28 March, 2024

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There Aren’t Two Equal Nations (Or More) In Sri Lanka: Rejoinder To Laksiri Fernando

By Dayan Jayatilleka –

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Laksiri feigns surprise that I sought to place Kumar David and him in the same category and rebut them in the same polemic. The reason should be obvious: they both defend Chief Minister Wigneswaran’s claim of Tamil nationhood and make the same claim themselves with some modifications.  I reject it.

Let me put it as bluntly as I can.

There is no Tamil nation in Sri Lanka, but there is a Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. There is however a Sinhala nation in Sri Lanka. That is the only ethnic community on the island which can claim the status of a nation as such. Though they do have a just claim to autonomy and devolution, the Tamils of Sri Lanka do not have the right of national self-determination, be it external or internal.

An overarching Sri Lankan nation will contain only one ethnic nation within it– the Sinhalese; the other communities are either minority nationalities or national minorities, which should have all the rights accorded to such communities by the UN. They should also be free of any discrimination, in compliance with the UN’s Durban declaration.

It is trickery for Laksiri to equate even by implication, the reference in the Preamble of the UN Charter to ‘nations’– which clearly pertains to UN member states– with ethnic or cultural communities within a member state. One does not follow from the other.

Laksiri’s point that the Tamils may be a numerical minority in Sri Lanka but are not so outside of Sri Lanka has significance only as an important strategic problem for the Sri Lankan state. It has no significance in terms of status or conceptual definition. How for instance, does the fact of 70 million Tamils in Tamil Nadu give the Tamils of Sri Lanka the status of a nation? How can citizens of another country have rights as a community or lay claim to enhanced status for an existing ethnic community within Sri Lanka?

There are no ‘equal cultural nations’ in Sri Lanka as suggested by Laksiri. The Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are not equal cultural nations and there is no basis to recognise them as such. There cannot be equal cultural nations in a country in which one community is 74%. One cannot make equal that which is not. Culture will evolve by osmosis or transmission.

What on earth does Laksiri mean by ‘qualitatively equal’? It is striking that he has avoided reference to Godfrey Goonetilleke’s lucid formulation on the subject of ‘equality, proportionality and equity’. I suggest that Laksiri study his entire essay. Since Laksiri obviously needs it to sink in, let me repeat the point Godfrey made, which sums up my perspective far better than I can express it:

“In the modern Sri Lankan context the conditions have to be such that each ethnic and cultural identity will find its proportional weight and presence in our society. Each will need to recognise and accept this configurationThe modus vivendi that is implied here redefines equality within a framework which recognises the reality of collective identities and the difference in the relative weight and presence of these identities when they enter into any partnership.”   (My emphases-DJ)

I didn’t say that Prof Fernando and David belonged to the same party; I said that they were both Trotskyists and as far I know still are or seem to be. Certainly they are co-thinkers, and fellow travellers of Tamil nationalism. They certainly didn’t support the war to defeat the fascist-secessionist Tigers.

According to Prof Fernando, Marx, Engels and Gramsci were wrong on the national question. Well, I’d rather be wrong with them than right with Laksiri (or Ephraim Nimni). I might add that I disagree entirely with Nimni’s (quasi-Trotskyist) critique (what a coincidence!) of Gramsci on the national question. I am entirely in agreement with Gramsci’s stress on the project of national and state unification, and his positive reappraisal of Machiavelli also on that score.

Laksiri Fernando and Kumar David should ask themselves why no ruling party which professes to be Communist or guided by Marxism-Leninism, shares their interpretation on nations and self determination,  and all of them support the Sri Lankan state in Geneva and elsewhere. Laksiri’s and Kumar David’s views on Sri Lanka’s Tamil Question are more congruent with those of the AIADMK of Jayalalithaa than with the Communist parties of Cuba, China and Vietnam. Some progressives!

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Latest comments

  • 14
    4

    What else can be expected from an apologist for MaRa?

    Sengodan. M

    • 14
      4

      Dayan has been christened Dayanage, the modern persona of Mahanama (Great name)thero, with his vision of Sinhala hegemony over the island.

      He pretends not knowing the history that a Tamil state existed, even before the advent of the Sinhala race, in the NorthEast of the island for several millenniums except for brief periods when it was annexed to Sinhalese states on some occasions.

      Oh, what a blatant liar propping up the genocidal Sri Lankan state and its rulers!

      After all, would he bite the hand that feeds him even in his retirement — spitting venom on Tamils?

      • 2
        1

        Even if there were no Tamil kingdoms before 1948, what has been happening since 1948, most conspicuously in this regime, has creating the ground for self-determination/Tamil Nation.

    • 2
      3

      Dr. Dayan Jayatillaka,

      RE: There Aren’t Two Equal Nations (Or More) In Sri Lanka: Rejoinder To Laksiri Fernando.

      Yes. There is only one nation. The nation of Native Veddaa.

      Everybody else, are Paras, para-deshis.

      Para-Sinhaka, Para-Tamils, Para-Muslims and other Paras.

      They all should go back to South India where they came from, their native land.

      DNA and geologic data proves that.

      Remember, despite all that hype and beliefs, the Earth Still goes around the Sun.

      • 1
        5

        yes, there is only ONE NATION in srilanka and that’s us, SINHALESE….all others are PARA minorities including amarASSiri and para native veddah

        • 0
          0

          ela kolla2 and other Avatars,

          Para-Sinhala, Para-Tamils, Para-Muslims and others are Paras, Para-deshis, foreigners. They have overstayed their welcome on the land of the Native Vedda. They also stated the Para-War. They also believe in Para-myths, and kill each other based on their Myths, especially Rebirth Myths.

          They all should go back to South India where they came from, their native land, and leave Lanka to Native Aethho.

          DNA and geologic data proves that.

          • 0
            1

            This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/

    • 10
      1

      Dear DJ

      you say
      “..An overarching Sri Lankan nation will contain only one ethnic nation within it– the Sinhalese…”

      will contain…?

      In fact you are confirming that there is a programme in place by your paymaster to wipe out the Tamils , their heritage, their culture and complete the genocide of the Tamils in your life time by your pay masters.

      In fact you are confirmng that under the

    • 0
      1

      .
      DJ is correct in saying Srilanka is a Sinhala nation.
      His Srilanka does not include north and east of the island.
      :-)

    • 3
      0

      I have never seen a person like Dayan J changing colors so often like a chameleon. The selfish and opportunist Dayan J suddenly playing the communal card very clearly indicates that he has gone bankrupt in many aspects. If he thinks that by engaging in CHEAP racial politics he may get some recognition from the majority Sinhala community and some sympathy from JHU and the government he is only fooling himself because everybody knows who Dayan J is and what he is up to.

  • 8
    3

    Dayan and the rest cotravelers .

    Why does SL Heads of States and Sinhala Majority politicians become statesman like only when there is overwhelming pressure either a military threat in the form of Air dropping in the case of Indian intervention and the subsequent 13 Th amendment by JR, Military threat by LTTE and subsequent CBK initiative for constitutional amendment or the more recent MR talk/initiative about pluralism and reconciliation after UNHCR resolution?

    All these things points to no genuine willingness or acceptance of minority rights and dignity, given the opportunity they would revert back to majoritarian hegemony.

    Like the current state of 13 th amendment with lack of merger of North East,No land powers,No police powers and with the amendment of divinuguma bill and 18 th amendment , stripping of rest of the powers to Provincial councils.

    How long are you going to try to hood wink the Tamils and the international Community/Govts?
    Wake up and be more introspective. Do you want real peace and reconciliation or give up and have a referendum among tamils and ask the question what do they want..

    Now that you have clarified your position only option left is a referendum among Tamils in Srilanka what they want to do under UN supervision.

  • 17
    4

    In other words, Dayan is trying to justify the maintenance of a Sinhala supremacy!

    Sengodan. M

  • 13
    2

    Dayan confirms his wish of Sinhala hegemony over the island, by decree this time without resorting to reasoning, because no reasoning can support such a stupid view as countries that are tiny compared to the Tamil Nation in Sri Lanka exist today.

    • 2
      11

      Thiru, just like your ‘Eelam dreams’,a Tamil Nation within the Sri Lankan soil is an elusive dream. Accept to live like a Sri Lankan or go to Tamil Nadu where 60 million of your kith and kin live.

      • 9
        1

        Lanka, just like your ‘one nation dreams’,a SINHELL Nation within the Sri Lankan soil is an elusive dream. Accept to live like a Human or go to Orissa Forest where millions of your kith and kin can live wildly.

        • 0
          1

          Are u saying the ones living in Orissa are not humans?

      • 1
        0

        Then,come back to India Bihari!

  • 8
    1

    DJ talking only about Sri Lanka. We talk about two nations, One is Sri Lanka and the other one Tamil Eelam.

    There won’t be any Nationhood for Sinhalese in Tamils Eelam. They will be only minorities. Muslims question will be dealt with proper muslims authorities, it will not be, certainly with Hakeem. Same apply for Sri Lanka too. There is no nationhood for Tamils in Sri Lanka. There, they will be only minorities.

    • 2
      11

      Mallaiyuran, go on dreaming about the Tamil ‘Eelam’ nation like all those LTTE Tamil terrorist goons who are now resting at the bottom of the Nandikudal lagoon. Sri Lanka is one unitary nation where a Sri Lankan can live and work wherever they like in the nation. If you don’t like it find somewhere else to live – try Tamil Nadu! However they don’t pay ‘dole money’ so try asylum in a western country.

      • 0
        0

        “Mallaiyuran, go on dreaming about the Tamil ‘Eelam’ nation like all those LTTE Tamil terrorist goons who are now resting at the bottom of the Nandikudal lagoon.”

        We are dreaming about two things. Tamil Eelam and the Electric Chair.

        Don’t worry you will live up to see the Electric Chair and the Tamil Eelam. You die only after seeing these two become a reality. At least hold on your life until that happen.

        Cheers!

  • 1
    17

    the tamil nation is in [Edited out] nadu ..

    oops sorry , there is no such thing ..

    cheers

    Abhaya

  • 21
    1

    Dayan says,

    “Certainly they are co-thinkers, and fellow travellers of Tamil nationalism. They certainly didn’t support the war to defeat the fascist-secessionist Tigers.”

    This liar is pathetically dangerous from a security point of view in the evolving Security State. He is trying to implicate us/me for Tiger secessionism. On my part, my position was very clear and documented against Tigers. If anything happens to me on the security front, I will hold you responsible Dayan. Hear me very clearly. Do you have blood on your hands in the past?

    Let me tell the Colombo Telegraph that I completely refrain from debating with this fellow any longer.

    • 11
      2

      Dr Laksiri Fernando

      Thank you very much for your clear explanations on many very specialised and unknown subjects so far. We have learned a lot by reading few honest writers in CT.

      DJ is just sitting and teasing intellectual for a hobby. He is not debating anything honestly.

      Get some rest. Get well.

      See you another time. Bye.

      • 7
        3

        Dear Dr Laksiri Fernando ,

        “Let me tell the Colombo Telegraph that I completely refrain from debating with this fellow any longer. “

        Prof. laksiri , please don’t , if you refrain from debating with this habitual liar/manipulator , he will declare that he won ! best thing to do is , expose DJ’s antics wherever/whenever possible , please bear in mind you are a well respected intellect and an elder statesman , when you say some thing , it carries an enormous weight and very detrimental effects on DJ’s image , so pl continue your excellent work .

        kind Regards.

      • 2
        0

        Yes, I agree with you with every word you say. I feel the same. He should be jobless and just drop down whatever he feels is fine – not at all honest to him, so how can he have any respet to others ; this any one could check reading his articles- say just during the last 10 months alone. Man is a becoming crazy being unable to be a lap dog of the leader who one praised him, but now stay unanaswered to DJ´s reactions. No any other govts would ever agree with him either. This man is a recognized loser. DJ get some medicine and it is high time you to analyase your person than making any efforts to do it with lanken politics.

    • 4
      22

      Dayan is absolutely right in what he says here. I love it for he said it all in simple words for everyone to understand: We all know what LTTE stood for. Laksiri has been a true LTTE backer, defender or an apologists depending on circumstances before it was drowned in Nanthikadal. In spite of his denial, it is no secret that Laksiri had never backed the war to defeat terrorist LTTE. So are many regular contributors to CT like Thisaranee, Davis and etc. Today they all have become human rights champions and defenders of democracy. I cannot understand why Laksiri fear for his life so much when others stay cool. Laksiri sounds an ace of a coward.

    • 5
      9

      Wow, Dr Laksii sounds very precious!

      What shal we miss if Dr Laksiri rfuses to participate in ny debate on CT?

      More meaningless waffle.

      Thank God for that!

    • 9
      2

      I can understand Prof. Laksiri Fernando’s disappointment on this turncoat, whose sole objective is to please the Rajapakses – for his own personal benefit. Till now he remains unwanted by the unpredictable
      Rajapakse gang.

      The “2 Nations in 1 undivided country” formulae was suggested in these pages a few years ago. Many replied then, some prominent commentators from the Tamil community included, the very idea is unthinkable.
      Now the suggestion has entered the mainstream discourse and will not cease until the reality is accepted.

      Dayan J, in his earlier incarnation flirting with Varathan and the
      Tamil militants, subscribed passionately to the idea (total separation, to be precise) and has since taken one of his many jumps to join the sinking Rajapakse ship. When he once again thinks of becoming intellectually honest he will fall in with the idea – that will grow in national acceptance as the years pass by – both locally and outside.

      Thank you, Laksiri, for your principled stand on the restoration of the Status Quo in the island prior to 1505.

      R. Varathan

      • 2
        0

        R. Varathan

        “whose sole objective is to please the Rajapakses”

        Don’t forget his close association with Pathmanaba, Varatharaja Perumal, IPKF, and Premadasa.

    • 4
      0

      Dr. Laksiri,

      I think your response is more than necessary or excessive.

      Dayan says:
      “There is no Tamil nation in Sri Lanka, but there is a Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. There is however a Sinhala nation in Sri Lanka. That is the only ethnic community on the island which can claim the status of a nation as such.”

      Dr. Laksiri, you may check whether Dayan had said this in Geneva during his tenure.

      I feel that I live beyond my born ethnicity but that feeling makes me proud and happy and it truly helps me to associate my Tamil and Muslim families intimately. I know that I do no want to be their “boss” due to my ethnicity; perhaps Dayan wants. Thanks.
      Hema.

      • 4
        0

        Dear Hema,

        So very well said!

        You have exposed Dayan by simplifying what Dayan says to its lowest common denominator and I quote “just I know that I do no want to be their “boss” due to my ethnicity; perhaps Dayan wants.”

        Nabil

    • 4
      10

      Laksiri has gone mad!
      Talking to Dayan about ‘blood’, ‘Dayan responsible if something happen to me’, Laksiri is behaving like a baby!
      What a guy! He seems to think that just by writing two three sentences against Tigers would be amount to fighting in the battle front … [Edited out] working with the west and in the west…
      Threatening not to participate in debate with a person like Dayan shows his bankruptcy on ideas …. Do not behave like a baby in the net, Laksiri … You are exposed ….

      • 5
        0

        Bruno Umbato

        This buffoon (puttalam booruwa) cannot even understand what a kid can perceive.

        What Dayan meant was Dr Laksiri Fernando is a fellow traveller of ‘Tamil nationalism’ and didn’t support the war against ‘Tigers’ (in other words a terrorist supporter) putting Dr Laksiri in a vulnerable position in terms of his security in SL where white vans and BBS thugs are waiting to abduct or attack.

        Dr Laksiri Fernando is right in deciding not to debate with a dirty minded bigot. Who will like to lose his/her dignity by engaging in exchanges with CHEAP people especially with nasty and arrogant people like Dayan who thinks no end of himself?

        Bankruptcy on ideas??? Dr Laksiri??? MY FOOT! LOL

        • 0
          0

          Hi! Buru Vahanse,
          Read Laksiiri’s comment again Janaka F.
          Laksiri commented
          “If anything happens to me on the security front, I will hold you responsible Dayan…”

    • 10
      1

      Thank you Dr Laksiri for exposing a WOLF in sheep clothes. For exposing the true mind of a dirty racist who was pretending to be a moderate.

    • 8
      2

      What a moron! This Sinhala racists Dayan Jayathilake must be out of his mind. Dayan Jayathilake, the self-proclaimed “know-it-all political scientist/analyst” or rather a bogus/pseudo-scholar popularly known as the spin doctor was once a minister in the Indian installed EPRLF government in the conjoined NE province. Then he became a mercenary for MR doing his dirty work in Paris and Geneva. An opportunist who keeps changing his principles according to situation. He has also made racist statements by exposing his inherent Sinhala Racism but pretends to be a moderate. A shameless person who keeps contradicting himself. He has completely lost his credibility. Once someone loses their integrity he/she should never be trusted. Now he has proved himself a blatant liar stooping down to the level of the BBS leader/thug. No wonder even after being a lapdog to MR, govt. understood him well and kicked him out of his job. Dr Laksiri Fernando has taken a very wise decision in not debating with this pathetically dangerous blatant liar. This man should never ever be trusted and should be kept at a distance. A disgusting personality.

    • 5
      0

      Dr. Fernando@,

      This nature is typical to particular shameless person for such a long time. None of his articles have been consistent, if you study them closely just focusing on the ones published onto CT or any other platforms during the last 10 months.
      I asked the question several times, but there he has nothing to say. For him, just adding his comments on very serious issues sometimes being blunt to attack handful of personalities are just arguments and sometimes based on his own view, nothing else. We dont need to talk more about his person, but as so called political analyst, he should have guts to criticise the man who robs the entire nation today. MR clearly showed his capacities in handling external affairs since the war is no longer there. This bugger would never risk to utter a single word against the man, but dares to criticise GLP and his abilities. May be he has all fears to behave so. Thugs are being made silent by him. Sajith premadasa is one another thug who creates all problems. But this bugger was ready him to be the winner in Hambantota, in order to attack UNP. I really dont see any different between this man and filthy mouth -Mervin (kelaniya). Dayan De Silva and Mervin Silva (kelaniya) behave as if they are identical twins, during the last few months.

      In Sinhala langauge, what we call it “Katussa – highly dangerous Chamelian nature”, is built in his person. Always, sounds ” mama thamai miniha ” – I am the one to have defended the nation before IC in 2009 “.
      Those who buy his books should be born fools – similar to the masses in SL that supported the murderous MR also this time in Western and Southern provinces.

      This man has now lost almost all credibility among most of the people. I really dont think even MR the megalomaniac will keep the faith on DJ.

    • 1
      6

      Sri Lankans definitely need to guard against cutthroats like Laksiri who must be on the ‘tiger payroll’. Talk of blood what were you doing during 20/30 years of Tamil terrorism? To save their brothers,sisters and the nation the brave armed forces warriors, sacrificed their lives and limbs and their blood soaked our soil. Honestly are you a Sri Lankan if so behave like one.

      • 0
        0

        I dont think Laksiri is at tiger pay roll or even supports LTTE. he is just [Edited out] who believe bending to the maximum would give maximum results

    • 4
      20

      If Laksiri actually did support the war against the LTTE all he has to do is quote his writings with the source cited (since he seems to be very good at it). Saying that he didn’t support the war doesn’t associate him with Tiger terrorism or secessionism. For instance Chandrika didn’t support the decisive last war but that in no way implies she supported Tiger terrorism or secessionism.

      Laksiri is being quite silly. Nobody is persecuted or threatened by the Sri Lankan state because they didn’t support the last war. If that were the case, the whole of the UNP parliamentary group — apart from Karu and Sajith— would have been subject to persecution, which of course they are not. Not even the TNA, which hardly supported the war effort against the LTTE, is subject to repression. Not even the TPNF and Gajan Ponnamabalam have been subject to suppression. Thus, Laksiri is simply paranoid and hysterical.

      How can anything possibly happen to you at the hands of the Sri Lankan Security state on the “security front” Laksiri, because you are living in Australia? And if I rightly recall, both you and Kumar David spent most of the thirty years war as well as the Southern civil war, well outside of Sri Lanka…

      • 3
        0

        Dr Laksiri is not a famous politician or a member of any political party such as the TNA, TPNF, UNP, etc. He is just a normal individual. White vans abductions and attacks do not happen to famous people or those from political parties known to the entire world but we know what happened to individuals like Prageeth Eknaligoda.

        When people run short of ideas or lose arguments they resort to cheap tactics. Dayan is no different even though he claims himself to be an ‘educated’.

      • 3
        1

        Dayan:

        I think you are short on analytical power. Why was SF persecuted. Simply because he tried to blow the whistle against MR which amounts to not supporting the War.

      • 1
        0

        DayanJ,

        there are considerable numbers of silent personalities that risked supporting the war against LTTErs. For their own reasons, they deliberately did not want their names to be known to anyone. This I know from many – that continuously helped srilanken govt being out of the country and their efforts were to get the country free from terror. Those who just repeat about their own efforts – I mean people like you – belong to the same category – that stole the credit of the millitary victory against LTTErs from Sarath Fonseka and srilanken forces.

      • 2
        1

        Dayan Jayatilleka
        “Laksiri is being quite silly. Nobody is persecuted or threatened by the Sri Lankan state because they didn’t support the last war. If that were the case, the whole of the UNP parliamentary group — apart from Karu and Sajith— would have been subject to persecution, which of course they are not. Not even the TNA, which hardly supported the war effort against the LTTE, is subject to repression. Not even the TPNF and Gajan Ponnamabalam have been subject to suppression.”

        This clearly shows – You are a BIG LIAR.

      • 3
        0

        Oh please, you can only do two things:

        1) Praise yourself !!!

        2) Grovel at the feet of the king for a diplomatic crumb.

        The more I read your writings, the more it becomes abundantly clear that you simply used your father’s good name and creeped into the diplomatic service (I have stated many times before that you are a political appointment) and you have no skills or abilities and so you have to rely on such political handouts.
        I think its probably too late but maybe even at this late stage in your life, you can try becoming a man and stand up? Be a self made man Dayan !!!!

        • 3
          0

          This is exactly what I heard him talking to lanken TV senders.
          As some hate speaking skin heads in sanga constumes spread their stammered stories, this man is over convinced- and is making every efforts to be the boss in nobody´s land wheneever he appears in the TV.

          There I remember the bugger uttering- even if ones are not in duties, some like to call him “Thanapathi – Mr Ambassador”, but he does not like to hear that.. etc.. but that alone proves the bugger is overwelmed being able to share the part as a Diplomat. This is comparable to the joy of uneducated masses, that ate Kiribath and danced on the street, war was declared to be ended – irrespective uncountable numbers of own civilians were killed by that.
          So, this man is a joker of number 1 class. Perhaps, it was a good decision by ruling bunch to keep away from him. Even if Rajapakshes are unpredictable, they have failed to get this DJ ´s mind set yet. That is the reason why the DJ was not given a place in last UNHRC panel. Instead, he became a man the role of a stray dog who would piss around making every efforts marking his territory.

      • 0
        0

        Dayan

        Neither is KP or Karuna or Daya Master are persecuted or threatened by the Sri Lankan state

        These guys are not angels are they?

    • 0
      4

      Hold your horses man.

      Dayan’s words simply mean that you took a neutral stance DURING the war. Whether that is true or not I do not know, but you seem to contest them.

    • 4
      1

      Some of these fellows are believed to be ‘well educated’ but when they talk/write, I hardly see any difference between them and those uneducated who pluck coconut in the villages; they both have the same low mentality, narrow mindedness and shallow thinking. Sometimes I feel that the coconut pluckers are much more intelligent and clever than these so called educated analysts/political scientists. Dayan Jayatillaka is one of the best examples.

    • 3
      0

      Dear Dr. Laksiri Fernando,
      One can understand your agitation. But its so unfair for us readers in CT if you let DJ prove a point. Therefore you should not give in to people such as DJ.

      Share your knowledge with us please. SL needs intellectuals in your caliber very soon.
      We will have to build the country.

    • 1
      3

      .

      Dear Dr Laksiri Fernando,

      You made certain statements in your own article that gave rise to several questions.

      Quoting the UN charter out of context, you asked “But if the equal recognition is possible among countries irrespective of numbers, it should be possible within countries as well, again irrespective of numbers”

      I thought this was quoting out of context though DJ claims it is trickery.

      1. The UN is not a government.
      2. Veto Power wielding members within the highest councils of the UN system subordinates countries that do not hold such power.
      3. Hence inequality exists within the UN.

      The Rights of a citizen within a given country should be equal. It cannot be used to argue for the equality of all groups within such country.

      You have not explained how it is possible to do so either.

      A Tamil attempt to ignore numbers within a group was rejected by the British, as a mockery of Democracy. Namely Mr. G. G. Ponnambalam’s 50/50 proposal.

      Though you have decided not to debate with DJ for (whatever reason) it does not absolve you from your responsibility to explain how your theory of equating ALL groups disregarding the numbers can create a stable government and simultaneously ensure individual equality of the Citizens within such a government. This is your Theory. Hence you need to prove it.

      Education from Grade 1 to University is free to all (rich or poor) in Lanka. The Universities have limited places as you know very well. Hypothetically, if there are 10 groups and 3000 places available how would you allocate those places to the prospective new entrants to Uni? 300 for each group (since numbers within each group becomes irrelevant in your system)? wouldn’t that be a mockery of individual Equality?

      My post to you raising the above questions is available at this link below your article. https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-kindly-response-to-dayan-jayatilleka-on-the-national-question/comment-page-1/#comment-950395

      Note- DJ says “It is trickery for Laksiri to equate even by implication, the reference in the Preamble of the UN Charter to ‘nations’– which clearly pertains to UN member states– with ethnic or cultural communities within a member state. One does not follow from the other.”

      Hope you will engage in this discussion either here or under your own article.

      Kind Regards,
      OTC

  • 7
    2

    Genetic features of DJ resembles with BBS Gnanasara, so his attitude to some extent. I spent only 1 min go through DJ garbage, I am sure Mr. 4% is not reading any responses his articles are getting, so I avoid reading him…
    There are should be one Nation, its’ name should be “Siri Lankans” or “Lankans” or “Ceylonese”….
    Here are Tamil populations and percentages in some countries.. I search for these after seeing DJ remarks as Sinhala is a nation but not Tamils…. These figures are not for our political scientist, he lacks in his basic numeracy..

    Country …
    Population
    Percentage
    Source

    India
    60,793,814
    5.9%
    2001 census

    Sri Lanka
    3,113,247
    15.36%
    2012 census

    Malaysia
    1,396,000
    5.9%
    2000 census

    Singapore
    188,591
    5.00%
    2010 census

    Mauritius
    72,089
    5.83%
    2011 census

    Ref : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_population_by_nation

    • 4
      10

      I have seen this line of argument used before. What matters to Sri Lanka is the number of Tamil tax payers.

      After all Lennin and Troxisky are not going to pay for Tamils to establish ‘a nation’ are they?

      • 4
        0

        Prince Vibhushana,
        Everybody who buys loaf of bread pays TAX in SL, these indirect TAXes are the main stream of income.
        Anyway, if you, Prince Vibhushana, destined to born again as a Tamil, which country you prefer from above 5? Siri Lanka?

        • 4
          8

          It funny you should ask that question!

          Only the most fortunate Tamils are born in SL isn’t it really? The Tamil “brand” used to be widely respected. For example whenever someone wanted to see a good doctor or an accountant they would seek Tamils. Although its no longer true.

          Even though a Tamil is fortunate to be born in SL, their fate lies firmly on how their own words, thoughts and actions are manifested. For a comparison how fortunate contrast the outcomes of 2 national minorities African American and SL Tamil. Both struggles start circa 1950.

          The Black American was living in Apartheid, no civil rights and despicable social, political and economic condition. They choose Martin Luther King, believer of non-violence, black-white unity. Look where they are now with a Obama?

          Contrast the fate of Tamils. Had everything going for them. The army, police, and civil service very well represented by Tamils. Although you chose Chelvanayagam as your leader. He goes to Tamil Nadu, met Periyar and imported his Nazi ideology here. Need I say more what went wrong?

      • 8
        3

        Vibushna you Sinkalam:

        What are you talking about man. In Sinhala Lanka Tamils don’t pay tax. They pay a Gappam to King Mahintha and Douglas is the collection officer and he collects this at Gun Point.

  • 5
    2

    “It is trickery for Laksiri to equate even by implication, the reference in the Preamble of the UN Charter to ‘nations’– which clearly pertains to UN member states– with ethnic or cultural communities within a member state. One does not follow from the other.”

    UN Charter cannot and is not exempting the would be members explicitly or even implicitly. Every year new states or countries are being born from other countries by many methodologies. UN is accepting the new members who had no member properties under their old country. This clearly explains that nation do exist in the UN with dormant country status. There are methods need to be undertaken by those dormant countries to activate their membership. UN Charter recognize this reality.

    “It has no significance in terms of status or conceptual definition. How for instance, does the fact of 70 million Tamils in Tamil Nadu give the Tamils of Sri Lanka the status of a nation? How can citizens of another country have rights as a community or lay claim to enhanced status for an existing ethnic community within Sri Lanka?”

    DJ has to understand the International realities. There are many countries in Africa and Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu has French citizenship. He understand that a completely unrelated crowd has implication into French nationality. This applies and extensively applied to many colonies and masters. Who can define who are the Taiwanese? Are they Taiwanese or Chinese? The 1.5 Billion Chinese in the mainland certainly have an overwhelming effect on the Taiwanese Nationality. Can DJ explain the situation of the east Ukraine? Or even the easy one Crimea? Then why he is complicating his understanding by proposing non-existing definitions?

    “In the modern Sri Lankan context the conditions have to be such that each ethnic and cultural identity will find its proportional weight and presence in our society. Each will need to recognise and accept this configuration”
    This not a hard coded international rule. It does not go beyond Godfrey Gunatilleke. There is no where in the world says said a majority theoretician can write theorems to manage minorities natural life and independent conducts. These are illusion used to feed to bring up the personality the so called Dr.DJ

    The Main reason for the birth of a new country, now a days, is the defect in the democratic system, where majority write its own definitions and explanation for the minories to obey it. Even though the born new country may adopt it to go for Communism, Monarchy or any other ruling governmental method, it is the democratic system that allows new counties to be born. One might ask what happened when the Soviet Russia disintegrate? Did it became a democracy before it disintegrate? The answer is the loss of the grip in the ruling mechanisms that is a partial democratization, allowed new nations to be born. When Asian, African were able to overthrow their colonial masters, they became countries. When Tamil Eelam overthrows its master, the Sri Lanka, it can activate its dormant membership at UN.

    DJ trying to paint an Cast Iron Metal Box Shape to UN. The modern UN is for the people, not for the countries. Now it is capable of tear the mask of the county ID and look into it for to find out what is going there. It is no longer a passive supporter of the members, now it is not simply a judge between them, it is acting as judge with in them too. This is like the Old colonial Privy Council for Ceylon. DJ has to recognize, without Royal Government approval, an investigation into Royal Government’s activities has started. As DJ has left UN floor some time ago it hard for him to understand the modern UN dynamic functions.

  • 4
    10

    I think these Tamils miss the important tree in the forest.

    One of the variables these Jaffna Tamils have accomplished much in the past has been Sinhala Majority(ism?). Its the minority dynamics that make them work harder. Jaffna Tamils only shine in liberal democracies where they are a minority. No Jaffna Tamil has ever accomplished anything in Tamil Nadu for instance.

    There are few other variables of course. Chief among them their caste system. Low castes were denied even basic education. The Tamil professionals always get there unethically piggybacking over their own low castes.

    Making Tamils a “Nation” in Sri Lanka is going to reverse their fortunes. The caste system is slowly being dismantled meaning no Tamil will want to stay within narrow Nationlist confines. Lethargy and nonchalance will make them accomplish less too.

    • 3
      1

      Vibushna you Sinkalam:

      The rot has only just started and it is going to get worse. If you have lost your power of thinking( it is debatable whether you had any)already which is obvious I dread to think what will happen when Sanctions begin to bite and hunger becomes order of the day and you start to scavenge for food.
      There will be MAYHEM in Sinhala Lanka.

  • 12
    2

    DJ, insists that the ‘Sinhala nation’ in Sri Lanka is the only ethnic community on the island which can claim the status of a nation.

    The critical word therein is, ONLY. Why ‘ONLY’? How ‘ONLY’ … . Is it just because DJ says so!

    The Tamil nation in the island meets every criteria the Sinhala nation satisfies, to be called a nation.

    The absence of a genuine line of defence for his lopsided claim cannot be accidental.

    • 7
      2

      He is still counting the numbers in the island of Sri Lanka. According to his philosophy, the number of Buddhists are high, so ONLY Sinhalese have the right to kill Tamils and Muslims.ONLY Sinhalese should Eat more than Tamils and Muslims.

      Compared to Sinhala Nation, India has more Population and therefore India should have the right to control Sri Lanka. They are not equal nations.

  • 5
    0

    Dear Dayan

    I have known Prof Laksiri Fernando for nearly 30 years. At no time, I felt that this is true:
    “ They certainly didn’t support the war to defeat the fascist-secessionist Tigers.”

    He never supported LTTE or JVP- quite the opposite is true.

    You have known him for a longer period of time (and he probably taught you at Peradeniya) to know that it is untrue (well, I do not know about Kumar David).

    Until this exchange of articles, I only heard him talking about you affectionately. He wrote articles aiming to protect you, thinking that you might be in danger in Sri Lanka due to your critical articles after your posting in France.

    Hope, you would be fairer in your assessment about him in future.

    Regards

    Saman H.

    • 3
      0

      “Until this exchange of articles, I only heard him talking about you affectionately. He wrote articles aiming to protect you, thinking that you might be in danger in Sri Lanka due to your critical articles after your posting in France. “

      you are right , i remember prof.laksiri coming to defend DJ when i started criticizing DJ , Prof Laksiri went on reminding me that he knows DJ from his student days and have had very high regard towards him , well we all make mistakes , hope Prof. laksiri now knows the true colours of this “self proclaimed political scientist ” and learn from his past mistake.

      • 3
        0

        Srilal@,

        how many times, I asked you why DJ is deliberated away from uttering a single word against MR ? though he has been calling him as “so called political analyst of sl” – know-all charactor. Then I raised the issue why the many like University Dons keep away from sharing their views. So you made it very clear, that in today´s context it is not at all possible.
        I agree with you here, that Dr.Fernando did defend DJ not once repeated times. This reminded me ” kema dunna ballah, anthimata hapakanneth ewani pudgalayo”. We the few noticed DJ´s true colours long ago. Alone, one would study the archives of DJ´s articles, say within last 10 months, nobody would agree with him.

        See, that Heroin container related issue and it to be burried under the carpet – Rosi Senanayake explains very clearly. Link is added.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Iw2Bag7kMY

        • 2
          0

          Sirimal,

          DJ not uttering a single word against his king is due to DJ’s own theorem 2 , i wouldn’t put the blame on Prof.laksiri though , he is a real gentleman and made a huge mistake by backing this opportunist , i’m sure, now he has realized the true nature of DJ and prevent backing him in the future.

          remember i made a comparison between Mervin silva and Dayan silva (jayathilake) , they are almost identical except DJ’s academic credentials.

      • 1
        0

        i found the particular article & comment and reply which Prof.laksiri has stated about DJ .

        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-murder-of-an-editor/comment-page-1/#comments

        srilal
        January 10, 2014 at 1:10 pm

        Dear Dr Laksiri Fernando ,

        “We should be able to appreciate different contributions that people make within a broad front of opposition against authoritarianism and violation of human rights. ”

        going by the DJ’s earlier writings , would you consider DJ being critical & honest for those who were abusing their power and the same time raising his voice against the indefensible ? what was the sole motive behind this worthless pages long junk ? big thanks to CT for republishing this article , doesn’t this article alone show the true character of this great human right defender ?

        Dr Laksiri Fernando
        January 10, 2014 at 2:01 pm

        Dear Srilal,

        I have seen DJ being wavering, but that could be within his own way of rationalising political events. But having known him from his student days, I see something consistent or honest in his way of approaching issues. You are of course left to your own judgement. Yes, I don’t agree with what he said particularly in the previous article about David Cameron and Mahinda Rajapaksa etc., but even there he has been consistent although on the wrong premises. On the issue of human rights, he is more towards state sovereignty than for human rights. My point is not to attack people unnecessarily when they could become part of a broad front, even if they waver or even betray eventually. Do you consider people who even hesitate to reveal their real names are honest than Dayan?

        • 2
          0

          Thank you. I read it again.
          Yes, no doubt, Dr Fernando regrets today to have called him as “dynamic diplomat” in his previous posts.
          How can a man of this nature ever be a diplomat was my question. He has no consistencies in his articles. Every one could bring that kind of articles. As you once said -” mama thamai pora”.. that is what DJ always feels about lanken issues. I am glad to see that Dr. fernando finally understood what the true colours of DJ are :(

    • 0
      1

      My Dear Saman Halgamuge,
      “You kiss my back.. I will certainly kiss yours”
      … Frame it and put at the entrance to your house …. so that nobody has to guess who is living inside…

      • 1
        0

        So Bruno,
        what is the relevance of your message ?

        • 0
          0

          I am not at all surprised that you do not see the relevance!

          Saman H wants a better assessment of Laksiri from Dayan because
          1. Dayan have known Laksiri for a longer period of time (and Laksiri probably taught Dayan at Peradeniya)
          2. Until this exchange of articles, I only heard Laksiri talking about Dayan affectionately
          3. Laksiri wrote articles aiming to protect Dayan, thinking that Dayan might be in danger in Sri Lanka due to Dayan’s critical articles after his posting in France.
          4. Hope, Dayan would be fairer in his assessment about Laksiri in future.

          Isn’t it interesting Leelaagemalli?
          Do you now understand the Saman’s motto ““You kiss my back.. I will certainly kiss yours”?

          • 0
            0

            “I am not at all surprised that you do not see the relevance! “

            why do you say this, how do you know who I am to judge in that way about me ? Are you perhaps brain sick being infected by Ghanasara syndrome ?

            Who is Saman H ?

            All what we know is Dr. Fernando treated DJ – the [Edited out] very affectinately, from the day one. Even this time, Dr Fanando´s article was a kindly formulated one compared to Dj´s.

            Anyway, many would agree with Saman H here..:)

  • 2
    8

    There is no Tamil country in the world. 30 years they waist their money and lives in Sri Lanka to create one. That did not work. Now they should fight to create one at Tamil Nadu. How about Ontario ? Will see what kind of response they get from India or Canada. May be Obama/Cameron can lease Diego Garcia.

    • 2
      2

      Lalitha,

      How about right in Sri Lanka? It is folks like you who will ultimately realise Eelam in Sri Lanka! It is out of your hands now anyway; the issue is well and truly internationalised. If you have anything upstairs you will think twice before projecting majority arrogance!

      • 0
        0

        It is folks like you who will ultimately realise Eelam in Sri Lanka! It is out of your hands now anyway; the issue is well and truly internationalised.

        Yes that’s what VP said. I recall LTTE songs thanking the Sinhalese for ‘creating’ Eelam. So where is it?

        • 0
          0

          Paul,

          When you quote others please keep it within inverted comers.

          “so where is it”

          It is in embryonic state at the moment as far as international perception is concerned; if the Sinhala arrogance continue to be intransigent, there will come a time when there will be no other option but to realise Eelam! Think about Kosovo and East Timore

  • 4
    2

    If the Rajapaksa regime carry-on its racist approach based on the population then it will get ugly. Canadian French is less than twenty percent of the total population of Canada, but they have equal rights. The world must know one important thing; we are not dwelling in the past. What we face in Sri Lanka is a real discrimination. We are not living in illusion. I have been to Sri Lanka in 2012. As a Tamil I couldn’t even get local tickets to see the tourist places; the staff refused to sell local tickets to me even though I showed evidence that I was born in Sri Lanka. Mr K Shanmugam is a Tamil; he is a Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law in Singapore. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam is the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. They are having high-profile positions in the Singaporean government, because they are from Singapore. If they are from Sri Lanka they would not have got those positions, but ended-up as refugees somewhere in the world.

    The truth is appearing in the international media, and the world is fully informed. But most of the Sri Lankan media continue to ignore the truth to please the thugs. Eventually, their ignorance, arrogance and foolishness will come back and haunt them. For years intellectuals have warned the Rajapaksa regime to ‘change course’, but it didn’t. Now it is facing the music. I am warning the Rajapaksa regime again to ‘change course’ ASAP, or face the consequences. This is the last and final calling from the international community. In other words this is their only lifeline, therefore they should not ignore. Their stupidity will only carry them for a short distance, in the long term they are losers. They will be history before they know it; if they paint the international community with the same brush as they have painted Prabhakaran. I say it again to the Rajapaksa regime to “change course” ASAP.

    • 0
      0

      Oh just stop crying,
      If you are a citizen of another country just because you lived or your ancestors lived in SL the authorities here dont allow you to visit tourist sites at local’s rate. That is the same even if youre a sinhalese.

      Keep your idiotic rants to yourself. You are just an idiot with some panditha wakyas.

  • 5
    1

    When you remove the trappings of the two, both Gnanasara and DJ are one and the same.

    They both think alike that the Sinhalese are a greater race in Sri Lanka than others. With DJ it is worst still, he stresses on more occasions than not, by virtue of comprising 74% of the Sri Lanka population, the Sinhalese are elevated to the master class and the others to the subject class. He offers no other logic to his argument.

    Well, between Gnanasara and DJ I would assume DJ to be the more dangerous to the minority communities. Gnanasara in his saffron robes, running amok, intimidating, abusing and committing direct crimes against the minorities, can garner the support of only the fringe dwellers, the lowest common denominators of the Sri Lankan society. Whereas DJ, Machiavellian par excellence, using word crafty can still parcel his twisted message to appeal to the educated Sinhala masses to think that they are a better race and call Sri Lanka a Sinhala Nation, giving them the notion that they have the right to lord over the rest.

  • 5
    1

    My dear Dayan
    Before your community chased the Tamils from the island by repeated pograms from 1958 to 1983 the Tamils were 23%. It was your community who disenfranchised over one million Hill Country Tamils even though many of them were 3rd generation immigrants.There are about 2 million diaspora who ran for their lives. Why do you want to leave them out. They will certainly return to Eelam which is their ancestral kingdom. The Tamil kingdom which shared the country with Sinhalese kingdom was separate and independent before the western imperialists conquered Ceylon.
    How can we trust the unitary rule when your community had the audacity to pass a legislation in 1972 which decreed that Tamil students have to score a higher aggregate mark than Sinhalese students to qualify for university admission.This is just an example of the chauvinistic Sinhala-Buddhist mindset. Autonomy is a joke. You see what is happening to the Northern Provincial Council. They cannot even lift a finger without the intervention of a military governor and his hierarchy.They have destroyed education Jaffna, which at one time was the highest in Asia.What about burning down the Library?. What kind of barbarians would do this? You think we all can be one nation? 300 churches were burnt down without a single prosecution.You call this a government?
    Do you then assume that Tamils will remain for ever under subjugation of a rabid Buddhist-military rule? If you insist on one nation the entire island will go down with the Tamils because you will eternally be at loggerheads with a powerful Tamil diaspora and 70 million angry Tamil neighbours just 22 miles away.If you have two nations we will all prosper like Malaysia and Singapore.

  • 5
    0

    There are people who have various ethnic identities on this island. There are those who hold the position that there must be a single nation state on this island that offers equal citizenship and equal opportunities to all these various ethnic identities.
    However there are also those who hold the position that this single nation state should be a state of the majority ethnic identity with minorities structurally bound to occupy lesser positions with lesser opportunities.

    This article has been written by the main proponent, advocate and ideologue of the latter position who has on many occasions held out the threat of violent strategic attacks against the minorities if they oppose this position and promised a drawn out low intensity conflict led by the armed forces and advocates of a majoritarian Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism commencing with a genocidal massacre of the over one million Indians settled on then islands central hill country and on minority ethnic communities concentrated on the south west coast in the event of any attempt to prevent the consolidation of such a Sinhala Buddhist Nation State.

  • 3
    1

    There are times when you have to wonder whether DJ is about to perform that most astronomical of tricks and disappear down his own black hole. But I am held back from any ungenerous comments by the simple fact that this is Holy Week. I trust that DJ will go to confession and reconcile with his God. May all our communities achieve fulfilment in peace and harmony; and God Bless SRI LANKA.

  • 2
    1

    Dr. Laksiri is thinking of the future and he is pragmatic. Too much animosity and mistrust had happened between Sinhala and Tamil communities.Now the Muslims are getting alienated. I have serious doubts about SriLanka functioning as ONE nation.The only way to do that is by controlling the disgruntled Tamils is by force or liberating them by a genuine autonomy. But the Sinhalese majority always prefers the rule by force to liberation and autonomy. This will inevitably result in two nations. I hope Dayan understands the dynamics and not dwell in some theoretical world where the numbers determine nationhood. Didn’t Singapore prove itself with much less numbers.

  • 4
    1

    Ever since Rajapakse recalled him from the UN ,Dayan is trying hard to please his masters. His pseudo-intellectual theories sound so ridiculous that the may succeed in pleasing his equally ridiculous masters.

  • 5
    2

    Canadian French is less than 20% of the total population of Canada, but they have equal rights. Canada had French Prime Minister. Punjabis are only 3% of the India’s population, yet India’s Prime Minister is a Punjabi. In Singapore only 5% of Tamils, but has a Tamil deputy Prime Minister and a Tamil Foreign Minister. Why can’t Tamils have the same system as Canada or India? The Quebec government even control the immigration for their province in Canada. In fact Tamils need like that when they have racist Gota who enjoys dual citizenship for himself, but refuses dual citizenship for Tamils. Clearly the Sinhalese are the most racist race in the world. Tamils need equal rights or divide the country, simple as that. Singapore is far smaller than Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Therefore, people can’t say Sri Lanka is too small to divide.

    • 2
      3

      There was a time when the head of the Army, Navy and Police were all Tamils. And this was long after independence. Check it out. At the time of the 83 riots a large number of ambassadors were Tamil. Do you want me to list the MPs, the ministers, the judges, the professors? Every single Government since 1948 has had Tamil, Muslim & Christian ministers. Do the West ensure Jews and Muslims in their cabinets? When Tamils get a position its because of their ‘genius’ when they don’t get it, its because of ‘discrimination’.

    • 0
      1

      Cut and paste king.

  • 4
    2

    There is no Tamil nation in Sri Lanka, but there is a Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. There is however a Sinhala nation in Sri Lanka, so says the pundit Dayan Jayatilake.

    There is no dispute that the present Sinhalese constitute some of the Cinnamon peelers brought from India and so many others, non Sinhalese who have assimilated with the passage of time. There have been the Tamils also citizens of this country. A Nation is not decided by the size of a community, but of the presence of a community sizable enough to be recognized. It looks as if Dayan has trampled his tail.

    • 2
      0

      It is all because the buruwa is making efforts to hurt minority folks again. How could this kind of men ever be diplomats ? At least now, he should learn to use proper wording specically addressing the lanken issue. We fought over 30 years. At least now, these men that feel they are the responsible to be the spokemen of the country- should think twice.

  • 5
    0

    This contemptible pathological liar Disk Jokey clown is weaving the same web of lies recycling the same old set of rot he has in his uneducated dimwitted mind. He keeps alive and feeding fodder and fuel to his racist and ethnic destructive fire that is carried and handed down from generation to generation of fools of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim ethnicities. This extremist concept of Nation or Religion for that matter are in themselves the cause of the problem in this country. It is politicians, monks and moronic jokers like DJ who keep this racist fire alive for their own ulterior ends political, economic, exploitory etc. The bugger says, “..Culture will evolve by osmosis or transmission..” What culture does he have? His own country people are going through untold sufferings caused by ethnic flames and rogue regime afflictions caused by directly as a result of the mischiefs, dishonesties and greed of contemptible corrupt people like DJ who keep this flame alive by the kinds of extremist ideologies written and propagated as above. While doing and being responsible for this crime he is out there in foreign land paid for by the regime for all his luxuries and wasteful, extravagant but empty, worthless and shoddy parasitic existence. And he is lecturing cultural evolution to us from out there! To me he sounds an alien from Lunar advising us on earthly existence!

    I think CT should publish interviews with ordinary people of all communities (not of racists) to share among us what they think about all these issues, how and what ordinary but intelligent rational people think about all these issues and what they think must be the solution for their ‘perceived’ problems.

    This whole issue of ethnic problem is now a rotten wound which would not heal now. The remedy is to amputate the whole issue. It would never heal through DJ’s concoct theories. The only solution is a Sri Lankan identity for all where there shall no longer be minorities, majorities but only Sri Lankans. There has to be immediate regime change and adoption of a wholly new Constitution which is able to address all the outstanding issues of reconciliation, rebuilding, healing, compensation, repentance, forgivance, restoration of law and order and democratic institutions. There shall be devolution of power for administrative and governmental purposes. Culture and religion must be low profile private businesses which may be practiced publicly too but with restraint and regard for other cultures too. After all these national and religious attachments are remnants of our tribal and animal past. They are only useful as far as statistical and categorization purposes. These burdens have to be jettisoned if we are to ever live on this planet freely and peacefully.

  • 3
    1

    “Only a great cultural heritage and righteous values could provide the world with people who are rich in humane values.” – President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

    Do you really deserve to talk about cultures? Do you have a credibility talk about cultures? You would not have been fighting since the independence, if you do really admire and love cultures. Don’t you think you are the least evolved people in Asia? During the final phase of the war thousands of people have been killed; but you have no remorse whatsoever, there wasn’t any mourning day for the people who have died during the war. But the people were dancing and celebrating. It shows your hatred towards your fellow countrymen. How can you call yourselves Buddhists while having no remorse for killed thousands of innocent people? Since the conclusion of the civil war you had enough ample time to recruit intellectual to strengthen your brain force to deal with many issues, but you didn’t. Cooperating with India, dealing with resettlements, and collaborating with Tamil diaspora to develop the North and East are few aspects of many issues, but most of the issues are unaddressed or handled poorly. I don’t want the West to intrude into the Indian Ocean under Tamils’ issues, but Tamils need a group of leaders from South Asia to sort out the Sri Lanka’s internal problem which can’t be fixed by you.

    If you carry-on your racist approach based on the population then it will get ugly. French Canadians is less than 20% of the total population of Canada, but the French Canadians have equal rights. Canada had French Prime Minister. Punjabis are only 3% of the India’s population, yet India’s Prime Minister is a Punjabi. In Singapore only 5% of Tamils, but has a Tamil deputy Prime Minister and a Tamil Foreign Minister. How likely Sri Lanka having a Tamil President or Tamil Prime Minister? Absolutely nil, because of the racist Sinhalese majority. Why can’t Tamils have the same system as Canada or India? The Quebec government even control the immigration for their province in Canada. In fact Tamils also need the flexibility to control their immigration when they have racist Gota who enjoys dual citizenship for himself, but refuses dual citizenship for Tamils. Clearly the Sinhalese are the most racist race in the world. Tamils need equal rights, or divide the country, simple as that. Singapore is far smaller than Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Therefore, people can’t say that Sri Lanka is too small to divide.

  • 6
    4

    There is no Tamil nation in Sri Lanka
     
    This is like the Serbians saying that there is no Kosovo Albanian nation in Serbia, or the Ukrainians saying that there is no Crimean Russian nation in Ukraine! The point is that the Sri Lankan Tamil problem is a classic global governance issue of self-determination versus minority. Once these issues get into the UN system (which is largely liberal), they are always settled in favor of self-determination for the group in question, because the reason the case is escalated to the UN in the first place is a genocidal climate on the ground.
     
    Dayan needs to realize that he is speaking out of turn. The issue of whether or not the Tamils are a nation is going to be decided by the UN system, since the problem has now become internationalized. The US is going to be the most important voice in that debate because they are the dominant super power in the region.
     
    UN independence referendums are a part and parcel of global governance. They happen roughly once a decade to bring relief to persecuted people, and to be honest, to advance the strategic interests of the powers that be. In the case of the Ceylonese Tamils, the stars have aligned perfectly: There is now a UN led international investigation into the matter, they sit on one of the most strategically important pieces of real estate in the world, and the parent state that they wish to break away from has become increasingly hostile to the West.
     
    So Dayan needs to read the writing that’s on the wall and start being pragmatic and realistic. Whether or not the GOSL recognizes the nationhood of the Tamils at this stage is not going to change the destiny of the Island one way or the other. However, it will change the relationship SL will have the new Tamil state that will inevitably emerge in the NE. Will the Sinhalese people need to get a visa to travel to the NE? Will they be able to work there, to buy property? Those are the questions that are yet to be answered. So my advice to Dayan: Be nice to the Tamil nationalists – they hold the keys to the NE.

    • 0
      0

      Pooh!

  • 9
    2

    Dear Dayan,

    Thanks for explicitly defining the Sinhalese/Sihala-Buddists as the only community eligible for the status as a nation, because they are the numerical majority. You are by inference saying that they are the only community who constitute the Sri Lankan nation. This to me, is absolutely unacceptable as a member of the Tamil community.

    If the Sinhalese/Sinhala-Buddhists are a nation, the Tamils of Sri Lanka have justification to be nation that preceded the Sinhalese. The first nation should be the Veddah community, the second nation should be the Tamils and the third nation the Sinhalese/ Sinhala-Buddhists. The other communities will occupy subsequent slots. All Tamils will agreed with my stance. We the Tamils are co-ownners of Sri Lanka regardless of our numbers, which have declined due to the process of assimilation over centuries, forced migration and state+ LTTE violence.

    If the Sri Lankan nation is a rainbow of all communities, where individual citizenship and communal rights are recognised, respected and cherished, it will be acceptable to the Tamils. If not, Sri Lanka, as a state, has not learned its lessons. Of course this means, you as a political scientist have not drawn the correct conclusions from what transpired in this country since indpendence.

    The hard won battle against the LTTE, for which you give credit to this government and its armed forces, was due the assistance of countries like India and the US. The Times of India reports today that the Indian armed forces were engaged in the Sri Lankan battle fields, in the last war against the LTTE. Such help may not be available again if the stance such as yours and that of this government, precipitates another confrontation in the times ahead. If this becomes a reality in whatever form it does, it is people like you and governments such as the present one, who have to take the entire blame. The LTTE has been defeated and thankfully so, but the Tamils have not been defeated. Their quest for equality and shared political power, remains and will be pursued with increasing vigour with time.

    You disappoint me and the likes of me, who yet believe in a Sri Lankan nation state that is a rainbow coalition of different communities,languages, cultures and religions.

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

    • 11
      1

      Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

      “The first nation should be the Veddah community”

      Thanks for your long overdue recognition of our people.

      Dayan is dragging all of you into a point of no return, hoping that the people can be mislead, ill informed, exhausted and frustrated so as to make them forget the range of discussion that ought to be had from all sides of different perspective, experience, history, culture, and shared heritage.

      Please don’t fall into his trap. This is the man who few months before the NPC suggested that Mahinda should appoint a few failed unknown persons to run the council instead democratically elected one.

      I rather not waste time on this obnoxious poor little sod.

      • 1
        0

        Well spot Native Vedda. Dayan is much dangerous racist than Gotapaya or BBS. His words clearly indicates he wants another 1983 massacre of Tamils to defeat the emerging international support for a political solution based on proper devolution. He purposely and intentionally mislead and come up with all lies of the Buddhist Fundamentalists.

        I warn the Sinhala masses to be cautious about this venom. His path is dangerous to the Sinhala community and the whole island. Another bloodshed in this island will lead to two independent nations. Tamils and Sinhalese can live peacefully in a united Sri Lanka with proper devolution. we should not harm that opportunity.

      • 1
        0

        “..I rather not waste time on this obnoxious poor little sod..”!!!

        Good character certificate from NV! And it fits him too well.

    • 4
      4

      the Tamils of Sri Lanka have justification to be nation that preceded the Sinhalese.

      There is no evidence of ANY Tamil presence beyond 10 CE. How on earth did Tamils “precede” the Sinhalese?

      • 2
        0

        ” There is no evidence of ANY Tamil presence beyond 10 CE. How on earth did Tamils “precede” the Sinhalese? “

        You need to provide EVIDENCE to support your statement.

      • 3
        0

        According to whom? Please cite your sources of reference? I suggest read the document I have cited in my last blog in CT. I will appeaciate your comments.

        Dr.RN

        • 0
          3

          According to whom? Please cite your sources of reference?

          Professor K. Indrapala (1965).

          The mixture of Tamil and yet evolving Sinhala alphabets used by many may depict a period in our history (especially in the Kandyan Kingdom) when a combination of Sinhala and Tamil alphbets were used.

          I have attached an excerpt from your earlier article. The diagram shows a script where Tamil is represented in its present form. The Sinhala obviously not in its present day form.

          Is this why you claim Tamils stand second in line to ‘Nationhood’ ? You presume since the Tamil script looks fully evolved, Tamil precedes Sinhala?

          • 1
            0

            “The thesis was presented as the first major attempt to bring together all available evidence on the subject. THE FACT THAT IT WAS IN NO WAY A COMPLETE STUDY WAS ADMITTED. In view of these limitations and difficulties, while we may claim to have added something to our knowledge of the history of the Tamils of Ceylon, the account presented here is inevitably incomplete and not always definite. We have often been led to state our conclusions in hypothetical terms.
            NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT DISSERTATION IS NOW COMPLETELY OUT OF DATE. MY OWN PERSPECTIVES AND INTERPRETATIONS HAVE CHANGED SINCE ITS COMPLETION.
            More importantly, significant developments, both in terms of archaeological research and changing historical perspectives, have taken place in the last four decades”
            http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1954

          • 1
            0

            Vibhushana,

            Read the entire 48 page citation in my blog. Further, where are YOUR specific references to back up Dayan’s claims, which I call hog wash.

            Dr.RN

        • 2
          3

          Dr. RN,

          I have taken the trouble to read your previous work. I presume your doctorate is not in history or linguistics.

          It seems to me you are the chief culprit sending these Tamils leading up the garden path with backyard cocomeme history lessons.

          You have no clue about Tamil scripts do you? Do you know what they are without Googling?

          • 1
            0

            “I have taken the trouble to read your previous work. I presume your doctorate is not in history or linguistics.”

            An imbecile who runs away when exposed for writing fibs questioning Dr RN! Prof. Indrapala wrote two books; the thesis for his doctorate is completely outdated. If you quote from such a work without erudite analysis will make you look a fool. Then again you are a stupid person anyway and what difference will that make?

            • 4
              0

              Burning_Issue

              “Then again you are a stupid person anyway and what difference will that make?”

              He has progressed from a stupid person to a man gone ga ga!

          • 1
            0

            Vo ibhushaana,

            I have never claimed I am an expert in linguistics or history. I am yet mearning in my own field of specialisation and expertise. However, I continue to read, understand and learn about various subjects that interest me. Google has accelarated this learning process.

            It is upto you to counter what I say or claim, sans bluster. Yes, I am telling the Tamils to travel the garden path, instead of travelling the jungle path that the likes of you, Dayan and this government are trying to force them to do. I also have been telling the Tamils for long not to take the jungle pth the LTTE was charting for them.

            Dr.RN

    • 1
      0

      Dr RN & Native Vedda

      I am very pleased to read your comments.

    • 1
      1

      Dr. Narendran’s eminently well expressed views are those of almost the entire Tamil Nation in the Island of Ceylon/Sri Lanka.

      Well done.

      Kettikaran

    • 0
      0

      These arguments and counter arguments about who has the right to be considered a nation and who does not will take us nowhere.

      We are never going to agree on any of this. What is needed is not an acrimonious debate about who is right and who is wrong but a discussion on a political compromise.

      It is rather unfortunate that two intellectuals cannot engage in an academic debate without making snide remarks at one another.

  • 9
    1

    Dayan:

    For a time building up to UNHCR you tried to paint a picture of yourself as decent civilised and accommodating. It is obvious that the more you are rattled the more exposed you become and reveal your true nature. By constant attack first by Usha and now by Dr.Fernando you have been stripped down to the core and that has revealed who you really are. You are a born racist just like MR and there are 20 million of you.
    For the record there were two Kingdoms and the Tamils have a claim to North & East. We are not going to let you run riot and desecrate our Temples Nallur, Koneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram and during my recent visit I was incensed by the sight of two soldiers outside Nallur. If we didn’t have our kingdom how do you think we managed to build these Historical Temples.
    It is for us to reclaim our Land with international help. Yes LTTE tried but failed and let me remind you of Robert Bruce.

    Gidfreys Formulation as you put it:

    “In the modern Sri Lankan context the conditions have to be such that each ethnic and cultural identity will find its proportional weight and presence in our society. Each will need to recognise and accept this configuration…The modus vivendi that is implied here redefines equality within a framework which recognises the reality of collective identities and the difference in the relative weight and presence of these identities when they enter into any partnership.”.

    In my view Godfreys expression is that of a Typical Sinhalese and our identity is based on different Language and Religion with claim to an identifiable area and not on numbers.
    Since independence there was a passive encroachment of Tamil Land but post LTTE it has been accelerated to alarming levels and unchecked under Proportional Weight our presence will disappear and this is MRs grand plan. But by divine intervention the relentless march by King Mahintha and his loyal subjects has been stopped.
    I am sure you are clever enough to se what lies ahead for Sinhala Lanka;

    1) Installation of a BJP government with the Iron Lady in the Driving Seat.
    2) June the first the Start of International Inquiry and refusal by MR to co operate.
    3) Imposition of Sanctions.
    4) Nation grinds to halt. Just remember Iran which is a much richer country with porous borders was brought to its knees. The choice for MR is COMPLY or DIE.

    The Tamil Nation which has survived for Centuries will continue for another 1000 years.

  • 5
    0

    What were Dayan’s policies and principles when he associated with Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front-EPRLF- ,lectured to their militants, and held a post of minister under Varatharajap Perumal?

    This champion of proletariat had his wedding in a five star hotel in Colombo where some of his comrades went wearing bathroom slippers, in protest.

    Let us ignore this person who goes on changing his colours for personal benefit.

  • 1
    5

    The Northern Tamils, a minority of some 4% of the total population are unhappy with their ‘minority’ status. It is an attitude that they had been inculcated in them by the likes of SJV Chelvanayakam, the Malay.

    Yet, those who have migrated are more than happy with that same status in foreign lands, without the privileges they had enjoyed under the British masters.

    • 2
      1

      Ram you fool:

      The Jews once left their Homeland but went back with the help of Britain and America ( who are now embarked on creating Eelam) to reclaim their Land or should I say Nation.

      • 0
        0

        The ‘Jews’ who have gone to reclaim Palestine as their own, have little to do with the Hebrews who were dispersed by the Romans. Hence the false claim to being Semites. I suggest you read up about the Khazar Empire, rather than displaying your very wide ignorance.

  • 2
    1

    shoes,sliipers were hurled at dayanage, yet no shame for this stupid.

    • 1
      2

      Manisekaran: You racist arrogant Tamil Nadu imbecile. It depends on who is throwing the shoes/slippers! Dogs can bark all they want but mountains are not going to come down.

      • 4
        1

        Navin

        “Manisekaran: You racist arrogant Tamil Nadu imbecile.”

        The pot calling the kettle black.

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