Tamil Nadu Chief Minister demands economic sanctions against Sri Lanka
Posted on February 22nd, 2013

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Asada M Erpini

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has still not come out of her make believe and fantasy world of Tamil movies of yester year, when her gyrations with her hero and mentor mesmerised illiterate movie goers who were only looking for an escape from the drudgery of the day to day life in Tamil Nadu and many other states of India. Or else, how can an adult Indian come out with a demand that India should impose economic sanctions against Sri Lanka for the alleged killing of 12 year Tamil child by Sri Lankan armed forces when the father of the very same ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”innocentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ used thousands of Tamil children of the same age as cannon fodder against the lawfully constituted armed forces of a sovereign nation, and had no qualms in killing tens thousands of Sinhalese children ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” some yet in their mothersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ wombs and others on their way to school or helping their parents in their fields – in his quest of a mythical mono-ethnic Eelam?

Sri Lanka can survive without the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”generosityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ of India, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Thank YouƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. Even a primary school child knows very well that all the Bajaj tuks tuks and the Maruti cars that clog the streets are there in every nook and corner of the island nation not because their Indian owners are philanthropic, but because of business interests. Many investors rushing to Sri Lanka to put their money in hotel projects and luxury condominiums in Colombo are doing these for the same reason.

Tata, Bajaj, Godrej, Bharti, RPG, Bharti, Dabur. Britannia, Ultratech, Ambuja Cement and Ashok Leyland are among the major Indian investors in Sri Lanka, and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister will not find it easy to convince the Sri Lankan public, more specifically the Sri Lankan Tamils over whom she sheds bucketfuls of tears day in day out, that all these commercial concernsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ prime concern is the uplifting of the living standards of the average Sri Lankan or the Tamils in the North.

If India decides to impose economic sanctions against Sri Lanka, as the former film star from Tamil Nadu demands, it is India that stands to lose a great deal. The ageing film heroine, too, knows that the Central Government will not even consider such a move, which almost amounts to stabbing oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s own self. When such is the case, it is always profitable to keep on harping on the same theme until the cows come home, knowing that it is a trump card that she can continue to play. The good lady can then fool the Tamil Nadu voters and remain in power irrespective of what really happens in Sri Lanka.

A few figures will illustrate the absurdity of the Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s demand. IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s exports to Sri Lanka are reported to be over $ 1300 million while Sri Lanka share is mentioned as only $ 194 million. IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s High Commissioner himself has stated in 2012 that Indian companies have invested over $ 100 million in Sri Lanka.

One is fortunate to have a convenient whipping boy. For the many bankrupt politicians in Tamil Nadu there is Sri Lanka next door to help them to steal the limelight, and the imaginary discriminations of the Sri Lankan Tamils ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the writer is not sure how many of the Tamil Nadu political bigwigs ever bothered to legally cross the 30 Kilometre stretch of Palk Straits and see for themselves the exact state of Tamils, in Colombo, Kandy and, today, in the North. Jayalalitha can play the Sri Lanka Tamil card as long as she pleases because the Central Government of India is not stupid enough to accede to her demand of economic sanctions.

6 Responses to “Tamil Nadu Chief Minister demands economic sanctions against Sri Lanka”

  1. Lorenzo Says:

    Whank you Jeyalalitha.

    I too DEMAND the TN govt. to put sanctions on SL. NO SALES/INVESTMENTS between TN and SL.

    Who gains? SL! All those dirty Tamil movies will not be in SL. Tamil language will disappear because no new songs, films, etc. No hatred exported from TN to SL. Lovely! Everyone will live in peace thereafter.

  2. Nanda Says:

    Bring it on ! To hell with Bajaajs and marutis and Kallathonis.

  3. S de Silva Says:

    This talk of santions is a double edged sword which has a very much sharper edge on the side of India to chop the head of Jaylalitha od TN – Well I say SL, go for it !! – S de Silva – London

  4. sena Says:

    All these foreign brand names in the article reminds one of the utter failure of our technical and higher education to produce any thing tangible for our economy. The non productive professionals with the help of our president with rural upbringing have gone on a consumption binge since liberation from terrorism which has indebted the country and brought on sanction ourselves now it is threatening the sovereignty of the country with the government going every where looking for loans.

  5. Ancient Sinhalaya Says:

    CM Jayalalitha should be more worried about the Sri Lankan Tamils facing extinction, like the Sinhalese in the hands of you know who. She should encourage them to integrate, to become Sri Lankans. After all when most of us are abroad preferred to be called Canadians, Germans, British, Dutch, French, American, Australian etc, etc. What is wrong with saying I’m a Sri Lankan. A bit of gratitude for the country you were born, gave free education, free medication which most developed, rich countries don’t provide, wouldn’t go amiss. There is no Anuradhapuras, no Sigiriyas, no Polonnaruwas in the North or East of Sri Lanka. That should be proof enough who lived in those parts a long time ago. We all know some of them want to settle old scores. Is it not better to leave the Tamils and Sinhalese to get on their lives at least now. Both parties suffered enough. Don’t try to poison the minds of Tamils. Sinhalese don’t mistrust Tamils. They feel Tamils are brothers and sisters. And Tamils feel the same way. We were at our throats, because of the language problem. Most Tamils can speak Sinhala. Once Sinhalese can speak Tamil, the distance going to go away. Tamil language is being taught at schools now, so within few years most of them will be able to read and write Tamil. We have many Tamil close friends and even have relatives through inter racial marriages. We can get on fine. Please leave us alone.

  6. Voice123 Says:

    If Tamil Nadu wants sanctions, let them ask for sanctions. Sri Lanka would be wise to increase economic interactions with other states in India particularly Keral, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the powerhouses of the north such as Gujarat and Punjab. In that way, India will have to take account of all of these states interests, not just Tamil Nadu. Remember Kerala and Karnataka also have their share of petty conflicts with Tamil Nadu. This is not a new idea. This idea was followed by the Sinhala kings also. After the European conquest, our leaders have forgotten all these subtle geopolitics and economics.

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