28 March, 2024

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Tamil People Are Gravely Harmed – ITAK Unanimously Resolves

The Central Committee meeting of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi was held on January 26, 2014 at the Town Hall, Trincomalee. The meeting was attended by representatives from all districts in the Northern and Eastern provinces.  The meeting which commenced at 10.30 a.m. under the chairmanship of R.Sampanthan M.P. President of the I.T.A.K. continued until 6.30. p.m.

R Sampanthan

R Sampanthan

The Central Committee conveyed its sincere thanks to the people of the Northern province who overwhelmingly supported the Tamil National Alliance, and gave the  Alliancea convincing victory at the Provincial Council Elections.

The Central Committee unanimously resolved that the Tamil people were gravely harmed as a result of the following vital issues relating to their future in the Northern and Eastern Provinces not being resolved, though almost five years have lapsed since the conclusion of the war.

1)    Land Issues – particularly the non settlement of displaced people on lands at Vallikamam in Jaffna District and Sampur in the Trincomalee District which lands despite commitments made by the Government to the Supreme Court and in Parliament that the displaced people would be resettled, continue to be under military occupation, and steps are now being taken by Government for the unjustifiable acquisition of around ten thousand acres of land in the said two places, which lands had been used by the displaced Tamil People, for residence, livelihood and other social and cultural purposes for generations and centuries. Houses, temples and schools within such lands have been continuously destroyed by the military, despite such destruction being brought to the notice of the President, and assurances that such destruction would terminate. The military has occupied other lands after the end of the war in several places in several districts in the North and East which denies the displaced people the right of residence, livelihood and other legitimate use of such lands which had been in their occupation for generations and centuries before they were displaced.

2)    The issue of several thousands of missing persons has not been addressed honestly and effectively so as to ascertain the true fate of such persons and thereby relieve the families of their present agony which has continued for many years.

3)    The continuance of a strong military presence particularly in the North and the adverse impact of such presence on the lives of the Tamil civilian population, particularly on the civil administration and on females and in matters such as livelihood, free movement, and being able to lead a life with dignity and self respect.

4)     The total failure on the part of the Government to conduct an independent and impartial investigation acceptable by international standards on grave violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws resulting in over 40,000 civilian deaths, so as to ascertain the truth and thereby facilitate genuine reconciliation. Such failure on the part of the Government renders an independent  impartial, international investigation imperative.

5)    The failure on the part of the Sri Lankan Government to  implement the commitments made at the bilateral talks between the Government and the Tamil National Alliance, in regard to the evolution of an acceptable political solution and the abrogation unilaterally by the government of  such bilateral talks and the setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee at which only the government is represented with the objective of diluting and diminishing the powers granted to Provincial Councils under the present 13th amendment to the constitution and thereby evade the fulfilment of the commitment made by the Government to the International Community particularly to India to enhance the existing constitutional provisions, so as to bring about meaningful devolution of power.

Several ministers in the Government who are also Government nominees on the Select Committee have made public statements that the existing provisions must be removed diluted or diminished. This clearly indicates the lack of honesty on the part of the government to evolve an acceptable political solution and no progress whatsoever has been achieved in this regard, in the past 5 years entirely on account of the lack of honesty on the part of the Government.

6)    The Northern Provincial Council despite the efforts made by the Chief Minister and though 4 months have lapsed since elections were held to the Provincial Council has not been able to function effectively, consequent to the failure on the part of the Central Government to take necessary steps urgently required to enable the provincial government to function effectively. Such failure includes disregarding legal provisions, pertaining to the Provincial Administration.

Such failure on the part of the central government is also a repudiation of the democratic verdict of the people of the Northern Province and is indicative of the Central Government’s unwillingness to honestly share power with the Provincial Government. The Government thereby impedes and obstructs genuine reconciliation.

The I.T.A.K. states that the Government is engaged in implementing a programme, the objective  of which is to further alter the demographic composition of and alter the linguistic and cultural identity of the Northern and Eastern provinces. When the Sri Lankan government states that it needs more time, it only means that it needs more time to implement the  saidprogramme which is being vigorouslypursued by the Government.

If the Sri Lankan Government is honestly committed to bringing about genuine reconciliation between the different peoples, the government should as a matter of urgency address at least the above vital issues and thereby  render the  urgently required relief to the gravely affected Tamil people.

*R.Sampanthan, Member of Parliament – Trincomalee, Leader – Tamil National Alliance, President – Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi

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  • 13
    6

    The Sinhalese society is built up on the premise that Tamils are very nasty people:

    Children are taught the evil idea that Tamils are very nasty people at a tender age in their Kumarodaya book. They grow up to become leaders of the country with anti-Tamil prejudice to say the least.

    The prejudice, I am certain, is well entrenched in the majority of the Sinhalese educated people.

    How can we expect anything positive for Tamils from the Sinhalese dominated Sri Lankan state?

    This brainwashing from childhood points to a clear intent to the regime’s alleged genocide of Tamils during the war: After all the soldiers carry the same anti-Tamil mind set as most of the educated Sinhalese population.

    • 9
      8

      [Edited out]

      • 5
        8

        “Tamil People Are Gravely Harmed – ITAK Unanimously Resolves” Yes by FP/TUF/ACTC/TULF etc, by brain washing “boys” who ultimately killed their own god fathers.

        Just continue, already one million left shores of Lanka, only a another million left, Cheers !!

        • 15
          3

          What about the Tamils killed during the genocide in 2009?

          • 3
            14

            Dear Thiru,

            Tamils got killed in 2009 because they wrongly believed they can go around killing Sinhala people and get away. They were wrong. They received a humiliating defeat. Those Tamils who encouraged young Tamils to take up arms, finance them are resposible for Tamil deaths. Now you should find those murderers and hand them to Sri Lankan authorities. Also, they will be held resposible for deaths of Sinhala people. You are not feeling sorry for yourself are you?

            • 9
              0

              This brainwashing from childhood points to a clear intent to the regime’s alleged genocide of Tamils during the war: After all the soldiers carry the same anti-Tamil mind set as most of the educated Sinhalese population.

            • 10
              1

              lalu

              Your cousins in New Delhi first created LTTE then trained, armed and financed VP.

              You should have bombed the hell out of Hindians, not the innocent Tamils.

              Don’t forget when New Delhi sent its invading IPKF to deal with LTTE, Sinhala/Buddhist armed and financed VP to fight the Hindians while Sinhala/Buddhists armed forces were hiding behind their women folks.

              You are confused and shameless.

              • 3
                0

                “You are confused and shameless.”

                It’s the Jam Boys\Opium Boys Farsi Dynasty that did all that as much as Rajapassa is behind what is going on now isn’t it??

                Do not shut the door on the brave people of cities native veddha!

                Lanka will go on blaming and claiming if this is not clear.

                Equal Rights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SN7Pko_jCM

                • 0
                  0

                  Native wrong link.

                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThwzoZzMg5M “Start all Over”-
                  Native Veddha Song
                  The Arawak people are one of the tribes of indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.

            • 10
              1

              lal:

              Who then killed more than 70,000 Sinhalas during the 1970s? Correct me, it may be the Sinhala ghosts.

              Tamils had to take up arms because of the murderers and rapists among the Sinhalists. Tamils had to take up arms because of the liars among your leaders who have a penchant for entering to agreements which they don’t honour. Tamils had to take up arms because the pants of your army goons got too lose for them to pick up. So, please don;t lecture us.

              And yes, we have cast the net far and wide, and slowly but surely the murderers who are responsible for the genocide of the Tamils civilians are being sucked into it. You couldn’t even stop two resolutions, one after the other, against SL. Cameron walked in, scolded your President, went to the North and had almost a free hand in kinking your backside. My dear lal, there is a lot more to come. Just hold your breath.

      • 8
        11

        The traitor Sampanthan is sitting next to the Mandayan Group [Edited out]. It is Sampanthan who is “repudiating the democratic verdict of the people of the Northern Province” by not focusing on their practical needs and concrete aspirations to get back to normal life. Rather he keeps harping on the same tired old empty rhetoric like “linguistic and cultural identity.” This man has no conscience.

        • 6
          12

          No conscious, no brains. A politician, like his predessors; Chelva,Ponna, Sunda. Wigs will end up the same; irrelevant.

          • 7
            4

            lal:

            Oh yes, this old guy Sampanthan has no brains but your president with the best of brains went with pomp as a king to beg for the votes of the Tamil people but who got the better? Perhaps, it is about time the President needs your brains, too.

        • 6
          4

          Outrider the nob-jockey, stop crying here and go cry to your mother blady battyrider. How you call Mr Sambanthan a traiter when he speak nothing but the truth? Who are you trying to impress? Rajapakka or his ugly ass wife Shiranthi Jarawapaka?

        • 6
          4

          Or else are you trying to get a free laptop from Rajapaka? Tell me outrider

      • 6
        6

        [Edited out]

        • 7
          1

          Ela ela [Edited out] , bow wow

      • 6
        2

        Bow wow ela kolla. Still barking at the moon?

    • 3
      7

      Dear Mr. Sampanthan,

      As a Sinhalese, Buddhist, a Sri Lankan and a human being, I agree Tamils have suffered a lot. Though not the only ones. They have paid a much higher price.

      It is time to start healing wounds. it will be a long journey. But we must get going.

      It can only be done with support from the Sinhalese. More than 75% of Sri Lanka’s population.

      Find ways to reach out to their hearts. Convince them of the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils. Who happen to be their brethren.

      You will of course not convince all. There are many die-hard racists among Sinhalese. Just like the LTTE die-ass-pora.

      But, millions of Sinhalese are bound to lend you a sympathetic ear. In fact, they already do. Out of their own free will. With out you or ITAK ever having done anything in that regard, so far.

      Only Sinahals-Tamil unity will end suffering on this Island. When Sinhalese join hands with you at the barricades to fight for your rights. Violation of your rights violate our dignity as well.

      It has happened in many other countries. It is the only way.

      It cannot be imposed on Sri Lanka from Geneva, London, Washington or Ottawa.

      Do not waste your time. And drag Sri Lankan Tamils down the path of hatred towards the Sinhalese. Once again. It is very primitive. That kidn of racist hatred should not exist in this time and age.

      Let us get on with that important task. Rather than wasting time.

      Cheers!

      • 6
        2

        Ben:

        Your wish and understanding is noted and appreciated.

        However, the notion that anything can be achieved with the Sinhalese majority has long been dumped into the dustbin. A lot of us had that kind of hope optimism immediately after the war but it is hopeless to “straighten a dog’s tail”. That millions of Sri Lankans you mention were missing when the Tamils were denied food and medicine and worse still, when they came over to the govt side, they were locked up in concentration camps and treated like animals. It was the immense pressure from India, the international community and the Sarath Fonseka presidential bid that forced the govt to change course. The million Sinhalese you are talking about were sleeping soundly with thick blankets over their heads. Even after the NPC elections and the diplomatic approach by the CM has not yielded any concrete results. If at all, the SL regime has tried its best to prevent the NPC functioning according to what the regime had promised earlier.

        No, quite frankly we have given up on the Sinhalese majority and as you would readily realise the issues have been very internationalised and that is the only way to resolve the outstanding issues. The SL regime is nothing but a bunch of liars

        • 0
          5

          instead of blaming the others always answer this question,

          Who sustained war, prolonging human conflict?

          • 4
            2

            War isn’t over [Edited out] Sach.

          • 0
            0

            sach:

            That is not a difficult question to answer. The various SL regimes. If you want to know more, ask, and I will tell you.

      • 1
        7

        Do you really think they are listening to your appeals? They have already decided that they needed to collide with the gover. The media propaganda, tamil diaspora and power hungry british politicians have created the perfect envionment for them to operate.

        They want to go on a collision course

        • 4
          2

          As they truly deserve. Your Sinhala Government is nothing but a bum rash and it has to be treated asap.

  • 9
    1

    Well if our Rajapakse government sincerely engaged with the northern provincial government with their issues this situation would not have reached. In contrast to that they preferred to exert the power and adopt suppress and rule method.There are extremist elements in NP government.They must be happily smiling now and this is exactly what they wanted.The moderates like MrSampanthan and CM will not be able to keep their hopes alive for a sustainable solution as our regime is playing into the hands of extremists of both sides.If we have resolved our differences through dialogue and negotiations honestly considering the wider aspirations of the country and it’s people the forthcoming Geneva sessions would have been a platform to showpiece our unity and maturity and the ability to lend hand to each other in adversity. We failed to follow the compassion shown by great Mandela and as a nation our recognition is further threatened in front of the civilized world.Human establishments are evolving gradually and respecting others rights and sharing power plays a vital part in that maturation process.In that modern trend of free and fair society with democratic rights to every citizen , we cannot go along the lines of patriachial dictatorship which suits only politicians.Our people will be late to realise this important truth and the day they realise it will be too late for anything.

    • 1
      0

      You are right Priya. Its sad that the majority Sinhalese do not show any sympathy to the sufferings of the Tamils. Instead of dumping them with the Diaspora or as agents of LTTE, we should appreciate that they are really victims of the internal war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Military. The majority are innocent civilians who just want to live a peaceful life and carry on with their day to day work.

      Its about time that we learn to put ourselves in their position and start to think rationally. One never knows, Sinhala Buddhists can be reborn as Tamil Hindus in our next birth…!

  • 4
    10

    All this posturing I suspect is because of reasons outlined in point 5.

    Tissa Vitharana APRC was wasted when TNA refused participation. Then Mahinda Rajapaske break a promise made to India vis-a-viz 13A+. The history is a land of wasted opportunities. One can now look back to blame or look forward to a new future.

    The major stakeholder Sri Lanka was left out when 13th amendment was forcefully implemented. This will be a major impediment to full implementation. Furthermore its effectiveness is degraded having an executive powers of the President.

    A new constitution is badly needed. A majority of parties will agree exec Prez must go. The powers of the executive will need to be shared at the center. A bicameral Parliament with equal number of reps from each district will enable this. One could also look at appointing eminent people from all communities equally. A further measure could the vice-president given to a minority community on a rotational basis.

    The periphery could be divided as per the “7 river basin” proposal that was floated earlier. That was a logical non partisan method of dividing the districts.

    • 6
      1

      “Tissa Vitharana APRC was wasted when TNA refused participation.”

      On the contrary; TNA was not invited to APRC. I will stand corrected if I am wrong.

      • 1
        8

        Soon after this experts’ committee report was publicized, I was at a gathering where Suresh Premachandran of the TNA and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne was present. Suresh Premachancdran spoke very dismissively about the experts’ panel report. I can’t remember everything that he said, but one thing was, “Why can’t they use the word federal? They have refrained from using the word federal in order to appease Sinhala opinion. Why can’t they look at Tamil opinion also..,” and more to that effect. Rajitha Senaratne had to argue with him, saying that the majority report can provide a beginning for dialogue.

        http://tamilweek.com/news-features/archives/788

        • 6
          0

          I clearly remember that TNA was not invited to participate in APRC; please see below:

          http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20081109/news-2.htm

          “THE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) last week said it was yet to receive an official invitation by the government to participate at the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC).”

          http://tnapolitics.org/?page_id=941&lang=en

          “Although an All Party Representative Committee was set up, the TNA, which had 22 out of 23 Tamil Members of Parliament from the North and East, was not invited to attend the APRC. Even the recommendations made to the APRC by the majority of an expert panel appointed by the President were not acted upon.”

          • 1
            9

            Look here Burning issue is it?

            I am not sure what you are burning up there but it smells like weed here. You are missing the most important Marijuana among the other trees.

            APRC was a process known widely. I would make is damn sure I go in there without making petty excuses if its a solution to the people whom I represent.

            • 7
              1

              Stop being an idiot! I have shown you that the TNA was not invited to take part. Be a man and admit that you are wrong. What do you expect; TNA to gate crash?

              Having said that TNA’s none participation is preferable; a solution should come from Sinhala collectively; then only it can be sold to the Sinhala public. The issue that there is no political will on the part of the Sinhala polity to sincerely bring this matter to a close!

              • 1
                5

                why dont you be a man and answer the question without fleeing,

                WHO SUSTAINED THE WAR IN SL PROLONGING HUMAN SUFFERING?

                • 4
                  2

                  Who said the war is over? Why is their still suffering and corruption in SL you dimwitt?

                  • 1
                    4

                    where are people still suffering?

                    and what has corruption got to do with war

                    • 4
                      3

                      Don’t you fuckin get it you (edited out) Sach? Tamils do not want to live under your corrupted Sinhlese Government. Srilanka Parliament is run by donkeys like Mervin Silva, weerawansa and many more, and Tamils don’t want to be controlled by these donkeys. You must be still living under your mother’s skirt if you didn’t know that people are only suffering, an average family in SL cant even afford food three times a day. Even Sinhala people who asked for clean water got shot by Srilankan Army. And ypur telling me that no one is suffering.

              • 2
                6

                Burning_Issue:

                “solution should come from Sinhala collectively”

                In a previous thread I proposed to you a very decent solution to current ethnic conflict to which Dr. Rajasingham Naredren responded positively. In past even shankar here as agreed to a solution along the same lines. My solution was not based on ethnic lines but equal division of the country’s resources among all people.

                What did you do? You evaded addressing the issue. Having done that, why are you asking for solutions from Sinhala side? What you want is Sinhala side to come and give you Eelam or something equivalent. Pray that’s not going to happen no matter how much you prod this community through US/UK/India.

                If Tamils have unconquerable genetic traits (so says Mr. Sivathasan which is supposed to have being displayed proudly during recent NPC elections), so must be Sinhalese for they say we share quite a bit of our genome!

                • 5
                  1

                  Navin,

                  I honestly did not see your solution; I will have a look and respond tomorrow.

                • 1
                  0

                  navin can you enumerate briefly the solution you proposed earlier.

                  You have to eat the kothu hot hot.When it becomes cold you have to warm it again.With all the shit after that and our politicians going after each other hammer and tongs as normal tradition and coming back to square one as usual i can’t remember what the kothu looked like but i remember it looked good.Must be more than a year now no?

                  • 1
                    2

                    shankar, there is some discussion on it between myself and Dr. RN, BI and Anpu towards the end of the comment section in “NPC Chief Wigneswaran Wants Sri Lanka’s History Rewritten”.

  • 2
    8

    Does Sampanthan accept that the grave harm Tamils underwent is due to their own wrong doings?

  • 2
    9

    Begging for another round of genocide.

    This time Tamils will cry genital-o-cide.

    • 6
      1

      Yea like Fathima faggot begging to [Edited out] of the Tamil people.

  • 8
    0

    It is tragic in recent years, in a pre-engineered plan to deliberately refuse the Tamils – and notably the NEP Tamils – their rights and place in society, the Rajapakse Govt is creating conditions for another massive pogrom. One illustration is the total disregard to the people in the North who gave their unanimous verdict 5 months and left disappointed so far.

    Note Lalith Weeratunga, speaking for the President and his loose-canon Brother Gotabya, using the word “chaos” in his recent visits to Geneva and Washington. BJP senior in India Yashwant Sinha hinting Ealam is on the horizon is indicative both the current Congress Govt and the Opposition are forced to reluctantly accept the Rajapakses are deliberately enabling the coming of Eelam. Although Delhi resists strongly so far both Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi point out to India Lankan Tamils are alienated so far that the coming of Eelam is the only alternative to this major headache to India. The Rajapakse idea is to set in chaos and disorder and run the country under the excessive military- to be lead by the Rajapakses and their cohorts.

    It is time the Sinhala people outside the Rajapakse vortex – more particularly the higher echelons of the Maha Sangha – must immediately step in and stop the breaking up of the country. CBK has come forward to warn the Sinhala nation of the impending disaster as she can read the signs right but she is a spent force in terms of future leadership.
    The UNP is far too weak and divided to play the role of a responsible Opposition. The Sinhala people must understand this is not an issue between the Sinhalese and Tamils; between the LTTE interests/the Diaspora and the Sinhala State. It is an issue in which the Rajapakses are determined to keep the reins of State with them for at least several decades from now. It is learnt they have been told Sri Lanka is very near to strike Oil in the Gulf of Mannar. They misread the situation in the hope if Oil wealth comes the people can be bought over. This is a myth that has been with us from 1970. Even at best, oil findings on our side of the sea will be insignificant and is unlikely to even make us self-sufficient.

    Kettikaran

    • 1
      0

      Hey Kettikaran

      Remember Gota’s so-called loose cannon has knocked by balls. Do not upset him more Appa. HE might take yours too adai.

  • 4
    2

    Vibushana the fag is nothing but a nuisance.

  • 0
    6

    Egypt is prosecuting journalists who harmed the reputation of the country.

    Sri Lanka is looking after Tamils who wants to destroy Sri Lanka.

  • 5
    2

    What Sri Lanka needs is a Commission made up of high caliber academics in fields such as history, anthropology, sociology, public administration, economics, law, religion and political science, and chaired by a renowned judge such as Christopher Weeramantry, to study what has unfolded in the country since independence. The underlying factors that have contributed to where we are today should be incisively identified and remedies suggested. The persons who have contributed both positively and negatively to what has unfolded over six plus decades should be also identified. This should be an exercise in national soul searching. We need national soul searching at this point in our history, to enable us to chart a better course for our future. We have to bear responsibility for our success and failures. To do this we need an in depth and objective review of our post-independence past.

    The Commission should hold public sittings and invite submissions from persons of substance. Qualified support staff who can research our archives and public records for pertinent information, should be recruited by the Commission. If needed the Commission should be permitted to seek assistance from the UN or other external agencies. The Commission’s report should be published in full and be freely available to the public, in a Sinhalese, Tamil and English.

    It will be a monumental and epochal task that will require a few years to complete and no cost should be spared in the process. This will be the best investment for our future as a nation. This Commission should be shielded from political interference and constraints. They should be permitted to questions from anyone and seek the information they need from where it is.

    Are we capable of such a national exercise?

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

    • 2
      1

      Dr.RN I thought the LLRC did that.If its recommendations are implemented and then we are still found wanting then maybe a academic exercise is necessary and what you have proposed can be done.What is the use of recommending anything with this government that is unwilling to implement anything unless it is pushed and pushed by the international community.

  • 0
    3

    Tip of the iceberg Tam-ill people!

    There will be no words when it comes.

  • 1
    0

    Shanker,

    The attitude of the government does not negate the need for such a comprehensive study. The LLRC focused only on some aspects of what needs to be done and. It was not mandated or qualified to do what I have suggested,

    This government is not the beginning of or end if our story as a nation. What I suggest is a focus on our past that can shed light on our future path, while highlighting on how badly or well we have played the game of governance in this country for a pretty long time.

    In the face of the recent claim by Gotabaya Rahaoakse that his family has been in politics for 75 years and thus knows what us best for this country , a reality check is a vital necessity not only on the performance of his family dominated government and all the others that preceded it. This would of necessity include the study of the contribution of all types of players who have contributed to where we are today in all aspects of public and private life, belonging to all communities and religious groups.

    Dr.RN

    • 1
      0

      Dr.RN,but isn’t there a danger that mahinda will say that he has commissioned a comprehensive study from the best academics,and he is waiting for their report before any final solution to the ethnic problem.

      • 1
        0

        Shanker,

        The study I am proposing should proceed independently, as a long term exercise . It should in no way preempt what has to be done now, to resolve issues that are in focus. The study I propose, will be the reference point for the future Sri Lanka we have to build. It should be the basis on which we as a nation should formulate our vision for this country. What we need to be doing immediately is to tinker with a system that is full of holes, in order to keep afloat and not sink further in the quagmire we have fallen.

        Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

  • 0
    1

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,

    You are probaly the most intelligent and intellectual person on this forum. Would like to in your opinion as to what the best solution is.

    1) Federal state
    2) Power devolution within a unitary Sri Lanka
    3) Seperate state

    And also what should the unit be

    1) Merged North East
    2) Separate North and East
    3) Separate Unit with boundaries redrawn (Would like to know the areas that will fall within the Tamil Unit

    • 0
      0

      Dear Ravi Perera,

      Thanks. I shall answer your questions very briefly in the order you have asked them. What I am suggesting is only an outline and have to be fleshed out.

      Best solution:

      Ideally, a Federal state. However, being a realist, I would opt for extensive power devolution within a unitary Sri Lanka, as is the case in the UK today.

      Unit of devolution:

      The present provinces can be reduced to probably four and called regions. The boundaries should be set in a manner that ensures adequate resources for each region to be economically viable, ensures the existing cultural characteristics of a region or parts thereof are not destroyed and ensures that there is a mix of linguistic and religious communities within. However, this should be done by an independent Commission of experts, who are above the communal fray and can be objective. The present provincial boundaries are not sacrosanct and need not be a limiting factor. The present provincial boundaries can re- arranged to accommodate a sensible organisation of the regions.

      I do not think any region should be called a Sinhalese,Tamil or Muslim region.

      The North, North Central and Eastern Provinces can constitute one region.

      The North Western, Western and Southern Provinces can constitute one region, excluding Greater Colombo and Kotte.

      Greater Colombo and Kotte can be one region- under Central government management ( like New Delhi or Washington DC).

      The Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa priovinces can constitute one region.

      This arrangement should also include an extensive decentralisation of administration and empowerment of local Councils.

      I hope your comment and my reply will start a round of sensible discussions and debate.

      Dr.RN

      • 1
        0

        “Ideally, a Federal state. However, being a realist, I would opt for extensive power devolution within a unitary Sri Lanka, as is the case in the UK today.” – Scottish are calling for separation.

  • 0
    1

    Dear Dr RN,

    This is a very interesting reply. Thanks a lot.

    We could also look at a few other scenarios.

    Scenario 1

    1) Northern Province and Anuradhapura District as one region
    2) Eastern Province and Polonnaruwa District another region
    3) Incorporate rest of the changes as you have suggested

    Scenario 2

    Boundaries that were used during Ruhunu , Maya Pihiti days except segregating Pihiti rata in to two so that there would be a Northern Province

    Scenario 3

    Use the boundaries when the Protugees came – Kotte, Kandyan & Jaffna

    • 1
      0

      Ravi Perera & Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

      The best solution scenario 4 and final.

      Unite this island without the artificially created provinces.

      Kick all those descendants of Tamil/Sinhala kallathonies back to where they belong, Tamilnadu or Bihar.

      This will solve all real and perceived problems.

      • 0
        0

        Native Vedda,

        The ‘ Final so,ution’!

        Dr.RN

  • 0
    0

    How about just divvying it up into 5 regions,north,south,east,west and central of equal area,20% of 65660 sq.km,approx 13000 sq.km each.

    each region to be given federal powers as in malaysia.

  • 0
    0

    Should be federal state powers,not federal powers.

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