Prudent 2 point program for pragmatic Tamil Politics
by Dayan Jayatilleka
“For their part, Tamil leaders have not yet made anticipated conciliatory gestures that might ease government concerns and foster a genuine dialogue”- Sri Lanka: Re-charting US Strategy after the War, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Dec 7, 2009
Sri Lanka is a work in progress, a jigsaw puzzle that we have never been able to complete because the pieces haven’t been fitted together correctly.
The Sinhalese and Tamil ‘pieces’ of the jigsaw want places bigger than the spaces available that would permit the whole to fit together. Both the Sinhalese and Tamils overestimate themselves and underestimate the other. The Sinhalese overestimate their local preponderance while underestimating their external vulnerability as well as the vulnerability of the jigsaw puzzle as a whole. The Tamils overestimate their external spread while underestimating their domestic weakness.
The War and the postwar elections have dramatically emphasized certain basic realities which however have been imperfectly absorbed and reflected upon by both Sinhalese and Tamils. There are four outcomes or facts that should impress themselves upon the Tamil psyche.
Firstly the utter military defeat of Prabhakaran and the Tigers, who were thought invincible by the Tamil community.
Secondly, the ability of the Sri Lankan state/the Sinhalese/the South, to impose a defeat on the Tigers without a political package as prerequisite, parallel or postscript.
Thirdly, the inability or unwillingness of the international community/world opinion – Western and regional—to either halt the military offensive and drive the Sri Lankan state either to the negotiating table or a devolution package.
Fourthly, the disappearance of the pacifist neoliberal candidate (Wickremesinghe) and the emergence instead of a bipartisan consensus of sorts, with two Sinhala nationalist candidates, the one populist and the other militarist, neither of whom will compromise on secession, terrorism, and the unitary state.
The Tamil politicians and intellectuals, here and in the Diaspora didn’t get it at all. They neither foresaw the decimation of the Tigers by the Sri Lankan armed forces (relatively swiftly in this last war, I might add) nor the opening up of democratic space that would inevitably follow. I say ‘inevitably’ because that was what I told the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams in early 2007, in the presence of President Rajapakse, several Cabinet Ministers, senior officials and Church personalities including Bishop Duleep de Chickera. I gave a brief run down on the war as satisfying the major criteria of Just War theory (which was of course originally just war theology - Leo Strauss’s pet aversion, “political theology” at its best). While un-contradicted by the clergymen (Sinhala, Tamil and British) in the room, I was posed a question by Dr Williams for whom I had great respect because of his formidable intellect and his high profile opposition to the invasion of Iraq. His own work on Just War had made him focus on a just outcome, so did I think that this war would lead to one and if so why?
I replied the Archbishop saying that in the wake of the military defeat of the LTTE by the armed forces of the state, the inevitable reopening of electoral space and the re-enfranchisement of the Tamil voter, would, in the context of a highly competitive Presidential and parliamentary elections and proportional representation, give the Tamil people the leverage to re-insert their issues and demands at the very centre of Lankan politics. I recall saying, only half jokingly, that “President Rajapakse and his rival, whoever it may be, at the presidential elections will trip over each other to woo the Tamil voter”, as would the two major parties, because the administration that issues from a parliamentary election would be coalitional in character. In a postwar peacetime election, neither of the presidential candidates could get 50.1% nor could the major parties (under proportional representation) prevail on the basis of Sinhala Buddhist votes alone. These prognoses have been validated by events.
For their part, the Sinhalese must learn a lesson from the ironic spectacle of both Mahinda Rajapakse and Sarath Fonseka promising to go beyond the 13th amendment, to implement 13 Plus or even 13 Double Plus, mere months after the former was in effect talking “13 minus” and the latter was decrying the attempt to implement the 13th amendment in any form on the grounds that his boys didn’t give their lives for devolution! Even the EPDP which was willing to settle for the 13th amendment is now seeking to go beyond it. This turn of events is particularly amusing to me, since I was denounced by the Sinhala chauvinists for advocating the immediate postwar implementation of the 13th amendment from a position of strength, and possibly lost my job also because of that factor. The same Sinhala chauvinists, now divided, are gathered around two candidates, both of whom are pledging to go beyond the 13th amendment, something I never advocated.
So while the Tamils must learn from their military defeat that there are certain things that are unfeasible given the huge Sinhala preponderance on the island which the Sinhalese when roused will not hesitate to deploy to the full, the Sinhalese must learn from the political bargaining power of the Tamils even after their chosen or self appointed vanguard was decimated, that the ethnic Other will just not go away and cannot be cowed or reduced in significance beyond a point.
This is the ideal moment then for both sides to arrive at a realistic compromise. But will they? The Sinhalese presidential candidates have, at least at the level of rhetoric, come some way – and in practical terms the IDP situation has verifiably improved. However, one cannot say the same of the dominant tendency within Tamil politics, represented by the TNA. It may be said that they are no longer asking for a separate state but that’s a joke: separatism has no chance on the ground and the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s latest report shows that there are no serious takers in Washington DC either, for anything that is not squarely within a united Sri Lanka. Even so, neither the pro-Tiger elements in the Diaspora nor the TNA have repealed the Vadukkodai Resolution which called for the setting up of a separate sovereign independent state of Tamil Eelam. This is tantamount to the destruction of the Sri Lankan state in its current scale, scope and contours.
Some TNA MPs call for federalism as the basis of negotiations with both Presidential candidates. This is a perfectly legal and legitimate position, but it is lamentably foolish, because there will be no takers, and is yet another example of Tamil nationalist politicians pricing themselves out of the market.
The third example of the obduracy of Tamil nationalism is the demand that the Sri Lankan armed forces withdraw to the pre conflict, i.e. pre July 1983 positions in the North and East. It is one thing to oppose any attempt at Sinhalization and the setting up of military settlements outside of currently held state land. It is also reasonable to seek some significant shrinkage of High Security Zones. However it is absurd to demand a return to the pre-war status quo. After a bitterly fought war, no responsible state can withdraw to pre-war lines, because it is precisely the vulnerability of those pre-war deployments that were amply demonstrated during the war! Though the context is different – one of a foreign war – and the arrangements as they evolved are those of solid alliance, it must be noted that there are US bases on German and Japanese soil. Postwar deployment of the Sri Lankan army must ‘permanently’ prevent any possibility of the repetition of the LTTE’s military maneuvers.
On the one hand there must be no policies or deployments that smack of Occupation, Palestinianisation, or Sinhala Buddhist-isation by settler-colonialism. On the other hand the force posture of the Sri Lankan armed forces in the North and East, must, for the long duration, be one of prevention and preemption of separatist terrorism and irredentism. While there can be partial retrenchment, there can be no principle of pullback to pre-conflict lines.
The real chance for a revived Tamil politics is at the parliamentary election which will fairly swiftly follow the presidential one. The broader the bloc of the Tamil parties or of the Tamil–speaking parties (Tamil and Muslim), the greater the possibility of neutralizing the Sinhala ultranationalists, but only if their negotiating stance with the major Southern formations is a prudent one.
If the Tamil parties price themselves out of the market with their federalist fundamentalism, a tragic situation such as that of 1972 will obtain, where the two major parties sat smugly in a parliament turned Constituent assembly and myopically ignored the demands of the Tamil United Front. Certainly the Sinhalese and Sri Lanka suffered dreadfully from this absence of dialogue but none so horribly and at such colossal comparative cost as did the Tamil community.
What then should be the stance of a pragmatic Tamil politics? Any attempt to go qualitatively beyond the 13th amendment will, even if agreed to by this or that candidate will be shot down at a popular referendum, unless the pathway adopted is that pointed out by Prof Lakshman Marasinghe, in which case the degree of enhancement will have to be suitably modest. Far more prudent is a two point program: (a) insist upon the implementation of the 13th and 17th amendments to the Sri Lankan Constitution within an agreed upon time frame, coupled with (b) an anti-discrimination thrust as concretized in the revival of Chandrika Kumaratunga’s Equal Opportunities Bill of year 2000.
Contrary to the caterwauling of the crackpots, the Zurich conclave of the Tamil parties was on balance positive, because any political conversation is better than none and the more inclusive the better. Best of all though is the tacit political and programmatic convergence of the PLOT, EPDP, EPRLF and EROS in support of the Rajapakse candidacy. This is the bulk of the historic “Eelam Left” as distinct from the federalist/separatist Tamil nationalist trend, the dominant one in Tamil politics, as represented by the TNA. If only this tacit confluence turns into a solid political bloc and adopts a policy of unity and struggle in relation to Mahinda Rajapakse, the ruling coalition may be shunted along Congress lines and Sri Lanka may be nudged along a more pluralist, National-Democratic path.
What then of the TNA? On present form, there is still the danger that the main party of Tamil nationalism will, like the Palestinians, once more demonstrate its propensity never to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. This may be true of the Sinhalese as well, but given the demographics, natural resource endowments and strategic competition (read the US Senate Foreign relations Committee report), they may be able to afford it for a while longer.
The Tamils have to decide whether they wish to be like the Palestinians and keep insisting on first principles, or be like the Catholic minority of Northern Ireland. Irish Republicanism has arrived at a settlement, without the achievement of any of its historic aims and demands: independence from the UK, the unification of the 26 Counties, the removal of British troops and liberation from the British monarchy.
Even those responsible for the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972 have yet to be punished. If after 450 (taking the long view) or 30 years of struggle, and the failure of the British army to eliminate the IRA militarily – in contrast to the decisive Sri Lankan military achievement—the Sinn Fein and the Northern Ireland’s Catholics have settled for devolution and economic prosperity within a unitary state, why shouldn’t Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority? What’s good enough for Gerry Adams and Martin Mac Guinness should surely be good enough for the leaders of the Tamil National Alliance-- and as they say in Parliament, if not, why not?
14 Comments
The "sinhala chauvanist forces" who sacked Dayan J,are led by Mahinda Rajapakse who is even now his choice for the presidency.
TNA want army rule of the northeast to end.Only then tamils can live without fear of the killings,abductions,armed robberies,rapes and desecration/theft of statues of hindu temples.US armymen in bases in europe do not go into civilan areas unless in civil dress,on leave.Rowan Williams wanted "surgical strikes" to end the war.Brian Seneviratne wrote a good & fitting reply to him.The persecution/repression of tamils with Military Governers in charge,cannot be compared to the travails of palestinians or the irish catholics who do not experiance what is happening in the northeast.
This is feeble attempt to justify the repression of the tamils,even when the LTTE have been militarily crushed.
Tamils must vote for Fonseka - he surely will not be as bad as MR.
As suggested by DJ it is high time all Sri Lankans engage with each other to iron out differences and build a strong and prosperous nation. Other countries which have minorities have done so, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore are good examples of what can be achieved. Otherwise we can continue to debate and fight about various princples and theories till the cows come home. Sitting on the fence or doing nothing is not an option.
The main requirement for any ordinary person is Human Rights, Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance. All these solutions advocating 13+, Federalism, Unitary State etc are useless unless these conditions met.
Dayan,
The debate to unite the Sinhalese and Tamils continues – and, it must continue till we succeed. Fortunately, as matters stand today, the gulf is narrowing with even the usually obstinate JVP mellowing towards reason. But if you think Tamils today are pushed to negotiate from a position of weakness – this will not sell.
They have been pushed to this corner before and they have come out fighting and with greater muscle – because, let’s admit it, reason is on their side. Boy! Am I not trying to preach to the converted? The A of C Dr. Williams is undoubtedly a good man but between the time he arrived and left here he left the Tamils with the impression he lacked the faculties of speech – the bold and fearless variety, if you like.
That Man from Galilee would have been disappointed someone using his name did’nt have it in him. His Grace was as collutionist as his nammadai-aal John Holmes, the man who comes here only to give Clean Certificates to GoSL. Poor Shirley (who greets you in those walls at the Baker Street Tube Station) must be turning in his grave with that Baskerville cur. And, of course, it is elementary knowledge faithful and good aide Watson could be lying not far away.
In your resurrection with the regime you might repeat your counselling not to leave room for further adventure. The climate for this appears to be just right because anything pro-Tamil will sell at those hallowed TT grounds at Colpetty. As for the Tamils it is the loss of one battle but the Struggle – War, is too dirty a word – will continue until sanity prevails on majority minds. Bringing down existing Hindu temples and putting up Buddhist Viharas in the vicinity will not bring the expected unity and peace.
It simply increases the suspicion. It will simply be the breeding ground for a newer and probably more fiercer insurrection – this time with sympathetic foreign countries coming in openly as well – wearily. The TNAs request for the withdrawal of the army from Tamil areas may sound outrageous but remember it was the very sight of army men in the early 1960s that brought in the “Sinhala Occupation Army” description – and that was a high recruiter in a docile race. In limited territory such as Jaffna, surely the Police can take care of matters.
Alert as they will be, may not fail to see “unusual activity” in which case the State can move – if it comes to that. Which is unlikely anyway because the militants and their leaders are all long gone. And that is the Govt speaking. Last week they did it in writing as well – to those Delhi Wallas. Even those Tamil folk who, out of desperation, may have agreed to a military option earlier have lost their apetite for the ayudha porattam.
The call in the Tamil community within and outside in the diaspora is an unequivocal Farewell to Arms (Ayudha kalacharam vendaam – Down with the armed culture) Zurich said it best – if you and I agree who was eventually behind it. Finally, you came out recently with a more feasible option – that you call 2 Regional Councils and I – the 2 nation theory under one country.
ISS
Very wise words from DJ --particularly the opening paragraph.It is however mixed withe following naive comment:
"The same Sinhala chauvinists, now divided, are gathered around two candidates, both of whom are pledging to go beyond the 13th amendment, something I never advocated."
Rajapakse and Fonseca are SAYING that they will go beyond the 13 th amendment NOW only till the elction in order to get the crucial Tamil vote and after the elections they can easily forget about it.
Same game for the last 50 years
Rajan Karalasingham
I feel sorry.that you are mtaken again Mr Dayan just because the leaders of political parties utter that their own political solution for the etnic problem is go beyond 13th amendment that goal can never be achived.eventoughtSinhala chauvanism has been divided temporily due the eletiontion.You have miscalculated the situation to a such an extent that just because these politicians cling on to this so called 13th anedment plus it is just a dream.which will never come trueas long as the tamils feel that they are treated alike with no differnce or discrimination.by the majority sinhalese.but the problem is wether these politican leaders are prudent enough to understand what the ordinary tamils(not politicians) expect from the elected government.they do not demand for police or land power but the baisc facilities which are necessary for the day today life.
Vow, it is now the fault of the Tamils that they did not apologize to the war criminals ! Vow where has all the right thinking people gone ?
Hi! Dayan,
All these eclectic discourse on plitical theory with a garnish of religious antedote is just great, you and like minded people will relish on it, what a feast!!!.
We know you have laboured a lot on the super duper political theory( a heavy dose I would say) dissertaions etc.
Let us get to the basics.
Can the Majority Singhalese and other Mo
Minorities see the plight of our nation today?Is it the regions that we are vying to seperate making the life miserable for all the citizenry in this country?
NO !!!
Its the gross violation of parliamentary , democratic process, precisely the checks and balances in your terminology.
Its the rampant Corruption, abuse of power, gross negligence of serving to the folks of the electorate by politicians, that sucks up the country.
The current Constituition needs serious and very urgent redress,
The executive , draconian presidency does not need any more.!!!
Let us make a new Sri lanka by removing it and making the Constituition mendments to stop political monkeys jumping sides without working hard for the communitites they should represent in Parliament.
Let us get to the core of the problem.Once these are addressed and economic prosperity assured evenly then let us see how many folks will cry for seperatism,
Do you need an example?, How about Malaysia.
Even with the gross violation of equality and platant bias to Muslims in Malaysia the country thrives.( not sure for how long though as I can see some scrupulous parties try to incite Hindu/Tamil agitation there, heaven knows another EELAM there may be)
Given the fact that the Muslim bias should be curtailed and more modern aproach should be acomodated in the Country Malaysia going from Strength to Strength.
Shall we discuss how we can achieve what they have achieved.?
Two words, a professional like Mahathir Mohomed should come to power with Iron fist to curtail Corruption , family Bandiism and Nepotism.
How can we achieve that?
with the given track record in the WAR, I have cast my vote in mind already.
I see no reason why others should not provided they are not sucked into the 'paying Gratitude' Carrot by folks like Dallas or 'Gonibillas' of 'Hela Urumaya and Weerawansa'
In fact it was MRs turn to pay gratitude by making the war victory success for appointing him the president.Now its done and its a turn for a more SUITABLE person to take the reigns, its a game unfamiliar to 40yrs of politicking 'Dirty Harry' like MR to be entrusted with.
aj
This Dayan Jeyathilaka what ever he writes his only motive to get personal benefit he mostly writes about his own glory and tries to piggy bag on his father's and mother's back and tries to tell that he is a scientist(political) without understanding the word scientist or pretending. He already has pre programmed in him self the Sinhala majoritarian and supremacist mind set but to hide it and indirectly he promotes it using his language skills only (not any political skill). He is also a partner in the war crime together with MR,SF,Gota,PALITHA,Rajiva, Probably he is sending some information to MR to consider him for next foreign secretary post. If he can get the support of some rough 3rd world countries to support in the UN for Srilanka to hide its (TRUTH) War crimes against humanity he thinks he is a success full ambassador. But he forgot or trying to ignore the natural justice. He has even not learned from V.P’s experience yet. You can run MR, Gota,SF,Hogana,and Dayan but you can’t hide for ever. Read what Marie Colvin wrote in May09.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall – think of it, ALWAYS.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Dear Pandaravanian,
Have you read the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Report ( Dec 7) on Sri Lanka? It doesn't look like we have to run from anyone, when even the US is extending an olive branch to Colombo if not actually wooing Sri Lanka.
Dear Ajith,
Then throw them all out at the parliamentary elections! You saw what the Southern PC voters did to the Govt's favourite nominees...But let's not cut our noses to spite our face at the Presidential election.
Dear Pandaravanian,
Here's an on-the-record comment: while no one has offered me the post of Secy /Foreign Ministry, I would not accept it even if it were offered and would dismiss it with thanks, without a moment's hesitation!
Hi! Dayan,
I am a well wisher of you right through.
It reminds me in this occasion how valiant your opposition to the Kauffener
Coming to Sri Lanka as a special envoy long time back. Now I congratulate you turning down any offer from the corrupt government in case if you are offered. That is INTEGRITY!!!
But I want you to stand on your feet and calll a spade a spade. Its a fact that MR did his best contribution to the Team work to defeat separatism and Terrorist LTTE demise.
But shall we take stock of the situation here in this moment of time.
Can MR be the impartial president to everybody with his minion of EX-Terrorists, Thug MPs from National list, Ministers who neglect their ministerial responsibilities and wagging their tongues with BS on political stages around the country for every single election pretty much every month or so.
The case in point looks at Education and Health.
Look at the decadence in these sectors in the country.
My little wite-up on education crisis will sum it up for you see below.
You can't take MR as a singleton and praise him the best. Its the team that matters. He will be bounden by loyalty to these suckers.
Hela Urumaya and Weerawansa can such folks be the visionaries for a multiethnic modern democracy like Malaysia( I am still bewildered how the minorities there put up with gross bias to Muslims though!!).
Southern PC elections what a Fiasco, hard working party loyalists like Muthuhettigama was castigated as lunatic and this sissy called 'Anarkali' was a preferred candidate, that itself is a classic example of dictatorial power exacted by the MR regime and the family.
So its time you look at things outside the political theology , Dayan.Change is possible and will happen look at the example in US with Obama, I recently was in TX , Dallas and listening to some white folks , I still can't believe a black guy being the president in US.!!!
regards,
-ajith
ADDENDUM
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The Nightly News Bulletin on SWARNAWAHINI on 11th November was highlighting a pathetic reality of the Educational System failure and National Educational Policy Failure in Particular.
The innocent rural pupils of the Mediwaka , Ududumbara school were trying to answer the science Term paper with utmost frustration and bewilderment to begin with.
According to the report the reason being, though they are sitting for the G.C.E (O/L) examination , next month they were not taught the science subject for 03 yrs !!!!! due to a vacant Science teacher position with all the regional , provincial, and National educational authorities and the relevant busy bodies claim the high and mighty ideals like ‘National IT and ENGLISH’ education year for 2009.
Let us take a close look at this crisis for the sake of argument. The IT subject, which now students can offer at Advanced Level examination is taught from the lower grades at so called National Schools and some other schools.
Now what is an IT/ICT skill? Basically the training of how to use a computer and get various Computer Software applications to get day to day operations in offices and Technical fields of application.
This does not cover most of the Theoretical side of the Computer Sciences which can only be offered at a graduate course to be effective and practical.
So in essence the National Education Policy has turned a basic skill set training into a SUBJECT taught in schools and most schools and authorities are vying for allocating resources for such ventures neglecting more pressing and ABSOLUTE fundamental subjects like general Sciences in school curricula.
With proper planning and focus in Computer Science and Technology, India rules the roost.They are producing Top Quality Micro Controller Designers, ASIC and DSP designers. Embedded Controller Systems Engineers who excel in the world leading manufacturing Companies like, INTEL, Mortorola, SIEMENS NORTEL etc.
It’s a fact they produce a dearth of so called IT professionals with the basic Computer skills required for services Industry like Call Centres etc yet they have not taken trees for the Woods.
Whereas in Sri Lanka we do not see a Single Institute of IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Calibre producing Specialist Knowledge workers like India.
We are groping in the dark with ICT , PIE in the Sky which will make a dearth of Cheap IT labour for another FTZ for IT resources in the near future for western countries to exploit.
Its all right making such claims as resolving future employment problems etc, yet how come the dire state of the educational System as of today where a O/L Student not having a Science teacher for 03 yrs yet compelled to sit for the exams in a month for the very subject!!!!
I would like to get the attention of the relevant Authorities to re-consider the National Priorities on subject focus in Education.
Let us have the following objectives fulfilled first.
1. All the Schools in Sri Lanka should have a Teacher for all the Subjects
taught at school without interruption for studies.
2. Re prioritise the ICT Focus and remove the burden of SUBJECT of basic skill like IT from Curricula and make it an optional Subject for Students to learn at leisure,
The point is the required LAB /Instructor facilities should be guaranteed to the relevant schools on an equivalent basis.
3. Such Non theoretical skills can be offered during the free time after O/L and A/L exams for students and resources can be pooled to utilize National School facilities to be used by the remote regional schools.
4. Let us have a National Educational Policy review to create IIT type specialized institutes to produce world class Computer Science and Technology specialists
with immediate effect.
As an industry expert I can rightfully claim non of the current educational institute produce Such Specialists in Sri Lanka.
These will assure that the basic, fundamental subject focus in education is assured while opening an avenue to produce World Class Engineering and Technocrats for IT/ICT from Sri Lankan educational System.
This will stop the ICT /ENGLISH euphoria created by mainly politicians to pull cotton wool in front of the eyes of rural students and take them for a ride by establishing an IT Lab in a remote school.
Let us face it ICT is not Panacea and the way it goes on, in Sri Lanka certainly will not produce expected results as the whole scheme is flawed in concept and design.
Dear Ajith,
So, re-elect MR and throw the Education and Health fellows and Wimal and Champika etc etc out at the Parliamentary elections.
Dear Dayan, Wait and see the carrot from US and stick from EU until you (Srilanka/MR ) comes in to their orbit and away from China/Iran (n)axis this is What is going to happen. HE,HE your Soveriegnity which still you are refusing to share with your Tamil 'Brotheren'in Srilanka. What has happened to your trogen horse APRC and Tissa Vithana.Who is preventing its report and implimentation?? V.P from Nanthikadal!!
Hi! Dayan,
THe Solution is not that simple.re-electing MR will ensure the perpetual mockjery of the Political Cangaroo court and the Picadelli Circus will continue.
Let us assume for a moment the parlimentaryelections will throw them out, there are hundreds to take their places like SB for instance, Johnston et al.
So this ROTTEN System needs a complete overhaul, right from the COnstituition.
Acording to the Ex-Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva the current constituion lacks teeth tocurtail the executive President misusing the Executive power.The lack of decorum of parlimentarians
demonstrated by jumping sdes by manipualting the Ministerial Portfolio as a cover is a case
in point.I am sure you have studdied the constituition more than I do( I never had anyway, no time).
So you see before we go out and cry form rooftops about our sovereinity, let us get the house in-order and then go from a much stronger position to attack any external threat or manipulation of our sovereinity in the harshest manner like you
did in Geneva.It has more meaning into it.
Take for eg. China, they have the nerves of steel to crush the internal rebellion( does not matter the origin of these,CIA etc)
they also do the same for any external threats as well.
We need Sri Lanka to be a stronger Nation
proud of its Quality of governance and all other sectors.
So its up to folks like you who know what is good for the nation than most of us to call the SHOTS.!!!!
So let us do it,
Shall we???
aj