Rajapaksa-Fonseka battle is blessing in disguise for Tamil speaking people
by Vasantha Rajah
The ongoing “Rajapaksa-Fonseka battle” is a blessing in disguise for the Tamil-speaking people and the Sinhalese despite its immediate appearances; because the upcoming debates are bound to change the confused Sinhala consciousness on an unprecedented scale.
The JVP’s decision to back the General as a tactical move to get rid of the utterly corrupt Rajapaksa-regime is sensible indeed, to say the least. Fonseka is a political novice, therefore, he is malleable. He is thoroughly cornered by the reactionary establishment; and therefore, his pliability is increasing by the day. That’s a positive thing. The chances of him suddenly turning into a dictator after an electoral victory is very little indeed. If he does a social revolution will be on the cards; and it’ll be the duty of the JVP to lead the people towards real democracy & real “poverty eradication” along socialist principles.
Comrade Bahu’s decision to contest, I believe, is wrong. It will confuse the Tamils and mislead the Sri Lanka’s Sri Lankan intelligentsia. And, this will only benefit the present regime to retain power. Instead, the Left should unite with the JVP to use this opportunity to educate all communities about democratic politics and socialist economics as the prelude to big changes later.
In this context, the unity established among all “Tamil-speaking people” (Tamils, Muslims & Plantation Workers) is also a positive development whatever the limitations and contradictions it has at present. [Tamil votes are going to be crucial to the outcome of the impending elections and all Tamil & Muslim parties should present common demands - a justifiable political solution before the candidates – a solution that can be easily understood by the man on the street.
It should, in my view, be essentially a Unitary Solution – a solution that is beneficial to all Tamil-speaking people living right across the island: There should be two Regional Assemblies – one for the Tamil-dominated region and one for the Sinhala-dominated region. A democratically-transformed Centre - equipped with the Highest-Level Institutions related to security and economic planning of the island as a whole – should be the centerpiece of the New Constitution. The regional Assemblies should be empowered to handle all lower-level institutions primarily related to regional cultural and economic development – in harmony with the central vision. [I see no reason why such a constitution cannot be designed for the benefit of all communities.]
However, I must add that the democratic transformation of Sri Lanka should be inseparably intertwined with an economic vision. The JVP and the SL Left should use the election campaign to expose the Rajapaksa-regime’s total submission to the imperialist economic project. Above all, the deepening gulf within the ruling class should be fully utilized to equip the masses with a democratic/socialist vision, while doing the most practical thing to get rid of the existing regime in the impending presidential election.
13 Comments
Not only the Tamils it is for the whole Nation who have been hijacked by a corrupt and undemocratic clique. Even many in the ruling party are fed up with the antics of those in power. Nepotism to the nth degree with senior members of the party asked to give way to high jumpers and mercenaries from the opposition. Public is fed up with the high taxes and wasteful lifestyles and corruption of the ruling elite. All this time we were told to stomach this for the sake of the war but now that argument no longer holds. A swift return to democracy and good governance is what is required.
With all due respect Sir, you are living in a dream world. If what you have written comes to pass, it would be ideal. But somehow I do not think so.
Best wishes!
The writer makes little effort in concealing his JVP inclinations. He is unlikely to have many buyers if he is to believe the path to political and economic salvation lies within that extreme domain. But he does offer options that have been tried out in our plural culture – although his comrades have little apetite for pluralism is something they have established over and over again – violently causing mayhem, death and destruction. The General’s foray into the Presidential election is more a blessing in disguise to the JVP who were facing rapid liquidation.
They now get an extension which the General got the "sack" by his own team - that may bring memories back to the writer who held State position in 1994. That the JVP support base was eroding was plain to see in the past few elections where they ventured to go alone. Their pin-up Weerawansa is now in the capitalist mould – in dress, luxury travel and life-style; spouse and all. A frontliner JVP firebrand of the 1971 vintage came to be identified with the lucrative fishing industry and enriched himself by the billions – while the State entities under him were losing to the extent he was gaining.
He remains, arguably, the most influential capitalist
in the fishing industry owning dozens of modern boats, craft and all. Yet another who came pleading the cause of the exploited paddy farmer –together with his siblings – now is the biggest and richest rice merchant and paddy mill owner in the country with luxury hotels and all in the bag. Exploiting the farmer appears to be his name of the game. He is now an aspirant to the No.2 job in the land. Nandana Vindana came through the JVP road and is now in the Capitalist Highway breaking pledge after pledge. Not bad for those who came in Bata slippers and broken bicycles to politics - one might say.
Mr Rajah enters the domain of comedy when he wants us to believe “the JVP will lead the people towards real democracy” They had their chance with several powerful Cabinet positions and proved their management skill is rhetorical only. Many women offer payers daily at home their children in the universities should be protected from killers within them and wives of husbands in the CEB, CPC, the Port and elsewhere plead with their favourite deities to save the country and their dear ones pray for protection from the clutches of these
“saviours”.
Two Regional Councils as panacea – is worth a try. But will the dominant Sinhalese accept that? They have refused power-sharing so far. Yes! Tamils appear to be closing their ranks – but not sufficiently. The Tamil future lies in Tamil hands and will depend on Tamil lands - that is the reality. The Fonsekas and the Rajapapaksas can fight and quarrel for the Sinhala destiny. Tamils have endured so much suffering under both – and others – they are in the process of carving out theirs. They may go with those reliable who will offer them enforceable and transparent just terms.
We are with Mr Rajah both political and economic development must go hand in hand – something which the Tamil polity has concluded long ago, I don’t believe the TNA will make itself available for sale. They seem to be just about the only honest principled grouping in the country. The Tamil nation is far too wiser – though poorer in body and spirit - courtesy the 2 modern Thusta kaimunus. But their hopes and their resolve is stronger than ever before. The days when justice to Tamils was denied under militaristic heel and political perfidy is on the way out.
ISS
The number of provincial councils imposed on us by Indo -Lanka peace accord in 1987 was a massive burden on our economy,but still they survive with the blessing from all the political parties. There were many arguments surface since 1987 against it by various levels of our society but still no reforms.
Ideally all provincial councils need to be uprooted and replaced with two governing bodies under one executive PM or a president. One for majority Sinhalese and one for majority Tamils and Muslims.
An ideal federal solution similar to India, Australia etc should come in to existence. The executive PMor president should be able to preside over either of Parliaments.
It is a waste to have a separate third common Parliament as we see in India and Australia specially for a poor economy like ours.
Surely Wasantha with his ear to the ground in the Western province should know that Sri lanka is not divided on communal lines any more. Sinhala urban mass living in a world totally apart from rural folk of Uva, Hambantota or Hatton have rising food prices to contend with, but still know the value of stable governance brought by the present government.
Tamil speaking but low caste, folks of North and the East no longer share the ambitions of FP -> TULF -> LTTE Vellalas. Vast majority do not have a share of diaspora billions. Only a minuscule believe in the LTTE inspired myth of ancient Tamil Kingdom of the North and the East or a desire to live there and prefer to live in peace in a country shared as equals.
Muslims folks ethnically cleansed out of their homes in the North would not like to see their leaders share platform with former LTTE ranks like M Ganesan.
Overall folks see a brighter future today than at any time in the last century. V'Bahu plans of getting a hand in the diaspora till will very likely succeed and good luck to him but in all likelihood that will be the end of his poltical dream.
After supporting the federal aspiration of Eezham Tamils in the 1956 elections, now for the first time left political parties led by Sinhala leaders have come forward to field a common presidential candidate, Dr. Vikramabahu Karunaratne, with a main programme recognising Tamil Nation, its homeland in the north and east, its right to self-determination and autonomy as solution for the unity of the island. When agenda-setting powers harping on chauvinistic elements keep mum on recognising the fundamentals, and when Tamil political parties including some Tamil left leaders locked in agendas don’t have guts to spell out the fundamentals, why not voice-deprived Tamils and peace-loving Sinhalese register opinion and explore co-existence through support to the Left Front.It is a topic widely discussed in the Tamil circles.why not TNA,MANO,SLMC,joint hands with Bahu.Not that he will win at least it will show how much good will still present between the communities.
Tissa Wije,
Entire Sri Lanka was once a tamil hindu island.
With the arrival of Buddhism it disappeared and then it re emerged when more immigration of Hinduism came to the Island.
So if anything, buddhist religion was the late comer there.
There was no such language as sinhalese then either. Many of the ancient buddhists in Sri Lanka spoke the tamil language and others.
Sinhala was created much much later
Most Sinhalese people as much as they try to polarise themselves, have dravidian tamil ancestry in them. Something they try to coverup with nonsensical fairy tales
Majority of tamils do not trust anything sinhalese anymore.
They will have to play along and change sides depending on how it benefits them.
They will vote for whatever appears less Sinhala chauvinist than the other
Tissa Wije
Dear Sinhalese:
I understand that you are upset by us. Indeed, it appears that you are quite upset, even angry.
Today, it is the "barbarism of LTTE terrorism", yesterday it was the Federal party, before that it was the "favouritism of the British". It appears that Tamils, who could achieve equality and who, therefore, could live, upset you.
Indeed, every few years you seem to become upset by us. You were upset in 1956, in 1958, in 1961 and in 1977 and went on acts of arson, rape, pillage, murder and plain barbarity and we were scornfully asked to go to the Federal party for help.
Of course, dear Sinhalese, long before there was a Tamil tiger, we the Tamil people - upset you. And we go back a long way in the history of Sinhala upset. We upset the "Great" Sinhala King Dutugemunu and you still use his "history" to teach your young ones to be more upset by us.
Reds are upset and monks are upset. The radical Sinhalese are upset and the gentle "Sinhalese moderates" are upset. We upset the Sinhala Hamudawa who massacred tens of thousands of us; we upset the Sinhala police who, collaborated with rioters and killed, burnt and slaughtered untold numbers of us.
And it is because we became so upset over upsetting you, dear Sinhalese, that we decided to leave you - in a manner of speaking - and establish a Tamil state. The reasoning was that living in close contact with you, as resident-strangers, we upset you, irritate you and disturb you. What better notion, then, than to leave you (and thus love you) - and have you love us and so, we decided to come home - home to the same land we were driven to in 1983.
Having left you and your pogroms and riots, having taken our leave from you to live alone in our own little state of Tamil Eelam, we continue to upset you.
Well, dear Sinhalese, consider the reaction of a normal Tamil from Tamil Eelam:
In 1956 and 1958 and 1961 and 1977, there was no "Tamil terrorism" to impede peace between Tamils and Sinhalese. Indeed, there was no Kotias (Tigers) to upset anybody. Nevertheless, the same Sinhalese slaughtered thousands of Tamils in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya and Colombo. Indeed, in 1958 so many Tamil men, women and children were mercilessly hunted down in Polonaruwa Sugar plantation.
Dear Sinhalese, why did you massacre hundreds of Tamils in one day in 1958? Why did you carry out the1977 pogrom and made 75,000 refugees. Could it have been your anger over Tiger terrorism in 2007? And why were thousands of Tamil men, women and children slaughtered in pogroms between 1956-83? Was it because Sinhalese were upset over Tiger terrorism in 1996?
The same twisted faces, the same hate, the same cry of "para demala" (foreign Tamils!) that we hear and see today, were seen and heard then. The same people, the same dream - Sinhala Buddhism only. What you failed to do yesterday, you dream of today.
Dear Sinhalese, you stood by and cheered on when the Sinhala police burnt down our beloved Jaffna library.
You stood by when Sinhala police massacred attendees at an International Tamil Cultural event in Jaffna.
And you are trying to rewrite our history now.
You contributed and stood by in 1983 genocide, wildly cheered by wild mobs in every Sinhala town and city in your land.
You drove millions of Tamils to the North-East, thus suggesting Tamil Eelam is our only Homeland. When we come here to establish Tamil Eelam, alas that upsets you again. It appears that you are hard to please.
And since we know that the Sinhalese dream daily of our extinction, we will do everything possible to remain alive in our own homeland. If that bothers you, dear Sinhalese, well ? - think of how many times in the past you bothered us.
Now you are beginning to get upset even, by the Tamil diasporas living in many lands, chased away by you.
Mahinda Rajapakse has to win at any cost to survive not only politically, but also as a free citizen,as losing will mean the loss of presidential immunity which means that he can be sued by civic groups,and punished as happened to Chandrika B a former president in the Waters Edge case.
He and his cronies can very well end up in jail for corruption,nepotism and wastage of public funds on unnecessary selfserving state enterprises for personal prestige like MihinAir.
This will be a murderous battle with all state resources and sycophantic/corrupt army,police and thugs (official & unofficial) batting for him.
Sarath Fonseka may turn out to be far worse for the tamils. It appears that he has refused to forego the presidential immunity within 30 days, and abolish the executive presidency within 180 days as demanded by the Western Peoples Front.
MR vs SF
Scenario 1
Sarath Fonseka will be taken out prior to the election by the and Rajapaksa's as usual the LTTE will be blamed.
Scenario 2
Sarath Fonseka will win the election and handover evidence of war crimes and Gota to US.
Karuna will be tried for the pending massacre of the police men.
Scenario 3
Sarath Fonseka will win the election and transfer all his friends to the higher positions of the armed forces and will become a military ruler.
This will mean reduction of forces in North & East.
He could still fulfill scenario 2 as a military ruler.
If Tamils ignore Dr Bahu and foolishly get lured to vote for one of the war criminals, the spirits of the martyrs and the thousands of massacred innocent civilians will surely come to haunt them.
There are dreams and dreamers - that is what this piece and Vasantha Rajah are. The contest between Rajapakse and Fonseka is a Morton's Fork for both Tamils and Sinhalese - a choice between a corrupt, nationalistic despot with a plan for dynastic rule, and a certain militaristic despot with a racist underbelly. Make no mistakes - this is no blessing in disguise. It is a curse for generations to come. Barring divine intervention, whoever wins the presidential elections, Sri Lanka as a democracy (or whatever left of it) is all but finished, and the rise of militarism and autocracy is set to continue.