By Jayantha Dhanapala and Savitri Goonesekere –
Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala and Prof. Savitri Goonesekere
The Friday Forum comprises a group of concerned citizens who have come together to consider current issues of public interest with a view to making meaningful contributions towards peace, democracy, good governance and social justice in Sri Lanka. To pursue this objective, the Forum engages in regular discussions on matters of national interest, articulating its views and concerns. The following interventions are made in a spirit of democratic engagement to stress the need for a new social contract between Government and the people.
The end of the war with the military defeat of the LTTE has shown us that these events alone will not ensure the emergence of a stable peace with democracy and pluralism. It is the responsibility of the Government and the people of this country, in the context of the concept of sovereignty of the people, to rebuild the institutions and values that sustain peace, democracy and pluralism. Three years after the end of the war, we are deeply concerned about the continuing violent political culture, the deterioration of our national institutions and the undermining of our religious, cultural and social values.
In recent months, the pluralist character of our society has been strained by polarising forces. Instead of rebuilding inter-ethnic relations and inter-religious dialogue the Government and our political leaders have, through their commissions and omissions, contributed to their deterioration. The recent attack on the Dambulla Mosque is the most prominent among a number of attacks on the places of worship of religious minorities. The police merely watched and failed to act as thugs disrupted Friday prayers, vandalising the Mosque and threatening to demolish it. This clear demonstration of a breakdown of law and order, an issue of continuing concern, has met with silences and confusing messages from Government and public officials. Furthermore, the lack of broader citizens’ initiatives, including of the clergy of all faiths to address the situation, have contributed to weakening the confidence of religious minorities.
The representations to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) by civil society leaders, religious clergy and concerned officials and the subsequent LLRC Report highlighted the critical importance and need for good governance and an environment of religious and ethnic dialogue and mediation. Furthermore, LLRC recommendations on demilitarisation, ending impunity, the treatment of former combatants, bringing an end to abductions, killings and political violence, the political process to find a political settlement are of utmost importance at this time. These recommendations should be highlighted by the Government in its public statements and addressed immediately. Furthermore, there needs to be a strong commitment towards the rule of law and mechanisms and legislation to address dangerous incitement to violence and hate speech. These abominable attacks are against the spirit of reconciliation and blunt the political opening provided by the LLRC.
The serious lapses in good governance and the deterioration of the rule of law are clearly manifested in a number of cases of political violence and abuse which have far reaching implications. The recent firing at the JVP meeting at Katuwana in Hambantota, leading to the gunning down of two individuals with many more injured is a reminder of the continuing violent political culture. The public murder of Bharatha Lakshman last year, in the lead up to the local government elections is yet to see an effective response from the law enforcement authorities. There seems to be a pattern of justice delayed becoming justice denied. The disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda remains unaddressed. Former Attorney General Mohan Peiris’ statement in Geneva that Ekneligoda is safe in a foreign country has come under scrutiny in a court of law in Sri Lanka, where, according to media reports, he has declined to explain why he made this statement or provide his source of information. Such irresponsible comments by high officials in international forums combined with ineffective law enforcement and judicial procedures have added to the culture of impunity that prevails in the country. Minister Mervin Silva’s preposterous comments about attacking dissenting journalists and human rights defenders have gone unchecked by the Government and the ruling party. Such inflammatory and intimidating speech reflects the lack of respect for rule of law by persons in power. The people have a right to expect that all leaders of political parties and members of parliament should be conscious of the consequences of their political statements which can polarise public perceptions and undermine reconciliation and coexistence. We believe good governance, which necessarily involves the effective functioning of law enforcement mechanisms, needs to be given due importance in the actions of the President, legislators, judiciary and law enforcement officials. Furthermore, engagement by the media, religious and civil society leaders and the broader citizenry to hold the Government and our political leaders responsible will be necessary in order to curb, control and reverse the emerging trends of extremism and politicisation.
The Friday Forum has attempted to meet with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide support towards arresting the culture of impunity, and measures to prevent acts of police brutality and the violent repression of public protests. However, we have neither been able to meet the IGP, nor have our suggestions and support for police training been heeded. Despite public pronouncements by the IGP of priority being given to better relations with the public we have received an unhelpful bureaucratic response.
If the issues inhibiting peace and reconciliation as highlighted by the LLRC report can be addressed, the problems facing the Government in international forums, whether by just or unjust external measures, will likely be neutralised.Sri Lanka’s international image is also important forSri Lanka’s business climate and the broader development of the economy. Merely blaming external actors for the woes inside the country is also unlikely to persuade the Sri Lankan public to ignore, forever, the local realities on governance. Indeed, the mounting protests by citizens against a range of issues from acts of police brutality, the politicisation of the judiciary and law enforcement, mismanagement of public funds and the political manipulation of economic policies, are symptomatic of a broader discontent with governance and abuse of power in the country.
We believe steps towards good governance, respect for the rule of law, peace with democracy and pluralism are a priority for our country at this moment. However, progress towards that goal will require an urgent sense of responsibility on the part of Government and the people. We must draw on our democratic and pluralist traditions and heritage to revitalise our commitments and responsibilities towards a new social contract between Government and the people.
Yours sincerely,
Jayantha Dhanapala Professor. Savitri Goonesekere
On behalf of The Friday Forum;
Jayantha Dhanapala, Professor. Savitri Goonesekere, Most Reverend Duleep de Chickera, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Professor Arjuna Aluwihare, Dr. Deepika Udagama, Suresh de Mel, Lanka Nesiah, Sithie Tiruchelvam, Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, Tissa Jayatilaka, Mahen Dayananda, Shanthi Dias, Reverend Jayasiri Peiris, Dr. U. Pethiyagoda, Anne Abeysekera, Ahilan Kadirgamar, Dr. Camena Gunaratne, Dr. A. C. Visvalingam, Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, J.C. Weliamuna, Daneshan Casie Chetty, Dhamaris Wickramasekera, Ranjit Fernando, D. Wijayanandana, Prashan De Visser, Chandra Jayaratne
Jimsofty / June 21, 2012
About 70% of the Sri Lankan population is not religious. That is based on the definition that a religion is one which prey to a God or Gods for their salvation. So, this group should be for one particular group. They are agnostic spiritual people.
Secondly, as I read the list of the names, there is no any muslim participation in this group. But, they have talked about the Dambulla incident.
How about the incidents like Madu-palli is built on the foundation of a Pattini Devala, Some Hindu Kovils are build on the the foundations of Buddhist temples and, at least, there is one Hindu kovil which is a modification of the Buddhist temple. Was that NOT undermining, religion,culture and social values ? OR should it be neglected because they did it long ago and when the culprits only when gets it back, we should address the problem.
If the majority is not-tolerant how come 100% buddhist country, centuries ago, has a sizeable population of christians of many denominations, Muslims of different sects and Hindus of different allegiance ?
What do these intellectuals or academics have done genuinely to address the needs of the majority culture ?
Is it dishonesty when govt – activities are connected with every thing else ?
Which, so-called, democratic govt in the world is very honest, decent, not-corrupt and perfect for it’s citizens ? How about UN, Is it really the power of United Nations or the power of USA ? If So, Why Sri Lankan govt does not have some space for gradual changes ?
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Abimanasibgham Sitthawatthai Uthayakumar / June 25, 2012
Jimsofty
You have stated: “Madu-palli is built on the foundation of a Pattini Devala, Some Hindu Kovils are build on the the foundations of Buddhist temples and, at least, there is one Hindu kovil which is a modification of the Buddhist temple.Was that NOT undermining, religion,culture and social values ? OR should it be neglected because they did it long ago and when the culprits only when gets it back, we should address the problem.”
First of all, you have just used the word ‘Buddhism.’ It is actually misleading at least in Lankā. The Sinhalese who claim themselves as the ‘Thēravāda’ Buddhists think that ONLY Sinhalese living in the island were the Buddhist. It is because, on one hand they do not know the difference between ‘Thēravāda’ Buddhism and ‘Mahāyāna’ Buddhism and on the other they do not know the Tamils of Lankā and Tamil Nādu were ‘Mahāyāna’ Buddhists and that the ‘Saivaism’ and ‘Vaishnavam’ are the PERFECTED ‘Mahāyāna’ philosophy!
The Tamil Mahāyāna Buddhists converted themselves as Saivaites, the followers of the PERFECTED ‘Mahāyāna’ philosophy! Because of this only you find shrines of Siva, Vishnu, Skanda, Ganēsh etc. in the Buddhist Temples! In the Vahalkadē of the Kanthaka Ceitiya of Mihintale you find sculptures of God Ganēsh! In the Kandy Perahara you find processions from the so-called “Hindu” Temples and Pattini Devale. Kandy Dalada Māligāva, Sigiriya, Dambulla cave temple, Kataragama, Konēswaram, Munīswaram, and Kelani Buddhist temple and a number of Buddhist temples ( in Matale, Gampola, Kegalle, Devinuwara etc) belong to ‘Mahāyāna’ Buddhism. In the Sinhala Sandēsaya poems you find descriptions of Temples of Siva, Skanda, Ganēsh etc. along the coast of Lanka and Kotte.
The ‘Patthini’ cult was introduced to Lanka by the Tamil ‘Mahāyāna’ Buddhist. ‘Cilappathikāram’ and ‘Manimēkalai,’ the twin epics of Tamil language belong to ‘Mahāyāna’Buddhism. While ‘Cilappthikaram’ emphasizes ‘Family life,’ Manimēkalai emphasizes ‘renounced life.’In the epic Cilappthikāram, the stanzas placed at the beginning praise the Triple Gem, the Buddha, Dhamma and Sanga!
We find shrine of Vibīshana in the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple and some others.
Our historians and religious leaders do not know why we find the shrine of Vibīshana in the Buddhist temples. They give an imaginary and false explanation that it was due to the South Indian domination! It is wrong!!
To understand this, one must know what is ‘Rāmāyana.’ ‘Rāmāyana’ is not a story based on the Southward expansion of the North Indian Āryan race as interpreted by most of the Indian ‘intellectuals’like
Dr. Rādhākrishnan, Rājāji and others!
It was based on the Buddhist history of Lanka, in particular, re-establishment of Buddhism in Lanka after about 70 years of Çōla domination by expelling the Colas by the Buddhists of Tamil Nādu and Lanka under the leadership of Vijayabāhu the first. Vijayabāhu the first crowned himself as the Buddhist king of Lanka in 1073 Common Era after re-organizing the Buddhist Sanga, building a temple for the sacred Tooth Relic in Polonnaruwa and renovating the Buddhist temples.These could be confirmed through the Tamil inscription of Polonnaruwa.
In ‘Rāmāyana’ Lord Buddha from the Himālayan region was made the ‘Rāma’ of Ayōtiya from the Himālayan region. That is ”Rāma’ was the reincarnation of Lord Buddha. The Buddha Dhamma was made Sita; the Cola domination was made ‘Rāvana;’ Vijayabhāhu the first was made ‘Vibīshana’ and the Tamil Buddhists monks of Tamil Nādu were made the Monkeys!
Re-establishment of Buddha Dhamma in Lanka is something like Lord Buddha re-appearing from the Tushitta Lōka on the earth in 1073 Common era and Preaching Dhamma in Lanka!
Thus, ‘Rāmāyana’ is actually a literature produced by the Tamil ‘Mahāyāna’ Buddhists to make the ordinary people to understand and remember the History of Buddhism in Lankā.
At the beginning of the ‘Rāmāyanam’ of ‘Kamban,’ we find THREE stanzas.
These three stanzas praise the Buddhist Triple Gem, the Buddha, Dhamma and Sanga!In a number of Sinhala, Pāli, Tamil and Sānskrit literature, the Triple Gem is praised at the beginning. Thus, all these literature belong to Mahāyāna Buddhism!!
As no commentaries were written for the ‘Rāmāyanam’ of ‘Kamban,’ in ancient time, the present Tamil scholars have given wrong and false explanation for these three stanzas!
The re-appearance of Lord Buddha on the earth and thus there-establishment of Buddhism in Lanka in 1073 Common era is mentioned in the Tamil Mahāyāna Buddhist epic ‘Manimēkalai.’ In lines from 72 onward of the Chapter 12, it is said that Lord Buddha would re-appear from the Thushitta Lōka and Buddha Dhamma would bre re-established in the year “ஈர் எண்ணூற்றோடு ஈர் எட்டு ஈண்டு” (īr ennutrōdu īr eddu āndu). This is the year (2×800 + 2×8) 1616!
The scholars of the world failed to find out what this year is!
As Manimēkalai is a Buddhist epic, the year mentioned in that literature would be the Buddhist year.
According to the Tamil tradition, Buddha died 543 years before the Common Era. Therefore, 1616 Buddha year is (1616 – 543) 1073 Common Era!
This was the year in which Vijayabāhu the first crowned himself as the Buddhist King of Lanka after 70 years of Çōla domination!!
This confirms that Rāmāyana is actually a n imaginary story based on the history of Buddhism in Lanka.
Because of this only, we find shrines of Vibīshana in the Kelaniya and other Mahāyāna’ Buddhist temples!
It is also important to note here that ‘Thēravāda’Buddhism rejects completely purānas, literature, symbolization, symbolization of Buddha and Buddhism, iconography, statues, sculptures, painting, music, dance, drama etc. Only MAHĀYĀNA Buddhism accepts these. This could be confirmed through some of the Sinhala Sandēsaya poems also.
Thus, architecture and fine arts of the Sinhalese were actually introduced by the Tamil Mahāyāna’Buddhists. These have nothing to do with ‘Thēravāda’ Buddhism!!
As explained by me in my earlier comments in this site, Buddhist architecture is based on the symbolization of what Buddhism has emphasized viz: the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eight fold path, the Three steps Sīla, Samādhi and Paññā; the Middle Path, etc!
It is very important to find out how the year of death of Buddha was decided as 543 years before the common era.
If we decide that the year 1457 of the common era as the 2000 year Buddhist era only, the death of Lord Buddha would fall in the year 543 before the common era.
In Dīpavamsa and Mahāvamsa, the reign of kings and important events in the history of Lanka were derived with the year 1457.
But it is important to note that it is said that the Jaffna Kingdom was captured by Sappumal Kumāraya in the year 1457 common era.
Therefore Dīpavamsa and Mahāvamsa could not have been composed before the fall of Jaffna Kingdom in 1457 common era!!
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Piranha / June 21, 2012
With respect to Friday Forum I don’t thing anybody in the Rajapaksa regime is listening. The country is governed by a bunch of thugs. They have got away with a whole host of illegal activities for such a long time that they are in no mood to change. If the country is to change course then regime change is the only solution and I hope it happens soon.
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Jimsofty / June 21, 2012
This article gives a good understanding about why Certain factions in Sri Lanka, some international organizations and some countries are VERY interested in LLRC. I think, probably, this article itself says why India, at one point, was reluctant to vote for the UNHRC – resolution and then India also voted for it.
I don’t think none of these organizations will do more for tamils than what the Sri Lankan govt is doing and have done.
I we read carefully in between the lines of this article those things are very clear. I can understand what is being cooked behind every thing of these.
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Navin Weeraratne / June 22, 2012
Keep up the good work, Sri Lanka needs more people like you to stand up and be counted.
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Panda / June 22, 2012
Congratulations and good luck to the Friday Forum. It is brave indeed to try and bring some sanity to the madness going on in this country. These upstanding citizens deserve our support, and hope they are able to meet their goals without much obstacles, which one anticipates in such a mission.
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gamini / June 22, 2012
I hope and believe that this ‘Friday Forum’ will not end up like the Organisation of Professional Association (OPA). What went wrong with the OPA was that individual interest of one’s that was willing to sing hosannas to corrupt Political Leadership in preference to honest individuals, as RW in the political arena, for personal benifit, because RW did not entertain any, due to the fact that he is more knowledgeble than any mentioned in the OPA or this Friday Forum.
If the Friday Forum is sincere to put this country back on it’s track, I quote from the very article, ‘The Friday Forum comprises a group of concerned citizens who have come together to consider current issues of public interest with a view to making meaningful contributions towards peace, democracy, good governance and social justice in Sri Lanka. To pursue this objective, the Forum engages in regular discussions on matters of national interest, articulating its views and concerns.’ Such leadership has to be found from the present Political firmament and an attempt to foist someone from outside, no matter how good and honest he may be will end up in faliure. Besides who can vouch for the honesty and impartiality of such person as we have seen so many Public Servants whom the public believed to posses such qualities, some of whom I notice in this very Friday Forum have fallen short. As the old adage goes, ‘ the know devil is better than the unknown Angel’ I believe it is prudent to put all our effort behind Ranil Wickremasinghe as he has proven himself, as an Honest individual with no record of embezzlement of Public Funds, nor as as an individual of arrogance as others in power. Further he has proved of his capability and ability of management by turning the economy around when it went in to recession for the first time under CBK who promised to deliver transparency and accountability. I am no professional but I hope and trust this Friday Forum will give thought to what I have stated above.
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Punchinilame / June 22, 2012
We are at some end of the road situation, where the Voter is concerned. I agree with your comments.
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Andrew Samuel / June 22, 2012
Sirs
We are living in an era of absolute centralisation of governance in our country as never witnessed in past regimes.This has led to authoritarianism at its worst. We claim to have through a democratic process political and administrative structures. Let us remind ourselves that democracy is not only about having a process of elections whereby constituents are given the opportunity to engage in a voting process to elect their members to power. Unfortunately power has not been spread in a way that allows for participation by its constituents, the citizenry, in an open and fair manner.The result of this authoritarian and centralised rule has led to those elected to power and high office of being mere puppets and cronies in the eyes of the citizenry as they are made to be inefficient leaders by their masters or the high command.This is why we lack visioning and leadership in all sectors including important sectors in health, education, public service, foreign affairs, judiciary etc.
I would like to recommend that a citizenry movement be established to monitor governance and bring to light the anomalies, the corruption, the inefficiency of public service etc within an honest and participatory framework with the hope that a decent and fruitful dialogue with the state can be reached. I also think what has happened in the past is that politicians and political ideologies have engaged in this process in a more antagonistic and revengeful way rather than addressing issues with the participation of civil society who are the very constituents that vote for power change. Already it seems that the citizenry has been duped on many fronts and there is a sense of passiveness and introversion on the part of citizens which has only succeeded in the state taking advantage of such weakness.
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Ainsley Abeywickreme / June 22, 2012
There is little point in these ad hoc statements that the rulers ignore. ON the FF’s own admisison, they have been unable even to just meet the IGP!
One must have a strong public forum that consistently takes a stand and is supported by a wide range of people not a few individuals such as these. They must also comprise of Sinhala and Tamil indigenous intellectuals and journalists who have acquired public rspect through their writings not merely members of the English educated elite who are often linked to NGOs and have therefore spoilt their name.
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Mahanama / June 22, 2012
Certainly a step in the right direction which should have been taken years back.Instead of being just a forum that would only continue to nibble away at the symptoms of the system they should drive all their energies at the core issue to this entire deplorable state of affairs which is the 18th amendment to the constitution.
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Helena Waidiyasekerta / June 22, 2012
We welcome the Friday Forum whole heartedly for the betterment of our unborn genrations and the present children who will have to bear the burden and curses passed down by this disgraceful leaders and their hooligan stooges who are bleeding this country to death by the many sucides prevailing due to lack of food and high costs of living.
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sajeeva samaranayake / June 22, 2012
Who is the ruler who introduced centralized power to the island – Parakramabahu the Great
How did he do it? By brute force and not with the consent of the people
Centralized power has always been vulnerable in Sri Lanka. In fact Parakramabahu’s model was a spectacular failure. the people have always resisted the domination this brings
then the British tried to re-introduce democracy – and we gave it back to an executive president – rather foolish but then
what exactly is this democratic tradition we can draw on? I feel we have to start from scratch…. it is not good to fudge this reality
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eureka / June 22, 2012
Thank you, Friday Forum.
What practical steps are we going to take?
The government has said that the interference of UNHRC is preventing it from implementing LLRC recommendations !!
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Allan Mendis / June 22, 2012
Hope proposed Friday forum will act on impratially indepandally and secular basis.Not prejudice on Humanrights of UNO act on invicable forces anti-national state policies.Sri lankan had been colonial rule 438 years,still remnant of neo-colonial forces are more powerful than progressive-democartic forces, inside and outside Island.
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Colombo bread / June 23, 2012
Well done, keep up the good work.
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sajeeva samaranayake / June 23, 2012
The reality is this –
We – and I mean all of us – are not particularly good in conducting a LEARNING conversation – a genuine discussion where we lay ourselves open to the challenge of searching questions that ask us –
tell us the facts/inferences and beliefs that lie behind your opinions – and i will tell mine.
The problem with governance is a reflection of a deeper malaise within our society – our families and ourselves.
We continue to be dishonest about this social contribution to the political mess. Do we not – to this day remain a totally hierarchical and feudal society – based on who is who – and not one which can respect a stranger?
We have never understood rights or human rights the way the Indians have – we still think of them as sectarian tools to satisfy our selfish interests….
anyway the monologue is what we do best – so the challenge is to find our true self – to listen from the heart and speak from the heart
when you lose the self you lose your voice. who or what speaks when the self is absent? It is the voice of a professional – not the voice of a human being ….
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Thalaivar / June 23, 2012
There is no question that there is a problem with governance. But, which govt in the world has good governance ?. The west has criticizes CHINA a lot. The other side of the story is China is doing very well in comparison to the Americans or most of the developed western countries who used to cheat their own.
Can any intellecttual or Academic in this list honestly from their bottom of the conscience say what they saying is honestly to help people. NO.
They are using their abilities to help special interest groups. In other words, they are no different from politicians who live on the general public. These people also got FREE EDUCATION from that country of which that money could have spent well to feed poor people. Now, they are educated and they work against the same people that helped them.
Finally, in brief, what I am saying,the way you handle good governance as a special – interest group issue, harm the general public and do not support. Because, you are another group of politicians. but, you are not talking for votes but other interests.
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sajeeva samaranayake / June 25, 2012
Dear Abimanasingham
at the same time you will agree that vaishnavism and saivism were inspired by Buddha’s critique of vedic religion?
They came to the fore with the Shwethasvatara Upanishad and the Gita as part of the reformed Brahmanism
Lord Shiva was initially an outsider to Vedic religion and Vishnu was a minor deity
The point I am suggesting is that all religions that originated in India are inter-dependent – facets of one brilliant diamond
later on they would also incorporate mystic traditions from the theistic religions Islam and Christianity —- This is how Gandhi learned non violence from reading tolstoy
sri lankans on the other hand stopped learning a long time ago …..so the Friday Forum needs to look at a whole variety of communication tools outside the rational technical impartial and impersonal monologues – the dead horse that the English educated have been flogging with much enthusiasm for a long time…..ever since Colebrooke and Cameron
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Jim Hardy / June 26, 2012
Friday Forum should be open to all not for only elitist, should respond with well organized civil disobedience to this corrupt rogue regime.
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sajeeva samaranayake / June 26, 2012
There is positive elitism and negative elitism…. sensitive elites and insensitive ones – there seems to be some anger – and this is understandable because the country is fed up with all types of heroes…and people who claim any kind of agency – the message seems to be – you don’t really represent us or me….
this is healthy civic consciousness
FF has called for a social contract – not another political change and this is the key point.
We have to come to terms with our shadow – as a society. I cannot think of any kind of social change without dealing with our own shadows and negativities. All this time we have been outside looking in – trying to distance ourselves from the problem. A social change requires that we place ourselves at the heart of the problem and make the change there.
This is pretty basic. You throw the hardest stone at yourself.
DEVILS MAY GLOW IN THE DARK
BUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
WE ARE ALL THE SAME
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Abimanasibgham Sitthawatthai Uthayakumar / June 29, 2012
Dear Members of the Friday Forum!
The Friday Forum has emphasized that:
“The representations to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) by civil society leaders, religious clergy and concerned officials and the subsequent LLRC Report highlighted the critical importance and need for good governance and an environment of religious and ethnic dialogue and mediation. Furthermore, LLRC recommendations on demilitarisation, ending impunity, the treatment of former combatants, bringing an end to abductions, killings and political violence, the political process to find a political settlement are of utmost importance at this time. These recommendations should be highlighted by the Government in its public statements and addressed immediately.”
Well. But the Friday Forum has failed to pin point two important emphases of the LLRC and the failure of the Commission to identify correctly the Root Cause of the problems of Lanka!!
The paragraph – 8.150 of the LLRC Report states that:
“The Commission takes the view that the Root Cause of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka lies in the failure of successive Governments to address the genuine grievances of the Tamil people. The country may not have been confronted with a violent separatist agenda, if the political consensus at the time of independence had been sustained and if policies had been implemented to build up and strengthen the confidence of the minorities around the system which had gained a reasonable measure of acceptance.”
Here the LLRC has either failed or conveniently got excused itself from talking about a very important question!
The LLRC on one hand has failed to analyze and find out correctly and state WHAT CAUSED THE GENUINE GRIEVANCES OF THE TAMILS!
On the other hand, the LLRC Report INDIRECTLY justifies the VIOLENT SEPARASTIST AGENDA OF THE TAMILS!
Then what about the hundreds of Tamil youths detained in the special detention camps?
The para.8.163 of the Report states that:
“The decisive rift in the inter-ethnic relationship came first with the riots of 1958, then in1977, and culminating in what is known as ‘Black July’ of 1983, and the heinous failure of the then Government to provide adequate protection to Tamil citizens. The problems pertaining to the Tamil Community and their grievances cannot be fully addressed without a fuller understanding of this culture of violence that marred the relationship between the Sinhala and Tamil communities.”
Without identifying the ‘Root Cause’ of the problems of Lanka, LLRC could not have come out with recommendation to eradicate the Root Cause!!
With all these, could we expect the government to accept the Report of the LLRC and implement the recommendations of the LLRC?
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