you ask anyone in my batch … they will confirm that I was among the hardest working students in my batch. Denying the opportunity to get an advanced education, and then blaming the victims for their absence in the ranks of students, is a PREPOSTEROUS RACIST CONCEPT.

    When Eelamist Tamils cry “discrimination” on this issue, what they are really bemoaning is the loss of the unfair advantages Tamils historically enjoyed as a legacy of colonial administrations, and that they resent having to compete on an equal footing for those opportunities against the upstart Sinhala gamayas from the villages of Sri Lanka.

    That is the true reason for the demand for a Tamils-only Eelam. Unable to cope with the rise of equal opportunities for other communities, and to COMPETE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING with Sinhalese now, they want to create a separate caste-ridden Eelamist Valhalla for Tamils-only where they can continue to protect, preserve and enjoy those unequal advantages.

    All I can say to them is: You’ll be waiting for an ETERNITY.

55. lingamAndy Says:
    October 22nd, 2012 at 7:46 am

    Shouldn’t TAMIL EELAAM be in TAMIL NADU? No Shenali Waduge Eelam for Eelam (Hela in sinhala) people !!!
    If Tamil people want Tamil country they ask in Tamil Nadhu which they already have ( Nadhu mean in English Country ) !!!

    Hela (in Tamil Eelam) lanka for Hela (in Tamil Eelam) Nation !!!

56. Fran Diaz Says:
    October 22nd, 2012 at 10:43 am

    The words ‘Tamil Eelam’ is synonymous with Separatism, and a separate state for Tamil people. Tamil Eelam is also synonymous with war, dissent, darkness, hopelessness, cheat & deceit, lack of trust, fear, greed, lawlessness, disharmony, etc. No amount of explanations at this stage will make people accept these two words as safe or comfortable.

57. Sunil Vijayapala Says:
    October 22nd, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    Ananda -USA Since there is no response from our Tamil friends whether to write a petition or submit a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse I like to deviate from this topic on to Solar, your pet project – apologies to forum members. Ananda about your interest in Solar and attempting to introduce to our public in SL is a noble cause. I made a 18v solar panel myself and now through an inverter I can run our 220v appliances. If you are in SL from Nov end to Feb season, pl. get my email address from editor, a friend of mine, who is a mechanical engineer and write to me. He too is interested in introducing Solar Energy and I think 3 of us can put our energies on this venture. I will be in China to purchase some solar equipment before heading to SL. I wrote to Mahinda too of a concept of a whole village (modern) to run on Solar energy – Hiru Udaa Gammaanaye unfortunately no response – just after the Sinharaja issue.
    Anyway I will submit the grievances to Mahinda in the near future (probably he already knows about these grievances, which needs actioned) even if there is no response from Raj Sivanathan and
    Rajasinham Narendran. I still feel a petition would be the ideal approach.

58. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 22nd, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    Sunil,

    I think you scared off our Tamil friends asking for a list of specific “grievances” … because that would nail them to the wall in a no-win situation.

    If they demand reasonable things already available to all Sri Lankan citizens, the “demands” cease to be a “grievances” that can be used to achieve separatist goals.

    If they demand things that are unavailable to other citizens, they become immediately identified as unreasonable demands that support the Racist Apartheid goals of Separatist Eelamists.

    So they want to perpetually leave thse “grievances” as a amorphous shapeless denials of “human, cultural and democratic rights” they can keep chanting like mantras to the gullible unthinking world at large in forums in which they are not challenged, or tied down, to the specifics of their indefensible, embarrassing, ultimately undemocratic positions.

    Consequently, the more you ask for that list of fake grievances, the more they will burrow deep into the woodwork. So, KEEP DEMANDING THE SPECIFICS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, and CONTINUE EXPOSING THOSE DEMANDS for what they really are!

    Regarding solar energy, if I can travel to SL before the end of February, 2013, I will try to meet with you in Sri Lanka. You can write to me at LankaPatriot@gmail.com . I consider meeting people in person an essential prerequisite for any collaborative work, because of the dangers posed by anonymity on the internet.

59. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 23rd, 2012 at 12:11 am

    Bravo! Three Cheers for the Defence Secretary, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for calling for the ELIMINATION of the 13th Amendment & the Provincial Council System!

    Let us DO IT NOW!
    ……………………
    Defence Secretary repeats call for abolition of 13-A

    By Shamindra Ferdinando
    Island.lk
    October 21, 2012

    Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday reiterated that post-war political strategy of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) left him with no alternative but to strongly recommend the abolition of the 13th Amendment. He urged the government, the Opposition as well as the international community to examine the conduct of the one-time mouthpiece of the LTTE.

    It was up to Parliament to decide on the 13th Amendment, the Defence Secretary said, adding that the eradication of the LTTE conventional military capability shouldn’t be a reason for the government to be complacent.

    The Defence Secretary was responding to a TNA delegation making representations to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo in a bid to block the on-going Chinese assistance to construct bases for security forces deployed in the Northern Province. The TNA was causing unnecessary friction, he said, adding that nothing could be as foolish as the TNA’s assertion that security forces were constructing bases on in Tamil areas.

    The TNA couldn’t be allowed to dictate terms to the State as regards the deployment of security forces during war or peace time, the Defence Secretary said, noting that it was the sole prerogative of the government. He said the 13th Amendment was nothing but a springboard for those seeking to accomplish what the LTTE had failed achieve through terrorism.

    The Defence Secretary said that that the government should realise the consequences of the TNA’s efforts to undermine GoSL’s relations with friendly countries. The TNA had never so much as issued a message of condolence when the LTTE killed Chinese nationals twice in separate attacks during the conflict, the Defence Secretary said. The TNA should be held accountable for its role during the 2001-May 2009 period, he, recalling that TNA leader R. Sampanthan’s had declared in the run-up to Dec 2001 parliamentary polls that the LTTE was the sole representative of Tamil speaking people.

    Commenting on persistent TNA allegations that outsiders were being settled in Tamil areas since the end of the conflict, the Defence Secretary said that the main Tamil party was making an attempt to trigger ethnic tensions. “First of all let me tell you there is absolutely no necessity for the government to move outsiders to Northern and eastern Provinces. But people must have the right to live in any part of the country. There cannot be different sets of rules for Tamil speaking people and others.” He said people from the North and the East had moved to Colombo and its suburbs during the conflict and were living there peacefully. Likewise, other people, too, should have a right to live in any part of the country without being troubled by political parties or politicians, he added.

60. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 23rd, 2012 at 12:29 am

    Wimal warns Rajapaksa

    DailyMirror.lk
    October 21, 2012

    Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who leads the nationalist NFF, in a letter to Rajapaksa on Sunday warned that 13A has the potential to undo the achievements of government troops who defeated the LTTE.

    While claiming that the amendment undermined the people’s sovereignty and the supremacy of national parliament, Rajapaksa called for a national referendum to abolish it. The issue surfaced as part of the reported unease between the judiciary and the executive arm of the state.

    A financial bill which will purportedly usurp powers of the 13A and its embedded provincial council system was referred by the Supreme Court for approval of the provincial councils before being enacted in parliament.

    JHU or the Sinhala Heritage Party, another Rajapaksa ally backed the comments made by powerful defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa that 13A needs abolished. “The TNA (main Tamil party) aims to target the 13A to further their separatist objectives,” Udaya Gammanpila, the JHU senior and a Western Provincial Council minister told a public gathering on Sunday.

    President Rajapaksa has earlier said that he was willing to consider granting full powers or 13-plus to the provincial councils.

    The 13A, as it is called, was enacted in 1987 as part of Indian intervention to try and broker a solution to the Tamil demand for political autonomy. (Source: PTI)

61. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 23rd, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Govt. allies want 13-A scrapped

    DailyMirror.lk
    October 23, 2012

    Several allies of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have decided to continue their campaign to pressure President Mahinda Rajapaksa to abrogate the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, by using the two-thirds majority in Parliament, Daily Mirror learns.

    The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) have started a public campaign against the 13th Amendment.

    The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) led by Minister Dinesh Gunawardane has also decided to prevail upon the government in this regard.

    Minister Gunawardena told Daily Mirror his party foresaw the consequences of this piece of legislation introduced in 1987 under the Indo-Lanka Accord giving birth to the provincial councils, which have become white elephants.

    “This is a hastily prepared piece of legislation. The provincial councils are useless. They waste public funds. We have to do away with this system at least now,” he said. “In Sri Lanka, even education and health have been devolved to the provinces. These are two crucial subjects, which need to be handled by the central government to develop a country. We are witnessing the repercussions of leaving such powers in the hands of the provincial councils.

    Asked whether he would carry out a public campaign, the minister said that his party would first discuss the matter with the government.

    “We have written to the government on several occasions. We will take it up again. The government has a two-third majority in Parliament. It can be used to abrogate the 13th Amendment,” he said.

    The MEP is an ally of the ruling coalition with three parliamentary seats. Digamadulla district MP Sriyani Wijewickrema and Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardane are the two others.

    He said that instead of the provincial councils a district council system could be set up to implement and co-ordinate development work.
    “The Pradeshiya Sabhas and Urban Councils should be strengthened,” the minister said.

    Referring to the Indo-Lanka Accord, he said though the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi played a role in introducing this law here, there are village-based administrative bodies set up in India to carry out grassroots level development activities.

    The minister said the MEP wants the cultural and linguistic concerns of people in the North addressed. (Kelum Bandara)

62. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 23rd, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Communal “DIVERSITY” has NO PLACE in Governance!

    This call for “Diversity” is the FIG LEAF under which Eelamist Separatists HIDE THE RACISM of their demands for DEVOLUTION of Power to them.

    NO Short Cut!

    This DEMAND for “Diversity” is a Trojan Horse designed to DISMANTLE Sri Lanka! It is the THIN EDGE of the Racist Eelamist WEDGE to CLEAVE SRi Lanka in TWr!

    GIVE NO SHORT CUTS to the “DIVERSITY” Trojan Horse!

    NONE!

63. Lorenzo Says:
    October 23rd, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    “A financial bill which will purportedly usurp powers of the 13A and its embedded provincial council system was referred by the Supreme Court for approval of the provincial councils before being enacted in parliament.”

    GO AHEAD!

64. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 3:54 am

    I want to clarify my opposition to DIVERSITY in Governance.

    DIVERSITY is a GOOD THING if it is applied at the SMALLEST GRANULAR LEVEL and is taken to mean that people should not be discriminated against because of their Communal Attributes such as race, religion, caste, language or sex. A democratic government elected by the citizens of a country, on the basis of one vote for each adult citizen, that assures equal rights for every citizen without regard to the above Communal Attributes automatically guarantees this kind of DIVERSITY in the Public Sphere of Governance.

    I call this INTEGRATIVE DIVERSITY where Communal Differences are preserved at the SMALLEST GRANULAR LEVEL of peoples lives in the Private Sphere, while being BLIND to that DIVERSITY in the Public Sphere of Governance.

    However, if DIVERSITY is identified at a much LARGER GRANULAR level, and taken to mean that the LAND of a country should be divided into separate regions for the EXCLUSIVE use of separate communities identified according to Communal Attributes, that its Representatives in LEGISLATURE (MPs, Senators, Executive Officers such as PM, President, Ministers, etc) are pre-allocated according to those Communal Attributes, that the Members of its JUDICIARY (Supreme Court Justices, Lower Court Justices) are pre-allocated according to Communal Attributes, that the Members of its LAW ENFORCEMENT system (Attorneys General, Police, Coast Guard etc) are pre-allocated according to Communal Attributes, that the Members of its ARMED FORCES (Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Intelligence) are pre-allocated according to Communal Attributes, and so on, then DIVERSITY becomes a DE-FACTO DIVISION of the country into Separate Communities and States without any shared values that promotes cohesion as a single nation.

    Enforcement of this kind of fundamentally flawed APARTHEID DIVERSITY is in fact, a PERFECT PRESCRIPTION for the DISINTEGRATION of the nation into SEPARATE WARRING STATES, as each community attempts to increase its share at the expense of other communities. It is this kind of APARTHEID DIVERSITY that the Tamil Eelamists want to promote in Lanka, and the Muslims of the SLMC also want to preserve when they, like the TNA, opposes repealing of the 13th Amendment and the dissolution of the Provincial Council System (see the news article below).

    It is important to note that APARTHEID DIVERSITY is not what is usually meant by DIVERSITY in Western countries, such as the US, when they support “diversity”, for example, in the workplace. However, the Eelamists CONFUSE the two meanings DELIBERATELY to exploit the automatic knee-jerk approval of gullible unthinking Westerners to win their support for the APARTHEID DIVERSITY.

    In a country with a democratic form of government with universal franchise and ensuring equal rights for all citizens, INTEGRATIVE DIVERSITY is automatically assured, and no calls for DIVERSITY to separate communities is needed.

    Therefore, I oppose the Eelamists call for DIVERSITY in Governance, simply because they are agitating for the Apartheid forom of Diversity.

    ………..
    13-A: SLMC flays call for referendum

    By Franklin R. Satyapalan
    Island.lk
    October 23, 2012

    The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will oppose any attempt by the government to hold a national referendum with a view to repealing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, SLMC General Secretary M. T. Hassen Ali, MP, said

    Ali said: “Just because the government could not pass one Bill, it should not try to do away with the whole amendment. We will defend the 13th Amendment. It is unethical to hold a referendum at national level as the majority community would vote en-bloc in support of the move to repeal the 13th Amendment introduced as a panacea for the longstanding grievances of the minorities following the signing of the Indo–Lanka Accord in 1987.”

    “Some members of the government are trying to repeal the 13th Amendment at a time when the Tamil speaking minorities in the country are clamouring for more devolution. The latest government move ran counter to its promise to grant 13 Plus.”

    The SLMC General Secretary said that minority parties had never opposed steps taken by the government to develop the provinces and the people would benefit from the proposed ‘Divi Neguma’ Bill. He said: “We are not at all against the government initiating legislation in Parliament to implement new development programmes. What we oppose is the implementation of the development projects in rural areas of the North and the East from Colombo.”

    The SLMC secretary called upon the government to devolve more power to the Provincial Councils and to allocate for funds for development at the provincial level.

65. Lorenzo Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 3:57 am

    “The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will oppose any attempt by the government to hold a national referendum with a view to repealing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.”

    Oh! It does not matter.

    SLMC supported Fonseka at the election. What happened. SLMC LOST!
    SLMC supported Run-NIL at the previous election. What happened. SLMC LOST!

    Majority must decide, not the minority.

    Ananda,

    CULTURAL diversity is ALWAYS GOOD. Ethnicity based political diversity is ALWAYS BAD.

66. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    Lorenzo,

    You said “CULTURAL diversity is ALWAYS GOOD”.

    NOT TRUE …it depends on at what level of granularity it is defined and how it is used.

    DIVERSITY at the smallest level of granularity of INDIVIDUALS is GOOD, and is ASSURED by EQUAL RIGHTS enforced by a democratically elected government on the basis of one-vote for each person. It guarantees that Communal Affiliations are not used to GRANT or DENY either a citizen’s RIGHTS or a citizen’s RESPONSIBILITES.

    But, ANY DIVERSITY, including CULTURAL DIVERSITY, used as a basis to acquire SEPARATE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS at large levels of granularity (eg. at the level of Provinces instead of Individuals) for different communities is BAD.

    For example, Tamils say, “We want the Northern Province EXCLUSIVELY for us to PRESERVE our Tamil Culture”.

    THAT IS EXACTLY the basis EELAMISTS use to DEMAND Devolution of Power, especially police and land powers, and Autonomy, for the Tamil Community. If the Tamils get it, the Muslims will want it also … and Sri Lanka spirals into a patchwork of Apartheid Bantustans instead of a SINGLE UNITARY country without internal barriers separating its people.

    Therefore, APARTHEID DIVERSITY is always bad, whether it is CULTURAL or NOT.

67. Lorenzo Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Ananda-USA,

    Actually you are saying the same thing.

    I said,

    “CULTURAL diversity is ALWAYS GOOD. Ethnicity based political diversity is ALWAYS BAD.”

    You said,

    “But, ANY DIVERSITY, including CULTURAL DIVERSITY, used as a basis to acquire SEPARATE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS at large levels of granularity (eg. at the level of Provinces instead of Individuals) for different communities is BAD.”

    Provinces is NOT cultural diversity but ethnicity based political diversity which is bad. So no contradiction.

    ““We want the Northern Province EXCLUSIVELY for us to PRESERVE our Tamil Culture”.

    This is also dangerous ethnicity based political diversity, NOT cultural diversity!!

    Examples of cultural diversity WITHIOUT ethnicity based political diversity.

    “Tamils want govt of SL to help promote Bharata Natyam throughout SL.”

    “Tamils want money from state film corporation to produce Jollywood (Jaffna films – my invention) films!!”

    “Muslims want SL Islamic cultural promotion (NOT Saudi culture) throughout the country.”

    “Sinhalese want Sinhala cultural centres in every main town to promote it and popularise it among every SL.”

    “Veddhas want a Veddha cultural ministry.”

    “An unnamed group of people (with no cultural bias) calls for the popularisation of Sinhala Buddhist ancient culture in the island.”

    “Another group calls for a national cultural day showcasing ALL cultures in SL.”

    I’m open to these as they are PURE cultural diversity and have NO TRACES of ethnicity based political diversity.

68. Lorenzo Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    The present SL constitution recognises cultural diversity.

    But it does NOT recognise ethnicity based political diversity.

    Bantustans are ethnicity based political diversity and so is Apartheid. They are political units and political tools.

    Rajapaksha wearing pottu, Tamil garlands, scarfs, etc., in Jaffna, Vaharei, Thalawakelai or anywhere is cultural diversity. Rajapaksha worshiping at famous Hindu temples in SL and India, famous Matara church and other places is cultural diversity.

    If Rajapaksha giving political rigthts to Tamil GHETTOS that is ethnicity based political diversity.

69. Ananda-USA Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Lorenzo,

    We are NOT saying the same thing.

    When people participate and promote each other’s cultural activities in a private capacity … that is OK.

    But when EXCLUSIVE rights are assigned BY LAW to some groups of people, that are unavailable to others, under the guise of promoting CULTURAL DIVERSITY, with or without affiliation with a particular region of the country … that is APARTHEID DIVERSITY that we should not allow.

70. Lorenzo Says:
    October 24th, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Ananda-USA,

    “But when EXCLUSIVE rights are assigned BY LAW to some groups of people, that are unavailable to others, under the guise of promoting CULTURAL DIVERSITY, with or without affiliation with a particular region of the country … that is APARTHEID DIVERSITY that we should not allow.”

    YES.

    It is NOT CULTURAL DIVERSITY per se as you say. It is ETHNO POLITICAL BS done to supposedly advance cultural diversity. The two are totally different.

    There are other ways to promote cultural diversity WIHOUT EXCLUSIVE rights assigned BY LAW.

    e.g. In SL some have different laws because they are Jaffna Tamils and Muslims (like polygamy, etc.)

    These MUST be scrapped. They are not about cultural diversity but about ETHNIC POLITICS.

71. Dilrook Says:
    October 25th, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    There is no need for multiculturalism in Sri Lanka. Tamil culture is available in Tamil Nadu, India and Islamic culture is available in Saudi Arabia. There is no need to replicate them here in Sri Lanka.

    Their importation must be restricted so that they cannot harm the native culture.

72. Dr.Rajasingham Narendran Says:
    October 27th, 2012 at 4:10 am

    Sunil Wijepala,

    Please accept my apologies for the belated response. I was away in Jaffna and did not have access to the internet. I see much merit in addressing a letter/ petition to the president, as he is the only one who has the power to address the issues. I also feel that the president has something not very well articulated up his sleeve. I say this in a positive manner. It is time he becomes a statesman and articulates his vision on the subject under discussion in clear terms.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

73. Dham Says:
    October 27th, 2012 at 6:59 am

    Raja Ayya,
    Maharaja is in a hole of his own. Look at his friends Silvas. He can give a call to Sunil Ayya if he wants proper advice, not wait until he write petitions. He is not doing anything to stop “non functioning governement” of GonGovernment in short.
    Gongovernment could not catch Prabhakillan when he was small enough, did not stop Tamil terroists and kept on partying in corruption.
    Gota is the answer.
    I can tolerate corruption until all relatives become rich, but stop now and start doing some work before it becomes wasted lives of children from both sides.

74. Dham Says:
    October 27th, 2012 at 7:01 am

    Exessive greed is the no: 1 enemy of humanity. Zionist thrive on this.

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