{"id":54628,"date":"2016-05-14T13:56:48","date_gmt":"2016-05-14T19:56:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=54628"},"modified":"2016-05-13T15:56:36","modified_gmt":"2016-05-13T22:56:36","slug":"sri-lankas-new-devolution-package-is-the-grama-rajya-map-eelam-map-the-same","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2016\/05\/14\/sri-lankas-new-devolution-package-is-the-grama-rajya-map-eelam-map-the-same\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka\u2019s New Devolution Package: Is the Grama Rajya map &#038; Eelam Map the same?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em><strong>Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What happens when a government that follows an appeasement policy and is also aware that the mention of the 13<sup>th<\/sup> amendment, devolution of powers, Indo-Lanka Accord, autonomy, self-rule within a \u2018united Sri Lanka\u2019 gets the majority of the patriotic people of Sri Lanka to rise against them? The best way to tackle the issue would be to introduce a concept that people can buy into and map out that concept to match the original plan of giving into demands that had been promised. It is in this context that we explore the possibility of the repetitive reference to introducing the grama rajya model and wonder whether this new map would basically be drawn to match the eelam map that TNA-India continue to demand upon which the 13<sup>th<\/sup> amendment lays its foundation. It would be interesting to have a look at this grama rajya map to see if our doubts are valid!<\/p>\n<p>We are well aware that the present government has agreed to give more than can be given even by their standards. The assurance of support to bring them to power has come upon the agreement that these demands would be fulfilled. From the Singapore Principles of 2013 to the assurances given in a NDTV interview by the PM who says on principle we have agreed to give full autonomy to Tamil areas\u201d. \u00a0This interview got the PM into a spot of bother. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ndtv.com\/world-news\/sri-lankan-prime-minister-ranil-wickramasinghes-interview-to-ndtv-full-transcript-729256\">http:\/\/www.ndtv.com\/world-news\/sri-lankan-prime-minister-ranil-wickramasinghes-interview-to-ndtv-full-transcript-729256<\/a> what is clear is that paddling lies by all parties have landed an island nation into a pickle.<\/p>\n<p>The connection in what the TNA, the TULF, the ITAK, the other Tamil parties, India and LTTE have been demanding over the years has unmistakable resemblance. Tied to this is the manner that the Sinhalese leaders have tagged along for nothing other than using it as a platform to win votes and come into power.<\/p>\n<p>In looking at these demands the similarities are clear:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) in 1975 &#8220;I wish to announce to my people and to the country that I consider the verdict at this election as a mandate that the Tamil Eelam nation should exercise the sovereignty already vested in the Tamil people and become free.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>TULF Vaddukodai Resolution 1976<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>State of Tamil Eelam to consist of North &amp; Eastern provinces to all Tamil speaking people<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Constitution of Tamil Eelam based on principles of decentralization. No foremost place to any religion or territorial community.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Tamil Eelam will assure equal status to all<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>Tamil Eelam will be a secular state with equal protection to all religions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li>Tamil will be language of the State but Sinhala speaking minority can educate and transact in Sinhala subject to reciprocity of Tamil speaking minority in Sinhala state.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>1977, the election manifesto of the Tamil United Liberation Front began simply: One Question: Freedom or Servitude?\u201d\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026 VOTE For the Tamil United Liberation Front; For the emancipation of the Tamil Nation; For the Freedom of Tamil Eelam\u201d<\/li>\n<li>TNA\u2019s 2004 manifesto: Accepting LTTE&#8217;s leadership as the national leadership of the Tamil Eelam Tamils and the Liberation Tigers as the sole and authentic representatives of the Tamil people, let us devote our full cooperation for the ideals of the Liberation Tigers&#8217; struggle with honesty and steadfastness\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026. Let us endeavor determinedly, collectively as one group, one nation, one country, transcending race and religious differences, under the leadership of the LTTE for a life of liberty, honor and justice for the Tamil people\u2026\u2026\u2026. We emphasize that if the Tamil nation&#8217;s requests are continued to be rejected, rightful political solution denied and armed aggression and oppressive rule return, based on the doctrine of self-determination, it is an inevitable reality that Tamil sovereignty and independence will be established in the Tamil homeland.\n<p>We implore our people to identify the selfish, opportunistic packs and gangs that operate in our midst as the enemies and as the tools of the majoritarian chauvinist Sinhala forces against the Tamil nation which seeks an honorable and peaceful life and reject them totally and completely in the upcoming elections.<\/p>\n<p>Let us work side by side with the LTTE, who are fighting for the protection and autonomous life of the Tamil speaking people, for the political initiatives under their leadership.<\/p>\n<p>We are sending a clarion call to the Tamil speaking people to unite under one flag and give overwhelming support to the TNA which is contesting (the elections) under the ILANKAI TAMIL ARASU KATCHI&#8217;S symbol of house, so as to emphasize the aims of the people of the Tamil Nation, to proclaim again the political resolve of our people, to strengthen further the Tamil nation and to win the political rights of the Tamil speaking people.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Demands made by LTTE, EPRLF, EROS, PLOTE, TELO and TULF in 1985 during the Thimpu talks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>recognition of the Tamils of Ceylon as a nation<\/li>\n<li>recognition of the existence of an identified homeland for the Tamils of Ceylon<\/li>\n<li>recognition of the right of self determination of the Tamil nation<\/li>\n<li>recognition of the right to citizenship and the fundamental rights of all Tamils of Ceylon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Demands of ITAK<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2018autonomous rule in the North East based on the principles of self-determination and shared sovereignty within a united, undivided Sri Lanka\u2019 (15th National Convention of ITAK 2015)<\/li>\n<li>\u2018Our expectation for a solution to the ethnic problem of the sovereignty of the Tamil people is based on a political structure OUTSIDE that of a UNITARY GOVERNMENT, in a UNITED SRI LANKA in which Tamil people have all the powers of government needed to live with self-respect and self sufficiency\u2019. Sambanthan\u2019s speech at ITAK convention 2014 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamilcanadian.com\/article\/6255\">http:\/\/www.tamilcanadian.com\/article\/6255<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u2018North and East of Sri Lanka are the areas of historical habitation of the Tamil speaking people\u2019. \u2018meaningful devolution should go beyond the 13<sup>th<\/sup> Amendment to the Constitution passed in 1987\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2016\/04\/25\/are-the-demands-of-itak-tulf-tna-ltte-ltte-fronts-india-one-the-same\/\">https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2016\/04\/25\/are-the-demands-of-itak-tulf-tna-ltte-ltte-fronts-india-one-the-same\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In addition to this TNA\u2019s Sambanthan and Opposition Leader says United National Party has assured to provide self-rule for Tamils if it wins from the forthcoming general election<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/english.acmc.lk\/unp-has-assured-self-rule-for-tamils-r-sambandan\/\">http:\/\/english.acmc.lk\/unp-has-assured-self-rule-for-tamils-r-sambandan\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Government assures Northern public equal rights \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.uktamilnews.com\/?p=16560\">http:\/\/www.uktamilnews.com\/?p=16560<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ranil Wickramasinghe assures power to Tamils in Sri Lanka <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pEMDGBaXYLU\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pEMDGBaXYLU<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ranil promises devolution of power to Sri lankan Tamils <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nDvBLIeCRus\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nDvBLIeCRus<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adaderana.lk\/news\/31576\/ranil-promises-devolution-of-power-to-provinces\">http:\/\/www.adaderana.lk\/news\/31576\/ranil-promises-devolution-of-power-to-provinces<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the meanwhile, the ITAK whose constitution is virtually promoting confederal setup is now openly using the word confederal through their spokespersons who are making proposals for the new constitution.<\/p>\n<p>In essence the current constitution with the 13<sup>th<\/sup> amendment in force is a quasi-federal set up. The safeguard with a federal constitution is that the Centre has the eventual power to ensure the devolved province is behaving to its mandate. We can recall an instance when the province did not function when India\u2019s stooge Varatharaja Perumal declared a unilateral declaration of independence resulting in the dissolution of the province by the Central Government. What the ITAK &amp; TNA is trying to remove through the new constitution is this provision that enables the Centre to dissolve and take back the province if they are not behaving\u00a0which is what confederalism is all about. This is why there is so much talk about self-autonomy within a united Sri Lanka. There is no legal provision for a united Sri Lanka. United remains all but in name and becomes valid upto a point that a province decides to say cheriyo \u2013 we are going our separate ways. When ITAK, TNA &amp; India know this very well why do they insist on \u2018united Sri Lanka\u2019 because they are hiding their cards from the public because their ultimate aim is to separate and it is towards this goal that they are pulling out all sorts of terminologies to fool the people.<\/p>\n<p>In such an environment we have to wonder whether the grama rajya model and map is another googly meant to draw the eelam map into reality without using the demarcations that are likely to find immediate objections.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shenali D Waduge What happens when a government that follows an appeasement policy and is also aware that the mention of the 13th amendment, devolution of powers, Indo-Lanka Accord, autonomy, self-rule within a \u2018united Sri Lanka\u2019 gets the majority of the patriotic people of Sri Lanka to rise against them? The best way to tackle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shenali-waduge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54628"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54628\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}