By J. S. Tissainayagam –
J.S. Tissainayagam
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which won a handsome majority at Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council elections on September 21, says it will use its mandate to demand greater self-governance. But with the Sri Lanka government resisting self-governance by simplistically labeling it as secession, it is important to know what exactly the TNA is going to do to deliver on its promises to the Tamil people.
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Ponkoh sivakumaran / October 8, 2013
Mr Vigneswaran must be given a chance. There could be an incremental approach. He first asks for what is in the 13th Amendment. This he may get because of Indian pressure. There is a legal obligation for Sri Lanka to abide by it as it is in the Indo-Sri Lanka Pact. He has to undo two Supreme Court decisions to achieve this. He would have delivered a great plus if he does this. It will also be acceptable to the reasonable Sinhalese public opinion as it is a return to the status quo.
Anything else is a plus. Like Oliver Twist, you can ask for more. Like Oliver Twist, one may succeed.
It is best for Mr (Justice or not) Vigneswaran to keep quiet on many fronts. He antagonised the diaspora and the Tamilnadu activists unnecessarily and then had to submissively call Prabhakaran a hero in appeasement. They are not prudent acts of an older statesman. Yet, he must be given space to achieve what he can. For once, we have a figure of respect in the political life of the whole country. He must be given a chance.
For the Tamil electorate, it may be better to have something that Vigneswaran may be able to achieve that the nothing they were left with by the LTTE. So, let us wait and watch what the Vigs and the TNA can achieve with the help of India, the crucial factor in the game.
May I also welcome the new policy of Colombo Telegraph. I hope it is rigorously enforced. Thank you.
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Ponkoh sivakumaran / October 8, 2013
Just to explain, I think the new policy is to moderate comments more closely, leaving out personal attacks and grossly racist remarks. I detect such a policy and I hope I am right.
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Thiru / October 8, 2013
TNA will ask for self governance, land and police powers, etc. but they will not get anything without the Powers be coaxing Sri Lanka to do it.
Already MaRa says after meeting Kujaral that the parliamentary committee
(loaded with Sinhala Buddhist extremists) will decide on devolution.
We are back to Varatharaja Perumal days, but much worse because Indian army is not there.
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LI / October 8, 2013
I just wish the Diaspora, Tamil Nadu and the TNA can work together and with one voice on matters affecting the Tamils. The Tamils are their own worst enemy, each with his own ideas of what needs to be done an done his way with no thinking of the greater good of the people. If these three groups can come to an understanding and work out an overall plan of action, then the Tamils can get what they want for their people.
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ilyasfazly / October 8, 2013
just sit and watch.you journo’s over there should give a open ear and have keen eyes with a honest approach instead of being baised in this issue. i think the ordinary peace loving tamil citizens deserve a chance work out a living in earnest.
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Rama / October 9, 2013
rajapaksa, peiris and the rest are talking about a parliamentary select committee that will address the issues relating to devolution of powers. i would have thought 13 amendment in itself addresses all issues relating to devolution of powers. why does anyone need this psc for. does it mean the so called psc can override the provisions of 13 amendment. does it mean 13 amendment will become ineffectual. will it be the end of 13 amendment. what are these para chingala idiots up to.
are they planning to deceive tamils once again.
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RajasH / October 9, 2013
Tamil Voters sent a message to Mahinda.
They know PSC is an eye wash and TNA can’t deliver.
How can TNA deliver when the PSC have no power.?
I thought you are an intellectual journalist?
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lal / October 9, 2013
Little Now and More Later strategy is not going to work. It is devious and has no moral basis for a political solution. Tissa, by accusing govt of discrimination against Tamils, without specifics is only parroting a worn out phrase. The solution to discrimination is strengthening the legislation and not a complete overhaul of the constituition. Can Tissa point out specific aspects of discrimination against Tamils? Therefore, a political package favouring Tamils against other communities is what Tissa wants, and wants TNA to demand with protests and violence. Military presence in the North is thus imperative, whilst as Tissa like other extremists advocate such action. Such demands and actions will yield nothing.
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Rama / October 10, 2013
the problem with chingala lot is their political immaturity. tamil people don’t have to spell out anything about their birth eights to any [Edited out]. we tamil people are quite capable of looking after our own affairs. we don’t need [Edited our] chingala lot to poke their nose into our affairs. only one thing we can spell out loud and clear is for the para chingala lot is to piss off.
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Anpu / October 9, 2013
Lal,
“Can Tissa point out specific aspects of discrimination against Tamils?” You are a regular commentator on https://www.colombotelegraph.com/ . It looks like you do not read the articles. You only just make comments. So many authors have written on “specific aspects of discrimination against Tamils”. An important one https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lanka-if-this-is-not-genocide-then-what-is-it/ . Plenty of “specific aspects of discrimination against Tamils” is there.
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Sumathy m / October 9, 2013
You blood thirsty Tiger lackey,all you want is killings,suicide bombings..etc..etc…Let us give a chance to Mr.Vikneswaran.
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