However, a good standard of English needs to be taught at all levels of education beginning from pre-grade in all schools. The problem is to find good teachers. At least the President has started a programme to train our teachers in India and for them to come back to Sri Lanka and teach other teachers.

I can also tell you that I know people who have a superb command of the English language both written and spoken who still insist that a good standard of English is not necessary and that we can progress without it. Quite a few of them belong to the older generation, but they are most certainly around.

Nicolai-I know that the IT sector and BPO’s need people who know English. That is the very reason we need to encourage the teaching of it. But a farmer or a fisherman does not need the language. They can get by without it. A majority of people in this country are farmers. Agriculture is still the dominant vocation even though it is a small percentage of GDP.

There is no huge demand for Englsih outside of Colombo City and Kandy City perhaps. If you look at Vijitha Yapa bookshop they have English books for sale in all their branches in Colombo and Kandy. But they do not sell English books in other parts of the country simply because there is no demand for such books. To put it simply people in those parts of the country cannot read, write, speak or understand English.

If you take Colombo University arts faculty there are loads of graduates passing out without a command of written or spoken English. They have done their degrees in the Sinhala medium and when they pass out they find it difficult to get employed.

This country needs English educated people badly. There is no question about that. But the question is how are we going to get there. Is massive state intervention the answer ?

Niranjan

Thanks for your comment. I understand the need to have greater mobility of labour and capital across all regions of the country so that, for example, a Tamil Sri Lankan may have the right and opportunity to invest where he thinks will give him the most return, and a Sinhalese Sri Lankan would have the ability to work wherever she may choose to do so. This would result in greater economic growth and prosperity for all, and is the basis for founding of common markets like the European Union. The other side of the coin is India, where the federal structure has manifested itself in different taxes in different states which makes it a nightmare for any investor who wants to do business across states, even if it is just to produce in one state and transport his goods across the country – a process that would require him having to figure out and pay a complex myriad of different taxes in each state, each with their own peculiar economic structure.

This conflict definitely has roots in economic alienation. The Sinhalese unemployed became the JVP, and the Tamil unemployed became the LTTE. So, it is important to make sure that in the post-war period we try to bring economic prosperity to the groups that have so far been marginalised.

However, this is not the only thing and I am not at all sure that it what matters most. Security is paramount. It is crucial that Tamil Sri Lankans feel secure and are able to some extent at least protect themselves by providing security for themselves. While the LTTE had its roots in feelings of discrimination and experience of economic alienation, the conflict was exacerbated in 1983 when the actual security of Tamil Sri Lankan property, homes and lives were threatened. This is the strongest memory for most Tamil Sri Lankans at home and abroad. ForTamils at home and abroad to feel confident about investing, spending and working in this economy, it is a crucial condition that they feel secure that something like 1983 will not happen again, when they felt there was nowhere in their own country where they could have the protection of the state. I would like to see a police force in majority Tamil regions that is made up of and controlled by the ethnic make-up of those areas. This is an insurance against any future central government negligence with regard to the security of Tamil Sri Lankans.

I don'[t know whether we require a change in the constitution and a new federal system to make this happen, or whether it is possible under a full implementation of the 13th Amendment.

I feel I couldn’t agree with you more – the nature of socio-economics within the framework of the elusive post colonial identity has engendered this prolonged conflict, I fear is inherent to the nature of most of our fellow Sri Lankans (30 years of war can do that).

What I find particularly galling is the fact that certain empiricists that first created the problem now claim to have the solution (or at least a handle on things) to the results of their initial intervention.

However, it is truly sad that so many fellow Sri Lankans are caught between two ideologies (now, perhaps, one is dominant over the other: almost), and are paying for that coincidence with nothing less that their lives; and even worse, their psyches.

But we still have hope, as utopian as it may be, that this avoidable war will end, and finally every Sri Lankan, everyone, will find their voice and a collective identity that is ‘Nation’.

Brilliantly elaborated upon my friend: CHEERS!

Anu

All the above ideas combined is in the APPEAL given below:

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 Director of the National Peace Council.
With the above end in view please spare a part of your valuable time to ABSORB the meaning of the views submitted below.
Too much of time has been wasted in discussing the origins of the problems and the paths taken by various real patriotic and peace-loving persons to solve the problems in the ways they sincerely 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 re-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 all 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 based on real democracy, equality, equity and 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” and still maintain the “character” of a “Unitary State”
Now, one word, for those who are actually and sincerely interested in fostering a unitary-state 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 Sri Lankan 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 at 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 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 people’s representatives (groups) 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 PRACTICALLY PARTICIPATING in the GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY in a 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 for a federal state 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 advocated 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 National Level”. 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. EPDP’s suggestions are for addressing the aspirations of the Tamils and my suggestions are for addressing the aspirations of the PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA and not of any political party. A careful perusal of my suggestions in FULL will convince the truth.

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 to treat all inhabitants with dignity and as citizens enjoying equal rights in this country, then THE ABOVE IS A WAY

The above suggestions are by a voiceless member of the silent majority who wants all voice to be heard.

Well you probably know a heck of a lot more about this than I. However, in my demographic, there are some developments that I find hopeful. My demographic is the IT sector and I did attend the BMICH conference on “2009, the year of IT and English” Keynoted by the very impressive Narayan Moorthy.
As an aside, he was supposed to be the guru who would help implement it here, but in the end turned it down probably because he was threatened with his life (the Tamils were protesting) and he high-tailed it back to India as fast as he could.

I did however, leave the conference feeling very positive about the efforts being made to promote IT and English. This sector, granted it is a “white collar” and represents a very small percentage of the population but one which has a very highly motivated group of young individuals from all walks of life. They know that English coupled with IT is their way out. They have to learn English and they know it. Let the old die-hards die off. Let’s look to the young and what they want.

I saw Aravind Adiga of “White Tiger” fame recently on TV saying something like “the only way out for the regular guys in India is to either get into politics or into crime”. This definitely also applies to Sri Lanka as well. Just look at the two-bit Yakko 3rd level ministers in their first ever car, a BMW accompanied by Defender Jeeps as they practically run you over while they take a trip to their local cade for a condensed milk infused morning tea. Ooops sorry guys Elitist Alert!!

But I think you can add IT professional to that list, but they need English with it and these young folk know it for sure. In the end surely economic ideals should prevail over racist ideals.

Hey maybe I should change my name to IDEALIST and you change yours to REALIST?

“OK, so if I understand you correctly the basis of your argument is that for Tamil aspirations to be satisfied there needs to be a greater devolvement of power with regard to taxation and without this aspect any solution would fail, yes? This means that there needs to be constitutional reform and that constitutional reform can only be motivated by some form of international intervention?

I don’t think I am in disagreement with you, in theory, with the first part. I would like to see a greater degree of autonomy for the regions, and I support a federal solution. However, I am not sure whether the 13th Amendment solution is doomed to fail without this. To clarify what I mean by fail: I do not think that the dissatisfaction of the Tamil people at the insufficiencies in the 13th Amendment would lead to an armed uprising again. This is largely because I think that as long as we have this experience of war (and I do not mean the memory of suffering here, I mean the actual military skill base necessary to effectively prosecute a military solution) exists that there will be no room for those grievances to raise their head in an organised and violent way. Our military is too powerful for that now – they will nip it in the bud. That is unless there is a significant downsizing of the military in the coming years to pre-war levels, something I don’t think will happen.

I cannot see a way in which the motivation for constitutional reform would happen without a radical change in the status quo. With their immediate post-war popularity, the government might be able to raise the necessary 2/3rds support in the House, but I don’t think there is a framework on the table, and even if the government is willing, this will take too long and the proposed legislation would only be ready in a year that the government is far more unpopular. (It is upsetting that MR wants to have presidential elections now. This indicates that he is insecure about his popularity in 2011. That’s depressing – how bad does he think things will get by then?)

Even with international pressure, the government still needs a 2/3rd majority in parliament, and I fail to see how any government or any form of international pressure is going to bring about that, unless of course, we have a situation where the opposition party decides to be magnanimous, abandons realpolitik and refuses to use anti-devolution as an election campaign stance.”

Good work all the same and let’s hope we soon have, at least a bit of respite, from all the madness for a while.

Secondly, Niranjan, what you say about English is partly correct, but it IS an official language according to the constitution. It is NOT a national language. Of course there are problems in the quality of English education, but knowledge of English is improving. Yes, there isn’t widespread use of Tamil in government institutions, but it is improving, and there is a prevalent belief that government institutions should be multilingual, hence the move to make knowledge of the other national language necessary for promotion in the civil service. Besides, with a constitutional guarantee, if you don’t like it, you have legal recourse. That’s important.

AJ Perera – Clearly, you and I have very different ideas, but I think we agree that the suffering of the civilians should be minimised. After all these years, I am surprised that you think that can be achieved by keeping the LTTE alive. I am even more surprised that you think it can be achieved by keeping them restricted indefinitely to such a small area in the hands of the LTTE, without food, water, medicine or shelter. As for your proposed solution of hoping the LTTE is overthrown by a bunch of unarmed civilians… I am sorry… I thought your intention was to minimise deaths?

In this PR game the civilian hostages are like God. Each person speaks in their name, but actually they are merely speaking for themselves, expressing their own interests. Your opinion does not give me much cause to think that you are any different. If the government changes its strategy to what you espouse, I think the civilian deaths would be far greater.

DDM – I will post the reply I sent you via email in a few hours.

Mohan – Thanks, dad.