By S. Sivathasan –
S. Sivathasan
A great opportunity comes but rarely and it has come to the Tamils now. The North needs the goodwill of the South to resolve its problems. The South cannot eschew the allegiance of the North if central governance needs to be stable. To convey a truism bluntly, both ethnicities Sinhalese and Tamil need one another to go towards peaceful times and to look for new horizons. Options may seem many but are limited to a few. Bipartisanship is the name and it is a compulsion. Support from other minorities is sure to follow when forward movement is seen.
By a strange quirk of fortune a set of circumstances has turned favourably locally and internationally. Taken in its flood, the prospects can be handsomely great. Yet the peace process has to run its course for a decade or more. If the political environment has changed, how did it come about? In close succession were two epochal changes. The bloodless revolution of January 2015 and the silent revolution of August 17. The former triumph complemented by the latter victory compose an earth shattering achievement. Together they have dislodged a regime brought forth through dishonesty, sustained by violence and trumpeted so to the Sinhalese. President Mahinda and his cohorts found culpable for them all, are both sent out of power. Intelligent voting has ended their vision of eternal continuity.
At this nodal point in the nation’s growth, the twin victory of the year needs to be consolidated. With the victory of August 17, the UNF will get better integrated, adding to its strength by the day. The TNA representing a whole ethnicity will set itself to regaining lost rights. UPFA’s descent into disintegration will be unstoppable. Soul-saving pursuits against their evil will be the obsession of the fraying UPFA and its constituents. The TNA will sustain its reputation of a well-integrated political formation maintaining its objectives without compromise. Growth, Fairness, Equality will compose the mantra for the government and the TNA to work on.
Tamils feel safe in their leadership. Quite adroitly the leaders have reached the threshold to parley with the government – the national leadership. The nation has gone through all the miseries that an ill-fated people can undergo. Linguistic discrimination. Ethnic oppression, Religious persecution, Language-based educational marginalisation, bloody suppression of insurgencies – class and irredentist – perpetual emergency rule and a host of other denials. A full circle has been described not bypassing a single misfortune. The country is bled white and the Tamils have had the worst of it. The deposed President who visited tragedy upon tragedy is defeated again with vengeful decisiveness. Never again a repeat cycle is the people’s vow. Never ever should Tamils be constrained to think or say, sufferance is the badge of our people.
If such be the determination, where do we begin? We hark back to 1948 to 1952 when the nation had good governance. This can be the pointer for a new beginning. Paradoxical it would seem, to move forward we have to look backward. We have to get to principles and rectitude and venture to resuscitate them. It is here that the country stands today. At this propitious moment, Tamils it is wished will act with circumspection, having wisely brought to the fore TNA as the third largest party.
The UNF at 92 is likely to reach 105 with national list added. When Maithripala loyalists join in, seat strength will rise to 125. If TNA moves even alongside the UNF yet buttressing it, the governing party will raise it’s vote strength to 140. This is a healthy threshold for the President and the Prime Minister to construct a two-thirds. A National Government will then be well and truly in place.
If the TNA enters and stays in the katpagraham – the sanctum – the powerhouse – the cabinet, it will be a sagacious move.
Vedamanickam / August 18, 2015
Nothing to worry !
If you look back at the history, all the opportunities are screwed up by Tamil leadership !
This time also they will do it !
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Real Peace / August 18, 2015
Yes, it was Prabaharan who screwed up a golden opportunity in July/Aug 1987. The blunder he committed continue to take the lives of many, many thousands of innocent Tamils. Over 25,000 Tamil cadres perished in vain. Prabaharan became a cancer of Tamils. Mahinda inflicted many, many horrendous atrocities on Tamils, but he also did a great service to the survival of the Tamils by radically excising this cancer . The agony of Tamils commenced in 1987 ended in 2009.
I have no doubt the Tamil leaders at present will never behave worse than Prabaharan did. I am optimistic about the future of the Tamils and Sri Lankans as a whole .
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Ajith / August 18, 2015
It was not SJV or Pirabharan who screwd up and there were no golden opportunities as you all put the blame in some individual or organisation. If you are going to start with blaming one or two individuals for the whole mess created in this country, you are not going to find any solution. Is it Pirabhakaran who introduced Sinhala only act or the massacre of civilians in 1958. Is it Pirabharan who killed SWRD? It is because of Pirabharan the 13th amendment came in andprovincial councils were established? What happened to Banda-Chelva Pact and Dudly-Chelva pact that came when Pirabharan was a baby. You burnt Jaffna library. What happened to those who burnt that library? If you have implemented Banda-Chelva pact you wouldn’t have Pirabharan. You killed Pirabharan, You killed surrendered Pirabharans’ wife and children? Don’t you know who killed them?
You have to look back to 1948, analyse what went wrong since then, what attempts were made to resolve and why they failed, whats steps we need to take to avoid something not to repeat those mistakes. As a Government, you have more responsibility to law & order. That is what people expect from a Government, not to behave like criminals, underworld thugs or terrorists.
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Echo / August 18, 2015
Actually in 87, golden opportunity was lost because it was India that screwed up to tame the puli.
Because of it, It took tens of thousands lives, billions of $$$ and 28+ years to isolate hawks from both sides.
Let’s start for a new iteration in 2015 to find the best path to resolve the root cause of the ethnic problem.
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Amarasiri / August 18, 2015
S. Sivathasan
RE: Results Out; What Options For The Tamils?
Sing the Jaya Mangala Gathaa in Pali, not Para-Sinhala or Para-Tamil for a week.
Jaya Mangala Gatha-Verses of Auspicious Victory (rare Pali version)-Buddhist Chants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OH9kdeLEX4
“If you look back at the history, all the opportunities are screwed up by Tamil leadership ! This time also they will do it !”
Then if you want to screw things up again, you may do so…
There are as many Para-Tamil Mootals as there are Para-Sinhala Modayas.
MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa Amana MaRa….
Mootal Mootal Para-Tamil Mootals
Mootal Mootal Para-Tamil Mootals
Modaya Modaya Para-Sinhala Modayas
Modaya Modaya Para-Sinhala Modayas
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Afzal / August 20, 2015
Amare,
I am sure you are glad about Chatu Mara’s loss.
Bur are you not surprised by number of mootals in our country ? that too in supposed to be the heart of Sri Lanka and supposed to be place where most wise and most smart lot lives this lot voted for the biggest mootals (wimale,Dinesh,Udaya) that too Wimale with most no of votes.
I have no words, just very disappointed. These dick heads will keep on barking about thereat to national security for next 5 years.
(until the cases against them are proven)
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Lanka Watch / August 18, 2015
You said it Veda – I am in the 80s and aware of many opportunities
screwed up by Tamil leadership from time to time , the 1st one being
the district council bill brought in by SWRD/SJV in the 50s and SJV started the anti SRI campaign and screwed it up. The word SRI is neither a Sinhala or Tamil word but a Sanskrit word but people rioted over it.
Prabhakaran too had many opportunities to solve the problem, when in
a position of strength but big mouth Anton Balasingham screwed it up as
he was a poor negotiator. Tamils never adopted a give and take policy and too dependant on other countries to solve Tamil problem, not realising that a govt.will always support another sovereign country’s. views and not support dissident group’s views, whether right or wrong, unless the govt. is dictatorial.
TNA should accept portfolios if offered and then talk to the govt. about the problems, instead staying outside and expect the govt. to
offer the solutions on a platter or expect others to speak on behalf of the Tamil people. For the last seven months, TNA was after Minister
Swaminathan to solve the problems where as they themselves could have
been in the cabinet as it was a national govt. and could have done the needful.
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lal / August 19, 2015
Opportunities come and opportunities go unnoticed! The story of Sri Lanka continues thanks to mindset handed down by likes of Chelva, Sunda, Ponnas, … I hope I am wrong and it will be different this time. Gorget the illusive bridge to India but make better road, rail links between the North and South to give Sri Lanka a chance. Let not this victory be an excuse for Ranil and Mangala and Co to attend cocktail parties in NY, Paris and London and do little else. There is a tough road ahead!
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Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
lal loo
“I hope I am wrong and it will be different this time”
I am just wondering when did you get anything right?
“Gorget the illusive bridge to India but make better road, rail links between the North and South to give Sri Lanka a chance.”
Sri Lanka have had many chances in the past 100 so years. Both you stupid self destructive people ruined it one way or another, one way or another, from citizenship act (1948), Sinhala only language policy, Banda/Chelva,, Dudley/Chelva, devolution package from 1987 to 2015, Sinhala Siri on motor vehicle, LTTE’s war with Hindia and itself, help electing MR in 2005, …… .
The disfranchised upcountry Tamils were given citizenship after 1987, Tamil and English are part of national/link languages, Sinhala Siri on motor vehicle changed to Alpha Numerical, ……….. now you have a form of devolution for all nine provinces, which to certain extent should address the need of the local people.
All these changes were forced/brought in by Hindians. The bigoted Sinhala/Buddhist mind always not only objected to progressive changes but reversed whatever minimum rights/freedom that the people enjoyed previously.
The racist JVP was not motivated by Chelva/Ponna/Sunda mindset but by the southern Aryan Baptist Anagarika and other racists.
The proposed Bridge between India and this island is another opportunity to move forward. By the virtue of geographical proximity to India, this island must demand a share in India’s progress, wealth, knowledge, ……… as in the past many centuries.
Your paranoia and stupidity should not penalize this island forever.
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Robert.R / August 18, 2015
The TNA has within its fold enough lawyers and wise people to decide what it should do next.
Its time for new ideas not outdated ideas of dinosaurs who think the earth is flat.
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Rajash / August 18, 2015
Robert R “The TNA has within its fold enough lawyers and wise people to decide what it should do next. “
From Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan through to GG Ponnambalam, QC Sunteralingam, Senator Nadesan, QC Thiruchelvam, now Sumanthiran and Sambanthan…Tamils always had clever lawyers and wise people representing them.Its all added up to Zero so far.
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Walt / August 18, 2015
Not logic.(but short lived like a text book)
It’s passion that has always ruled the world.
The English have got bad logic, but very good tentacles in their brains for sensing danger and preserving life.
Our mind was originally an organ for sensing danger and preserving life. Logic and maths are a mere accident to humans. Tamils lost the plot because Sinhalese/Muslims have developed tentacles.- kavun kanna yodha.
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Native Vedda / August 18, 2015
Rajash
How about Sampandan making a deal with Mahinda and Anura (95+16+6 =117)? A coalition government is possible.
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Rajash / August 19, 2015
hmmmm good lateral thinking
why did MR not look at this option but rush in and accept defeat :
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Walt / August 19, 2015
Obviously unlike Gota he needs the muslim for vertical movement.
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Rajash / August 19, 2015
“Obviously unlike Gota he needs the muslim for vertical movement”
Did you check out the results? SLMC won only one seat.
The tip has been cut off literally speaking and diasbled from any vertical movements
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Walt / August 19, 2015
Tamil party a regional mootal party that cannot go out of its northern regional well.
The muslims are in every major national party and ministers who call the shots eg Badruddin and Education of 70’s. They are on their own and with everyone.
May be in a decade the muslims would be the main minority and the Tamil can wrap his monkey tail in a banana leaf.- reason being the tamils can never get along together and need to be ruled.
Since they are split between the 2 major MR has to think
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Rajash / August 20, 2015
“The muslims are in every major national party …”
Yes they are in Tamil Party, UNP, SLFP .The probem with the Muslims is that they want to be Tamils as well as Sinhalease. Thats why they are called “thoppi piratti” They change thier hat for anything
The English phrase “at a drop of a hat” was coined during the British rue in Sri Lanka from the phrase “thoppi piratti”
“Badruddin and Education of 70’s”…yes I remember him …he srewed up Sri Lankan education systenm big time the country is still reeling from his diotic policiies
“…and ministers who call the shots “….
why didnt they call the shots when BBS was making a mockery of the Muslims and attacking Mosques, and Muslim owned shops and amking mockery of the Halal certificte.
They were not calling the shots were they?
Instead they were hiding in Gota’s lavatory and answering the call of the nature…wetting thier trousers
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Walt / August 20, 2015
thoppi peratu is passion not logic.
“2why didnt they call the shots when BBS was making a mockery of the Muslims and attacking Mosques,”
with less than a cricket team down they got what they wanted and more- preserving life. The rest of the land of desperados did the fighting for them.
tamils apt for greater feats like insider trading Woogyman- perhaps the Hydrocele??
The greatest wisdom seems like stupidity..
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Rajash / August 20, 2015
Thanks for concurring with me
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Rohan / August 19, 2015
1. Ranil and Sambanthan can make a simple majority.
2. Ranil – Maithri interest is not to be a dependent of TNA alone.
3. Ranil and Maithri prefer a 2/3 majority for a few reasons.
I hope, Ranil and Maithri don’t have to give minister position to many from the SLFP/UPFA side. Sri Lanka should not have more than 25 ministers.
TNA may not join the unity government, unless Ranil pledges to ‘do something’ bu the end of next year.
I believe, TNA will take every effort to move the Tamil question forward.
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Rajash / August 19, 2015
“I believe, TNA will take every effort to move the Tamil question forward. “
can you please clarify what the Tamil Qustion is?
Seperate state is ruled out!
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Rajan / August 19, 2015
it proves the problem is not mainly due to the Tamil leadership
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Manoharan / August 19, 2015
It is precisely because we have always been led by wealthy arrogant LAWYERS who wanted the throne, and not the betterment of the people, that things have failed for the Tamils. They can only bicker about the constitution, and have tried to safeguard their land in the north as private property of absentee Landlords living in Colombo-7. Tamils have been set against a majority 10 times its size militarily, and that is Stupid. In the end, we get eliminated. If the war had dragged on for another 5 years there would be no Tamils left.
It was not the children of the upper echelons who became cannon fodder. Many of these children could not even go to school as the school system is for the elite people’s children. The University Entrance issue only affected the upper classes. So, smuggling, theft, taking to arms, etc are part and parcel of such deprived kids. Prabhakaran and others used the existing defects in OUR culture. Giving a gun to a kid with no social status (கடையர், கேவலஸ்தன் types) or no standing gives him the status of a person of power. Then talk to him about Arasu and Eelam.That was the bait. It was the same with the JVP in the South. It was those social limitations that exist in Tamil society that finally destroyed us. The Ramanathans too, and all subsequent Tamil Lawyer leaders used them to maintain their hegemony our us. So don’t blame the Indians, the sinhalese, Muslims, “traitors aming us” etc., or anyone else.
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jansee / August 19, 2015
Manoharan:
Are you only blaming these LAWYERS, or the people who voted them in or the failure of the “intelligent” people like you who failed to convince the people to weigh their options in a way you may have preferred.
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lal / August 19, 2015
Tamils who have emulated racist policies of Ponnas, Sunda, Chelva will ensure the misery of Tamils to continue. Having lawyers and clever people is not going to help Tamils unless TNA discard their hatred towards the other communities in the island. Sadly, the answer to “what options for Tamils” seems rather bleak – a very dark (self inflicted) future as long as they follow the TNA goons.
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Frank / August 18, 2015
Robert.R the mentally retarded returns. Too bad his paymaster lost.
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Amarasiri / August 19, 2015
Robert.R
“The TNA has within its fold enough lawyers and wise people to decide what it should do next.”
The TNA has within its fold enough lawyers and Mootal people to decide what it should do to screw things up next.
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Real Peace / August 18, 2015
Oh dear, Mr Sivathasan
Yet again you have demonstrated your extraordinary skills in predicting the outcome of a complex election of this nature. I take my hat off to you.
I agree the TNA needs to get into the cabinet. What about the political solution? I think the TNA should avoid using words such as unitary or federal, but seek a devolution mechanism to the NE to match the states in India. Love to hear your views on this.
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sivathasan / August 19, 2015
Real Peace
We need not ever model our devolution arrangement on that of any other nation. What was foisted on reluctant Tamils in 1987 by India through 13 A was a push into an infernal ditch. A politically discerning Indian writer from the North wrote that it is India’s suffocating central control that is going to spell India’s disintegration. This was written about 20 years back.
Modi’s recent massive unprecedented financial grant to States will do wonders and bring about a better relationship between states and centre. That is Modi’s brave dynamism, personal to him.
India is quasi-federal and the constipated power sharing structure is ill suited to resolving N E issues. We have to veer from its binding nature. For the PM’s new constitution we must present our unconventional proposals. Till then TNA should agitate from inside for more finances.
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Billa / August 18, 2015
Finally, some light is visible at the end of the tunnel…”This can be a pointer for a new beginning..” and be used wisely and intelligently for the betterment of the nation. We just can’t afford to loose the opportunity and must do the right thing.
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Nathan / August 18, 2015
… If the TNA enters and stays in the katpagraham – the sanctum – the powerhouse – the cabinet, it will be a sagacious move.
This last sentence is the only blemish in an otherwise well-rounded prose.
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Special Agent Iranjithu Rayen / August 18, 2015
He claims, “A great opportunity comes but rarely and it has come to the Tamils now. The North needs the goodwill of the South to resolve its problems. The South cannot eschew the allegiance of the North if central governance needs to be stable. To convey a truism bluntly, both ethnicities Sinhalese and Tamil need one another to go towards peaceful times and to look for new horizons.” these statements does not have any value, writer a former government servant knows very well these are sound bits to start an article, yes you guessed it correct another article with little substance but sound bites. Earlier prediction (tna 18, jvp 14) went off the road, and yet without any realities continue to predict, this time sound bits!, Sir do not let your night job go by any means! keep predicting!
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punchinilame / August 18, 2015
The National Govt. formation also depends on how the UN Sept. Report is going to
be worded and the local re-action in deed – not words. The losers will make another
desparate attempt to upset the cart, if they are not taken into custody on the many
outstanding accusations and which is long over-due.
Farewell to one individual could not be better described than what Lankawebnews just
published:-
“The story thus ends, with Mahinda Rajapaksa the fool who though himself a king left alone with none by his side and for those who pity him and think he saved his mother (Sri Lanka) when she was drowning…… it will be wise to remember that after bringing her to the shore….He raped her.”
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paragon / August 18, 2015
The most suitable man to join the karpagrgam the powerhouse is none other than M.A.SUMANTHIRAN.he has been under heavy attack from bicycle man and Canadian tamil-eeelam marketing group.he has won against all odds and once again proved his capabilities .now MR.VICKED-NESWARAN should explain his position and resign from HIS CM POST with dignity.
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Vetri Vel (for now) / August 18, 2015
The answer is simple.. both the SL Tamils and Sinhalese must put the SL identity b4 their ethnic identity.. Ethnic identity is, of course, a joke in SA where there is no true homogeneity. We, SL Tamils should realize that if we get a federal state or a quasi federal state for SL Tamils then the Sinhalese, of the future generation, can claim that they have more rights to the south then the Tamils.! I can not speak about all SL Tamils, but it is of my opinion that SL Tamils in future would want as much access to the south as they have in the north. I want full access to the wet zone.. I would prefer the weather.. I do not want a SL Tamils shops destroyed in the South with the argument that is undermining Sinhala business in the SINHALA REGION.
Sinhalese should realise that a BlackJulyesque event, if it happens again, would be recorded by, literally, thousands of cameras (check how many cameras recorded the less-than 1 minute blast, @ night, in Tianjin China and now consider a 6 day pogrom).. and then the global political consequence of this would be considerably more server than in ’83. There would be renewed guerilla militancy.. and more violence would ensue.. Sinhalese should understand that TN and India will continue to rise and that to attack SRI LANKAN Tamils would just FORCE the SL Tamils to run into the hands of TN and India. Now, this is the funny part.. SL Tamils had always considered themselves a distinct group and it was ONLY the racists on the Sinhala side that ENSURED that they turn to a pan Tamil identity.. Do u want SL Tamil/Sinhala businesman working together against Indians and other non SLs OR SL Tamil/TN Tamil/Indians/ working against SLs?!
After all wars there is usually an optimal time period which allows for deep reconciliation. If Sinhalese people do not seize this moment then what the ignorant on Lankaweb say will steadily become more and more true.. That is, SL Tamils/Diaspora and TN Tamils/Hindians will work together undermine SL for the interest of Hindia.. Is this what u/we WANT!! Even amongst the Chinese Singaporeans, Taiwanese, and Hong Kongers they perceive themselves, to a great degree, different than the mainland Chinese. This is totally possible in SL if the Sinhalese meet the SL Tamils where it counts.
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Rajash / August 20, 2015
Brilliant piece.
Vetri Vel (for ever?)
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Village Green Guy / August 18, 2015
I wholeheartedly endorse Sivapalan’s view that the ITAK/TNA should join Ranil Wicremasinghe’s cabinet for the good of the entire country.
Unfortunately, TNA has so far remained a parochial party exclusively espousing the interests of the Tamils
without considering how they might affect the other communities.
ITAK must understand that federalism is anathema to the Sinhalese. However innocent federalism is projected to be, it is not going to be conceded by the Sinhalese. Ethnic equality does not need arrogation of one-third of the territory of Sri Lanka to Tamils. who constitute a mere 12.6 per cent of the population. This implies the Tamils’ selfish craving to for a greater share of land per capita and their increased dependence on the national revenue to subsidize their existence.
Slashing desire, selfishness, clinging, and proprietorship is the path that genuine Hindus must follow . This is Lord Krishna’s advice to Arjuna.
The TNA must renounce its demand for federalism and join the national government to build a strong united Sri Lanka with equality for everyone.
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Rodney / August 18, 2015
TNA has got a disproportionate number of seats in the parliament given the votes they have polled.
Tamil National Alliance – 515,963 4.62% 14 seats
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna 543,944 4.87% 4 seats
Is it fair?. The government must remark/ demarcate the electorates and give a realistic representation to the people of the country. The number of TNA members will reduce but that can not be helped. Face the reality.
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Rohan / August 19, 2015
//The government must remark/ demarcate the electorates and give a realistic representation to the people of the country. //
Interestingly, this shows that the national parties are not doing enough to draw support among the Tamils. The national parties seem to be keep doing something that reminds Tamil people that they are not treated equal. One party is very popular among the Tamils, so many members are elected from that party! Being popular is wrong, is it?
This is the hard fact of democracy! You should be happy that Sri Lanka has proportional representation. Look at the old system. In 1977, UNP got 3,179,221 votes and got 140 seats in the parliament. SLFP got 1,855,331 votes and got only 8 seats. With 421,488 votes, TULF got 18 seats. With 225,317 votes LSSP got NO seats, but with 62,707 votes CWC got one. JR changed the system.
//The number of TNA members will reduce but that can not be helped. Face the reality.//
From 9 in the last parliament, the MPs from Jaffna has been reduced to 7 in this parliament. Happy??
The reality is that someone is not getting the idea!!
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Paul / August 19, 2015
This is because TNA’a 515963 voters were concentrated within the entire northern province and the huge Tamil dominated Batticaloa district that is the heartland of the east. This is the reason they won many seats. Whereas the JVP’s 543944 voters were spread around 18 districts, therefore in many areas they even did not meet the 5% margin to win a seat. Simple. Stop trying to distort facts. You are just angry that the TNA won 16 of the 29 seats in the North East. If there was no illegal Sinhalese settlement and large scale ethnic cleansing of Tamil from these areas. It would have been for more
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Richard Kaz / August 19, 2015
Typical. There are still those who want to disenfranchise the Tamil people by any means. The only reason the JVP has 4 seats is because of proportional representation. If the old Westminister system of first pass the post was still in place, the JVP would have got zero seats and the TNA would have increased their number of seats.
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Sengodan. M / August 20, 2015
Rodney,
Tamils, both Sri Lankan and those of recent Indian origin comprise 15.2 percent of the total population. Accordingly, in proportion they should have 33 representatives in parliament. But they only 27 reps and are therefore under represented.
If the elections were held on the First Past the Post system, how many seats would have the JVP won?
You must think of realities before you put your pen down to paper or type in your computer!
Sengodan. M
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Sellam / August 18, 2015
Mr. Sivathasan
You are old enough and intelligent enough to understand the past and the present campaigns by the Tamils through soft power and Hard power for their rights. Their demands for the last 60 or 70 years were never met by the Majority Sinhalese, instead the Tamils were massacred, their properties pilfered burnt and destroyed since 1965. Even now in Vali North, 10 villages, with large extent of lands occupied by the Sri Lankan Armed forces after chasing out the owners of those lands. The properties belonging to the Tamils, houses, temples and churches all destroyed. The people of Vali North were chased out of their homes by Arial bombardment. Several Tamil people lost their lives. Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, requests the people of Sri Lanka, immediately after the elections , all to join hands to build a civilised society in Sri Lanka is itself a proof that there is no civilised society in Sri Lanka.
There will be a never ending reports and forums and postings on this subject for a long time to come. It would be a never ending problem for the Tamil people and have to live like second class citizens. The Tamil leaders will too prosper as long as the demands of the Tamil people are not met by the Sinhala majority.
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dcn / August 18, 2015
The Tamils from the north/east should collaborate with the Sinhalese and act as Sri Lankan’s and with their support redress all the grievances of the Tamils. We have to try and bring in harmony amongst all communities.
let us start a new era of peace for all.
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Harvey Perera / August 18, 2015
You have said “Together they have dislodged a regime brought forth through dishonesty, sustained by violence and trumpeted so to the Sinhalese. ” Pray tell me in what way was President Rajapakase dishonest to come into power? He did the best by both Sinhalese and the Tamils. The violence was created by your leader Prabahakaran. He saved 300,000 Tamil civilians who had been abducted by Prabahakaran and ended a 30 year old Terrorist conflict which had sapped the country. He then spent 90% of the development fund for the North and the East. It was found at the end that TNA Provincial council had spent only 20% of the money allocated to them so that the people would think that President Rajapakse was against the Tamils. He is the first President to address the Tamil people in Tamil language. Yet in spite of it you all voted in a block against him in January’15 and once again in August’15. He is one of the greatest leaders we have had and if you do not recognize it then you people are stupider than the Sinhalese. By asking for more and more at the end you will lose it all.
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taraki / August 18, 2015
Well done UNP. That’s the end of the International War Crimes enquiry. Who would want to upset the new democracy? It will be a local enquiry presented as one reaching international standards.
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Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
taraki
“It will be a local enquiry presented as one reaching international standards.”
Of course this island saw two investigation within the past 5 years reaching so called International standards and found no one guilty of war crime.
In 1994 Chandrika’s 3 commissions identified 30,000 cases of crime against humanity which were committed between 1987 and 1990 and the reports never saw the light of day. All three reports are gathering dust at the National Archive. This is only a tip of the iceberg.
None of the perpetrator could be charged for the simple reason Ratwatte then deputy defense minister didn’t want to upset the armed who were engaged in a war against LTTE.
The belief that you could cleverly manipulate domestic and international legal system can only be described as pathetic.
Remember those war criminal who perpetrated inhuman acts still live among the people. They could be your father, brother, son, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandfather, your husband, yourex, boyfriend, father in law, brother in law, next door neighbour, grandson, ………….
Nearly 400 ex service men committed suicide, 100 murders committed by ex armymen, more than 500 suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This was 2011 statistics.
These are serious problems.
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soma / August 19, 2015
“Remember those war criminal who perpetrated inhuman acts still live among the people. They could be your father, brother, son, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandfather, your husband, yourex, boyfriend, father in law, brother in law, next door neighbour, grandson, ……”
The proof is recent gang rape and murder of an innocent school girl in Jaffna. Remember that NONE took the cyanide as were supposed to do and only 10,000 surrendered. The rest are alive and well. They are specialists in bus bombings, slit opening pregnant women and dashing babies on tree trunks to save bullets. Be vigilant and on your guard always.
Soma
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Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
soma- skantha
“The proof is recent gang rape and murder of an innocent school girl in Jaffna.”
Are you saying that whoever raped and killed the girl could be your father, brother, son, cousin, nephew, uncle, grandfather, your husband, yourex, boyfriend, father in law, brother in law, next door neighbour, grandson,……..
Don’t worry the inhuman act was perpetrated by a criminal bunch of your brethren in the north.
” Remember that NONE took the cyanide as were supposed to do and only 10,000 surrendered.”
Only to be slaughtered by the armed forces which had had exceptional skill, experience and a long history which goes back to 5th April 1971.
“They are specialists in bus bombings, slit opening pregnant women and dashing babies on tree trunks to save bullets.”
Yet Premadasa and Mahinda were happy to bribe, arm, …… the bunch of terrorists who were lead by a well known psychopath which prolonged the agony of the island.
How pathetic.
/
Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
soma-skantha
I forgot.
Please say hello to Ravi Perera, the Sinhala speaking Demela.
/
Dan / August 18, 2015
TNA getting into the cabinet is not going to solve the Tamil people’s problems. The TNA cabinet minister, only will become another stooge of the ruling Government/ party. Tamil people have seen this in their past history! Even the Muslim Ministers are doing the same; selling their peoples rights for their own selfish benefits.
For TNA this is a golden opportunity to prove that they care for the peoples rights and will deliver it from the Ranil government!
let TNA remind itself that ,Tamil people are looking forward for the Sambandan’s promise of ” by 2016 there will be no ethnic problems for the Tamil people”
/
Dr Nass / August 18, 2015
what Tamils need now. They should learn how to live in peace with all other communities. This country is not a piece of cake to divide into Piece, This greedy writer is asking this question? They have been asking it since Independence. They never learn a lesson from history? you should ask what Tamil have done to this country. They have been educating their children for the last 67 years with free education provided by Sri Lankan government, they have been getting free health service with this government, they have been employment in major government departments. it is said in 1970’s Employment among Tamil is more 37% in government sector alone, They have been all government funds and grants for local governments, universities and all other needs, Even poor Tamils get government food rations
What more you need now? leave your greedy separatism and know how to live with Sinhalese. They are good people. Why then most of Tamils live in Colombo if you want separatism? even if you got separatism, then thing will be bloodbath on the basis of your caste.
Do you share your foods, houses, schools and all others with Baticaloa Tamils or upcountry Tamils/ you are divided into many caste unlike Sinhalese. even if you get so called separatism you will kill each other. this is not my views. Most Tamils I spoke to tell me this.
No more EELAM talks in SL.
/
kutty / August 19, 2015
Dr nass
From what you have penned, i gather you don’t live in srilanka. You have no idea whats happening here. You must have been briefed by somebody who hate Tamils.
If you want to write, then first thing you need to do is to read about srilanka. There are sufficient material available via google search. If you have problems then you may contact me i will try to guide you.
God bless you.
/
Paul / August 19, 2015
No as per you and most Sinhalese racists, Sri Lanka is the whole cake for the Sinhalese people only and the ancient Tamil nation their slaves as per you and should not demand anything. This is the basic problem. So Sinhalese are not divided into castes and regions like low country and Kandyan. Even now many upper caste Kandyans, consider the low country Sinhalese as not proper Sinhalese but largely descended from Indian Tamil immigrants and refuse to intermarry into them. So this means the Sinhalese also should not deserve any rights. Who are you trying to fool. There is class caste regional divisions in all ethnic groups not just the Tamils. Don’t try to use these flimsy excuses to deny Tamil people their rights.
Listen mate Sri Lanka was never a Sinhalese only nation. Throughout its history there had been an ancient Tamil nation in the North and East of the island who for most of their history had ruled themselves. Even the so called Sinhalese people were largely ruled by Tamil kings and dynasties. In fact a very high percentage of the so called present day Sinhalese both low and high born are descended from fairly recent largely Tamil immigrants from South India. Now it is the descendants of these recently Sinhalised immigrant Indian Tamils who are the biggest anti Tamils. go to the so called site called Lankaweb and see all the surnames of most of the bloggers of all the so called Sinhalese Veerayas , more than 90% of them are from these recently Sinhalised Indian Tamil communities.
The Tamil people need to have a federal state to protect their ancient lands in the north and east from further Sinhalese state sponsored colonisation to deliberately to change the demography to make the Tamils a minority in their own lands like it has happened in the east. It is all this federal setup that will protect the indigenous Tamils from Sinhalese racists and extremist like you and protect their ancient culture. Just like the Sinhalese want to protect their land language and culture the indigenous Tamil from the North East also want to the same and they have every right. As most of them have lived in this island very much longer than most of the so called modern Sinhalese
/
Richard Kaz / August 19, 2015
What hope is there for Tamils in Sri Lanka if there are people who still think like Dr Nass? Hopefully he does not actually live in the country.
What is wrong with Tamils benefiting from free education etc. ?? Tamils do not pay taxes? Only the Sinhalese pay taxes?
/
Eusense / August 18, 2015
“What Options For The Tamils?”
The best option for the Tamils is to consider them as Sri Lankans not as Tamils and join other Sri Lankans to improve them selves. With this I mean to conquer the country financially. Both the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka has the same rights and there is nothing else an elected gov. can do specifically for Tamils.
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Uthungan / August 19, 2015
Eusense
The Tamils consider themselves as Lankns, but if the Sri Lankans have a problem with that what can be done?
Solve that problem, and everything would come under the single rainbow.
/
Eusense / August 19, 2015
uthungan,
If Tamils consider themselves as Sri Lankans That is all I want.
So what problems do the Sri Lankans (Sinhalese) have with Tamils? Please enlighten me because I don’t have anything against Tamils. You,if a Tamil should be able to describe these problems to me and other Sinhalese so that we can correct these.
/
Uthungan / August 19, 2015
What problems do the Sri Lankans have if the Tamils want to be Lankans?
Please enlighten me as I not have any problems against Sinhalese.
/
Eusense / August 19, 2015
Uthungan,
Why are you beating around the bush without telling me what specific actions of Sinhalese cause Tamils to think that they are not allowed to be Sri Lankans?
I have asked this question thousands of time in this forum. No Tamil or Sinhalese has given me an answer so far. Why do you think that is?
/
Anpu / August 20, 2015
Eusense,
You have asked so many questions and many have answered your questions well. But you do not seems to understand them.
Read this manifesto and see if it makes any sense to you
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/tna-manifesto-full-text/
If this does not make any sense to you, the answers we give you would not make any sense either.
I hope this manifesto does make some sense to the president, the PM,….
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
Anpu,
Your link is talking about what the TNA demands, from I don’t know who??. It is not what rights and rules that are different for Tamils compared to the Sinhalese. Most demands are based on post terror war situations. Personally I don’t agree with most of them because by waging a terror war TNA and the LTTE turned the whole goodwill upside down. I will never agree to demilitarize the north until I am certain the ugly head of terrorism will never raise again. The TNA manifesto also says “The Tamil People are entitled to the right to self-determination in keeping with United Nations International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Sri Lanka has accepted and acceded to …” That will be hard to come by. I say this because every minority in SL can’t be given this and every minority of every country will never have this either. Good example is the US.
More over I don’t need to take seriously these politicians, specially the pro-LTTE TNA. I want to know from Tamil individuals like you what rights you don’t have compared to the Sinhalese. Why can’t YOU write if you really think you are discriminated?
/
Anpu / August 20, 2015
Eusense,
Have you read what Mr Sivathasan has written?
If no, read it.
If yes, Do you understand what has written?
If no, read it again.
/
eusense / August 20, 2015
Apu
You too are beating around the bush. I dont need anybody’s writings. I want your answer to my question. Let me ask you again, what rights you as a tamil don’t have compared to a Sinhalese like me? That is all I want to know!
/
Native Vedda / August 20, 2015
Anpu
Now you should address Nuisance as sachooooo.
/
Burning Issue / August 20, 2015
Euse,
Stop your pretense of your ignorance!
What rights the Scotts and the Welsh did not have that the English had? Both the Scotts and the Welsh wanted to have a say in what governs them. This is in line with the international protocol.
The Tamils in the N&E want their right to have a say in their affairs. They want the Tamil language as their medium of administration. They want to have a say in the land distribution issues; they do not want the demography artificially altered that diminishes their political hold. They fear that the Sinhala wilfully undermine their rights and all what has been happening since the independence indicate that the Sinhala governments have been aggressively colonising Sinhala people exclusively within N&E. If you can study the demographic changes for last 100 years you will know the picture.
It is no good you come here pretending to be ignorant and ask stupid questions. You need to grow up and be a good Sinhala.
/
Ajith / August 19, 2015
Before thinking about options for Tamils to consider them as Srilankans, Sinhalese should consider them as Srilankan, not Buddhist Sinhalese. Let first remove Buddhism out of constitution. Let give the PM post to a TNA leader Sampanthan who is senior politician.
/
Eusense / August 19, 2015
ajith,
It is the Tamil author of this article who asked “what options for Tamils” not me. I gave him an answer. Sinhalese are considering Tamils as Sri Lankans any way. I like the idea of keeping religion out of governance and have written here many many times.
If Sampathnathan was part of the winning political party (UNP) and if he was a senior politician of the UNP I may support him. However, his pro LTTE stance make me nervous.
/
Ajith / August 19, 2015
Eusense,
I don’t bother the author is a Tamil or Sinhala. If you consider author is Tamil and his request is for Tamils, the answer should come from a Tamil, not a Sinhalese. Sinhalese should consider themselves as Srilankan but in reality they consider this island is for Buddhist Sinhalese only. If you think Sampanthan is pro-LTTE, then Consider Mano Ganeshan who contested under UNP. Can the UNP do it? Do you know that President Mithiripala’s win and the UNP win in this election are the results of Sampanthan’s pro stand with the good governance. A word from Sampanthan would have changed the current formula.
/
Eusense / August 19, 2015
ajith,
Why do you think only Tamils should respond to the authors question? This clearly show your bias against the Sinhalese. You refuse to even consider opinions of the Sinhalese! This is the problem we have in Sri Lanka. People like you think Sinhalese should behave according to what the Tamils like you say, not what is right for the country!
Ajith, be real, why should anybody think of giving Ganashan the priministerial post? How has he shown that he is capable of the job? What has he done to improve the lives of all Sri Lankans? What has he achieved as a politician to be even consider. There are senior Sinhalese MPs who are not worthy of such a post too.
If you analyze the election results you will see your pro-terrorist had nothing to do with the UNP win.
/
Ajith / August 19, 2015
Eusense,
I am not biased against Sinhalese. I respect Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and their fundamental rights. My point is that you don’t need to look at author whether he is a Tamil or Sinhala, you should look only the subject matter.
We, Tamils don’t bother what you eat, where you live, who do you marry but our point is that the government should behave according to human law, human rights and justice should be given to each invidual irrespective of race, colour, religion, language, disability. That is where we disagree with you. There were polices, institutions, justice were biased against Tamils over the Six decades by the governments.
If Mahinda can rule the country for decades, I am sure Ganeshan can do better governance. First do the anaysis of results of both Presidential and Parliamentary election and we can discuss them later.
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
ajith
For me it does not matter who the author is, if it was a Sinhalese it would have been the same answer. The important thing is I gave an answer. If you don’t agree it is not my problem.
If you are talking about human laws, there are no laws in SL specific to any ethnicity. Laws are the same. At the mean time wherever there are minorities the majority may be biased against them. See what happens in the US. How the blacks are treated. Until the recent past they were not even allowed to vote, own land or even to go to school. Even after they fought for their rights (without violence) still they are discriminated. What is the US gov. doing? Nothing. Why? The laws of the land don’t discriminate any ethnicity like in SL. It is a society thing. Similarly Tamils need to integrate to the main society and learn to trust and live in harmony, not promote terrorism like what the LTTE did and the TNA supports.
As I have said many many times there are millions of Tamils in the south who are living happily without any concerns of discrimination and other things that you list. I strongly do not believe in your list of discrimination and bias. If it is real no Tamil will live in the south.
/
Paul / August 19, 2015
The Best options for Sri Lanka is for all Sinhalese to consider the island as the land of all Sri Lankans and not the sole possession of the Sinhalese, especially the Sinhalese Buddhists and learn to respect and acknowledge the ancient presence of the Tamils in the island, their history language religion and culture and their right to their own land. Not try to destroy it by ethnic cleansing activities, deliberate state sponsored settlement of Sinhalese to make the Tamils an insignificant minority in their homelands( Individual Sinhalese coming on their own accord to purchase lands and businesses are welcome. Just like what Tamils and Muslims do in the South ) Not to destroy Hindu temples and Tamil churches and then start building Buddhist Stupas by quoting false concocted history.
Basically Sinhalese learn to respect others and not be a bully and a thug. The there will be peace.
There is lots an elected government can do, instead to pandering to Sinhalese majority racism
/
Eusense / August 19, 2015
Paul,
Rights, regulations and rules for all Sri Lankans are the same. There is no special rights for the Sinhalese. That is the reason why I say as a gov. SL has nothing else to do towards the Tamils. Every Tamil and Sinhalese has the right to move and live any where in Sri Lanka. Tamils have moved south, Tamils have Tamil schools in the south, Muslims have their schools and mosques in the south. Sinhalese have learnt to respect and acknowledge the presence of the Tamils in their areas. Sinhalese will move to the north if there are employment opportunities whether gov. or private and you have no right to protest that. Tamils enter Universities in the south there are many businessmen and professionals doing well in the south. If what you are saying is right none of this would have happened.All this ethnic cleansing talk are a farce. And it is getting old! I would bet that you don’t even live in SL for that matter.
/
Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
Nuisance
Today you have done your quota. Send in sach, sarojini, taraki, Jazz, ……..
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
Vedda,
This is your contribution to a discussion??
/
Native Vedda / August 20, 2015
Nuisance
“Vedda, This is your contribution to a discussion??”
Happy to contribute to discussion if there is one.
/
eusense / August 20, 2015
Vedda,
With your interlectual capacity there is no discussion here!
/
Native Vedda / August 20, 2015
Nuisance
“Vedda, With your interlectual capacity there is no discussion here”
I agree I can’t come down to your level.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / August 20, 2015
Eusense,
The laws and rules are there, but are selectively applied.
I received a registered letter in Sinhala only form a government department about a week back. There was no translation in Tamil. How many Tamils would have been able to understand a letter in Sinhalese?
Similarly, I am sure the Sinhalese living in Jaffna. .,.mMm m”m,.,mMm.nN,,b.cm c,?n,m?..m,,mMm,”” !m,m!m..mM,m,.b,n !n ‘ Mobs b m. b.!bBn,M m,n,m Nbc , N receive official letters originating
/
Burning Issue / August 20, 2015
DR RN,
Euse knows the score very well but he insidiously pretends that the minorities are being treated equally. There has been systemic agenda to diminish the Tamil hold on N&E. What he says surreptitiously is for the Tamils to put up and shut up!
As the adage goes one cannot wake up one who pretends to be sleeping!
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
burn,
What did the Scotts and the Welsh finally decide on their say on what governs them? What line of “international protocol” are you talking about???
Did you hear about this in the US where Hispanics are 25% of the population:
The Hispanics in the N&E of the US want their right to have a say in their affairs. They want Spanish language as their medium of administration. They want to have a say in the land distribution issues; they do not want the demography artificially altered that diminishes their political hold. They fear that the whites wilfully undermine their rights and all what has been happening since the independence indicate that the white governments have been aggressively colonising white people exclusively within N&E. If you can study the demographic changes for last 100 years you will know the picture.
What was the response of the US government? Go fly a kite!
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / August 20, 2015
Essence,
Yes, there are laws, rules and procedures, that if applied correctly will make this isle the paradise on earth! Unfortunately, there are many slips between the cup and the lip, some deliberate and some circumstantial.
I received a registered letter from a government department in Sinhala at my Colombo address last week. How many Tamils, yet do so? I am sure the Sinhalese living in Jaffna, receive their official letters in Tamil! This is a serious contravention of the official languages provisions in our constitutions and the laws framed in accordance with them.
The 13th amendment which is part of our constitution is applied selectively and further sabotaged during implementation. The concurrent list and ‘ National Policy’ are used by the centre to sabotage the functions of PCs. The land and police powers devolved to the PCs are clearly defined and have enough safeguards against misuse. However, under false/ imagined pretexts,, they have been ignored.
If there are rules, laws and constitutional provisions, they have to be implemented fully, even if there are political perceptions that are contrary. No one has a right to pick and choose what they will follow or not. If there is serious concerns change the rules, laws and constitutional provisions , according to accepted procedures.
There is much slip between the cup and the lip in Srilanka. Deceit and charade rule the roost in many aspects of governance.
If simple things can be done according to what we have in our hands, many political demands by sections of our society will wither and die.
Dr.RN
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
RN,
Would you realize that “many slips between the cup and the lip, some deliberate and some circumstantial” are mostly due to flawed stance of past Tamil leaders and others who resort to violence to achieve their goals. How do you think the Blacks in the US got their rights? Violence was never used. In spite of that the Blacks are still discriminated.
Your scenario about getting a Sinhala letter is something that can get easily corrected. First, if you are concerned about it you should take it up with the Tamil political leaders. When I see the TNA manifesto I see no mention about such issues. They concentrate only on separation or autonomy instead. You also need to remember that for govt. letters to be written in Tamil it needs the support and service of Tamils. We need Tamils who speak and write Sinhalese. To all who don’t read Sinhalese or Tamil my advice is get off your butt and learn the language. Don’t wait for the gov. to spoon feed you! In my case I had to learn some Tamil to be involved in my profession. If I was to move to Jaffna I certainly will learn Tamil. In your case I guess you have been living in the south for a long period. Did you learn to read and write Sinhalese? If not could you say why? My father a Sinhalese who was educated in English in a catholic school, did not know to read or write Sinhalese. Later he was a Catholic school Principal who was forced to learn Sinhalese when the school was taken over by the gov. With this experience he switched my older brother from his English medium classes to the Sinhalese medium class so that he would have better future prospects. I am puzzled why you and some Tamils still think learning Sinhalese is a waste of time.
The 13th amendment as far as I am concerned should be abolished because it was enacted when Sri Lanka was under duress. I hope you remember the LTTE terror war on Sri Lanka was called in the west as “Sri Lanka’s unwinnable war”. It had brought the country to desperation and was in a critical situation without support from any other country. That situation did change and I see no reason to implement it now. Instead the current Tamil leaders should come up and negotiate a feasible fair constitutional amendment if they need. With what went on during the dark 30 years I am not supportive of any police powers to any region until I am convinced that terrorism is kicked off the table by Tamils. However, I do support Tamils who seek legitimate unbiased and feasible rights rather than autonomy and separation.
/
Rajash / August 20, 2015
Eusense “The best option for the Tamils is to consider them as Sri Lankans not as Tamils and join other Sri Lankans to improve them selves”
Obviously you are implying that Tamils do not consider themselves Sri Lankans first. You must be speaking from your experience….what do you think happened over the years since independence that drove Tamils to despair and not feeling as “Sri Lankans.”
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
Rajash,
Yes, I thought Tamils do not consider themselves Sri Lankans because the Tamil LTTE terror war destroyed our country and took us 50 years back.
I was not living at that time, but I am sure Tamil activities like Hartal, civil disobedience etc. gave a negative impression on them and created a discriminatory environment for themselves. In addition the LTTE terror war made things worse. I think Tamils took wrong decisions at every turn which led to further delay in achieving their goals.
/
Native Vedda / August 20, 2015
Nuisance
“Yes, I thought Tamils do not consider themselves Sri Lankans because the Tamil LTTE terror war destroyed our country and took us 50 years back.”
You are already 2500 backward. Does it matter whether fifty or hundred years backward?
“In addition the LTTE terror war made things worse.”
Was there a LTTE in 1948, 1956, 1958, 1972, 1977, even in 1915?
“I think Tamils took wrong decisions at every turn which led to further delay in achieving their goals.”
Tell our forum sharers how they should have acted at every turn which could have led them achieving their goals?
Sinhala only language policy was enforced on them without consulting the minorities. Had you told them they would have voluntarily imposed it on themselves.
The Jaffna library was burnt down without consulting them. Had you consulted those who loved the library they would have help you to burn it down swiftly and cost effectively.
Had you explained to them this was a Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto or in the process of being built one they would have not only gone back to their homeland in Tamilnadu but also helped you to build efficiently.
…….
…….
……
/
Eusense / August 20, 2015
Vedda,
Are you serious?? Generally you are a joker. I won’t waste my time with you!
/
Native Vedda / August 21, 2015
Nuisance
“Are you serious??”
When wasn’t I serious?
“Generally you are a joker.”
I may a joker but I my own joker and not yours. Does it bother you?
“I won’t waste my time with you!”
Why do you?
Send in sachoooo the stupid.
/
namal / August 18, 2015
“”A National Government will then be well and truly in place.””
Ha ha ha- the biggest farce on earth when UK hung parliaments are worse than single.
Stupid soothsayer try the lottery or a romantic manifesto.
/
Kettikaran / August 19, 2015
In the nature of the obtaining arithmetics in Parliament, TNA should not be part of a National Govt – but will do well to support it from
outside. If TNA becomes part of the new Cabinet the Sinhala extreme
will not allow this regime to last 2 years. The party division in the House is far too close and the mood in the Sinhala electorate is far
too jaundiced for principled politics. It will take several decades for our politics to reach adulthood.
The best the Tamil Nation can hope for now is to get the Tamil areas economically developed – including much needed Water resources to the
Jaffna District. Remember, the JVP that is capable of much mischief is rendered a wounded animal. They will toe the communal line in the future – at least to remain in the Sinhala mind for their own survival.
Kettikaran
/
Karikalan Saravana / August 19, 2015
Those who forget their past are condemned to relive it. Mr. Sivathasan wants TNA to commit harakiri. Beware of false prophets! Lord! Save the Tamils.
/
Ram / August 19, 2015
The racist TNA committing hara kiri WOULD be the best option.
/
Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
Ramuuuuuuuuuuuu
“The racist TNA committing hara kiri WOULD be the best option.”
There is a slim chance that that TNA might chose to leave some evidence that could incriminate their racist Sinhala/Buddhist brethren.
So run, you don’t want to be charged for a murder you didn’t commit. However you ought to always remember that natural justice is a bitch.
/
Native Vedda / August 19, 2015
Karikalan Saravana
“Lord! Save the Tamils.”
Even the War Lord VP couldn’t save the Tamils.
“Mr. Sivathasan wants TNA to commit harakiri.”
Hara kiri is not new to them nor will they stop their habits. However you have not explain as to why Mr Sivathasan’s suggestion amounts to committing Harakiri.
Don’t you think there is nothing left for the Tamils chose from? VP took everything away and buried them in Vella Mullivaaikkal.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / August 19, 2015
Wonder what happened to Hakeem’s SLMC?..
Hon Mr Sanbandan wouldn’t have any problems now … Right ..
Did Baththudeen get a tick ?….
/
MOHAMED MARZOOK / August 19, 2015
The Tamils under the leadership of SJV accepted the Banda-Chelva Pact. SWRD shredded when the UNP with the help of some Buddhist Monks opposed it. Again the Tamils accepted the Dudley-Chelva Pact. Then the SLFP with the help of some Monks again opposed it and Dudley threw the Pact away. So is it not only the Tamils screwed-up opportunities the Sinhalese leaders too are not bad in that respect.
/
Bodin / August 19, 2015
Marzook has to get his facts right.
It was not just the Buddhist Monks who opposed the B-C pact. Mr. Navaratnam and others organized violent hartals in the North and they claimed that the B-C pact was a betrayal of the Arasu initiative. Then it was that Chelva said that this is a “bit by bit move towards Arasu”. That did not help anybody. It raised the suspicions of the Buddhist monks even more, while Navaratnam and other extreme Tamil Nationalists declared that Chelva cannot be trusted, and demanded the abrogation of the BC pact. Chelva was finally happy that the pact was abrogated at that moment. The Tamils do not have the intelligence or the political cunning needed to get to their objectives. They should take a lesson from the Muslim community or from the political methodology of Thondaman Senior.
/
BBS Rep / August 19, 2015
Sivathasan Ayyah,
Many things you say are true.
Sri Lankans are not a mature lot. With independence came the notion of majority rule. We were too immature for democracy. Many a politicians took the easy path to victory at the polls by demonising minorities. See what a mess they made.
Yes, this time the elections result point towards a somewhat maturing of the Sri Lankan voter. But what the UNP, TNA and others who will join the party do with this win is what matters. Going by the past utter mismanagement, mass scale corruption and inherent nepotism by politicians of all ilks, I can only hope, hope and hope while sitting on tenterhooks.
/
Sengodan. M / August 19, 2015
I think things are moving in the right direction. Note has to be made of the fact that the TNPF contesting under the label of AITC got routed. Suresh Premachandran who was promoting the burning of an effigy of Sumanthiran has lost his seat whereas Sumanthiran got the third highest preferential votes, that was very close to that of the second person, the official leader of the TNA. I think the Tamils have sent a strong message of moderation to all including the CM of the Northern province.
The need of the hour is genuine reconciliation and progress with unity.
Sengodan. M
/
MYM Siddeek / August 19, 2015
The Results Out, What Options For The Sri Lankans, not only for the Tamil?
/
soma / August 19, 2015
Had a good night’s sleep after election fatigue and woke up to find this dismal article on top. All Sinhalese must realise that they are never going to let us have a good night’s sleep. Like the prayer loudspeaker of the Mulims we have to condition ourselves to ignore and live with it.
Main theme of the regular lunatic bunch here is “screwing”. What happened was Tamil racists tried to do this to the Sinhalese from the wrong side and I can understand the excruciating pain they are suffering as a result of this unnatural exercise.
Soma
/
proudman / August 19, 2015
Hi soma
Glad you are around.
I agree that it is difficult to have a goodnight sleep with the Allah blasting all over colombo. However, it is only a minor thing. We need your service to continue to keep our boys in uniform happy annd satisfied. You and your family members have been performing an invaluable service, please keep it up. Now our boys need you more than ever, with the development in the north looks like we are going to loose the services provided by jaffna girls With Douglas out of the equation difficult to find a replacement who will provide us with te lasses, even though angraran promised i don’t hold much hope in that direction. Remember this set back is only short lived we will take over soon, till then be there. Thanks Mate
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Pacs / August 19, 2015
What Tamils need as first priority is the security for their physical and social entities. Aggression, bullying, and humiliating should stop. Should be able to talk in their language without fear, threat or intimidation. Though it should be common to all Tamils were subjected most. Must be able to speak in any of three languages in any offices. The private companies are ahead on this to improve their business. It applies to state orgs also. it has been difficult to speak in Tamil or on English in govt dept in the past including resent past. Tamils feel like being treated as unwanted enemies. made feel low. made to feel unhelpful.
The police should be completely reorganized. send the old ones on retirement along with Mara. Set new paradigm and new culture for the police dept. Train them in communicating with civilians. Make them under stand that they are to help the people not punishing as sole activity. The policy and the policy makers , nucleus of the police policy should change. The police should me motivated. Tamils should be able to defend them. The experience for the Tamils has been the frequent verbal abuse in common places in a language unfamiliar to them some time it has followed by threatening and physical abuse. The English writers here may not be able to understand these things.
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Richard Kaz / August 19, 2015
It is amazing that some are calling for Tamils to think as ‘Sri Lankans’ and yet it was the Tamils who were repeatedly made to feel like outsiders in their own country of birth. People are loyal to concepts that makes them feel valued and welcome, whether it is a country, a club, workplace or marriage. Feelings of loyalty or disloyalty comes from experiences, people are not born with them. Instead of asking Tamils to think as Sri Lankans, the question should be, what made Tamils feel like outsiders in their own country of birth?
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Eusense / August 20, 2015
RK,
Why don’t you read my response to Rajash above and you will understand why Tamils feel like outsiders.
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Vanguard / August 19, 2015
The long description is here: Makes interesting reading.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandaranaike%E2%80%93Chelvanayakam_Pact
Hopefully we can agree on history, at least.
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Eusense / August 20, 2015
van,
Other than learning lessons from the history there is nothing gained by dwelling on those times. Times have changed and circumstances have changed so we have to think accordingly for these modern times. Remember hypertension was treated by blood letting once upon a time? Now we have good medications to control blood pressure.
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