Sri Lanka at Sixty: The unfinished task of nation building
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
President Mahinda Rajapakse in his address to the nation on our 60th independence day observed thus
” Our challenge today is to be true to the nation”.
He also stated ” our resolve will take us to the creation of a truly free and independent nation in our motherland”
Brave words indeed!
But what is this nation that we are being challenged to be “true” towards?
What is this “truly free and independent nation” that we are resolved to create?
Sri Lanka is a modern state with an ancient civilization. Unfortunately the attempt to define Sri Lanka as a modern nation state has led to conflict and strife.
The idea of a single Sri Lankan nation is under severe threat. In reality we are a divided nation today.
Power is concentrated with the majority ethnicity leaving other ethnicities out in the cold.
It is a case of “Maha Jathiyata Kiri, Sulu Jathiwalata Kekiri”.
If we are to resolve these divisions and create a strong nation on the basis of equitable power – sharing , the structure of the state needs to be radically transformed. There is no consensus so far on that.
Meanwhile political differences have assumed proportions of a cruel, destructive war. The war is only a consequence resulting from political causes.
The conflict cannot be resolved by military means alone and requires a settlement that would address those underlying causes. This political solution cannot be dictated or imposed upon through military might alone.
In terms of political independence we are a young nation at sixty. The idea of Ceylon was a colonial construct.The British unified the Country into a single administration.
Sri Lanka was not the only one in this respect. Most Countries ruled by the British were their creations in a modern sense.
Ethnic conflict and strife erupted in many Countries after the British left. From the Indian sub – continent to Fiji Islands and from Nigeria to Malaysia there are many instances.
Sri Lanka too can be classified as an example of post – independence conflict within pre – independence boundaries.
Some ex – colonies have reduced and managed ethnic tensions by evolving new forms of power sharing. They have re- invented themselves as “new” nations on the basis of equality and forged a strong sense of common identity.
Ultimately the unity and integrity of a nation does not depend on its military strength or structures of governance but in the will of of its people. The nation state is essentially a state of mind.
The tragedy of Independent Sri Lanka has been majoritarian hegemony. Majority rule is a democratic principle. Here it has been interpreted as the Majority of the numerically largest ethnicity.
The years after independence has seen the Sri Lankan Tamils resisting this injustice and imposition. At first through non – violent struggle and later through an armed struggle.
The Tamils first thought of themselves as a founding people of Sri Lanka on par with the Sinhalese; They later shed this majority concept and perceived themselves as the principal yet All – Island minority.
Tamils did not demand a separate state or even federalism from the British. What they wanted then was a scheme of balanced representation where the Sinhala majority could be “balanced”through enhanced representation for the minority communities.
This failed and in a pragmatic approach the dominant Tamil leadership opted for responsive cooperation after Independence. The Tamil Congress joined the UNP Government.
New forces emerged. As Sinhala hegemonism assumed great stridency Newton’s third law came into play. Tamil nationalism also grew. Both re-inforced each other.
Under the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (Federal party) the Tamils began perceiving themselves as a territorial minority. The Northern and Eastern Provinces were referred to as their traditional homelands.
Initially there was non – violent agitation for a federal form of government. Compromises were made and pacts signed. These were observed in the breach by the Prime ministers of the day. Satyagraha campaigns were suppressed through military force.
This led to the cry for Tamil Eelam. Secessionism brought forth violence and an armed struggle began. In the 1977 general elections Tamils voted overwhelmingly for the TULF contesting on a separatist platform.
Instead of redressing Tamil grievances and trying to accommodate legitimate aspirations the Sinhala dominated state came down heavily. It was thought that might could eradicate right.
This was not to be so and with the passage of time the LTTE established control over a substantial portion of the North and East. Territorial integrity and Sovereignty of the country was endangered and eroded.
The Tamil struggle for equality too underwent change. It lost its moral high ground and deteriorated drastically. Militarism ruled and authoritarianism reigned.
The LTTE’s “tigersism” became a mirror image of Sinhala hegemonism. Fascism is in the air.
Currently the Rajapakse regime has embarked on a military campaign to defeat the LTTE while paying lip service to the political solution concept.
The Country at large is being assailed with propaganda that the LTTE is on the verge of defeat. Any contrary opinion is dismissed as anti – national and anti – patriotic.
It is a moot point as to whether the LTTE can be defeated or destroyed through a military campaign alone
The important point is to note that the eradication of the LTTE will not automatically result in the problem being resolved. The LTTE is only a virulent symptom of the malady. Getting rid of the LTTE -even if possible – is no durable remedy.
What is required now is the creation of a just, egalitarian and plural society. There must be equitable power – sharing based on principles of the federal idea.
Broadly, three schools of thought are clashing. The ideas at conflict are hegemonism, secessionism and pluralism.
The Sinhala hardliners want Sinhala – Buddhist domination. They see this country as their’s alone . Others are excluded in this “chinthana”.
The Tamil hardliners want a separate state for the North – East known as Tamil Eelam.Just as Sinhala hawks say Sri Lanka is for the Sinhalese these Tamil hawks say Tamil Eelam is for the Tamils.
A state for the dominant ethnicity within ,excludes by definition, other ethnicities living within these real or imaginary borders
Both these ideas have brought about disunity, violence and destruction. The nation bleeds and the Country diminishes.
The third idea is that of establishing an egalitarian and plural society where all children of this country can live tigether in amity and fraternity.
It incorporates a vision where no one will claim superior rights on the basis of belonging to the majority race/religion or claim exclusive rights to their historic habitat.
Power will not be confined to Colombo but shared with the periphery. All people regardless of race, religion, caste or creed will have their say and a role to play.
Sri Lanka will belong to its people from Paruthithurai to Devinuwara and Mannar to Mullaitheevu.
At present this “vision” seems Utopian!
This is the vision shared by this writer. “Visionaries” of this nature are an endangered species. They are under attack by hawks on either side of the ethnic divide. They are dubbed derisively as ” jokers” and “traitors”.
It is this vision that will ultimately salvage Sri Lanka. Hegemonic and secessionist dreams are turning into nightmares.
The call for the third option between the hegemonistic one state and secessionist two – state schools of thought is a voice of sanity and sensibility. It is presently inaudible amidst the raucous battle – cries.
This writer however firmly believes that it will be heard and heard effectively one day. Sri Lanka will then be alive with the sound of concord.
In the clash of idea it is the superior one that will triumph Dialogue and discussion not bloodshed and destruction will prove to be final arbiters of our destiny.
When India gained freedom at midnight Jawarhalal Nehru spoke of its “tryst with destiny”. India’s Southern neighbour has been awaiting its true destiny for sixty years.
The Sri Lankan state needs to be re-structured and the Sri Lankan nation re- invented for its tryst with destiny.
Sri Lanka at sixty faces the unfinished yet challenging task of building a NEW nation!
Ratna said,
February 5, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
DBS is very optimistic waiting for that ‘day’.
But look at the direction we’re going:
Starting from stones, then petrol bombs, then hand grenades -> land mines-> RPG’s-> MBRL’s and today bunker busters.
Next on the card is: long range missiles, WMD’s and then Nuclear. It’s matter of time before someone gets hold of this.
If that day is not Today, there is never tomorrow.
A said,
February 5, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
‘This is the vision shared by this writer. ‘Visionaries’ of this nature are an endangered species.’
you are right.Thats what happened to your friend Neelan
abcf said,
February 5, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
‘This is the vision shared by this writer. ‘Visionaries†of this nature are an endangered species.’
very true. As long as people like Pottu and Gota are around…….
sanjeewa said,
February 5, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
a well thought out article.Your “utopian vision” is the only way sri lanka could achieve ,what it could have methinks.Oh when will our people see the light……..
sanjeewa said,
February 5, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
sorry too late
Estavez said,
February 6, 2008 @ 2:13 am
You can wait till the cows come home, and sinla people will never devolve powers adequately to Tamils to run their own affairs.
Why would someone who’s stake on (North-East ) of the island legitmized and recognized by the UN – IC, let it go?
Tamils were happy then during Independence Times to live with sinalese because Tamils were enjoying prime positions. This stupidity of the Tamil Elite who under-estimated the sinalese is the reason for todays predicament of Tamils.
Not all is lost for Tamils as LTTE being true its causes and to its people gives some ray of hope for Tamils that one day the Tamils can negotiate peace from a position of strength.
This year, the war will bring clarity to this ethnic issue.
Let’s hope that innocent civilians lives are not lost enmasse.
billy said,
February 6, 2008 @ 6:00 am
is there any country in this world as the writer trying to create in this land? the funny thing is these people who advocates this plural sociaty doent mind living under westernworld as thirdclass minorioties but doesnt like to accept the reality in this land..hillarious!
Devinda Fernando said,
February 6, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
*** You can wait till the cows come home, and sinla people will never devolve powers adequately to Tamils to run their own affairs. ***
Estavez,
What affairs? you can’t live in a country and take care of your own affairs if you are not the Majority? Is that what you’re saying? Stop creating a Straw-Man issue; Tamils have the right to Life and Liberty under the Sri lankan constitution just as any other ethnic group in Sri lanka. Individual and minor injustices can be addressed within the current constitutional framework, and the Long and short of it is that Tamils can Do everything the Sinhalese and other ehtnic groups can do…
Please correct me with examples if I am wrong?
Oh yes, and by the way, the LTTE have never intended to negotiate peace, the fact remains they will settle for nothing but Eelam, and thus they will never genuinely negotiate with the Sri Lankan government because no Sri Lankan government will every grant Eelam. Federalism and Devolution on the other hand HAVE been offered on many occassions but you’re wasting your time if you think Eelam and nothing but Eelam….
If the LTTE refuses to be flexible, the outcome to this fight can only be decided by a military solution.
Devinda Fernando said,
February 6, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
DBS has condemned the President without even giving him a chance to do what he says he will do.
david said,
February 6, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
Srilanka is in a blind vision, it is a primitive banana republic there isn’t any visionaries or reformers you can’t expect one from them either. They are only thinking about their own pockets and their own survivals.
They are taking the Sinhala masses/modayas on a free ride by glamorising the war by exhibiting deadly weapons in public places, creating euphorbia that they are winning the war against the Tamils.
They are hiding the ugly side of the war that it takes, the daily losses of dozens of sinhala invaders in the hands of the Tamils freedom fighters, the economy is nose-diving, sky high interest rates, and the inflation is out of control and hardly any growth apart from the tsunami aids, it is all the sign of a failed/dead state which doesnt have the rights to exist, but who care.
Or one other idea is sell it to the Iranians, whom they are indebted in billions of dollars and join the exclusive axis of evil club.
Devinda Fernando said,
February 7, 2008 @ 11:03 am
*** Srilanka is in a blind vision, it is a primitive banana republic there isn’t any visionaries or reformers you can’t expect one from them either. They are only thinking about their own pockets and their own survivals.***
Then stay in Canada, or UK, or where ever you live and enjoy living like a 2nd class citizen… You Tamils loved that arrangement during British Colonial times, so why ruin a good thing? You encourage your children to integrate in the West but never to Integrate into Sri Lanka because you think you are above the Sinhalese. You cry about the Tamil language but never worry about your children learning English or German or Norwegian or French or whatever Diaspora’s adopted country. You would never start an Armed Struggle against the UK or Canada for not allowing Tamil to be recognized as an Official Language, or Not allowing “Self Determination” …oh no! you love living among the White people as their Humble Servants…
PMCN said,
February 7, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
The Tamil Equality , Sinalese way!
1. take away the voting rights of Tamils
2. Colonise east, North west and dump sinala criminals and change tamil village names to sinala names
3. sinala only law + communal violences
4. beaten Tamil Lagislators for their right to protest in 1957
5. 1971 Hindu conference goers beaten
6.Jaffna Library burnt
7. 1977 communal violence by slfp due to their elections losses
8. 1981, 1983 communal violences on innocent tamils
9. sl air force carpet bombing, kidnapping arbitrary arrest and murder in custody by SL Forces
10. rape and murder of a young girl that was in the media
11.mass graves from cenmanni to kokadysolei
12. Tamil villagers chased away from their native villages and sinalese given those lands.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL TAMIL – SINALESE EQUALITY…??????
PMCN said,
February 7, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
OH YES. LTTE WANTED TO TALK PEACE AND ARRIVE AT A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT.
ISGA – ISGA – ISGA -ISGA
This could have been the starting point for a negotiated settlement. But, your prez of the time sucked up to the budhist clergy, jvp and sinala hard-liners and busted ranil’s govt.
The Internaional community was given a chance to settle the tamil national question by way of 2002 cfa. Just like 1987 Indo-Lanka accord was misused by India, so did the IC ruined its own window of opportunity to redress and restore DIGNITY to Tamil peoples.
Devind, your mindset proves the sinala hawkish thinking as a whole. I guess you guys both Tamils and sinalese have to bleed and die for nothing as the future will tell that “Military Stalemate” and going nowhere in war or peace spells doom to sri lankan nation.
The sonala govt will be bankrupt sooner rather than later. Those co-chairs who were delighted with war in SL won’t roll out more funds due to power changes in their own countries.
Wait till Hillary Clinton occupy White house. Blake will be posted to Nauru and US south Pacific fleet will roam the Indian ocean and pressure gosl to Negotiate or bifurcate the island into two nations.
Your govt had your way with Bush and Tamils will have their way with Hillary Clinton.
Time will tell Davindra. You and I are young to see the future of this island for another 50 years the least.
dias said,
February 8, 2008 @ 12:44 am
/* Tamils have the right to Life and Liberty under the Sri lankan constitution just as any other ethnic group in Sri lanka. */
Fernando brings-up a good point. Though, I would like to kindly request Devinda to be respectful of others in engaging in a beneficial dialog that would foster deeper understanding of one another’s position.
Most of the legislative inequities of the past have in fact been corrected on the books bringing parity to all communities of the nation. However, this by in no way means that there is equality in Sri Lanka. There are several reasons. (1) Implementation: Despite the statutes on the books, successive governments have NOT implemented these over a very long time (20 – 30 yrs) since passing these laws. Now, we can attribute this to government inefficiency and/or corruption, nevertheless, the victims are the ones who were supposed to benefit from these – the minorities. (2) Trust: Considering the long sorry record of intentional discriminatory laws created by Sinhalese controlled governments, it is unreasonable to expect the minorities to trust a unitary body of government controlled by the Sinhalese to do the “right thing” by them in future. Once bitten, twice shy – and how many times have the minorities been bitten? What guarantees do the minorities have that a simple arithmetic majority vote by the Sinhalese would not take away their rights again (because it did at many occasions in the past) – that the majority would not bite them again? This, I believe is the primary reason for the minorities demand for a 2nd legislative body such as a senate – a check-and-a-balance (3) Lack of control in managing regional matters: Under the present system, all “control”ing decisions including economic ones are made at the center. Why? Why not simply devolve these powers (not national security) to the regions so that they may do their own thing? This will not only be beneficial for the minorities but also for the majority folks and all foks in their respective areas. The minorities’ suspicion is that a Sinhalese-loaded-center will always give preference to the Sinhalese dominant areas and just the bread-crumbs thrown at the areas inhabited by the minorities (their feelings of despair are natural, again, given the sorry record of successive Sinhalese dominated governments in doing exactly this.)
These are only 3 items, related to constitutional matters. There are very many other similar inequalities in all spheres of Sri Lankan life – social, psychological, educational, and other spheres.
It is in order to de-construct the negativity of the past and provide CONFIDENCE to all communities of the Sri Lankan nation that we the Sinhalese-Buddhists need to oblige our fellow citizens’ requests and derive at a brand new egalitarian all-encompassing constitutional-political-social system that would transform our entire society from one of despair to one of hope, one of inequality to on of equality, and one of cruelty to one of compassion. [In suggesting a new system, I am not suggesting any retrogressive systems based on fascist retrogressive homelands along ethnic lines.]
Until we come-up with a new system that provides space to all the islands people on an equitable and just basis – there shall be never be Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness – not in Sri Lanka.
Devinda Fernando said,
February 8, 2008 @ 3:47 am
PMCN, nothing will ever be Enough for you, all past wrongs that are attempted to be corrected will never be enough because you don’t want them to be Enough. You want Eelam , and no matter what it takes you will do anything to get it… but that’s ok because when you mean do anything, you actually mean Other Tamils will be doing the “Doing part”, while you will be doing the talking…. You have nothing to lose by shouting from your keyboard from whatever Diaspora country you live do you?
No one wanted peace…. Tamils are Solely responsible for Ranil’s electoral defeat in 2005. Why did they boycott the Elections in Jaffna….? if they voted they would have voted for Ranil and he would have given you people a Federal Solution….you would be well on your way to Eelam by now…Much better than you have now right? Ahhh but the LTTE are not politicians….! they dont want to run in any Democratic Elections against other Tamils…do they? Any Tamil who has opposed then has been brutally assasinated by the LTTE. Reality is they have become so used to ruling the Tamils with a Gun, and as long as they have the blessings of Deluded Numbskulls like you and the Donkey Diaspora they never would have to worry about representing the Tamil people on any level other than Militarily….
Yes,….The LTTE conspired with Mahinda because both wanted war,…the only difference is that Both thought they could win,… now unfortunately for you the LTTE is losing so you cry like a little pansy about Human rights…. but if this war turned in your favor you would be boasting at the Power and Might of the LTTE…. You would be praising them and in turn mocking Sri Lanka for failing to hand over the Lands you demand and you would mock us for the casualties inflicted upon us by the LTTE for our failure to comply with their demands. The LTTE NEVER wanted peace…. they thought they could Win this ONE LAST FINAL WAR,…and now they failed….
At the Height of the LTTE’s power they could never get Eelam – what makes you think it will happen now….? Keep dreaming Donkey. Your generation of Hate mongers are coming to an end.
david said,
February 8, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
Wherever Tamils live, they are first-class citizens with their unique identity and culture, and they contribute enormously for the country wherever they live in.
Lets come to the matter, “Banana republic in the middle of the Indian ocean” for sale with 70% majority modays due to debt trouble, their head chief mr Mahida is struggling to feed those hungry mouths anybody with dollars please contact mr Mahida at Temple trees in colombo.
Devinda Fernando - Over to You Buddy??? said,
February 9, 2008 @ 1:01 am
The funny thing is Devinda, I don’t want to fight someone else’s war. I’ve got no stakes in your conflict personally.
But, given the scenario, I can see a SPADE and got the guts to call it a SPADE too!!!
You said, whatever you sinala govt do is “Not Enough” for Tamils. They want TE or their own state!!
THE POINT IS , YOUR SINALA LEADERS NEVER GAVE ANYTHING BACK!!!
The history tells you that sinalese leaders ABROGATED all PACTS to redress Tamil Greivances, and resorted to violences to suppress Tamil (DEMOCRATIC) Agitations.
Your govt is quick to COMPENSATE Sinalese victims of a claymore mine etc,etc but, did your govt compensate the pogrom victims from dating back to 1958????? Or any other tamil victims in war etc?
Your govt has taken 21 years to think about implementing even a failed, unacceptable to Tamils and shoved down their throats by Indians, the 1987 Indo -Lanka accord???
Can you tell me why, the police force and local govt administrators as well as all govt employees in the North and East are sinhalese? Depriving the tamils the use of their own language in police stations? Depriving the Tamils of employment in state sector?
Why is that all aid and funds are diverted to sinala areas and not to North and East since Independence and even the the mighty river diversion to water the arid lands were only to benefit sinalese????
FORCEFUL COLONISATION OF EAST AND NORTH-WEST AFTER THE RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND YOU CLAIM THAT EAST IS EQUALLY DIVIDED AMONG THREE COMMUNITIES. LOOK BACK AT THE CENSUS DETAIL AROUND 1944 TO SEE HOW THESE AREAS WERE TAMIL OWNED LANDS AND FORCEFULLY EVICTED BY SINALAESE.!!
Your states leadership has FAILED in creating a secular multi ethnic society while the world is fast becoming a global village where you and other asians make home in the west!!!
I don’t suck upto Tamil Greivances. But, its a natural human trait that my sympathies go out to the OPPRESSED tamil society. Is this wrong?
If LTTE win or lose, I can bet on one thing! And that is “Sri Lanka will lose” at the end of the day.
Devinada , you must know your history well and Tamils are a resilient bunch and they will bounce back soone r or later. By that time, Sri Lanka will be in tatters economically, militarily, socially !
If sinalese can inflict so much carnage over Tamils for the past 60 years, they also can give the Tamil state back to redress their own wrong doing!! This is the penalty for taking to violences and pogroms to suppress democratic agitation of Tamils.
JUSTICE AND EQUALITY WILL NEVER BE PRACTISED IN SRI LANKA AND TAMILS HAVE ONLY ONE ALTERNATIVE. SEPARATION!!!!
Deva said,
February 10, 2008 @ 7:14 am
A well written article by DBSJ.
Deva said,
February 10, 2008 @ 7:19 am
Devinda Fernando,
In your last reply to me under the thread ‘Sri Lankan Tamils after Sixty Years of Independence’, you said, ‘I find debating you Kotiyas here amusing’.
I replied to your post and was waiting for your response. So, when you run out of arguments, keeping silent is the best strategy, keep it up.
I am not a Kotiya but when I read your posts here I thought of asking you the following.
Do you accept that the GOSL is a state terrorist not now but right from 1958, they sponsored each and every anti Tamil riots to suppress the Tamils from peaceful Gandhian style protests?
Of course, I do agree with you that the LTTE is a bunch of terrorists and their terrorist acts such as killing innocent civilians should be condemned.
But who created these so called ‘Terrorists’?
The innocent Tamils were always at the receiving end, being attacked many times from ‘56 till ‘83 and the Sinhalese called them ‘cowards’.
The day the Tamils retaliated, the term ‘cowards’ changed into ‘Terrorists’.
Take for example the Jaffna Public Library, consisting of ninety odd thousand volumes was burned down nearly twenty five years ago, on the night of 1st June 1981 by the Sinhalese goons, inspired by the presence in Jaffna of two Sinhalese cabinet ministers of the Sri Lanka government.
Then again, the International Tamil Student Consortium building containing a well equipped library and a Computer lab were set on fire with the support of the state sponsored terrorists, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers.
Burning of libraries, newspaper offices and bookshops belonging to Tamils (not to mention burning of Tamil humans in the Sinhala riots of 1958 and 1983) has become an interesting pastime for the GOSL.
Where else in this ‘globalizing world’ are libraries put on fire?
What do we call that?
Terrorism or self defense?
A soldier is suppose to protect the country and its nation but not to harass, detain, torture, rape, kill, bombard and destroy a section of the country and its own nation just because a small part of them turned into terrorists.
The soldiers in Sri Lanka are a special breed, extremely racist, highly undisciplined, and non Tamil speaking (Sinhala) armed forces forcefully occupying the traditional Tamil areas.
Let me ask you,
Will you be happy if an extremely racist, highly undisciplined, and non Sinhala speaking group of soldiers armed to the teeth roam around in your village/home town and harass, detain, torture, rape and kill your people.
How long will it take for the Sinhalese youth to take up arms to fight them?
The enormous degree of immunity granted to the Sri Lankan armed forces by the GOSL has led to harassment, illegal detention, torture, disappearances, extra judicial killings, and rape of innocent Tamils forcing more and more young Tamils to take up arms for a liberation struggle.
Remember,
The LTTE is the direct consequence of the Sinhala Buddhist policy to refuse to share the wealth/political power, and instead suppress legitimate Tamil rights by violent means.
Devinda Fernando said,
February 12, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
*** I replied to your post and was waiting for your response. So, when you run out of arguments, keeping silent is the best strategy, keep it up. ***
Deva,
LOL! I don’t know when you respond to my posts as I am busy doing other things, unlike you who hangs on this website 24-7 looking for someone to pay you some attention. Ok Doofus?
And I responded to you on Transcurrents, so instead of being a ‘Pansy’, try reading it for a change and then respond to me…
Enjoy.
Devinda Fernando said,
February 12, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Deva,
**** Do you accept that the GOSL is a state terrorist not now but right from 1958, they sponsored each and every anti Tamil riots to suppress the Tamils from peaceful Gandhian style protests? ***
No.
Were you even Born before 1958? Ever country has blood in its past, even the USA which only got rid of Segregation in 1955. And when did Apartheid end in South Africa…? Oh yeah, as Recent as 1990- 1993 right? And further more Scrote…. just because you protest something does not make it legitimate…ok? Don’t white wash your so-Called peaceful Sathiyagas,… you didn’t want the British to give Independence from the start because you knew Majority rule would upset your “Servant-Master” Model Minority relationship with the British and push your ethnic group to the side. How ironic that you now live in Western countries quite content to integrate and learn their languages and cultures yet at the same time advocating the Sri Lankan government to give you more than any Majority in any other country (including India) would ever give you!
***Of course, I do agree with you that the LTTE is a bunch of terrorists and their terrorist acts such as killing innocent civilians should be condemned. ***
ABSOLUTE BALONEY! – you don’t condemn them… Not for one second…if you say it you say it Emptily and with Crocodile Tears…. you only pay lip service to that statement but in reality anything you can use as leverage against the Sinhalese will be utilized to its fullest as you have demonstrated in the past… you would continue to cry about devolution and try gaining Control of your so-called ‘Homelands’ by trying to black-mail and cajole the Sinhalese by pointing out that your Tamil Nationalists (a.k.a Separatists-in-Disguise) are the lesser of the Two Evils…
***The innocent Tamils were always at the receiving end, being attacked many times from ‘56 till ‘83 and the Sinhalese called them ‘cowards’.
The day the Tamils retaliated, the term ‘cowards’ changed into ‘Terrorists’. ***
Awww, Boo Hoo! Cry me a river ! a thousand Tamils got killed over 25 years ago and you want to blame this entire insurgency and all the 70 odd THOUSAND people slaughtered on that one event….! Spare me the fake Pity! I have no more tears for your Celebrated Tamil ‘Holocaust’ as you love to remember it as…! I have no time for that, I am too busy with my concern for the Tens of Thousands slaughtered as a result of the LTTE’s lack of willingness to negotiate with their Eelam-or-Nothing agenda. For the past 2 Decades successive Sri Lankan governments have tried to make peace, offer concessions, make amends, … changes have been made, but it has never been enough for you Communalists and your Pet Monster you unleash upon us whenever you feel like…
Here is a Summary of some major amends made for you Communalists who have selective Amnesia of the facts:
-Sinhala Only Act repealed in 1956
-Tamil Recognized as a national language in the Constitution
-Ethnic quotas for university entrance altered
-Tamil medium offered in primary schools among Sinhala and English mediums
-Tamil political parties recognized and allowed to sit in the parliament
-Tamils allowed to seek jobs in any field, including civil service
How much more do you want? How much more do we have to Bend over for your Spoilt Brat mentality?
***Take for example the Jaffna Public Library, consisting of ninety odd thousand volumes was burned down nearly twenty five years ago, on the night of 1st June 1981 by the Sinhalese goons, inspired by the presence in Jaffna of two Sinhalese cabinet ministers of the Sri Lanka government. ***
LOL – you people speak of the Jaffna Library burning down as if it is one of the Worst crimes in the History of Human Conflict!? Did anyone even die during that crime? Yet things like the Central Bank Bombing and the Kent and Dollar farm massacres, or the Anuradhpura Bus Depot massacre by the LTTE…where are your tears for that? You Kotiya’s don’t even read books! If you did the History section would show you these historic Facts I speak of. I don’t care if they burned a Thousand libraries down,… I’ll take it over a Single civilian death you people have caused in Buses and Trains and other public places.
I sit here and listen to you empty rhetoric, as I have heard it from you and your kind over and over again,.. you are A Herd of Farm Animals “Mooing”, “Baaaing”, and “Hee-Hawing” the same tired old talking points that you have used time and time again to justify the slaughter of Sinhalese for the past 2 decades. You sound like a broken record. The fact remains that if you want to talk peace you need to bring yourself to the table and talk realistically,… don’t come to me with your Begging bowl putting on the crying face trying to make people feel sorry for you in order to gain the upper had. That routine has been used and abused by you. The past no longer has a bearing on this, you want to know why so many Sinhala youths join the JVP? Most of them have been born after 1983,… yet you hold them all accountable for that one incident…why should they care? And Why should they care about you?! Screw you and your antiquated outdated mentality, Sri Lanka whether you like it or not is not going to separate along Ethnic lines,… the demographics have changed and the reality is that we’re going to all have to get along as one people… you want to be Tamil?, speak Tamil? and practice Tamil culture? …. then you go right ahead and do that…. As a Sri Lankan…otherwise I suggest you move to Tamil Nadu… or staying where you are in Canada or Uk or wherever you currently Live and shout from.
one_SL said,
February 13, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
@PMCN,
***Wait till Hillary Clinton occupy White house***
Hey, didn’t you hear, Hillary Clinton rejected and returned your bribe money! Even if she occupies the white house in 2009, she won’t de-proscribe you lot! And you thought you had a sure thing going! LOL!
@Devinda Fernando,
well said on comment #21. Especially the last part:
“you want to be Tamil?, speak Tamil? and practice Tamil culture? …. then you go right ahead and do that…. As a Sri Lankan”
Very few can put it as eloquently as you have done.
Lotsa said,
February 14, 2008 @ 2:01 am
#16 David.
Yes I recently experienced some of the unique culture in Scarborough Canada, I haven’t seen that many eiilaai kadde coliies since the old days around the harbor, It was great watching them selling phone cards and dressed like African American g bangers almost like a circus, a few weeks later there was great article in the Star about how some more from the great culture got arrested with thousands of phone cards, I must admit they seem very enterprising if not cultured.
Tamil Diaspora said,
February 20, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
The tamils are treated like 3rd class citizens in Europe.Most work in groceries ,petrol pumps and pizza delivery jobs and lokoked downupon,spitted at by whites ,but demand equality in sri lanka.
HAHAHAHA .What childish politics.