By S. Narapalasingam –
The national elections held last year focussed mainly on the deteriorated governing system and did not raise subjective matters aggravating the protracted ethnic issue, which has caused enormous losses to the people and the nation since independence. Unfortunately, some opposed to the National Unity government seem keen on treading along the old nationally divisive path, fuelling the ethnic issue for their own political benefit. They also seem to be keen on ousting the National Unity government committed to national unity and good governance for regaining the lost power. The nationally damaging ways to gain power seem to exist with the power hungry politicians, despite the costly damage done in the past.
The underlying fact is, the ‘divide and rule’ scheme which became a handy way to gain the votes of the Sinhala masses crucial for winning countrywide elections laid the grounds for the colossal damage done to all communities since independence. A different system that safeguards the unity and the fundamental rights of all communities and citizens is essential, if the post-war country is to progress steadfastly for the benefit of all citizens in the 9 provinces.
Past nationally damaging developments even after the protracted internal war ended in 2009 influenced the formation of the present National Unity Government with the two main political parties (UNP and SLFP) as equal partners committed to national unity, real democracy, rule of law, good governance and sustainable development of the entire nation. These noble and overdue aims are discernible from the pronouncements of the current leaders of the two main political parties, which for the first time have joined as equal partners in the noble task of building a promising united Sri Lanka, the shared homeland of the diverse ethnic communities living in different parts of the island since ancient time.
Both the Sinhalese and Tamils have their ancestral roots in India and the Sinhala language not used elsewhere is also a derivative of combined ancient Indian languages. It is irrelevant, who settled first in the island for a political system to function democratically without any racial discrimination safeguarding national unity and promoting social and economic development in the entire country. If Sri Lanka is really a Buddhist country, Buddhist philosophy should also influence the governing ways. Unfortunately, what happened in the past, despite giving prominence to Buddhism in the island’s constitution is totally different.
The plight of citizens
Given the deplorable ways, Sri Lanka’s imperfect governing system has functioned for decades after independence, some seem to feel all the reforms needed for good governance under a truly democratic system compatible with Sri Lanka’s real demographic features cannot be implemented overnight! The real fact is that the governing system that evolved after independence also ignored the long-term needs of the people and the entire nation. The ethnic factor also hindered national development. An example is the reluctance to develop the natural harbour in Trincomalee which was used extensively during the colonial period. The development of the Trincomalee harbour was included in the 1972-1976 medium term Development Plan but was not implemented because it was located in the Eastern Province. Now, after more than five decades the development of this natural harbour is being considered.
The lack of sufficient funds for financing the annual expenditures of the government also increased excessively the need to seek foreign borrowings, which the poor nation must settle in the coming years. Unless the country is able to generate sufficient income to settle past debt and finance the annual administrative expenses, it will not be possible to raise significantly the standard of living of the poor people. Excessive public debt will plunge the country into the debt trap. Lack of forward vision of egoistic politicians has made life more difficult for poor children too.
The country’s dependence on foreign remittances has also increased with the pressing need for money to meet the family expenses. In 2015, foreign remittances amounted to 8.5 percent of GDP. Many Sri Lankan women work as domestic aides in the Middle East. There was a time when middle income families in Sri Lanka could afford to employ outsiders for performing routine house work. Poor immigrants from neighbouring India acquired manual jobs in the private sector. Many immigrants entered Sri Lanka illegally seeking manual jobs. The then (before 1956) prevailing calm and promising conditions in the island tempted some foreign countries to follow Sri Lanka’s path for securing national unity, political stability and human development. Sadly, the new disruptive path taken by the power hungry politicians, ignoring the vital need to preserve these tenets has tempted even qualified Sri Lankans to migrate to foreign countries.
The foreign loans procured to finance dubious development projects failed to strengthen the national economy. These are a burden, if the future inflow of foreign money through export of goods and services is inadequate to finance the imports needed and fulfil the foreign debt settlement obligations. The point is Sri Lanka needs not only meaningful constitutional reforms, consistent with the ground realities but also efficient administration.
At the time of independence no resident would have even dreamt that their motherland to become a distressing country with uncertain future. Besides the adoption of a truly democratic and socialist constitution, there is the vital need for change in the attitude of ordinary citizens and politicians seeking people’s power. Many anti-social and divisive acts are being done under the cloak of patriotism! Broad forward vision and political courage are needed to rebuild the damaged nation. This vital change cannot come automatically from the adoption of a new constitution that supports the unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic communities. The new constitution with structure compatible with ground realities must assure equal rights and opportunities to all regardless of whether a citizen is a member of the ethnic majority or minority community.
Exploiting racism for seeking governing power
The views of some political analysts on the structure of the anticipated third Republican constitution indicate the continuing misconceptions that denied real democracy, national unity, the environment for peaceful co-existence of all ethnic communities and steadfast development benefitting all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or political party connections. The damage to national unity began in 1956 with the enactment of the Sinhala Only official language Act, motivated by the desperate need to win the support of the Sinhalese voters. The way their support was sought aggravated division between the ethnic majority and minority communities. National security was also deemed to be safe with dominant powers resting with the ethnic majority. Contrary to the widely known fact, federalism has been likened to separation or leading to this sooner or later by many Sinhala nationalists. Paradoxically, the federal concept was proposed by the first SLFP leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike before independence. The Tamils did not press for a federal system even at the time of independence because of safeguards given via Section 29(2) in the first constitution of independent Ceylon. But after independence, it became apparent the preferred unitary structure was to ensure that the centralised governing power rests with the ethnic majority.
The SLFP founded by the UNP deserters led by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was responsible for initiating Tamil separatism by introducing the Sinhala only official language Act in 1956. This idea was promoted by the adoption of the first republican constitution in 1972 and university entrance examination marks standardization program in 1973. This constitution was drafted and approved during the time Dr. Colvin R de Silva was the Minister of Constitutional Affairs retaining Sinhala as the only official language and leaving out Section 29(2) of the previous (Soulbury) constitution. During the time when the Sinhala only official language Act was debated in Parliament, it was Dr. Colvin R de Silva who said: “One language two nations; two languages one nation.” The open discrimination against Tamils in higher education and employment intensified the tension inducing the disillusioned Tamil youth to revolt. In short, the brutal war for separation arose from the divisive ways the governments functioned with the aim of winning the support of the Sinhalese majority. The several riots that destroyed many Tamil lives and their property with the devastating July 1983 riot drawing international attention and intervention of India also reflect the weaknesses in the rule of law and governing system. The support extended in July 1983 by the then UNP government under J. R. Jeyawardena’s Presidency to the violent attackers of Tamil civilians in the South is widely known. He said openly in 1983 that ‘to keep the Sinhalese happy he was prepared to starve the Tamils’.
The following are extracts from Deirdre McConnel’s article “Sri Lanka’s Denial – Surest Guarantee Of Further Genocide” posted in Colombo Telegraph on September 7, 2016:
“Tamils existed as a distinct people, with their language, culture and religion long before colonial rule. The Portuguese (1505) and the Dutch (1658) ruled the Tamil Kingdom in the North and East, separately from the two Sinhalese kingdoms in the South. Therefore, classification was obvious. Symbolization, to denote or identify the targeted group, was also not needed initially in Sri Lanka. Identification by name, language or outward features of religion, were sufficient. I will return to symbolization, as the issues unfold later, cyclically, since it was an aspect which contributed significantly to the pace of eventual genocide.
Discrimination against the Tamils has been extensively documented. The latest report, from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, was distributed on 26 August 2016 [ii]. It outlines the severity of the current problems. The preventative measure which could have halted the relentless trajectory towards genocide, would have been to outlaw discrimination. But, on the contrary, discrimination was systematically condoned and legalized, by the majority dominant group, who continually held the reins of power. Discrimination could have been outlawed when it appeared on the scene in the 1940s and 1950s. Denial of citizenship to the Tamils living in the plantations in 1948; the changing of the demography of the East by colonization to decrease Tamil voting capacity; then the infamous Sinhala Only Act of 1956, all entrenched discrimination at fundamental levels. Rather than using a unifying language, to promote understanding, the majority community language, Sinhala, was favoured and Tamils denied equality at the most basic level of communicating with officialdom. Later, a raft of discriminatory legislation including: in Education rights (1971); the abolition of section 29 of the constitution which protected minority rights (1972); and the constitutional favouring of Buddhism over the other religions practiced on the island (1972), constituted calculated and legalized discrimination, against which Tamils had no means of redress.”
In his article in the Daily Mirror (30 August 2016), Ranga Jayasuriya has conveyed former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s regret for his father’s (S.W. R. D Bandaranaike ) decision to enact Sinhala only as the official language of the multi-ethnic island nation. As his comments are very relevant, these are cited here. “….. the British gave independence to all ethnic communities. The Tamil speaking people also deserve the same rights as the Sinhalese, the ethnic majority in all provinces except the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Had Sinhala and Tamil been declared the official languages in 1956 as was done via the thirteenth Amendment and implemented faithfully, the island nation would have avoided the enormous losses incurred since the ethnic conflict escalated into the costly civil war. It is also a major shortcoming in the governing system that some provisions in the Constitution are not implemented, which is the case regarding the 13th Amendment. (Police and land powers are not devolved). The main reason for this reluctance is the misconception about the Sri Lankan Tamils, in the light of the existence of 80 million Tamils across Palk Strait in south India. Sri Lankan Tamils all over the world do not consider themselves as Indians, the same way the Sinhalese consider themselves. A good example of persons with the same mother tongue but different nationalities is the English speaking people in Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, USA etc. The point is constitution per se is no guarantee for ensuring unity, peace and progress in a democratic country. The British governing system is a glowing case where democracy functions efficiently, maintaining national unity, rule of law and high standard of living. The self- governing powers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different. There is no written constitution to guide the functioning of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The damaging ways the political system functioned since independence point towards the failure to adhere to basic principles governing democracy, equal rights of all citizens, rule of law, respect for the cultures and traditional dwelling pattern of . Not only the country but also the nation is multi-ethnic and multi-religious. The view that the entire island is a Sinhala nation is unreal.”
Why Tamils accepted the first (1947) Constitution
The following comments in LankaNewspapers.com (6 May 2008) are very relevant to grasp the reasons for the Tamils to have accepted the constitution drafted by Great Britain (Lord Soulbury) at independence. It contained “a protective clause [Section 29(2)], and also because it provided recourse to the Privy Council in the event the protections afforded by this constitution were violated.
Prof. G.L. Peiris, the former Minister of Constitutional Affairs of Sri Lanka, himself, publicly acknowledged this fact, as reported in the Ceylon Daily News [March 12, 1997].
“[A constitutional] safeguard was provided for the minorities by Article 29(2) of the Soulbury Constitution. Article 29(2) “prevented parliament from conferring benefits on the majority community and imposing disabilities on the minorities. The Privy Council in Bribery commissioner vs Ranasinghe had ruled that Article 29(2) cannot be amended even with a two-thirds majority. It was on the basis of this safeguard that the Tamils acquiesced in the granting of independence in 1948.”
The successive governments in Sri Lanka systematically violated Section 29 of the Constitution. The Citizenship Laws (1948 and 1949) and the Official Language Act of 1956 (among many other Acts) were express violations of the UK drafted Constitution of Ceylon.
In 1962, S. Kodeswaran, a government employee, sued the government on the grounds that the Official Language Act of 1956 violated Section 29 of the constitution. Judge O.L. de Krester upheld Kodeswaran s plea and ruled that the Official Language Act contravened Section 29. The Government appealed to the Ceylon Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court failed to consider the constitutional issue. Kodeswaran appealed to the Privy Council. In 1969, the Privy Council set aside the Supreme Court s decision and directed the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutional question. (72 New Law Reports, p.337.)
Kodeswaran’s case never came before the Supreme Court again. Instead, Mrs. Bandaranaike’s government, which came to power in 1970, abolished appeals to the Privy Council (by Act No.44 of 1971). In 1972, Section 29 was abolished with the repeal of the Soulbury constitution and enactment of the Republican constitution. . This too was an unlawful act, because the Privy Council on another matter had ruled as follows:
They [Section 29 provisions] represent the solemn balance of rights between the citizens of Ceylon, the fundamental condition on which inter se they accepted the constitution and these are therefore unalterable…
The 1947 Constitution of Ceylon (also known as Soulbury Constitution) in section 29 barred any racial and religious discrimination. This was excluded in the subsequent 1972 and 1978 Republican constitutions. Section 29 of this constitution stated:
“(1) Subject to the provisions of this Order, Parliament shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Island.
(2) No such law shall –
(a) prohibit or restrict the free exercise of any religion; or
(b) make persons of any community or religion liable to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of other communities or religions are not made liable; or
(c) confer on persons of any community or religion any privilege or advantage which is not conferred on persons of other communities or religions, or
(d) alter the constitution of any religious body except with the consent of the governing authority of that body, so, however, that in any case where a religious body is incorporated by law, no such alteration shall be made except at the request of the governing authority of that body “
The island, known then as Ceylon was relatively on a strong footing after independence to develop resolutely like Singapore. But the thirst for power ignored the real national needs for promoting and sustaining unity, peace and social and economic advancement. It is this narrow political need that continued for decades ignoring the long-term needs of the entire nation caused the present calamitous state. The system that evolved since then not only by changes to the Constitution but also by corrupt practices of those wielding power has led to the emergence of the culture contradictory to the sermons of Lord Gautama Buddha. The politicians anxious to protect Buddhism by giving it primacy in the Constitution must think whether the violation of human rights and the visible rise in bribery, corruption and fraud which has kept the gap between the rich and poor wide, protect real Buddhism in the island. Paradoxically, the threat to Buddhist way of life comes from the anti-social and reckless ways the elected politicians utilise the power given to them by the people for their own benefit, ignoring the well-being of other families. The misuse of public funds which really belong to the people hurts them, both in the short and long terms. Such misdeeds are anti-religious and anti-social.”
Past decisions that damaged national unity
There are many instances of thoughtless decisions since 1956 that damaged national unity and ultimately led to the brutal war for a separate Tamil State in North-East Sri Lanka. There are many useful lessons for all to learn from both the factors that damaged the national unity and pushed the desperate Tamils to seek a separate State in North-East Sri Lanka.
Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe has quite aptly indicated the important constitutional reform needed in the article titled ‘Citizen’s Initiative For Constitutional Reform’ posted in the Colombo Telegraph on September 13, 2016. The unresolved ‘National Question’ has denied the island nation unity, peace and development and the muddled state helped those exploiting the ethnic division to pursue the policy of ‘divide and rule’. Sri Lankans regardless of their ethnic and religious connections have paid a heavy price for the destruction of ‘life and property’ and lack of much needed economic development because of the escalation of the national problem into a brutal war. Many opportunities for political settlement were missed by both sides, because of mistrust and over confidence in their distinct approaches.
To quote Rupasinghe: “We have been split apart and torn asunder with hateful division, having to endure a brutal, protracted war simply because we have not found the way to embrace each other in solidarity, infused with a liberating humanity, to share and nurture this beloved Land and coexist peacefully as a human family. Whether Sinhala, Tamil, Moslem, Ja, or Burgher, whether Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic or Bahai, whether North, East, South, West or Hill Country, we have all paid the price. We have all been violated. Our collective humanity, our shared spirituality, our democratic freedom, along with our ancient civilized foundations have been relentlessly assaulted. We can never return to this dark era of tormented violent conflict again.”
Majoritarian system was strengthened by dropping constitutional safeguards preventing violation of fundamental rights of the ethnic and religious minorities provided in section 29 of the first Constitution of independent Ceylon. A section of Sinhala nationalists considered the entire island as a Sinhala Buddhist nation ignoring the traditional variations in the residing pattern of the ethnic communities.
Promising statements of President and Prime Minister
President Maithripala Sirisena, who is the present SLFP leader, addressing the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 21 September 2016 said his government has taken effective measures to strengthen democracy, rule of law and good governance paving the way for the much needed changes in the governing system to ensure that there will be no more wars on Sri Lankan soil.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe’s statements at the event held recently to open a new administrative building of the Jaffna District Secretariat are encouraging, although the agreed draft of the new (not amended as some prefer) constitution is not yet ready. These are:
1. Sri Lanka cannot move forward by inciting racism.
2. All development targets could be met only if all communities come together.
3. The present National Unity government will resolve the (national) problems and create a country devoid of racism in order to move on with the economic development. The Prime Minister assured that the government will work towards a political solution to resolve the National issue as all the communities faced several hardships since the issue was not resolved
4. Racism is not patriotism. Everyone should get together to solve the problems without leaving them to future generation.
5. Saying, Buddhism is in danger is only an attempt to bring back racism.
6. Steps have been taken to achieve reconciliation. A separate secretariat has been formed under former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to create reconciliation among communities, while steps have been taken to release people from jail who have cases against them if they are not connected to serious crimes. Acts have been passed for an office on missing persons and the laws to establish a truth commission will be established. (Source: ‘Colombo Page’ 17 September 2016)
Some other positive signs
Not only the President and Prime Minister who are also the current leaders of the SLFP and the UNP but also many others want to restructure the present constitution, which failed to serve fittingly the ‘democratic and socialist’ Sri Lanka proclaimed in the very title of the present constitution. The political system that emerged after independence ignored many ground realities, believing a powerful centralised system controlled by the representatives of the ethnic majority Sinhalese will function fairly in serving all citizens residing in the multi-ethnic island with regionally diverse ethnic composition.
The deceptive party politics concerned mainly with gaining governing power for narrow benefits that emerged supreme soon after independence focussed on winning the votes of the ethnic majority by exploiting the ethnic division. The biased way governing power was exercised in the illusion that the future of the Sinhalese depends on retaining overriding powers constitutionally with them is the basic reason for the demand for a non-centralised system of government by the ethnic minority Tamils, which with the escalation of official discriminatory policies and state sponsored violence against the Tamils led to the violent struggle for separation.
It is an undisputable fact that the ethnic conflict emerged after independence with the denial of equal rights to all ethnic communities and citizens regardless of their ethnicity and residing province. Furthermore, attempts to subdue the ethnic minority Tamils via state sponsored violent attacks also resulted from poorly conceived notions. The way the ethnic division in the multi-ethnic country was generally used as a handy tool in gaining the votes of the Sinhalese, the major ethnic faction, except in the two Northern and Eastern provinces has severely damaged national unity and denied sustainable development. Some other developing countries in the region achieved higher annual economic growth rates with the favourable environment they had after independence.
In conclusion
Last year’s regime change in tattered Sri Lanka was domestically and internationally welcomed as a viable means to get rid of all major ills that denied a promising future for all citizens, regardless of their ethnic connection and residing province. Many Tamils wanted a peaceful united Sri Lanka with equal rights for all citizens and a promising future for themselves and their children. Sadly, some concerned Sri Lankans, who helped to bring about the regime change via the 2015 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, seem to be disappointed with the extent and pace of developments accomplished so far aimed at building a new promising Sri Lanka. Civil society leaders too have issued statements conveying their disappointments in the current reform process, A close examination of the difficulties facing the nation in pursuing meaningful reform process indicates just a mere constitutional reform per se is inadequate, though it is absolutely necessary.
The present leader of the opposition in Parliament and Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan is reported (Daily News 17 September 2016) to have said at the meeting in Trincomalee with the representatives of ‘Women in Good Governance’, “the new Constitution should guarantee justice, peace and prosperity for all citizens of the country regardless of their ethnic, religious or social differences.” He also observed, ”the Tamil National Alliance was supporting the process with the main aim of finding a lasting solution to the issues faced by the Tamil people.” Sampanthan also said, the views and aspirations of Tamils were not taken aboard in a comprehensive manner when formulating previous constitutions for Sri Lanka. He hoped the new National Unity government will not make the same mistake. The point stressed here is what happened since independence that sidelined the Tamils is the main reason for many problems created and sustained denying national unity, peace and socio-economic development and loss of many lives. The adoption of inapt constitutions was also intrinsic to the design of equating majority with superiority. Another constitution without positive change in the attitude of politicians and their supporters will not help to build a harmonious and prosperous Sri Lanka the homeland of both Sinhalese and non-Sinhalese residents. The main Tamil political party is also for a new united Sri Lanka as wished at the time of independence.
99 civil society organisations and 83 individuals have jointly urged the Constitutional Assembly set up by the present National Unity Government to ensure Sri Lanka’s new Constitution is “underpinned by a substantive recognition of the obligations of the State to further social and economic justice and rights.” (Ref. Colombo Telegraph, Posted on September 15 2016). All sensible Sri Lankans will support a new constitutional structure that has truly ‘democratic and socialist’ features with social and economic justice and equality. Any form of discrimination that alienates a section of the population cannot foster unity, peace and the environment conducive for sustainable development. On the contrary, a murky environment helps the corrupt and selfish persons to misuse the power gained via elections conducted periodically as stipulated in the constitution. A meaningful democratic system needs more inherent functional features to ensure the elected representatives of the people work for their wellbeing and national unity and development. A balanced constitution that promises socio-economic justice and equality is useful but this alone will not help to deter the kind of blunders made by the past egocentric politicians seeking power for some narrow gain. It is unfortunate many ordinary people are insensitive to the misdeeds of political actors, who are confident of getting their continued support even after the power-seekers’ earlier misdeeds are widely known. People need to be educated about social and economic justice as well as equal rights of all citizens in real multi- ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural island. Not only the constitution but the actual ways of exercising power at all levels must support the emergence of new Sri Lanka.
B y Dr. S. Narapalasingam
Thamilan / September 29, 2016
Excellent article. I like to read more articles like this.
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De Silva / September 29, 2016
Hello there,
How are you with numbers?
If Tamils had a Kingdom in 1505 then in 1695 Jaffna would be predominantly Tamil isn’t it?
Well, I am sure I have shown you this before, but you keep repeating the same thing for some odd reason.
http://www.jaffnahistory.com/Northern_Province/Sinhala_Villages_of_Jaffna_1695.html
http://www.jaffnahistory.com/Eastern_Province/Eastern_Tamil.html
Its simple interpolation back in time. The Jaffna Kingdom was NOT a Tamil kingdom.
This is how your Great Grand father would have arrived in the island.
http://www.jaffnahistory.com/Tamil_Slaves.html
That means Tamils have no cause. That means Tamils are liable for EVERYTHING that include loss of lives, income and time.
The Tamils have already paid about 2% of the account with the “last-phase-of-the-war”. You are still way back in what you owe the Sri Lankan people. Either you pay in this life time or pay with interest in the next. I would chose this lifetime since you will be paying back less.
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Rajash / September 29, 2016
De Silva
these websites you are building doesn’t look very authentic and convincing.
The content and layout are very poor and inaccurate
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Fake website / September 29, 2016
The Jaffna history website that De Silva aka Vibushana presents here is a fake website created by him and his friends to fool a few Sinhala modayas. It contains photo shopped images and his-stories created from thin air. However, he knows very well that he cannot fool the Tamils with his fake websites.
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justice / September 30, 2016
Rajash and Fake Website,
Please explore the Wikipedia website appended by me, below may comments from this.
It is quite extensive.
Explore each item in the ‘References’ section, and sub-websites which appear thereby.
Plenty of history to read.
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Rajash / September 30, 2016
thanks Justice for the link.
very professional and informative and authoritative with factual evidence.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 29, 2016
De Silva,
Are you referring to the cooked and crooked history you have been presenting in recent years, under various names? Having been exposed many times, you disappear to resurrect under a new name . This country should have laws to punish those who tamper with our history, disfIgure our place names and cook news. This is one step that should be taken as a prelude to reconciliation.
I read today that Dr.Dewasiri is starting a lecture series at the Colombo University, which the public can attend free. You should th first to register.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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De Silva / September 29, 2016
Rajasingham,
Crooked history? I am sorry, but haven’t I shown you this before?
This the Official Dutch National Archives.
“run away” ? What from? I will stay with you until you get the message if that’s what you thought.
http://www.gahetna.nl/collectie/afbeeldingen/kaartencollectie/zoeken/start/16/weergave/detail/tstart/0/q/zoekterm/ceylon
/*
gahetna.nl presents the rich and extensive collection of records at the Nationaal Archief. More than 110 kilometres of documents, 14 million photographs and almost 300,000 historical maps. From crucial government documents to the private correspondence of influential citizens and normal Dutch people, read about them in the lees het NA magazine (in Dutch only) or research them on the gahetNA website.
*/
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 29, 2016
De Silva,
I dug deep into many of your evidence and contested them through the original sources. You went silent in response. Do not expect me to go on a wild goose chase once again.
Dr.RN
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De Silva / September 29, 2016
85% of the Jaffna village names found in the NL archives ARE IN SINHALA. The year is 1690.
How do you explain that?
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Burning Issue / September 29, 2016
Vibhushana,
There are over 4,000 Tamil words in the Sinhala language; how do you explain that? How do you know those names originated from Sinhala when the Tamil language was shaping the evolution of the SInhala language from the beginning?
You still have not answered as to where in the Dutch map you see Samapura!
Prof. J. B. Dissanayake in his book ‘Understanding the Sinhalese’ at page 118 states:
“….Sinhala occupies a unique position among the languages of South Asia because of its close affinity, with two of the major linguistic families of the Indian sub continent Indo-Aryan and Dravidian…’ From this, one can conclude that Sinhala in written form could have been made by one or many, who knew both Dravidian and Aryan language. Thus early Dravidian Buddhist priests were scholars in Tamil, Pali and Sanskrit, to make Sinhala in spoken and written form possible.”
What do have to say about this Vibhushana? DO you still claim that the village names in the north originated from Sinhala?
/
De Silva / September 30, 2016
/*
How do you know those names originated from Sinhala when the Tamil language was shaping the evolution of the SInhala language from the beginning?
*/
I usually begin my response to you with the acronym WTF!
I will be kind to you this time. The collection has maps that INCLUDE names form the Malabar coast and Yapapatuna – Jaffna to you.
That is here.
http://www.gahetna.nl/collectie/afbeeldingen/kaartencollectie/zoeken/weergave/detail/start/6/tstart/0/q/zoekterm/ceylon
So in the evolutionary scale Tamil language hasn’t crossed over into Sinhala or vice-versa.
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Native Vedda / September 29, 2016
Demented De Silva
“85% of the Jaffna village names found in the NL archives ARE IN SINHALA. The year is 1690.”
Could we have a few example and related Tamil names for the villages.
I see today you are hearing Village voices I suppose.
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Anpu / September 30, 2016
De Silva AKA Vibushana,
History lesson and some facts for you to learn
Read Prof.Kularatnam’s 1966 Research Paper
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Burning Issue / September 29, 2016
Dr NR,
De Silva is an incarnation of Vibhushana the imbecile! He quotes from Chandra Dharmawadena’s concocted websites. Old Codger has proved this beyond doubt. The alias Vibhushana was totally muddied so he reinvented himself.
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danusia / September 30, 2016
leopard cannot change its spots and waterholes.
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Tamil Rebellion / September 29, 2016
The king of Jaffna Cankli Kumaran (1617–1619) fought a war against the Portuguese. Moddeley Tambi of Jaffna led a revolt against the Dutch that shook the Dutch administration (Memoirs Zwaardecroon, a report from Dutch archives). The Tamil chief of Vanni Pandara Vanniyan (1785 – 1803) rebelled against the British rule.
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Anpu / September 29, 2016
Dr RN,
Thanks.
Pls tell me more about “Dr.Dewasiri is starting a lecture series”
De Silva = another avatharam of Vibushana ?
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Anpu / September 29, 2016
Dr RN,
After commenting earlier I found this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirmal_Ranjith_Dewasiri
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Rajash / September 29, 2016
De Silva
your name is a Portuguese name not an original Sinhala name.
You guys are descendants of Portuguese. The descendants of Dutch are the Burgher community in Sri Lanka.
Only The Tamils and may be the Kandyan Sinhalese are the pure race in Sri Lanka.
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malik / September 29, 2016
@Dr. S. Narapalasingam
Yes Try and blame the Government and then give us a copy and paste history lesson. WHY NOT EVEN POINT OR BLAME THE TAMIL BBS LED BY WIGGY. He and some of the Tamil Extremist are today causing chaos. For Once the Government is blameless. BUT HEY THE USUAL DIVERT THE REAL REASON’S
and yes Dr. S. Narapalasingam we all saw the socalled Multi relegious and ethnic society promotion by a educated mand who led the TAMIL BBS named wiggy.
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Ajith / September 29, 2016
It is a very good article. All these facts were extensively discussed many times in this forum or elsewhere. However, the real barrier is that none of the Sinhalese leadership are prepared to speak with good heart and open manner with the people of South. They all knew well what is right and what is wrong. They also new they are wrong but they are not prepared to correct it. It is the invasion of Portugese, Dutch and British made them to be silent and only another invasion of this island is necessary to stop the brutality of the mindset.
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nimal fernando / September 29, 2016
I can’t fault the thrust of your main points but one has to look at the ground reality of the current SL political situation.
Even though MS & RW are at the yoke, there is no common intent to make the cart move in the right direction. That explains the slow and often grudging pull.
Do you really believe that MS & RW can give the Tamils Justice and even a simple form of self-governance and still remain in power? To hell with all the fancy analyses and sweet-worded hoopla, the choice for MS & RW is very simple, stark and clear – Do MS & RW want to give the Tamils even a modicum of justice and self-governance or do they want to remain in power? You know the answer. If they touch even a single soldier for killing a Tamil (killing a Sinhalese is a different kettle of fish) during the last stages of the war or give the Tamils any meaningful form of self-governance it’ll be curtains for them. The opposition won’t come just from the hardline-Sinhalese but from almost all of the Sinhalese.
Unfortunately for the Tamils, the choice is between a rock and a hard place; do they live with the milder form of MS & RW discrimination due to their inaction or do you agitate for justice and self-governance and bring back the Rajapakses?
I wish I am wrong, but the reality is, it’s very bleak for the Tamils. You can always live in hope, but it’s well-nigh futile to expect something good to come out of something bad.
The only “Sinhalese” with “credibility/legitimacy/authancity” who could have given the Tamils justice and meaningful self-governance was Mahinda Rajapakse soon after winning the war. And he chose not to. That was the only window of opportunity. Siresena/Ranil will be always seen as nothing but pretenders by the Sinhalese.
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Amarasiri / September 29, 2016
nimal fernando
“The only “Sinhalese” with “credibility/legitimacy/authancity” who could have given the Tamils justice and meaningful self-governance was Mahinda Rajapakse soon after winning the war. And he chose not to. That was the only window of opportunity. Siresena/Ranil will be always seen as nothing but pretenders by the Sinhalese.”
Succinctly stated.
Except for the Para-Tamils, everybody wants a United Sri Lanka, united Land of Native Veddah Arthho Occupied by the Paras, Para-Sinhala, Para-Tamils, Para-Muslim and other Paras, where the Par-Sinhala will show their hegemony and marginalize the other Paras, just the same way they have done to the Native Veddah Aethho, by the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils.
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Thaiposam / September 29, 2016
Sure let us go back in History. Then remove all Indian Tamils and Ceylon Tamils from The Central Kandyan kingdom. I am only being a Devil’s advocate Narapalasingham but FACTs and DATA and COLONIAL Census shows NO INDIAN TAMIL LABOURERS in Kandyan Highlands. Send them back to India no? They were serfs or indentured labour brought into Malaysia, Fiji and Ceylon. They created problems in Fiji too in recent years because they breed faster like all Indians than native Fijians.
So this is only for playing Devil’s advocate. How about the Tamils who live as far south as Devundara Thuduwa near that Temple? how do we explain Hindu gods like the multi limbed god in Kataragama too? We are all the same dude. Sinhala and Tamil share the same DNA and Genetics,. We just spilt up linguistically like the Tamils and Telugu and Kannada and Malayali people from the same basic gene stock.
You want a separate state? then include Tamil Nadu in it and see how fast Modi sahib will take care of Dravida Nation cry that has been around since 1964. NO more segregation and no more false claims for “rights” to 60% of the coastland and 45% of the land mass for 14% of the population. Federalism yes no EElam. Get it?
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Shan / September 29, 2016
The writer has really endeavoured to present a historical analysis of the post independent events in a cogent language. I really value it as significant at a time as this, for the readers who are not blindfolded by egoism and sincerely aspire for the truth will find this an enlightening one and see the ethnic issue in a best positive light. If those who have been adamant and turned blind eye to the facts so far change their attitude, it will go a long way in making Sri Lanka a paradise for the posterity, for to quote Churchill “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”
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justice / September 29, 2016
Proof of existence of the ancient Jaffna Kingdom is here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffna_kingdom
The maps show the boundaries and divisions.
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Ajith / September 30, 2016
Justice
It is better to avoid arguing with those who are don’t like truth. The whole world knows truth about Jaffna Kingdom.
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jim softy / September 29, 2016
The Appalling Decline In National Unity, Good Governance & Sustainable Development Process In ‘Democratic Socialist’ Sri Lanka
ARe you talking about the diunity among Tamils because of Caste discrmination ?
Even in Tamilnadu Tamils kill low caste – Tamils and get married to bitches and frogs.
Anyway, it is good to read that Everybody in Sri lanka are one nation.
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jim softy / September 29, 2016
NIMALX Fernando:
The only “Sinhalese” with “credibility/legitimacy/authancity” who could have given the Tamils justice and meaningful self-governance was Mahinda Rajapakse soon after winning the war
Sinhala christian NGOs are itching to have eelam for Tamils.
Are you married to a tamil too ?
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jim softy / September 29, 2016
For the last 68 years, Tamils are asking and have asked so many things. They have contributed to 30 years of destruction.
IS there any other contribution from them ?
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Sellam / September 29, 2016
Dr.narapalasingam
There never been proper development in the North and East since independence. There never been a national unity among the two major races since independence except that few Tamil people like Vijeyakala Maheswaran Devananda and alikes joined the government with self interests. There never been good governance in Sri Lanka. What do you expect from the politicians from the South. That goes to the politicians from the North and East as well.
For example take the recent “let the Tamils Rise” march held by the TPC where in the Chief Minister took part and made a speech which are factual and represented the voice of the Tamil people. That march was not welcomed by Sambanthan, let alone the government. Sambanthan said that the TNA has not taken part in the procession whereas many of the politicians took part. He also said that the views raised by the TPC are not the views of the TNA. What a cheap, disgraceful, arrogant, turncoat and unfaithful Tamil politician, he has turned to be. Look at his past speeches and the TNA’s manifesto. He knows that his days are numbered, so he is siding with the majority government and turning a blind eye to what is happening in the North and East. So many voices are being raised in the South against Mr.Vigneshwaran and his speech. What he raised at the meeting are the real concerns of the Tamil people. The government is imposing all its agenda in the North and East by keeping hundreds of thousands of army personnel and in control changing the demography of the Northern District. The newly expected Constitution will have nothing to solve the ABILASAIKAL(Sambanthan’s word on platforms) of the Tamil people. There will not be a federal constitution but a provincial council with no powers as at present. There may be a second chamber in order the Tamils may be satisfied. But that will not be solution for the Tamil people but may be Sambanthan and Sumanthiran.
When Ananthy, provincial councillor canvassed during the presidential elections for the Tamil people to abstain from voting, the Chief Minister Vigneshwaran without any rest continued to persuade the Tamil people to vote for Sirisena. I do not know whether he regrets now. I have been commenting in this forum day in day out that the Tamils will not get anything beneficial from any Sinhala government in Sri lanka at any time.
The North will be colonised with Sinhala families where north will become a region with Tamils in the minority like in the East. The International community is not bothered about the Tamils, their grievances, their loss of lives and property. It will be too late for TNA to realise it. Mr.Vigneshwaran is now the only person who has to be depended upon by the Tamils.
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jim softy / September 29, 2016
Sellam:
Sambanthan said that the TNA has not taken part in the procession whereas many of the politicians took part. He also said that the views raised by the TPC are not the views of the TNA. What a cheap, disgraceful, arrogant, turncoat and unfaithful Tamil politician, he has turned to be.
Remember what happened to amirthalingam. Any Tamil or any one sided with you guys were blown into pieces.
Only the Tamils that exploited you Tamils are heroes. all others turns out to be unfaithful to the fake struggle.
there should be only one national language, If Tamils can not accept that they should go to Tamilnadu.
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jim softy / September 29, 2016
Tamils existed as a distinct people, with their language, culture and religion long before colonial rule. The Portuguese (1505) and the Dutch (1658) ruled the Tamil Kingdom in the North and East, separately from the two Sinhalese kingdoms in the South.
In 1505, Jaffanisthan Sinhala population was 60% and Tamils were 20%. Most of those Tamils migrating Tamils and they were living in there only for the season. their only distinct culture was go fishing and living in temporary huts.
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Native Vedda / September 29, 2016
jim softy dimwit
“In 1505, Jaffanisthan Sinhala population was 60% and Tamils were 20%.”
Where did you get this information? Is it from Vibushna/Off The Cuff owned webside jaffnahistory?
Did Viceroy Dom Constantino de Bragança send his statisticians to count heads in Jaffna Kingdom?
Could we have site of his census report.
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jim softy / September 30, 2016
The underlying fact is, the ‘divide and rule’ scheme which became a handy way to gain the votes of the Sinhala masses crucial for winning countrywide elections laid the grounds for the colossal damage done to all communities since independence
To govern Tamils with the use of “Divide and Rule” policy is to use their own culture.
promote policitians based on caste.
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SLCitizen / September 30, 2016
Tamils talk about colonization of Tamil areas by Sinhalese. They forget the fact that during British colonial rule Tamils colonized Sinhala areas, particularly in Colombo. British provided land for the Tamils who were brought to Colombo to serve them. These Tamils built Hindu Kovils in Sinhala areas. British brought Tamils from India for plantations and settled them in Sinhala areas. Now the government is allocating land and providing houses for these Tamils in Sinhala areas. Yet, Tamils do not want settling Sinhala people in land owned by the Government in the North and Buddhists in that area building temples.
If the Wellala Tamil politicians want to keep one third of the country under their control, though Tamils are only 11% of the total population and expect rest of the country to be multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religion, multi-cultural; reconciliation is going to be a far-fetched thing.
I think the best thing is to give Eelam and settle the matter once and for all. Out of the total population in the country 11% are Tamils. Moors 5%. Moors also speak Tamil. So give 16% of the land in the North to Tamil speaking people, draw the boarder as a straight line from East to West and put up a wall. Keep only one boarder crossing. Then tell all the Tamil speaking people to move to Eelam and live happily. This should be given as a non-negotiable offer. Take it or leave it.
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jim softy / September 30, 2016
I think the best thing is to give Eelam and settle the matter once and for all. Out of the total population in the country 11% are Tamils. Moors 5%. Moors also speak Tamil.
give muslims also their own govt inside that Tamil-eelam and give them few trucks of weapons too.
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lal / September 30, 2016
To SL citizen,
Why give Sinhala land to anyone? As you say the Vellala Tamils want to keep the North for Tamils and share the rest of the land with the Sinhalese. This is not going to happen as all of Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhalese and the Sinhalese as custodians cannot give a part of the country to any other entity. There will not be a Ealam on Sri Lankan soil.You cannot please grredy people by giving them something as they will come back for more later and more again. Treat the greedy by giving them nothing; not now, not later and never. Let the greedy create their Ealam in their homeland in Tamil Nadu. However, those who want to live in harmony must be treated with respect and with equal rights.
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PetrolShedEelamist / September 30, 2016
There were no INDIAN TAMILS in Kandyan Highlands until the White Christian British Master brought these low caste socially oppressed Tamil Indian labourers as serfs/indentured labour. Where will they fit in the equation because we seem to be advocating segregation right? So where will they go? to Adam’s Bridge or TN? And what about the Tamils in the South? Historically that was Sinhala land right? All this is silly men. Why the bloody hell don’t we START from the GROUND REALITIES OF DEMOGRAPHICS TODAY WIGNEWARAN upper caste Brahmin Chief Minister? Why not? Will you sit with a Indian Tamil estate labourer and drink the tea he offers in his cup in his lineroom? YES OR NO? Will you put your arms around an Estate Labourer who cleans the drains and used to push the Sewage Cart and clean the roads? YES OR NO? Will you invite him to enter your house through the FRONT door and SIT with you as EQUALS at YOUR TABLE and be served by your wife onto a plate that you eat from as well? YES OR NO?
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Native Vedda / October 2, 2016
PetrolShedEelamist
“There were no INDIAN TAMILS in Kandyan Highlands until the White Christian British Master brought these low caste socially oppressed Tamil Indian labourers as serfs/indentured labour.”
How sure are you there were no INDIAN TAMILS in Kandyan Highlands before the British Masters brought them here?
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Nettabomman / October 6, 2016
Native Veddah
Surely, the King himself came from India along with hundreds of his relatives and friends in his Court – long before the British. Not only the Tamil/Telugu King but even Sinhala Nobles took wives from South India. How do you explain the lighter colour among the Kandyan elite while the hoi polloi was dark-skinned. Does Keheliya Rambukwella claim he is of Kandyan descent?
Nettabomman
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