By S. I. Keethaponcalan –
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) emerged as the chief political entity representing the Tamil community in Sri Lanka with the downfall of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. Despite the lack of meaningful political achievements in the last six years, the party seems to be gaining more acceptance within the Tamil community. This is evident from the fact that in the last general election, the party managed to increase its parliamentary representation by two more seats. Therefore, the developments and/or issues within the party have the capacity to impact the interest of the Tamil community. This article looks at a possible leadership struggle within the TNA.
Sambandan’s Leadership
Rajavarothayam Sambandan, as the leader of the party, was in an unenviable position after 2009, due primarily to three reasons. One, the party lacked decision making experience as the LTTE made all decisions, and the TNA was expected to simply carry out those decisions. The party did its best to implement LTTE’s political decisions. Two, during the war, the party did not operate in a normal political environment, which damaged its capacity to develop a culture of inclusiveness and democratic decision making. At the operational level as well as the decision making level, it is in fact a party of few individuals. Three, it is a coalition of Tamil political parties, which compelled the leadership to focus more on party cohesiveness rather than socio-political issues of the community.
Presently, Sambandan is pretty elderly and he may probably retire from active politics sooner rather than later. His pace is already too slow. Sambandan’s retirement would force the TNA and the Tamil community to search for a new leadership from within the next generation (not in terms of age) of Tamil politicians. This is where the focus could turn to Canagasabapathy Wigneswaran and Mathiaparanam Sumanthiran. Both have been creating controversies and have been at loggerheads. Perhaps, the war has already been started between the two. The cold-war between Wigneswaran and Sumanthiran is certainly on.
Wigneswaran’s Politics
Wigneswaran’s nomination for the chief minister position of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) raised many eyebrows. He was an outsider and lacked political experience. These two elements, probably contributed to Wigneswaran’s politics as the Chief Minister. Wigneswaran’s politics in the last two years point to two clear trends: (1) he has been radicalized, and (2) his actions are divisive.
Wigneswaran probably was the most moderate Tamil chief ministerial candidate the South could yearn for in 2013. For example, Wigneswaran, in the run up to the Northern Provincial election, accused political parties in Tamil Nadu for unnecessarily interfering and taking advantage of the Sinhala-Tamil issue, which he insisted was an internal affair. He also wanted the Tamil Nadu parties to stay away from the Sri Lankan conflict so that the Sinhala and Tamil people could find a solution on their own without outside involvement.
This was exactly the Sinhala position vis-à-vis the conflict. Tamils traditionally refused to accept the “internal problem” argument and were hell-bent on internationalizing the conflict. Since, Wigneswaran’s position went against Tamil nationalist views, the TNA had to claim that this was Wigneswaran’s personal opinion; not of the party. This was in 2013.
Today, Wigneswaran certainly is one of the most assertive personalities within the Tamil polity. He calls the violence committed on the Tamil people during the last phase of the war “genocide” and wants international community to intervene to punish perpetrators of violence and to find a solution to the ethnic conflict. Recently, for example, during a meeting with Samantha Power, Wigneswaran emphasized the need to pressure the Sri Lankan government to address grievances of the Tamil people. He no longer believes that issues could be resolved bilaterally.
An interesting question is, why did Wigneswaran transform into a radical warrior suddenly? Perhaps, there are several reasons including the fact that the government is slow in finding solutions to Tamil issues. However, a notable feature is that he became really tough after the collapse of the Rajapaksa government. For example, he resisted the Sivajilingam sponsored “genocide” resolution in 2014. Reports indicate that Wigneswaran was “skeptical” of the use of the word “genocide” in the resolution. In 2015, Wigneswaran himself tabled the genocide resolution of the NPC.
This probably allows him to lead a hardline faction of the TNA and the Tamil community. However, he is engaged in radical politics while alienating the TNA as a party. After winning the chief ministers position with the assistance of TNA votes, Wigneswaran decided to be “neutral” in the last parliamentary election. However, he indirectly asked the Tamil people to vote for the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF). Was there an ethical problem in asking (indirectly) the Tamil voters not to vote for the party while continuing with the position secured with the TNA votes? Wigneswaran did not think so.
Wigneswaran’s attitude certainly created a rift within the TNA, with Sumanthiran taking the charge against the Chief Minister. It would be interesting to see, if the “neutral” Wigneswaran will seek the TNA sponsorship in the next provincial council election or lead his own group. In fact, Wigneswaran presently maintains that he is not a member of the TNA and he does not have to be loyal to the party. The TNA obviously, is struggling to effectively deal with Wigneswaran’s revolt.
Sumanthiran’s Theories
Wigneswaran’s recent politics should have made Sumanthiran’s cause relatively easy. However, the new politician has been making statements that has created resentment against him within the Tamil community. First, Sumanthiran went to Switzerland and claimed that what happened during the last phase of the war, according to internationally accepted definitions, was not “genocide.” It sounded like Sumanthiran was arguing in the International Court of Justice, of course representing the offender.
He also called Wigneswaran’s genocide resolution “foolish.” The Tamils were upset and blamed Sumanthiran for serving the agenda of external forces. Sumanthiran missed the points that the Tamils have been using the term genocide to mean that serious acts of violence were committed on their community and the genocide case will not go to an international court.
Adding to the Tamil frustration, Sumanthiran recently demanded that the NPC pass a resolution calling the Muslim expulsion from the North by the LTTE an act of “ethnic cleansing.” Remarkably, Sumanthiran claimed that if the NPC does not pass such a resolution, the world will not take their claims of genocide, seriously. There are two important factors here. One, Sumanthiran did not explain how an NPC resolution on Muslim expulsion would change the international attitude on the question of genocide. Two, if this is such an easy task, why did he not approach his party to sponsor a resolution in the NPC. After all, the NPC is controlled by the TNA.
Instead, he went public. Obviously, he was taking advantage of the opportunity to criticize Wigneswaran. Sumanthiran is also leading a demand for the ouster of Wigneswaran from the Party. Sumanthiran has been criticized heavily within the Tamil community for his recent attitude and according to reports from the North,even posters have come up against him.
Obviously, there has been a cold-war between the two most prominent next generation leaders of the TNA. Both obviously are leading factions loyal to them while being delegitimized among others. This could lead to an imminent crisis within the TNA, especially in the post-Sambandan era. One has to wait and see how the party will respond to this emerging challenge.
*Dr. S.I.Keethaponcalan is Chair of the Conflict Resolution Department, Salisbury University, Maryland.
sinhalese buddhist / December 1, 2015
Sumanthiran is probably the better politician who can build a coalition of Sri Lankans to help the Tamils.
Extremist nationalist views are damaging to reconciliation, and will not lead to the establishment of Eelam. Neither India nor the US have any intention of supporting the establishment of an Eelam, given the global power struggle that it would engender between SL/China/Russia on one side and the India/West on the other.
In this scenario, the best leader for the Tamils is a moderate who can bring along at least a fraction of the Sihnalese with him. Sumanthiran has that potential, while Wigneswaran has already burnt the bridges.
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Keynes! / December 1, 2015
sinhalese buddhist,
“Neither India nor the US have any intention of supporting the establishment of an Eelam”
The United States at this moment will not support the establishment of an Eelam. This is because they seen an ally in the Ranil-Mangala combo. However, if Mahinda had won the elections in January, the United States would have though differently and in all possibilities would have supported the creation of Tamil Eelam or something to that effect.
As for India, they will anytime support for a Tamil Eelam that is willing to exist as a federated state of India. India will, however, not support a Tamil Eelam that wishes to exist as an independent state.
There’s one thing that perplexes me though. Will India support a Tamil Eelam that exists as a federal state of Sri Lanka?
I guess its all a heady combination of geo-politics, theo-politics and if the President or Prime Minister next door is pliable!
/
Native Vedda / December 1, 2015
Keynes!
“As for India, they will anytime support for a Tamil Eelam that is willing to exist as a federated state of India. India will, however, not support a Tamil Eelam that wishes to exist as an independent state. “
For Hindians the entire island is their Sinhala state of Hindia.
Hindians believe this island is part of the greater Bahrat as they claimed to have won the war against Ravana and they too won the war against VP who believed he was also blessed with 10 heads.
As for you, living lie is virtuous, suffer paranoia as usual, when you run out of excuses finding non-existent enemies within and without is essential for survival of the majoritarian, else the country would collapse.
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Keynes! / December 5, 2015
Native Vedda,
“For Hindians the entire island is their Sinhala state of Hindia.”
Agreed. Subramaniam Swamy is on record stating that Sri Lanka must exist as a federated state of India.
In similar vein, for the Sinhalese the entire island is Sinhala Buddhist and must be conquered and Sinhalized. A good demonstration of this was when the attacks on Aluthgama took place last year.
The Sinhalese want to go even further and make India a part of their co-prosperity sphere. This was well illustrated in an article by Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri titled ‘History after the War: Challenges for Post War Reconciliation’ that is available on Groundviews.
There’s even a website claiming that Ravana was a Sri Lankan king who founded the Mayan and Egyptian civilizations! They even claim that he built the first air plane! It seems like Sinhala Buddhist irredentism has gone to another plane.
Please visit http://www.djchar89.byethost4.com/
Their Facebook page titled Great King Ravana has over 1000 followers.
The Wright Brothers must be turning in their graves. And Nobel Laureate James Tobin missed out a great chapter when he wrote ‘To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight’ !
The RSS’s idea of Akhand Bharat looks like peanuts when compared to the claims made by our local chaps.
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Native Vedda / December 6, 2015
Keynes!
I am disappointed with whoever wrote Ravana’s history/dynasty for it didn’t mention the genealogical connection between Ravana and Ranawaka Arachchige Patali Champika whose ancestors invented Zero and spoke Sinhala which is much much older than Hebrew and a descendant of Sakya Muni.
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Keynes! / December 6, 2015
Native,
Sri Lankans often laugh at the Indians. But the fact is that the Indians have been playing jokes on us for sometime now.
The first joke came when G.K. Reddy declared Izeth Hussain to be one of the five great diplomats in the world.
Then came Sachin Tendulkar with the claim that Eliyantha White is one of the greatest physicians ever.
The icing on the cake was when M.K. Narayan claimed that Sarath Fonseka was the best army commander in the world. This was hyped up so much that Sarath Fonseka was given the title of Field Marshal. The shocker came when he could not get a parliament seat at the 2015 elections.
These are cruel jokes being played on Sri Lankans. We should be smart enough to see through all this.
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a voter / December 3, 2015
Keynes,
Politics is not this simple.
1. Major decisions like separating a country are not taken based on individuals. Even MR comes back, and works against US, the later will not think of creating Eelam just because of MR. They will rather think of winning MR to their side or replace MR with someone else. If you look at international politics you will understand it.
2. For India to support Eelam and make it part of India is like paying million to buy a Peanut. They are interested in getting the entire Sri Lanka, not part of it. Their support to Tamils is just to have some bargaining power in Lankan politics. Their recent move of mass scale fishing in Sri Lankan waters is also part of the plan.
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Keynes! / December 5, 2015
a voter,
“For India to support Eelam and make it part of India is like paying million to buy a Peanut.”
It’s all about context. So, let’s look at it from two vantage points:
1. The intervention in 1987 when tens of thousands of Indian troops were landed in the north-east; and
2. The aggressive posturing in 2012-2013 through the setting up of a premier fighter base in Thanjavur.
Why do you think India spent millions to buy peanuts?
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a voter / December 15, 2015
Hope you read the entire paragraph. Indian intervention in 1987 and other activities are for the entire SL, not just part of it. :)
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nantha / December 1, 2015
NPC CM Wiggy lost his credibility during the general election. He became a instant politician by blaming and denying. As the writer pointed out, CVW open asked the people not to vote TNA and now denying. When he took oath as CM he chose to do it in front of the then President MR. He did not forget to invite his relative Vasudeva who had been anti Tamil nowadays. It is a tragedy to see a retired Supreme Court Justice to become a politician without any norms.
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soma / December 1, 2015
Mr Keethaponcalan is the head of a “Conflict Resolution” department. He stops abruptly after a brief about Sumathitharan without telling us how this conflict between Wingeswaran and Sumanthiran could be resolved.
Soma
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Dr. Rajasingham Narendran / December 1, 2015
Dr. Keethaponcalan,
You have missed two important factors.
1. Age difference.
2. Track record in politics.
3. Comparative acceptability across a wider spectrum of people – Tamils and others- in terms of the first two points.
In comparative terms, Sumanthiran is a rising star, showing much promise for the future. He is not made in the mould of a typical Tamil politician. He is a sober and intelligent man of few words. He is not a divisive figure. He does not also bombast as his principal weapon.
On the other hand Wigneswaran has turned out to be damp squib. Much light and sparkle was expected of him. He has turned out to be a non-performer on all fronts. He is not tuned to his people and their needs. He also has not spelt out his vision for the future. He is fact has no vision. He will go into oblivion soon, I hope he does so quietly.
The choice is clear.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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soma / December 2, 2015
Dr RN
“He in fact has no vision.”
He does have a very clear vision – to drive a permannent wedge between the future generations of Tamils and Sinhalese. His “genocide” agenda is aimed at this. He knows fully well that reconciliation is the very antithesis of separatism.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 2, 2015
somaaass
” to drive a permannent wedge between the future generations of Tamils and Sinhalese.”
You don’t need him to drive wedge between Tamils and Sinhalese as the Sinhala/Buddhists have been doing it for the past 60 years.
It won’t stop here, you are here to help them, Dayan, Weerawansa, Dinesh, Gamanpillai, Gnanasara (Cobra Head)…………….. MR, Gota, and their ball carriers, ……………. are actively into driving wedges between people.
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soma / December 3, 2015
You see native, you can count them all on your fingers against thousands on your side. What an uphill battle. The truth shal prevail.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2015
somaass
“The truth shal prevail.”
Truth, really what is it? I have heard of it but never knew what it is.
By the way you sound as if you have realised truth. If it is true then you must be an awakened one and could be the latest Buddha. If true, what are you doing in this forum?
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Utnungan / December 1, 2015
I think the conflict between CM WIgneswaran and Paliamentarian Sumanthiran is dependant on the question ‘after Sambandan who?’
Sumanthiran’s stance in insisting on a NPC resolution on the expulsion of Muslims from the North cannot serve any purpose as it is something that the TULF had condemned long before it incarnated as the TNA with additions like the militant groups lEPRLF , PLOTE, TELO. The Tamil Congress part which has now become the TNPF is no longer a part in the TNA.
When considered from the point of popularity and acceptability both CVW and Sumanthiran would vie equally as far as the Tamil voter is concerned.
But how this contest for Latakia lead between the two is going to be viewed in the South, and how it is going to initiate a meaningful reconciliation and rehabilitatation process to benefit the people in the North still remains a puzzle?
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Uthungan / December 1, 2015
‘Latakia’ ? I am not responsible for it, The computer does that when it feels tired.
My apologies.
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Agnos / December 2, 2015
CVW gave a public explanation of his differences
with Sampanthan and Sumanthiran. He identified issues like failure by the two to defend him when
Rail W called him a liar, and the way decisions are made sole by the two of them without consulting CVW and other NPC reps. And some of his concerns are legitimate.
I think those in the Sumanthiran camp should
stop their public campaign of vilification
against CVW and resolve issues internally.
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Agnos / December 2, 2015
Should read Ranil W., not Rail, and solely, not sole. I was using my mobile phone while on transit.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 3, 2015
Given below is the link to the section of the ‘Thanthi’ interview where Ranil Wickremasinghe called C.V. Wigneswaran a ‘ Lier’.
On what basis should Sambanthan and Sumanthiran come forward to defend the CM?
http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-86727-news-detail-wigneswaran-is-a-liar-ranil.html
Subsequent to the the JVP insurrections and Tamil militancy, Sri Lanka is heavily militarized. There is a military presence all over. As indicated by Ranil, there may be a higher density of military personnel in the north and east. Ranil has indicated that with time, it will come down. The military presence is much less visible now than before the last presidential election. We were engaged in a do or die , no-holds barred, brutal war, only six years back! The allies yet maintain military bases in German!
This is a reality that cannot be wished away. The rolling back of the military presence is a process and not an event.
Has’nt the CM being playing to the gallery?
Dr.RN
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Agnos / December 3, 2015
What I got from the public statement by CVW carried on some site (probably lankasri.com/Tamilwin.com) a few weeks back is that at a meeting with RW after he was chosen PM, where Sampanthan, CVW and Sumanthiran were present, RW had looked at CVW with a smile and said that he would tell the Mahanayake Theros that Army presence wouldn’t be reduced in the North. The implication was that he was telling Tamil leaders and people one thing, and the Mahanayakes another thing; this was what initially upset CVW and colored his view of RW. Since Sampanthan was a seasoned politician, he probably didn’t mind such games from RW; likewise with Sumanthiran;though younger, he had already been initiated into political games.
Anyway, when Ranil W later called CVW a liar and said he didn’t meet CVW, it wasn’t the truth. He did in fact meet CVW after MS had won and he was PM. Sampanthan and Sumanthiran by their silence about this– 1) that the meeting did take place and they were there as well , and 2) RW made a statement that could be construed as a dishonest political game at that meeting–failed to defend their senior party colleague. That is a legitimate complaint. They could have privately talked to CVW and RW at that time and sorted out matters. Apparently they didn’t. From that point onward, it seems there has been a steady escalation of differences.
And with DBS Jeyaraj, a relative of Sumanthiran, using his columns to attack CVW without revealing his connections to the former, it gave rise to the impression that Sumanthiran was using his supporters to attack CVW, and matters seem to have worsened further. I too have generally been supportive of Sumanthiran before. But CVW got the highest # of preferential votes at the NPC election, so he should be allowed to serve out his full term. A relative newcomer to politics himself, Sumanthiran was out of line in advocating CVW’s expulsion from the party. He may be close to Sampanthan, but neither of them owns the ITAK/TNA. They will have to patch up their differences with CVW and let him serve out his term. CVW has said he is not in the best of health, so I doubt he would want to be in politics after that.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 3, 2015
Agnos,
Thanks. Pending explanations from Ranil, Sampanthan and Sumanthiran, I will give the benefit of the doubt to Wigneswaran, I hope their explanation will be forthcoming soon.
One bit of advice to Wigneswaran: in politics patience and prudence pay. It is a game played without any binding rules. No one can be be held to their words. One can not say what he wants to, even if it is the truth, because of political realities. A successful politician, while being everything to everybody, moves the ball in the direction he wants. On the issues involving the different communities in Sri Lanka, only a leader who can move deftly between the communities and their extremes, can achieve something in the long term. Short term dramatic solutions are not possible, however desirable they may be. Ranil should be permitted to play his game long enough to understand the direction he is moving. Sambanthan and Sumanthiran understand this, Wigneswaran should try to work closely with Ranil to get things moving in the NPC. That should be his goal and nothing else.
Dr,RN
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Agnos and Dr RN,
“RW had looked at CVW with a smile and said that he would tell the Mahanayake Theros that Army presence wouldn’t be reduced in the North.”
My guess is that the number of the security forces is about the same as before but they are now concentrated in bigger bases since almost all of the small bases have been closed.
They are also not as visible as before because they have orders to avoid active patrolling. Mahinda started this process and Sirisena and Ranil continue.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Agnos,
“And with DBS Jeyaraj, a relative of Sumanthiran”
I never heard this before. Any evidence you have? They are Protestant Christians but from different areas of Jaffna. I have many relatives I dislike and would never vote for or support.
“But CVW got the highest # of preferential votes at the NPC election, so he should be allowed to serve out his full term.”
It might be better for reconciliation and development to get rid of him.
“A relative newcomer to politics himself, Sumanthiran was out of line in advocating CVW’s expulsion from the party. He may be close to Sampanthan, but neither of them owns the ITAK/TNA.”
True but we should not forget how Sumanthiran is attacked all the time by the hardliners.
“CVW has said he is not in the best of health, so I doubt he would want to be in politics after that.”
Wigneswaran is not very young and already underwent a heart operation (bypass?) in India many years ago. According to the media his doctors have advised him recently not to travel to Canada to collect money for the elections. He seems to concentrate on some small pet projects on national level while neglecting the wider problems in the province. I wonder how much he depends on his advisors when deciding what to do.
I also believe that Wigneswaran due to his health is not the one who will challenge Sumanthiran.
I have not been able to identify who will challenge Sumanthiran. All the 50-60 year old hardliners (MPs and members/ministers of the NPC) in ITAK are relatively unknown and in my opinion not very competent. I feel that the person challenging Sumanthiran must be from Jaffna and from ITAK not from the three smaller parties.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 4, 2015
Agnos and others,
Since there in my opinion is no hardline ITAK politician to successfully challenge Sumanthiran the ITAK might once again be forced to bring in an outsider. Any challenger can be marketed by Jaffna and diaspora media resources and money.
As a moderate and a supporter of Sumanthiran I am worried about his security. Already a young boy jumped in front of a train. It only takes another young man to kill Sumanthiran. There has been plenty of activity against Sumanthiran.We should not forget what has been the “permanent solution” to Tamil moderates aka “traitors” earlier. There are plenty of Tamils who are desperate and can easily be manipulated to kill.
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Agnos / December 4, 2015
Dirty Hari,
Many websites have reported DBSJ is an uncle of Sumanthiran. I have also heard from some of my relatives in Vadamaradchi that Sumanthiran’s family originated from the community around the Kaddaively Church, near Karaveddy. DBSJ has publicly said his family is from that community. So the media claims of their relationship is most likely true, though I don’t have any solid proof for you.
I don’t want to get into succession issues at this time. But I agree that given his health, CVW is unlikely to seek ITAK leadership.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 4, 2015
Agnos,
“Many websites have reported DBSJ is an uncle of Sumanthiran.”
Thanks. I believe you but there are many other reasons to support Sumanthiran than being a relative.
“I have also heard from some of my relatives in Vadamaradchi that Sumanthiran’s family originated from the community around the Kaddaively Church, near Karaveddy.”
Is Kudaththanai there? Somebody told me that Sumanthiran is originally from there. My knowledge on Vadamaradchi is about zero.
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Agnos / December 5, 2015
Having lived in the West for long, DBSJ should have developed a certain sensibility–of disclosing any conflict of interest when he writes columns with scathing criticism, as he did with CVW. He was among the first –if not the only one–to report that the TNA was considering the expulsion of CVW. That leak might have come from Senathirajah and Sumanthiran, so it doesn’t look good at all. In SL, the distinction between opinion makers and reporters is often blurred, but as a columnist who writes his “opinions,” DBSJ cannot really be a good objective reporter of “facts” as well. All the more reason why any conflict of interest should have been disclosed.
As for Sumanthiran hailing from Kudathanai, I have heard that said as well. Two observations on that– 1) it is possible some families from the Kaddaively area acquired land in Kudathanai and moved there–it is just a move of about 5–8 miles, I would think. 2) The Kudathanai area was very sparsely populated without good sources of water, schools, etc. At least in my time in SL, most families there were into farming and related occupations, not in professional or clerical services, so the probability of a family from there moving to Colombo and sending their son to expensive Colombo schools, does not look that high to me, though it is certainly possible.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 5, 2015
Agnos,
“Having lived in the West for long, DBSJ should have developed a certain sensibility–of disclosing any conflict of interest when he writes columns with scathing criticism, as he did with CVW.”
Now when I think about DBSJ I remember that he has recently made claims about a certain MP and a certain former MP been involved in war crimes (my words not his). I actually believe that DBSJ is correct but the timing might be related to a campaign to support Sumanthiran. For some reason what DBSJ writes is never published on CT.
As you know wealthy families were sending sons to Trinity and Royal. I don’t know how Sumanthiran ended up at Royal. On Wiki there is nothing about his parents but his grandfathers were both teachers. Maybe we should Tweet him and ask?
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Anpu / December 3, 2015
Dr RN,
“The rolling back of the military presence is a process and not an event.”
Sri Lanka – Occupation Army Keeps Building Oppressive War Monuments https://www.scribd.com/doc/292033779/Sri-Lanka-Occupation-Army-Keeps-Building-Oppressive-War-Monuments?secret_password=fWyW8j5neo8blwNCZofE
On what basis you are defending the presence of armed forces and their activities
Thank you
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Dr,Rajasingham Narendran / December 3, 2015
Anpu,
I am accepting an inevitable ground reality. On one such monument in Mullaitivu, I saw the word ‘ Conquered’ used. I laughed, because these monuments celebrate our utter stupidity and barbarity and not triumph or defeat. I refer to the Sinhalese and Tamils, as both. If these monuments stand long enough, they will remind the hell we have been through for absolutely no gain! These monuments, should become our collective, but scattered wailing walls!, that will last into eternity.
Dr.RN
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K. Vareeswaran / December 1, 2015
Dr. Rajasingham is absolutely right. So much was expected of the chief minister only to see him shoot from the hip just like those raucous politicians in Tamil Nadu. While he carries on thus the ground is slipping from beneath the Tamil community. Instead of harping on genocide the chief minister would do better if he and his council focus of development issues that today take priority. The Jaffna peninsula faces an serous water crisis both for cultivation and consumption. Educational standards are declinning as highlighted by the messes Rajan & Ratnajeevan Hoole. Merrit is giving a away to sycophancy. The chief minister needs to wake up and get on with the job he was elected to address
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soma / December 2, 2015
You said it. To us in the South he looks just another Tamil Nadu politician.
Soma
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Anpu / December 1, 2015
What do we make of this?
“He also called Wigneswaran’s genocide resolution “foolish.” “
http://www.ceylontoday.lk/89-85436-news-detail-sumanthiran-defends-npcs-genocide-resolution-says-war-victims-should-be-prepared-to-give-more-evidence.html
“The Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran, defending the NPC’s genocide resolution as democratic and timely, emphasized on the need for the war victims to prepare themselves to gather more evidence in order to strengthen the OHCRC’s OISL report to be released in September this year. He also added that an internal investigation with the OHCR’s supervision, unlike the local investigations in the past, is essential to ensure a constructive UN investigation into the alleged war crimes in the country. Excerpts from the interview:
Q
: What is your view on the recent ‘genocide resolution’ passed by the Northern Provincial Council?
A: The resolution is timely and the facts which have been listed out in it are nothing but true. It was a sheer democratic action and very well drafted, taking into consideration the grievances of the people directly affected by the war. Various comments could surface with regard to the resolution, but it was aimed at seeking justice for the people who have been affected by the ruthless war in the North.
The Chief Minister of the Northern Province or the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) cannot be criticized for bringing about the genocide resolution, since the NPC represents the people who were very much affected by the war. So the NPC, which represents those people and being a democratic institution, has done its part in the right manner in bringing out the resolution. The Chief Minister has clearly pointed out the atrocities committed systematically towards the Tamils since the country gained independence. Therefore without addressing the genuine grievances of the people affected by the communal upheavals in the past, we cannot talk of reconciliation. Therefore, the genocide resolution was brought out to identify the perpetrators who had committed the war crimes and bring justice to the war victims. The resolution is not at all meant to hurt the feelings of those who strive for peace and reconciliation in the country.”
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Sri- Krish / December 1, 2015
After Sampanthan, Who?is the question by DrS. I.Keethaponcalan,
I will put it differently, but substantially agreeing with almost every word of Dr Keethapongalan.
Now, there is a window of opportunity opened after a long time with the regime change and Geneva with international backing.
Instead of capturing this golden opportunity to convert it into a realistic political solution, our Tamil leaders are fighting among themselves on non issues.
Sampanthan is among the Tamil leaders was the only one aware of this historic opportunity that comes only once in a million years.
Once it is missed it is almost missed forever.
TNA was for a long time especially after the downfall of LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people as a whole.
During the conflict LTTE did not allow any leaders to merge and even cut down any potential leadership aspirants and this created a huge leadership vacuum below Sampanthan .in the TNA.
Sampanthan realized this early and was mature enough to make amends first by bringing in the young lawyer Mr Sumanthiran as a national list MP in 2005 and later as an elected parliamentarian in 2015.
In a similar manner, retired justice of the Supreme Court Mr CV. Wignesvaran was made the Chief Ministerial candidate for the first Northern Provincial Council in 2013.
Mr Wigneswaran and Sumanthiran were both Colombo based, trilingual and popular among the Sinhalese in the south . This naturally created jealously and would have created dissention among the other leader aspirants within the TNA.
All three of them Sampanthan, Wigneswaran and Sumanthiran are sophisticated moderates among the Tamil nationalists and well respected in the South and among the Diaspora and the international community.
Sampanthan knowingly or unknowingly created an impression among the TNA rank and file that he is grooming Sumanthiran as his successor. This irritated others in the TNA.
Wigneswaran may have thought that he is the darling of the South and most popular than even Sampanthan.
While Mr CVWigneswaran was busy with mediocre leaders in the Provincial Council and frustrated with little movements in the devolution front and almost falling back as a failed Chief minister, Mr Sumanthiran was making headlines nationally and was articulating Tamil position being the close confident of Sampanthan.
Instead of adopting an all inclusive approach, major decisions were taken by Sampanthan and Sumanthiran alone excluding all others including Wigneswaran and the other second tier potential leaders of TNA and Sampanthan meet national and international leaders along with only sumanthiran!
This is the scenario for the undeclared war between eh two moderate Mr CV Wigneswaran and Sumamthiran to commence to the delight of many in the Tamil nationalist fringe who will regret only when such regrets are futile.
After Sampanthan,who?
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S,Sivathasan / December 1, 2015
“After Nehru, who?” To this question frequently posed, Nehru’s constant response was “What when Nehru lives?”
Within minutes of Gandhi’s death’ Nehru and Patel were at the venue. Mountbatten put his arms on their shoulder and said, compose your differences and work together. An observer commented, like schoolboys both agreed.
Sampanthan is sure to lead the Tamils for no less than a year. Within this time frame THREE expectations need fulfillment.
A political solution finalized enough to be embodied in the new constitutional arrangement.
An Economic Programme pragmatic enough to be accepted by both entities; the Tamils and the government.
A statewide Convention of Tamils to agree unanimously on the next leader.
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Native Vedda / December 1, 2015
S,Sivathasan
“A statewide Convention of Tamils to agree unanimously on the next leader. “
Is there a credible leader who can unite and lead North and East if that is what Tamil speaking people want?
Is there a Tamil who can give leadership to the entire island?
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Native Vedda,
“Is there a Tamil who can give leadership to the entire island?”
Mr Sivathasan must be thinking about himself as the future leader.
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Dr,Rajasingham Narendran / December 3, 2015
Inspector Dirty Hari,
We,Tamils will not easily allow a great leader to emerge. We are like crabs captured in a basket that will pull down any crab that tries to climb over and lead them out! The great poetic tradition that yet lingers within us, makes us make mountains out of mole hills and dream of setting sail to conquer the world from their tops. We make card board Caessars, place them on a pedestal, place all our eggs in one basket, condemn those wo do not go with the crowd as traitors, kill them if possible or undermine any possibility.of their making a positive difference. We are like a flock of sheep, who will follow the ‘ Goat’ who comes forward to lead us. We have paid a heavy price as a result.
Mr. Sivathasan, for whom I have a lot of respect, unfortunately is dreaming that the Tamils can come toegether to elect a person, who is not an image maker, eloquent mesmerizer, Parkinson’s disease affected mumbler or a gun toter who scares them more than others. Persons of substance and a clear, logical and realistic vision, will have no chance to lead us. The TNA and its predessors, like the mafia, have also created a well entrenched system to perpetuate their own kind and their own failed politics.
Truth, facts and ground realities do not figure in their equation.
We are a people condemned by fate!
Dr.RN
Dr
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Dr RN,
“Persons of substance and a clear, logical and realistic vision, will have no chance to lead us. The TNA and its predessors, like the mafia, have also created a well entrenched system to perpetuate their own kind and their own failed politics. Truth, facts and ground realities do not figure in their equation.”
I agree about the past but in order to continue somewhat sane I must believe in a better future.
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Ajith / December 1, 2015
I don’t know whether Keerthipalan is trying to creat conflict or resolve conflict within Tamil politics. TNA consists of three or four political parties. I don’t think Sumanthiran or Wigneswaran will get nomination for leadership for TNA. Both are inexperienced politicians. Wigneswaran is very honest but Sumanthiran is cunny lawyer. Public support is for Wigneswaran if both go into election as independent. The support given to TNA is to keep unity and to take revenge against Mahinda. Tamils wanted to punish Mahinda. We shouldn’t forget they gave their support to Sarath Fonseka as well in the past. There are two important things that will determine the future of Tamil politics.
1. Unity
2. Political solution to the Tamil question.
The first one is needed to achieve second one. If you don’t achieve the second one within this government, there is a danger to first one. If you achieve a reasonable acceptable solution within this period of governance Sumanthiran can become the leader of TNA.
The chance of finding a political solution is very very unlikely.
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soma / December 2, 2015
Ajith
“2. Political solution to the Tamil question.”
IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT DEMOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF TAMIL SPEAKING PEOPLE (IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR RELIGION OR THE DATE OF ARRIVAL) IN THE ISLAND THERE IS NO CONCEIVABLE DEVOLUTION MODEL TO SATISFY POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS OF AT LEAST 90% OF THEM.
‘North AND East for Tamils’ invariability leads to ‘the rest of the island for Sinhalese’.
Any argument concocted to justify leaving 50+% Tamil speaking people in the areas outside North and East is not just pure hypocrisy but a devious plan to subjugate the Sinhalese.
A referendum must be held among the people in the East on the question of merging with the North.
A referendum must be held among the Tamil speaking people in the South on the question of their willingness to physically relocate themselves to Northeast.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 2, 2015
somaass
“A referendum must be held among the people in the East on the question of merging with the North.”
Why would the North want to merge with East? The North should have its own referendum to obtain consent from people of the North.
On the other hand North Western and North Central may want to merge with North. Why can’t those provinces have the same choice as East.
For stupid reasons known only to the Southerners, Southern province may chose to merge with Northern province. Can they have referendum too?
All provinces must reserve the right to expel one or more provinces from rest of the country. For example if 8 provinces decide to expel Southern province (including you and MR) from the union of provinces they should be able to do so as speedily as possible. The rest do not want to carry deadwood.
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soma / December 3, 2015
In general any two or more provinces must be permitted (must be encouraged) to merge together if majority in EACH wish for such an arrangement. What is more fair than that?
Why can’t NP and EP cooperate with each other by sharing their financil and other resources wherever needed justifying the case for a constitutional merger? Surely, there can’t be a constitutional impediment in mutual cooperation.
Soma
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2015
somaass
“Why can’t NP and EP cooperate with each other by sharing their financil and other resources wherever needed justifying the case for a constitutional merger?”
Why can’t North Central and Northern provinces merge?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 2, 2015
Soma,
The solution:
Grant the greatest devolution possible, to look after local concerns, to the present nine provinces, as a first step. Sri Lanka may be small country, but we are as diverse as a continent in terms of our differences, which are far greater than our linguistic and religious identities, Greater devolution is the most sensible solution to take this country forward. Over centralized governance has made us inefficient, corrupt and divisive. Forget about communal identitities. It is the people, whether they be Sinhalese of different types, Tamils of different types , Muslims of dufferent types and others, who need to make decisions relating to where they live and what they need. Let us be color blind and language deaf , when he have to make decisions regarding citizens and their needs. A similar attitude should be adopted when dealing with development.
We have to move in such a direction fast, to not only catch up with lost time, but also to redeem ourselves in the eyes of our maker or the monkey from whom we arose.
Dr.RN
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sach / December 2, 2015
Lets solve the real issue..history..after all we need to teach children history…
Then lets think about it.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 2, 2015
History is such an intangible and nebulous entity. Everyone understands it his way. It is my story, your story, his story, her story , our story, their story and all the stories are different. There is much spin, exaggeration, contraction and venom in the history we relate and we hear. Even on the same incident within a family, there are many variants, when told.
Relegate the history as we have heard it, perceive it and have recorded it to the archives and librariries. It is our national albatross. Let us forge new history by moving forward to build a new, dynamic nation, that befit the religions and philosophies we profess.
Let us empower the people to run their lives as best as they could. Let us provide them the frame work, the laws, rules and the tools to do so. Devolution of political and administrative power within the Sri Lankan a State is the sure way to let our people blossom in varied but rich, colors and hues.
Let our country awaken from its long nightmare!
Dr.RN
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Native Vedda / December 2, 2015
sachooooooooo the Stupid II
“Then lets think about it.”
We are not aware that you too can think. Since when?
What is the difference between you and a knife?
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soma / December 3, 2015
Dear Dr RN
Thank you for your considered response. In my view your idealised level of devolution is a workable proposition only if the people are angles in an environment of unlimited financial and technonogical resources with each small group possesing all the skills required to generate all the amenities of modern life. As such the concentration of resources and management under a cetral authority becose a paramount necessity.
Only within a unitary political structure where all citizens are equal in all respects I can stand up and argue that Jafna citizens have equal right for Mahaweli waters as those provinces which presently are the source. In a situation where even Sri Lanka as a whole is faced with insufficient financial, technological resources required to implement a project of such magnitude as Mahaweli diversion what of small provinces.
Soma
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sach / December 2, 2015
Before any devolution, we should analyse what caused this conflict and solve the issue. That is the history.
Sinhalese reject that NE is the homeland of SL tamils and will mention that tamils were labour brought by colonials. And we reject the fake history by tamils. That is the basis of this conflict.
Only after that we will think about a solution.
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Anpu / December 3, 2015
Recognition of the Tamil Homeland
1) S W R D Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, said in a statement issued on 16 August 1957:
“The instrument of colonization should not be used to convert the Northern and Eastern provinces into Sinhalese majority areas or in any other manner to the detriment of the Tamil speaking people of these areas.”
2) Dudley Senanayake, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who opposed the above clause, later came to an agreement with S J V Chelvanayakam on 24 March 1965:
“Mr Senanayake further agreed that in the granting of land under colonization schemes the following priorities be observed in the Northern and Eastern Provinces:
a) Land in the Northern and Eastern Provinces should in the first instance be granted to landless persons in the District.
b) Secondly, to Tamil-speaking persons resident in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and
c) Thirdly, to other citizens in Ceylon, preference being given to Tamil citizens in the rest of the Island.”
3) The 1977 Election Manifesto of the United National party declared that the Tamil people had a grievance as regards colonization and it would be remedied.
Therefore, the Tamil position is that the existence of the Tamil homeland has been acknowledged by successive governments.
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gamam / December 1, 2015
Dr. RN is again with his two cents worth of opinion. This topic is for people who understand politics. Not for veterinarians who are trained and educated in treating animals. Just because he is in Colombo and a friend of Sumanthiran, he should not dabble in a subject he is ignorant.
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Native Vedda / December 1, 2015
gamam
“Not for veterinarians who are trained and educated in treating animals.”
I take it that you understand what he writes. Probably he is also writing to the animals.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Native Vedda,
“I take it that you understand what he writes. Probably he is also writing to the animals.”
I must be an animal because I understand what Dr RN writes.
Please note that vets must be able to treat many different animals while doctors only treat human beings.
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Eusense / December 17, 2015
Aren’t today’s politicians behave like animals?
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Lanka Watch / December 1, 2015
Tamils voted this Govt. to power expecting an immediate solution worked
out to the existing problems, which lingered for over 60 years, but it looks like, the govt.wants to drag it longer, fearing majority backlash
TNA should have one on one with the president and PM and solve it one by one and there is no other way to solve this problem and involving
international intervention will prove negative.It is Mr.Sumanthiran, who has developed a good rapport with the Govt.and highly respected by the parliamentarians of both sides as he delivers excellent and meaningful speeches in parliament,who could represent the Tamils in dialogue with the govt. Mr. Wigneswaran had jumped the gun by trying to grab the leadership and while doing so had made several slips and he lacks leadership qualities and political experience. His anti govt. approach will not help the Tamils in any way. What TNA should do at this moment is to put this issue of leadership on the back burner and work out the solutions with the Govt.,amicably accepted by the Tamils and let them move forward, like any other community.
Tamils should be contented with a merged N/E province,live on their on own lands in peace, without interference by the armed forces, found in excess in N/E, un proportionally and have a religion and language of their own.The call for Eelam or separate state should not be on the agenda.
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soma / December 2, 2015
“Tamils should be contented with a merged N/E province,live on their on own lands in peace, without interference by the armed forces, found in excess in N/E, un proportionally and have a religion and language of their own.The call for Eelam or separate state should not be on the agenda.”
Lanka Watch, this is precisely what I wish to see.
In order to make this happen:
1) Definion of ‘Tamils’ in the context of a ‘political solution’ must be clearly stipulated. Is it only the Tamil speaking people who are Hindu and Christian or does it include all Tamil speaking people in the island irrespective of their religion or date of arrival.
2) A referendum must be held among the people of the East on the question of merger.
3) A referendum must be held among the Tamil speaking people in areas outside North and East on their willingness to physically relocate themselves to Notheast,
I only hope that you won’t be rash to suggest that ‘North AND East are for Tamils’ and “the rest of the island for all of us”.
Soma
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Lanka Watch / December 2, 2015
Soma- Thanks for your comments. N/E voted overwhelmingly for TNA, who stands for Federalism, so there is no need for a referendum,
which is expensive and the govt. cannot afford. The conflict refers to the Tamils of N/E hence, hence there is no need for Tamils from other areas to participate in the referendum but they will have every right to settle down in N/E. Muslims may try to create some objection but since the language spoken & written by them is Tamil, and this problem could be solved by dialogue by allowing Muslims to administer their areas in N/E in one N/E provincial govt.
Rather surprised at your comments in your last para. Countries
who are doing well have federal states like India, USA and al though, they administer their areas,(States) they belong to one country . The language of administration in N/E will be Tamil
and residents could follow any religion without hindrance and not live under occupation by armed forces. Take India as an example where there are 29 federal states, competing with each other to do better than the other in economy but they stand united for the country.
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soma / December 3, 2015
Dear Lanka Watch
I was talking about Tamil speaking people OUTSIDE North and East – a referendum among them.
You may be having a set of very valid reasons justifying a federal setup for North East. Mainly language discrimination and the genocidal nature of Sinhala Buddhists (NPC Resolution). What I can’t understand is how these reasons do not apply for 50+% Tamil speaking people who live among Sinhalese.
What my last para says one must be out of mind to say ” North AND East are exclusively for Tamil speaking people and the rest of the island is for all of us”
Soma
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 2, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“Tamils should be contented with a merged N/E province,live on their on own lands in peace, without interference by the armed forces, found in excess in N/E, un proportionally and have a religion and language of their own”
In the North and especially in the East there are minorities opposing your idea of a single religion and a single language. Our constitution also guarantees the fundamental rights of all even in the North and East.
Please clarify your point and read the TNA manifesto.
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Lanka Watch / December 3, 2015
Inspector,
Thanks for your comment. What I mentioned in my
previous article is that Tamils of N/E should have a language and religion of their own, and what I meant was that they should be able to practice their religion, what ever religion they belong to,without hindrance like what happened in the last regime, where churches and Hindu temples were uprooted to have extended security
zones and religious festivities were restricted under the pretext
of security and I have never said that N/E people should have one religion. I can say that that the administration of N/E should be
in Tamil language as the inhabitants are all Tamil speaking people, whether they are Tamils or Muslims. I hope I cleared your
doubt. By having a merged N/E administered in Tamil language will
cut cost.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 3, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“I can say that that the administration of N/E should be in Tamil language as the inhabitants are all Tamil speaking people, whether they are Tamils or Muslims.”
All of us in the North and East are Tamil speakers? Please check your facts.
I have thought that there are many non Tamil speakers in the East and Vavunya District of the North.
I know that you are a reasonable man unlike some others.
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Lanka Watch / December 4, 2015
Inspector DH,
Traditionally, for centuries, Tamil was the
language spoken by the inhabitants of N/E , the Tamils and Muslims. Even today, the Muslims study in Tamil language in schools in N/E. Forced colonization of Sinhala people in Trincomalee in the recent past , in the East and Vavuniya & KKS being colonized forcefully now in the North to down size the Tamil speaking areas and influence by successive Govts., Sinhala is also spoken in some pockets of Sinhala colonization in N/E.
If I ask you, what language is spoken in the South, you will say
Sinhala, though various communities live in Colombo and other cities. like wise, Tamil is the language spoken by the majority in N/E, and administration becomes easier in merged N/E province because of the common language, spoken and written. I hope I answered your question.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 4, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“I hope I answered your question.”
We both know that there are many in the North and East who don’t speak Tamil. They must have their rights also.
I have never heard of colonies in KKS before. Do you have a source for that?
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Lanka Watch / December 4, 2015
Inspector DH,
You should visit KKS to see what is happening.
Its a ploy to ‘crush’ the community from both sides.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 4, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“You should visit KKS to see what is happening. Its a ploy to ‘crush’ the community from both sides.”
I can visit KKS but please provide more information for the readers who are unable to visit the place.
Are not the port and many other parts of KKS still off limits?
Thanks.
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Lanka Watch / December 5, 2015
Inspector DH,
Port and some areas in the coastal area of KKS are still off limits for the inhabitants but not for the armed
Forces. Palaly base may be given up for development of a civilian airport and to accommodate the flying section of the air Force
like what is happening at Katu. and KKS may become the new Northern military base and the Tamils of NP will be sandwiched between KKS and Vavuniya.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 5, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“Port and some areas in the coastal area of KKS are still off limits for the inhabitants but not for the armed Forces. Palaly base may be given up for development of a civilian airport and to accommodate the flying section of the air Force like what is happening at Katu. and KKS may become the new Northern military base and the Tamils of NP will be sandwiched between KKS and Vavuniya.”
KKS port, Palaly and the areas around them are where most of the members of the security forces are. My guess is that the heavy weapons are there also. Not much can be seen from the airport bus. The SDIG of the police also is in KKS. These will be the last areas to be released.
The area between KKS/Palaly and Vavunya is quite large.
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Plato. / December 1, 2015
Gamam.
Dr.RN may belong to any vocation: But read his responses to any any issue.There is substance! These are the folks that Jaffna needs in their hour of chaos!
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Plato. / December 1, 2015
This conflict is a Storm in a Teacup! Quite unlike,the armed struggle!
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Mohanasundaram / December 2, 2015
Dr. Muthukrishna Sarvanantha’s article on CVW’s ability to perform as the CM of NPC should be re published. CVW has been a complete disappointment, perhaps he should go to India and take shelter in one of those ashrams, preferably Nithiyananda’s.
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Gamam / December 2, 2015
Plato, you say these are the folks Jaffna needs now. But these guys RN and brother RJ always jump in to give their two cents worth of opinion but wouldn’t spend a dime in alleviating the sufferings of the people there. They seem to seek cheap popularity by signing their full names. No one does this.
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Sri-Krish / December 2, 2015
Mr Sivathasan,
Let us have a job Description for the Leader and then short list the aspirants and try to arrive at a consensus
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K.Anaga / December 3, 2015
All our Tamil politicians are escapists. No body wants to suggest a definite solution to the problems faced by Tamils. They look to words the west and India for a solution. If Eelam has been given up why can’t the Tamil politician and the so called educated Tamils get together and draft a A Federal Constitution which will reflect the mood of the Tamils. I am sure this will go a long way to understand the aspirations of the Tamils. We have been talking for the past 70 years changing our stance to Suit the political climate of the Sinhala governments as done by the TNA at present. If our politicians are incapable of drafting a constitution due to “Who Is Great Attitude” get the the services of some Indian, Belgium, American and Swiss experts to assist. Main thing is to have something in writing instead of talking with the tong in your cheek.
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a voter / December 3, 2015
Dr. Keethaponkalan has missed the point, may be because he is much listening to Diaspora propaganda these days.
1. When MR was in power, CVW worked with MR and reflected the latter’s views in various ways. He asked the Indian politicians to keep quiet, against the will of TNA. Towards the end of 2014 (when MR was in power) he was vehemently opposing the move to call 2009 killings as “Genocide” but just within months, when MR lost the power, he switched to the other side and he himself presented the proposal.
2. Most of the Tamils in Sri Lanka are unhappy with CV for couple of reasons. He speaks before thinking, zero administrative power and has constantly involved in fighting with someone. It may be the diaspora who tries to project CV and Congress (TNPF). To be frank, after being supportive of TNPF, he did a somersault by saying, he did not support any party. The writer has missed the points obviously.
3. The Author has stated that MA Sumanthiran has said that what has happened during the last phase of war is not genocide. What he has said was “it was difficult to prove in international juridication, that it was genocide” There is a big difference between what is the truth and what could be proved. Since Dr. Keetha ponkalan is not a practicing lawyer, he may not understand the difference.
4. Finally on the issue of eviction of Muslims. Everyone knows it is wrong. I am not the right person to go through the details of definitions to decide whether it is ethnic cleansing or not. But Sumanthiran has maintained his stand over the years. His point is unless we accept the mistakes we made, we morally do not have rights to point our fingers at Sinhalese. But unfortunately it is true that most of the NPC members do not think logically like Sumanthiran. This author forgets that very fact that he is talking about – the key issues and differences between CV and Sumanthiran. Additionally, in international politics, these statements are used to defend and win other parties to a side only. Decisions are not made based on what is right and what is wrong.
For me, all the points the author has raised are showing only one point: He wants to support CV and throw mud on Sumanthiran.
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Rohini / December 16, 2015
Sumanthiran is such a clever person, understands politics so much and am trying to persuade RW and other Sinhala politicians to support ‘Tamils’ and their cause but forgets that he also needs the support CVW and of general public who voted him in. Achieving the objectives of ‘Tamils’ is more important than of TNA. TNA needs to reconcile their objectives with their voters objectives instead of double talking just like RW. They were only elected because of their past. The party is being controlled by a few and this need to change.
To start with successive SL governments have breached the human rights mostly of Tamils and also of Sinhalese. Why Sumanthiran does not points those out first, instead of saying ‘Tamils’ do not have a case for ‘Genocide’ and that it is difficult to prove. Most things are difficult to prove. That does not mean that we give up.
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