Tamils and Sri Lanka: A wake-up call
By: Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
The results of the recent presidential elections are being analyzed and interpreted in clinical detail by many commentators from their respective vantage points, experiences and predilections.
While in Sri Lanka in December'2009, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Jaffna. Based on the interactions I had with the Sinhala people belonging to different strata of society, I formed the impression that Mahinda Rajapakse would win this election. It was obvious that although most Tamils in Colombo and its environs, and the Sinhala middle and upper classes were taking a pro-Fonseka stance, the majority of the ordinary Sinhala people were clear they would vote for Mahinda Rajapakse.
Their deliverance from the LTTE blight played a major role in their preference. This segment of the Sinhala population also wanted the problems facing the Tamils addressed. They were also quite clear that Mahinda Rajapakse was the driving force behind the defeat of the LTTE, although appreciative of the role played by Sarath Fonseka. It would be wrong to conclude from the election results that Sinhala chauvinism/ triumphalism was the driving force behind the Rajapakse win, from the impressions I formed.
It was the ordinary Sinhala and Tamil people who had paid the price in blood and misery, during the prolonged conflict and the intermittent wars. The relief that the war had finally ended and the LTTE decimated was most felt by the ordinary Sinhala people, who bore the brunt of LTTE terror and soldier casualties. Their relief and gratitude to Mahinda Rajapakse should be understood in this context. They were reacting as absolutely normal human beings relieved that three decades of terror and war had ended, and not as triumphalist Sinhalese. To name this response 'triumphalism' is to insult their genuine decency. Communalism and racism (If at all there is racial divide in Sri Lanka!) are the main preserve of the middle and upper classes among both the Sinhalese and Tamils.
Ordinary Sinhalese were very clear in accepting that the Tamils had suffered, the Tamils had grievances and the problems of the Tamils should be addressed within the context of a united Sri Lanka. They were also proud of the manner in which Mahinda Rajapakse had stood his ground among manifold pressures during the war. Mahinda Rajapakse had definitely sparked a sense of national pride in these simple people. Whilst they may not be aware of the intricacies of the devolution debate, they were quite clear that any solution should not lead to the break-up of Sri Lanka. They considered Mahinda Rajapakse the most likely to deliver on this score and their other day- to- day concerns that are quite different from those of the upper and middle classes.
The end of war and the decimation of the LTTE have yet not ended the problems of the Tamils on many fronts. Life is yet full of misery and many issues of major concern for the Tamils are at a low point. The Tamils are mostly a confused people bereft of a leadership to lead them towards a new vision. The voting patterns of the Tamils in the north and east, Colombo and the rest of the island should be viewed in this context.
The impression I have is that many are yet sore that the LTTE was defeated before the problems of the Tamils were resolved. Many Tamils, including those who were opposed to the LTTE, had considered the LTTE a bulwark against Sinhala extremism. Further, the dream of 'Eelam' had been so deeply embedded in the psyche of Tamils by the Tamil political parties and the LTTE over several decades, that the defeat of the LTTE had led to a sense of political paralysis and repressed frustration. The light that was promised at the end of a very dark tunnel never materialized. The Tamils yet feel they are yet in a dark tunnel haunted by many ghosts- some real, others imagined. The induction of the yet- armed Tamil paramilitary groups by the government to fill the leadership vacuum among the Tamils, has further added to Tamil fears, frustration and anger.
The TNA tried to win back its long lost leadership role, by exploiting this anger and frustration to support Sarath Fonseka. The TNA has largely lost its place in Tamil politics, which would be difficult to reclaim. The situation of the IDPs and the unsatisfactory manner in which they have been resettled, have added fuel to fire in the Tamil mind. Most Tamils, who refrained from voting, were in no mood for elections at this point in time and had concerns that involved their very survival as human beings. The Tamil votes cast in the north and east for Sarath Fonseka should be considered a protest vote against their present circumstances.
It is time for the Tamils to claw their way out of their 'victim' mindset. There is future to think of, plan for and live for. Tamils have to take advantage of the good will currently prevailing among most Sinhala people, to resolve their outstanding problems within the context of a united Sri Lanka. Tamils have to join the national mainstream. Tamils should seek a new leadership that is attuned to their current needs and is qualitatively better than what they have now. The TNA and the so-called democratic 'paramilitary ' groups should be rejected. It would be better for the Tamils to vote for Tamil or Muslim candidates representing the national parties in the north and east in the forthcoming general and provincial council elections, than vote the TNA or the paramilitary groups masquerading as newborn democrats. This is a historical moment for the Tamils to clean their Augean stables.
The Sinhala polity and the government on the other hand have to trust the decency, good sense and intelligence of the Tamils, sympathize with their current plight and take them into confidence. The paramilitary forces should be disbanded and disarmed as an issue of utmost priority. Their leaders should seek public support on their own without arms and government patronage. Any gratitude owing to these individuals for their role in winning the war should not be paid at the expense of the Tamils. The TNA should be left to fend for itself and not permitted to become part of any alliance with national political parties.
The national political parties should select and field Tamil and Muslim candidates who are above board and are capable of providing a forward- looking leadership to the Tamils and Muslims, at the general elections in the north and east and the provincial council elections in the north. The national political parties should reach out to the Tamils in an honourable manner at the forthcoming elections and win their hearts and minds with programs geared to the welfare of these unfortunate people, who have been through hell.
The government should resettle the IDPs in an open and inclusive manner, as per the original plans it had formulated and presented to many. The 'IDP' resettlement program should preferably be on the lines of the 'Marshall Plan' for West Germany after the Second World War, if the required funding could be obtained. The captured and surrendered cadres should be quickly re-integrated and made productive members of society. They should be one major component of the resettlement program. The north and east require a special and concerted effort on the part of the government for upliftment on many fronts- poverty alleviation; health care; programs for the long term care of widows, orphans, injured and the maimed; education; agricultural development; social development; tourism development and industrial development. To these are tied issues of land distribution and ownership, which are the breeding ground for much dissatisfaction and rancour. Further, the need to preserve the cultural identity of the Tamils in the north and east while integrating these provinces into the national mainstream, are daunting tasks that have to be approached with sensitivity and honesty and in a transparent manner.
The peoples of Sri Lanka- Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims should not missed the historical congruence of many factors that have come about to heal our national wounds, reconcile and forgive the past to build a new and bright future for all citizens. I hope President Mahinda Rajapakse will do what needs to be done to achieve this.
15 Comments
Tamil people of Sri Lanka need a true decent leader now to address their issues. at the moment all Tamil leaders are just hubgry for power and planting racism. This was the major cause of suffering in past 30 years and yet they do the same things.
So according to this writer the Sinhala middle/upper class and Tamils (Colombo/Northern) d not want grievance addressed. !!
On the contrary the villager can be fooled by temporary price cuts, state media propaganda and endless foreign conspiracies !
Victim mindset?
Good will currently prevailing among MOST Sinhala people?
Did you mean FEW Sinhala people?
When did the GOSL buy you over?
Cheers,
Siva.
Dear Dr,
Thank you for your valuable contribution.
The Tamil people were 'silent' in their response to the recent polls.
Compare their response in the UK referendum on the Vaddukoddai Resolution. 64,000 tamils voiced their opinion in an open, democratic environment which assured freedom of expression ! There were no Chintana's and manifestos floating around; there were no promises (blind ones good enough only for rubbish heaps).
63 years of misleading leadership has achieved (1) life in a terroristic enviroment (2) consistent destrution of property and (3) and confiscation of traditional land. Even worse for the "Thotta Tholilali"; they continue to languish in labour lines toiling for the Rs 50 per day.
The opinion expressed in the European Referenda must be valued !!
I agree with most of the comments but dont know why we should sideline the TNA. After all they are a party who have won seats at the provoncial elections as well as shown their support base at the recently concluded presidential election. We should not be divisive but all inclusive in our search for a solution to minority greivances.
Narrow minded tamils create "racism", "discrimination" and "separatism". Acquiring traditional land in Sinhala areas (all the way to down south) by tamils is not a problem. It would be "Confiscation of traditional land" if sinhaleese settle in the north-east area.
It is the land of Lanka, not sinhalese or tamils or muslims, try to learn and live like one, in the one nation. Then there wont be seggregation, racism or anything like that.
I agree with SRiLankan, there is absolutely no reason to sideline the TNA. During the days of LTTE they were forced to toe the LTTE line. But unlike EPDP and TMVP, the TNA are not men and women of the gun. If anything, they should be strengthened and protected. After all, they lost three good MPs who were murdered by the pro-govt terror groups. The TNA still stand for Tamil interests while the pro-govt terror groups represent Sinhala nationalist interests.
The author's views are kind, generous but terribly naive. On what planet do you live?
Uncle, don't overlook what John F. Kennedy once said: "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate." What you are essentially asking the minorities to do is to enter negotiations but from a position of timidity and weakness and not from a position of equality and strength. They absolutely should not enter into dialogue from a weakened position - I say 'they' because I am an American of Sinhalese Buddhist upbringing. The fact is nobody should enter in to dialogue with another from a position of disparity - because then it is not healthy for either or the outcome of the dialogue.
When annihilated, the lethal war monger Prabhakaran who was a rebirth of Hitler.Sri Lanka's Joy was over the top.The rift between the Tamils and Sinhalese were created by Tamil politicians who looked for life long careers as politicians. Sinhalese fought with 'never let go attitude' as they never knew of another country which they could claim their own.As you say, reconcile and forget the past but forgiveness may take longer because hatred still linger in the North and east.The Presidential results show that Tamils still crave for wicked selfish divisions that is keeping them as aliens from another planet .It is high time that we all accept reality, as Oblic's headstone reads out"Life is on froth and bubble/ two things stand like stone/kindness in another's trouble/COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.If we Still keep voting for 'Symbols' our future will be always on froth and bubble. Srilanka is one country where the Tamils need the goodwill of the majority Sinhalese.IF Tamil Politician can follow the path of Ananda Sangaree the reconciliation will come speedily.After a war there is still room for doubt and Military can not disband and LTTE carder will be on observation before being released to the community. Don't expect for miracles to take place after a 25years of War As said the Tamils have to take the lead to build a new and bright'Srilank' Good luck in every way.
Dear Mr. Mano Manoharan,
64k tamils voted for what? Does anyone give a damn about those people. What political clout do these people have?
The most impartial reflection made by a Tamil that I ever read so far on Sri Lankan politics. Thank you Dr.Rajasingham Narendran. Yes, TNA, LTTE, and the other Tamil parties have taken the ordinary Tamils on a ride covered with the nationalism. We have got to find a way to live together. Representation in the mainstream politics within a national party allows the Tamils, the Muslims, the Malays, and the Burghers to participate the national policy making task. No one will be cornered or left out. Lack of national unity put all of us in a land where we all live as total strangers or enemies. We should think and do this for our Daughters and Sons so they will find the everlasting harmony in the island ..
“The peoples of Sri Lanka- Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims should not missed the historical congruence of many factors that have come about to heal our national wounds, reconcile and forgive the past to build a new and bright future for all citizens. I hope President Mahinda Rajapakse will do what needs to be done to achieve this.”
Most of the out pouring advice from the author is towards the GOSL. When GOSL implement as per those advice, definitely there will be a big change in the minds of Tamil speaking people of the country and world wide to reconcile and forgive the past. It is not the other way around, always horse be put before the cart for the cart to move forward. TNA factor should be viewed in that direction. Once the GOSL commit truly to address the Tamil issue as per the author TNA would transform accordingly as per Tamil mind set.
More than any thing democratic institutions are in great jeopardy for all Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka.
Let us treat each claim of the essay, one by one.
1) Any gratitude owing to those Tamil individuals for their role in winning the war should not be paid at the expense of the ordinary Tamils. (merits unqualified concurrence)
2) It was the ordinary Sinhala and Tamil people who had paid the price in blood and misery, during the prolonged conflict and the intermittent wars. (merits qualified acceptance. The military and other arms of the government were right inside our homes; treating every Tamil as a member of LTTE; LTTE was not treating every Sinhalese as an enemy combatant)
3) Sinhalese people's deliverance from the LTTE blight played a major role in their preference. (unacceptable characterization. The average Sinhalese man, particularly the rural majority who voted in favour of the President was not subjected to LTTE terror.)
4) To name their response 'triumphalism' is to insult their genuine decency. (Rural or urban reaction?: No response necessary.)
5) They were quite clear that any solution should not lead to the break-up of Sri Lanka. ( mere speculation. Militancy was the final act over the unyielding prescription: A Unitary Sri Lanka)
6) It would be better for the Tamils to vote for Tamil or Muslim candidates representing the national parties in the north and east in the forthcoming general and provincial council elections (hypothetical recommendation; highly potent. When did Tamils reject a national party that proposed to ease our fears? What happened to the aspirations of those Tamil MPs who supported national governments?)
7) Their President had definitely sparked a sense of national pride in these simple people. (undoubtedly. Remember, Tamils too have our national pride to cherish, to preserve and to protect)
CONCLUSION: I appreciate your neutral stand. You mean well, no doubt. But, it's time to wake up.
Tamils have to view their current political stance from a position of 'Truth'. Being
'Truthful' will lead us to becoming 'Realistic'. How long are we going to play the proverbial ostrich? Truth cannot be naïve. Truth requires no waking-up. Being 'truthful' is to be fully awake and aware.
Tamils have to awake to the fact their numbers in Sri Lanka are severely decimated. There are no people to occupy the lands we claim to be our exclusive preserve. There are no claimants to large numbers of abandoned houses and acres of lands.
Crooks are at work to possess these properties! The people remaining in the north and east are severely debilitated. Most Tamils who have migrated to the south are unlikely to return. We are yet Tamils only because we continue to speak Tamil, shorn of the culture, moral and mores, which defined us as a people. We are a people to be pitied!
Foolhardiness, vindictiveness, deceit and emotive reactions have left us where we are now- on the verge of extinction. We are not in a position to bargain from a position of strength. We tried to bargain and to fight, but miserably failed. The 'armed strength' we had sought, sapped us of our 'moral and spiritual might'. This has left us where we are now.
It is time now to humbly and purposefully embark on the rebuilding and re-making process, with missionary zeal. All our thoughts, resources and actions should be directed towards this process.
We have to work with the Sinhalese and the other people in Sri Lanka , to re-build our strength as a people. We have to become 'Tamils' within the larger Sri Lankan identity. Under the current circumstances, we have to become Sri Lankan first, in order to become 'Tamils' and survive and prosper as Tamils. A quirk of fate!
Let us bury our wounded pride and unnecessary arrogance. Our survival as a people has become more important than other emotive considerations. We need the help and assistance of the government and other peoples of Sri Lanka to begin a new journey to give a decent life for our people, rediscover our heritage and preserve our identity.
There is no other alternative. History has unfortunately come a full circle, but with the Tamils far behind where they were at the beginning! If we do not take up this challenge pragmatically, we would also miss the last bus!
truth is tamils dont have a future in srilanka but eelam,
realistic is singhales wont acept tamils as their fllow citizens,
tamils may need not to arm themself but continue their stuggle for freedom by other means
bury tamils pride? why call them tamils then?
unnecessary arrogane by tamils????
pride makes a man recognise himself a man not something else
forgiveness is a great word but having seen your amma appa thambi thangai blown up by ennmy would anyone will ?
may not need take revange but forgiveness??
just continue the stuggle for our fomer heros and future generations by any other means,never give up(can by someone who burries their pride not tamils)
need unity,clear vissions,sacrifies and "PRIDE"
TAMILS NEED IS A FREE HOMELAND, TAMILEELAM!!!!!THANKS