28 March, 2024

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An Appeal To President Maithiripala Sirisena

By Rajasingham Jayadevan

Rajasingham Jayadevan

Rajasingham Jayadevan

It is with much hope all the people of Sri Lanka and her friends around the world celebrate your victory at the Presidential election on 8th January 2015. We fervently hope your tenure as president will make Sri Lanka rise to her true potential by lifting her from the morass of failures on many critical fronts relating to governance, reconciliation, national unity and the economy. We deserve to be great nation and it is your opportunity to make her so.

I write to you as a Tamil, who was compelled by the unsavoury circumstances prevailing in Sri Lanka to become a non-resident Tamil in the UK thirty five years ago. I and many others like me have paid a heavy price for being born Tamils in Sri Lanka. We as expatriates are successful professionally and materially. We enjoy the blessings of rule of law and good governance. We have security to be what we are and hence feel free. However, we yet miss Sri Lanka and yearn for the life we had there long years ago. She is yet our anchor. My attachment by birth to Sri Lanka is my right and I have cherished it more than anything else during my long years as an expatriate. Sri Lanka’s pain is my pain and her joys are mine too. Many Tamil expatriates feel the same too. We want to be proud of our dear island.

What haunted us as Tamils in Sri Lanka, haunt our Sinhalese and Muslims compatriots too, to various degrees now. We stand today united in being victims of extremely bad governance, institutionalized by your predecessor. I rejoice at your election, while praying that you will not let us down, as your predecessor did with gay abandon, callous disdain and vulgar deviousness.

Maithripala | Photo courtesy Foreign Correspondents' Association of Sri Lanka - Facebook page

Maithripala | Photo courtesy Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka – Facebook page

All Sri Lankans are a great people. Unfortunately, their greatness has been tarnished by the quality of leadership they have had over several decades. The worst being those under your predecessor. They are a kind and compassionate people, who have been led by cruel persons, rogues and thugs. I/we hope you will become the leader we have awaited for almost seven decades. Please do not miss this opportunity to become a man of destiny for our mother land and a statesman.

I know that you cannot deliver everything overnight – but I am sure you can make some meaningful progress during your term in office. You have plenty to do. There is however much you can do now. Set the pace now and rally the nation behind you. The people have to be your motive power and not the sycophants, self-seekers and self-promoters of many hues and in many varieties who will assiduously cultivate you, surround you and overwhelm you.

Your hands are strengthened with the support of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who as an intelligent, educated, cultured individual has exercised much restraint over many years despite being battered and bruised for being a fair minded and decent. Fairness and decency are qualities that have no value in what Sri Lanka is being shaped into. The substance in him was eclipsed by the oratory, demagoguery, showmanship and dazzle of those who contested against him. Beyond his political affiliation to the UNP, he is a decent human who did not thrive on the communal politics, though his party played bears much responsibility. He has paved the way for you to become president and he has the ability and experience to help Sri Lanka cleanse and renew herself.

In their search for equality and security in their country of birth, Tamils and Muslims have rallied behind you in droves. They hope that you will do right by them. This rally, is not yet based on confidence, but in only the hope that you will be different from all your predecessors. The Tamils and their elected leadership, have turned to you to do what your predecessor, miserably failed, after May, 2009. He did not trust them and did not act in a manner that he could be trusted. Please trust them and take them into your heart. They have suffered much and paid a heavy price, for what was largely thrust on them. They are a proud people, despite their misfortunates. They are equal citizens, though minorities as communities.

Concrete, bricks and tar, were necessary after the war. But what the Tamils needed most was to be treated as a community that had the right to be equal in every way and manage their internal affairs, unhindered. Their progress, will contribute to the progress of Sri Lanka. The Tamils, as said many a time by the TNA are willing to live within a unitary state, but with a measure of self-governance in the Northern and Eastern provinces, and with equality, security and freedom all over the island. Grant them these through enlightened governance and implementation of the 13th amendment to the constitution.

You have a huge responsibility to meet the aspirations of all citizens and communities in Sri Lanka. Please discharge them with honesty, sincerity, dedication and of course speed. It may not be smooth sailing. But the people, all of them, will be the wind behind your sails, if your actions are right and your intentions are above board.

I attach below the message of goodwill from the Non Resident Tamils of Sri Lanka to you that I represent and we together with the other Diaspora Tamil organisations wish to engage with you to progress an inclusive and decentralised Sri Lanka where cross section of the people could enjoy a culture of unity in diversity- a balance between wholeness and difference, between integrity and variety takes its uppermost place.

Non Resident Tamils-Sri Lanka

NRT-SL

60 Cranborne Road, Barking, Essex, IG 11 7XE nonresidenttamil-sl@hotmail.com

10 January 1015

Message of Congratulations on Presidential election in Sri Lanka

On behalf of the NRT-SL, I wish to express my heartiest congratulations on the decisive victory of the opposition common candidate Hon. Maithiripala Sirisena in the Presidential election.

The peaceful transition and the gracious exit of Mr. Rajapaksa made us all proud of our democratic traditions. This gives hope to all those who wish to be part of building a strong, united and inclusive Sri Lanka, where all communities live as equals and with dignity.

The antagonistic attitude of the Tamil diaspora versus the Sri Lankan Government during the outgoing presidency is fundamentally flawed and alienated majority of the Tamils in the diaspora. This outlook only helped the extremist separatist fringe in the diaspora to survive.

We, the Non Resident Tamils of Sri Lanka firmly believe that there is a need to have a new perspective in the relationship between the Government of Sri Lanka and the non –resident Tamils living and working overseas.

It is important to formulate a positive and transparent policy to integrate the non- resident Tamils and their resources in the task of nation building. There is an urgent need to create conducive atmosphere for the non- resident Tamils to confidently participate in building a modern Sri Lanka of the 21st century.

We are looking forward to work with the new policy makers to facilitate the participation of non-resident Tamils as one of the stake holders in building a strong united Sri Lanka.

V. Sivalingam (President-NRT-SL)

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Latest comments

  • 10
    1

    Mahinda won the war but lost the peace. Now, it is Sirisena’s turn to win the peace and emerge with full respect as a statesman!

    Sengodan. M

    • 5
      1

      Still many people, mostly the majority Sinhala-Buddhists are being aroused by Rajapakshe and his cronies on racial lines by instigating communal and religious hatred. Maithree Government has many urgent things to do. One of the most important task is to change the present Anti-minority racist/communal culture and politics in Sri Lanka and make it a true muti-cultural united secular Sri Lankan society where the minorities are treated as equal citizens of the country and not as aliens. Bring in strict laws to prosecute those who spread communal/religious hatred and create havoc among different communities in the country.

      • 5
        4

        How about dismantling TAMIL National Alliances, MUSLIM Congresses, HELA Urumayas?

    • 5
      1

      Right from early period, Sri Lanka is a Buddhist-Hindu culture, the Sinhalese still worship Hindu Gods and practise Hindu rituals along with Buddhism and early Tamils were Buddhists even though today they practise only Hinduism. In other words, even today the majority of Sri Lankans are practising Buddhist-Hindu culture. As a part of reconciliation, the government should include both Buddhism and Hinduism as foremost religions of Sri Lanka while giving Islam and Christianity also its due place. Let the Sinhala-Buddhists and Tamil-Hindus celebrate our common New Year in April as equals.

      • 3
        3

        Suresh

        “early Tamils were Buddhists even though today they practise only Hinduism.”

        If early Tamils were Buddhists could you cite evidence to support your claim.

        • 1
          0

          Moda Vedda,

          I have given you not once but several times and you said you will check with your elders and come back to me but you never came. Are you suffering from amnesia or are you one of the clowns in CT?

          • 0
            0

            Suresh

            Please give it to me again.

  • 4
    11

    Non resident Tamils. Who the hell are you guys?

    Never heard of you

  • 6
    0

    Very impressive. Great!
    There are ample ways of doing what you intend doing.
    Am also awaiting some good opportunity to better utilise my potential and gain mutual benefits in whatever we do.
    Hope we can get together in building the nation while looking forward to better living.
    Cheers

  • 9
    0

    Jayadevan – I am a Sinhalese – Your article is heart warming – I think the attitude of all the Tamils (living in SL or other countries) should be this – this country belongs to everybody – either tamil , sinhala ,muslim or any other nationality living in this country – Every Sinhalese should think other nationalities as their brothers – not as somebody below them – we sincerely hope current administration will take serious steps to eradicate the suspicions among nationalities of this country and punish those who are promoting communism or separatism

    • 3
      2

      Most Sinhalese are Buddhist and most Tamils are Hindu and both religions accept some form of rebirth. Sinhalese might have been Tamils before and in the future. Tamils might have been Sinhalese before and in the future. Isn’t racial identity just an extension of the illusion of there being a ‘self’?

      • 3
        1

        Paul

        Check their DNA you will see the same stupid gene in both of these stupid peoples.

  • 4
    2

    Mr Jayadevan,

    I agree with most of the stuff (I want to stress not 100%) you have written up to Non Resident Tamils-Sri Lanka.

    WHY do we need another group?
    WHY cant you work with TNAUK, GTF, BTF?

    Thanks

  • 7
    0

    The new President should never, never allow rogues and opportunists, the ruiners of the previous regime to get anywhere near.

    As reported in a news story in CT, a ‘Gang of Four’ has breached all barriers and invaded the sanctum. With what ease! Has the country any hope of redemption?

  • 3
    4

    Here we go again , another diaspora organisation, sending messages to the new Presiident. Poor MY3 is going to get confused by all these diaspora organisations claiming that they represent the diaspora Tamils.
    My3 stood for elections and Sri Lnakans voted him as the new President.
    All these diaspora organisations claiming to represent the Tamil diaspora are private clubs members of which meet now and then over a bottle of whisky.

    I want to categorically state that I did not give authority to NRT-SL or for that matter BTF or GTF to speak on behalf of me.

    I also request all these organisations not to speak on behalf of all Tamils collectively. They are of course have the right to express their opinion or write articles as a private organisation.

    They must however categorically state this a private message from the organisation and they are not mandated to speak on behalf of all expatriate Tamils

    CT also must not mislead the readers that these organisations represnt the opinion of all Ex pat Tamils

    • 3
      1

      Rajash

      What is this thrash. I am sure you are intelligent enough to understand that organisations like NRT etc is only are pressure groups and not political parties or representative bodies. So, why all these fuss. They can raise issues and campaign only. If they do not deal with issues affecting their wider audience they will fail.

      Please do not discharge your hatred towards individuals or organisations in these columns and you are only exposing your inherent prejudices so openly.

      • 1
        3

        Romesh
        That’s fine , individual organisations can do that.
        But they can’t claim that their view is that of the Tamil Diaspora or they are talking on behalf of the NRT of SR

        • 3
          1

          Gay laws are passed in many countries with pressure from unknown gay groups. Can these groups claim their view is that of the anti gay majority or they could talk on behalf of them.

          If you have alternative views you can campaign on your own and if you have any objection to any groups stance put forward your meaningful arguments, instead of wilfully making illogical hateful comments.

          Why did you keep quiet when LTTE was going on the mayhem. Where are you when Douglas Devananda was playing hell with the people. Are these your democratic voices and think that everyone supports them.

          Go and buy books proving information about pressure groups in the western countries and ponder whether they fall into your idiotic thought. Greenpeace too will be there.

          • 1
            2

            Sorry mate you got the wrong one I am anti gay.
            Gay people have a mental sickness
            What is there in my post to infer that I support Douglas or LTTE
            Green peace movement is an industry

            Tamil diaspora organisations are not pressure groups, they were not able to stop the genocide of the Tamils in 2009.see my post to the BTF news item

            There are as many as Tamil diaspora groups in The Uk for every Hindu kovil, but I have no objection as long as they don’t claim they have a mandate to talk on behalf of me

            The Muslim terrorist who killed The journalist of Charlie are not acting on behalf of all Muslims,

            I don’t need to read about pressure groups….it seems I am succeeding in applying pressure

            • 0
              0

              You are a bloody loner with lone thinking and trying to portray as somebody whom we all have to content with.

              You are so confused and contradictory that you cannot think forward and beyond- only backward and give mental comments.

              It is not worth engaging in communication with a nutter like you and it is waste of time.

              Good luck to you.

              • 0
                0

                ha ha ha
                I feel sorry for you man…hope your gay partner has the same view as you or is he is a pain in the back side?

  • 5
    1

    A welcome Article. Two matters of importance to build on the achivements
    thus far. 1. Get back to grant of dual citizenship as per the original Act.
    2. Plan a scheme for release of so called political prisoners.

  • 1
    3

    ” but with a measure of self-governance in the Northern and Eastern provinces, and with equality, security and freedom all over the island.”
    Well,we are back to square one. Didn’t RW give you all this and much more once and sacrificed his political life. But did you Tamils accept and agree to live in harmony? You considered it as an opportune moment to push for final goal at whatever the cost in blood. The rest is history.
    I was an ardent supporter of RW-VP pact. But now I say never again. Sinhalese should never fall into this trap. Yet
    I haven’t given up my campaign for a single political entity where all citizens are absolutely equal in all respects. Any other experiment will sink this island in blood.
    Soma

  • 0
    2

    After tsunami, katunayaka attack and secret tooth attack Muslims and Christian think sinhala Buddhist are over …but we raised back ..defeat of mahinda is greatest victory of Sinhalese…it show all sinhala Buddhist the important of Buddhist state in south of Sri Lanka.very soon thousand off sinhala Buddhist youth will sacrifice there life for independent ruhuna…January 9 …the day we see size of 600 years friendship with Muslims and Christian …

    • 1
      2

      Mahesh

      What the hell are you talking about?

  • 3
    4

    I wish the Tamil diaspora all over the world keeps quiet and allow the Tamils in Sri Lanka to solve their problems.
    Bala

    • 0
      1

      Bala, You said it right. TNA is the sole representatives of the Tamils
      in N/E and in other parts of the country. Even the hill country Tamils
      heeded to the request made by Mr. Sambanthan to vote for the current
      President H.E. Sirisena and it is estimated that around 1.2 million Tamils from all parts of the country, excluding the hill country votes, voted for Mr. Sirisena hence TNA should be allowed to handle the Tamil issues locally and what the diaspora should do is to send funds to the poor living in refugee camps and “Asharams” and let TNA look after the political issues confronted by the Tamils. Your statements from abroad angers and mislead the majority as they think that the diasporas overseas are interfering in the internal matters of the country and in fact they have no say in these matters and TNA does not represent them in SL.

  • 2
    0

    the Tamil diaspora are only the people who were chased out of Ceylon in 1983. They have a say in our matters. They are SriLankans like “Bala” except they have a free voice. Our local SriLankan Tamil has no voice. If they exercise their voice they will end up inside the white van. This is why we need the voice of our diaspora

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