Get your humanitarian paws off my country
Repost This ArticleIt is heartening that the Tamil Tigers have retained a sense of humor under extreme pressure. It is a lesson to us all. The Tigers have declared a unilateral ceasefire and promised not to engage in any offensive military operations. The joke is in two parts. Firstly, they are in no shape to engage in any offensive military operations. In the second place these clowns have pulled this on us and the IPKF on more occasions than I can recall. The first ceasefire in 1985 saw the Tigers under Kittu ringing Sri Lankan army camps in Jaffna with landmines. The IPKF’s stop-go campaign — its rhythm and inconstancy influenced by Tamil Nadu and electoral considerations — enabled Prabhakaran to survive, escape and turn the tables on them, culminating in the suicide bomb murder of Rajiv Gandhi on Tamil Nadu soil in 1991.
Let’s be crystal clear on this. The only deal that must be on the table is “hands up or feet first”. The Tigers, starting with the leadership must surrender themselves and their weapons to the Sri Lankan armed forces, not some Third Force which it can manipulate through the Diaspora. There must be NO amnesty for the leadership, which has committed war crimes.
Anyone anywhere who cares for the Tamil civilians trapped in the no fire zone should recognize that over a hundred thousand civilians came through to safety precisely during a brilliantly surgical military operation, and NOT a humanitarian pause or ceasefire. It was not the product or by product of an international appeal. It was the direct product of the actions of the Sri Lankan army, and in particular, the sacrifices made by the Special Forces and Commandos.
None of those who are urging from afar, a humanitarian pause /ceasefire, amnesty and talks with the Tigers, are going to live in Sri Lanka when the suicide bombers strike again, the parcel bombs go off in shops and at bus stops, promising leaders are assassinated, and dead and disabled soldiers start coming back to our villages when the war resumes as it will if we stop operations now and the Tigers survive.
What awaits us if operations are halted before the Tigers are decisively defeated? Anita Pratap, the journalist who has known Prabhakaran from before July 83 and has had access to him virtually on demand since that time, let us know a few days back, in an article for the upcoming months issue of The Week. In a special Report for the May 3rd 2009 edition, entitled Crouching Tiger, she exudes confidence that “Prabhakaran still has enough grit to continue the fight”. Here is her scenario:
…Prabhakaran has lost wars before. He had created a de facto Tamil Eelam with its own army, police, courts and taxation system not once, but several times in the past-only to have it all smashed and wiped out. And he had to start all over again. At 54, Prabhakaran still has enough grit to start again and continue for another 20 years.
In the meantime, he will be watching the Indian elections closely to see which dispensation takes charge in New Delhi. He will be watching to see if there is a popular upsurge of support in Tamil Nadu for the plight of Tamils across the Palk Strait. He will be watching the disastrous impact of war on Sri Lanka’s economy. He will be watching Hillary Clinton who said there should be a ‘nuanced’ approach to dealing with terrorism. He will be watching President Barack Obama who rightly analyzed that conflicts stem from our perception of ‘the other’.
Today, Prabhakaran’s situation looks dire. But the wheels of fortune are not static. Things change. America has changed. The world is changing… As new winds blow away many certitudes of the recent past, new opportunities, alignments and paradigms take their place on the world stage. And they will inexorably weave their impact in remote corners of faraway Sri Lanka… (Anita Pratap, The Week, May 3, 2009)
Then there is the far more scholarly and analytical assessment of Shyam Tekwani, no sympathizer of Prabhakaran. A photojournalist earlier, Tekwani has been studying the Sri Lankan conflict since 1983 and has met the LTTE leadership on several occasions on battlefields and elsewhere. Currently he is an Associate Professor in NTU, Singapore, teaching Journalism and International Relations. In the Hindustan Times, he offers this prognosis:
“…A strategic withdrawal to live to fight another day and ensure he [Prabhakaran] is not relegated to a footnote in the history books has guaranteed his endurance and longevity.
The war, it would seem, is over. Not for the LTTE. ..
…He has once again successfully rallied the international community behind his cause. The global outcry in support of the remaining 50,000 civilians cornered in the last strip of the battle zone and the increasingly insistent calls for an immediate ceasefire play perfectly well into his plans to save what is left of his dream and the group.
The dream of Eelam has evidently become an even more distant fantasy – but his unswerving loyalty to it will ensure the fight will continue. Having lost the support of over 100,000 Tamils who challenged his diktat and abandoned him to flee for the safety of the army camps, his hope will now reside largely with the Tamil Diaspora. The 800,000 Diaspora, who he specifically appealed to in his Hero’s Day address when he launched the ‘Final War’ in 2006, has been the group’s lifeline. Prabhakaran has mobilized the Diaspora like very few other insurgent groups ever have. Providing the mainstay of his support (funds, networks, lobbyists) the Diaspora has unwaveringly stood by him and kept up the sustained pressure for the Eelam ‘cause’ alive across the capitals of the world.
…It has become a truism that the only way out is a political solution, not military. Having thrust a very local issue into the international limelight, Prabhakaran has consistently reneged every opportunity to seek a political solution. Every attempt at one – that did not mention Eelam – during the last two decades was doomed to failure. A lasting solution is extremely unlikely with him heading the group. As long as he endures, so will his cause. Therefore, any talk of a lost cause and an endgame in Sri Lanka would be premature.
The military victory could well become another pause in the history of the conflict if the same degree of effort is not invested by the Rajapaksa government to set right the wrongs of previous administrations. And the international community would need to ensure it sustains its campaign against groups branded as terrorists.
None of which would amount to much if Prabhakaran continues to be out there, somewhere.” (Shyam Tekwani, ‘Don’t Write the Tigers Obit Yet’, Hindustan Times, April 25, 2009)
We must take these scenarios with the utmost seriousness. It is always wiser to prepare for the worst case scenario. This also provides the best argument why Prabhakaran must not be given the time and space to escape and the operations must go on uninterrupted until the Tiger leadership is eradicated. Some months ago I quoted and commended the words of General Colin Powell during the Gulf War: “first we cut it off, then we kill it.” We have cut it off. Now we must kill it.
As Ronald Reagan, no favorite of mine, once said “the problem with playing your last card is that once you’ve played it, you no longer have it”. The so-called international community played its last card in 1987 when a coercive external intrusion, catalyzed at least partly by sub-regional electoral compulsions (MG Ramachandran “air dashing”, as it used to be called, to prevent “that boy” Prabhakaran from being killed). It is not that other forces in other, more impressive combinations are incapable of doing a larger version of the same thing. The point however, is that the Sri Lankan state and citizens have been through this before and will not be deterred this time around, from defeating the secessionist-terrorist enemy, reclaiming sovereignty and restoring territorial unity. Sri Lanka’s spirit this time around is one that will resist intervention “by whatever means necessary” as Brother Malcolm X used to say. There is a gross asymmetry of tangible material strengths, against Sri Lanka, but as for the intangibles, Sri Lanka has the advantage. Sri Lankans have demonstrated their willingness to fight and die in pursuit of their cause. How many others are willing to do the same in order to prevent us, and for how long and at what financial cost will they be willing to do so?
No other country, institution or leader will share our fate. Therefore we alone must shape that fate, decide our own destiny. This is our country, our borders, our land, our peoples, our future. No one must be allowed to dictate to us or pressurize us. We must go ahead and do what we have to do to end our 30 years war in a manner that it cannot be easily re-started. This means eliminating the Tigers and following up a decisive victory with a generous and wise humanitarian and political policy.
No other country, institution or leader will share our fate.
this is so true… they will come and preach while, if this monster lives, we will have to do this again in another 20 years , Praba , pottu and his son and soosei – all must go….
then we will see. relatives of the people killed by LTTE demand it….
“This means eliminating the Tigers and following up a decisive victory with a generous and wise humanitarian and political policy.”
Who are the rank and file of the Tigers? Are many of them not unwilling fighters who have been forced into it because of their circumstances? I agree that the Tiger leadership needs to be “eliminated” (my opinion is based on the events of the last couple of weeks) but there needs to be “generous and wise” treatment of the majority of the LTTE. “Eliminating the Tigers” – all of them – will be a huge mistake that ignores the dynamics of the conflict, the very things the GoSL has been shouting about (child recruitment, etc) and is neither generous nor wise.
What DJ says is absolutely true. Unless the LTTE is finished, the people of Sri Lanka will have years more of suffering.
The tigers began with Alfred Duraiappah and continued through Lakshman Kadirgamar, killing any Tamil who seemed promising enough to lead the misguided towards sanity.
By using child soldiers, they also ensured that the natural growth of the Tamil population in Sri Lanka will be stunted for years to come.
More importantly, by creating an ethnic crisis claiming discrimination by the majority population, and massacring innocent Sinhala and Muslim civilians they have effectively drawn a line across the country that will take many years of peace to heal.
There is no time to waste. The time to begin healing is now!
So what is going on now? Why has the army appeared to have eased off just before the finish line? Is it due to pressure from the International Community? It just does not make sense as this juncture, the they would give in now? So what is really happening? Have they got one of the top leaders who has given them key info which has caused them to change tactic? That also seems unlikely as they would not be able to contain themselves and not release the details if they have indeed made a capture.
So what is it then? It all seems a little puzzling.
As much as I recognise this is an internal conflict, is the rejection of the Swedish FM a smart move? The only signal the GoSL has sent out to the international community, in doing so, is that it is completely tactless. I understand that the GoSL are set on putting an end to the conflict, however it is merely shooting itself in the foot by burning such bridges. The LTTE, its propaganda-machine and its supporters have managed to get the world’s attention but the GoSL inability to deal with a) the media and b) the humanitarian ‘interventions’ in a tactful, diplomatic and opportunistic way will only result in the GoSL’s alienation from the international community.
The question is, will a government that has been willing to trample on all sorts of rights (ie: the eviction of Tamil lodgers in Pettah, the use of heavy weapons up to a week into a “humanitarian operation” and the detention and arrest of journalists with hardly any reason) for the “greater good” ever be capable of coming up with a “generous and wise humanitarian and political policy”? Definitely for many years to come, using the same logic, the government will profile Tamils as possible LTTE supporters. Perhaps it will be extended to language and employment once more? How far will they go? Will they they even feel the need to think about a political settlement once the LTTE is gone and they know very little can be done by the Tamils to press for it? I do not support the LTTE, but I’m afraid this government’s past record leaves me with little reason to expect much better from them.
Sanjayan>>
“How far will they go? Will they they even feel the need to think about a political settlement once the LTTE is gone and they know very little can be done by the Tamils to press for it?”
Sanjayan, it’s people who think that intimidation will bring results that have unleashed all this terror and violence on the rest of us. Tamil was made an official language prior to the emergence of the LTTE. I don’t know of a single right that was won by the terror and violence of the LTTE.
What has the LTTE brought for the Tamil people, other than death and destruction and the total decimation of the livelihoods of poorer civilians in Sri Lanka – Tamils Muslims, Sinhalese? Those civilians have borne the brunt of this problem while the rich funded this pointless machine of terror from the comfort of a first world country, envisioning some racist utopia for themselves.
Equality cannot be won in such ways. Look at how the blacks in the US achieved it. They went from a much worse situation (segregation) to having a black president in the span of a mere 50+ years. Perhaps if the Tamil people had campaigned for a change of mindset instead of unleashing their own racism on the rest of us, things might be different today.
The building of a plural society is a gradual process of conciousness raising. Contribute towards that and you may see the gradual formation of a truly plural society. We are already miles ahead of 1983 (http://www.islandcricket.lk/forum/are-you-tamil-time-some-soul-searching) and do note that there hasn’t been a single case of retaliation against Tamils, despite the LTTEs desperate attempts at provoking one such as the bombing of the Temple of the Tooth. These are all positive indications and we shouldn’t let petty racism or any harboured anger prevent us from seeing these improvements.
I am personally hopeful of change. But this change must be fought for by all of us honourably, not by debasing ourselves to a level worse than that which we claim to fight.
“Some countries who oppose talks with Taliban, propose talks with Tigers!”
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7556
Engun
I agree with you- things are much better now then they were before 1983. My parents and relatives tell me how it was when Tamils were openly discriminated against, about the communal based university applications and what living under the sinhala only act was like. Personally, even my experience at checkpoints, inspite of the suspicion being a Tamil arouses, has been heartening- the men and women there are generally courteous and a far cry from what they were in the 80s or early 90s.
I do not think that intimidation is the right way to solve anything. However, I am afraid that we have not seen, as yet, a willingness on the government’s part to engage with the ethnic issue in a “wise and generous” manner, which is why they do not trust it. From the point of view of most Tamils, the only reason extremists do not whip another 1983 up is because they know of there will be a backlash from the LTTE- in fact there is a lot of fear about what might happen during the victory celebrations when Prabakharan is captured. However irrational such beliefs may be, there are reasons for them: the Army Commander calls Tamils second class citizens in interviews; Champika Ranawaka regularly declares that Sri Lanka is for the Sinhalese; the JHU doesn’t even think there is an ethnic issue. What will happen, Tamils ask, when they have complete power? Will they try and put their beliefs into law?
Moreover just look at day-to-day life: a Tamil cannot communicate with the law enforcement authorities, or read public information notices or even get something done at the grama sevaka’s office unless he/she knows Sinhalese(in the vast majority of cases). A Tamil is immediately treated differently at any sort of security screening- this tells everyone that Tamils are probably terrorists. The message we get from the government, therefore, is that we are not important at best and terrorists at worst.
I’ve heard the arguments about convenience regarding the above instances: “Tamils should learn Sinhalese”, “they’re a minority”, “the reason it’s in sinhala is because that’s what most people understand”, and on the last point “All LTTE cadres are Tamils, so what else can we do?”, etc. I would say that being willing to be inconvenienced is something that the government can do to show that it actually wants to solve the issue and is a first step to getting the trust of Tamils.
To illustrate, look at the claim that the only way to screen is to suspect the Tamils because “All LTTE cadres are Tamil”. Actually, all LTTE cadres are SRI LANKAN, and so all Sri Lankans should be suspect- but it’s easier, it’s more convenient to screen Tamils alone. What this does is it creates a racial profile, as I said before which further breaks down trust between communities. The government should be willing to treat a Sinhalese or a Muslim with the same suspicion as a Tamil person- there have been “Sinhalese Tigers” before. Of course it’ll be inconvenient- but if the price for unity and a national identity is inconvenience so be it.
Thus far, however, the order of the day has been one of expedience and convenience- of compromise for the greater good. I’m definitely not saying that all Sinhalese are like the few I mentioned above- many of them do believe in the plurality you talk about, and I wish more of them would get involved in politics. But as for those in power, considering the principle of “greater good” on which they have conducted this war, and considering the almost universal popularity and therefore power they will get once it is over, there are grave doubts about whether they will go for a just political settlement. Frankly, they won’t need – they will have no real incentive to go back on the claims of Sinhalese superiority some of the have made- indeed they will have a free reign to return politically to 1956. I hope and pray they do not.
Sanjayan’s sentiments are echoed by most Tamils in Colombo whom I have spoken with. I am a Tamil who was not exposed and I am thus not Jaded. I am probably one of the few people with a Tamil name who has returned to Colombo after having left as a child a long time ago. We left because of the Sinhala act for sure in the early 70s, but it was really more for the fear of having English removed from Schools and the law courts and the fear of losing all, rather than strictly for our Tamil heritage. Many of my parents’ Sinhalese friends at the time had the same concern.
Maybe this is why I am possibly naively more inclined to agree with Engun.
However given than Sanjayan represents the majority Tamil view for sure, they obviously must have just cause as they have lived and experienced it.
With respect to Racial Profiling:
Isn’t profiling a necessary evil at checkpoints? I have been profiled all my life having lived abroad as a Brown man. After 9/11 all my white friends sailed across the Canada / US border. Not me. All my white friends sailed through every airport security checked. But they had to stop ahead and wait for me to get the ‘rubber glove’ treatment. We just joked about it.
I have never even set foot in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the middle east.
As far as apparent disrespect shown towards the Tamil language by the Sinhalese majority, well it no different in Canada. Not many people in English Canada will speak French. They won’t even speak French in Quebec. But the Frenchman must speak English to communicate with most Anglos even in his own turf. Hence the resentment.
To me its just a fact of life. I went to school in a white neighborhood in the 70s, when multiculturalism in Canada was in its early stages under the Trudeau govt. I was called names like ‘Mohammed’, ‘Paki’, ‘rug rider’, you name it. My father and I were called Pakis once in a mall by two young girls. Then they said “at least they don’t smell”. I still remember the look on my father’s face when that happened.
I could not get interviews for jobs when I graduated in the 80s., unlike many of my friends. The name was too long for them to pronounce. Probably nothing more sinister than that.
I just had to hope someone would give me chance for an interview so I could prove myself. Not having the same privileges as the majority is a fact of life anywhere in the world. OK well maybe not so much a problem today, but it is still there. Now of course we minorities have to deal with the curse of affirmative action which is racism at a much higher degree. Just look at the ethnic of just of anyone who works at BBC World.
Minorities have to fight harder to overcome, there is no doubt about that. Stop crying about it.
I wonder what would have happened if Praba had fought with his great mind and not the sword. My guess is that the Tamil people in the North would be far ahead of where they were in 1980, instead of how far down they have gone. I will admit though, the diaspora have a lot to thank him for.
Sanjayan, Nicolai >>
First of all, let me thank you for brightening my day. Just the other day, a few friends and I were talking about how hard it is to find a moderate Tamil voice in a forum, because encountering crazed racist loons seems to be the norm. My personal friends who are Tamil do not seem interested enough although I think it’s of great importance that voices like theirs be heard. Moderate voices have been drowned out by extremists far too often and I think this is one of the reasons that has landed us in this mess in the first place. I hope you continue to make your views heard and convince others to join you.
Sanjayan, I don’t disagree with you that things are far from ideal. But let’s keep in mind that we are a third world country struggling to get up on its feet. The British ravaged us for centuries, pitted races against each other effectively and after being let loose from them, the fear of identity loss gripped the average individual. Politicians of the day, both Sinhala and Tamil, preyed on these fears to create the circumstances that we are now paying dearly for.
It’s natural to have teething issues like this as similar symptoms are displayed by many other countries in a post-colonial context. As Nicolai mentioned, even in the most developed countries, who have the ability to mobilize far more resources and provide much better education, there are still issues. So I think we need to have more realistic expectations and work towards incremental improvement in a poorer country like Sri Lanka.
In that sense, I believe we have improved greatly. In terms of the constitution, at least on paper, we seem to have the groundwork for a plural society. In practice, I agree with you that there are issues, but quite honestly, I don’t see why things are so bad that Tamils need to rely on a ruthless terrorist, hell-bent on a racist utopia, to solve those remaining problems?
I think Nicolai already answered the issue about racial profiling, and I basically have the same thing to say. It’s more a practical consideration than anything else, given the circumstances. About the ability to use language, I agree, Tamils should be able to obtain service in Tamil. Again, I think this is more a case of a lack of resources than a case of actual discrimination. The govt. barely has the money to keep our key institutions afloat, let alone hire translators. But in terms of rebuilding trust, I agree, the govt. should display extra willingness to inconvenience itself. All of these things can be won gradually though, especially if we improve financially.
As for a political settlement, what do you see as a just solution that allows us to see a more plural society in future? What changes are needed?
There is a common utterance in Sri Lanka that says “Hondin naththan Narakin!”
We tried the kind the way during the peace talks and it failed. Exercised immense tolerance! Much more than Mr. Bush was ready to accept when NY was hit. “Shock and awe” was his reply to avenge 5000 US deaths. Regardless of civilian casualties or abominable treatment of POWs. Torture is finally accepted against terrorists in the open domain now in the US.
We have over 60,000 casualties due to this LTTE menace over decades. So how dare some of these countries engaged in a war against terror dare meddle in our war against terror? Pakistani president was right to snub the British PM after the derogatory comments he made on his way to visit Pakistan. That’s the sort of arrogance you get from so called humanitarians – all to please constituencies. So what’s wrong in pres Rajapakse snubbing the Swedish who ever the f* he is. Granted not the best diplomatic practice but it’s justified.
Nicolai
Firstly, it’s great that you decided to come back to Sri Lanka. I think our country would be far better off if more of her citizens at least thought twice before they decided to leave for greener pastures. After all, if there’s definitely one thing that won’t solve our problems it’s the mass exodus of the erudite.
Secondly, I think you have a point about Tamils becoming jaded by their experiences here. There is a degree of truth in it and as Tamils, we are often (even subconsciously) biased in our own favour- something that has to be guarded against.
In response to the rest of your comment, I can only say that from what I have seen and heard there is definitely a divide between Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in certain instances. The trust between these communities has been shattered by years of racism and prejudice from all of us. This problem is much bigger than what the USA or Canada faces (evinced by our civil war) and so I don’t think we can say that the minorities here should accept their lot and move on. It does mean that we will have to be willing to compromise and look at different points of view.
Let me start with what Tamils will probably have to do. We will have to learn to forgive and let go of, I think, the injustices that were committed in the past- too often we assume that all Sinhalese are racists because of what happened in times gone by. Nursing our wounds will never allow us to reconcile ourselves with any other community. Further, I think we will have to be sensitive to the views of other communities as well, and realize the brutal effect the LTTE has had on their own lives. Finally, we need to realize that democracy is about majority rule with minority rights, not minority rule; concessions of will have to be made – I don’t think Eelam is a solution.
Of course, this is a two way process, and I think the government will have to show that they genuinely want to reach out to the disaffected. They have one of the best opportunities- from what I hear the IDPs who have escaped from the LTTE feel deeply betrayed and angered by their actions. One way of reaching out will definitely be through implementing the 13th amendments language provisions with regards to the public service, etc. Others might be through restraining those officials of the state who have mistaken ideas about citizenship.
But on the whole, the actual issue is, I feel, one of understanding. I have Sinhalese friends who I would trust my life with- but this is only because I’ve had the chance to get to know them as individuals. For too many people all Sinhalese are racists and all Tamils are terrorists. In the South, often the only reference to Tamils is made with regards to the terrorist who blow up buses and kill soldiers. In the North, Sinhalese are identified with opportunistic, chauvinistic politicians. In the end, I think it is here that a solution lies. We need to try and understand one another.
Time will tell us if this is what the government wants and will aim for, but past experience would suggest otherwise.
Finally, we need to realize that democracy is about majority rule with minority rights, not minority rule; concessions of will have to be made – I don’t think Eelam is a solution.
changing of the tune? has this sentiment being expressed by you before in this site?
it also means not eclusive and elitist rules, hence if rural people vote for a war general, even through inflation and stravation, the colombo elitist willhave put up with it, whilst actually dont need to shut up with it!!
All good points by everyone. What a pleasure to read civilized opposing viewpoints on this board. I am curious, why is this board so civilized, yet when I read the comments to articles on defencewire.blogspot.com or the ones in the mirror, they are in many cases vile and offensive? I just shake my head after reading one or two of them and move one.
One thing Sanjayan, I was not implying that we accept our lot and move on.
I mean accept the reality of what has become of us and work hard and peacefully to overcome. But nevertheless I get your point.
How does one break the cycle of extreme views in both sinhalese and tamil communities?
Deep
I’ve never posted on groundviews before so it was probably someone else.
Looks like hopes of THIS government doing anything about the underlying issue and regaining the trust of minorities were misplaced. After weeks of denying any aerial bombardment of the “safe-zone”, it seems they were, and this time by their own admission.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=47733
and listen to Kohona’s attempt’s to change the subject.
I wonder why he thinks we should trust the government and its version of the truth when it seems to be willing to do anything to to reach its absolutist political objectives- just like the LTTE is?
When it is usefull to your cause you want the foreign governmentsto ban Tamil diaspora prganisations. Since you have got favours from the International community to malign the Tamil doaspora not it is the role of the international community to do some checks and balances on you
“No other country, institution or leader will share our fate. Therefore we alone must shape that fate, decide our own destiny. This is our country, our borders, our land, our peoples, our future. No one must be allowed to dictate to us or pressurize us. We must go ahead and do what we have to do to end our 30 years war in a manner that it cannot be easily re-started. This means eliminating the Tigers and following up a decisive victory with a generous and wise humanitarian and political policy.”
So it is we who have to explore a way out of the situation “in a manner that it cannot be easily re-started”. 100% CORRECT. PLEASE READ BELOW FOR THE WAY.
Probably the BEST possible POLITICAL solution might be:
An earnest APPEAL to all those who strive for sustainable peace in Sri Lanka
“The lack of engagement and communication, in turn adds to the sense of estrangement. This is not in the interests of either side, particularly the Sri Lankan people who yearn for peace, a just solution to the ethnic conflict and the hope of prosperity at least for their children.” – so said Jehan Perera, Executive Direcor of the National Peace Council.
With the above end in view please spare a part of your valuable time to ABSORB the views submitted below.
Too much of time has been wasted in discussing the origins of the problems and the paths taken by various persons to solve the problems in the ways they believed as the best. The problems have grown and evolved and had been twisted by many to suit their way of thinking.
So, it is high-time we start thinking in terms of a solution that would address NEARLY ALL THE PROBLEMS rather than continue to criticize other people for their “faults”.
Failures are the pillars of success. We have learned a lot of things through experience. With the experiences gained we will have to work for a change of heart not just a change of mind of the people in the country.
“People who value democracy, equality and equity, needs to pressure the Sri Lankan state to take immediate action towards a meaningful and just power sharing arrangement. That is the only way to ensure security and the dignity of the peoples of Sri Lanka.
If peaceful coexistence through power sharing is not achievable, the only other solution that would be available will be secession” so said Mr. Lionel Bopage, former Secretary of the JVP.
There is a vast difference in the policy and thinking of the ORIGINAL JVP to which Mr.Lionel Bopage belongs and the policy of the present JVP.
A new concept that moves towards a meaningful and just power-sharing arrangement and which is a great deviation from the usual thinking of the meaning of the word “devolution” is given below for the perusal and comments of concerned people.
Many, who call themselves as ‘moderates’ and advocating a “Unitary State” in principle, are not willing to consider this NEW concept which gives a certain degree of ‘power’ with ‘responsibility’ to everyone including the poor and voiceless silent majority in the country and not excluding the so-called “minorities” while still maintain the “character” of a “Unitary State”
Now, one word, for those who are actually and sincerely interested in fostering a united country by supporting “devolution” as a means to achieve sustainable peace. Please avoid thinking in terms of “devolution” and instead please try to think in terms of “sharing” of powers, rights, duties and responsibilities that cannot be taken back at any time by any government or individual by any method.
The best political solution to address many of the problems faced by many sections of the society – particularly the poor, the politically weak and the “minorities” who do not carry any “political weight” – would be to DILUTE the powers of all elected representatives by separating the various powers of the Parliament and empowering different sets of people’s representatives elected on different area basis to administer the different sets of the separated powers from different locations.
It has to be devolution HORIZONTALLY where every set of representatives would be in the SAME LEVEL as equals and in par and NOT VERTICALLY where one set of representatives would be above (more powerful than) the other, which is the normal adopted practice when talking of devolution, in this power-hungry world. It is because of “devolution” being evolved “vertically”, we have all the trouble in this power-hungry world. So, for sustainable peace it should not be the present form of “devolution” but “dilution of powers” or “sharing of powers” in such a way that no single or set of peoples representatives – other than the common people, the voters themselves – is superior to another.
This system would eradicate injustice, discrimination, bribery and corruption – the four pillars of an evil society – and help to establish the “Rule of Law” and “Rule by ALL” for sustainable peace, tranquility and prosperity and a pleasant harmonious living with dignity and respect for all the inhabitants in the country. Everyone must have “equal” powers, rights, duties and responsibilities and most importantly everyone should be deemed “equal” before the law not only on paper but also practically – be it the Head of State, The Chief Justice or the voiceless poor of the poorest in the country.
Since all political and other powers flow from the sovereignty of the people, it is proposed herein that these powers be not given to any ONE set of representatives but distributed among different sets of representatives (groups) of the people elected on different area basis (village and villages grouped) to perform the different, defined and distinct functions of one and the same institution – the Parliament – like the organs of our body – heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, nose, ear etc. – performing different and distinct functions to enable us to sustain normal life.
A detailed version of the concept, which is quite long is available for discussion by interested individuals with an aim to change the hearts not just a change of mind of the citizens of this country who aim to preserve a UNITARY form of Government with every section of people from every part of the country PARTICIPATING in the GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY in a practical and meaningful way. In a way it may be termed “participatory democracy”. In this system the country is NOT DIVIDED but the “powers of governance’ of the Parliament is separated and administered COLLECTIVELY by different sets of peoples representatives.
The system suggested is neither “the federalism” for which “Thanthai Chelva” worked hard through non-violent means for nearly thirty years nor the “Two State Solution” for which the LTTE is fighting through violent means for more than thirty years. It is a combination of both and is between both.
The solution can be compared to the policy of the EPDP – a partner in the present government – “self-governance at regional level and collective governance at the centre”. The main difference between my suggestion and that of the EPDP is that my suggestion is for sharing of power horizontally and EPDP’s suggestion is for sharing power vertically.
Give and Take is the best policy. Rule or control your “self” and allow everyone to rule themselves.
LIVE AND LET LIVE
IF THERE IS A SINCERE WILL, THERE IS A WAY