We have been hearing parrot-like repetitive statements from policy framers of this country that a political solution within the framework of a unified nation is alone the only panacea available to resolve the conflict between the freedom fighters of Tamil Ealam and the oppressive Sinhalese regime of Sri Lanka. We must go back in our memory lane to find out what happened to:
1. The Bandaranaike- Chelvanayam Pact of 1957
2. Dudley Senanaike-S.V.J.Chelvanayagam Pact in 1965
3. The Indo-Lanka Accord
4. 13th Amendment to Lankan Constitution in 1987
5. The Democratic People’s Alliance proposals of 1988
6. The interim report of Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee 1992
7. The Gamini Dissanayake proposals contained in the UNP manifesto1994.
8. Draft provisions of the Constitution containing the proposals of the Government of Sri lanka relating to devolution of power by Chandrika.
23 initiatives between 1957 and now had failed to yield any result. Yet Indian bureaucracy is trying to mislead this government also that “ political solution” is possible what new proposal India has which has not been said in of these 23 proposals and which India thinks can resolve the crisis within the framework of a unitary state. India that cannot resolve Kashmir issue or for that matter the question of sub-nationalism in India is now gearing itself to commit another faux pas in its foreign policy. Dravida Peravai urges the Union government to be clear in its goals, sure of its approach and have a clear-cut solution in mind before taking the plunge.
The 1978 constitution adopted by the UNP government (1977-1989) once for all had closed all options towards federalism. Article 2 of that Constitution declares the Republic of Sri Lanka as a UNITARY STATE. Article 76 declares that Parliament shall not abdicate in any manner alienate its legislative power and shall not set up any authority with legislative power. THESE TWO ARTICLES PROHIBITS POLITICAL DEVOLUTION. Yet Indian government influenced by quixotic arguments of bureaucrats hopes it can mediate and resolve the crisis. A clever ploy by the Pro-Sinhalese media warns that secessionism will rear its head in Tamil Nadu. None thought that Indian Muslims, who are more in number compared to Tamils, will demand a homeland here, if Palestinian cause is supported by India. The kind of genocide witnessed in Ealam is unheard of in Indian soil and condition is not conducive here for any movement to gain much foothold.
The right of self-determination must be respected and if India intends to intervene it should seek United Nations help to hold a plebiscite in Ealam and accept the verdict of the people. India cannot and should not impose the prescriptions offered by its bureaucracy.
Many policy makers live in a world of make belief. They think 1983 is watershed in the history of Sri Lanka. IT IS NOT SO. IT IS TRUE THAT SINHALESE STARTED TARGETING TAMILS FROM 1983. BUT SINHALESE WERE FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING DATING BACK TO A CENTURY. Kumari Jayawardene in her book on Ethnic and class clashes in Sri lanka wrote: The first riots in recent history of Sri lanka occurred in 1883 at Kotana adjacent to Colombo between Sinhalese Buddhists and Catholics.’ So religious intolerance is one hallmark of Sinhalese policy.
While plantation labour went from India in search of jobs, Anagarika Dharmapala was furious over British for importing untouchables to Sri Lanka. This stands testimony to the anti-dalit mentality of the Sinhalese chauvinists.
The next to be targeted were small traders from Bombay and South India. Buddhist religious leader Anagarika Dharmapala spitted venom in his speeches against North and South Indian traders. The culmination of this hate campaign resulted in wherein numerous lost their lives in 1915.In 1930 Sinhalese chauvinists next ignited their campaign of hate against the 30000 settlers from Kerala. A.E.Gunesingha, a trade unionist groomed by none other than Communist leader A.K.Gopalan launched vituperative attacks through his mouthpiece ”Veeraiyya”
So, much before British offered universal suffrage in 1920, the Sinhalese were keen to get rid of Indian plantation Tamils. The problem of plantation which Srimavo-Sastri pact tried to aggravate by terming them as a separate country less people IS A HIMALAYAM BLUNDER committed by our external affairs policy makers.
Then came the EALAM TAMILS ETHNIC ISSUE, which has any solution all these years. The American Jews had the liberty to help for the formation of Israel like a bolt from the blue. Including India everyone supported the Palestinian cause. Such cross border support based on humanitarian reasons cannot be extended by TAMILS to FELLOW TAMILS ACROSS THE PALK STRAITS.
Indira Gandhi can barter away our tiny island KATCHATHEEVU depriving Tamil fishermen their centuries old fishing rights by agreements signed during emergency. Yet we cannot seek its revocation in the light of continued killings of our fishermen in mid seas. We fail to understand the mindset of the policy makers at the Capital. THEY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND ETHNIC CLEANSING IS A BARBARIAN CONCEPT IMBEDDED DEEP IN THE PSYCHE OF THE SINHALESE CHAUVINISTS.
WE FEEL INDIA, NORWAY AND UNITED NATIONS CAN ENSURE CEASEFIRE AND HOLD A PLEBISCITE TO ENABLE TAMILS TO DECIDE THEIR DESTINY AS PER HIGHEST DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS.
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