Sinhala activism and India’s amity for Lankan Tamils
By Seran Senguttuvan
It is only an ignoramus who may not know India had a hand in arming some militant groups in the 80s. This is a factor on which most Sinhalese harp on - feigning total innocence. What is the real story?
The post-1956 Tamil disillusionment was expressed peacefully and via the Parliamentary path - as decent societies would do. The Dogs of War were set upon the Tamil Parliamentarians in 1957 and when Amirthalingam came into the House bleeding SWRD mockingly humoured “Aha, the brave badges of war, what?” or something similar. At almost the sametime thugs and IRC’s from Kelaniya, Balapitiya, Hingukarakgoda were dispatched to the Gal Oya area to chase Tamils living for generations there - so that benefits of the Gal Oya scheme may be enjoyed exclusively by the Sinhalese. Is this fair in a land submitting to the religious philosophies of one of India’s great sons - a Hindu; which many Sinhalese history-twisters find discomforting? At that time in the Inginiyagala area all 3 communities were living in harmony - until these Sinhala thungs came and set aflame the existing racial harmony. Did not Mrs B create a major blunder,
An “absolute overkill” today’s analysts would say - by sending the army to the North in the early 60s a task that could have been handled effectively by the efficient multi-racial Sinhala-dominated Police at that time? Who gave her the “guli” to inappropriately send her confidante Gen Richard Udugama to set up new Army camps in the North - which the then radicalizing Tamil youth were to describe as the “Sinhala occupying army” It is the sight of these army camps, from which came the early indications of detention, assault and torture by army thugs on Tamils men, women and children that opened the eyes of the Northern youth to the growing possibility of engaging this unacceptable indignity against “the Tamil nation” by arms to protect their “land, language and innocent people” Would the Sinhala youth not do the same in their areas if the roles were reversed? My friend, the enlightened Tamil youth of that day were able to predict “the coming colours”. (Ena pahata) - to use a Sinhalese expression. The anti-Tamil Dudley had the political sagacity to tell himself things can go out of control unless the “issues” of the Tamils then (articulated by some of the finest legal brains this country ever produced - in the Tamil side) are addressed. And, so came into being the Dudley-Chelva Pact, which, mind you, allowed only a minimum of what the Tamils wanted. That was the 2nd major agreement, mutually discussed for long and signed, that was to be torn to shreds at the behest of radical Buddhist priests. Then came Badi-ud-din and his brainwave Standardization - and thus was born Prabakaran’s cousins in the form of several militant groups. The desecration of the International Tamil Conference in 1974 (?) further exacerbated the issue and was the product of those faceless and sinister forces engineering to destroy Tamil-Sinhala bonds. Their “cells” in the Police were the most effective tool with which this disruption was gradually realised - because, if you recall - it was through the radio network of the Police false stories of Tamils killing Sinhalese in Hingurakgoda, Nagadipa and so on were spread.
July 1983 was not an accident. It was a planned and well-executed plot in a larger conspiracy to eventually “finish off all Tamils” - one part of it being enacted now in the abduction and killing of rich Tamil businessmen. Although Tamils produced the greatest lawyers, doctors, engineers, architects whose services were gratefully utilised by the Sinhala majority - Mathew succeeded in convincing Sinhala activists - in the UNP, SLFP and other sinhala political parties - that Tamil doctors, engineers and other professionals passed out entirely “cheating” in exams. Napoleon Bonaparte, a Corsican, with a heavy Italian accent - tried to prove he was more French than the French themselves - in the 18th century. ; Hitler, the Austrian, tried to outdo the Germans as did Mohamed Mahathir, a Keralite Muslim, in Malaysia in recent times. Alberto Fujimori, a Japanese failed in that role in Peru in South America. So Cyril Mathew, originating from a low caste of tree-climbers from Kerala - tried to outdo the Sinhalese and became an ultra- Sinhala champion in 1983. It will take a long time for Tamils to forget the sad memory of Mathew’s men marching Architect-Minister Kumarasuriyar - hands tied behind - at Galle Road, Wellawatta. Was Mathew or his cohorts ever brought before courts in a country where the Constitution promised Justice to all. How many prosecutions were obtained by the Govt all-Island in the ‘83 events, where thousands of Tamils were killed, robbed and raped.
Where is the Justice to the Tamils? Why did India arm some of the “boys” in the 80s? It is well known from the 1970s Indian leaders have been advising the Sri Lankan political leadership to address the Tamil issue. Sinhala-dominated governments of different political persuasions failed to read “the writing on the wall” and “landed” the entire country into the mess we are in. It is well known when JRJ delegated Athulathmudali to go and make peace with Mrs Indira Gandhi (whom JR had unwisely angered in several ways) she dismissed his initial pallaver and asked “What is the difficulty of your President in settling the growing Tamil issue? He has got 5/6th Parliamentary majority, does’nt he?” Well! If JR could not control the pseudo-nationalists in his team travelling in as many directions - Premadasa, Mathew, Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, Gamini Jayasuriya, Ranil Wickramasinghe - that’s his problem; and now the entire country’s. The feeling of the Sinhala government, armed forces, religious and political leadership was that the Tamils are only 15% of the population and we can settle it by our superior numbers and by various methods of trying to “put the Tamils down”.
The bitter truth is, in sheer exasperation and against their own judgment, the Indians decided to arm Tamil militants for the limited purpose of putting sense into the obstinate head of the Sinhala government that matters are reaching dangerous levels. It is a pity
JR, Premadasa, CBK and Mahinda all believed that “Gahala kera-ganda puluvang” (We can achieve our objective by force). Also, India had much reason to be angry with us in 1948 when over 2 million in the Hills were denied the Franchise - they enjoyed in the previous General Elections. They could have taken action what we would have perceived as “against us” but they did’nt at that time, right?
Inspite of all this, many Tamils of today are ready to live in a future peaceful Sri Lanka - only if you can control the “rabid dogs” around you. One of those insulted, the highly respected Bishop Rayappu Joseph just last night (Sep 22) on TV in an uncontrollable outburst of anti-Tamil vitriol in the presence of Tamil MPs. There are a large number of decent, intelligent Sinhalese still in the country who sincerely regret the tremendous harm done to the Tamils, their history, their religion and cultural institutions and their pride. For those in the Sinhala side who still believe Tamils can be “destroyed” in various ways gradually as being done now both by the armed forces and the more dangerous forces in the Sinhala civil side, I would advise “give up” You will do more harm to the present and future Sinhala nation than the foolish campaign you are in. The 800,000 Tamils whom you caused to “leave” the country dearly miss their “home and their people” As Mangala Samarweera was to say - in a meeting when I was with him - “they” have good reason to carry a “strong wairaya” with them.
M. Sathasivam, Ethirveerasingham, Muralidharan are only 3 who contributed to a strong Sri Lanka composite. There could have been a hundred more of such men to enrich our country - if not for the “games” that were played to put the Tamils down. Of course, in more recent years, much damage was done by some Tamils to Sinhalese as well, which we all regret very much. But that breach was a result of an earlier breach in keeping the two sides temporarily apart.
people are one,our only homeland,survival, share and its protection! :
September 30, 2006 @ 10:36 am
Racist Tamils will have to someday get over the ‘Sinhala dominated’ notion if we are to have a non waring stae, peace and prosperity. Sinhalese are the majority, get ove it!
Tamil-Nadu is Tamil dominated, well rarely see a Sinhalese there. Every country has their majoriy and chauvinist politics based on this ‘dominated’ excuse is infact calling for marginalizing or extermination or opposing the people on the grounds of race. Our problem however goes way before 1950s, and the few rascist Tamils conveniently avoid that subject/area.
Nagarajah, Toronto :
September 30, 2006 @ 11:55 am
The majority of the 800, 000 Tamils living in other countries made use of the ethnic problem as a ruse for fleeing to greener pastures. Significant number of them are fanning the fire of ethnic discord and longing the war continue in SL, because they have nothing to lose. They have their families well settled outside of SL. Even the war mongers’ children are having a cushy life in western countries and India. Everyone has to realize that no one can win this war by killing people on both sides including innocent children. We often talk about buddhist monks doing politics, but don’t talk about reverend fathers doing the same surreptitiously, not only in SL but even outside, making the SL situation worse. Are we going to brood on what happened fifty years ago, and want to have another 50 years of misery and bloodshed? when are we going to stop this blame game?? It’s not only Cyril Mathew, everyone for that matter came from somewhere. His caste and origin is totally irrelevant. The Standardization brought about by Mrs. B. in the seventies not only helped the marginalized and poor Sinhala areas, but also Tamil areas that did not have better educational facilities such as Mullaitivu, Mannar and Trinco districts. It was an equity seeking measure and what’s now known as Affirmmative action practised in many countries.
k.arvind :
October 1, 2006 @ 3:13 am
Nagarajah/Toronto leaves sufficient “tracks” in his remarks to suspect he is not a Tamil. But Tamilweek, happily, is not a Tamil monopoly. I am happy to see distinguished Sinhalese and Muslims joining the useful debates that this lively journal encourages. May we have more joining in.
You say the Tamil flight from S/L is as a “ruse for fleeing to greener
pastures” - and there you show who you could well be. Now listen to this. In my 4 visits to Canada in the last 5 years, I saw young Tamil boys - from ages 18 to 25 - doing 2-3 jobs a day “just to stay afloat” One of these boys came to my cousin’s house as part of a gang of workers in their “house moving” operation in late winter. This boy’s relatives run one of the more successful industries here - and most of them live in the better parts of Cbo. He told me he could have lived a better life in Cbo but he was constantly in fear of the Police and armed forces since he carried an NIC that showed he was born in Jaffna. He was detained by the Police in Cbo on several occasions. It was the height of winter and around midnight when he came that night with another 4 cheerful Tamil boys to do this “labour operation” - as we would call in Cbo. He told me all he would have earned on that tough job for about 5 hours of work was about C$50 - but he needs that to pay for his austere flat, old car and food. Knowing his relatives in Cbo my cousin did not want to give him the tip she normally would. She thought that might be an insult to his distinguished family. I was head of a large
Corporation for some years and in that body - where 99% were Sinhalese - was a homely, Tamil married lass from Batticoloa holding an MA from a recognised University in India. She was married to an Engineer working in Cbo and they maintained a comfortable upper middle class life in a lovely house at Mt Lavinia.
She was the No.2 in the Computer Section and earned over Rs40,000
a month 5 years ago - sufficient to maintain an upper class life.
Both decided to emigrate since the regular Police/Army checking when they drove back for to Cbo to work from home dis-oriented them. Since they hailed from an excellent background from the Eastern Province, of which they were justly proud, they felt humilated they should be subject to these checks merely because they were born Tamils in the EP. The fact they could not freely entertain their visitors from the EP was another source of their concern. That, my friend, is the Pride that is part of our heritage. They emigrated to North America.
She now works as a lowl waitress in a Restaurant and the young husband as a Security man working 9pm - 6am. If you are a Tamil you will not call these people “economic refugees’ - would you? Pedro Barata and Deena Ladd of the “Toronto Star’ recently did a survey of the sufferings of many refugee communities in Canada working on low wages, long hours and 2-3 jobs a day. In many samples of their survey were Sri Lankan Tamils - doing several jobs a day just to “keep head above water” Are they “economic refugees” in your reckoning?
I know of many Tamils living successfully in the USA, Canada,
Europe and Australia who would readily “abandon” their rich life-styles and come back to live in a peaceful Lanka just to taste the smell, the sights and sounds. the air, the places of worship, their relatives and their friends in Tamil Sri Lanka. There is a “connection” within the body of people from an ancient and cultured society, their own people and their ancestral land which no money or wealth can substitute. Do you remember those well-to-do “Uncles” from
Malaysia and Singapore who chose to come to the land of their birth and that of their ancestors to “bury their bones” in Jaffna and elsewhere - although both Singapore and Malaysia offered them a higher material life.
Buddhist Monks certainly should not enter politics as they do shamefully now. It is not only what I say. Listen to what distinguished buddhist themselves say. “This is the beginning of a grave calamity to the buddha sasana. In the historical background bhikkus have served as advistors and mentors to those who governed while attending to the spiritual needs of the people” (The Ven Asgiriya and Malwatte Mahanayake as quoted in the Daily Mirror 23/2/04) And here’s
one more. “Buddhist clergy being misled into entering party politics is a tragic blunder for which the country will pay a heavy price”
(Editorial/Sunday Island 22/2/04) When I was a boy in Cbo North my conservative Hindu mother, with great respect, used to pay alms with folded hands to the young Bhikkus who came to our homes walking from the nearest buddhist temple - early morning. And recently when Buddhist monks had their private parts
smashed up in their regular fisticuffs in Parliament my mother - now 87 - asked me watching the “show” on TV whether there are 2 different buddhist religions and 2 different types of bhikkus because she said
“this is not the buddhist priests I used to know.” I know of many decent Buddhists here who are ashamed of these “men in the robes of bhikkus” as the assailant of SWRD was described by embarassed Buddhists when he (SWRD) was assassinated. As to Christian priests, though not a Christian, I have always held them in respect from the time I was a little boy. In these difficult times in the country they continue to serve by thier dedicated work; their exemplary and austere living. In my perception they are the good men of religion as should be and none of them advocated violence or were found in the scenes of violence was committed - except to help those suffering. Do I need to say more? Of course, Archbishop Makarios
of Cyprus and Rev Priestley of Ireland openly dabbled in politics.
The rules of their religion, the need of their times and the exemplary roles they played in the historical evolution of their societies vindicated their stands.
In so far as your comments on Standardisation being “Affirmative” I am with you it helped the cause of under-privileged students in the North East as it did in the South.
But look at the annual percentages to the Engineering, Medical, Dental
Architectural, Agricultural faculties, the Accountancy profession where
merit has given way to political schemes? Are you not surprised at the poor quality of governance and services all round - the direct result of
Badi-id-din’s polical folly? The lot of the under-privileged students in
backward areas could have been addressed in a different way rather than totally dismantling what was a healthy and useful system of higher education we enjoyed half a century ago - to the envy of our South Asian neighbours.
As I go into the evening of my life I certainly feel and share the sufferings of all Tamils but at the same time the 20 years since 1983 - the sufferings, the trials and tribulations - has brought in a greater vigour among the Tamil people in the diaspora; a greater consicousness for their language, their culture and their precious land; They may have lost a little of their past but, it appears to me, a glorious future is within their reach - where they can once again live in peace and dignity in a united country. It may not come immediately
and as fast as would wish. But sooner than later, it will come in the form of a rennaisance. History has taught us the ancient Tamil race has great resilience and so - as
Martine Luther King, Jr confidentlay proclaimed “We shall overcome”
Swara, Toronto :
October 1, 2006 @ 10:53 am
I read with interest the last two comments. It’s very unfortunate that police and army checking has to happen in Cbo and elsewhere that more often affect the innocent. But how did this start? Can the police & govt. look the other way when suicide bombers kill innocent public, politicians, state buildings and even transport systems. I don’t have to list them, people know how many such instances took place in Cbo. I don’t for a moment condone police excesses, but this is the reality. Even Sinhalese are being checked. It’s the chick and the egg viscious cycle. I have several Tamil friends & relatives who lived in peace among the Sinhalese like a big happy family until the seed of discord was sown by this ‘conflict’. Although ther are problems of security as Aravind cliams, more than a million Tamils are still living among the Sinhalese today because whatever people may say about Sinhala polity, the Sinhala people as a whole are more accomodative and cosmopolitan. Regretably, this is not the case with most Tamil dominated areas in SL. Our Tamil brothers are more territorial, and this is one of the reasons for our growing divide. I see a tint of superiority and ethnocentrism in Aravind’s comments that all those professionals who passed out of universities after the seventies (swabasha and standardization) are mediocres in his view.
Gafoor :
October 1, 2006 @ 11:53 am
The srilankan politics under the sinhala chauvinism has decended to the abeys of hell. The tamils sought justice to injustices that were done to them by a pre-planned pro-buddhist policy of elimination of tamil nationalism. What will the sinhala man do if things that are happening in the country is reversed. What if a powerful force take over srilanka and bring the shame on sinhalese by destroying there efforts of keeping a sinhala nation in tact. The forceful occupation of tamil homes and lands if happened in sinhala areas how much of a fight or resistance the sinhala man would want to give back to the occupying force. The sinhala man is proud of his nationality as a sinhala nation and what prevents the tamils to be free and remain within their homelands with tamil nationality and nation hood. When the situation is reversed and if sinhala people are getting killed on a daily basis will the sinhala man be happy with that status quo and what is wrong when the tamil man after prolonged democartic battles took up arms just to fight back the injustice of the lying sinhala regimes. To add fuel to the injustice a former president is appointed director for UNICEF in south asia and how much of anger will this give to the tamil man when during her period of presidency she was responsible for more than three thousand tamil childrens death. Even UNICEF seems to be controlled by sinhala chauvnism. Tamils protests are quite fair and has to yeild results even though Kohonna is telling the LTTE tamil Eelam will remain a dream but when the dream is about to come true his philosophy will be redundant.
Thas :
October 2, 2006 @ 3:29 am
Just because significant number of Tamils live among the Sinhalese in the Sinhales areas, the argument that Sinhalese are more accomodative is not agreeable. The creation of the LTTE was due to the fact that Sinhalese were not accomodative at the political level. Tamils political access is denied since independence. Even now, the sinhalese are not accomodative. They think narrowly that the problem is over once the LTTE is won. THey have to understand the root cause of the problem. If they address the aspirations of the Tamil people under international law, they do not need to worry about the LTTE.
Jane :
October 2, 2006 @ 11:01 am
The abductions and extortions are done on a large scale within the area under governments’ control by the thugs set up by the thuggery Mahinda government and to prove it as an LTTE ploy and caught up with the suspect who belongs to LTTE is like trying to cover a pumpkin in a plate of rice. The man in custody is supposed to be under pressure of some big wig of government for to be released. This is another ploy to deliberately paint the tigers dirty and black. If LTTE is bent on extortion in the way the dirty government is doing with it’s thugs on full time duty the LTTE has the diaspora to assist them if it is necessary. The government has it’s cofferes drying up and is willing to plunder the tamil man’s money from banks and to add to that by killing and taking ransom from tamil business men. The real killers are the government appointed thugs and it’s para military groups to whom they officially allowed to function in colombo and the abductions have ever started after the establishment of the colombo office. The government sponsored and nurtured para military group is well fed clothed and lots of perks given with thumping moneys paid to engage in killings and extortions. Mahinda needs to put his house in order instead of trying these mean methods to make tamils to bow down to his dictates. If he honestly wants war with tigers they would certainly welcome his challenge but if as he like a fox remains cheating for ever until his time elapses as his previous Madame boss did then he will be the curse for srilanka and go into history as the one who did the most damage to srilanka.
Narayanan :
October 3, 2006 @ 10:50 am
The disrespect and anger that the GOSL wants to unleash on the Norwegians are clear in the air strikes they have performed within LTTE controlled areas when the special envoy John Hansen Bauer was visiting and in talks with tigers. The disrespect and the pro LTTE white tigers as presumed by the GOSL makes the work of Norway much harder by the day and until Norway is compelled out as is wanted by JVP the GOSL would want to penalise the Norwegians in every possible way of insult they could rain on them. The GOSL president outwardly and during overseas encounters with Norwegian prime minister shook hands and showed a false pretense of respecting Norwegian mediation and facilitation is truly unleashing it’s hatred in the island by showing hate mongering and disrespect for the Norwegians.Norway is yet to see the wolf in lambs clothing of Mahinda’s terror unleashed on more and more foreign diplomats and organisations and the senseless killings that would be done to all foreigners if they do not tow the GOSL line is surfacing now. The IC and World leaders while condemning Darfur government must also condemn the GOSL government which is equal or worse in attrocities and terrorism against all the tamils and foreigners supporting the tamil’s cause and who are sympathetical for tamils sufferings. GOSL is a terror out fit and all diplomatic ties should be cut-off if international community is to command peace in srilanka and must bring heavy sanctions on the GOSL immediately.
Donald :
October 4, 2006 @ 10:48 am
The internatinal community will never bring the srilankan crises to an end though it annoys the tigers and the tamil community from time to time. The tamils are losing hope on the IC and it’s continued support extended to the GOSL is a free license given to the GOSL to allow them to carry on the attrocities against the tamils until the tamils are brought back under the sinhala boots by surrendering to their dictates. Tamil nation will not be deceived any longer by the sinhala polity or the IC that supports the sinhala attrocities. Tamils have to fight back to survive and that is the only door open to them. Talkng with this deceptive sinhala polity is a hoax and Mahinda would want this talk about talks dispensation to continue until his period of lowbred presidency ends. He together with his lying media and ministers have only one goal in mind and that is annihilation and genocide of tamils under the watch of the IC which will stay put as long as the perpetrator is the GOSL and shout out like barking dogs when the tamils hit back on the perpetrators.
Maravan :
October 5, 2006 @ 8:49 pm
The srilankan president briefing he has given to the srilankan ambassordors serving overseas is perhaps a suspicious move why he intimidated his oversea lankan reps.to blow only his whistle when he knows for well the men are just carrying out GOSL assignments. This type of intimidation is a matter of concern that Mahinda’s oversea propaganda machine may be unable to effectively keep it’s high offices with their heads up due to the scandal the GOSL is engaged locally and internationally. The misinformation campaign and the paid lobbyists are running out of options as they are rejected by the foreign media and foreign governments to see their duplicity in utterances and the outrageous murders committed by the Mahinda regime openely and with support from the IC to tamils. The briefing and intimidation he gave is to support his ideals no matter what even if they are conciously cannot do to start a vehement lying campaign to classify all tamils and their search for freedom as terrorist activity and therefore they expect the foreign nations to stop all assistance to all human rights organisations who are sympathetic to LTTE and the tamil cause. Mahinda will soon learn his bitter lessons history has shown in the past.