pacheez said,

March 31, 2009 @ 10:19 pm

The little discussed, Most Important issue involves far-right Sinhalese chauvinism that moves the ‘national question’ far from 1980s analyses of majority vs. minority communities. Those favouring a future Sri Lanka that has the whiff of a ‘Buddhist’ theocracy are given to snarky pronouncements against Moors, Christians and anyone else Different. The LTTE is by no means the only threat to ‘democracy’ in SL. One hopes that the allegedly Buddhist practices of intimidating defense lawyers & bumping off honest journalists are limited. There shall be no unravelling in SL whatever Washington has to say of ‘democracy’ via flattening the LTTE.

janan said,

April 1, 2009 @ 1:38 am

The political and military defeat of the LTTE can be seen as a political defeat of exclusivist nationalism. this can be seen as a beginning of the end of exclusivist Sinhala Buddhist nationalism as well. the state’s ideology was based on exclusivist nationalism but in appearance it was propogated as ‘ war against terorism’ and patriotism. in this background, the state has become authoritarian and militaristic and all the democratic structure have been eroded. there fore all the forces should join to fight for the restroration of democracy and true democracy can be achieved by taking into consideration of minority aspirations

Citizen said,

April 1, 2009 @ 7:06 am

Hi Sanjana,

This is in response to the question raised here. My response turned out to be not so succinct, so i thought it best not to include it as a comment, but instead as a post. Please read My vision for my country for my fuller response.

Best regards,

Citizen

Nicolai said,

April 1, 2009 @ 4:21 pm

At the Macro Level.
1) Trust and true Intent
2) Autonomy.

With that all the micro level stuff will be worked out.

realsrilankan said,

April 1, 2009 @ 10:26 pm

This war will never end until the tamils get their autonomy or federal system . Because tamils have never accept any other solutions.And socalled tamil represents have also slogans like eelampeople,eelamdemocratic and eelamliberation exc. whether they are with government or against. There is a very simple way to unite the srilankans with two or more than two federals(rajarata,khote,nuwara,thamileelam)

P.V Shanthan said,

April 3, 2009 @ 4:18 pm

The environment of self expression most of the time, chooses silence but continuing to be silent for a long period of time is not a possibility. Even in Sri Lanka many lives are dead. THEY are making them dead. In the end, the TRUST placed on the Tigers who for 30 years sought to emancipate the Tamils by refusing to accept certain realistic historical opportunities, and who continued to believe in fighting only with weapons, has ultimately defeated them.
Through whatever means, the government has pushed the tigers on ground into a tight circle. In doing so, the tactics used by the armed forces, has broken not only the tactics of withdrawal but also the faith of the tigers in finding emancipation through the use of weapons and violence. Likewise, be it the self-immolation of the black tigers who were sent by the tigers in the past years to countries inhabited by the diaspora in order to safe guard their twisted self-dignity, or be it the so called ‘awareness creation’ gimmicks, they are all attempts at safeguarding the entirety of funds raised and the ethics of the fundraising techniques they have used. The trust, the Tamil diaspora has placed on the Tigers who have constantly evaded the opportunities of a political solution for the Tamil people and who are today using civilians in the brink of destruction as human shields, and the trust they have on its leader, has become pallid. These migrant Tigers and this waning chasm, will be held fully responsible for the totality of the post-war situation. That is to say that even if there is an opportunity to save the civilians trapped by the Tigers, the plan of these migrant Tigers is undoubtedly, destruction of these lives, and to ensure that this destruction really happens which would then be the basis of their next modus operandi.

We cannot let the question of whether, the democratic Tamil leadership is ready to carry the weight of Tamil politics subsequent to this phase, a question which has so far remained vacuous, be left to remain so. In general, most of those who were brought back from the Vanni were half alive and limbless; the women having to bear the burden of what was left of their families; the children deprived of their parents and guardians; those forcibly conscripted; those made aggressive by the Tigers; the ex-cadres. So, has a base been created for a political leadership that can deal with such a society? Is the democratic Tamil national alliance or other alternative democratic groups ready for this? If they are prepared for this they must have now demonstrated this by working on the ground. Furthermore, in order to face future challenges it is essential that the political leadership does not take the form of the pseudo democratic environment that is currently prevalent in Eastern Sri Lanka.

That is, it should not become an obstacle in the realisation of the highest level of political rights possible, for the Tamil people. Negotiating with the government and the creation of a political future denouncing weapons must be done with tact. Most essentially, accepting a ‘political shift of pawns’ which gives the North to Douglas and the East continuously to Pillayan should not be allowed. A political exchange and engagement with the alternative-minded is the only way towards creating a healthy and progressive environment.

Realist said,

April 6, 2009 @ 8:01 pm

I am afraid I dont agree with all the optmism. Nationalism ends only with defeat in war. In this case Sinhala Buddhist nationalism has triumphed. So it will spill over into more extreme measures against the other minorities. The Tamils are day dreaming if they think they are going to get any fair treatment. There will be no real devolution. After all thousands of soldiers died to safeguard the unitary state,.It would be disastrous for the government to even attempt devolution or give land and police powers to the Provincial councils. Italan German Serb nationalism all ended in defeat and dismemebrment of their countries.It is too much to expect any sort of reconciliation between the two major communities. The LTTE over-reached itself and defeated Ranil the only democratic leader who would ahve shared power and respected the rights of the minorites. He is suffering because he stands for justice. The post conflict situation will be no peace.

Devanesan Nesiah said,

April 17, 2009 @ 1:19 pm

I will address the question posed without attempting to screen out any ideas likely to be unacceptable to the actors concerned. It would be useful to air and discuss these issues even if the relevant decision makers may refuse to entertain some of them.

Tamil politics will indeed have to shed any secessionist or other exclusive territorial claims to forge solidarity among Tamil speakers living all over the island as well as all residents (including Sinhalese) of the North and East. While the TNA ( as the largest Tamil party) may well take the initiative in this matter, the major initiative for all island nation building needs to be taken by the two major parties of the South, particularly by the ruling party. Wars do not solve political problems – it is political solutions that are required.

If “end of the war” and “post – LTTE” refer to the elimination of the Army, Navy and the Air Force of the LTTE, it is clear that we are close to that end. But if what is meant is the end of Tamil dissatisfaction and resistance in diverse ways (possibly including acts of sabotage), there is no evidence or reason to believe that we are even approaching that goal. That goal can be reached only through negotiating an agreement and effectively implementing it with the involvement of those concerned. Successful negotiations can only be between equals. No lasting solution can be imposed by the victor on the defeated. Winning the war has made it more difficult to work out a satisfactory solution.

The losers in this war are not just the few thousand LTTE cadres but include the hundreds of thousands of those (mostly Tamils) repeatedly displaced, physically and psychologically bruised, deprived of their dignity, freedom of movement and quality of life and held captive (whether as hostages or suspects or potential hosts to the enemy) in camps or designated areas by one party to the conflict or the other. Whether the State or the LTTE or any other party is held responsible makes little difference to their plight – they are losers as well as victims, deprived of their birth right as citizens, viewed with suspicion if not hostility, and detained against their will.

Even if the suspected LTTE sympathisers in their midst are eliminated or transferred elsewhere, even if these camps / areas are saturated with informers, even if communication with those outside is cut off or closely monitored, frustration, resentment, resistance and revolt are likely to develop among those detained. When those detained (in camps and in designated areas) constitute a very significant proportion of the Tamil population, an explosive political problem will inevitable develop. The solution lies not in further stifling controls but in restoring their birth right to these long suffering citizens of Sri Lanka.

Deprivation of civic rights is the most urgent issue directly affecting a very significant proportion of the people of Sri Lanka. These people may be all Tamils but, surely the issue is of concern to all Sri Lankans. The other dominant issue is the national question. The political problem that lies at the roots of the dissatisfaction of the ethnic minorities, the growth of the LTTE and other rebel groups, the spread of terrorism and the civil war. This issue too is of concern to all Sri Lankans.

Mindful of its own legitimate security concerns, the steps that the state could take to address these 2 most important issues facing the people of Sri Lanka include:

(i) Immediately open all detention centres and areas occupied by IDPs to visits from and the presence of UN, international, national and local humanitarian, religious and media organisations, inviting identification of all unmet humanitarian concerns, human rights abuses and other problems and grievances, past and present affecting the welfare of IDPs.

(ii) Publish lists of all IDPs specifying the various locations I which they are resident so as to facilitate contact with family, friends and others concerned.

(iii) Announce a time frame (covering a few weeks at most, not years) within which all detained IDPs against whom there are no specific charges will (after any required screening) be freed of all restrictions on their movements.

(iv) Facilitate the return (and rehabilitation) of all released IDPs to the areas that they had occupied as an essential complementary measure desist from either the settling or permitting the moving in of any outsiders into these areas.

(v) Resettling and rehabilitating the IDPS will be an enormous and costly process spread over several years, but this process can commence almost immediately. The resources required to supplement those provided by the state will surely be forthcoming in generous measure from donors overseas including, in the context of a political solution, the very substantial diaspora which had previously funded a part of the war effort.

(vi) Reverse all ethnic cleansing and other involuntary large scale movements of population within and from the North and the East during the last 3 decades (including the eviction of people from high security zones, the eviction of Muslims from the North in the 90s, the earlier evacuation of Sinhalese from Jaffna, the elimination of entire villages [mostly Tamil] from the East, etc). This process could be planned and monitored by a team in which the leaders of the ethnic communities evicted as well as UN officials are represented.

(vii) The original majority/ Chairman’s recommendation of the APRC must be implemented as a first step and negotiations begun to work out the subsequent steps based on the principles of equal rights, power sharing and internal self determination within a united Sri Lanka.

(viii) Steps to be taken to establish a comprehensive Truth and Reconciliation Commission to uncover the truth and mete out justice (restorative rather than retributive) to the victims and perpetrators of ethnic violence over at least the last 3 decades. The terms of reference of the Commission may be worked out with international expertise (eg. From ICTJ) and in consultation with the leaders of all major ethnic groups.

The above proposals may appear to be unrealistically over ambitious. But are these suggestions disproportionate to the scale pf the humanitarian tragedy that has crushed large sections of our citizens over several years. Are any of these proposals damaging in any way to the unity and integrity of the Sri Lankan nation? The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the accompanying revolutionary political changes were needed to effect the transformation of the South African nation from apartheid to democracy. If we are to embark on constructing a great Sri Lankan nation from the ashes of 60 years of ethnic conflict, 25 years of civil war and decades of terrible human rights abuses and terrorism, we need radical transformation, not patch work corrections.

kichchi said,

April 19, 2009 @ 9:07 am

rajivmw said,

April 17, 2009 @ 5:41 pm

Devanesan Nesiah,

In my opinion, yours is the most reasoned, most thoughtful, most compelling reponse to the question. A genuine breath of fresh air. I truly hope that we will see the implementation of each and every one of your proposals. It may take more time than we would like, but I feel that all of them can and must be achieved.

I fully agree with the comments made by “rajivmw” above. But then in my humble opinion it is the failure to see or recognize the real ATTITUDE of the “Rulers” from day one of Independence that made him to suggest the most reasoned, most thoughtful, most compelling response to the question put forward.

As pointed out by Mr.Devanesan Nesaih at the early part of his comment or view
that “If “end of the war” and “post – LTTE” refer to the elimination of the Army, Navy and the Air Force of the LTTE, it is clear that we are close to that end. But if what is meant is the end of Tamil dissatisfaction and resistance in diverse ways (possibly including acts of sabotage), there is no evidence or reason to believe that we are even approaching that goal.” is the practical situation of the day or even of the near future as things stand. For this to happen in the near future the first and foremost need is the “Change in the Attitude” of the “Rulers” becomes essential when he points out “That goal can be reached only through negotiating an agreement and effectively implementing it with the involvement of those concerned.”

The “Attitude of the Rulers” that was referred to above is the trend of thinking among “the majority of the powers that are or ‘Rulers’” is that the country belongs to the Sinhalese Buddhists and that all others are “visitors to the country” who cannot and MUST NOT claim any right to live in this country. I used the words “the majority of the powers that are” specifically to EXCLUDE the vast majority in numbers of the poor peasants and workers and other right thinking persons of all category who sincerely accept the fact and reality that “the country belongs to all”. All programs of the “Rulers” from day one of Independence was to systematically make the “minorities” politically irrelevant in the country through a so-called “democratic” way.

P.V Shanthan said,
April 3, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
.
A political exchange and engagement with the alternative-minded is the only way towards creating a healthy and progressive environment.

realsrilankan said,
April 1, 2009 @ 10:26 pm

There is a very simple way to unite the srilankans with two or more than two federals(rajarata, khote, nuwara, thamileelam.

Devanesan Nesiah said,
April 17, 2009 @ 1:19 pm

If we are to embark on constructing a great Sri Lankan nation from the ashes of 60 years of ethnic conflict, 25 years of civil war and decades of terrible human rights abuses and terrorism, we need radical transformation, not patch work corrections.

In keeping with the ideas expressed and quoted above and taking for granted or assumed that the “Attitude of the ‘Rulers’” has changed, please consider the views given below:

“People who value democracy, equality and equity, needs to pressure the Sri Lankan state to take immediate action towards a meaningful and just power sharing arrangement. That is the only way to ensure security and the dignity of the peoples of Sri Lanka.

If peaceful coexistence through power sharing is not achievable, the only other solution that would be available will be secession” so said Mr. Lionel Bopage, former Secretary of the JVP.

There is a vast difference in the policy of the ORIGINAL JVP to which the author belongs and the policy of the present JVP.

A new concept on “towards a meaningful and just power-sharing arrangement” is given below for the comments of everyone.

The concept outlined is a very great deviation from normal thinking of the word “devolution” and might well fit in with the suggestions made by Mr.Lionel Bopage for or towards a meaningful and just power-sharing arrangement is given below.

Many, who call themselves as ‘moderates’, are not willing to consider this concept which gives a certain degree of ‘power’ with ‘responsibility’ to everyone including the poor and voiceless silent majority in the country and not excluding the so-called “minorities”.

Now, one word, for those who are actually and sincerely interested in fostering a united country by supporting “devolution” as a means to achieve sustainable peace, please avoid thinking in terms of “devolution” and instead please try to think in terms of “sharing” of powers, rights, duties and responsibilities that cannot be taken back at any time by any government or individual by any method.

The best political solution would be to DILUTE the powers of all elected representatives by separating the various powers of the Parliament and empowering different sets of people’s representatives elected on different area basis to administer the different sets of separated powers. It has to be devolution HORIZONTALLY where every set of representatives would be equal and in par and NOT VERTICALLY where one set of representatives would be above the other, which is the normal adopted practice when talking of devolution, in this power-hungry world. It is because of “devolution” being evolved “vertically”, we have all the trouble in this power-hungry world. So, for sustainable peace it should not be the present form of “devolution” but “dilution of powers” or “sharing of powers” in such a way that no single or set of peoples representatives – other than the common people themselves – is superior to another. This system would eradicate injustice, discrimination, bribery and corruption – the four pillars of an evil society – and establish the “Rule of Law” and “Rule by ALL” for sustainable peace, tranquility and prosperity and a pleasant living with dignity and respect for all inhabitants in the country. Everyone must have “equal” powers, rights, duties and responsibilities and most importantly everyone should be deemed “equal” before the law not only on paper but also practically – be it the Head of State, The Chief Justice or the voiceless poor of the poorest.

A detailed version of the concept, which is quite long is available for discussion by interested individuals with an aim to change the hearts not just a change of mind of the citizens of this country with the aim of preserving a UNITARY form of Government with every section of people from every part of the country PARTICIPATING in the GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY in a practical and meaningful way. In a way it may be termed “participatory democracy”. In this system the country is NOT DIVIDED but the “powers of governance’ of the Parliament is separated and administered COLLECTIVELY by different sets of peoples representatives.

Bavani said,

April 22, 2009 @ 4:36 am

As a Tamil living in the West, I fear that the recent mobilization (referring to the daily protest) of the younger generation of Tamils waving LTTE flags and pictures of the so called ‘leader’ and depicting SL GOV’t as the ONLY pepetrator and viloater of human rights in Vanni mean that they are blindly accepting the LTTE as their only ‘hope’ and ‘sole representative’ thus will assist the LTTE in anyway to rise up again. So, even if SL government defeats LTTE conventionally and their ruthless leader is or not killed this terror organization will regroup in a few years with the help of the LTTE sympatheizers in the diaspora.

It is very disheartning to see how majority of the Tamils in the west seem to have lost their sense of justice, sense of judgement, and their sense of seeking truth. Tamils in the west are so divided, disunified, polarized, and some are ironically chauvinistic in their plight to winning freedom. So, I truly want to see a constructive diaglogue taking place rather than cheap talks in the Tamil diaspora to discuss how we can move forward toward a democratic peaceful solution rather than engaging in another war as this 30-year war has brought nothing but blood shed.

In the post-defeat-of-LTTE period, any emerging Tamil leadership first MUST reach out to other ethnic groups of the Sri Lankan society especially the Sinhalese. Success or failure of a long lasting peace in the country is in the hands of all ethnic groups. I am no expert in politics, but my humble opinion is that unless we Tamils have a leadership that is open-minded, and inclusive (of other ethnics in SL) we will never see the light at the end of the tunnel!.

Nathan said,

April 25, 2009 @ 6:13 am

The supreme court ruled last year that all civilians displaced by the so called high security zones should be resettled in their homes. This should be implemented immediately. Then, all IDPs shold be allowed to firstly go back to their homes if they so desire. If not, they should be given a choice of settling in any other suitable areas.
Along with these, measures, all restrictions on fishing,farming and other livelihoods should be removed.
It appears that the military and other groups,are trying to give sinhala names to replace tamil names,of villages and towns. This must be stopped. If not, the ethnic enmity will be rekindled. All those IDPs who have lost their identity cards should be given identity cards without delay. Electoral registers should include all their names.
Any delay in these will mean that the government does not wish to give them due recognition in society.

Devanesan Nesiah said,

April 28, 2009 @ 9:27 pm

Sri Lankan Tamils every where are very much agitated by the war, its terrible consequences and the uncertain fate of those caught up in it. Their plight is brilliantly depicted in Gihan De Chikera’s captionless cartoon in the Daily Mirror of April 21 2009. The fate of anti war candidates in recent Provincial Council elections reveals the failure of any party to effectively mobilize Sri Lankan Tamil voters in those provinces. The nature of the anti war demonstrations by Tamils abroad reveals that it is only the LTTE that has been effective in mobilizing them. Similarly, it is the Sinhalese counter parts of the LTTE that have been effective in mobilizing the Sinhalese overseas. The majority among all the communities in the Sri Lankan diaspora may be moderate in their political views, but it is not they who organize demonstrations.

The only major Sinhalese led parties that sought to mobilize minority votes were the LSSP and CP. In 1964 they too suddenly turned hostile to extending even the most basic linguistic rights to the Tamil Community. Since then, individual Sinhalese political leaders have briefly championed peace and minority rights (President Chandrika B in the mid nineties and Prime Minister Ranil W a few years later.) But these initiatives were not sustained. It is only two or three very small political parties in the left that has been consistently supporting peace and minority rights; in contrast, the other Sinhalese led parties have backed the war.

The main political party representing the Sri Lankan Tamils cooperated with the late Dudley S led administration in the mid- late sixties with limited gains for the Tamil people, and with the JR.J led administration in the early administration with no gains. That party has persistently avoided aligning with the left. While the Tamil leaders need to be more open and flexible in building up relations with the left as well as with other Sinhalese and Muslim leaders, such relationship should only be on the basis of equality and self determination- any other relationship would be demeaning. The initiative has therefore has to come from the state and Sinhalese political leaders who should clearly spell out what is offered to the Tamil people. The initial APRC recommendation appeared to hold some promise but it was never on offer.