The Progressive Forum in Colombo has highlighted the importance of Tamil speaking minorities recognizing the crucial nature of the upcoming Presidential elections and on why they should vote for the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Issuing a statement in light of the upcoming elections, the Joint Convener of the PF, Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran has noted that in working towards a political solution for the Tamil speaking minorities through a devolution-based solution within a united Sri Lanka, it is important to refrain from isolating and focusing on a single race based issue.
It has listed the following points as some of the reasons that should be considered by the Tamil speaking minorities, to vote in favour of the common candidate:
– It would help gain allies in the push to achieve main political goals of the Present Tamil leadership to gain a maximum possible devolution within a united Sri Lanka
– Proposals of the common Opposition movement to promote a more democratic parliament, independent judiciary and a less corrupt administration are of considerable significance to Tamil speaking minorities as well
– The incumbent President’s failure to limit the loss of life at the war
– Abuse of captured combatants and non-armed civilian employees of the LTTE who surrendered to the Army
– Government condoning anti-Muslim behavior
– Need for the Tamil speaking people to gain the support and appreciation of leaders within the majority community to pursue a single-country political solution and permanent reconciliation
The PF in Colombo has therefore stated that all Tamil speaking minorities should actively engage in all crucial national issues common to all people of Sri Lanka and consider the upcoming presidential polls as one such challenge.
We publish below the statement in full:
The progressive forum, Colombo, has issued the following statement on the Presidential Election. Date: December 17, 2014
- Why Tamil speaking people should vote for the Common Opposition Candidate Mr.M.Srisena?1) The main political goals of the present Tamil leadership (i.e.TNA) are broadly to seek maximum possible devolution within a united Sri Lanka, using soft power that includes lobbying, discussions and persuasion, legal challenges both within and outside Sri Lanka, etc; and to bring about relief to those seriously affected by the War. To achieve these goals needs allies most importantly within the South of the country and our Parliament. By standing with the opposition in this election, it is possible to gain new allies who may offer conditional support to the Tamils in their struggle.
2) The proposals of the opposition to promote a more democratic parliament, an independent judiciary and a less corrupt administration are not without considerable significance to Tamils. Consider the judiciary. Key decisions of the Judiciary in the past have gone against the aspirations of the Tamils. The verdicts to separate the North and East under provincial administration, and to concentrate regional land management powers in the Colombo administration are two important issues in this context. The Judiciary’s failure to lend a hand to defend the Tamils against needless mass killings especially in the final phase of the war, disappearances, illegal and undocumented imprisonment, torture , rape and killing of detainees etc have seriously hurt the Tamils. It is reasonable to expect a fully independent judiciary not to succumb to political and chauvinist pressures.
3) Consider corruption. Large scale state sector corruption in the nation affects all people including ordinary people in the North and East. Nearly a third of all funds allocated for projects to the North are being lost due to wastage and/or corruption. In the recent period, losses due to corruption in the North amount to billions of rupees that represent several times the annual development budget of the Northern Provincial Council. Even with the limited self governance and greatly restricted political freedom, Jaffna would receive greater economic benefits from comparable funds allocated under a clean administration in Colombo.
4) The Tamil voters are obliged to examine the suitability of each candidate before deciding to vote or abstain. Several issues reflect adversely on the incumbent. There was broad consensus especially among the majority Sinhala community that the LTTE should be militarily crushed. The Government could have won the war with minimal civilian casualties. The civilian President as the Supreme Commander of the armed force was required to ensure unarmed civilians are protected from collateral damage as much as possible. He did not. Where collateral civilian deaths should have been limited to the thousands, actual loss of life ended up in tens of thousands due to the President’s personal failure.
5) The post war treatment of the captured combatants and non-armed civilian employees of the LTTE who surrendered to the Army after the end of the war, including murder and rape, detention beyond reasonable periods, refusal to release information on persons detained, and whether named persons were alive or dead , are all serious crimes; these were committed not to ensure security of the state but as dictated by a political agenda, ultimately focused on personal and family gains, and nothing less. The incumbent president should have given instructions to protect the dignity and rights of individuals who were under his sanctuary. He did not. Considering all the above, the Tamils are obliged to vote him out by supporting the main opposition candidate. They cannot abstain.
6) It is important to recognise that a majority of Muslim leaders were with the Government in recent years, some holding cabinet positions, and others receiving various perks. Yet ordinary Muslim people including women and children were subjected to abuse in various forms, physical threats and violence, and forced to live in fear and in indignity for short periods repeatedly. Probably there were some powerful people within the Government who condoned anti-Muslim behaviour. The Muslims should take whatever steps required to eliminate this threat from becoming permanent. As one of the necessary steps, they have to vote out the incumbent President.
7) In order to pursue a single country political solution and permanent reconciliation with the majority using soft power approaches, the Tamil speaking people need to gain the appreciation and support of leaders within the majority community. The incumbent President did have a period of over five years to negotiate with the minorities, work out a settlement and mobilise the support of the Sinhala people for such a settlement. Instead, his Government pursued largely a racist agenda, ignoring the 13th Amendment, recommendations of the LLRC, the Tissa Vitharane Majority Report, and the stated wishes of the regional and international communities. However, many of his political associates focused on making gains perpetuating and exploiting the racial divisions in the country. The Common Opposition has one or two leaders, though they too fought the LTTE with heavy weapons and caused much civilian death and damage, yet, they had at some times in their past, e.g. in 1994 or 2002, argued forcefully and converted a majority of the Sinhala people to accommodate minority grievances. There is little evidence that the present incumbent will ever mobilise the majority community for genuine national reconciliation and to satisfy the minorities.
8) The incumbent had an opportunity to work towards genuine reconciliation by accommodating at least some of the requests of the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC). He promised some positive measures but none were implemented. Apparently these measures were blocked by the supporters of the President’s in the North who were totally rejected by the people at the last provincial elections. The present administration in Colombo is an obstacle to higher level functioning of the NPC. Th e present impasse inhibits large private capital inflow into the North from other parts of Sri Lanka, foreign countries and the Sri Lankan Diaspora. The majority of the population in the North remain economically disadvantaged.
9) The Tamil speaking minorities should recognise that working towards a devolution based solution within a united Sri Lanka is not best served by isolating and focusing on this single race based issue. The Tamil leadership should actively engage in all crucial national issues that are common to all our people. The current Presidential election is one such challenge. The Rajapakse administration can indeed claim credit on several fronts. Among these are their refusal to accept traditional IMF sponsored austerity measures, a minimum commitment to welfare measures, active promotion of foreign employment and infrastructure development with foreign assistance Yet overall, corruption and systemic exploitation of race for political gains, ignoring the huge economic losses from continuing racial conflicts, have wiped out any net flow of benefits to ordinary people. Unprecedented corruption has damaged the economic foundation for stabilising prices and pushed up the cost of living beyond endurance levels. The prospects of sharp rises in per capita incomes would be held back by the punitive national debt linked in part to corruption. The minority communities should look beyond the immediate problems of their communities, and consider national issues as well. It will be very clear that they should vote out the incumbent by casting their ballot for the Common Opposition Candidate.
Sengodan. M / December 20, 2014
A very sensible and analytical viewpoint.
This nails the canards put forward by some extremists in the Tamil diaspora. It is heartening to note that the TNA leadership is close to endorsing this viewpoint.
Sengodan. M
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Amarasiri / December 20, 2014
Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran
RE: Why Should The Tamil Speaking Minorities Vote For Maithripala? – The Progressive Forum
“The Progressive Forum in Colombo has highlighted the importance of Tamil speaking minorities recognizing the crucial nature of the upcoming Presidential elections and on why they should vote for the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena”
Thank You. First things First. Retire Medamulana Mara and the Family dictatorship.
It is good to confirm that the vast majority of Tamil people are not fools, Mootals. Unfortunately they have been misled by Mootal, Foolish politicians and they suffered. True for Muslims and Sinhalese as well. It was the self-interest of the politicians vs, the self-interest of the Politicians.
Spread the Word. Many Tamil Politicians are Mootals, and include the many Muslim and Sinhala Politicians as well, as they represent self-interest.
The Medamulana MaRa dynasty and VP Dynasty are good examples.
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Piranha / December 20, 2014
Wise and responsible advice to the tamil community. Mr Sirisena can’t be worse than Rajapaksa but most importantly the former’s promise of restoration of independent legal system should provide some protection to the tamils from the arbitrary and illegal actions of the Rajapaksa regime.
The TPNF are a bunch of rank idiots whose advice to boycott the election will ensure Rajapaksa’s victory. These morons must be ignored by the tamils.fi
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Javi. / December 21, 2014
“but most importantly the former’s promise of restoration of independent legal system”
you seem to know very little of this parasitic profession- they can never be independent and being 3rd world money changes hands openly.
Even in the UK the police and judiciary are blamed for institutional racism and nothing much can be done even in the near future. what is more the chancellor appoints the judge not the people.
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Amarasiri / December 21, 2014
Piranha
“The TPNF are a bunch of rank idiots whose advice to boycott the election will ensure Rajapaksa’s victory. These morons must be ignored by the tamils.fi”
They are called Tamil Muotals and Tamil Madus..
Mahinda Rajapaksa gave money to LTTE – Mangala – P1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZGihrFETg
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Javi. / December 21, 2014
Amere,
you should tell the pipirecha malu pettha Po.Ai.Ya. then the talathel mole works.
they are dumb stuck to read other than told.
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Yoga / December 20, 2014
Great sumarised content by Dr.Selvi.
Majority of Singelease and tamil speaking politicians have the courage and visdom, we could make Sri Lanka a home for all race, cast and community.
I hope people of Sri Lanka will have the right vision and by their action choose the right leader to be the next president.
We need to build trust and sincerity in our deeds to build new Path for our country.
Please do not lose hope in humanity.
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / December 20, 2014
This is a good and sober analysis of the situation which deserves careful consideration by all Sri Lankans, not only the Tamils. But, Tamils, obviously have the greater interest in the points that are so cogently stated.
It is very true that they have to get rid of Rajapakse, whose regime heaped untold suffering on them, through the killings of large number of civilians, through the continuation of those killings, the rape of Tamil women in the NorthEast and the continued occupation of their lands.
But, is there any guarantee that Sirisena provides an alternative. He is allied to Chandrika Bandaranaike whose hands are also soiled in Tamil blood. Another ally is the JHK which is committed to an archaic policy of Sinhala -Buddhist fundamentalism drawn from the Mahavamsa. The pliant judiciary will continue to be pliant and decide cases against the Tamils from the time of the Kodiswaran Case.
Every leadership change in among the Sinhalese had been supported by the Tamils. Jayawardene and CBK had Tamil support in the hope that they would be kind. They turned out to be the worst.
So, the panacea suggested will not work. Yet, the conclusion of the statement seems correct that the first thing to do is to get rid of Rajapakse.
The other factors like war crimes will have to take place because the international community will insist on it.
This must be done to ensure that there is a deterrence to future Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism which will blight the future of Sri Lanka. Tamils must simply allow the Sinhalese to stew in their own shit and look towards their own salvation. It is true that they should seek to educate the Sinhalese that this is a joint problem that has to be solved either through autonomy or through secession. But, the scene will change if Tamils are allowed to be in peace in their traditional homelands. The vigor of the Tamils will ensure that that the NorthEast will prosper if left alone and perhaps, enable the rest of the country to rise with it.
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crazyoldmansl / December 20, 2014
Can the common candidate make a public declaration that he will in future – unlike in the past – subject himself to the rule of law and not interfere in its implementation especially when his own kith and kin are involved?
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Jim softy / December 20, 2014
this writer does not understand the mentality of their own tamil politicians.
she should first think, Why, when Tamilnadu is a predominately Tamil State do every thing using the world Tamil. It is the Same thing TNA. If they don’t use the word Tamil, there is no other way to unite Tamils. Caste, Wealth, religion are all dividing factors of Tamils. So, politicians have to be Racist and Tribalists.
Think about that, how can Tamil politicians can progress without the Tribal – politics ?
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Sellam / December 20, 2014
Hi Jim Softy
I agree with you. The writer did not live in the North for her to understand the trends prevailing in the North. Sumanthiran did not live in the North. Sampanthan is a Trinco man who doesn’t have any interest in the people of North. They speak something and do nothing.
Any politician should be Sincere, self-sacrifice and unselfish in order to serve the people. There are none. There were two photographs, on the website recently, one was Mavai Senathirajah and Sampanthan, shaking hands with Rajapaksa immediately after the Budget speech. What does that indicates? Another recent photo where there were a group of politicians, wherein Rajapaksa is commenting something and Chief Minister Wigneswaran and Sumanthiran laughing. A great laugh. What does that mean to the Tamil people?
Then again the Tamil politicians are cheating the Tamil population over and over again. Why we blame the Sinhalese politicians.
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Native Vedda / December 21, 2014
Sellam
“Why we blame the Sinhalese politicians.”
Because the Sinhala/Buddhist politicians are cheating the Sinhala/Buddhists in big way unimaginable.
The Sinhala/Buddhist politicians have monopoly over state power, which includes national wealth, income distribution, …. over life and death compared to any Tamil or their party you care to name.
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AVB / December 21, 2014
Sellam says writer does not live in North so doesn’t know trends in the North, he argues the same with Sambandhan who you claimed as Trinco Tamil man. Then how do you expect Sinhalese Executive President and his clan from Colombo knows anything about Tamils live in North?
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Jim softy / December 20, 2014
I forgot to write in my Comment both in Sri Lanka, Tamils are destined to suffer, because it is the Tribal politics.
That is how respective politicians function.
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Ravi / December 21, 2014
“Tamils are destined to suffer”
Jim softy
If the Tamils of Sri Lanka are destined to suffer, they will make sure that the Sinhalese will also suffer along with them. If the Tamils are going down, then they will take the Sinhalese down with them. Right from Elara, not only that the Sinhalese are destined to suffer but also the country has turned into a begging pariah state.
Tamils are the part of the history of this island right from the beginning and they are not going anywhere, they will continue to defend their homeland. If they are made to suffer, they will make sure that the Sinhalese as well as the whole country will suffer along with them.
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Ravi / December 21, 2014
It was only under the leadership of the Sinhala king Rajapakshe that Sri Lanka was put under the surveillance of US and UNHRC for three consecutive years. The Tamils should support the Sinhala King in his crisis hour & wish him Good Luck to win the elections either by hook or by crook so that in the name of winning the war, he can continue to squeeze the balls of the majority Sinhalese for another 6 years.
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Kumar David / December 20, 2014
I am a signatory to this statement, but just after we issued this affirmation of support we received the English and Tamil versions of Sirisena’s manifesto in which he has gone back on his promise to abolish the Executive Presidency.
There will be a meeting on 23 Dec of the NMSJ (Rev Sobitha’s movement) to which I have been invited but am unable to attend. I have requested that the following statement be read out. Let us see if they do!
QUOTE
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Please read out the following statement from me. Please confirm that the statement was presented at the meeting (or do you too wish to practice type democracy that you are condemning?)
“I Kumar David who initiated and campaigned for the abolition of the Executive Presidency CONDEMN the election manifesto of Mr Maithripala Sirisena for going back on the candidates promise to abolish the Executive Presidency.
The people cannot and should not forget the treachery that they have been subjected to four times previously. I call upon the NMSJ and all others to withdraw support for Mr Sirisena unless he amends the manifesto immediately. I strongly urge the public to accept no excuses for this betrayal.”
***************************
END QUOTE
Professor A. K. David
20 December 2014
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Javi. / December 21, 2014
“NMSJ (Rev Sobitha’s movement) to which I have been invited but am unable to attend. I have requested that the following statement be read out. Let us see if they do! “
now that you have said it, thank you we already know the answer.
(kolla passa gahuwa, meka vena baldiyak)
you are not the power there for them to debate in absence.
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radish.S / December 20, 2014
Yes the first thing is to get rid of the current President. If not we will end up in a country like North Korea.Towards this end we all should vote for My3.
After that we expect his government to,
1.Abolish Presidency within a short period.
2.Repeal 18A and bring back 17A.
3.Introduce right to information Act.
4.Introduce Victim and Witness Protection Act.
5.Include Fundamental Rights Application jurisdiction to Provincial High Courts.
6.Pass a new Law by which from the time of the Declaration of a General Election
running of the Country should be in the hands of the Chief Justice (I am talking of a ‘de jure’ Chief Justice not Mohan.P) who will hand over the governance after a new government is installed. A similar suggestion was made by Rajaji when he was the Leader of the Swantra party in India. But even an Elections Commissioner with guts like Seshan was able to run a clean election in India.
If this is done 90% of democracy will be in place.Tamils as well as Muslims will also stand to gain by this.
Then of course the specific problems of the Tamil speaking people should be addressed within the democratic space so created.
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crazyoldmansl / December 20, 2014
We need discipline not thuggery and this must begin with every single person who stands for political office beginning with presidential candidates.
The incumbent is beyond redemption. The common opposition candidate must also apologise for having interfered with the law in order to prevent his son from being prosecuted for assault. He must publicly guarantee that he will personally ensure that the law takes its due course in respect to this incident and his son duly punished.
If he fails to do so not one single person who subscribes to the South Asian commitment to the rule of law will give him their vote.
http://www.hcmadras.tn.nic.in/ruleoflaw01022014.pdf
We need an apology from the common candidate for his past interference with the law and an assurance that he will abjure the prevailing culture of impunity and guarantee that the rule of law will be applied to every citizen including himself and his son and the rest of his kith and kin and that no one by virtue of holding public office will be beyond the reach of the law or its requirements or protected from punishment.
If this apology and guarantee is not made public within forty eight hours a campaign to expose every single political aspirant who has engaged in the subversion of the law and the protection of criminals will commence and escalate until it takes precedence over the presidential election itself.
I do not want to be ruled by criminals any more do you?
I have had enough of the culture of impunity have you?
I have had enough of the double standards on human rights practiced by the USA and its admirers have you?
I have had enough of the cynical subversion of discipline and justice by the philosophy of “shape” have you?
I have had enough of the marginalization of and violence against religious and ethnic minorities have you?
Then lets us insist on due process and let this aspirant to leadership begin with his apology and guarantee if he wants our endorsement and our votes.
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Leon / December 20, 2014
The whole purpose of putting forward a Common Candidate is to abolish the Executive Presidency. Many people will withhold support if now he does not want to abolish the,,EC.,This will result in MR winning the presidential elections.
Why is this moron changing his initial promise to,do,away with EC?.
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Uthungan / December 20, 2014
I always had my reservations about this moron, not only because he could be a mole from the MR stable but also because he was one of those who had faithfully supported the 18thAmedment and went along without a demur to support the PSC when the CJ was impeached.
Habits die hard after all., and the glaring absence of the undertaking to abolish the EP in his manifesto should therefore not be a surprise or disappointment.
That was the reason for my comment in this forum on a previous occasion.’that the Tamils should NOT cast their votes in the elections for the main two contenders, but only in favour of any of the others taking part.’
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Sellam / December 20, 2014
Dr.Selvy Thiruchandran
The reasons raised by you for the Tamils to support the opposition candidate Sirisena are not acceptable by the Tamil people in the North and East. The Tamil people in the North and East do not know the purpose and the objectives of the Progressive forum in the South stands for. Just giving Media news is not worthwhile. What are your objectives?
I doubt whether you could understand the problems of the Tamils in the North and East now after the war and before the war. Definitely not.
In the 1940s during the state council period, the Tamil people were fighting each other calling for votes(pachai peddi and sivathai peddi) Green box and red box to elect a representative in parliament. What did the representatives achieve. Nothing. It continues even today without results. Instead the Tamils are subjugated, imprisoned, murdered, raped, properties confiscated which still continues. The ruthless land grab of the North and East, the flaunting of the military might there indicates the attitude of the majority Sinhalese.
The French have a word for the gloom that envelops them when they knew their race has lost its way.”Morosite” The current morosite of the Tamil people has been ruthlessly exploited by all, Tamil leaders, Sinhala leaders alike.
Sirisena is no different from Rajapaksa. Take it from me. The Tamils are not going to be benefited in this voting. The present Tamil leaders are not going to help the Tamils or achieve anything, otherwise they would not have sought help from India and returned empty handed. They didn’t tell the Tamil people as to what Modi told them at their meeting. The only reason the Tamil people can use their votes for Sirisena is to kick out Rajapaksa and his family. Anyway they are in the Pandora box.
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punchinilame / December 20, 2014
Tamils will find no alternative than vote for anyone opposing MR having
experienced what he as a President will do to its so-called citizens!
A C.P.A. on-line survey conducted beteen 12-16th Dec. among 1394 paticipants reveal a 76% win for Maithiri – the trend has to be noted.
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punchinilame / December 20, 2014
Numbers to play with upto 8-1-15:- Registered Voters for 2013 = 14,762,168, broken up into 22 Districts as detailed below:- (Source: slelection.gov.lk)
Colombo 1,552,734 Gampaha 1,590,076 Kalutara 881,814 Kandy 1,031,980 Matale 373,315 N.Eliya 520,767 Galle 809,882 Matara 608,524 H`tota 455,398 Jaffna 516,989 Vanni 241,935 Batticola 358,205 Amparai 456,942 Trinco 251,690 Kurunega 1,248,987 Puttalam 540,706 A`pura 625,740 Polonaru. 303,192 Badulla 609,965 Moneraga. 332,764 R`pura 795,759 Kegalle 644,803 . Total: 14,762,168
SL^s LAST CHANCE – 10 WISE JUDGES GAVE US THIS CHANCE, 2 yrs. ahead, (thus Mohan P cheated MR in a way!) A CPA on-line survey reveals, inter-alia, that in the 76% win for My3, 38% belong to the 30-45 age category. Food for thought.
for thought.
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Mallaiyuran / December 20, 2014
This person is another Friday Falsdom advocate. Being approved and having a membership in the Falsedom group is the 21st century prestige status.
First thing is her inability to understand the purpose of the CC; that is very big drawback for her. This CC soup is not to drink. There is not enough unity in that to rule. Ranil will never take CBK into a government. Ranil cannot win. If Sirisena wins without a party he cannot run a government. Provided that he abolishes the EP- It is not my prediction though, then there will be nothing on his hand. JVP never ever will allow UNP to take power. It’s UNP styled crocodile administration is the one JVP’s dead enemy. I am not sure, when it is so easy to grasp the nature of CC, why this person is recommending the Tamils to vote for him. Because the truth is she is another Falsdom personality.
1) The main political goals of the present Tamil leadership (i.e.TNA) are broadly to seek maximum possible devolution within a united Sri Lanka….. First, please recognize, it TNA’s idea. It would have been decent if she waited to the TNA’s spokesperson to say or TNA’s lawyers explain that. TNA yet have to make a decision. I would reserve my comments until TNA make a decision on the election and explains it to public of why did they do that. TNA can make a decision to match a situation that is so loose and dynamic. But their honesty will come out only if they compare and contrast and explain it with the Vaddukkodai resolution.
2) The proposals of the opposition to promote a more democratic parliament, an independent judiciary and a less corrupt administration are not without considerable significance to Tamils. That is something nowhere said. No Sinhala Intellectual is claiming that the EP system will be removed. Filp flopping between 17th and 18th is not going change the Sinhala Intellectual mentality that has grown thick and well footed from 1948. There is no way to fix it. The other regime (it is not the opposition party to the ruling regime) has flatly refused to talk with TNA on any issue. Ranil said to Sampanthar that watered down 13th is the final. Period! Now, disappointed Sampanthar has stopped meeting Ranil. So they hired this woman to talk for TNA.
3) Consider corruption. Large scale state sector corruption in the nation affects all people including ordinary people in the North and East. Nearly a third of all funds allocated for projects to the North are being lost due to wastage and/or corruption. In the recent period, ………….Jaffna would receive greater economic benefits from comparable funds allocated under a clean administration in Colombo.. Bravo ! I am wondering if the Name Colombo is spelled correctly here or if it were the city meant here. This is an utter useless talk. When was in the in the history that “clean administration Colombo”, especially it is being directed towards Tamils, happened? Didn’t Colombo start its cleanliness with disenfranchising the Tamils Pariahs 1948? Is that what this person is referring?
50% commission was demanded on Nooraisoolai. How is that? Sweet for the Sinhala Buddhist?
Tamils problem is not, no fund or the Fund did not come intact from Colombo. Japan wanted to bring 4 hour Train service between Colombo and Jaffa in 1970s. There was no permission. It is not because Yarl Devi money won’t come into their pocket. It is not the reason they brought Sinhala only and forced all the Tamil government servants to resign. That is not why they nationalized the schools and put the Tamil children out of the school. The Sinhala Intellectuals intention was complete destruction of Tamils. The only solution is the Sinhala Intellectual’s administration should get out of the North and east. For that, Vaddukkodai was a platform. This election is not one. If the Sinhala Intellectuals are ready to conduct a referendum as in the way it is in the Voddullpddai Resolution, in parallel, thenTamils can vote to the referendum.
4) The Tamil voters are obliged to examine the suitability of each candidate before deciding to vote or abstain. Several issues reflect adversely on the incumbent. There was broad consensus especially among the majority Sinhala community that the LTTE should be militarily crushed. The Government could have won the war with minimal civilian casualties If somebody’s opinion is that the war could have been won with lesser damage they should have come forward during the war time and had made it understood by the foreign counties that were giving arms and the government that was using those lethal weapons and destroying the Tamils. The foreign countries were thinking that the wars cannot be easily won, so they provided the excuse that the LTTE was holding the Tamil Peoples as shield and IC allowed the government to destroy the peoples. If the LTTE has been using the people as human shield, the IC should have sent in more staff to protect the people from LTTE. But in contrast, to facilitate this they recalled the UN and other NGO staff. It is acceptable that the Tamils should consider their options and the trends they show from 1948. Falsedom people should not wrongly program them.
5) The post war treatment of the captured combatants and non-armed civilian employees of the LTTE who surrendered to the Army after the end of the war, Prime Minister David Cameron used CHOGM to protest against the government policy. He quoted from Churchil to show magnanimity to to the one lost in the war. Others boycotted the CHOGM. Falsedom people were cozy with the government that time. Now it is standing that the Muslims and North-east People are the one holding the King making vote. So the falsedom people are advocating to full surrender to their selection of regime, without Tamils even ask for any agreement with this regime or the other regime.
6) It is important to recognize that a majority of Muslim leaders were with the Government in recent years, some holding cabinet positions, ………… they have to vote out the incumbent President. Everybody do know the purpose of the formation of the BBS. Muslims did not vote for SLFP in the last election. Generally they are with the UNP. In this election too they will vote for UNP, without considering any right or wrong on that. Unlike Tamils and TNA, there is a vast gap exist between the Muslim population and Kaheem group that is even wider than the Sinhala Intellectuals and the Sinhala Buddhist. In all three communities, it is the Muslims who has the least honest leadership. Those who do not understand the Muslims situation should not advise them.
7) In order to pursue a single country political solution and permanent reconciliation with the majority using soft power approaches, the Tamil speaking people need to gain the appreciation and support of leaders within the majority community. The incumbent President did have a period of over five years to negotiate with the minorities, This is what will happen when somebody else ask you to write on a web forum and you come and write for them. Its better the faledom people start to read the Lankan history after the freedom and what happened to the pacts Tamils made with the Sinhala Intellectual by supporting them in their governments. Tamils do not want the unitary or single country solutions anymore. This paragraph was written as tribute to CBK. It did not mention her name because of the reason that it will produce the backlash from Tamil community. Again, this person has extreme weak idea of what the kind of government that can be produced with this type of CC. She must understand that this CC was put together only to be dismantled after election. The guy who gained by this effort has changed his mind and is trying to hang on to the power. If he wins, that will be a more terrible situation than it is now. If he wants to rule, another election has be conducted to form a government that will has the capacity to rule the country. If it can go up to that level, then there are no hedges established that the incumbent president will not be able to capture the power in that.
8) The incumbent had an opportunity to work towards genuine reconciliation by accommodating at least some of the requests of the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC). First thing falsedom people has to answer the government claim that from the time when the North-East Provincial Government was dissolved by Ranils’ past UNP government, this was the one conducted the election for North. It is unlikely the diaspora is investing in North-east if the Rice Mill Muthalali manipulates the election with the idea of showing the North-East and sucking from them. On the other side, the JR’s UNP that forced the Tamils to leave the country is not going to easily accommodate them either. These are only illusion until a Tamils’ government come into realty for North- East.
9) The Tamil speaking minorities should recognise that working towards a devolution based solution within a united Sri Lanka is not best served by isolating and focusing on this single race based issue This is again the same combination of lack of understanding of the political process and rushing to twist the situation for their advantage. Tamils do not need any lessons from Falsedom peoples; whether this is arrogant attitude or not. On the last negotiation table TNA had put a proposal and waiting for the reply. It is the Sinhala Intellectual leaders have to decide whether they want the Tamils live with them with equal status. If they don’t Tamils has to agitate the IC for their freedom, because IC is the one put Tamils under the Sinhala Intellectual. Portuguese captured us using mercenary soldiers or Sinhala traitors. Without our consent to give us to Holland. They gave us to Britain and they gave us to Sinhala Intellectual.
In a Mullaitivu election campaign the King has asked Tamils to forget about the past and vote for him. If the Tamils like to forget DS, JR and Premandasa and vote for the SLFP-Sirisena and CBK why not forget about what the King did and vote for him?
So far only one candidate still has not refused to dismantle the EP system is the King. If the Falsedon arguments can hold, it is the candidate who has space to eliminate the EP is the one deserve the votes from Tamils. So are they asking Tamils to vote for the King.
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Agnos / December 21, 2014
Mallaiyuran,
I am sorry, but I don’t see in all your rambling discourses
any rational argument as to what the Tamils will gain by not voting
for the common candidate?
Even in the worst case he can’t be any worse than the Rajapaksas.
If people don’t like Sirisena later they will vote him out at the next election.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2014
Annai Annai!
If the Sinhala Intellectual are able understand even the very simple things like 1+1=2, would it have been possible to stage one after other so many super stars on the top countries position from the day one the freedom was gained to until now? Why do tell me that you did not understand something? Even your super star JR could not change the man into woman. Do you think I can change your Sinhala intellectual and make you a different person and put you to understand something here after?
Sirisena is person put into prision by UNPyers for his terrorist activities. Not King.
Would you vote for CV if he stand for EP? Did you answer when Kusal Perera asked that question here in the CT? What the UNP did for Tamils to come ask for a vote? If Tamil hates somebody they have right to do so. Others should not attempt to force them not to. Sinhalese hates Tamils. They did not accept CV as a candidate. Tamils hates Sinhala Intellectuals. They do not want to vote for anyone of them.
Out of all the main parties, in the North, UNP had the least votes in the NPC election. Everybody insisted that Tamils had to vote for Fonseka in the last election. We voted. The Sinhala Buddhist reacted. He went to prison. When Fonseka went to NPC election, it was his party did not get even one vote in many seats.
Do you get it now why the Tamils should not vote for My3
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Agnos / December 21, 2014
l am a Tamil American, originally from Vadamaradchi.
I have been commenting in these forums for several years.
I broadly support the TNA. But if Tamils don’t vote for Sirisena and allow MR to return to power, what benefit do you see?
Some people think allowing Rajapaksa to stay in power will make the international community to help the Tamils. The same people who took the Tamils to Nandikadal and saw clearly that the international community doesn’t care about Tamils, are misleading Tamils again.
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Taraki / December 21, 2014
‘Some people think allowing Rajapaksa to stay in power will make the international community to help the Tamils’.
Agnos you are right. The Balu Sena starting their activities by visiting Norway seems to make sense now.
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BbS Scum / December 23, 2014
A Taraki was scared to jump. (from government spoils)
His instructor told him, “If anything goes wrong, say,
`Buddha oh Buddha’ and you will be saved.”
The Taraki got so scared that he forgot to pull his rip cord.
So he said, “Buddha oh Buddha,” and a hand came out and saved him.
He said, “Thank God,” and he was dropped. JHU- on sangria.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2014
So Which people took them to 1956, 1958, 1961, 1977,1983, loss of all government jobs that loss the 65% hold to down 2%, losing all leading A grade High school form 20 nothing by 1970?
What did gained by voting to Sinhala parties from 1948. Didn’t you get benefit of decided into Thoodakkaadaan, Chauni, Yaarlppaanaththaan, Maddakkalappaan? That is not enough for?
If you had read the Faledom forum woman’s easy you your questions suggest that you are not normal?
I do not have to gain anything to protect my self from further deterioration that as a continuation of from 1948.
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Agnos / December 21, 2014
Mallaiyuran,
You are simply emotional and repeating the history of violence by the other side, without making any logical arguments.
You are not making any outcome-based arguments. How did you conclude that if Sirisena were elected, you would see ‘further deterioration’ from what is there now?
It was during the CBK presidency that the Sinhalese public came close to accepting a federal solution; after the Norway talks exploring a solution, explicitly ruling out a separate country, even the normally hard line Island newspaper editorially welcomed it, saying that the con-federal model should also be ruled out, implicitly accepting a federal solution.
And it was during her tenure, despite attempts to suppress the evidence, a semblance of genuine investigation was conducted into the Krishanthi gang-rape and murder by SL military and some soldiers were punished.
Unfortunately some people who advised the LTTE had no understanding of such nuances. They had no understanding that the Sinhalese polity’s psychological make-up is such that, in the matter of Tamil ethnic question, anyone to the left of Ranil-CBK is not electable.
It has always been a fantasy of some people that India, the EU, UK or the US will come to their aid and secure them an independent state. This fantasy has been encouraged by some expatriates who have a an exaggerated sense of their importance in their host countries, based on a bloated sense of their professional accomplishments, which are in fact much less than what the Indian or Chinese diasporas have achieved.
Tamils should realize the international community is in no way going to help them get any solution, except possibly nudging the country toward a better human rights record and a solution close to the Indian model. Tamils have no choice but to find ways to work with future Sinhalese leaders. Even more so now, because close to a million have migrated to foreign countries and others have migrated to Colombo and other cities. This has been an unintended consequence of the decision to start an armed struggle, but it has fundamentally changed the character of the desired and possible solution.
I will leave it to you to chew on that and end my postings in this thread.
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Javi. / December 22, 2014
“”l am a Tamil American, originally from Vadamaradchi.¬
Clearly you must think like the `begging bowl` not the `charity` of Europe.
(the greatest happiness is the movement of the bowels- where are you obese yankee rule)
Democracy is western charity not sitting on money box like Ambani- stupid north hindian
66 years of stupidy rule! The picture book island that was left is all shrouded in 600k women in medieval middle east as menials sex on call- India and Pakistan have banned- see the growth of the Tamil speaking Muslim catalyst in the chapeaus!
Can you enlighten us as to why anyone should endorse the continuation of Sihala Buddhist only governance please?? Look at prosperous Bahrain with no resources- who rules but the minority.
Like the US all are hora oru in the land at some stage or other.
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n.ethirveerasingam / December 21, 2014
Dr. S. Thirchandran and the “Progressive Forum”
Your Forum statement, “9) The Tamil speaking minorities should recognise that working towards a devolution based solution within a united Sri Lanka is not best served by isolating and focusing on this single race based issue.” has issues that the PF need to reconsider.
1. Tamils and for that matter the Muslims or the Sinhalese are not “races.”
2. Tamils or Muslims are not anybodies “minorities.” Nor are Sinhalese anyone’s ‘majority’. The Terms ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ are when for eg in a Forum such as PF votes on a press release would have a majority and a Minority voting for or against the statement. In another press release the members who voted for or against may be composed of different individuals. So there are no permanent minority or majority. Sinhalese are a linguistic or ethnic group higher in numbers than the Tamil and Muslim ethnic groups that are less in number. The individuals do not switch from one ethnic group to the other. They are permanent members of their Group until they declare to be in another group. Hope PF will recognise the difference in their future press releases.
3. Most places you have correctly referred to the Tamil people and referred to Tamil and Muslim people as Tamil speaking people. But elsewhere referred to them as ‘minorities.’ That to me is offensive. Tamils and Muslims are a people with rights and obligations to their community, other communities in the world.
4. Tamil people demands are based on their rights. Those aspirations are not race based as you suggest. They are, as much as the Sinhala people, are sovereign. Any solution should recognise it if we are to arrive at a solution that would lead to reconciliation and peace.
I am still an undecided voter. So far neither candidate has offered any solution to the problem on which both communities fought a 30-year war. I was witness to the last 15 years of it. The CC and his supporters’ Manifesto has nothing but promises on less, corruption, more media freedom etc. It does not recognise the Tamil voter’s fundamental concern on which most fought or supported the war like most of the Sinhala voters supported the war from the opposite side. Both candidates are avoiding the Tamil issues and concern, and making noises that would please the majority of Sinhala voters.
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Uthungan / December 21, 2014
Thank you Ethir for explaining the actual realities to the good lady in the PF.
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punchinilame / December 21, 2014
The bombs are ready to go off – so why discuss voting, when eventually
no PE will take place and MR will proceed to last at least for 2 yrs.
The situation can be changed to suit MR.
[Edited out]
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n.ethirveerasingam / December 21, 2014
Mallayuran.
A measured and appropriate response. I wonder whether the Progressive Forum would have made a different response if they could have waited till the CC released his Manifesto and studied it. May be PS should try again.
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Stanislaus / December 21, 2014
Ethirveerasingham:
“A measured and appropriate response” from Malaiuran? You must be kidding!
I thought it was an incoherent and confusing comment.
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Bensen Burner / December 21, 2014
Selvi is right. The first and foremost priority for the Tamils and the Muslims is to get rid of the Rajapaksas. Once this is done the other attendant needs and priorities could be worked out. At this juncture it is unwise on the part of the TNA to prevaricate and distract the Tamil people from their current focus to get rid of the Rajapaksa and along with them the criminal and thief Devananda, a plague on their life.Bensen
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Lanka Watch / December 21, 2014
TNA has taken the right decision this time and in the process of advising the Tamil people to vote for the person of their choice.They need not spoon feed as to whom they should vote as they are experienced
enough,politically and will decide based on how the Tamil issues were
handled in the past. Meantime TNA should ignore the EP elections and try to form a broader coalition with more Tamils parties, preferably
with Muslims of the East too and gather more vote bank and be in a position of strength with more MPs after the next parliamentary
election, which follows the EP election.
The Tamil voters are in a dilemma as both the candidates have not come
forward with any proposals to solve the burning issues of the Tamils,
whose votes will decide the winner. The manifesto of the ruling party
is not come out yet and sure it will contain some overtures,which may
attract the Tamils and votes will get divided and it does not matter to poor Tamils as to who wins tho’ the elite may think other wise.
There is no clear difference in the type of rule as both want presidential type of rule and not the West minister style of governing,
which Ven. Sobitha Thero and the educated class recommend, where people’s reps will have a say and PM will be in Parliament to answer questions on day to day problems. Right now the Tamils are angered by the arrogant approach of both parties, ignoring the major minority people, occupying two provinces and elsewhere, fearing back lash from the majority, whose minds are brainwashed to treat Tamils as aliens and not fellow citizens
Its a matter of prestige for Tamils all over SL,and to act in defiance of the insult perpetrated against the major minority community and they should keep this mind, when voting
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Abimanu / December 21, 2014
Mallaiyuran, Ethirveerasingam & Uthangan
You are rambling on about the past and the fact that neither Mahinda Rajapakse nor Maithripala Srisene has promised anything to the Tamils.
So, in essence, what are you suggesting?
(i)Keep Mahinda Rajapakse in power by voting for him, or (ii) Replace him by voting for Maithripala Srisena or (iii) not vote at all, thereby possibly paving the way for the re-election of Mahinda Rajapakse?
True, we don’t know how Maithripala Srisena will tackle the Tamils grievances; But equally true, we know how Mahinda Rajapakse has tackled the Tamil grievances.
But essentially, irrespective of what the panacea either of them have for the Tamil grievances, shouldn’t one exercise his/her vote to get rid of the one who has brought about untold disaster to the Tamils, not done anything to meet the political aspirations of the Tamils despite his executive powers and 2/3rd majority in the parliament and continue to subjugate the Tamils in every way, giving ‘pride of place’ to the Tamil ‘turn-coats’ but is also an affront to democracy and democratic institutions and a citadel for corruption and nepotism and therefore join/ identify with the section of the Sinhalese masses who want a change?
The fact is that the Tamils have, by our own actions and political bankruptcy and short term selfish gains by individuals who claimed to represent us, alienated themselves from the mainstream Sri Lankan politics. It is not just the Sinhalese government to be blamed for it—we too have worked “hard” for it and in the process brought our Tamil brethren living in the North & East mired in deaths, destruction and degeneration and to lose their lands, economy and to be controlled by the presence of a large swathe of army.
No Sinhalese leaders now want to enter into agreement with us or even appear to have one, lest they lose the Sinhalese votes by the other contending party shouting ‘Tamil conspiracy with international support’. The Tamils have become “untouchables”—like how we treated the so called underprivileged people classifying them as “untouchables” in our own society: that is, have association with them, visiting their home for ‘toddy’ or other ‘past time’ activities if possible but don’t show the association in the open or public.
Forget about what the Sinhalese are doing –think what we should be doing—In your fantasy gloating about the past glory or whining on what the Sinhalese leaders have done to us in the past and dreaming the prospect of a “deliverance” by some party, be it internal or external, don’t lose even the loin cloth that you have led yourself to wear now.
Surely, we can take this as a chance to mend our ways.
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The Owl of Minerva / December 22, 2014
Abimanyu:
You are right on the mark.
Reading the comments of Ethiveerasingam, Malaiuran and Uthungan calls to mind an old saying.”I can take care my enemies,but God save me from my friends”.The Tamils should be thinking this when contemplating what their spokesmen have been doing and saying for these many years….
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Javi. / December 22, 2014
`Forget about what the Sinhalese are doing –think what we should be doing—`
Still washing khyber pass with bare hands?? We want you to be cannibals and we place our money on that cause- lets have fun tatte motte putthe
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
SHUT UP AND ENJOY THE MUSIC!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Still washing khyber pass with bare hands
From a Picture Book Island to 66 years of
Sihala Buddhist Begging Bowl Rule.
Freedom is plucked never given- independence to Ceylon was an accident waiting to happen.
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n.ethirveerasingam / December 22, 2014
Abimanju and The Owl of Minerva,
The choices available to the Tamils are not limited to the three you mention. You are welcome to limit yourself to those choices. But please do not abuse those people who can, capable and want to explore other options that are available short of armed conflict.
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Abimnanu / December 22, 2014
Ethirveerasingam
Pray, do tell us what exactly are “the choices available to the Tamils that are not limited to the three I have mentioned” particularly in the context of the current presidential elections.
I certainly have no intention of abusing anyone; it may be that unfortunately when facts are expressed as they are and if they are not palatable to one’s already entrenched position or amenable to one’s emotive outlook, it would appear to look like ‘abuse’. But facts are facts. I am very interested in a constructive dialogue that would lead the Tamils to the position of serious stakeholders and positive participants in the wider Sri Lankan polity and put a halt to their further degeneration and rot that they are undoubtedly led into and now sliding into.
Please tell us and I am curious (and so will be many others) to be in the “know” and get enlightened as to who are “the people who can and are capable of” and more importantly what are “the other options that are available that they want to explore” that you have mentioned– but please, let the options be in the context of the political realities and not on illusions of grandeur or impracticable idealism or idle comfort that would only satisfy vanity.
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Javi. / December 23, 2014
” But facts are facts.”
I wish I knew!
All adversaries generally utter nonsense and to appreciate nonsense requires a serious interest in life.
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