The Disillusionment of the Diaspora
Repost This Article
[Editors note: Also read Two years after war’s end in Sri Lanka: What can the Tamil and Sinhala diaspora do?]
Indi’s post entitled “How Diaspora Can Overthrow The Government” set me off on a train of thought. Thought about the Sri Lankan diaspora, its role in Sri Lanka, both now and in the future.
The first mental hurdle I encountered was that of the definition of the word “diaspora”. What exactly is the diaspora?
I was once involved in a discussion here in London in which a Sri Lankan (as I saw her) lady objected to being classed as “diasporic”. Her reasoning was that the diaspora was actually people who had forcibly left their country, which was not her specific case, and she requested that the rest of us refer to her by some other label. Sadly I can’t remember what it was.
But, up until that point, I’d considered the term diaspora to be a general reference to emigrants. Broad I know, but that was pretty much it for me.
I looked it up in my handy Collins Concise Dictionary, which tells me that diaspora is:
” A dispersion of people originally belonging to one nation”.
Am I any wiser with this bit of knowledge? Nope. In one way it tells me that any emigrant, from any country, is a member of the diaspora. In another it makes me question the definition of “originally belonging”. Perhaps it’s in the mind of the person, perhaps whether someone is diasporic or not therefore depends on that person’s own mindset and definitions.
Indi’s says in his post:
“It’s very easy for the diaspora to remake their homeland. They just need to come home.”
And I ponder and cogitate on this statement.
He also says:
“If they all come back and vote they can swing the Presidential election and win the provincial elections in the North and East. Then they can either remake Sri Lanka or claim significant autonomy.”
Again it made me think very seriously.
Is Indi correct? Would the return of the voting diaspora change things politically in Sri Lanka?
My first question here is on the matter of a free and fair democracy. Does that exist in Sri Lanka? Would a body of voters, with their votes in the appropriate direction, actually change things? It’s a matter we could debate endlessly. I’m dubious about it yet feel it’s another argument for another post at another time.
But we then move on to the issue of whether the body of voters would vote in the directions Indi suggests they would. I suspect he’s correct, but we’ll never know until it actually happens.
My view though is that the statement Indi makes; that “they just need to come home” is another example of polarisation politics, of the “if you’re not with us you’re against us” mentality, of the black or white and forgetting of the very existence of grey mindset, that pervades much of the thinking around the Sri Lankan situation.
It’s not healthy. Or, as I used to say to my girls when they were young, it’s not funny and it’s not clever.
I have known and do know many Sri Lankan people who have left the country and feel let down by their motherland.
My maternal Grandmother, a proud and peace loving Tamil, was one of them. I was there with her in July ’83 and, though she died a couple of years later anyhow, she never wanted to return to Sri Lanka.
She felt devastated and heartbroken by the behaviour of people she had considered her own (Sinhala and Tamil) and was particularly affected at having to deny her identity to save her life.
I know many others now who left the country many years ago and feel similarly. Most of them have been in the UK or other countries for decades, many now having their own kids, some even grandparents.
I certainly don’t make any claims to be able to speak for them but the impression I glean is that they don’t have that love for Sri Lanka that many others do. The thing is, if you consider what some went through, can you blame them? I can’t. Not only that but they’ve carved out lives and existences in other countries.
Telling them to come back, to return to the country that they feel abandoned them, in order to change things is like telling someone that the only way to save the sinking ship “might” be to jump back on it. I’m not actually saying that the ship is sinking, I’m saying that many of those diasporic potential voters think so. Would you give up everything to try to save the sinking ship? Do you love the ship enough?
Increasingly, as I look around me at the many Sri Lankan diasporic people I know, I see a sense of disillusionment. I hear a communal sigh as Sri Lankans around the world get exasperated and give up, walking away from the engaging in the debate, the processes and the discussions. Most of these people don’t consider themselves to be at either end of the political spectrum. No, they see themselves as moderates, just slightly to one side of a line.
It’s the result of crushing the voice of dissent, of the “if you’re not with us you’re against us” mentality and of the polarised and frankly unproductive I am right you are wrong arguments that seem to go on all over the show.
Sri Lanka is losing out on some highly intelligent people, some great minds, as well as a lot of idiots through this. No one is bothered about the idiots, but the great minds should be valued.
One of the things that I’ve learned in life is that very controlling people usually surround themselves with “yes” men. It’s a great plan when you want people to tell you how great you are, what a good job you’re doing and kiss your backside, but it’s not so effective when you need good input, when you want someone to give an alternative idea or plan.
For the longer term good of the country the Government of Sri Lanka needs to figure out ways in which to engage positively and constructively with the diaspora. Ways that are less black and white than saying “come home and vote or shut up”.
How should this be done I know not. One thing I’m certain of is that people like myself (second generation Sri Lanka, born and bred in Britain etc) should have minimal or no say in things. I’m actually talking about “proper” Sri Lankans, people who’ve been born in Sri Lanka, who have passports and the like.
A good friend suggested that perhaps different degrees of involvement, depending on variables, might be a solution. I think that’s got great potential but could be seriously complicated. Still, inventing the mobile phone was complicated, as was designing the Barefoot sarong, and those things happened!
Surely, if you get the diaspora involved, get them to be part of the process, then they’ll start to return. Isn’t that the best order to do things?
Yes, Rajapaksa ship is sinking !!
Rajapaksa cannot fool the Diaspora and the world for that matter anymore.
Although he continues to fool Sri Lankans.
Even if the truth, as naked as the executed Tamils shown in the C4 video, is thrown in his face of the gullible Rajapaksa supporter , he/she will still stare with adoration at the King Mahinda.
There are the apologists of state oppression who use sophisticated jargon like ‘post-conflict reconciliation”, “We are all Sri Lankans”
And like all multiculturalist hypocrites they resolutely deny the existence of the unique
Tamil identity.
The average Sinhala views the Tamil as a defeated person, to be pitied or to be held in contempt, if not to be trampled upon.
The average Tamil views the Sinhala as a sadist who turned the other way while his army committed genocide in his name, a torturer, if not a killer.
If the Sinhala colonizer’s gaze makes of the Tamil an object, it is because it is backed by an occupying army.
If the Tamil’s gaze shows despair, a precursor to rage, it is because the most committed defenders of their interests, have only recently been militarily defeated, a defeat that the occupier flaunts in their face as the end of the Tamil genuine political aspirations.
Would you be happy if the LTTE still remained a force to reckon with?
“Tamil genuine political aspirations”
What are those and do they reconcile with the Transnational Government?
Sellaratnam,
The average Sinhala views Tamil (especially diaspora) as complicit in massacres of Sinhala & Muslim villagers such as listed below by providing continuous moral, material & financial support to the perpetrators in addition to the cheering from the sidelines when below numbers were announced through media such as Tamilnet. No remorse or apology is still forthcoming or evident. Instead what is seen is continued brinkmanship & threats.
1 29/11/1984 Dollar Farm, Welioya Vavuniya 33 civilians died when Sinhala fishing village was attacked using automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
2 30/11/1984 Kent Farm, Welioya Vavuniya 29 civilians died when Sinhala fishing village was attacked using automatic weapons, swords, knives,clubs etc.
3 04/06/1985 Dehiwatta Trincomalee 15 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
4 14/08/1985 Arantalawa Ampara 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
5 18/08/1985 Namalwatta Trincomalee 7 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
6 07/11/1985 Namalwatta Trincomalee 10 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
7 19/02/1986 Kantalai Trincomalee 19 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
8 01/12/1984 Kokilai Welioya 11 civilians died when Sinhala fishing village was attacked using automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
9 05/05/1986 Kinniya Trincomalee 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
10 25/05/1986 Mahadivulwewa Trincomalee 20 civilians died when LTTE attacked Sinhala village using automatic weapon and subsequently set
fire to 20 houses.
11 02/06/1986 Trincomalee, 3rd mile post Trincomalee 10 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
12 04/06/1986 Andankulam Trincomalee 17 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
13 21/06/1986 Wilgamwehera Trincomalee 9 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
14 08/07/1986 Monkey bridge Trincomalee 15 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
15 09/07/1986 Mollipothna Trincomalee 16 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
16 19/07/1986 Wadigawewa Polonnaruwa 17 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
17 17/09/1986 Kantalai Trincomalee 10 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
18 17/09/1986 Wadigawewa Trincomalee 12 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
19 04/02/1987 Manthottam Ampara 8 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,knives, clubs etc.
20 07/02/1987 Aranthalawa Ampara 27 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
21 25/03/1987 Serunewa Anuradhapura 25 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
22 20/04/1987 Jayanthipura Trincomalee 15 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
23 29/05/1987 Kadawathmadu Polonnaruwa 7 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
24 21/06/1987 Godapotha – Beruwila Polonnaruwa 8 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
25 06/10/1987 Talawai Batticaloa 25 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
26 06/10/1987 Sagarapura Trincomalee 27 civilians died when LTTE attacked Sinhala village using automatic weapons, swords, knives,
clubs etc.
27 10/10/1987 Gantalawa /Kantalai Trincomalee 9 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
28 15/10/1987 Ella Kantalai Trincomalee 14 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
29 15/12/1987 Devalegodella Polonnaruwa 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
30 31/12/1987 Batticaloa Batticaloa 30 civilians died when LTTE attacked Kathankudi Muslim village using automatic weapon.
31 01/01/1988 Kuruniyankulama Trincomalee 3 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
32 02/02/1988 Bogamuyaya Ampara 11 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
33 02/03/1988 Morawewa Trincomalee 15 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
34 05/03/1988 Sittaru, Kantalai Trincomalee 24 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
35 14/03/1988 Galmitiyawa Trincomalee 12 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
36 15/03/1988 Kivulkade Trincomalee 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
37 17/03/1988 Deegawapi Ampara 13 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
38 22/03/1988 Pudukulam Vavuniya 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
39 22/03/1988 Medawachchikulam Vavuniya 9 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
40 31/03/1988 Saindamaradu/Kalmune Ampara 17 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
41 08/04/1988 Megaswewa,Horowpathana Anuradhapura 14 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
42 28/07/1988 Ethawetunuwewa Welioya 16 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
43 10/08/1988 Central Camp Ampara 11 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
44 10/09/1988 16th Colony Ampara 7 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
45 10/10/1988 Mahakongaskada- Medawachchiya Vavuniya 44 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
46 12/12/1988 Sumedagama Trincomalee 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
47 17/01/1989 Maharambekulam Vavuniya 9 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
48 02/02/1989 Bogamuyaya Ampara 11 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
49 11/02/1989 Dutuwewa Welioya 37 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
50 11/02/1989 Singhapura Welioya 6 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
51 27/02/1989 Borawewa Polonnaruwa 38 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
52 30/05/1990 Mihidupura Trincomalee 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
53 24/07/1990 Aralaganwila Ampara 8 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
54 25/07/1990 Wan Ela Trincomalee 9 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
55 26/07/1990 Tammannawa Anuradhapura 19 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
56 31/07/1990 Kantalai Trincomalee 11 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
57 07/08/1990 Bandaraduwa Ampara 30 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
58 08/08/1990 Navagamuwa Vavuniya 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
59 11/08/1990 Eravur Batticaloa 173 civilians died when LTTE attacked a Muslim village using automatic weapons, swords, knives,
clubs etc.
60 13/08/1990 Avarantalava Vavuniya 10 civilians died when LTTE attacked Muslim and Sinhala villages using automatic weapons,
swords, knives, clubs etc.
61 19/09/1990 Vellamundel Puttalam 23 civilians died when Sinhala fishing village was attacked using automatic weapons, swords, knives,
clubs etc.
62 21/09/1990 Pudukudiruppu Ampara 15 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
63 01/10/1990 Peruwaltalawa Ampara 9 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
64 02/10/1990 Wahalkade Anuradhapura 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
65 23/10/1990 Thantirimalai Anuradhapura 10 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
66 25/10/1990 Paranamedawachchiya Welioya 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
67 27/10/1990 Thantirimalai Anuradhapura 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
68 29/10/1990 Olikulam Batticaloa 3 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
69 01/11/1990 Helambawewa Welioya 10 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
70 03/11/1990 Bandarakubukwewa Anuradhapura 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
71 23/01/1991 Bogamuyaya Ampara 29 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
72 02/03/1991 Kaludaveli Batticaloa 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
73 02/03/1991 Erakkandy area Trincomalee 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
74 14/04/1991 22nd Colony, Athymale Ampara 17 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
75 20/04/1991 Niyandella, Okkampitiya Ampara 22 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
76 24/06/1991 Periyapullumalai Ampara 10 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
77 06/07/1991 Puddur Polonnaruwa 16 civilians died when A group of 50 LTTE attacked a Muslim village using automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
78 06/07/1991 Karapola & Manampitiya Polonnaruwa 9 civilians died when Sinhala village was attacked using grenades, automatic weapons, swords,
knives, clubs etc.
79 19/09/1991 Palliyagodella – Medirigiriya Polonnaruwa 13 civilians died when LTTE attacked a Muslim village using automatic weapons, swords, knives,clubs etc.
80 29/04/1992 Karapola, Muthugla & Alinchipothana Polonnaruwa 130 civilians died when LTTE attacked a Muslim village using automatic weapons, swords, knives,clubs etc.
81 16/05/1992 Kosgolla village Ampara 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
82 09/08/1992 Mailanthenna Polonnaruwa 25 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
83 01/10/1992 Konwewa Welioya 15 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
84 15/10/1992 Palliyagodella & Ahamedpura Polonnaruwa 146 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
85 25/05/1995 Kallarawa Trincomalee 42 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
86 21/10/1995 Mangalagama Batticaloa 16 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
87 21/10/1995 Monarathanna Polonnaruwa 36 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
88 21/10/1995 North of Padaviya (Galtalawa) Welioya 19 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
89 23/10/1995 Atthimalai/ Kotiyagala Monaragala 19 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
90 26/10/1995 Tammanna Halmillewa Anuradhapura 26 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
91 26/10/1995 Alapathwewa Welioya 26 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
92 02/11/1995 Siyabalanduwa Moneragala 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
93 22/02/1996 Mahanikawewa, Kebetigollawa Anuradhapura 6 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic
weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
94 11/06/1996 Eluwankulama Puttalam 14 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
95 10/02/1997 Oddaimavadi Batticaloa 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
96 12/05/1997 Morawewa Trincomalee 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
97 02/07/1997 Erakkandy Trincomalee 34 civilians died when LTTE attacked a Muslim village using automatic weapons, swords, knives,
clubs etc.
98 05/07/1999 Rathmalgahawella Ampara 4 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
99 18/09/1999 Galapitagala, Badirekka, Borapola Ampara 50 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using grenades, automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
100 07/12/2000 Welikanda Polonnaruwa 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
101 17/10/2001 Ruwanpitiya Polonnaruwa 2 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
102 12/04/2007 Awarantulawa Vavuniya 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
103 16/01/2008 Buttala (Niyandagala/Waralanda) Moneragala 6 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
104 17/01/2008 Tissamaharama Moneragala 8 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
105 11/09/2008 Kotiyagala Moneragala 7 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
106 21/02/2009 Nelliadi Karamatiya village Ampara 14 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
107 12/04/2009 Mahagodayaya village Mannar 9 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
108 13/04/2009 Makul ara village Moneragala 3 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
109 25/04/2009 Okanda Ampara 5 civilians died when LTTE attacked village using the automatic weapons, swords, knives, clubs etc.
(Source: Humanitarian Operation – Factual Analysis – July 2006 – May 2009 – MOD)
It is impossible to put the 63-yr structural violence of a state into one-liners.
Hela – Thanks for publishing these data – What is missing in this list is the numbers they killed by their haphazard bombing all over the country – and the fact that these killings were carried out by hatching with big knives , smashing on the floor(when the victims were kids) and point blank shooting – If someone filmed these incidents – that would have been a film which would run months ( may be as a tele-drama series) – I think someone should start making such a film and send it all over the world to show the entire world the true nature of LTTE goons and their supporters in the world — now they are trying to show the world – that LTTE were freedom fighters and pure saints – They really met the end they really deserved – Tamil diaspora and Tamil politicians should understand the deep rooted mistrust and hatred LTTE had generated in the minds of Sinhalese need more time to evaporate – may be generation or two – until then suspicion will prevail
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your extensive reference to my article. But I am really curious on the point of debating anything over here. Our goals and the goals of those who run this site and those who contribute in it are fundamentally irreconcilable. Why do we expect anything better from liberals than cloaked excuses for the naked brutalities of an oppressor nation? The collaborators are indeed a problem and a resolute ideological struggle needs to be waged against them – but I dont think this is the space.
I was referring to Mr. Sellaratnam.
I know many Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim diaspora who think that if the government could treat the people in the Northeast in the last two years in more horrific ways than the previous six decades, then there is no hope that this government that has the required majority to amend the constitution as it pleases will not serve the ethnic minorities justice.
I can’t understand how Indi thinks that the diaspora returning home will change the heart of the rulers. Don’t the people in Sri Lanka deserve justice? This is insulting them.
For decades successive governments have been doing expert damage control at the UN and the state has come to this state. This government doesn’t like the diaspora telling the foreign governments about the atrocities it is continuing to commit in the Northeast (AND in the South as regards journalists and media).
Because the government doesn’t like to leave the Tamils in peace to attain to prosperity, it can’t stop its atrocities though the international community is getting message from the diaspora as well as through normal channels of news. The moment the government acts according to the law of the books, diaspora will shut up.
This is playground strategy:
http://transcurrents.com/news-views/archives/139
National integration is still where it was when Prabhakaran’s body was found at Nandhikkadal, Somapala Gunadheera, 2 May 2011:
‘’…. If we are wise, we should first put our own house in order before we challenge the UN…. It is not yet too late to begin. The mission needs a powerful Presidential Task Force for National Reconciliation. Such a Force can cut the ground from under the feet of the ongoing controversy and many more to be expected.’’
That post was a thought experiment. The diverse diaspora obviously isn’t going to pack up and come home.
It does remain, however, that radical change demands radical measures. If around 1 million people came back that would change everything – either through voting or people power. If even 1000 people came back, that would make a difference. People lobbying foreign governments and calling for ‘regime change’ from abroad? Not much of a difference.
Indi – please read my reply to Rajiv, I hope it explains my thoughts more succinctly than I did in the original post. I’m trying to extrapolate your thoughts, not argue with them!
@Indi
You don’t need 1 million plus Diaspora Tamils to come back here. All you need is a good majority of Sinhala Buddhists to protest and show outrage when the Govrnment of Rajapaksa runs rough shod over the rights of the minorities instead of remaining deaf, dumb and blind, and rubber stamping everything they do by staying silent. Check links given below.
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=11463
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=11431
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=11424
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=11291
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=11433
Are you not aware of the news that 35,000 applications for dual citizrnship have been put on hold by MR, presumable because 95%
of them are T A M I L S !! He does not know what to do next.
The other brother GR tells the Diasporic Tamils to invest in the North.
With all this happening why keep speaking of imaginative changes?
Indi’s is yet another of his sophomoric, thinly-disguised efforts to cloak the horror of a Fascist government.
In a situation where (Sinhalese) people who have been “passed” for dual citizenship, having paid Rs. 250,000 for that privilege, are refused that facility, to talk about a million Tamils returning is unadulterated rubbish. and can only be interpreted as yet another smokescreen from this acolyte of Dayan Jayatilleka.
This a rubbishy red-herring from this acolyte of Dayan Jayatilleka and needs to be exposed for what it is.
Debating unadulterated nonsense is a monumental waste of time, folks!
…polarisation politics, of the “if you’re not with us you’re against us” mentality, of the black or white and forgetting of the very existence of grey mindset, that pervades much of the thinking around the Sri Lankan situation.
As it is, this is a matter of judgement and I disbelieve this statement to the extent to say that what we have is indeed a BINARY Sri Lanka.
Why not Groundviews conduct a poll on the truthfulness of Ch4 vs GoSL videos which will establish whether there is a gray scale in Sri Lankan opinion?
RD,
In his article, indi simply postulates that IF sufficient numbers of the diaspora return to SL, they could conceivably use the democratic mechanism to topple the government. He suspects that it might be a more effective way to achieve this objective than trying to get foreign agencies to do the job.
As hard I ponder and cogitate over this, I cannot see how it equates to “you’re not with us, you’re against us”. At worst, it is “you’re not with us, you can’t vote”. That’s not polarizing rhetoric. That’s an indisputable fact. And where exactly is indi demanding that the diaspora turn up or shut up? He himself clearly states that would be “madness”.
RD, you made an admirable effort to understand what Aarcharya was saying in his recent rather formidable post here on groundviews. But it saddens me that you now seem to routinely deny indi the same courtesy.
Rajiv – Hi, I think, in my haste to make my point, I may have failed to make my point! My fault.
I was trying to say that, in my opinion, the disillusionment of many in the diaspora is a symptom of the “if you’re not with us you’re against us” mindset, not to take issue with Indi’s points. I was trying to build on the themes put across by Indi in his post, not to take issue with them.
I hope Rajiv, if you reread the post bearing that in mind, you may see it in a different light. I’m really trying to say that the “get involved by coming back and voting” idea needs to be readdressed in order to get certain people involved.
I hope you’re well.
C’mon, the democratic revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt were catalysed by youth who were educated in the West, mainly Europe, and returned to their countries which were under autocratic rule, immersed themselves in the universities and the private sector, and incubated for a decade or more, the changes that we saw this year. They did not impose conditions on their countries and societies in order to return. they did not request the change as prerequisties. They made the changes themselves once they came back and put in the hard yards. If they had hung around in the West, demonstrating as a Diaspora against their countries, the changes would have never occured. The difference is that the young Arabs love their countries and their armed forces, while they want these to be better, different. Those changes are seen as goals worth fighting for on the ground and in cyberspace, not held up as prerequisites.
Control of village life, including visitors:
http://wn.com/kilinochchi
Hilarious comments indeed! Change of regime? To the contrary the majority of Sri Lankans love the regime as demonstrated by huge electoral endorsements and its growing gradually. It’s a universal truth that no regime could be changed unless people of a country support it. Patriotic people of Sri Lanka and those Sri Lankans living abroad(Who regularly visits and keeping their roots intact) loves the peace and development, much to the disliking of it’ s detractors . Dream on folks! Your frustrations are quite understandable
Lakaya
No argument with the sword of the lion.
Really?!
Well, if you can read sinhala read the following article:
http://www.lankaenews.com/Sinhala/news.php?id=17923
which demonstrates a 20% drop in support for the Rajapakses from 2010 to 2011 in one electorate. That’s in an SLFP electorate. Overall the Sri Lankan electoral support for the Rajapakses have remained at 30% of all voters.
They win not because the people approve of them but because the people are evidently demoralised with bullying tactics and violence and disillusioned with the main opposition. The massive drop in election turnout after the Presidential Elections will point to possible cause of demoralisation.
actually, the rajapakses are making it hard for ordinary sinhalese who want to return to sri lanka as well…i say this because they’ve stopped issuing dual citizenship (dunno when it’ll be implemented) and while you await, you have to get a resident’s permit which does not allow you to engage in ‘paid or unpaid’ work (this is actually what’s stamped on your passport). so if you want to return to the land of your ancestors, but hold a foreign passport – u can’t even volunteer to do any charity work!! you have to hope and pray you will be employed by a company who will then help you obtain a work permit…so for us ordinary folks without connections, this becomes a nightmare…just go down to the immigration office and check out the chaos there!