With The LTTE Eventually Eliminated Who Will Represent The Tamils?
By Apratim Mukarji
There was scarcely any surprise when the pro-LTTE Tamilnet website of Sri Lanka accorded the pride of place in its news items on November 12 to the unanimous resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly earlier, calling for a ceasefire in the island nation.
Fighting a last-ditch battle for survival, the Tigers and their supporters clutched at the Assembly resolution as one possible key to an eventual Indian intervention to save them from the relentless Sri Lankan military onslaught.
The Tamil Nadu resolution was adopted solely in the context of the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the Northern districts of Sri Lanka ever since the military offensive was launched to finish off the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It is clear by now that if the offensive is not halted immediately, the LTTE rebellion-over twenty-five years old- would be finally crushed.
On the other hand, if Colombo eventually bows to the shrill Tamil Nadu protest, accompanied by restrained pressure from New Delhi and the international community, the LTTE would earn a life-saving reprieve. However, this appears to be a highly unlikely scenario.
To the politicians in Tamil Nadu, however, the uppermost thought in their minds is that a ceasefire at the present juncture would save Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from terrible conditions. Northern and eastern Tamils have been periodically turning into IDPs over the last three decades and longer (the first IDPs in Sri Lanka used to be those who fled home in the wake of the several anti-Tamil riots that had rocked the island nation, years before the LTTE and other armed Tamil groups began to fight the government militarily).
In his latest rejection of the suggestion for a ceasefire of hostilities and initiation of political negotiations with the Tamil community (and certainly not with the LTTE as clearly stated on several occasions), President Mahinda Rajapaksa predictably maintained (during his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on November 13) his Government’s well-known position, that is, there would be no negotiation until the terrorists were “eliminated”. President Rajapaksa has been chillingly consistent with his Government’s policy for handling the continuing Tamil insurgency in his country.
While Sri Lanka has, since 1983, experienced five phases of war between the Government and the LTTE, this is the first time that the military offensive has continued in complete disregard of the international outcry on humanitarian grounds and frequent diplomatic pressure.
It is beyond doubt that President Rajapaksa has been able to carry out the all-out military campaign against the LTTE in contrast to his predecessors who were obliged to bow to international pressure to stop the war with a ceasefire and get back to negotiations.
It is equally well-established that each time a ceasefire was put in place (after the military had virtually cornered the LTTE), the latter had exploited the period of the reprieve by recruiting fighters and stockpiling arms and ammunition and other essential ingredients and, after ensuring that a resumption of hostilities with all possible consequences could be well-afforded, heightened their cleverly planned violations of the ceasefire agreement that led eventually to a military response by Colombo (each period of ceasefire was also marked by Government Forces violating its conditions with equal impunity).
And thereafter the cycle had kept revolving-outbreak of hostilities followed by a civilian exodus, large-scale civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis, which was followed by an international outcry and followed in turn by a ceasefire and resumption of peace talks. President Rajapaksa has, however, chosen to break away from this vicious cycle, refusing to permit the LTTE an easy exit from certain decimation and instead has in plain language called for an “annihilation” of the LTTE before peace talks could be held.
Meanwhile, despite its numerically precarious position in Parliament, the Indian Government has steadfastly refused to follow the precedent of interference or intervention in Sri Lanka, sending the signal that even though it shares the widespread agony over the plight of Tamil civilians, it will keep off the island nation.
As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the Tamil politicians’ position suffers from a serious weakness. It does not indicate how the LTTE should be dealt with after a ceasefire comes into effect.
The Sri Lankan Government says that a ceasefire would be effective only if the Tigers lay down their arms and surrender.
The history of this war confirms the logic of Colombo’s position since every ceasefire (except the last one, which was ended unceremoniously by the launch of the military offensive in the Eastern province last year) was routinely followed by a resumption of hostilities.
It is only this time that if Colombo ultimately crushes the LTTE, its victory would not be followed after a certain period of interval by a resumption of the war as the Tigers would no longer be there to continue with fighting.
The Rajapaksa Government says that it is then that a political settlement will be arrived at ensuring peace in the country. In a recent interview to The Hindu (October 29,2008) the President said: “The current military operations are being carried out to build the environment required to free our own brothers and sisters from the cruel grip of terror and implement a just and enduring political solution based on the four Ds-Demilitarisation, Democratisation, Development and Devolution.”
It is obvious that a political settlement of the ethnic conflict under the prevailing circumstances can be one imposed by the majority Sinhala community upon the minority Tamil community though all the formalities of presenting an equitable settlement would be present.
With the LTTE eventually “eliminated”, who will represent the Tamils ? Only an answer from the Tamil community can tell us if an equitable political settlement under the prevailing situation is still possible.
So far Colombo and, more correctly, the majority community have not betrayed any intention to build a public dialogue and thereby create the necessary public space to make it possible for a truly inclusive political settlement of the ethnic conflict to emerge. The responsibility for this lies squarely with the majority community. (ENDS)
(Apratim Mukarji is the author of two books “ Sri Lanka : An Unending Conflict ? (2000) and” Sri Lanka : A Dangerous Interlude “(2005). This commentary is reproduced from Mainstream).
13 Comments
Apratim Mukarji: "So far Colombo and, more correctly, the majority community have not betrayed any intention to build a public dialogue and thereby create the necessary public space to make it possible for a truly inclusive political settlement of the ethnic conflict to emerge."
CORRECTION: "So far Colombo and, more correctly, the majority community have not COMPLETELY GIVEN AWAY any intention to betray their public talk of building a public dialogue and thereby creating the necessary public space to make it possible for a truly inclusive political settlement of the ethnic conflict to emerge."
But some people like Gen. Sarath Fonseka and the various extremist Theros have! The Rajapakse brothers have been more careful but things have slipped out from time to time.
Apratim Mukarji: "The responsibility for this lies squarely with the majority community."
Ah... but responsibility is only worth trusting when the persons involved are trustworthy!
Oh dear even the title of your essay is incorrect. Ltte can not be eliminated. If anyone thinks like that
they do not undertstand the tamil strugle and do ont know much history of world insurgenies.
Sihala racist will never ever come to a settlemnt of the tamil question in a satisfactory way. The strugle for
freedom will continue.
LTTE must go regardless of what or what not. It is assumed that the tamils have learned their lesson during the last 30 years. If you want good jobs in Colombo work hard and learn different languages. If you try use GUNs ..............
Colombo is out of ENTRY for you. Enjoy Colombo the beauty, people, buildings, hotels, apartments even NIGHT LIFE, but don't bring your garbage to COLOMBO!
By the way there is no need for tamil represention. THE PRESIDENT represents tamil, singhalese, muslims ETC. THIS IS THE WAY IT IS GOING TO BE!
complements;
a Kandana born and bread tamil!
This has been a horrible civil war for all Sri Lankans and mainly for the people of North and East. It is sad and disbelief to see the pictures of Northern areas been captured by Sri Lankan forces.
We got to realize the plight of these people. Afterall they are humans and Sri Lankans like you and me. Why my dear Sri Lankans (I am talking to all Sri Lankans tamil or sinhalese) they should suffer so much and 30 years mean two generations of young people of North is suffering in a most unbearable way. They right for decent living is taken away.
I got to tell my background before I put forward my next question. I am Sinhalese buddhist. But it does not count. What counts is that I am a Sri Lankan.
Why LTTE and its supporters are so angry with the Sri Lankan government. What are the major discriminations done purposely on Northern people by the Sri Lankan government. I am not saying that Sri Lankan government is perfect. But to drag this stupid war for 30 years and distroy the country and mainly distroy each and every life line of Northern People.
The Sri Lankan government and various communities may have done harm to each other occasionally. I am not saying there were no communial clashes. But does the ordinary tamils say that ordinary sinhalese are inhuman or vice versa. Do we hate each other so much to distroy our rich culture in this island.
Look brothers and sisters what is left in Northern Sri Lanka. Jaffna was the third largest city in Sri Lanka. Rich in culture, heritage and smart proud people. What is left after this misguided stupid war of 30 years.
Look into the eyes of these people coming out from VANNI. They simply need is their basic right for a decent living... Which we have taken away ... We took it way because we are in a comfortable place so we can argue on our communial lines..
The Sri Lankan government is not the best. It has done wrong things for all communities. Not only the LTTE but JVP too fought with Sri Lankan governments twice militarly. Mismanagement of Sri Lankan government has made all communities and together the whole Sri Lanka a poor failing state.
But it has not targeted a community by race or religion or ethnic background or cast to discriminate. In its capacity it has given all Sri Lankans Free Universal Healthcare, Free Education up to University graduation level on onces choice of language (Tamil or Sinhalese or English). All other government services are provided without targeted discrimination.
Even in fact for the LTTE controlled areas the government has been providing free health care, free education and also free food.
There may political parties in Colombo pulling legs of each others. But do you think that Sri Lankan government wants Northern Sri Lanka to be only a puppet of Colombo. More than the Sri Lankan government the ordinary southern Sri Lankans (mainly ordinary sinhalese) wants Northern people to have adequate self governing where the culture, heritage of Northern people are prospered. Keep in mind for centuries Sinhalese and Tamils have embraced each others culture. In fact todays Sinhalese culture is a mix of buddhist & tamil hindu culture augmented with late european values. If you look at the Sri Lankan tamil culture is the same. There is only dynamic culture in Sri Lanka. That is SRI LANKAN CULTURE .....
Dont mislead ordinary poor people of Sri Lanka. We have no right what so ever to take the right of decent living for those innocent VANNI and Northern People. We have done great injustic for these people by trying to fight on our communial lines where in fact it is one and only community of SRI LANKA. Only difference is that we speak two languages.
Atleast now, we should put a stop to this. Mainly the Tamil disapora in Europe and North America. Dont support the LTTE. Be realistic, think logically and humanly. LTTE has never and it will never offer anything meaningful for the ordinary Northern Sri Lankans. You are comfortable in where ever you are now. But ordinary people in North is exhausted, devastated and even doesn't have the hope for their basic human right - Decent independent living. The proud glory of Northern Sri Lanka is gone in 30 years. It has to be build again. It has to be build by these humble innocent marginalized Northern people. For sure Tamil disapora is not going to send your sons and daughters back to Sri Lanka. They have a better life out there. Also I dont see that TAMIL disapora is going put their money to rebuild that glory of Northern Sri Lanka if LTTE is not there.
It will be a long struggle for this Northern Sri Lankans. It will be only the good old Sri Lankan government (or lets call it bad old Sri Lankan government) to help them.
LTTE never represented Tamils. Tamils have not fallen to the abyss of moral and social degradation to be represented by a bunch of blood thirsty criminals who are nothing but a set of glorified hooligans. After this group of criminals are eliminated or arrested, democratic elections will be held and tamil people will vote for their preferred candidates who in turn will represent the tamils. There never was or will be any doubt or question about who will represent tamils. Sri Lankans will always be represented by their elected members at all levels of administration. Democracy shall prevail.
This Question should have asked from diaspora Tamils long time before. Before LTTE started to kill all the democratic Tamils. Now there is no one! We have to thank Mahinda Rajapaksha for puting an end to LTTE. Otherwise there will be no more Tamils left in the island of Sri Lanka if this war drag into another 10 years.
Mr. Mukarji..This is the misuse of donkey freedom of expression & media..As you say if Tamils are represented by LTTE which is a Terrorist organisation, Tamils have no right to live in any part of this civilised world & they must be eradicated from the earth.I think you are insulting, annihilating innocent, ordinary Tamil.Please keep your mouth shut, it is more worthy than spreading viruses among ordinary uneducated people.
Many imbeciles are pontificating on this matter, as if demise of LTTE is a foregone conclusion. I think the next three months will make issues clear. Why are these experts in such a hurry to bury the LTTE?
Kandana born Tamil, you are absolutely right. I am a tamil born in Jaffna, and I don't need anyone to represent tamils. The president represents Sri Lanka with all Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and others.
Apratim Mukarji maybe the author of two books “ Sri Lanka : An Unending Conflict ? (2000) and” Sri Lanka : A Dangerous Interlude “(2005). However he does not seem to understand the ground realities of terrorism.
The majority of Sri Lankans Sinhala,74% will never accept the division or a federal assembly where provinces will be administered under ethnic majority rule in those provinces. All minorities living in any country in the world must learn to integrate with the majority societies and live in peace and harmony.
There will be no exceptions made for the Tamil minority community in Sri lanka. India is a boiling cauldron of ethnic tensions and violence. However, they only witnessed the barbaric acts of terrorism in their towns only on the 27 of November 2008. We Sri Lankans have put up with this for the past 20/30 years.
Your prime minister, foreign and defence ministers have been telling the government of Sri lanka to stop the military action and sit down to peace talks with LTTE terrorist vermin. This is just to appease the idiots like karunanandis and Vaikos of Southern India. Manmohan Singhe should have sent these two idiots to 'talk peace' with the 12 muslim terrorists in Mumbai. Terrorists must be eradicated like the cancerous vermin they are.
India allegedly points the finger at Pakistan for these terrorists. Sri Lanka does not have to allege we know that Indira Ghandhi of India foisted these LTTE terror dogs on us. They have a duty to help Sri Lanka get rid of these evil manifestations but have been pussyfooting with blank words for the past years. However the gallant armed forces of Sri lanka under the guidance of a great leader President Rajapakse will do the eradication of these terrorists and terrorism. In the meantime India should mind their own bloody business and let the GoSL do their work.
In Kandana, weren't they all Tamils, once upon a time, but now with non-Tamil sounding names?
I disagree with the author where he says “It is equally well-established that each time a ceasefire was put in place (after the military had virtually cornered the LTTE), the latter had exploited the period of the reprieve by recruiting fighters and stockpiling arms and ammunition”
Correction:- LTTE were in a stronger position before the last ceasefire and please look at the facts. It is a well known fact Srilankan government never went in to a ceasefire when it was in a stronger position. I am sure that LTTE regret the fact that even the split in the ranks is due to the last ceasefire where Karuna participated in the peace talks and the rest is history.
Any way my main point is that SL Government and the supporters of the war always wants to give a impression due to few ceasefire’s we had in the past LTTE were able to survive and emerged strong. Simply the indirect message is that do not stop the war, some how finish off LTTE. Please look what is happening in other parts of the world. It took only few weeks to capture the land in Iraq and Afhanistan, but still the mighty US is fighting the war.
The fact of the matter is “LTTE survive because there is no credible political solution has come from the SL goverments for the last 50 years”. So stop the war and provide a genuine political package, LTTE will disappear in few years time.
This is not an article.IT IS JUST A SPEECH LIKE OF RAJAPAKSE.