TNA highlights Sinhalese influx into North Lanka
by P.K. Balachandran
In the intense competition for the ethnic Tamil vote in the run up to the April 8 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections, parties touting Tamil nationalism are highlighting the “dangers” arising from the post-war influx of Sinhalese into the predominently Tamil Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni.
Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is the strongest of the Tamil nationalist parties, is drawing attention to the construction of permament Sri Lankan army camps in the Wanni. Suresh Premachandran, who is contesting from Jaffna district, told Express that the construction of permament camps meant the transformation of the existing camps into family stations, which in turn, would mean a great increase in the population of the Sinhalese. This fear stems from the fact that the Sri Lankan army is almost exclusively Sinhalese.
“The army has about 40,000 troops now in the Wanni.Very soon, the troops’ families will join them. Once a permanent settlement comes up, infrastructural facilities like Sinhalese schools and Buddhist temples will come up, and the ethno-cultural character of the Wanni will change,” Premachandran said.
Tamil nationalists point out that the predominantly Tamil Wanni has been substantially denuded of Tamils by the war, which had gone on for 30 years. The existing Tamil population has been impoverished by the war, especially in the last two years of it.
C.Sridharan, another TNA candidate in Jaffna, is quoted by Sudar Oli daily as saying that the army is constructing 4,000 family quarters at Kokkavil. There would soon be at least 8000 school going Sinhalese children, for whom Sinhalese schools would have to be opened, he said.
“Similar family stations will come up in Iyakkachchi, Palai and Jaffna,” he warned.
A lawyer, who did not want to be named, said that Buddhist temples (most Buddhists are Sinhalese in Sri Lanka) were mushrooming in Jaffna. He said that a Buddhist temple had come up recently near the ancient Thiruketheeswaram temple in Mantottam in Mannar district in west Wanni.
Visiting Sinhalese traders have put up temporary shops all over Jaffna. “ Very soon, these shops will be regularised and we can do nothing about it because the municipality is not under our control,” the activist said. “ Sinhalese shops have come up even around the Nallur Kandaswamy temple, when our custom does not allow it. Traditionally, shops are allowed only temporarily, during temples festivals. But who has the power to question these things?” he asked.
The Sri Lankan government’s view is that just as there are Tamils living amicably among Sinhalese in south Sri Lanka, Sinhalese should be able to live among Tamils in the north, because the country belongs to all ethnic groups. There were Sinhalese in the north before the Tamil movement became militant, it is recalled.
On the charge that army camps were mushrooming in the Wanni, Military Spokesman Maj.Gen.Prasad Samarsinghe said that these were not new camps. “And they are there to protect the Tamils from the LTTE,” he added.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had only recently told Straits Times that there still were “sleeping cadres” of the LTTE, who could be activated by interested parties both at home and abroad. There were still people in the north who believed in Tamil Eelam, he pointed out. ~ courtesy: Express Buzz ~
27 Comments
I have no objection to settling Sinhalese in the so-called Tamil areas, but I have my own set of questions for Mahinda and others who claim that the entire country belongs to all the citizens of Sri Lanka. Just one incident is enough to demonstrate the fact that though Tamils live in predominantly Sinhala areas they don't have the same privileges as the Sinhalese of those areas. At Rakwana, less than a year ago, Hindus wanted to organise a temple festival, which they had been having every year for a long period of time, on a Poya day. Some Sinhala people in the village, and a Buddhist priest attached to a temple in the village objected to it, as the festival coincided with the Poya day rituals in which Buddhists participate. Finally the Hindus were forced to cancel the festival. What does this show about the character of the Sri Lankan state? Why didn't the state interfere in this matter and "teach" those trouble-making people and the monk that this country belonged to all? Can the Hindus in Nallur force the Sinhala merchants to close down their shops in the vicinity of the temple? To say that all the parts of SL belong to all the citizens is a myth. The government should accept that the SL state is communal and discriminatory. The state can't force the minorities to cohabit with the majorities without taking the racist, communal-minded majorities, like the ones who stopped the temple festival at Rakwana, to task.
The next point is that minorities cannot accept Sinhala settlements in the N&E if the government initiates such schemes with a view bringing down the representation of the Tamils in Parliament and other government bodies. If the government wants to settle Sinhalese in the Wanni, it should make sure that the settlements wouldn't be a threat to Tamil representation. Has the government done anything to allay the Tamils' fear that the settling the Sinhalese wouldn't result in a fall of Tamil representatives? This is a serious question to which the government has to give thought.
This not fair.Tamils have gone all over the country ,as they wish and chosen their place to live as they wish, there is nothing wrong with it.all of us are Sri Lankans.The North is now only open to the every body after 30 long years.Now that any body can go to North and visit,live or do business and they wish.and we are effectively reconciling at this time.
so , these kind of highlighting by any body should not be appreciated as it is not the truth.and aslo it is not fare for people to think that the government should withdraw all the military bases in up north and other relevent areas.because it is obvious that some may soon start to cultivate hatred and terrorism where the constitution of the country does not allow separatists moves.in order to stop the same thing happening again , the government should do what they are doing.The complain of Sihalese infux only facilitate division again which non of the peace loveing Sri Lankans would want to see.
JVP insurgency in the country long a go was good example,the then government had to take a strick path to bring the country back to the running order and had to keep and eye on those who would cultivate any such moves again,the government did do greate job in rehabilitating them, so now they have changed and are well in to the democratic politic.if the government do not do the same in the post war era, the lives and property lost the war both Sihala and tamils would be just a waste.not just a waste , a waste far too much to bear, a disgrase to humanity. we believe the government is doing the right thing,looking after , encourage reconciliation, rehabilitate whom ever were involved the rest of the alligations are all fauls.common...please do not spread hatred ever again .be human kind.
Both TNA and Mr. Balachandran,
Please dont worry. Sri lanka is one unitary country.
There is no such thing as tamil areas or sinhala areas. People are free and should be free to go and live anywhere they wish. For example take Colombo, where large numbers of tamil's live and work. people had 30 years of misery because of ideas such as yours, try to rise above it at least now. It is never too late.
MR's regime might as well persuade the Sinhala hardliners to accept the TNA fornmulae of working within an undivided S/Lanka. The younger Tamils and those who suffered in the NEP particularly in 2008/2009 are likely to fall for the rigid demands of Gajendrakunmar Ponnambalam's TNPF solution of a Confederation with rights to secede. It is only the politically pragmatic who will recognise matters are getting out of control. Even the moderate TNA might have to fall in line if the South continues to ignore the Tamil question and an immediate solution.
ISS
What about Tamil shops in Colombo?
*** The Sri Lankan government’s view is that just as there are Tamils living amicably among Sinhalese in south Sri Lanka, Sinhalese should be able to live among Tamils in the north, because the country belongs to all ethnic groups. There were Sinhalese in the north before the Tamil movement became militant, it is recalled. ***
100% TRUE and ACCURATE.
This is the REVERSE of the ETHNIC CLEANSING done by the LTTE. Not only the Sinhalese but the MUSLIMS, and all ETHNIC GROUPS of Sri Lanka will be populating Jaffna despite the Objections by the Remaining TAMIL RACISTS and ETHNIC SUPREMACISTS.
Any Tamil who has a problem with this FACT should immediately remove himself from Sri Lanka and move back to TAMIL NADU.
*** Even the moderate TNA might have to fall in line if the South continues to ignore the Tamil question and an immediate solution. ***
The ONLY Tamil Question to be answered is whether TAMILS will drop their RACIST SUPREMACIST IDEOLOGY and embrace the National Identity. If they don't then they are FREE to LEAVE Sri Lanka.
There is nothing other than that to discuss with all these COMMUNALIST and TERRORIST TAMIL POLITICIANS.
Jaffna-Tamils can come to Colombo anytime and start businesses at anywhere they please. In fact in the capital the majority is Tamil and Muslims. Sinhalese can not question or complain about the loss of representation due to the Tamil influx to Colombo., But if Sinhalese move Jaffna then the so called Jaffna-Tamil don't like it. Their point of view is "What is yours is ours byt what is mine is mine, I don't share". What a hypocritical bunch.
furthermore,people of our country should encourage the mix marriages to help get rid of the hatred.
furthermore,people of our country should encourage the mix marriages to help get rid of the hatred.
What else can we expect from TAMIL RACISTS like the TNA. The only way they can keep their power among the Tamils is to Foster and Encourage FEAR among their own Ethnic group. Instead of embracing the Multi-culturalism that is Sri Lanka today, they have to beat the RACE DRUMS and engage in Scare Tactics to frighten the Tamils into thinking that they are in danger when the Sinhalese move back to their Once lost Traditional Homelands. While the obvious point is that Tamils move freely and live freely in the south, the TNA and all the Other TAMIL COMMUNALISTS and RACISTS continue to sow the seeds of RACIST POLITICS because without doing so they would actually have to come up with Policies to serve the people who elect them. The fact Remains they can continue to ride the FREE MONEY of being MPs and do absolutely Nothing for their Electorates by simply talking loud about ETHNIC ISSUES that don't exist and keep the fear in their people so that they continue to get re-elected on the basis of their Race...and nothing else.
I am not surpised at all, the truth is Tamils will have to live as second and third class citizens, and see their territory being colanized by MR regime, if tamils dont want accept there are two choices, one is to leave the country, other is to pusuade tamils living in south and Tamil Nadu to some and settle in the North.
Wherever Tamils lived and is living now, they bought their own properties or rented the property with their hard earned money!!! They built their own temples and schools!!! It is no exaggeration to say with their blood, sweat and tears as they had shed their blood and even lost their lives for the sin of living in Sri Lanka!!!
But as for the Singhalese the Government settles them comfortably in Tamil areas with the taxpayers money and with the money donated by the International community, which is intended for the suffering, victimized Tamil Community!!!! Most times the Tamils are chased out of their property, which they owned for generation, and given to the SINHALA THUGS!!! Not only those, the illegal settlers are given protection by the security forces employed with the taxpayer’s money. All with the intention of suppressing the Tamil voice, and altering the demographic composition of these areas!! Most of the commentators conveniently omit this part played by the successive governments since independence!!!
http://www.france24.com/en/20100204-reporters-sri-lanka-tamil-tigers-civil-war-refugees-civilians-return-army-probation
Daya ,
Tamil shops in Colombo were bought by Tamils with their own capital and they worked hard and sweated to establish in spite of repeated looting , burning, and vandaliism by jellous sinhala thugs.
Devinda Fernando,
If Sinhal people can buy property in Tamil areas with their own capital and live od do busines there is no proublem but state aided colinisation is what we object.
I have been saying this since 58 to my sinhalese friends in colombo the Tamils came on their own money without state assistance to settle down in colombo where as the sinhalese are colonising in Tamil areas with state aid and for the writer who mentioned the Rakwana incident there is a silverlining for reconciliation but for the frogs in the well if the SL government continues to change the demography they will have to answer to the world for war crimes
Nathen
Daya,
It is more "the Tamil shops, homes and assets" in Cbo that has been behind schemes of "naional heroes" who showed Buddhist martial skills in 1958, 1977 and at various times including July 83 to capture these. Race, religion, the bogus fear of India were mere justifications for the stealing. Sarath Fonseka showed the world the only way out is to swamp the Tamils by force in every way in their own areas (that is now going on) and elsewhere - in his inherent "bull in the china shop" nature. He was simply leading millions of those with the same mind set is what Tamils of today must take note of.
If it satisfies Devinda and his ilk, for sometime many Tamils have made up their mind to come to terms with the reality of the Pre-Portugese ruling system that prevailed.Put more simply, that part that was Tamil ruled - roughly what the Eelam maps depict.This is not what they wish for. But this is what they are pushed to - more now than before.
ISS
*** If Sinhal people can buy property in Tamil areas with their own capital and live od do busines there is no proublem but state aided colinisation is what we object. ***
State Aided Colonization? LOL! I love the way you use such terms to describe the redistribution of our own Citiznes in OUR OWN COUNTRY... maybe you should go back to school and pay attention to your English Teachers this time and learn the proper use of words instead of daydreaming while listening to LTTE Songs about Eelam.
(and learn Spelling too)
The SL government is bring back all those Ethnicities (Non-Tamil) that you TAMIL TERRORISTS Ethnically Cleansed from Jaffna 25 years ago. It si REVERSE ETHNIC CLEANSING.... it is Ethnic Re-Integration. If you TAMIL RACISTS have a problem with that then I suggest YOU PEOPLE leave this country. There were Many Sinhalese in Jaffna and there were Many Muslims... they are all coming back, and they are bringing their families and friends and the Government has a Commitment to AID them in their RETURN to their RIGHTFUL HOMES... the Homes which you TAMIL RACISTS STOLE from them using BRUTAL TERRORISM.
*** roughly what the Eelam maps depict.This is not what they wish for. But this is what they are pushed to - more now than before. ***
Sengutavan,
In Jaffna, Before the Portuguese, Before the TAMILS... there were SINHALESE... You EELAMISTS are only choosing a point in History that is convenient to you and your IDEOLOGICAL FANTASY of EELAM.
Fact of the matter is we are back. Once again your attempt to fulfill the failed attempt of your CHOLA INVADER ANCESTORS has left you bitter and resentful. If you continue to try for Eelam in Sri Lanka then feel free... I just hope you are good at dodging our Armed forces' Bullets...
Most of the bloggers commenting here about tamils living in Colombo with Sinhalese! Yes of course what you expect in a capital city! of a country of various ethnic groups! Most of the tamils in Colombo either professionals or enterpruners who bring prosperity and economical benefits for many sinhalese by their hard labour.
How many tamils are living in majority sinhala areas in the south, west and central provinces. Almost every tamil who were living in those areas were chasen away by government supported pogroms in 1958 and till 1983. Their properties, wealth, businesses were either destroyed or looted by sinhala hooligans. From 1983 and until May 2009, sinhala racists were keeping low profile because of the existence of LTTE, and started surfing against tamils again from May 2009 and getting worse day by day.
Devinda Fernando ,
It looks you have not learned your lessons yet and you are asking for more of the same, your body armour, helmet or PTA is not going to save you from the bombs the are going to come your way.one may be able to dodge a bullet but not a bomb.
TNA is a racist party and advocating a lost cause. There are many genuine issues tamils are facing such as re-settlement, devolopment. What is wrong with people of SL choosing to live wherever they want to.
If this line continues the Tamils will again end up with the same fate they suffured with LTTE....
------"There were Many Sinhalese in Jaffna"-----
And they were expelled by JRJ in 1983, not by the LTTE or the Tamils
*** is not going to save you from the bombs the are going to come your way.one may be able to dodge a bullet but not a bomb. ***
LOL! BRING IT ON KOTIA, we are still waiting...
dear jasmine and devina fernando,
i accept that sinhalese have every right to jaffna as they do have to galle.but reality is different.is right to speech guaranteed in srilanka.if u speak truth van with white colour will come chasing you.jasmine i admire your catholic outlook of advocating mixed marriages why not you marry a tamil youth and learn tamil and settle down in jaffna.i will be the first guy to appreciate your gesture.time and again sinhalese have to be reminded that north and east are traditional homeland of tamils and they are duty to bound to protect it if they think that they can ride roughshod it can only result in disruption of peace.
Dear Bala
Why are you talking only about north? Are you blind to what is happening in the east? East is the most sensitive area. Even VP made use of the youth of east and killed them when it suited him only to keep his profile up.
Most writers here tend forget the sources of the Sinhala - Tamil frictions, surreptitious campaign against universal franchise, conducted through the 1920 - 1948, damage to Nagadipa in 1958 that set the retaliatory riots, the intimidation and assaults on Sinhala students studying at Jaffna University 1977 that led to mass exodus of Sinhala residents often with only their basic possessions in suitcases. The culture glorifying the cyanide suicide created by the rich diaspora from Jaffna at the top of FP did not help the folks either.
I suggest reading the work of eminent persons, Prof PPGL Siriwardena, Prof Asoka Bandarage, who have provided vid accounts of the I am reliably informed that IDPs have a number of people of uncertain lineage, possibly immigrants from India.
See the bright side. Today we have the unique opportunity to build a new country with the added revenues of more successful emigres from Jaffna who can clinch the opportunities of massive gains in infrastructure and a secure and stable cosmopolitan society freed of caste and creed baggage.
You have become the bloody parasites of the 21st century. Hated in Canada, Europe Malaysia ... almost every where. Time for you to secure your own country. Tamiadu. Do it now for your children sake. Please .
Pls do not mess up SL. in SL we are a multi cultural melting pot. We srilankans want to live every where in SL. We have no boundaries here. Everyone is welcome as long as no separate country is demanded.
Any person regardless of race or religion is welcome in this Island as as been for centuries. Muslim arabs lays Tamils Sinhala too have come to this island. But once here, You are Sri lankan and you can live any where you please in this island. That is the rule. So get ready for mulims , burghers, sinhala christian, dogs cats elephants to come to waanni and the north and settle. Don like it, get the fuck out.t