By Dayan Jayatilleka –
Having been in my early 30s, a Minister in the North-East Provincial Council a quarter century ago – I resigned within six months – I remember how easily it can all go wrong and what the landmines are. I also have some sense of how they may be avoided; what must be done and what is to be avoided by both sides.
The primary task of the newly elected Council led by Justice Wigneswaran must be to last its full term; to “remain at the crease” in cricketing parlance, putting runs on the board but not throwing one’s wicket away. As with a Presidency, so also with a Provincial Council and even more so, by which I mean that the tasks of the second term must not be attempted in the first.
It is likely that Tamil nationalist sentiment assesses the degree of external support to be such that the Government would be unable to dissolve the Council. That is a very risky calculus, because the NEPC was dissolved despite a far stronger external presence on the ground in the North-east, namely, the Indian Peacekeeping Force.
Two factors combined to effect that dissolution and a combination of such factors could do so again. One was political adventurism on the part of the Council, manifested in the announcement, not of an independent Tamil Eelam, but of a deadline and the intent to declare a separate state if certain demands were not met within a specific time frame. Those demands included a Sri Lankan troop pullback. In short, the first factor was a manifest threat on the part of the Council.
The second trigger was a strong Sinhala nationalist backlash against the Council and its political behaviour; a backlash that put the government and President Premadasa under severe pressure. Interestingly that backlash was no longer against the Tigers but against the Northeast Council precisely because it, rather than the LTTE, was seen at the time, as the beachhead of the giant neighbour against which the Sinhalese had tended over a very long period of history, to define their collective identity (rather like Vietnam in relation to China or Cuba to the ‘Yankee’ North).
In short, the long historical memory of incursion from Southern India and the shorter one of Western colonial rule, combine to trigger a backlash against a perceived political beachhead of external influence and interests.
What is often forgotten is the warmth of the early equation between two populists, the senior one a reformist, the junior a radical—President Premadasa and Chief Minister Vardarajaperumal; a warmth which does not (yet) exist between President Rajapaksa and Chief Minister to be, Justice Wigneswaran (not least because of the optics of the Prabhakaran pin-up and Tiger retro-chic in the TNA’s propaganda). Notwithstanding that early warmth, the relationship between Premadasa and Perumal degenerated into mutual aversion and antagonism within months.
Revisionist history has it that this deterioration was due to Premadasa’s tilt to the Tigers. That does not accord with the facts as they unfolded. Premadasa looked to the Tigers after the parliamentary election of February-March 1989 saw the pro-Tiger proxy, the EROS, sweep the board and the EROS leader Balakumar arrived in Colombo to make an opening to Premadasa. However, as the veteran Indian editor Shekhar Gupta, a bitter critic of Premadasa, recounted in a series of articles after his most recent visit, in January 1989, mere days after Premadasa had been sworn in as President on January 3rd, he summoned a meeting which brought together the Deputy Minister of Defence Ranjan Wijeratne, dozens of officials and the cabinet of the North Eastern Provincial Council. The purpose was to kick start the bureaucratic machine, fast-track devolution and make the Council functional. I was there.
That promising start ran aground weeks later. What happened was that Ranjan Wijeratne strode into Premadasa’s room and showed him a set of advertisements in the state newspapers, which had been placed by the Council. The problem was that the Council referred to itself as the North East Provincial Government. Now from a Constitutional and legal perspective, Sri Lanka, as a unitary state, has no autonomous states or provincial governments, but rather provincial councils and provincial administrations (consisting of a cabinet). In any lexicon, an administration or a cabinet isn’t necessarily a government. An incensed Premadasa (who had vastly more self-control than the current incumbent) exclaimed “what Government? There is only one Government in this country! There are no other Governments!”
That marked the collapse of trust and the end of the relationship. The opposition, both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary, seized on the use of the term ‘government’ as a declaration, bringing intense pressure to bear on the Premadasa presidency. The outreach by EROS to Premadasa through the Mayor of Colombo Mr Ganeshalingam, the welcome extended to the EROS delegation by Premadasa and the opening to the Tigers came later.
The use of the term ‘provincial government’ by the North Eastern Provincial Council was no accident. It revealed a state of mind. That was the first fissure which signalled the dissolution of the Council a year later, in 1990.
The newly elected Northern Provincial Council must avoid such a fate, which in a lose-lose scenario will of course have negative consequences for the Government and the country too. One consequence could be a Kosovo-Sudan scenario, but the other could be prolonged military rule in the North with a greater degree of saturation than in previous years.
The source of error is in the realm of ideas. Sri Lanka is not a federal system and no party or devolved unit within a unitary framework should behave as if it is operating in a federation. It is also absurd to function on the basis that the Sinhalese and Tamil constitute ‘equal communities’ and that therefore the Government and the TNA are equal players. Every human being by virtue of their humanity has equal rights. These are intrinsic and inalienable. Every citizen whatever his or her ethnicity must have equal rights and equal treatment. However, Sri Lanka is not founded as a confederation or federation of constituent and equal communities. It does not recognise the right of self-determination however qualified that right may be. It is a democratic republic and a unitary state, the character of which can be changed only by majority consent at a plebiscite.
Dramatic as the TNA’s victory is its total strength in the North and East amounts to several hundred thousand votes in contradistinction to the many millions of Lankan citizens who disagree drastically with its views. The demographic composition of Sri Lanka is also vastly dissimilar to that of former Yugoslavia or India in which the various ethnic or linguistic communities were/are of roughly similar strength. Sri Lanka is not a patchwork. It has an overwhelming preponderance of a single ethnic community. Not even in a corporate entity are those who hold 75% of shares and those who hold under 10% regarded as equal stakeholders.
This structural asymmetry is a reality which is reflected and reinforced by democracy. This asymmetry does not give the Government or the Sinhalese the right or indeed the capacity to behave as overlords and treat the Tamils of the North as an internal colony of second class citizens. Overwhelming demographic preponderance is not a license for the subordination of an ethnic or any other minority. Similarly, however handsome the mandate given the TNA by 350,000 (out of 20 million) people, the relationship between the Northern Council and the State cannot ignore, still less override axiomatic asymmetries. The Ancient Greeks had it right. That which is equal must not be regarded unequally; nor should that which is unequal be regarded as equal. It is necessary that the realities of the unevenness of power be recognised. The Tamil people, it is said, voted for freedom. The exercise of freedom by a collective as by an individual is conditioned by who and where one is embedded; it is relational. A quintessential ‘modern’, Friedrich Engels, had it right when he said that ‘freedom is the recognition of necessity’.
Luxmy Silva / September 23, 2013
Tamils must do strategic batting at Srilankan politics and NOw Provincial Council.
They must also work at very many other levels too, eg:
(good news for all those oppressed people who didn’t get dividends of the much-celebrated MDGs):
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/sep/20/peace-stability-global-development-agenda?commentpage=1
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Luxmy Silva / September 23, 2013
It is a pity that some SriLankans try to do evil batting overseas:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/sri-lanka-tamil-party-wins-poll
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Sengodan. M / September 23, 2013
Dayan,
The first NEPC was formed by novices including yourself!
Not so the new NPC which is lead by a veteran ex-Justice and other well seasoned politicians!
Of course MaRa will always be looking for loopholes to dissolve the Council.
What is fundamentally necessary is for the present government to have a political WILL to solve this long festered problem. Possibly you can help them?
Sengodan. M
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Sengodan. M / September 23, 2013
Another difference between 1989 and now is that at that time only India was watching but now the whole world is watching!
Sengodan. M
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Anpu / September 23, 2013
“mandate given the TNA by 350,000 (out of 20 million) people” Add the 150,00 killed to 350,000. Did 20 million vote for MR?
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J.Muthu / September 23, 2013
Anpu,
Dayan typical Sinhala idiot, they think we are kallathonies we must follow their orders. Bugger never moved, still he thinks cold war period. Bugger still talk about soviet era. Praba made stupid mistakes, may be his idiot advisers. I believe Sinhala barbarism never allow NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL run smoothly, good for us. Then whole world know who real terrorist….
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MNZ / September 23, 2013
SL is a unitary state, and whatever the rhetoric expressed by both sides of the divide, that status quo cannot be challenged nor changed.
What is required immediately is a pragmatic approach by the TNA both to the Tamil Diaspora and to the Government, primarily to create an enabling environment in the North to bring about real peace, security and economic upliftment to its citizenry.
There should be honesty of purpose with common goals. All subterranean operations by all parties should cease.
Once that happens, the resulting prosperity will probably put politics on the back-burner.
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Silva / September 23, 2013
The Tamils have given a crystal Clear verdict. They are not for a separate country anymore but want to live peacefully with dignity. The TNA says it is willing to work with the government. Will the government take a moderate path and work along with the TNA? This is the best chance for the country to establish peace if the TNA and the government work together but it all depends on the Rajapakshe brothers (the most powerful among them is Gota).
The problem is, will the Rajapakshe brothers accept the verdict of the Tamils and work with the TNA or will they listen to the Racist Sinhala-Buddhist Nationalists and cause unnecessary problems and create a mess. If that happens, the TNA will lean towards the Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Nadu, TGTE, GTF, BTF, and the International community (US, EU, India, etc).
If the Rajapakshe government is clever enough to silence the Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Nadu, TGTE, GTF, BTF, and so on and make them non-relevant, then they should work with the TNA and help them. If the TNA can solve the Tamil issues by working with the government, they do not need any support or interference from Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Nadu, TGTE, GTF, BTF, and so on. The same goes to the US, UN, India and the International community.
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Bruno Umbato / September 23, 2013
You are so naive, Silva … Give whatever you think necessary to them, Silva …. They would get all those and then they will ask Ellam …
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Silva / September 23, 2013
Bruno Umbato
It is the other way around. So far nothing was given to them and that is why they wanted to seperate from us. If you work with them and give them something they will not ask for eelam.
Have anybody tried to give any thing to them? When they asked they were only attacked. This is the best chance for peace, we won the war, now let us win the peace.
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gamini / September 24, 2013
Silva you are absolutely right. This Irish Cunt is trying to fish in troubled waters, possibly working for Bell Pottinger & Co, to sustain MR.
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Ravi / September 24, 2013
What Nonsense!
First of all the TNA should thank Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Nadu, TGTE, GTF, BTF, etc for the moral support they gave to win this election. The TNA should also thank the International community (especially US, UN and India) for exerting enough pressure to the Rajapakshe government to hold the election.
It is a historic win for the Tamils and the TNA proving to the entire world that the SL Tamils are a distinct Nation in Sri Lanka who has all the rights to self-determination.
Before talking to the Racist Sinhala-Buddhist Nationalist Rajapakshe and his govt., TNA should talk to US, UN, India and the International community. Rajapakshe brothers and their Sinhala govt. can never be trusted. They will never work with or help the TNA to solve any issues; instead they will only create troubles and make a mess. Without the support from Tamil Diaspora, Tamil Nadu, India, US, UN and International community, TNA and the Tamils will not get anything just by winning this election.
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I am Muslim / September 23, 2013
What ever Said and Done, We Bless ITAK and CM VIG.. all the best, keep the place a best place in the world, please get the Muslims settled back. We supported you very much and 90% voted for ITAK. We lost faith in Muslims Bloody leader whom scared of resigning. ALL THE BEST CM VIG teach lessons to MaRa and they cannot remove you as World is watching and MR is scared to touch a Ex Judge .. :)
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Thiru / September 23, 2013
Yes, oppressed Muslims and Tamils must join hands to win their rights.
Muslims must kick out the opportunist politicians and replace them with sincere ones.
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sach / September 24, 2013
“and should help us tamils to realize our narrow ideals”. isnt it?
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jansee / September 23, 2013
Dayan:
If the regime had worked for a genuine reconciliation after the war, the scars and wounds may have healed a great deal but instead this regime went on to create and extend the scars and wounds further. I am still very doubtful whether this regime has its fingers on the pulse as its behavior and actions show otherwise. The statement by the CM elect, Mr Wigneswaran, a conciliatory one, is most welcome to work within a united Sri Lanka but the regime also must implement the 13A to the letter. If the 13A is tempered with as some Sinhala hawks and fanatics would want to, then it is going to spiral into a senseless antagonism that would not bode well, particularly to the Sri Lankan state.
After that vote that you pushed through the UNHRC soon after the war, which patted SL for the victory, almost everything has been on a downhill motion for SL. How and where this would go from here and where it would end would largely depend on a matured behaviour and honest actions by the regime.
If, as you believe, that a large army and the support of a large Sinhala population are placed as determinants by this regime, then I have only this to say. Intimidation posed by such a large presence of the army and battering the Tamils during the war had not extinguished the aspiration of the Tamils to mind their own affairs. The cultural instincts are too strong for that. MR had one great opportunity to do the “right” thing immediately after the war but he screwed it up. Now another opportunity has surfaced and hope he would not screw this one, too. Let the Tamils conduct their own affairs, albeit within a united SL. This great opportunity may be lost if R. Sampanthan is no more.
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sach / September 24, 2013
I agree Dayan is not correct in every thing he says
Also you are not correct in saying gov hasnt done anything positive to the people in north.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 23, 2013
What is in question is not the numerical and overwhelming majority status of the Sinhalese. The Tamils as a national minority community are not seeking to rule the Sinhalese majority . However, what they are asking is the right to manage their affairs to the greatest extent possible, in geographical areas where they are a numerical majority, within a united Sri Lanka. They will be yet governed in national affairs by a central government that will be overwhelmingly dominated by the Sinhalese. All they are asking for is a simple human right.
The whole issue should viewed in the current context. The Tamils who have experienced 30 years + of hell, have no appetite for more of it. They have had enough and more of violence, as victims and perpetrators. They have been taken to the very brink of destruction and miraculously survived. They are yet a community with unique problems, because of the corrosive effects of the long years of war, events preceding it and the social consequences. The community has to have the powers and resources to go through a major transformation to recover its heritage and chart a course into the 21st century.
However, their identity as Tamils has not be subsumed by this experience. They yet are Tamils, want to be Tamils and be recognised as Tamils – a distinct though related people within Sri Lanka, who are a numerical majority in the north and parts of the east. They feel they can manage their affairs better, given the resources and leeway, within a united Sri Lanka. Is this too much to ask?
Even if this desire is subverted, it will not be destroyed or annihilated. It will assert itself time and again. This is because it is a natural desire of a people who have an identity, collectively not second to any; a confidence, locational numerical strength and capacity to preserve their distinctiveness within the Sri Lankan paradigm; and be proud and successful citizens of Sri Lanka.
What would the Sinhalese desire hypothetically, if they were in the position of Tamils? I wish some honest answers are forthcoming to this question.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Sengodan. M / September 24, 2013
Dr. Nagendran,
You are right in what you say. The question is whether the Sinhalese will accept it. For them any word can become a dirty word. Separatism is a dirty word for them but that is understandable. But why is the word federalism so dirty for them?. Tomorrow they will say that autonomy is a dirty word and even devolution a dirty word! Then they will want the world to accept these definitions and even revise all dictionaries. I wonder what intellectuals like Dayan are doing to correct their thinking?
Sengodan. M
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Javi / September 24, 2013
“Then they will want the world to accept these definitions and even revise all dictionaries. I wonder what intellectuals like Dayan are doing to correct their thinking?”
The creep is no intellectual but just another bogeyman with blood on both hands of the Sinhala Buddhist and Tamils because he follows a Paedophile.
First the Brits left the estate workers stateless and let everyone gorge on them. When the Indians were chased by Idi Amin they were given British passports and UK homes while the Hong Kong folk are allowed to work freely in the UK but no British passports. What the Sinhala Buddhist players inclusive of greedy Dayan want is like the Arabs 50% of profits or 2-5% of contract value like the Malays of Malaysia from the Chinese in other words there must be a Sinhalese in everything that is done in the north like what happens in China. Religion and patriotism are emotions there is nothing called separate state but the bogey for plunder by doing nothing. Surely this would create war like in Punjab. If the North becomes a showcase for hard work, intelligence and prosperous then you can be certain the south would invade like the 83 riots where most had no affiliation with northern politics. No wonder the new CM is asking for the rights of the northerner as enshrined in the law where all are equal not just for the Sinhalese as in practice. The presence of the army is to subjugate and steal from the inhabitants. Even in this state over $2 billion/year comes to SL from the northerners alone. bLiar the international war criminal was the first to play with words and others just follow but then there is something called description, development, dynamics and determinant’s that create the definition so they cannot get far with everybody.
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sach / September 24, 2013
Narendran,
1. First of all I don’t think Dayan said that Tamils need to obey Sinhalese because they are the majority. I don’t understand it like that though many here have understood it in that way. It just means threatening the gov thinking rest of the world is behind you is foolish and not going to work.
2. Also one must realize just like SLG has to deliver Tamils’ aspirations, it has to take care of Sinhala aspirations. In other words gov has to strike a balance. It is not like in India where there is no clear majority ethnicity. In SL there is a majority that is mono lingual, mono ethnic and mono religious. So if the tamil party comes on separatist lines it would be difficult to strike a balance. It not using power over Tamils but just understanding ground realities.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 24, 2013
Sach,
I quote Dayan, ” It is also absurd to function on the basis that the Sinhalese and Tamil constitute ‘equal communities’ and that therefore the Government and the TNA are equal players. Every human being by virtue of their humanity has equal rights. These are intrinsic and inalienable. Every citizen whatever his or her ethnicity must have equal rights and equal treatment. However, Sri Lanka is not founded as a confederation or federation of constituent and equal communities. It does not recognise the right of self-determination however qualified that right may be. It is a democratic republic and a unitary state, the character of which can be changed only by majority consent at a plebiscite.”
He says Tamils and Sinhalese cannot be equal communities but can be equal citizens. This is the flawed paradigm that has undermined ethnic relations in Sri Lanka. If citizens are equal as individuals, they are also equal as collectives of individuals representing the diversity in this country. Their equality as communities with different identities is not factored on their numbers.
The will of the Sinhalese as an overwhelming majority will prevail. No one questions this. This is democracy. However, this should not and must not overwhelm the rights of the minorities as communities. What is common to all should be the chief concern of the government, while according the rights of communities to seek solutions to their unique concerns at least within areas where there a majority.
What Dayan is advocating is Majoritarianism and not democracy. Majoritarianism cannot be the founding principle of a unitary state. This is the fundamentally flawed concept that has created fears regarding a ‘Master Community’ and ‘Subservient Communities’. I am all for a unitary state that gives room for the minorities to be what they are and enjoy both equal citizenship and communal rights.
Definitely the TNA and the government should not be equal players. I agree. However, the government or the state is not the SLFP or the UPFA. The inequality comes in when the party governing, behaves as a political formation and not as the government or the state. In these circumstances the government has to be treated as the equal of the TNA or vice versa. The State is the Sri Lankan State and not a Sinhala State or a SLFP or UPFA State.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Kumar R. / September 24, 2013
Rajasingham,
You are spot-on on this.
Dayan has openly supported and argued that Sinhalese aspirations for Majoritarian control was legitimate, justified and needs to be pursued.
For his argument on this he made the imbecilic claim that “the protest against Apartheid was in fact rooted in the aspirations of the native African’s for Majoritarian control”. He did not see the protest against Apartheid as a protest against inequality or subjugation!
And he did that despite his claim as a Political Scientist, let alone an intellect and an academic. I am sure the Academy that honoured him with the PhD must have recoiled in utter shame on hearing this.
I have challenged Dayan to prove himself by getting at least one reputed, published Academic from his Alma Mater to agree with him publicly on his contention in this view – and Dayan as usual copped out and slithered away. That challenge is still open — for nearly a year now!
Wonder if Dayan will ever grow-up and “tener cojones” to back up his claim or else to apologize, not just for his preposterous statement but more so for the putrid sentiment behind that that he obviously harbours!
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sach / September 25, 2013
I agree with you, Dayan’s wording is wrong. I too speak for equality between races. So sinhala race and tamil race should be treated equaly and it should not be merely based on equality on an individual basis.
of course UPFA, UNP are not governments also TNA is not a government.
anyhow TNA has to use a more corporative way in dealing with the gov. Also TNA has to control the racism that is oozing from tamils as we see here.
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sach / September 24, 2013
Narendran,
This might be long and boring, but this is my answer,
3.SL is not india where the TN has been historical habitat of Tamils and other parts of india of various ethnicities. In SL the starting point of debate was the historical habitat. The Tamils believe North to be their historical habitat while Sinhalese believe North used to be Sinhala habitat that they lost due to continuous invasions and migration from a larger TN. So it is in this context we have to work.
4.You say “. However, what they are asking is the right to manage their affairs to the greatest extent possible, in geographical areas where they are a numerical majority, within a united Sri Lanka.”
Of course that is what all the right thinking SLn wants. The necessity for power sharing is stated by many. In 1987 when it was brought people in SL didn’t like it, but in 2013 we held an election where a party considered as an LTTE proxy was elected. Did you see large scale objection like it was in 87? Why because ppl in this country have come to the realization of its necessity. Also non of the Sinhala intellectuals including Dayan J has said power sharing is a taboo.
5.You say “national affairs by a central government that will be overwhelmingly dominated by the Sinhalese”
Of course gov may be dominated by Sinhala ppl, but it will not remain so, if Tamils give up separatist tendencies and move, on a more cooperative path instead of chest thumping, Tamils will have a greater say in government as SLns. Isn’t that what our final goal should be? However the tamils view it, a Tamil became a Foreign minister in this country. Some (like CV) excelled in the judicial sector; we had many tamils in high officers in central bank, judiciary, civil service. What I say is Tamils should not view this as a way of separating and minding their own affairs but be a part of it and gain your rightful status.
6.“. The Tamils who have experienced 30 years + of hell, have no appetite for more of it. They have had enough and more of violence, as victims and perpetrators. They have been taken to the very brink of destruction and miraculously survived. They are yet a community with unique problems, because of the corrosive effects of the long years of war, events preceding it and the social consequences. The community has to have the powers and resources to go through a major transformation to recover its heritage and chart a course into the 21st century.”
Of course Tamils in the war zone (not every one) went through a difficult period. And it is not only the Tamils. People all over SL had to pay the price of war. As much as there are tamils who suffered from war, there are Sinhalese who suffered from war. There are mothers who lost their children, children who lost their parents and wives who lost their husbands either at battle field or in the streets of Colombo. There are Sinhalese whose whole families were massacred by the LTTE in the border villages. These memories are still fresh with them. That is the same case with muslims. And both of them were chased away from North. So Tamils are not the only victims of war. Right? So stop acting like that.
Also the ones who were in a position to stop this menace (war) was ONLY the tamils. That is had diaspora tamils didn’t fund LTTE it wouldn’t have gone that long and create such human sufferings. Had tamils in Colombo or even the Tamil politicians took a stand against LTTE and rejected it first this wouldn’t have victimized you that much. The tamils were the ones who were with the remote control, you didn’t use it but waited until we destroy it.
And remember Tamils are NOT in a moral high ground. You may have been in such a place post 1983, but after that NO. As much as racist Sinhalese were responsible, tamil racists are also responsible. That is simply common sense that you people fail to understand or ignore.
After all these things do Tamils accept Tigers were terrorists? NO, they don’t. why? Because they know very well they will not be harmed by LTTE again because it is no more and they without any fear idolize the very devil that destroyed them. Right Isnt that the reason?
So don’t come with we have suffered a lot argument, because everyone in SL did. And the ones who are mostly responsible for that were tamils themselves. And the nature of chest thumping that one sees among tamils do not suggest a victimized tamil community at all.
7. “They feel they can manage their affairs better, given the resources and leeway, within a united Sri Lanka. Is this too much to ask?”
Of course it is not too much to ask. But trying to destroy SL, glorifying terrorists, coming up with baseless complaints (genocide, ethnic cleansing) do not belong to that.
8.What would the Sinhalese desire hypothetically, if they were in the position of Tamils? I wish some honest answers are forthcoming to this question.
First of all if we had any Sinhala terrorist org, we wouldn’t be glorifying it after it has done huge damage to Sinhala ppl. Instead of threatening the gov we would work amicably with them and get all what is due and use the prevailing system in the country for Sinhala ppl to excel in the positions of the country and do service so that rest of the country would feel we are a wanted lot and not some trouble makers.
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Suresh / September 25, 2013
Sach
3. “The Tamils believe north to be their historical habitat while Sinhalese believe North used to be Sinhala habitat”
Before the colonial rulers arrived, the Tamils had a separate kingdom in Sri Lanka. From 1200 to 1619, the separate Jaffna kingdom existed until the last Tamil king of Jaffna Sankili Kumaran was defeated by the Portuguese. The Tamil kingdom came under Portuguese domination in 1621, and this was how the Tamils lost their sovereignty, independence and their traditional homeland.
Even the last four kings of the Kandyan kingdom were Tamils begining with SRI VIJAYA RAJA SINGHA (1739-1747) and ends with SRI VIKRAMA RAJA SINGHA (798-1815). During this period, a few Tamil areas such as Trincomalee, Anuradapura, Batticaloa, Ampara and a part of Mannar were under the Kandyan Kingdom and not Jaffna Kingdom but that does not mean that Anuradapura, Trincomalee, Mannar, Batticaloa and Ampara were Sinhala areas occupied by the Sinhalese. These were all Tamil areas occupied by Tamils. Irrespective of what kingdom they came under, they are all part of Tamil homeland.
The Sinhalese living in the North & East of Sri Lanka today were colonized by the so called ‘father of the nation’ DS Senanayake. Is there any Sinhalese person from any part of Sri Lanka who can come out and say that his Vasagama is a name from any part of North or East of Sri Lanka? Even today you go to the Eastern province and speak to any Sinhalese family. They will say that their parents or grandparents came from down south. There is not a single Sinhalese person in the Eastern or Northern Province who could claim habitancy or origin. Even today, in spite of all these state sponsored colonization, NE is separate in ethnicity, language, culture, religion, etc, etc. Your so called ‘Sinhala belief’ has no evidence. The Buddhist remains in the North & East are remnants left by the ancient Tamil Buddhists. The Sanskrit place names in Jaffna does not prove that it belonged to Sinhalese.
The independent Jaffna kingdom from 1200 to 1619 itself is more than enough (historical ground) to support the Tamil belief and claim. The demography of NE (more than 90% Tamil speaking) at independence (1948) is another reason.
8. “What would the Sinhalese desire hypothetically, if they were in the position of Tamils?”
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/hometown and harass, detain, torture, rape and kill your people? How long will it take for the Sinhalese youth (Lions and lionesses) to take up arms to fight them? Or will they be just looking the other way when their brothers and sisters get tortured, raped and killed?
From independence, for many years, the Tamils were at the receiving end. The anti-Tamil riots in 1956, 58, 77, 81 and 83 where the racist Sinhala govt. aided thugs attacked the innocent Tamil civilians who were not involved in any type of politics. Their shops/houses were looted and burnt, their women were raped, and the innocent Tamils were burnt alive by the so called ‘brave Sinhala Lions’.
The Tamil terrorism (LTTE) was the direct consequence of the Sinhala Buddhist racist govt. policy to refuse to share the wealth/political power among its own people (minorities), and instead suppress the legitimate Tamil rights by violent means. It is the Sinhala govt. which created this terrorist monster (LTTE).
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sach / September 25, 2013
First of all my intention was not deciding who came first, because I believe that is a hollow approach. What I mentioned to Narendran was there is a dispute over history among Sinhalese and Tamils and that is a context the state cannot ignore. By that statement I didn’t pick a side but gave a rational analysis of the situation.
As you want to talk about history, k let’s do it.
3. “Before the colonial rulers arrived, the Tamils had a separate kingdom in Sri Lanka. From 1200 to 1619, the separate Jaffna kingdom existed until the last Tamil king of Jaffna Sankili Kumaran was defeated by the Portuguese. The Tamil kingdom came under Portuguese domination in 1621, and this was how the Tamils lost their sovereignty, independence and their traditional homeland.”
In sri lankan history the Jaffna kingdom that existed before the Portuguese arrival is very well known and recognized. But the Jaffna kingdom was started by foreigners as an invading force. So what was there before 1200? What proofs are there for a tamil kingdom before 1200? And you are talking about a Jaffna kingdom, how is it connected to the East ? Doesn’t the history show Jaffna kingdom didn’t exceed even up to Trincomalee. (If you want proof check Robert Knox’s book)
“Even the last four kings of the Kandyan kingdom were Tamils begining with SRI VIJAYA RAJA SINGHA (1739-1747) and ends with SRI VIKRAMA RAJA SINGHA (798-1815).”
The last four kings in Kandyan kingdom were not Tamil, they were Thelingu and what point are you going to present with bringing out that? Are you trying to say Kandyan kingdom has to be tamil because tamil (actually not tamil) kings ruled Kandy?? Are u fuking serious?
If it proves anything at all it is that Sinhala people have been very accommodative towards foreigners and far more civilized than their counter parts in south asia.
“During this period, a few Tamil areas such as Trincomalee, Anuradapura, Batticaloa, Ampara and a part of Mannar were under the Kandyan Kingdom and not Jaffna Kingdom but that does not mean that Anuradapura, Trincomalee, Mannar, Batticaloa and Ampara were Sinhala areas occupied by the Sinhalese.”
When was the time period these areas have ever been under the Jaffna kingdom? Jaffna kingdom was first built by an invader joined later by migrants. These areas have been under the Kandyan kingdom and it has never ever come under Jaffna kingdom. Before that South indian invasive armies have invaded these parts but NATIVES fought and won it back.
That too was centuries before a Jaffna kingdom sprang up. If going by your theory SL, India, Pak and most of asia should be under United Kingdom.
Anuradhapura is the womb of Sinhala civilization. It is not just a city but holds a sacred place in every patriotic Sinhalese.
Anuradhapura has NO evidence of hindu shrines built at that time. All the early Sinhala kings started their reign in Anuradhapura. If any tamil king held Anuradhapura that was only as an INVADER.
And mr. buffoon, invaders don’t own the place. The day TN becomes a part of UK we will talk about tamils in Anuradhapura.
First you said, Jaffna is yours, and we thought fine at least they have lived there from 12 AD, then trinco which was a part of Sinhala Kandyan kingdom and now Anuradhapura the cradle of Sinhala civilization!!
What next Nuwara Eliya?
My ancestors hasn’t discriminated you because they don’t like people of other ethnicities, but because they must have fed up with the pompous, scrupulous, snake like animals.
“These were all Tamil areas occupied by Tamils. Irrespective of what kingdom they came under, they are all part of Tamil homeland.”
Many parts of SL were un habitated, why would a Tamil people join with a Sinhala kingdom when there is a Jaffna kingdom which is tamil? What sources do you have to say Tamils have lived at that time in East as a community? Many tamils that now reside in East and wanni were brought by Dutch to work in tobacco plantations. Many tamils did migrate to east during colonial period, because we Sinhalese could not control immigration to our country.
“The Sinhalese living in the North & East of Sri Lanka today were colonized by the so called ‘father of the nation’ DS Senanayake.
Is there any Sinhalese person from any part of Sri Lanka who can come out and say that his Vasagama is a name from any part of North or East of Sri Lanka?”
Many Sinhalese living in Vavuniya were settled there by the British after cracking down the freedom struggle in Up country. And if you are talking about Mahaweli yes they were and they have the PERFECT right to go and settle there. These areas were No man’s zone during earlier times. Jaffna kingdom didn’t influence these areas. The reason Sinhalese were not in North and east at the end of the colonial rule, was Sinhalese were pushed out from these areas due to various reasons. Sinhalese are not an expansionist race, Tamils are an expansionist race. So naturally the Sinhalese population dropped to such a level it was non-existent.
Why do you talk only about settlements by SL gov or demographic change. What about the settlement of indian tamils inside the Sinhala heartland? Is n’t that changing demographics? Isn’t that illegal? If you want to go back to a pre colonial demographic spread, be mind full about it too because that too was something forced upon us.
“Even today you go to the Eastern province and speak to any Sinhalese family. They will say that their parents or grandparents came from down south. There is not a single Sinhalese person in the Eastern or Northern Province who could claim habitancy or origin.”
Read my reply earlier these places were not much habitated areas and even the small number of Sinhalese were pushed back or absorbed by the late immigrants. Dutch brought tamils from india to grow tobacco and during colonial period tamils came here as immigrants. That gave rise to a tamil population in east.
And why were these people (Sinhala) pushed to down south, because they were the ORIGINAL settlers who were pushed due to constant invasions. In a rational migration movement if Sinhalese came later they should have colonized north, not south.
“Even today, in spite of all these state sponsored colonization, NE is separate in ethnicity, language, culture, religion, etc, etc. Your so called ‘Sinhala belief’ has no evidence. “
That is exactly why we are agreeing for a power sharing because whatever the history tells us the demographic makeup has been altered during colonial period. As a result of that this country needs such a power sharing system.
At least my Sinhala belief has mahavamsa and many stone pillars to back up with. More than that SL is the womb of the Sinhala race. That is Sinhala is the only child of this island bound by an umbilical cord with it. That connection is far stronger than your proof.
And what is your proof regarding a tamil nation in SL? What is the source that says there was a native tamil kingdom before 12 AD?
“The Buddhist remains in the North & East are remnants left by the ancient Tamil Buddhists. The Sanskrit place names in Jaffna does not prove that it belonged to Sinhalese.”
As Tamils cannot find any Hindu shrines of early SL you people come up with this. Yes there were tamil Buddhists but they were absorbed or they contributed towards the making up of a greater Sinhala race. Sinhala race was created in SL. The tamil Buddhists who lived contributed towards Sinhala race and became Sinhala people. But the most of the ones who call themselves as tamils now are late arrivals.
“The independent Jaffna kingdom from 1200 to 1619 itself is more than enough (historical ground) to support the Tamil belief and claim. The demography of NE (more than 90% Tamil speaking) at independence (1948) is another reason.”
How come Jaffna kingdom which could not stretch beyond wanni has a right over east? Do you people go to your neighbor’s houses and take their stuff without telling them? If east was NEVER a part of Jaffna how come they lay claim to east?
“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/hometown and harass, detain, torture, rape and kill your people?”
However bad they are, they were the SAVIOURS of us from a worse TERRORIST! So yeah we will bear them. That is what we would do!
The soldiers will roam around your houses when you give refuge to terrorists and help them tear apart the country. Checking for terrorists is harassing but it is the occupational hazard of helping terrorists. Many of the soldiers who had harmed the people have been punished and we will do so if found guilty again.
“How long will it take for the Sinhalese youth (Lions and lionesses) to take up arms to fight them? Or will they be just looking the other way when their brothers and sisters get tortured, raped and killed?”
The so called harassing army came to the streets after the youth took the weapons. It is not the other way around. And we too once took arms and we too got the same treatment (if not worse) from the state. There is no discrimination there.
“From independence, for many years, the Tamils were at the receiving end. The anti-Tamil riots in 1956, 58, 77, 81 and 83 where the racist Sinhala govt. aided thugs attacked the innocent Tamil civilians who were not involved in any type of politics. Their shops/houses were looted and burnt, their women were raped, and the innocent Tamils were burnt alive by the so called ‘brave Sinhala Lions’.”
That is exactly what I said in my other comments SL gov hasn’t treated tamils well. That needs to change and I have opinionated on that. Also in all these riots (except 83) Tamils too acted violently. They too attacked Sinhala people in East as retribution. It is true tamils were the bigger victim but that is because you were a numerical minority and not because you were innocent.
Anyone who attacks civilians intentionally is not brave; I do not condone such things. Between why do Tamils in SL like tiger symbol? Tiger is a symbol of TN tamils. If Tamils in SL had a separate kingdom or nation why do you use someone else’s symbol? :D
“The Tamil terrorism (LTTE) was the direct consequence of the Sinhala Buddhist racist govt. policy to refuse to share the wealth/political power among its own people (minorities), and instead suppress the legitimate Tamil rights by violent means. It is the Sinhala govt. which created this terrorist monster (LTTE).”
Of course SL gov must be responsible for the creation of reasons that lead to forming of LTTE. But tamils were the ones who maintained it. Just because gov is guilty of A it doesn’t mean Tamils are not guilty of B
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Suresh / September 25, 2013
Mister,
Why are showing an unnecessary anger in your response? Calling names such as buffoon, etc only show your weakness in arguments. I can only laugh at such childish outbursts.
Coming to business (I only respond to something that make sense and not for all your silly comments).
******“But the Jaffna kingdom was started by foreigners as an invading force.”*****
Not just the Jaffna kingdom, all the known kingdoms in Sri Lanka starting from Vijay started by foreigners as an invading force. Vijay and his 700 men were not tourists, they were invaders.
******“So what was there before 1200? What proofs are there for a tamil kingdom before 1200?”*****
Before that the Northern kingdom was known as the Anuradapura kingdom (NOT Sinhala kingdom or Tamil kingdom) and both Sinhala and Tamil Kings ruled the Anuradapura kingdom alternatively. The ancient kingdoms of Anuradapura and later Polanaruwa were never known as Sinhala kingdom or Tamil kingdom.
Even Dutugemunu from the southern kingdom of Rohana who captured the northern kingdom of Anuradapura from the Tamil king Elara could not sustain it forever. Just only 34 years after Dutugemunu’s death, Anuradapura kingdom was ruled by five Tamil kings.
Until the 10th century AD, the people in the island irrespective of their racial background were scattered all over the island with the Tamil settlements (Demel-gam-bim) more towards Rajarata (North of Anuradapura and close to Polonnaruva). According to the historian Dr. M. Gunasingham, from around 10th to 13th century A.D, (Subsequent to the Chola domination of Sri Lanka in the 10th century A.D), people who identified themselves as Buddhists and Sihala shifted their seats of rule from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradapura/ Polonnaruva towards South, West and Central Sri Lanka while the people who identified themselves as Saiva and Demela moved their ruling structures from these same regions to the North and East of the island.
*****”Doesn’t the history show Jaffna kingdom didn’t exceed even up to Trincomalee. (If you want proof check Robert Knox’s book)”******
Robert Knox first landed in the East (Trincomalee) and then lived in Kandy for 20 years as a captive. During his period the east was under the Kandyan kingdom. What he observed was that the people in the East (where he first landed) were following a different religion, language and culture (STRANGERS, when compared to those he was living with) very similar to South Indian. (Hope you read the book).
It is true that some parts of the Eastern province came under the Kandyan Kingdom (not under Jaffna kingdom) from time to time but it makes no difference to the Tamil position in regard to the inhabitancy of the Eastern province.
*****“The last four kings in Kandyan kingdom were not Tamil, they were Thelingu and what point are you going to present with bringing out that?”*****
The last four kings of Kandy from 1739 to 1815 were Nayakkar princes from Mathurai in South India who were referred to as Vaduka Tamils in Sinhala records. Nayakkar dynasty was ruling southern Tamil Nadu from Mathurai. Nayakkar may have descended from Telugu but spoke Tamil language and came from Mathurai as per the SL history. If you do not know where
Mathurai is in South India, it is in Tamil Nadu and not Telugu Nadu.
The Kandyan kingdom was not purely Sinhala like the Kotte kingdom. Even Tamil areas were coming under the Kandyan kingdom. Just because some parts of the Eastern province was under the Kandyan kingdom that does not mean that the people who lived in the East were Sinhalese.
Where is it mentioned that the Sinhalese once lived in the East but they all packed their bags and left to the South giving all their precious lands and houses to the Tamils? They neither lived in the East nor in the North before 1948.
*****”Anuradhapura is the womb of Sinhala civilization. It is not just a city but holds a sacred place in every patriotic Sinhalese. Anuradhapura has NO evidence of hindu shrines built at that time.”******
Anuradhapura is the womb of NOT Sinhala civilization but Buddhist civilization. Anuradhapura was occupied by both Sinhalese and Tamils. Even stone inscriptions talk about Demel-gam-bim in Anuradapura. The problem with you Sinhalese is you think of ancient period in today’s context. Today the Sinhalese are Buddhists and the Tamils are Hindus but during the ancient period both Sinhalese and Tamils were Buddhists as well as Hindus (even today you find Hindu gods in Buddhist temples). It was a Buddhist-Hindu culture (even today, more Sinhala-Buddhists than Tamils visit the ancient Hindu temples Katharagama and Muneshwaram). During archeological excavations around Anuradhapura they have found several statues of God Siva. (You can see them at the Colombo museum).
Let me give you one simple example from your own history book Mahavamsa. In the Dutugemunu-Elara episode, the Mahavamsa says, Dutugemunu had to conquer not just one Tamil king (Elara) but 32 Tamil Chieftains around the Anuradhapura principality alone. He also killed around sixty thousand Tamils in the war. How could there be 32 Tamil chieftains in the area of Anuradhapura alone if not for Tamil settlements (Demel-gam-bim) in Anuradapura? Similarly, King Valgambha had to fight seven Tamil chieftains to reassume ‘sovereignty’ at Anuradhapura.
Even during the recent past, in 17th century AD (colonial period), Rajarata (Anuradapura) was inhabited by Tamils as per the book written by Robert Knox who was the prisoner in Kandy. When he escaped from prison, he had to go through several places and when he came to Anuradapura, he says it was occupied by Tamils (NOT Sinhalese). If you had read his book, it tells a lot about the place and its people.
*****”All the early Sinhala kings started their reign in Anuradhapura. If any tamil king held Anuradhapura that was only as an INVADER.”******
According to the SL history, the first Sinhala king of Anuradhapura was Vijay, a foreigner who came with 700 men in a boat and invaded the island. Why do you say only Tamil kings were invaders? Where does it say in the Deepavamsa/Mahavamsa or any other vamsa that the first two Tamil Kings of Lanka Sena & Guttika (horse traders sons) were invaders who came from outside Sri Lanka? (They were native Tamils).
*****”Many tamils that now reside in East and wanni were brought by Dutch to work in tobacco plantations.”*****
Do you have reliable source/evidence to prove this?
*****”More than that SL is the womb of the Sinhala race. That is Sinhala is the only child of this island bound by an umbilical cord with it. That connection is far stronger than your proof.”*****
This is purely a myth put into the heads of the Sinhalese from their childhood. As far as Tamils and others are concerned, it is pure nonsense.
******”The tamil Buddhists who lived contributed towards Sinhala race and became Sinhala people. But the most of the ones who call themselves as tamils now are late arrivals.”*****
Can you prove your point?
Historians believe that the 10th century Chola invasion that created Eela Mandalam in SL converted all the Tamil Buddhists into Hindus.
*****”However bad they are, they were the SAVIOURS of us from a worse TERRORIST! So yeah we will bear them. That is what we would do!”******
You may bear them even when they shoot you for asking pure water but why should the Tamils bear them? For the Tamils they are the TERRORISTS where as the LTTE were freedom fighters/our heros.
******”The so called harassing army came to the streets after the youth took the weapons. It is not the other way around.”******
So, the Sinhalese can keep on attacking the Tamils (for decades) when they have a peaceful protest but when the Tamils hit back they become Terrorists. Good logic!
/
sach / September 25, 2013
Between you have ignored my answers from 3 to 8. I guess you ve nothing to say or agree with me in that. :D
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Native Vedda / September 25, 2013
sach
However much both of you (Suresh and Sach) kick, scream and shout, the fact remains this land once belonged to my ancestors, util two stupid kallthonies sharing the same genetics stepped foot in this island.
There is only one way to stop your baby talks and silly arguments, to put both of you on kallathonies and send back to whence your ancestors came,
Both people have no right to be here in this island.
Sach
“Just because gov is guilty of A it doesn’t mean Tamils are not guilty of B”
I will be the judge of that, not you as both of you are conditioned to believe whatever is fed to you as fact.
Mahawamsa myth does not give you the right to grab my land.
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Banda / September 25, 2013
Today, Vedda is just a show-piece or a celebrity race for Sri Lankans. Vedda was never ever a major race in Sri Lanka. It was Yaksha, Naga, Deva and Raksha the historical races of Sri Lanka. Without Mahawamsa no Vedda would ever know anything about them.
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Native Vedda / September 25, 2013
Banda
Seriously what does Mahawamsa say about my people?
“It was Yaksha, Naga, Deva and Raksha the historical races of Sri Lanka.”
Was it? Could you sight tangible evidence of existence of above races in the good old days.
“Vedda was never ever a major race in Sri Lanka.”
But we go back 26,000 years.
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Janaka Fernando / September 25, 2013
Let’s analyse the four groups of people: Yakshas, Nagas, Rakshas, and Devas:
1. According to Mahabaratha:
Yakshas: Yakshas are chthonic semi-divine beings, half god and half demon. They live under the earth in the Himalayas where they guard the wealth of the earth (gems, gold, silver, etc.). They are led by Kubera, the god of wealth. Like their leader, they have all fat bellies and plump legs. They have no special characteristics, are not violent, and are therefore called punyajana (‘good beings’). Kubera’s epithet is Punyajaneshvara.
Nagas: Nagas are a primeval race of divine serpent-people that play an important part in religion. They are half human and half snake, and are still worshipped as the bringers of fertility, especially in southern India. Nagas are believed to live in palaces (Patala) in the underground city Bhogavati. They are considered the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. Their ruler is Sesha. Some of the nagas are: Ananta (symbol of eternity), Vasuki, Manasa (fertility goddess and protector against snake-bites), and Muchilinda.
Rakshas: The Rakshas are led by Ravana, their king, and are the eternal enemies of Vishnu, one of the foremost divinities of the Hindu pantheon. They usually appear in the shape of a dog or a bird with a fat body, or as a skeleton.
Devas: Devas, in Hinduism and Buddhism, are exalted beings of various types. The term ‘deva’ in Sanskrit means ‘shining one.’ Hinduism recognizes three types of devas: mortals living on a higher realm than other mortals, enlightened people who have realized God, and Brahman in the form of a personal God. In Buddhism, devas are gods who live in the various realms of heaven as rewards for their previous good deeds, but they are still subject to rebirth.
2. According to the Buddhist scriptures Tripitika,
The Yaksha, Naga, Raksha and Deva were either good or evil non humans from different celestial worlds.
Let’s take an example from the Sutta Pitika (one of the 3 books from the Buddhist bible Tripitika).
The Mahasamaya sutta in the sutta pitika, says that when Buddha was living in the great forest at Kapilavatthu, both good and evil Non-humans from different worlds came to see him. Here, Buddha says, so many Yakkhas, Nagas, Rakshas, Asuras, Supannas, devas and Brahamas got together and so the Arahants of Buddha rejoiced with them, the Non-humans.
3. According to the Mahavamsa,
The entire Mahavamsa brands the Yakshas, Nagas, Rakshas and Devas, as non-humans/supernatural beings. Let me take an example from the Mahavamsa:
Buddha made three trips to Sri Lanka, each time colonizing another area of the island, in preparation for the formal introduction of Buddhism two centuries after his death. One of these trips was to settle a dispute between the Yakkhas and Nagas at Naga Divipa (Ninathivu) where the Buddha tamed the Yakkhas-the Non-human inhabitants of the island.
Native Veddah,
Do you belong to any one of the above non-humans?
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Native Vedda / September 27, 2013
Janaka Fernando
“Native Veddah,Do you belong to any one of the above non-humans?”
Why do you think I would agree with your Mahawamsa mindset madness?
You have painstakingly narrated some ideas for writing a good comic book. Please do develop these themes further, you can be dollar millionaire in no time.
By the way I like good comic books.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 25, 2013
Sach,
Briefly in answer to the points you have raised:
3. Sri Lankan history is being manufactured in the popular press and the political platforms. It is a process yet unfolding. Unless history becomes the area of research of trained historians who can rise above personal prejudices, we will never know the kernel of truth in our history. Even the clarity we had of history as children has been muddied.
Further, we can discuss the question of habitats in Sri Lanka only on the basis of the following:
a.Current geographical realities.
b.The history as understood at the point in time when communal animosities were minimal- say at independence.
I would prefer the first, as it is visible, beyond conjecture and much groping in the dark.
4.Agree.
5.Desirable. But it takes two hands to clap and two to tango.
6.The trauma of the Tamils far exceeds that of others in a collective sense and it began much before that of the Sinhalese and Muslims. The trauma of individuals, whether it is of a mother who lost her child, a child who has lost parents , individuals who have lost their entire family and possessions, individuals who were maimed and the many permutations and combinations of these, transcend communal identities and are absolutely unacceptable. That is the human dimension of our tragedy.
The militancy was from the Tamil community. It was in response to what transpired before the militancy. There were causes and effects that have to be recognized. Many Tamils may have supported the militancy, but an equal number were rendered mute spectators. Many were aghast at what the LTTE was turning into, while others hope that the results would benefit the Tamils- the end justifies the means syndrome. However, the LTTE had become bigger than the Tamils and beyond their control.
Some in the Diaspora supported it whole heartedly, while others were forced to contribute.
The last ceasefire agreement exposed the LTTE to most Tamils as to what it truly
was. But yet the Sri Lankan government was the bigger enemy to be feared. It was a Hobson’s choice.
The Tamils lost the moral high ground due to the stupid decisions and actions of the LTTE.
Ask the question of whether they consider the LTTE, heroes or terrorists from the ordinary Tamils in the north and east and you will hear answers that are varied and proportioned according to their individual experiences. They were nether absolute terrorists or absolute heroes to most. Politicians who escaped the worst, will define this for you with what they think is vote catching poetry.
7. We agree.
8. Once again it takes two to tango.
I thank you for your positive sentiments and know that a majority of the Sinhalese think positively like you. The Tamils are no different. I hope the people will come together to give a lead to their politicians.
The Tamils have delivered their verdict with a clarity hitherto not seen. They want to live in a UNITED SRI LANKA, while managing their AFFAIRS IN THE NORTH as much as possible. It is up to the politicians to work out the modus vivendi. There is no triumphalism being expressed by the Tamils- they have no strength or spirit to do so, although the words in the comments of some here may indicate otherwise.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Fathima Fukushima / September 23, 2013
The nation will not rest until getting even.
TNA hatred should be matched by other communities against Tamilians.
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Peace Lover / September 23, 2013
get lost Lorenso of Lankaweb your trash is good for Lankaweb and its monkeys not CT
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I am no muslim / September 25, 2013
Thank you Fathima
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Javi / September 23, 2013
“TNA hatred should be matched by other communities against Tamilians.”
Rajaporkistan Taliban understudy watch your butt not the stick beyond your nose Biscuit Buffon.
Let’s bring back a Sir John K. character- “Tatte tare ganewa”!
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Anpu / September 23, 2013
Democrazy in action.
Representation in the Parliament
In 1947 Sinhalese 63, Tamils 20, Muslims 6
In 1978 Sinhalese 190, Tamils 23, Muslims 12
Progressive writer DJ, can you tell the world what happened in between 1947 and 1978 and after
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Thiru / September 23, 2013
Yes, that’s right, ask these hypocrites to answer with honesty!
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sach / September 24, 2013
1. From where did you get the statistics?
2. Representation of all races have increased though Percentage vice Sinhala representation has gone up.
3. Either in 1947 sinhala people had NOT gotten a proper representation for them or it is either moving the tamils of central highlands back to india.
4. If it is the first sinhala people have been living under a disadvantaged situation.
5. If it is the second there is again nothing wrong with that. The biggest argument Jaffna tamils present is they should be left to do anything in their part of the country. Same way sinhala ppl are left with that option. So how can Tamils in North question a sinhalese about what they do in sinhara area? it doesnt sound fair ne :D
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Percy Jilmart / September 23, 2013
The northern tamils and the TNA will have nothing to worry until CHOGM is over. After that the RajaPoxsas will start their dirty tricks, trying to bribe and intimidate the TNA candidates into crossing over.
Be very vigilant…these are the people who mudered Lasantha in broad day light and had hundreds of others kidnapped by white van. Remember the grease yakkas that ran into army camps? As long as the army thugs and Douglases thugs are armed and do the bidding of the RajaPoxsas, the Northern Provincial Council will never be able function properly.
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Thiru / September 23, 2013
You got it right, the MARA regime, which Dayan considers great, will empty the state coffers to buy anybody. After all they are not paying out of their pockets.
I can’t understand the so-called political science experts who praise this law-ignoring regime. Eventually if this regime goes on like this there will be anarchy in Sri Lanka.
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Fathima Fukushima / September 23, 2013
Biggest threat to TNA comes from LTTE which is still active in TN.
TNA compromised on the Tamil cause.
How can TNA agree to northern province only? Tamil Elam includes eastern province too.
By betraying the Tamil Elam Vadakundi Resolution cause, TNA has come in the firing line of the LTTE.
Remember Amirthalingam, Thiruchelvam?
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Hooker / September 26, 2013
All Fathima Fuku’s ranting and raving – writing nonsense usually –
comes to naught when this idiot says the LTTE is active in Tamilnadu.
Tell where? You are like that rogue Maitripala S who began politics as a penniless JVPer in Bata slippers and has since become the biggest
billionaire in the Polonnaruwa area controlling the rice harvesting and milling trade. His family control a whole heap of 4-star hotels
in the District. The semi-educated rascal has shot his mouth against
the Tobacco Company and now has to confirm who offered him that imagined bribe.
The LTTE is alive only in the minds of the Rajapakses to fool the Sinhala people. The only surviving LTTE is the Tamilnet and a few former kappan collectors in Canada, UK and West Europe. They are less than a hundred and do not know the difference between a pistol and a handgun.
Hooker
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Park / September 23, 2013
Governments, Councils, administration are all play of words for the story spinners. In short all these words mean that a body that has certain powers to manager certain functions within its jurisdictions. So even if there is a Federal Government system imposed still it would be same. To say that Council is not a government is just a play of words.
Justice Wigneswaran is not a person whom Dayan followed. Dayan followed the leader of the first PC in the North and he left (failed) then he followed Rajapakse and he got kicked out. So when we read his articles we have to keep these in mind. It does not mean that Dayan is not correct or not a smart person. But he too can make errors in his judgements.
Justice Wigneswaran as the Chief Minister will show how to govern, manager and administer the Northern PC.
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hannah.rajaratnam / September 23, 2013
Jill Mart and to others who have voiced their fear about the ‘Rajapakses’what the future outcome will be after the N.PC elections.
You know where the worms are.Clean the canker and spray some strong poison.
Many singhala friends have realised the situation too late.The canker,lies and deciet have taken root in the south.
The north has come out strong with their verdict.
The South? –The results in the south show that the singhala masses are happy.But we still hear the fears,grouses,and the filth on the Rajapakses by the southern singhalese.
So- what does the south want?
If the entire south is happy- Great.
The north isn’t – President has to fix this.
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sach / September 24, 2013
it just mean sinhalese will be very open and would criticise their leaders which tamils do not
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Park / September 25, 2013
How can you say Tamils don’t criticize? In fact they have kicked them out example EPDP politicians and Anandasangaree. What have the people in the South done?
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sach / September 25, 2013
the reason you kicked out EPDP is it has given up eelam dream and coperating with the gov. You didnt kick them out because they were doing wrong/ bad things but because they were not seperatist enough for you.
And really do u bring out Anandasangaree as an argument.? You kicked him out because he is not a fan of LTTE and its terrorism. And he had a spine to disagree with LTTE. It is that view of him that still makes him allergic to tamils like you.
Actually kicking out EPDP and anandasangaree is not about criticising them but about showing contempt for going against LTTE.
Tamils can talk about criticising their “leaders” if they criticised LTTE ever? DID you ever?
Did you ever criticise LTTE when LTTE killed tamil policemen in north and east?
Did you criticise LTTE when LTTE massacread sinhala civilians in border villages in the MOST gruesome manner? but you justified it saying they are gov settlements.
Did you criticise LTTE when LTTE started targeting sinhala civilians well inside sinhala dominated areas?
Did you criticise LTTE when it killed national leaders?
Did you criticise LTTE when it killed non seperatist Tamil leaders?
Did you criticise LTTE when it killed Amirthalingam because he agreed to 13A.?
Did you criticise LTTE when it killed Thiruchelvam, who brought a power sharing scheme for the country?
Did you criticise LTTE when LTTE burnt and buried alive 600+ policemen in east when they surrendered to LTTE?
Did you criticise LTTE when LTTE burnt alive TELO carders in the streets of Jaffna?
Did you criticise LTTE when it massacred muslims in Kattankudy?
Did you criticise LTTE when it chased away Muslims?
Did you criticise LTTE when it threw away 13A and started war with IPKF?
Did you criticise LTTE when it almost always went away from negotiating tables?
Did you criticise LTTE when it killed ppl in Sri jaya maha bodhi and Dalada maliga?
Did you criticise LTTE when it too human shield in 2009?
Did you criticise LTTE when it shot at fleeing civilians?
Did you criticise LTTE when recruiting child soldiers?
DID YOU???
And what is the decency in inviting a person to an alliance and kicking him away?
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hannah.rajaratnam / September 23, 2013
Anpu- your question will be side tracked by running around the bush with no relevance to the question and finally when he runs out of steam he stops mid stream leaving the reader wondering what he started with to a no end – hanging fire.!
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hannah.rajaratnam / September 23, 2013
Bruno- don’t get uptight.It is only me.
What is this comment – you give what they ask and they will ask for more?
Go to Sri Lanka’s history.
Tamils have kept asking ?- you juggle your brain — for what?.
If they wanted more – the victory will be the same resounding victory on that basis.
you want a ‘base’ to bully,steal and do illegal trade?
Like from our proud Onion Fields belonging to poor farmers ? Work hard and reap your wealth thats the motto of the Tamils.
I can see that ‘asking’ for free is a motto that is rooted in the south.Right now from the Chinese -for free.
How long is Sri Lanka going to live on other peoples profits?
Or plundering.
Hopeflly not from the north I guess.That must stop.
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sach / September 24, 2013
kk now on whose funds did whole north and even the tigers bases feed on? It is the same sinhalese who had to send everything from rice, bread, and even a panadol. The chest beaters now did nothing,but depended on sinhalese.
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Suresh / September 25, 2013
That is why the Tamils were asking for separation (to manage their own affairs) so that the North does not need to depend on the Sinhala govt. to send them everything from rice, bread, and even a panadol.
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sach / September 25, 2013
if you can read and answer in context, what i meant was all these pompous fools could do nothing for the very ppl they pretend to care of. Only the sinhala ppl who fed the tamils in the north even if they are on loans.
And i talked about a past context and the answer for you is we didnt liberate the terrorist held area to give than on a platter to the very ppl who fled. And because it is our country!
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Thanga / September 23, 2013
Dr.Dayan is an ex-diplomat who is adept at using stealthy but flowery language in his mis-information campaigns. He is no different from other Sinhalese chauvinists, except he uses sophisticated language to camouflage his real intention. Democracy according to Dr. Dayan is rule by the majority. That is only true in a homogenous population. Sri Lanka is not a homogenous country. It is multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-racial. In such a country saying the majority carries the day is neo-fascism and not democracy. And by default Dr. Dayan is a fascist. True democracy is government by consent. Consent of all the citizens. Otherwise, democracy will tantamount to tyranny of the majority. This is the reason in advanced countries there is provision in the constitution to safeguard the fundamental rights of ethnic and religious minorities. To Dr. Dayan the Sri Lankan unitary constitution is sacrosanct and is cast in iron. Untouchable and unchangeable. He forgets the Soulbury unitary constitution was unceremoniously dumped by a Sinhalese dominated parliament despite section 29(2). So to speak about the sanctity of a unitary constitution is just hock wash. There is nothing on earth that can prevent the enactment of a federal constitution. It is time Dr. Dayan must stop playing the role of a BIG brother. He should know that Thamils had a state of their own for centuries. It was conquered on the battlefield and not handed over to the conquerors like the Kandyan kingdom. As highlighted by Anpu there has been a systematic ethnic cleansing of the Thamils by the successive racist governments both green and blue. Dr. Rajasingham who was a cheer leader for all the successive Sinhalese governments has posed the right question whether “it is too much to ask that Thamils be allowed to manage their affairs better, given the resources and leeway, within a united Sri Lanka?” He has also posed a very pertinent question “What would the Sinhalese desire hypothetically, if they were in the position of Tamils?” I wish Dr. Dayan gives an honest and straight answer to the his question. At same time I disagree with his characterization that “Thamils have experienced 30 years + of hell, have no appetite for more of it.” I strongly disagree with his statement. It is during the last 30 years the Thamils enjoyed the fruits of self-rule. And LTTE ruled state was not hell. It was a model state. I visited Vanni in 2004 and stayed there for 3 months. I saw a model de facto state/government, free from corruption and bribery, run by the LTTE. The law and order situation was near perfect. A woman wearing expensive jewellery can walk the streets at midnight without fear of being robbed. Even people living outside LTTE controlled areas came to Kilinochchi to settle civil disputes in LTTE courts because the trial was faster and the cost of litigation cheaper. The Tsunami type landslide victory of the TNA says it all. Ananthi Sasitharan, wife of now missing Trincomalee LTTE political leader, polled a staggering 87,870 votes coming second to the Chief Ministerial candidate. The credit, partly goes to the Sinhala army which attempted to murder her and her children on the night prior to the election day! That evoked sympathy vote!
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Ajith / September 23, 2013
I think still Dr DJ trying to threaten Tamils by saying that Sinhalese will massacre Tamils if Tamils ask for the right of self determination or federal solution to this problem. His response is simply genocide. He and his language is more of BBS than even the average sinhala people. If you look back the politics of Sri Lanka from 1956 to 2003, Sinhala public agreed for a solution based on internal self determination for the North East region where Tamils are majority. DJ is trying to mislead the people that federalism is equivalent to separate state. He always hide that under federalism the Central Government hold the power on security and Finance. The people of North East is not interested in your affairs or robbing your resources or creating military power to attack you. We want peace and law and order and dignity. Police force is necessary to maintain law and order. Otherwise you will see the same unlawful activities by military and paramilitaries during this election.
In 1989, NEPC failed because the election was not democratic. It was done to fulfill Indian Government wishes. This time it is different. The whole world was watching and the Government of Sri Lanka is under observation and Government couldn’t do much and it will have consequences on the next HRC session.
The Mahawamsa mentality of Sinhala ruling regime is still there and it is always ready to use genocide tactics whenever there is a call for justice. This group is not worried about ordinary sinhalese people including low social class Sinhalese. They don’t like true democracy or to give basic rights to lower social class people. Twice the same tactics was used against those people to protect the interest of the high social class people including Dr DJ. Poor Sinhalese youths were used to kill poor Sinhala people and Tamil people.
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CG / September 23, 2013
What is the need for Self Styled leftist Dayan to threaten abt dissolution of the northern council when they have not yet taken oath under the constitution ???
Does he think that they can get away easily ignoring the democratic voices of Tamils who have voted overwhelmingly in the only chance they got in the last 25 years for governing their own destiny ???
It is time for Northern council led byTNA to start exercising Land/Police Powers well before CHOGM comes to an end in November.
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Aani / September 24, 2013
Dayan the EPRLF government that you were part of was the first to declare Eelam. Now you are standing for majoritarian dominance.
What a come down for an idealist heh!
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 24, 2013
A Kosovo in Colombo….
The majority of the Srilankan Tamils live in Colombo and other parts in the South.
Infact 70 % of the population in Colombo are Tamils.
A significant number of TNA.s Landslide vote came from Colombo.
Even the high class and hiigh caste Jaffna residents have their valuble assets and investments in Colombo, including their kids and spouses.
That leaves only the poor rural like the Kilinochians , the real current inhabitants of the North , now under the High Caste CM.
His handlers the TNA board is totally located in Colombo.
What is the reason for this attraction of Colombo?.
It is all about jobs, assets,, opportunities,for them and their offsprings.
If the Killinochians and the Wannians have the means, they will also be located in Colombo, though not in the same leafy suburbs as their current rulers.
Will the current leaders of these people make that happen?.
Or do they intend keeping them where they are and give them TNA police and hold the Titles to the Land?.
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Sengodan. M / September 24, 2013
Sumanasekera,
Who told you that 70 percent of people are Tamils? Are you really mad? Can you quote any statistics from the Census reports?
Sengodan. M
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Thamilthambi / September 24, 2013
70% Tamils in Colombo is calculated to deceive and inflame the thugs in the Streets. The Mendacious President told a visiting
Indian journalist in an interview it is 90% My information from
CMC sources is all three communities have just about a third of
the voting population – taking into consideration the slight increase of Tamils from post-1990s North.
Thamilthambi
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Thiru / September 24, 2013
Thank god,
At last you are not talking about vellarlas!
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Suresh / September 24, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera
Why are you bluffing like a kavum kana modaya?
From where did you get all these statistics? Thin air?
Please refer the article written by Michael Roberts on CT: “Sri Lanka’s Complex Background: Correcting & Amplifying Sheridan and Gotābhaya”
“the proportion of Sinhalese in the metropolis as it is defined today is only 24 per cent, with the Muslim population now making up 40% and the two Tamil communities (Sri Lankan and Indian) together constituting 33%”
You have become a real Joker.
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Ravi / September 24, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera
Why Tamils choose to live in the metropolis (Colombo)?
The answers are: escaping the warzone, pursuing basic economic life and transit.
For many Tamils, the areas outside the Northeastern warzone are comparatively safer places. Whilst disappearances, indefinite detention, torture, etc are a risk in the south, the risks of these are far greater in their home towns and villages in the Northeast (consider the situation in Jaffna, for example, which has been under state control for several years). By the way, the imminence of (Sinhala) violence is referred to as ‘impunity’ by the international community.
Secondly, following decades of state exclusion from investment, even by the early eighties, the Northeast had little prospect of economic life outside state employment. Which is why, despite, as Prof. Gunesinghe puts it, the period from 1977 to 1983, being described as one of incessant ethnic rioting, large numbers of Tamils remained in the south. Their luck ran out in 1983.
Yet, there is little choice for Tamils trying to survive today. Attempting to secure a basic economic life, many accept the latent risks of living in the south. Their desperation is heightened by Sri Lanka’s rampaging inflation.
Then there are those Tamils trying to get out of Sri Lanka, either for safety or to seek employment abroad to support families in the Northeast.
But with the state administration (travel and other papers), international embassies (visas) and the island’s sole international airport being in Colombo, large numbers of Tamils have come to Colombo and languish in squalid ‘lodges’ or crowd relatives’ homes while they try to arrange their departures.
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Banda / September 25, 2013
1983 riots are more than 30 years back now. In spite of so many LTTE provocations, we have never repeated such riots again. International community are hypocrites. We know their aim is to divide Sri Lanka and have their bases in Eelam. That’s why they wanted to save terrorist Velu but got dictators Qaddafi and Saddam killed. The US and its allies occupied Afghanistan to rid Bin Laden. Now Laden is killed but Yankees are still there drone attacking civilians.
To tell you the truth, I don’t mind any Tamil living next to me. But the point is those Tamils that came to Colombo because of the war, never went back four years after the war. I believe they have settled down in wherever they are.
Inflation and economic hardship is not limited for Tamils only. It’s problem for everyone. Seeking employment abroad is a fashion for everyone to get better. I think there are better opportunities in Sri Lankan for those who try harder than in India. There are worst countries than Sri Lanka.
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Native Vedda / September 25, 2013
Banda
“1983 riots are more than 30 years back now. In spite of so many LTTE provocations, we have never repeated such riots again.”
It was because the state took charge of killing the people and destroying their properties in large numbers.
Once the war ended you are still not satisfied with the killing and destruction, your state is gearing up to kill the Muslims and destroy their properties. Now it seems it is in the warming stage,where Saffron clad thugs in the front protected by state institutions.
“Inflation and economic hardship is not limited for Tamils only.”
You should tell this to your Sinhala/Buddhist rulers and their state.
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Leon / September 24, 2013
“the character of which can be changed only by majority consent at a plebiscite”.
Pray how does this work in a non homogenous country?
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Diogenes / September 24, 2013
Mr(?)Silva: You ask “Has anybody tried to give anything to them ?” now, don`t worry. Very soon our evil Maha Rajah magnanimous like king Vessanthara will start giving “things” to some of the members of TNA in his vile attempt to form the council with a UPFA majority. I hope and believe those Tamil politicos have the decency to resist such temptations unlike those greedy pigs who left the UNP in order to give “more strength to the President`s hands” for more and more patriotic corruption and patriotic plunder.
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crazyoldmansl / September 25, 2013
The man who RAN away in six months – making sure to take his bat along with him – now wants viggie to become a veggie and stick to the crease! I do not see that happenning and I do not see the sinhalese buddhist ‘problem’ and the tamil separatist ‘problem’ being solved until there emerges a de facto district of Tamilnadu called thamileelam and that requires the building of a BIG ‘bridge over troubled waters’. That will put the thamileelam band wagon where it belongs and help the sinhalese to take their rightful place in the world as a small tribe on a small island.
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