Why is there proposals for a federal solution when both Sri Lanka & India already have Quasi-Federal Constitutions?
Posted on April 10th, 2016
Shenali D Waduge
Why is the TNA & similar thinking others propagating demands for Sri Lanka’s new constitution to be federal when they are well aware that it is federal? All the features of the Indian constitution is very much embedded in our present constitution after the signing of the 13th amendment and introduction of the provincial council system. What we need to be alert about is that TNA & similar thinking others including India harbour other bigger plans. TNA which does not even utilize the budget allocation given to develop the North is not bothered about the welfare of Tamils. Their aim is separatism as clearly established in their election manifestos. India has been historically aiming at annexing Sri Lanka. ITAK constitution is being challenged in court for confederacy aims (another word to separate and create a new state). With all these realities it is baffling why Sri Lanka’s policy makers are ignorantly walking into traps.
What is a federal government?
A federal state has 2 governments. You have the federal or central government and provincial or unit governments. Powers are distributed except for subjects that have common interest which is in the charge of the central government (foreign affairs, defence, currency & coinage, etc) One constitution prevails for both Central and Provincial Governments. All laws created by the provinces are subordinate laws and valid within the authority conferred by the constitution. If they go beyond limits the centre can deem it a violation.
What exactly is a quasi-federal government or system?
Instead of individual governments of separate states, a quasi-federal government has a central government and a union of states.
What is a unitary state?
All powers are vested in one central government. Local governments exist but operate on instructions of central government. These local governments are only administrative units and their powers are derived on the wishes of the central government which has the power to change the features. France, Japan, China, Italy and Britain are unitary states.
Federal aspects of India’s constitution
- Dual system of government with a union government (federal) and state governments. Distribution of powers.
- Constitution is Supreme – Central Government & State Governments derive powers from one constitution. There is one Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution. Supreme Court can decide where an act by the Central Government or State Governments violates the constitution or not and declare that act a violation.
Unitary aspect of Indian constitution:
- Single citizenship
- Single judicial system. Highest court is the Supreme Court.
- Powers under Union Government
- Limitations on autonomy to State Governments
- The Union Parliament can reorganize States / alter boundaries by a simple majority vote even without consent of legislature of that state.
- During a national emergency, union government can take over decisions of subjects under state list and control them the state’s executive powers)
- Union law will prevail over State law in any conflict.
- The President appoints state governors.
- State governments do not have separate constitutions of their own – their powers are derived from the Constitution of India.
- No state has independence source of income and are dependent on Centre for administration, finance and policy.
- Single administrative system – entire administrative system is one India police and administrative is controlled by the Centre.
- Single election commission for supervising and conducting general elections.
- Article 3 & 4 empowers the Union Government to form new states and alter boundaries and names of existing states.
The Indian constitution has distributed powers into 3 lists
- Union List – 97 powers (gives
- State List – 66 powers
- Concurrent List – 47 powers
All these features are seen in Sri Lanka’s current constitution.
Note: the use of ‘federation’ or ‘confederation’ is not used in the Indian constitution.
On paper the federal or unitary aspects aspired often ends up not delivering. The fact that Telagana state was created from Andhra Pradesh is a good example of what Sri Lanka should not agree to on whatever grounds that racist elements linked to terror are now promoting using the language factor to emotionally win over the ethnic Tamils. You give into one state the others will make similar demands. Lesson here is precedents that would create trouble should not be created. This factor needs to be taken head on and nullified before the language factor reaches out to be relevant to cover Tamil Nadu as well. This will seal the end of the sovereign status of Sri Lanka.
Let us take the example of another quasi federal government – Canada
Quebec wanted to cede from Canada in the 1960s. Others too showed similar sentiments. The Supreme Court gave a very clear verdict especially in regard to self-determination which is very relevant for the TNA promoting a similar case.
Canada has been quasi-federal between 1867 and 1896 under Macdonalds leadership with decisions made by Ottawa and not the provinces. Canada became federal between 1896 and 1914 and provinces given more power. Canada’s constitution deviates from federal principles. The Centre holds residuary powers unlike in USA and Australia. The Centre also legislates over State subjects in an emergency. Canada’s parliament can also veto provincial legislation. Provincial governors and judges are also appointed by the Centre just like India and Sri Lanka.
If we already have a federal constitution what are we wasting time on?
If under the 13th amendment and the provincial council system all powers listed to be devolved have been devolved to all the provinces (except land and police powers) what is the TNA complaining about.
Why does TNA want land and police powers when it has not proved it can run the province effectively attending to the 36 subjects devolved to the provinces?
Why is the TNA continuously insisting on land and police powers when it has enough of devolved powers to care for the people living in the North?
Statistics will reveal that in the years 2013, 2014, 2015 TNA has not utilized the budget it requested from the Centre to develop the North while the Centre used funds from its allocation to attend to development work in the North. A perfect example of TNA fooling the entire world with stories (no action talk only)
The Parliament now converted to a Constitutional Assembly cannot be ignorant to these facts. They cannot be foolish enough to accept foreign drafted proposals that sheepishly aim to corner Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and promote separatism as they did to Kosovo. We all know the sad state of affairs for the people of Kosovo today. They are independent in word only. They lead miserable lives but US & NATO have established a base in Kosovo and the drug lords are using Kosovo as a transit point for illegal narcotic trade. LTTE is also a world leader in narcotic smuggling, human smuggling and many other notorious crimes which continue still unabated.
TNA has never looked after the Tamil people and it is good if the Tamil people themselves wake up to this fact. The new constitution should not create more problems than we can presently handle. The present government has shown its inability to lead in many fronts and creating a catastrophic constitution should not add to its already failed list of achievements. When we know that TNA & associated others have aims and objectives to separate and India aspires to annex Sri Lanka, we would be foolish if we do not include strict constitutional safeguards to protect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and ensure that no break up of the country happens or is allowed to happen under any provision in the new constitution. This is what needs to take precedence over all matters. No bogus liberty and freedom slogans should be allowed to break up a small island nation into pieces just because it is beneficial to the agendas of external parties and players.
Shenali D Waduge
http://hanumant.com/NatureofConstitution.html
April 10th, 2016 at 5:31 pm
As soon as the war was over Ranil told that They are not for the federal solution.
April 10th, 2016 at 6:21 pm
what they want is ”’mummuda chola mandalam ””
April 10th, 2016 at 7:34 pm
A powerful statement of fact by Shenali – Sri Lanka is already a federal state. It is much easier to explain things if this is understood by all.
Sometime back, another commentator asked which unitary state has chief ministers. A good observation. The bottom-line is Sri Lankans have been fooled by all governments since 1987 that they are living in a unitary state whereas in reality Sri Lanka is a federal state after 13A. Such a huge leap must have required a referendum but with the manipulation of the Supreme Court, it was averted.
The implications are there to see. Provincial powers cannot be removed without the concurrence of all provinces. Although the constitution says nation’s sovereignty rests with the people and exercised by the parliament, in a subsequent section (added by the 13A) it says powers assigned to provinces cannot be withdrawn without the concurrence of provinces. In other words, the nation’s sovereignty is exercised by provinces as well. A perfect federal nation!
This is why 13A is so dangerous and those politicians who live with it while claiming to be defenders of the nation are in fact federalists. It is not difficult to see it among those around Mahinda, Sirisena and Ranil. All three are federalists as they uphold the federal status and make no effort to change it.
However, I disagree on three statements.
[Quote] Statistics will reveal that in the years 2013, 2014, 2015 TNA has not utilized the budget it requested from the Centre to develop the North.
This was because the central government wasted 85% of borrowed funds in the north according to the then Economic Affairs minister. NPC had nothing to spend on when the centre did more than what is due for the north at the expense of rest of the country (and paid the price at the election). In fact, TNA must be praised for not wasting this money on corruption.
[Quote] TNA has never looked after the Tamil people and it is good if the Tamil people themselves wake up to this fact.
This is totally false. In fact, TNA is the de facto sole representative of Tamils in the north and the east after 2010 as can be seen from 2012, 2013 and 2015 elections. It obtained over 80% of Tamil votes. Unlike Sinhala and Muslim people, the main demands of Tamils are not about employment, development, quality of life and poverty reduction. Tamils have a lower unemployment rate, a higher quality of life in the north, a very high university admission rate (almost double in comparison to Sinhalese) and a higher average income than Sinhalese. Tamils can also live and do whatever profession or trade in any district. In comparison, Sinhalas are not allowed to do so in six (6) districts.
Now they want their higher needs satisfied. TNA stands for these. Tamils also know UNP and SLFP will compete against each other to spend money in the north and east (with the false hope of winning Tamil votes). In this case, it is a waste to focus on what they already have and what can be taken for granted. TNA is clever to focus on higher needs of Tamils.
[Quote] We all know the sad state of affairs for the people of Kosovo today.
The sad fate of Kosovo people will not fall on Tamils because over 55% of Tamils live outside the north and east. It is unlikely it will fall on the north or the east either following further separation as they will continue to have full access to the economic benefits from the south.
While Sinhalas battle it among various federalists (including Mahinda who had no problem with a federal Sri Lanka and Wigneswaran), Tamils are a step ahead. There is no point appealing to or finding fault with the TNA, which is a LTTE proxy. What we need is a political party at the election that vows to turn Sri Lanka unitary. There is no such party at the moment. This is the tragedy of Sri Lanka, not TNA (just 14 seats).
April 10th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Dilrook’s declarations are the stark and ineluctable truth, like words engrave on granite rock by strokes of thunder and lightening.
Dilrook says: What we need is a political party at the election that vows to turn Sri Lanka unitary. There is no such party at the moment. This is the tragedy of Sri Lanka,
Indeed there is no such party at this moment and there will not be at any other moment.
However this country does not need a political party at the election to turn Sri Lanka unitary. What we need is a MOVEMENT by the most dominating group of the sinhala population = the MONKS. One could well argue that the existence of the Sangha and its well being depends on the continuous of Sri Lanka as a unitary state. The Sangha devies all that it is from the Sinhala, just as the Sinhala derive all that it is from Buddhism and the Sangha. The two are linked to one another like flesh and bone.
I also refer to the discussion that arose regarding the recent article on ‘Catholic Action’. There is no point going over this topic like a cow che3wing the cud. We must only ask ourselves why, under our .unitary state constitutions, with a more than absolute majority of Sinhala and Buddhists, there is nothing equivalent to Catholic Action? by the repetition of the .theme of Catholic Action the protagonists make .us to believe that Catholic Action is a bulldozer steam rolling over Buddhist Sri Lanka.
Why is there no sustained Buddhist Action to counter the evils that .hang over Sri Lanka?
The greatest threat to unitary Sri Lanka is NOT the Catholics. This ‘thalana yakadey’ mentality has long outlived its purpose and is only taking the country on a wild goose chase. the greatest threat to unitary Sri Lanka is the TAMILS presently under the banner of the TNA.
What unitary Sri Lanka needs is a MOVENENT or MOVEMENTS lead by the MONKS. We can discount the title holding monks and those on the government’s honours lists. They have been emasculated and rendered sterile. The sangha leaders of the unitary Sri Lanka movements must originate from the Buddhist universities, that should take on the role that the pirivenas undertook in the pre-independence and immediately post-independence era political platforms. The political monks of the universities must do it, and they must do it now. They must influence the constitution makers NOW.
As for the new national government they must heed the warming rapidly approaching from the horizons and taking the coulour of blood. The undoing of the .unitary state will be the undoing of the Sinhala nation.
Mario Perera
Kadawata
April 10th, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Mario, it’s my stupidity even to think of a politician to stand up for unitary Sri Lanka. I should know better that there will not be any in the foreseeable future. There is none at the moment.
I agree on Catholics and Christians in general. Sinhala Christians are the closest to Sinhala Buddhists politically. Hindus and Muslims are poles apart and always demand separation and division. Even among them, Muslims are much closer to Sinhalese than Hindus. Sadly, the closest communities are taken for granted by some with the false hope that Tamils (mostly Hindus) will oneday, miraculously and against historical evidence of repeated invasions since the introduction of Buddhism will join hands with Buddhists. Election data since 1947 show otherwise.
Major vote winners of creeds in order. Highest first.
Hindus – TNA, CWC, UNP
Tamil Christians – UNP, EPDP
Muslims – UNP, SLMC, SLFP
Sinhala Christians – UNP, SLFP
Sinhala Buddhists – SLFP, UNP, JVP
The last 3 creeds are closest to nationalism and the first two most distant.
I agree the undoing of the unitary state can be the undoing of the Sinhala nation but it has already happened without the name. At least areas outside the north and east must be retained. We now risk losing them as well.
April 11th, 2016 at 1:05 am
Mario,
When we have 75% Sinhala Buddhist (SB) , I agree don’t blame LTTE, Catholics, Muslims, TNA, Ranil, CBK.. or those who are not considered SBs.
It is SBs to be blamed.
Why ? Surely obvious individuals and parties aside, those who represent and ready to sacrifice themselves for the SBs on election platforms are surely BIG TRAITORS in hiding.
I am not promoting any violence but remember LTTE started their campaign by killing traitors first.
Sinhala traitors wearing National Dress and going to temples than churches shall be identified by people. It is happening gradually. people are not fools.
April 11th, 2016 at 3:33 am
Thanks to Shenali for starting a valuable Debate on the topic of possible full scale Federalism for Tamils.
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Eternal Facts : Reminders & Real Solutions :
The fact that the 6-A has never been activated (possibly mostly due to Cold War politics impingng on Lanka), and for the same reason, the illegal 13-A is still in place, is proof positive that all the govts of Lanka have allowed a quasi-Federal state.
Reasons for Federal state demand :
*. The Cold War (1946-1991) has played havoc with the law and politics in Lanka. Thus foreign/Indian backing for Fed state earlier.
* The other main ‘havoc’ factor is proximity of INDIA, and INDIA’s CASTE ridden Tamil Nadu. Caste wars have been imported to Lanka from Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Tamis of Dalit origin have been imported to Lanka as Indentured Labor by COLONISTS (one and half Million indentured slave type labor ) by the British & the Dutch. Lanka is still struggling with these Caste bound people, even though Lanka does not put Caste in the birth certificates as done in Tamil Nadu. There are over 15 MILLION Tamils of Dalit origin in Tamil Nadu and they have CASTE stamped on their birth certificates. There are so called Tamil ‘refugees’ in Tamil Nadu camps who are coming back to Lanka and demanding free housing & land. The UN gives them $75 each to return to Lanka.
Is GoSL keeping proper count of these people ? The camp numbers have increased dramatically !
Is GoSL encouraging illegal migrants into Lanka ?
If GoSL implements the law of 6-A properly and removes the 13-A, law and order will automatically prevail in Lanka. Or else the N&E will always be a de facto Separate state.
NB: Tamil speaking Muslims are TAMILS.
Question : Who actually governs Lanka that Lanka laws are NOT implemented ?
April 11th, 2016 at 3:39 am
All the features of the Indian constitution is very much embedded in our present constitution after the signing of the 13th amendment and introduction of the provincial council system. – Correct but not fully implement yet !
Tamil speaking Muslims are TAMILS.- At last agreed .
We have 3 Union states !
live & let’s live in United Provincial Council of Mother Lanka (We Tamil know When to declare UD of Thani(Separate) TE that is different matter )
April 11th, 2016 at 3:42 am
Britain are unitary states.- No sorry Britain call United Kingtom ( NI, Scot, Wales, England- all own parliment)
April 11th, 2016 at 5:33 pm
Kumar,
None of the so called British ‘sub states’ i.e. Scotland, Wales & Ireland have large sub-states from, say, in neighbor France, across the Sts of Dover (akin to Palk Sts between Lanka & INDIA).
Therefore the British situation is quite different.
Also, no such thing as 3,000 yr old Caste problems in France. Also, Britain was not colonised by France.
Also, all those ‘sub states’ and England plus France are all Christian.
To compare Lanka (which was colonised by Britain !) with Britain, is like comparing chalk and cheese.
Tamil folk should at least have net movement TO Tamil Nadu (Tamil Homeland) not OUT of TN and on to Lanka and other places, isn’ it ?
April 12th, 2016 at 3:38 am
Thanks to Shenali for continuing the subject brought up by Neville Ladduwahetty a couple of weeks ago that Sri Lanka is already a Quasi-Federal state. It is time the people faced the Truth and the clear facts of the Constitutional farce being perpetrated without falling for the statements of political leaders that we are a “Unitary State” and that this Unitary character WILL BE PROTECTED.
Thus, since we are on a par with India, Constitution-wise, why is it necessary to extend any further moves towards “Federalism” and make the country even more Federal than the mighty interventionist next door? If the political leaders believe in a Unitary state as they utter ever so many times in order to fool the people, why has it become necessary to change the Constitution?
As usual the plan is to spring it on the people and everything will be done to appease at least some members of the Joint Opposition in ways that would ensure the 2/3 majority vote for passage of a Federal Constitution….and the rest of the requirement that the results of a Referendum be in accord with this can be “arranged”.
The people are indeed being fooled for much more than “some of the time”….. and that clearly, “all of the time” is drawing nigh, and the transition to fully Federal will be upon the people who voted at the 2015 elections in an almost 50:50 basis for and against the UNP which has connived with the SLFP/UPFA leadership to diddle the people out of their Franchise, in bizarre Memorandums of Understanding that were not divulged to the public BEFORE THE ELECTION that have turned out to be, in practice, a shameful travesty of Democracy.
April 12th, 2016 at 4:20 am
So long as Lanka allows herself to be a dumping ground for people from surrounding countries (esp INDIA), Lanka will get divided/over run by outside folk !
April 12th, 2016 at 4:23 am
Nilwala is quite right.
What is the necessity to change the existing Constitution ?
The sad and crazy fact is that the existing Constitution is not acted upon !
* The 6-A has never been activated.
* The illegal 13-A is still in existence.
April 12th, 2016 at 7:34 am
All this begs the Question why it is that INDIA did her last Census (2011) there on CASTE base ?
As far as Lanka is concerned, in the INDIAN HINDU CASTE SYSTEM :
First, there is the HINDU CASTE SYSTEM, where Dalits rank low. Tamil Dalits rank low.
Next, Buddhists and Christians & Other religions (ALL other religions, except Hindu folk), are categorised under SCHEDULED CASTES for purposes of the Census (as in the 2011 Census). Caste is stated in the Birth Certificates in INDIA. Even to get help via the INDIAN Govt. special help lines to Dalits & marginalised Others, depend on the proof of Caste on the Birth Certificates.
SCHEDULED CASTES are of course of low ranking in the scheme of the Caste ranks.
Lankans have to realise that for INDIA :
***. Both DALITS & SCHEDULED CASTES SOCIALLY RANK LOW IN INDIA ***
In the eyes of INDIAN GOVT. CASTE BASED THINKING/RANKING, BUDDHIST COUNTRIES (PLUS OTHERS TOO), RANK LOW IN THE CASTE LADDER, THEREFORE RANK LOW SOCIALLY.
No wonder INDIA treats her Buddhist neighbors and Others with scant respect and bullies them roundly, whilst surrpectitiously taking over those countries through entry of Indian DALIT labor into those countries.
In the case of Lanka, Tamil Dalits are encouraged to leave Tamil Nadu and enter Lanka, thinking all that will help Tamil Nadu to survive well, and also virtually take over governance in Lanka. Tamil Nadu is far more important for INDIA than Lanka ever will be. Foreign countries use INDIA as a cat’s paw to gain powers.
***. Tamils of Lanka little realise that the INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM will be re-imposed on any Tamil only state (Federal state > Eelam), within Lanka. ***.
As long as INDIA does her Government Census on Caste based categories, India’s neighbors are vulnerable.
At least we now know what hits Lanka, again and again !
April 12th, 2016 at 7:55 am
on to Lanka and other places, isn’ it ?- Agreed We-Ilankai Thamilar are Eelam Tamil in Sinhala Hela Demila !!!
Why this kolaveri ??? We all have what we want
live & let’s live until Eelam war V .
April 12th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Fran Diaz has understood and stated the “Reality” of India attitude well:
1. “***. Tamils of Lanka little realise that the INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM will be re-imposed on any Tamil only state (Federal state > Eelam), within Lanka. ***. ”
2. “In the eyes of INDIAN GOVT. CASTE BASED THINKING/RANKING, BUDDHIST COUNTRIES (PLUS OTHERS TOO), RANK LOW IN THE CASTE LADDER, THEREFORE RANK LOW SOCIALLY.”
When the Buddhists & Dalits of Sri Lanka become required to state their “CASTE” in their Birth Certificates, to be in accord with the India system, the final Indian takeover would have been accomplished.
Sri Lankan Politicos both Sinhala & Tamil, who are blissfully and foolishly unaware of the REAL motivations behind the “13th Amendment Trap”, would have connived in India’s strategy to accomplish its objectives, i.e., bring Sri Lanka into India’s ambit via caste-based Indianization of Sri Lanka.
April 12th, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Nilwala,
They are not unaware , they don’t care. Even when they have 5/6 majority the don’t want to annoy Indians for their survival.
Another thing is Indians know how to bribe. Look at the number of Bajaajs on our roads killing at least 1 every week. Look at the horrible Takaran Indian Busses making huge noises and smoke. Look at the rubbish cars flooded our country. From all these they get the “cut”.
April 13th, 2016 at 4:44 am
Kumar,
Trouble with Tamil folk is that it appears to be llve & let die ?
April 13th, 2016 at 6:02 am
Trouble with Tamil folk is that it appears to be llve & let die ? Like it end of the We both die,
please do not judge by appearance because of not trust each other We both community paid big price .
We both are anti Indian ( We-Tamil kicked out IPKF even though offered NEP in gold plate ) / Believe in Karma & Dharma / both eat rice & curry / & we both know we lived together last 2,500 years or more in Sinhala Lanka ( Chinhala Theevu) & will for another 2,500 years or more……
Why this kolaveri ?
April 13th, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Kumar,
Some facts :
*. We are not anti-Indian or anti-west. We are againt Colonisation of Lanka by outsiders again – Lanka suffered for almost 500 yrs under colonists and that was a long period. Today, Destabilization of Lanka is done mainly by Tamil leaders & Tamil Diaspora together with other interested parties. This can lead the country down dangerous paths again. That is what we are against.
Be loyal to the country that nurtures you Tamils. If in Tamil Nadu, be loyal to TN. If in Lanka, be loyal to Lanka. If in the west, be loyal to those countries.
*. The IPKF came into Lanka because of the Tamil terrorist party, the LTTE. No need to take pride in ‘kicking out the IPKF’. It is best that such events never happen again.
Lanka society has to live in a symbiotic way, each community supportive of the other. Patriotism is very important if we are to progress.
Since Independence in 1948 (actually not a true Independence, only a partial Independence from Britain), Govts of Lanka have been supportive of all communities. It is terrorism and division of the country from any quarter that will not be tolerated. The Tamil leaders have been guilty of both these negative aspects. What is the assurance to the rest of Lanka that they will change and become Patriots of Lanka ?
April 14th, 2016 at 3:17 am
It is terrorism and division of the country – Please answer me why terrorism came to our mother land in other word why We Tamil become terrorist ??? are we mad ???
We tried all the way live with you but sadly all failed .
live & let’s live until Eelam war V.
Happy Sinhala & Demil alu avurud to you & you family Fran Diaz .
April 14th, 2016 at 6:05 am
Govts of Lanka have been supportive of all communities.- NOT agreed as you know as well as I know what happened 1956 to 1983 regular Vesak festivel ., than VP’S golden time 1984 to 2006 !!!
April 14th, 2016 at 8:15 am
Many Sri Lankans are gravely concerned about the TNA proposal to partition Sri Lanka into four pieces with a huge chunk (28% of the land area, 66% of the coastline and 66% of the ocean comprising the North East of Sri Lanka) going to the TNA racists and separatists as a merged North East federal state (but craftily disguised as ‘unitary’) with full powers.
We are wondering why did over 43,000 both Sri Lankan Forces and civilians die at the hands of the LTTE and that megalomaniac Prabhakaran, if now, the TNA is being handed over and ‘Eelam’ so easily constitutionally?
When looking at a GIS Map of Sri Lanka it is amply clear that most of the forested areas of Sri Lanka are situated in the NE. Do not these forests belong to all the citizens of Sri Lanka? Do not the same principle apply to the ocean too or even the whole island, that the oceans and the whole island belong to all the people of Sri Lanka? Mr. Vigneshwaran has ‘created’ a fake history (stating that Tamils lived in Sri Lanka for 2000 years). Yet, there are no ancient ruins in Jaffna, in the North nor any ancient Dravidian writing to prove these fake claims. History of the Tamils commence mainly with the Dutch and the British bringing in large numbers of people from Tamil Nadu to work in Tobacco plantations. There was the so called Jaffna Kingdom set up by an invader just prior to that but then Jaffna was only sparsely populated. Our question is, can people such as Mr. Vigneshwaran ‘create’ his own fake history like this? He is ignoring the many Buddhist ruins, Buddha statues, ancient Sinhala prakrit writing, the many ancient irrigation reservoirs built by Sinhala kings in the NE which proves an earlier indigenous Sinhala habitation in the North and all over the island. My plea to Mr. Vigneshwaran is to please be objective when it comes to history and archaeology and accept once and for all the fact that the Sinhala people lived all over the island for thousands of years and continue to do so. I would like Mr. Vigneshwaran to note that the provincial boundaries were drawn up by British colonialists for their administrative purposes with no input whatsoever from the Sinhala people and does not tally at all with the earlier history of the island which was unitary in nature.
We are gravely concerned regarding the drawing up of a new constitution where due to the pressure of the TNA, the US, EU, UK, Canada, Norway, Sri Lanka is in grave danger of being divided up on ethnic lines into four, five or even six different pieces. Is this not crazy?
The TNA proposals were drawn up by experts which the TNA hired from the UK, Canada, Belgium, Canada, US and the like? Is this not an interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs by foreign powers, even to the extent of trying to draw up Sri Lanka’s constitution?
Can any organization in Sri Lanka go to the supreme court and stop, once and for all, the merger of the North and the East since it is critical to stop this once and for all? Can any organization in Sri Lanka also go to the supreme court and stop, once and for all the, dividing up of this small island on ethnic or any other lines?
The only way to stop this madness is to go to the supreme court and get a verdict which would prohibit the merger of any provinces and to stop once and for all the dismemberment of this small island on ethnic or any other lines.
April 14th, 2016 at 11:27 am
We agree with plumblossom.
In addition :
If any Eelam is formed by merger of N&E in Lanka, Tamils and all others in Lanka will realise that it will be Tamil Nadu culture (all of it, including the Caste structure), and even Tamil Nadu rule that will prevail in Lanka N&E especially. Then, what of the Upcountry ? That area too is mostly Tamil due to the tea plantations and the British brought over a Million Tamil Dalits as indentured labor.
That the Caste Structure will be re-installed in Lanka, starting with the N&E, must be a fact that all Sri Lankans must get aware about. At present, caste is NOT stated in Lanka birth certificates, but is done so in INDIA (including Tamil Nadu).
INDIA did her last Census in 2011 basing the categories for Census taking by Caste. All Buddhists & Christians and Others (other than Hindu people) are categorised under Scheduled Castes. According to the Hindu Caste ladder, the Dalits & the Scheduled Caste people, along with some others, are categorised to occupy the lowest rings of society in INDIA.