Dilrook Kannangara

Since 2009 ethnic Sinhalas in the East have been totally neglected. Politicians who entered parliament from the East by exploiting the miseries of ethnic Sinhalas there have since settled comfortably in Colombo. Eastern Sinhalas have become mere political pawns used at elections and dumped thereafter. Their suffering must be maintained in order to win their votes for the SLPP. If they stop suffering, racism cannot be sold to them during election time. This is why they are condemned to suffer by all political parties.

I have suggested a workable, simple and effective solution to resolve their problems for good. However, opportunistic Sinhala politicians who thrive on the tears and blood of helpless Sinhala people in the East do not agree with it.

Merge Sinhala majority villages in the East with Badulla and Polonnaruwa Districts. That fixes all their problems. Of course, some villages cannot be merged with the adjoining provinces due to distance. They need other solutions. However, most Sinhala villages can be merged with adjoining Sinhala majority provinces. Most matters relating to grassroots levels are handled by the Provincial Council. Since the Eastern Provincial council was always under racist political party members, justice and fairness cannot be expected from them.

Sinhalas in the East must not be used to hold the fort”. They cannot. The best way to ensure the actual geographical locations they are in are held is to merge these areas into adjoining Sinhala majority provinces. Losing the Eastern provincial council is not a problem as it is only a demarcation on a map. There is no real demarcation on ground.

Unless this proposed solution is implemented, the actual geographical locations Sinhalas live in the East (irrespective of what province these areas come under) will be lost for good. That will be a grave sin that cannot be repaid for generations by politicians who won Eastern Sinhalas’ votes.