Comments on: THE INDIAN REALITY IN SRI LANKA’S EXISTENCE

By: Belle

Belle — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:49:02 +0000

I agree with the writer’s conclusions but not with some of the reasoning by which he arrives at these. If he wants a solution that involves a “credible dedication to non-discrimination”, then DJ has to stop talking about SL’s north as if it were SL’s ‘Other’, the part of it that has significance, it would seem, only because of its external connections. The North is an inextricable part of Sri Lanka, and necessarily impacts on the way SL should identify itself. To describe SL as a Sinhalese, Buddhist nation already suggests that any attempt at non-discrimination of minorities would be cosmetic. Tamils are not a “problem,” an “issue” or a “question” for SL. There is nothing new or original in DJ’s thinking here, and thus all it provides is the same old fate that has prevailed since independence, i.e. any attempts to give Tamils their rights will be dogged by Sinhalese nationalism, as they have been in the past.

So Tamils come from Tamil Nadu, but Sinhalese just grew up from the ground in Sri Lanka? Where was India, where was Tamil Nadu when SL Tamils were caught in the war, when they were interned in camps? Weren’t they siding with Colombo? So much for the narrative of SL Tamils’ links to India/Tamil Nadu.

Sri Lanka is not a “Sinhalese” nation any more than Singapore is a “Chinese” country because of its majority populations. Even Britain’s claims to be an “Anglo” country are fast being challenged. The only way that minorities can attain any sense of their belonging is if they are located within the larger national picture of SL identity. SL is a multicultural nation, and the specific nexus of Sinhalese, Malays, Burghers, Tamils, Muslims, Moors, with a developed Buddhist culture, etc, is what makes SL culturally unique and unique as a nation. Unfortunately, it would seem not many Sinhalese find this an attractive way to see their country–and that is the brunt of the problem.

By: Abhishek Shukla

Abhishek Shukla — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:23:14 +0000

hey..!
hi guys..I’m Indian and let me tell you…we here in india simply love you guys…you’re a wonderful nation and to us you’re our closest buddy (literally !)
It’s sad that tamil nadu poilitics has to come into all this…I feel..(and I’m from New Delhi) that Tamil politicians make too much noise just for the public opinion down south and really… we don’t give a damn about them. Now that the war’s over in your country,this issue can be finally put aside and we could focus much more on pumping some billion dollars into re-building the newly liberated areas of Lanka.
by the way….great work on the ltte…you did it yourself! It’s a lesson we here are teaching everybody as an example…clean your own yard as nobody else shall do it for you..! You should be Proud.

By: wijayapala

wijayapala — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:48:36 +0000

In reply to Anapayan. Anapayan, time is running out faster for the LTTE. It will make no difference what Mexico thinks after the LTTE is eliminated.

By: Anapayan

Anapayan — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:25:24 +0000

The Sinhala nation is running short of time to prevent a change in international opinion against current SL regime. It is clearly visible in the western media for last few days. Mexico, a UN security council member has requested that Sri Lankan situation should be discussed in the council meeting, this is obviously a western (specifically) sponsored move. I expect Dr.Jayatilleka will put every effort to stop this happening with the help of his latino friends in the name of anti imperialism. Good luck !

By: citizen

citizen — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:37:33 +0000

In reply to Sie.Kathieravealu. Mr/Mrs/Ms Kathieravealu, Pardon me for being a bit too curious and a bit less naive, but can you please explain how you propose to "save" the civilians through a ceasefire?

By: Sie.Kathieravealu

Sie.Kathieravealu — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:06:21 +0000

Now is NOT the time to discuss a political solution favouring the Sinhalese BUT to discuss the necessisty of a ceasefire to SAVE the large number of civilians trapped in the conflict zone. THAT IS URGENT.

"I agree a cease-fire itself is not in itself going to help the Tamil civilians trapped in the war torn areas of the Vanni. However, there is an urgent need for the involvement of an international body such as the UN, to create a safe passage to affected civilians and ensure their protection. Such a humanitarian exercise must be linked with a political solution which genuinely devolves power to address the issues that gave rise to the war in the first place. – Lionel Bopage"