By Dayan Jayatilleka –
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
On Oct 8th 2020, the day that a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (and a former Foreign Minister) arrived in Sri Lanka, a State Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka frontally criticized India and Prime Minister Modi in the Sri Lankan Parliament.
The Associated Press (AP) gave the politician a promotion in its rendition of the story, but captured the essence of what happened. The story was captioned ‘Sri Lankan minister criticizes India for power-sharing call’ and kicked-off thus:
“A Sri Lankan minister said Thursday that India has no moral right to interfere in the country’s internal affairs by insisting on power sharing with minority Tamils because New Delhi failed to fulfil its obligations under a 1987 agreement to disarm separatist rebels and ensure an end to Sri Lanka’s civil war. Provincial Councils Minister Sarath Weerasekara’s comments in Parliament are seen as the island nation’s response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request last month to his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa, for the full implementation of constitutional provisions for power sharing with Tamil minority regions…”
The Modi-MR summit was cordial, cooperative and non-contentious until the morning after. The Weerasekara onslaught would surely make the South Block and indeed any Foreign Ministry in any capital, wonder as to his status in relation to that of our PM. Who responds to Indian Prime Minister Modi for the Sri Lankan government, on a point he made during the virtual summit? The PM? The Foreign Minister? Or State Minister Weerasekara?
If the timing was a blunder, the PM or Foreign Minister should have clarified in Parliament that the State Minister’s view was his own. The President should have pulled him up. But the next day, October 9th, when the high-level talks with China were underway, the same State Minister followed up his anti-Indian attack with another, at a public event.
Weerasekara is a member of the ruling SLPP, of Viyathmaga and Eliya, and a close confidante of the President. The landmark Viyathmaga second convention at the Shangri-La Hotel in mid-2018 which showcased Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Presidential candidate, opened with the on-screen image, showing Gotabaya Rajapaksa with only one other person in the frame, leaning over the shoulder of the seated GR—and that was Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara (Retd.). He has been handpicked by the President to be in charge of the Provincial Councils, a subject which has stood for thirty-five years at the political interface of the Indo-Lanka relationship. His Oct 8th 2020 speech in Parliament warrants review.
Firstly, he went head-on for the Prime Minister of a neighboring country and not just any neighboring country. India is our closest neighbor and there is a colossal asymmetry of power between our two states. He lashed out at the Indian PM at a time in which there is no polemic between India and Sri Lanka; therefore, it was not in self-defense. Prime Minister Modi only reiterated what he had said many times before, and indeed, stopped short of reminding the regime that its present PM and President (as Secretary/Defense and ‘Troika’ member) had made the same promise to India during wartime. With disrespectful testiness the State Minister said:
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked our Prime Minister to implement the 13th Amendment although the amendment is an internal affair of this country. When foreign governments adversely commented on India’s abrogation of Article 370 from its Constitution, accusing India of scrapping the special status given to people in troubled Jammu and Kashmir region there, our prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa when asked to comment said that it was an internal matter of India. Knowing that the 13th Amendment is an internal matter of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi is asking for its implementation does not show the same reciprocation. Some interpret that PM Modi is asking so on the mandate of Indo-Lanka Accord. But the question is whether India has adhered to its own commitments specified in the Indo-Lanka Accord. The 13A is not even mentioned in the Accord. The Accord is something forced down on us by India.”.
Secondly, Weerasekara articulated the position that India has no right to request the implementation of the 13th amendment.
“It should also be asked whether the agreement was signed under duress, or whether contents of the agreement compromised Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. When our forces were about to crush the LTTE and capture LTTE leader Prabhakaran at Vadamarachchi, India violated our airspace and dropped food and medicine in Jaffna famously known as dhal dropping operation of India.
Also, it mentions Trincomalee Harbor and Oil Tank Farm. The Sri Lankan courts have nullified the merger of the northern and eastern provinces which was one of the clauses of the Accord.
So, there is a serious concern about the validity of the agreement and if it is not valid, India has no moral right to interfere in our internal affairs.” (Ibid)
Thirdly, he engages in a surreal judgment of Nehru and a grotesque denunciation of one of the most rational and socially progressive South Indian, Indian and perhaps even South Asian political figures—Periyar. He denounces Periyar’s agitation against the oppressive, Brahminic caste system– which the Buddha radically dissented from– as fascistic (“Nazi-style anti-Brahmanism”).
“…Let India be reminded that soon after its Independence there was a separatist movement by the Dravidians. EVR Periyar advocated Nazi style anti Brahmanism. That is why Jawaharlal Nehru broke India into 28 linguistic states…”
Periyar was influenced by his tours of the Soviet Union and was regarded as socialistic, if not Marxist-influenced. It is hardly surprising that Sinhala-Buddhist supremacism and casteism – or one may say, anti-anti-casteism– should go hand in hand.
Except in the imagination of Sri Lanka’s State Minister for Provincial Councils, Nehru did not “break” India “into” anything. India has not been “broken” into 28 states. The Nehruvian model of linguistic states is universally acclaimed as a success in keeping together large concentrations of diverse people, preventing actual break-up over a long period, which many countries have failed to do. Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar hosted and addressed an international conference at the BMICH on “The Indian Model of Federalism” because he thought we should adapt (not adopt) it.
Fourthly, Weerasekara made clear that he, who is placed in charge of the Provincial Councils, stood opposed to the Province as the unit of devolution –and so too did the regime. This is reflected in his use of the term “we”. He outlines what must be regarded as the position of the GR regime:
“Here, we talk about devolution of power with the province as the unit with provisions for mergering (sic) two provinces…So, Balkanization of Sri Lanka into provincial governments through 13A will invariably affect the existing unity of India. The promoter will then become the victim…That is why the experts say power should never be devolved on the basis of ethnicity. The 13th Amendment provides for ethnic enclaves. We know the devolution of power as opposed to decentralization and result in the division of our nation.”
…So, we do not believe in the devolution of power but of course in decentralization up to the lowest levels. The Centre must retain the power. Our culture of governance was centered with the ruling king…” (Ibid)
On October 9th, with the high-level Chinese delegation meeting the President and the PM, Weerasekara criticized Prime Minister Modi at a televised public event, and made the utterly significant declaration that “devolution means the sharing of power. We must eliminate the term from our political vocabulary.”
The State Minister for Provincial Councils reveals that the regime categorically rejects (a) the very idea of a negotiated political solution to the Tamil Question based on cross-district/provincial semi-autonomy, dating back to the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact of 1957 and (b) the outcome and premises of Indian diplomatic engagement with Sri Lanka over the Tamil question for almost four decades. The ‘double rejectionism’ is total.
Absent any disclaimer, one assumes Weerasekara has a greenlight to articulate the paradigmatic perspective of the Gotabaya presidency. The perspective has a huge strategic blind-spot:
1. Sri Lanka is no longer simply on the doorstep of the regional sub-superpower; it is now located on the doorstep of a member of ‘The Quad’, a quasi-military strategic alliance covering the Indo-Pacific vastness, with implications for the global balance.
2. Delhi may not run the risk of sowing the seeds of long-run disaffection in its strategically vital Southern cone, Tamil Nadu, by being perceived as abandoning the Sri Lankan Tamils to their fate at the hands of hawkish Sinhala supremacism.
3. Delhi may not risk being perceived by friends and rivals alike, as permitting the unilateral redefinition of the content of a bilateral accord by a neighboring small state whose power-elite has turned it into a dependency/political stronghold of China.
4. Delhi is hardly likely to risk being perceived not only in its traditional sphere of influence the neighborhood, but also among its Quad partners, the larger Indo-Pacific region, and most especially in Beijing, as a ‘Paper Tiger’.
5. Colombo’s imaginary Godfather in the 1980s, President Reagan—and in the current regime’s imagination, probably President Xi– sent his special envoy Gen. Vernon Walters with a message for President Jayewardene: “settle it with India”. No rising Great Power can enable Colombo to bypass or ignore axiomatic geostrategic reality.
State Minister Weerasekara spoke in the plural, uses the terms “we” and “our”, both in and out of Parliament. Would this or any other State Minister attack President Trump or President Xi in the manner that Weerasekara attacked Prime Minister Modi and India? Would the President and PM have let him? Would the US or Chinese Embassy have remained totally silent?
The GR regime has forgotten Sri Lanka’s isolation in 1987, when in a rare consensus during the Cold War, the USA and the USSR (not to mention Castro’s Cuba) supported India’s Accord initiative. The combination of (a) relinquishing Nonalignment (b) recoil from India and provincial devolution and (c) faith in a distant power –the USA in the 1980s, China in 2020, and Israel then and now– is the exact formula that led to our isolation, and is being recycled.
If India focuses southwards on perceived Chinese political influence on its perimeter and a renewed, post-election USA (under whichever administration) focuses eastward on a determined containment or rollback of Chinese influence, a China-dependent, China-model Sri Lanka under its imprudently involuted power-elite led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, could be caught in the crunch.
old codger / October 22, 2020
“EVR Periyar advocated Nazi style anti Brahmanism. That is why Jawaharlal Nehru broke India into 28 linguistic states”
If this is how a “Rear Admiral rtd.) understands Nehru’s motives, it only exposes:
1 The casteist predilections of the
speaker.
2 The intellectual level of persons promoted to high military ranks.
3 The quality of education that produces such individuals.
Sinhala Buddhists are not known for finesse in their relations with others (eg.1983) .Even their alleged religious leaders are better known for giant chips on their shoulders than ascetism.
It could be that Gota is behind Weerasekara, but if he isn’t, this sort of world-view is what you would expect from a half-educated Sinhala supremacist who attained his rank only due to his ethnicity and murdering skills.
/
Native Vedda / October 23, 2020
old codger
–
You got to be careful when you criticise Dayan.
I never knew he was trained gunner:
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2019/11/08/such-men-are-dangerous/
He poses with an Automatic Rifle possibly an AK 74 just like the VP.
–
I am yet to learn as to why these self appointed armchair strategists and actors (Seeman) want to pose with guns that is usually longer than their arms and heavier than than one can bear. Is it because guns seem to be substitute for lack of Testosterone or give comfort to their cowardice?
/
old codger / October 25, 2020
Native,
What have you got against Dr. DJ ?
He is such a great guy, even though he can’t stop talking about his PhD, his father, Fidel, Gramsci, Smart Patriotism, how clever he was at the UN, etc.
/
leelagemalli / October 26, 2020
Old codger,
.
I dont think you were born yesterday.
:
DJ may be a such a great great guy.. but for how long ?
:
DJ was no consistent… when he gets bored of writing, and would want to get posted to somewhere, he would go back to his GOD FATHER- mafia boss MR.
/
Native Vedda / October 26, 2020
old codger
–
“What have you got against Dr. DJ ?”
–
I have nothing against Dayan.
He used to be a war monger, then a war crime denier, he is a racist, he takes 64 positions all at the same time, he used to carry Mahinda’s b***s, the hopper Sirisena, pro provincial council, anti provincial council elections, prominent supporter of public racist Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa, …. Pro Tamil liberation, anti Tamil liberation, pro democracy, anti democracy, ………………. when he stops his roller coaster ride and tell us what he really believes in.
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
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
/
Eagle Eye / October 24, 2020
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
/
Eagle Eye / October 24, 2020
Old Codger,
“Sinhala Buddhists are not known for finesse in their relations with others”
—
Sinhala Buddhists demonstrated their finesse in their relations with others by giving citizenship to the descendants of Dravidians brought by colonial rulers and abandoned in this country, giving free education, free health services and jobs. It was Demala people who did not have finesse in their relations with Native Sinhalayo. After what Sinhalayo did to Demala people, they stabbed in the back of Sinhalayo.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 25, 2020
Mahindapala, demonstration of finesse first took place 2500 years ago when gang of criminals threw out the people who gave them asylum and usurped their land. Subsequently there was finesse by these people who surrendered to Pandyan kings to get protection from Chola invasion. Whether finesse by present gang of criminals in power in surrendering to China to get protection from Indian invasion will work or not, we have to wait and see.
/
Rajash / October 22, 2020
After the virtual Modi-MR summit, MR was asked at a local press briefing , what was said about 13A.
MR replied I cant remember discussing 13A.
But Modi’s press briefing to Indian media sated to the words that Modi insisted on 13A to MR and he agreed.
So MR is a two faced so and so
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
Rajash,
When Prime Minister Modi called on the Government of Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka, including by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a diplomatic way told that Sri Lanka will work towards realizing the expectations of all ethnic groups, including Tamils, by achieving reconciliation nurtured as per the mandate of the people of Sri Lanka and implementation of the Constitutional provisions.
Modi was talking only of the aspirations of the Tamil people but Mahinda Rajapakse’s response was that he is responsible for all the communities just not the Tamils and hence he focuses on the expectations of all ethnic groups, including the Tamils.
/
Rajash / October 24, 2020
You are not getting my point
“Mahinda Rajapakse’s response to Modi was I will do what ever you say as long as you renew the loan for another 5 years
“Mahinda Rajapakse’s message to people like you is “I told Modi to get lost”
you guys are so gullible
/
Eagle Eye / October 24, 2020
Rajash,
When Prime Minister Modi called on the Government of Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka, including by carrying forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a diplomatic way told that Sri Lanka will work towards realizing the expectations of all ethnic groups, including Tamils, by achieving reconciliation nurtured as per the mandate of the people of Sri Lanka and implementation of the Constitutional provisions.
Modi was talking only of the aspirations of the Tamil people but Mahinda Rajapakse’s response was that he is responsible for all the communities just not the Tamils and hence he focuses on the expectations of all ethnic groups, including the Tamils.
/
leelagemalli / October 26, 2020
This is a known fact.
–
Prior to PE, MR et al were saying never would they be dependent on Muslims.
.
As of today, how it worked out with 20A, ballige puthas have to shut both ends and stay as if a defeated dog sought hiding his tail.
–
MR or anyone born to that abusive family has never been honest to the people. People majority of voters behave like MERCY cows not knowing the truths. They are easy targets of the PREDATORY politicians of RAJAPAKSHE nature.
/
Ajith / October 22, 2020
Weerasekra is a mouthpiece of Gotabaya. The external policies of Gotabaya is anti- India but pro-China.
I don’t know exactly what is Mahinda’s stand on India but at the moment Mahinda Rajapakse’s mind and mouth are shut and he is a looser in every aspect. Gotabaya’s internal policies are anti-minorities and pro- Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalism. Sri Lanka defeated LTTE because of India and Western Nations, not because of China. Weerasekekra may tell that LTTE was at the blink of defeated in 1987 but he also should know that Srilanka was blink of defeated in the hands of LTTE in 2000 but saved by India. In Srilanka surprises happen so frequently and there is no restriction for another surprise within few years. Sri Lanka should people should think carefully. Over confidence and Self Heroism may divide this nation into pieces.
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
Ajith
Let us wait until the decision on MCC.
The hold that the US has on the government is strong.
I doubt if India takes Weerasekera any more seriously than it took Weerawansa.
If they did they would have summoned our High Commissioner in Delhi.
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
Ajith,
India and Western countries did not supply arms and ammunition to defeat Tamil terrorists but China and Pakistan did. That is why Sinhalayo are grateful to these countries.
Over confidence of Prabhakaran dragged Demalu to Nandikadal. Anyone who try to give another surprise will drag Demalu to Nandikadal.
—
“Sri Lanka defeated LTTE because of India and Western Nations, not because of China.”
/
SJ / October 24, 2020
EE
Ajit is right.
China only supplied arms on requested, as did Pakistan. No more.
The West supplied arms both directly and indirectly.
The US and India played a crucial role in drowning ten LTTE supply ships in 2008.
The US was a valuable source of intelligence especially after they gained access to LTTE controlled East on pretext of assisting with tsunami relief in 2004.
India was directly involved in military operations, especially in the last several monthsa and injuries suffered by Indian military personal was hushed.
It was India that stopped the LTTE from overrunning the SL Army HQ in Jaffna.
India was thanked profusely by the government after the end of the war.
The US pulled back near the end of the war owing to its interests not being served by the way SL conducted its foreign policy, and even turned nasty.
/
leelagemalli / October 26, 2020
Eagle BP, if we may remind you, or help waking up u from your alzheimer thoughts, it was just because Rajapkshe BPs went after CHINA for their pocket filling tactics. Question yourself, how RAJAPAKSHE wealth expanded making him the richest corrupted leader in entire developing countries ? This the high criminals have to pay back by Karma.. sooner than later for sure.
:
Just because of their stupid decisions based on GREEDINESS, Rajapkashes got caught and the nation has to pay it by their taxes today. Rajapakshes went on honeymoon on the cost of the poor. You the kind of bitch s sons would never see it, nor in this life.
:
Days ahead of us will be decisive FOR THE FUTURE OF ISLAND NATION. Srilanka has become the political foot ball o between INDIA-US and America.
–
/
Eagle Eye / October 24, 2020
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
/
GATAM / October 22, 2020
Equidistance is way forward. Non-alignment was a failure and it is dead anyway.
If USA wants a military base, give them one in Colombo. China should get Hambantota. Pro-US Saudi should get Trincomalee. Give India a military base in Jaffna. Russia should get Galle.
Tomorrow 20A will be passed with 160 votes in favor. Most Buddhist, Christian and Muslim MPs will vote for 20A. Only Hindu MPs may vote against it.
India got it wrong by bringing Tamil Nadu issues against SL. India can better engage with SL without regard to that 5% of the Indian population.
/
Pandi Kutti / October 23, 2020
Keep on dreaming fake Arab converted South Indian Dravidian immigrant, Trincomalee or any part of the ancient Thamizh Hindu east will ever go to Saudi Arabia , Porukistan or any other Islamic nation. If any foreign power occupies the east it will be Hindu India and The Thamizh and the Thamizh Vedda who are the true owners of the east will welcome them and you fake Arab low caste converts from India , can either toe the line or leave and move to Saudi Arabia or to Porukistan as refugees and create you fake Arab Wahhabi homeland. The illegal Chingkalla settlers will all run away . Come the Thamizh east begging for refuge as fellow Thamizh and then try to steal the land from its rightful Hindu Thamizh owners in the name of Islam , fake Arab origin , with the support of the Chingkallams , Saudi Arabia, Porukistan and China. Only foreign nation to take over the North and East will be India and this will be supported by the Thamizh . No one else will be allowed
/
Ajay / October 22, 2020
Weerasekara’s argument is not valid as Sri Lanka asked the IPKF to leave before it could fulfill its obligations under the agreement. In fact, Premadasa violated the Indo-Lanka Accord by making the demonic deal with Prabhakaran to get rid of the IPKF for their mutual political survival. Weerasekara has an array of half-baked notions about India, Tamil Nadu’s politics, and about foreign relations in general. They may humour the frogs-in-the-well hamuduruvos, but will cause serious damage – as already happened in this instance – to Sri Lanka’s relations with India. He’s totally off the mark regarding Periyar and the genesis of linguistic states in India. Periyar was never a fascist. In fact, his virulent and uncompromising anti-Brahmanism was due to his revulsion against all forms of fascism – whether it was based on religion, caste, patriarchy or even Tamil linguistic fanaticism. The navy dude is trying to pose as an expert on India to star-struck Sinhala fans of the military. Gota, in his desperation to save Sri Lanka’s economy from total collapse, is risking falling into the Chinese debt-trap even deeper. With war tensions rising with China in the north, India is gravely concerned.
/
Ajay / October 23, 2020
News is just out that the 20th Amendment was passed with the necessary two-thirds majority thanks to some bottom-feeders inhabiting the realm of the opposition. One of them was Diana Gamage who I predict will turn out to be worse than Prasanna Ranaweera in her behaviour as an MP. If Sri Lanka has a Machiavelli it is Wijedasa Rajapaksa. After making scenes of fake dissent, he too voted sheepishly for the draconian amendment. He’s the scoundrel who as the minister of justice sabotaged legal action against crimes committed by the Rajapaksa family. As set up by Basil, Rauf Hakeem and Rishad Bathiudeen voted against while their respective party members in parliament voted for the amendment. Bringing Rishad Bathiudeen to parliament from the jail and make him vote against the amendment was the finishing touch of consummate deception. On being ridiculed for getting the support of Muslim MPs to pass the amendment, the miscreant Weerawansa shamelessly replied: “What can we do if they vote with us. We can’t stop them from voting. But, of course, they will never be given any position in our government.” What was the going rate? Did the Chinese arrive with the money bag?
/
Ajay / October 23, 2020
[Contd. from above]
So the latest news is that the Indian High Commission in Colombo is busy setting up virtual talks between Tamil leaders in Jaffna and India’s foreign ministry in Delhi. Folks, this is the beginning of something very serious.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 24, 2020
This is what I have been saying in this column, that history is going to repeat itself. UK tribunal has delivered judgement, that ban on LTTE as terrorist organisation by government is not acceptable. There is 28 days to appeal against it. Today Attorney General has ordered police to conduct investigation on Arantalawa massacre which took place in 1987, and produce a report within 14 days, obviously instigated by SL government to do so, which appears to be knee jerk reaction in response to the UK court ruling, in order to produce evidence against LTTE. It is surprising that SL government which has refused to hold any inquiry against massacres committed by their armed forces against non-combatant Tamils, is ready to indict LTTE in a matter of days. This is what I have been saying in this column, that judicial system in SL is institutionally racist. If there is another armed Tamil uprising against SL, it will come from outside the country, where SL could do nothing about, which will receive international support, and the result will be different.
/
Agnos / October 25, 2020
Dr.GS,
There were some initial reports on some Tamil media sites that the Tamil lawyer who spearheaded the case against the SLA Brigadier who gave the ‘throat slitting’ sign, had been attacked by GoSL-hired thugs.
I would be surprised if GoSL dared to do that on British (or other Western) soil. They would be eventually caught and there would be serious consequences to SL. So I remain skeptical but want to see if there is any update on it.
/
KA / October 25, 2020
” So I remain skeptical but want to see if there is any update on it.”
Part of the British establishment are in bed with Sorri Sinhalam.
Especially, intelligence, military, foreign service, Tory party.
The ban on LTTE is always political not judicial.
I will not be surprised if the investigation about the assaults on the Tamil Lawyer dies natural death.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 25, 2020
Agnos I had mentioned in this column a few weeks ago about this assault on a Tamil human rights lawyer who took up cases against crimes committed by agents of Sri Lanka state. I have been telling in this column that Sri Lanka may resort to Russian or Israeli type of assassination of prominent Tamil activists abroad. This incident may be the beginning.
/
KA / October 25, 2020
“Today Attorney General has ordered police to conduct investigation on Arantalawa massacre which took place in 1987, and produce a report within 14 days, obviously instigated by SL government to do so, which appears to be knee jerk reaction in response to the UK court ruling, in order to produce evidence against LTTE. “
Can you not see it is part of the British establishment that most probably would have indirectly lead and instigated Sorri Sinhala to do so.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 25, 2020
Ban on LTTE by UK was done at a time when the tide was against Tamils to satisfy Sri Lanka, but it remained only in paper. Despite the ban LTTE was openly able to organize demonstrations, conduct public gatherings and keep Sinhala racists in UK under check. In 2010 Mahinda was prevented from addressing at Oxford university and chased out of UK by LTTE supporters despite the ban. Year after year on independence day, more LTTE flags are seen than SL flags around high commission in London.Now the tide is turning around against Sri Lanka and hence this is a first step to bring SL under control. As before lifting of ban will be only in paper with neither Tamils getting any more benefit than at present nor status of LTTE changed. Intransigence of Sinhala controlled SL government in refusing to accommodate demand of Tamils to share land and power has led to this. Moment SL ditches China and leans with USA / west, nothing will happen to Sri Lanka.
/
Lanka Canuck / October 26, 2020
The Rajapakshes are very clever. They outsmarted Ranil and destroyed the UNP, dissolved the SLFP, diluted the TNA and made JVP toothless. The Muslims Hakeem, Rishard and upcountry Tamils are in their pockets. Sajith is very naïve and stupid and his SJB is just a shadow of an opposition. Both Sajith and Ruwan are not made of leadership material so the strong and powerful SLPP will be here to stay for a very long time (more than 10 years).
When Jaishankar visits in the near future, Sri Lanka will inform Modi that Sri Lanka’s decisions and policies will be guided by election mandates, the law and the constitution of the country, and its interests. It is not for outsiders to tell Sri Lankans how to run their country. As per the mandates they got through the November 2019 Presidential and August 2020 parliamentary elections, any solution to the ethnic question will have to be acceptable to the majority community in Sri Lanka. The Rajapakshes are sitting on Chinese lap. Modi can only issue statements and nothing more.
/
SJ / October 25, 2020
Ajay
What can India’s clients in Jaffna deliver?
They do not enjoy a fraction of the the popular support that they did since late 1990s.
Something serious?
Be serious.
/
Pandi Kutti / October 23, 2020
Periyar was not a Thamizh and was not a Thamizh fanatic , he was a Kannada Naicker and his mother tongue was Kannada. He wanted pan Dravidian unity
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
Will SS Sharma be a Tamil by the same token? Unlike Periyar he is anti Malayali etc. etc.
BTW
EVR is mentioned as a Balija Naidu (Telugu)in many articles but in most of his speeches he mentioned himself as a Kannadiga.Probably Periyar’s ancestors settled for a long time in the Kannada Country and over many years they primarily spoke Kannada and only rudimentary Telugu (Wikipedia)
*
EVR used the Dravidian concept to keep Brahmins out of the Self Respect Movement (SV Rajadurai & V Geetha).
He gave up on Dravidanadu much before Indian independence.
/
old codger / October 23, 2020
Ajay,
“Weerasekara’s argument is not valid as Sri Lanka asked the IPKF to leave before it could fulfill its obligations”
On the dot. But most people in this country can’t remember what happened last week, let alone 1990.
Inconvenient history is quietly erased. For example, students are not told that SWRD was shot by Buddhist monk.
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
Ajay
“Premadasa violated the Indo-Lanka Accord by making the demonic deal with Prabhakaran to get rid of the IPKF”
What is demonic about getting rid of an army of occupation.
The people in Jaffna wanted the IPKF out after its criminal acts; and memories of the IPKF are still bitter.
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
Ajay,
IPKF promised to disarm LTTE within a month but they failed to do that. Instead of doing what they promised, they were raping Demala women and killing Sinhalayo and monks. That is the reason why Premadasa asked them to leave. Be grateful to Premadasa for saving Demala women.
/
Nathan / October 22, 2020
If you see a need to add to what Dayan Jayatilleka has already said on the subject, call yourself a political scientist!
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
N
Is DJ so comprehensive?
/
Good Sense / October 23, 2020
In this game of foreign relations, trying to be nice with everyone, being “equidistant” and “smiling” with everyone is one thing. That does not mean that Sri Lanka should act like a beaten dog with the tail between the legs every time a nation tries to show its two cents worth. A British High Commissioner was declared persona non grata. The reputation was that the author of this article too contributed towards that decision in contrast to his call now to announce that the statement by the State Minister of Provincial Councils are his private views. The other occasion known to me where Sri Lanka stood firm was when Foreign Ministers of UK and France went all the way to Medamulana lair of Percy Mahendra Rajapakse to tell him to give a respite to Prabhakaran. If, India in the front, supported by the “quad” wants to neutralize the role of China in the Indian Ocean, preventing the latter from establishing its foot print in Sri Lanka, then the last thing it should do is to poke its fingers and Sri Lanka should make that clear. The mere expression of neutrality is meek.
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
While treating low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya as outcasts, Vellala Tamil politicians tell their boss to ask Government of Sri Lanka to implement 13th Amendment so that Tamils can live with dignity. Whose dignity are they talking?
/
soma / October 23, 2020
E.E.
Those +50% Tamils (All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion caste or the date of arrival) presently living outside NE are not desirous of any dignity. If a referendum is held none of them will opt to move into a Tamil Homeland in the North. Because nothing terrifies them than the thought of living in a Tamil only enclave. They are concious of the freedom they enjoy among Sinhalese despite routine difficulties they encounter due to language. They are not different to estate Tamils who preferred to stay back in Ceylon. Even today if these estate Tamils are offered the same choice they will opt to remain in SL and continue that menial life than moving into Tamil Nadu ( Silicon Valley, Technology hub in the next superpower).
–
Soma
/
Pandi Kutti / October 23, 2020
North and East is the ancient homeland of the Thamizh people and Thamizh is the majority language in all the eight districts of these two provinces. Chingakallams and Chingkallam speakers are very recent arrivals in these two provinces . The vast majority illegally planted here by all Chingkalla lead governments make the native Thamizh speakers a minority in their homeland. It does not matter if over 50% or 80% of the Thamizh speakers live outside the NE as this is not their land and they are not claiming it as theirs. There are more Jews and Irish living outside Israel and Ireland . Does this mean the Israel and Ireland is not the land of the Jews or the Irish. Chingkallams love to come up with stupid arguments to justify their racist and genocidal behavious towards the Thamizh and to justify this
/
Kanapathy Varunan / October 23, 2020
Pandi!
You can put up a man who is really asleep but not a man who is pretending to sleep.
/
soma / October 24, 2020
Pandi Kutti
There is not a single Thamizh in Sri Lanka.
–
Soma
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 24, 2020
Soma you are coming out with the same Sinhala propaganda that 50+% Tamils are living outside north and east. Please get this straight. There are two categories of Tamils in Sri Lanka, indigenous Tamils and those of recent Indian origin. It is indigenous Tamils who are demanding autonomy and not others. If you take a count differentiating them, you will fined that 90% of indigenous Tamils are living in north and east. Of the Tamils living outside north and east, 90% are of recent Indian origin. In elections held, all those who were elected outside north and east are Tamils of recent Indian origin and not a single indigenous Tamil. Does this not prove that hardly any indigenous Tamils are living outside north and east. There is large concentration of indigenous Tamils in Colombo and suburbs, who migrated for economic reasons, but that amount is inadequate to elect a single person from their community even under proportional representation.
/
soma / October 25, 2020
Dr.G.S.
In respect of a ‘political solution’ my definition of Tamils is:
All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion caste or the date of arrival.
.
Now what is TNA’s definition?
.
They never state unambiguously who the ‘Tamils’ are in respect a ‘political solution’ they aspire to. They use various permutations and combinations of ‘Tamils’, Tamil People, Tamil speaking people, Tamil Nation, Ealam Tamils, Eazam Tamils etc. etc, several in the same breadth leaving us confused all the time, obviously with intent or probably they themselves unsure of.
.
Dr.G.S. you can help us on behalf of TNA .
What is the percentage of Tamils aspiring a ‘political solution’ out of total population , according to YOUR definition and according to their definition?
–
Soma
/
old codger / October 23, 2020
Eagle,
“While treating low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya as outcasts,”
I wonder why Dalit Sinhalayo like your good self are treated as outcasts by the Govigama Mahanayakas ?
Most unfair. Isn’t it enough you carry their s..t buckets for them?
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
Low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya told the Sub-committee on Power Sharing not to give Land and Police powers to NPC because they know what will happen. TNA politicians want Land and Police powers but Dalits who are the majority in Yapanaya do not want Land and Police powers given to NPC. Whose voice count, oppressor or the oppressed?
/
Pandi Kutti / October 23, 2020
Around the half the present day Chingkallams are descended from low caste Thamizh imports from South India. Imported into the island during the Portuguese and Dutch era. This is very well known fact. Karavar or Karaiyar( Karava) like Ponska, Thuravar( Durawa) in Thamizh we call them Nalavar or Nadar, Chaliyar or Salagama and many other castes. You and that Weerasekara most probably are one of them. Most of the biggest anti Thamizh are the recently Chingkaalized Indian Thamizh low castes. The homeless one , father of Chingkalla Poutha racism , Chenali Vaduva , Muthukaruppan, and all these so called Chingkalla Army Generals many with Portuguese names.
/
Eagle Eye / October 23, 2020
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
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
CT
How can you tolerate such vulgar bigotry on these pages while clamping down on many sober comments?
/
old codger / October 23, 2020
Eagle,
“While treating low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya as outcasts,”
I wonder why Dalit Sinhalayo like your good self are treated as outcasts by the Govigama Mahanayakas ? Isn’t it enough you carry their s..t buckets for them?
/
Lanka Canuck / October 24, 2020
old codger, SJ, et al…
This Senile old coot, Eagle Eye continues to hallucinate (parroting his fabrications repeatedly). He is suffering from a disease called schizophrenia, where one of the symptoms is hallucinations that includes concocting fairy tales/fiction and then believing in his own stories as gospel. I just cannot understand why people are reacting to his insane/dumb comments instead of ignoring him.
/
SJ / October 25, 2020
LC
Victims of schizophrenia are generally instructed by ‘voices’ that they hear.
They can thus be obsessed with some fears and beliefs.
I know a few and I can assure you that they are essentially nice and not nasty people.
/
Lanka Canuck / October 25, 2020
SJ
The symptoms of Schizophrenia may vary depending on the individual but mostly delusions/distorted thinking and hallucinations are very common like how Eagle Eye is behaving, the reason why I never read his comments.
By the way, I know a few (victims of schizophrenia) and I can assure you that they can be very nasty people, even worse than EE (but very rarely violent).
/
old codger / October 25, 2020
LC,
Actually, I feel sorry for the old coot .He’s crying for attention.
Besides, if you provoke him, he goes ballistic and CT edits him out.
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
EE
Are you for the Dalits or against them?
*
BTW, the term Dalit refers to all ‘untouchable’ castes of India.
/
Nathan / October 24, 2020
Eagle Eye,
If you truly believe that the Dalits in Yapanaya will not want Land and Police powers allocated to NPC, why not tell that to the Government.
With the majority (Dalits) voting against Land and Police powers to NPC, the problem can be solved readily.
/
Mallaiyuran / October 23, 2020
1978 constitution is a rejected constitution by Lankaweyans & Eelam Tamils. From 1994, in every election, they are asking to remove president dominated constitution. But until Yahapalanaya’s 19A, where Ranil dreamed to become next EP, it has not been fulfilled-delivered by the governments they elected. This kind of turning into curry leaves the voters is only supporting the return back to 18A, where people asked only to correct the flaws in the 19A. Most of the problem in 19A are legal-technical nature. Appeh Aanduwa, in the election promise of correcting 19A, they showed the Nangi and gave out Akka to marriage. 20 A not just Akka, but the aunt siting there for last 40 years, saw no progress. It is a complete disappointment the 20A for IC, Democracies, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, workers, women, children …… every group of demographics of Lankawe looked for relief.
/
Mallaiyuran / October 23, 2020
Imran made a self-criticism on his MPs. He said Muslim MPs (actually one Tamil & one Sinhalese took part in that) did not just betray Muslims, but this is done to all citizen in the country. He said this proved Sinhalese’s accusation that Muslims switch sides is correct. Sritharan said “Today is a black for Ceylon”.
/
Thiru / October 23, 2020
Pride comes before the fall:
Hitler with enormous economic and fire power – equivalent to a super power at that time went on war path with Aryan supremacy based dictatorship exterminating millions of Jews, but we all know how it ended in tragic humiliation for the hubris of the Germans as a whole.
Sri Lanka’s arrogance in not wanting to share power with Tamils comes from winning the war not as a superpower, but with 23 nations military and financial help. The leaders in the current regime also gloat about not listening to the call by the West not to proceed with the war at the latter stages but negotiate. In the final stages more than 150,000 innocent Tamils were mercilessly massacred – truly a genocide.
Poratble incinerators from China were used burn the bodies ot Tamil murdered.
They also killed, or raped and killed the LTTE carders who surrendered. The whole world knows this as a crime against humanity.
If the all powerful dictator Hitler who came to power like Gota through election can be defeated, does the Sri Lankan armed forces have a chance?
Many small countries have wisely learned to live in harmony with their big neighbors, while several others have suffered or have been dismembered in their confrontation with their huge neighbor.
Will Gota succeed while Hitler failed? Odds are against Sinhalese Buddhist arrogance!
/
Thiru / October 23, 2020
Sinhalese Buddhist majoritarian logic is really lop-sided: They can dominate the small Tamil nation in the North-East of the island which existed for several centuries before 1832, but an even bigger nation that is India cannot dominate the smaller island that is Sri Lanka.
One rule for us, but another rule for the other! – cockeyed logic. It usually doesn’t work.
Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhists need to be humble and realistic otherwise anything can happen. If Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims stand united in a fair system, outside forces cannot do much.
/
SJ / October 23, 2020
While denouncing lopsided Sinhalese majoritarian logic, Tamils and Muslims have to reevaluate their own sectarian past and lopsided views of the national question.
/
Mallaiyuran / October 24, 2020
Your usual baffle. Thiru is not pulling a bird out of the blue sky like you do in your each & every bombastic theories. He is discussing certain incidents. He drawing a conclusion. You could not deny that so you are pulling a bird out of Magicians black hat. If there is real point in your talk you too might have cited the example the way Thiru did.
You are still seems to be very busy enjoying your Corona-19 vacation. Stop that and read Google for some time. Tamils thinking is dynamic. They started with unity 50/50. Went on Federalism with Ahimsha. Went for separate country, armed. Now they are keep pushing the IC investigation through Diplomatic means. When, some or how, they bring a solution for them, you leave back your pants and underwear beck in Jaffna and go to Attanagalle. Some useful Muslims or Sinhala family can come and contribute to Jaffna economy.
/
Mallaiyuran / October 23, 2020
Colombo Media suggesting Rishard’s arrest was another satirical comedy like the 4/21. They say Rishard was arranged to be in parliament to vote against 20A, while he and Hakeem were paid in full to make their MPs vote for 20A. Nazeer and Hakeem had told for long to media that other than Hakeem, all others in their party will be voting to 20A. There was some news that Hakeem had informed this to some concerned Colombo foreign missions. On the other side Rishard’s arrest drama was going to distract many developments, including murder of Madush. When the Ashraf gang departed Ranil, we hear he offered September Fasting Pirasath Rice to crows and lighted Elenai Chatti at Saturn temple. There are, as usual, some Muslim writers are hunting with the dog and hurrying with hare too. That is no strange subject to CT readers, who know well Thero de Silva, Jehan PhD, Laksiri Fernando………. The new question is if Vaalaiththodam has no guts to openly work with Royal or publicly save Royals, but doing only secretly.
The Hero of the night – New King, was hiding in his Presidential Palace. Nalin Bandara was opposing 20A with American flag saying there going to be Sudu Manthirima, Kaha Manthirima parliament. After seeing 20A’s victory, Musharraf Mohamed voted for dual citizenship only, to bring in Arabian Manthirima. Inside Parliament Poly-Culture, outside parliament Pogroms.
/
Naman / October 23, 2020
Why GR +MR had developed so much love/attention to the Muslim MPs?
They voted with SLPP TO GET THE 20TH AMENDMENT through. The Muslims may get decieved again by the SBF [ALT-RIGHT]!
/
Lanka Canuck / October 24, 2020
Naman
Time and again the Muslim MPs proved beyond any doubt that they are ‘Hat Flippers’. What our ancestors (both Sinhalese and Tamils) said about them is true.
/
GATAM / October 24, 2020
National decisions in India are made by Hindis, in Sri Lanka by Sinhalese, in Malaysia by Malays and no one else. Why others are worried about a national policy decision? Don’t worry SL never consulted you and never will!
/
Thiagarajah Venugopal / October 24, 2020
Dear Dayan
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on SL attitude to India.
(1) India is for Indians/China is for Chinese and Sri Lanka is for Sri Lankans is given/sovereignty etc.
(2) Indian Involvement (Tamil Nadu) in Sri Lanka yet to be taken to The Hague for foreign sponsored terrorism/child abuse in connivance with the FP/ITAK/TULF.
(3) Ratha Pottu Mafia killings fields in Jaffna a Tamil crime against Tamils yet to be investigated from 1970-1977-1981……..this is the foundation for all that is human right issues.
(4) International accords under such duress are not International accords but Mafia Accords – to even discuss as such will make a mockery of human intelligence.
(5) Yes it is for us to put things back in the right order as required as a Nation of People.
(6) If you want to appease the TNA please find some real estates down south somewhere and make them whatever they want to be please.
(7) We need to get back to living and start building our Nation I hope you will become part of that constructively.
/
Thiagarajah Venugopal / October 24, 2020
In fact since FP was formed to protect all Indian interest in upcountry (heart of Sinhala land) I suggest you take them their and park them their…please.
Meanwhile can you and myself focus on writing a detailed article about how many Sri Lankan Tamils (in excess of 200 000) who were refugees has the Indian Nationality please, their journey and well being every since they became refugees and document them for the Hague/UN please. In this processionals we will also be able to help identify the missing persons for the National accounting/auditing purpose too.
We also need to discuss coastal protection/territorial waters in the park strait as the next step in our Nations development…..can you help us expand the horizons a little bit further as a political analysts please.
/
SJ / October 25, 2020
TV
Are you seriously seeking Dayan’s help for your dream projects?
May God, if He/She/It exists, help you to return to the real world.
/
umberto / October 26, 2020
SJ
Your are wasting your breath in asking God to help Thiagarajh Venogopal, the son of a turn coat, to return to real world. My understanding is that venogopal is beyond repair. If not for the kind hearted British, he would have reached the dustbin by now. They are doing a marvellous job in trying to rehabilitate him.
/
Thiagarajah Venugopal / October 27, 2020
Thumbs up Umberto…how is it going dude. Hello from the UK and our Majesty send her regards to you and respect your recognition of their compassion.
/