15th November 2011
Hon
Mr. M.A.Sumanthiran MP
3/1,
Daya Road
Colombo
6
SriLanka
Hon
Mr. Sumanthiran
SRILANKA, TNA
& TAMILS
Firstly, I like to introduce myself. I
am a SriLankan Diaspora, who left the country in 1967 to the UK for studies,
and from 1969 to 1976, I was the Head of the Electrical Power, Instrument &
Control Divisions at the Kankesan Cement Works (Ceylon Cement Corporation). I
left Sri Lanka in 1977, travelled to most countries, worked in the UK, Africa,
New Zealand & Australia, and have now retired in Australia. During my
period of employment in different countries, I had the opportunity of not only meeting
multinationals but also work with multinationals, appreciating their commitment
to culture, courteousness, consideration, kindness, respect for others, dignity
of labour, and appreciation of knowledge in all subject and matters, whether
economics, political or technological, particularly in the European society.
I am writing this document to you as I
consider you an Attorney, Politician and eminent person who lives in the real
world in the 21st century, led by Hon Mr Sambanthar, a mature
politician. I have trailed your excellent orations, interviews & discussions
on different platforms in Australia, the US, Canada etc. With your wisdom,
erudition and flexibility, perhaps you should be the next leader of TNA.
Every Sri Lankan should have the right
to suggest a lead to a solution, wherever he or she lives. The reason is some
members of the TNA feel that Tamil Diaspora is there to support their political
ideology, which I strongly disagree with and demur, and can confidently state
that are significant number of Tamils feel the same way, provided TNA leads
Tamils to an acceptable solution within a unitary SriLanka with one governing
body. I propose to discuss in detail my views, on the situation of Tamils in
Sri Lanka.
Well, during my period at Hartley
College, politics cuddled my curiosity & attentiveness. I closely watched the
Federal Party’s political moves, and FP’s trivial hostility and skirmish for
licence plate numbers on vehicles, which is the Tamil “SRI” instead of the
Sinhala “SRI”. As a pupil, I pondered this cheap politics by the Attorneys at Law, who
were Politicians. Those politicians did not appraise the socio-politico-economic
or technological importance of Tamils or Sri Lanka, but only their self-centred
selfishness of financial position and political survival.
- Sinhala Society
As a pupil, I grew up in Kamburupitiya
and Matara in the 1950s. My understanding of the character of the Sinhalese is
that a high proportion of the Sinhalese are, gentle, kind, caring, sympathetic,
and embrace all humans with open arms, irrespective of race, religion or ethnic
group. Sinhalese preach & practice Buddhism, which is measured as a humane
philosophy also practised by billions of humans around the world.
The majority of the Schools in the South
had Tamil medium streams with Tamil Teachers. While in Kurunagala in 1966, I
met teachers who were teaching Tamil to students. Well, to generalise, I can state
that in any part of Sri Lanka, the Tamil stream was available for Tamil
students. What does this mean?
In Kamburupitiya (1950), there were beetle
and spice shops owned by Punguduteevu Tamils. In Matara, most of the eating houses
were owned by Punguduteevu and island Tamils. Not to mention, every part of Sri
Lanka had spice shops and Tamil eating houses. Wherever Tamils are colonised,
we have a humdrum tradition of building Temples and opening up eating houses
& shops. This does not mean that they have lived there for centuries but
colonised. During the time I lived in Inginiyagala, I witnessed a similar
situation. Mostly Tamils held positions in all government offices. You can be
sure that you can stroll into an office to meet the Chief Clerk who will no
doubt be a Tamil. However, Tamils being a minority ethnic group, has anyone
analysed how they were able to colonise offices and liveable areas in the South
and other places?
Well, now addressing the living order of
the Sinhalese, successive governments oppressed the Southerners neglecting most
of the South. With NIL industries & good schools, people in the South
accrued their household income through cottage industries. On the other, a strong
belief is that Sinhala people were entrepreneurs (industrialists) by way of accruing
their revenue for living, through the cottage industry, independent of the
government, but indirectly contributing to the government although the
government neglected them (Sinhala). My first article as a student appeared in
the Hartley College 1957 year magazine titled “Cottage Industries in Ceylon”.
(Evidence: If possible please refer to the
1957 year book-Hartley College, Point Pedro)
E.g.: Kamburupitiya did not have good
roads and electricity. On the other hand, Point Pedro in the North had
electricity and good interior roads. The North had quite good schools, but the
South had only two good schools in Matara and Galle. (St. Thomas College &
Richmond College). Does this tell
something to the world about discrimination, oppression, and the victims? The
Sinhalese people were the victims.
During my period of Technical education,
of the 96 students selected for the Technical course, approximately 62 students
were Tamils and 34 Sinhalese. This may be because of the good schools in the
North. This is not the fault of the Tamils or Sinhalese, but the system and the
victims were the Sinhalese who are the majority.
Careful examination reveals that Tamils
held the majority of the top jobs in the past. This may be due to the system being
designed in such a way Tamils to gain access to all streams.
The Sinhalese people built this nation
–Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese developed their language, culture, and customary
practices, and preached and practised Buddhism. They should be proud of what
they did develop, cultivate and achieve. We should perceive that they did not borrow
or copycat from the Indians. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala people developed the
language.
Tamils should recognise this truth, and
not boast that their language and character are superlative to the Sinhalese.
- Tamil Society
Tamils have been trailing along on
trivial issues with a lack of comprehension of co-existence. Although on
certain occasions I had to sympathise with Tamil politics, I had to fine-tune
my thoughts in line with the real world. I had my views, which are resolute in
that Tamils were making a big mistake, vexing & perturbing Sri Lanka, on
political, economic and technological advancement. Items of concern have been addressed
later in this document, which I think you would give serious thought to
reforming the TNA policies to make it more real and practical to work within a
strong economic and powerful Sri Lanka.
You will agree with the real world that
the previous Tamil politicians in the 40s & 50s followed cheap racial
politics intending to hold onto parliamentary privileges. Now, TNA led by Hon
Mr.Sampanthar should study the practicality of solving the issues leading to
peace in the 21st century, as Tamils in Sri Lanka have been agonised,
and victimised more under the LTTE regime for the last 35 years.
We Tamils boast that we are a unique
race with distinct culture, religion and language. I completely disagree with
this notion. We are not a race but an ethnic group in the North and East. The ethnic
group in the N&E consists of Malabar, Tamils, Telugu, Marathi, Karnataka,
Portuguese, Dutch, Irish, Filipino and whatnot. My point is that we have to
study history before bragging.
Every part of Jaffna has its own culture
& traditions, differing from each other. For example, Tellipalai is
different from Araly, Karainagar, or Padaitherippu. Tamils worship different
gods. Although the Indians were wise enough to merge Vaishnavam & Saivam,
making Vishnu the Brother-in-Law of Siva and bringing all within one umbrella
known as “Hinduism”, which nexuses all the divergences, caused the hatred
between them to evaporate.
Hindu Gods depict weapons in their
hands. We have a draconian caste system prevailing in the Tamil society. In the
early years, 25% of the Vellalar were controlled by 75% of Tamils. They not
only controlled but also oppressed and discriminated majority of Tamils. Can
then the rest assume that the 25% are suffering from some kind of psychiatric
disorder?
Tamils in the North & East are as if
Nomads live in cluster groups. South Indian Kingdoms planted the ancient Tamil
Kings in the N&E and they never had bestowed interest in the people of the
N&E, except in building temples. Those kings did not build any
infrastructures similar to the Sinhala Kings. E.g Parackrama Samudra in
Anuradhapura. Can we point out one similar Tank in the North, leaving the
Iranaimadu in Killinochi? Post Portuguese period, the invaders did nothing. The
British built good schools and limited infrastructure. The Sri Lankan
government decided to build Cement, Chemical and Paper factories in the North
& East.
The pre-colonial period is considered a harsh
& cruel period. For example, King Sangilian (whose true name is not
Sanglian), had to camouflage himself to the natives to accept him as their
ruler, and was interested in dances, and religious activities, doing nothing to
the people in the North. Ordinary People in the North lived like slaves carrying
out their routines, except the Elites. Sanglian was quite particular in
segregating different castes to live in different constellation groups and
considered them low prohibiting them from acquiring knowledge.
Let us take the language. The Tamils in
the North & East copied what is in South India and implemented it in the
N&E. Culturally, wherever the Tamils came from brought their home culture
and practiced in the N&E. Tamils in Sri Lanka were not ingenious enough to
develop their own culture, language & religion in Sri Lanka. Tamils cannot boast
that they developed something in Sri Lanka. It was merely a copycat.
However, on the contrary, the Sinhalese
developed their language, culture, and customary practices, practising Buddhism,
which they are highly proud of and we have to accept their intellectual
capability and the results achieved by them. Finally, it directs that the
Tamils and Sinhalese are no different humans, but are brothers and sisters.
Tamils
brag that their language “Tamil” gave birth before humans started learning and
had a monarchy. In Tamil:
“கல் தோன்றி மன்
தோன்றாக் காலத்தில் தோன்றியது தமிழ் மொழி”.
What a lot of crap? How long are we
going to yap this apophthegm? I have listened to literates and Tamil scholars
still go around yapping this dictum without understanding the truth, veracity
and authenticity.
We Tamils have a temperament that we
tend not to enter into conflict resolution through dialogues, but take revenge
by either assaults or killing. A typical example is throwing human excreta into
a journalist’s house in Sydney, and all killings carried out by LTTE in Sri Lanka.
Even today, LTTE leftovers are fighting in overseas countries, which you may be
aware of.
Politics of the Tamils
I have to refer to certain details for clarity
and certain documents for the authenticity of this discussion. Whatever is stated
here is not intending to nit-pick or insult, but to elucidate that Tamils had a
deficit in their vision and mission.
Jaffna Tamils had evil deep-rooted hard
rock caste consciousness within the interethnic group and the highland Tamils. The
Jaffna man identified Tamils of another region as, Theevaan, Vanniyaan,
Vadamaraachiaan, and Vadakkathiyaan etc.
The Ceylon National Congress was
formed in 1919, and the “unofficial” was expanded in numbers in the Legislative
Council [LC] in 1921 and a further expansion in 1924. Sir P. Ramanathan
represented the Legislative Council of Ceylon as a member, only for the
Educated Ceylonese between the periods 1911 to 1921. Between the periods 1924
to 1930, he represented the LC for Valikamam North. Sir PR died at the age of
79 in 1930. The crux I wish to accentuate is that Sir PR
represented only a few elite Tamils. Their racial-ethnic group was not at all
interested in the general Tamil populace. Sir PR did not represent the entire Tamils and did not politically
manoeuvre towards liberating the Tamil populace from slavery and caste
oppression. However, a few articles deliberated that Sir PR advocated the
rights of the up-country Tamils. Quote “He
defended their right to voting rights in his speech in the Legislative Assembly
[Page 1791 Hansard Volume 111-1928] “. The question and the ambiguity,
which arises now, are whether these created stories to protect the descendants
of the Royal family to continue in the politics of governing the Tamils within
SriLanka or as an independent nation. In 1948, the
first bill by the act of parliament was the Ceylon Citizenship Act No.18 of
1948, to disenfranchise the Tamils of the highlands (Tamils of Indian origin).
GG Ponnambalam voted for it. (Ref; The National Question and the Tamil
Liberation Struggle by Satchi Ponnambalam). The truth is that Mr GG
Ponnambalam voted in favour of disfranchising the one million Tamils. Could we then assume or believe that Elite
Tamils were the main driver for the disfranchisement?
Donomore and Soulsbury drafted
the constitution during the British period. During this period, in the State
Assembly elections held in 1931, 1936 & 1947, upcountry Tamils elected
eight assembly members of Parliament. (Ref: The National Question and the Tamil
Liberation Struggle by Satchi Ponnambalam). Could this be the reason
for the Elite Jaffna Tamils to spawn hatred towards the highland Tamils or
could the differences be because of the caste?
Further, “The passage of the 1949 act made two MPs (SJV & Vanniasingham) resign
from the Tamil Congress and found the “Federal
Party”. The other version is that SJV resigned from the Tamil Congress, on
refusal of a ministerial portfolio. Could we then assume that SJVC formed the
Federal Party to gain cheap popularity on the refusal of a portfolio? This was
the first step of obliteration Tamil Politicians instigated in Sri Lanka.
However, for the last 63 years,
we have been screaming, crying and politically slandering GSL that the
Sinhalese were responsible for the disenfranchisement of the Tamils, which may
not be the truth. The Elite Tamils were
the main driver for the act with GG Ponnambalam leading the mission.
Vaddukoddai Resolution
The Tamil Manavar Peravai (TMP) was
gaining recognition among the Tamil masses. I am a native of Vaddukoddai. Mr.
Amirthalingham was illustrious and notable for poor human qualities and the
people decided in 1966 to dump Amirthaligham. Vaddukoddai people took up the challenge,
and he was defeated and chased out of Vaddukoddai in 1970. The defeat
humiliated him and ran to Tellipallai. In general, FP sensed a vacillation of
popularity and support among the Tamils. I was at KKS during these periods.
The liberation groups and TMP’s
vision and mission were to establish a separate Tamil land. This is when
Amirthalingham wanted to regain his political identity and supremacy among the
Tamils, and had a convention for the Resolution. Can anyone give one good
reason? (i) why FP chose Vaddukoddai as the Town for the convention (ii)
Declaration of a separate country of Tamil Eelam.
Analysis revealed that the
convention had to be a necessity to protect FP’s downfall. Vaddukoddai
Resolution was a formula Amirthalingham and Co-developed for FP’s political
survival. To regain as FP’s political icon, Amirthalingham, chose Vaddukkoddai
for the VR. This was the third catastrophic failure Tamil politicians
instigated, just because they wanted to regain political importance. The first
is the SJVC’s Federal Party, second is TMP and LTTE taking up arms.
Today
VR has transformed itself into a mode of transport to the Tamil Diaspora at the
expense of Tamils in Sri Lanka. I can foresee that VR made a deception subsequently,
as it is a NO, NO and not a viable option.
LTTE
Kuttimani
& Thangathurai started carrying guns in 1970 under the pretext of
liberation. The two people are nothing but smugglers from Valvettiturai.
Vellupillai Prabakaran (VP) was a boy who left school without even going
through year 9. Speculation is that VP carried Tea and buns for Thangathurai,
and Thangathurai taught him how to manipulate guns (revolver). Uma Maheswaran
was from Tellipalai and the speculation is that he was a pugnacious character. 1972
was the year they joined forces and in 1976, the New Liberation Tigers was
transformed into LTTE under the leadership of Uma Maheswaran.
What
was their goal? A separate country for the N&E is named TamilEalam (TE).
Did they do basic homework on the viability of a separate country?
The
group only learned to kill prominent figures and politicians. They did not have
a rudimentary knowledge of politics, economics, social science and the
principles of democracy. LTTE was responsible for the killing of, several
thousands of innocent Tamils in the N&E, politicians and civilians during
the 2009 war. VP’s acts were cruel, draconian, cunning and inhumane.
How
did they generate funds? Initially, Valvettiturai smugglers financed their
operations and subsequently transformed into international smuggling. Most of
the funds generated were through illegal means. Today, LTTE key supporters are
fighting for the wealth LTTE accrued.
By
killing politicians and Ministers, they earned the name “TERRORISTS”.
Several opportunities were available to the LTTE to arrive at a peaceful
solution. This is an indication of the highest degree of idiosyncrasy VP &
Co possessed.
The
shortfall was a mindset that prevented the VP and the terrorists from holding
onto arms struggle under the pretext of liberation. On the other, LTTE did not
realise that they were doing more damage to the Tamils rather than protecting
the Tamils. Every time LTTE moved from place to place, LTTE used civilians as
human shields.
Previous
governments are accountable for not eradicating terrorism and the LTTE. Although
the previous governments applied a diplomatic process, LTTE’s violent mode
could not be accepted. Tamils should be thankful to the current President HE
MR. Mahinda Rajapakse, and the three military commanders for liberating the
Tamils from agony, anguish, suffering, distress, and torment.
Well,
the mindset of myth, illusion, fabrication, and fiction with the absence of
truth and reality embraced the LTTE and their supporters for 39 years.
Transnational
Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)
VP in his
speech in November 2008 said that he transferred the struggle to the Tamil
Diaspora youths. Along with his statement in the hero’s day speech, the mindset
of myth, illusion, fabrication, and fiction with the absence of truth and
reality embraced the TGTE and the Tamil Diaspora.
TGTE was quick to move for the VR
referendum in overseas countries. TGTE intended to camouflage and describe to
the world that they are going through a democratic process. In reality, what
percentage of Tamil Diaspora did vote for the referendum? What percentage of the
Tamil Diaspora did vote for the TGTE elections?
The North of Sri Lanka has no
resources. Even today, how many people are paying their taxes to the
government? On the other hand, most of the people in the North own assets. If
the government investigates how they accrued the wealth, most of them could
face legal charges.
The creation of Provincial
Councils (PC) proliferates government expenses, bribery and corruption. The
question is could the PC generate revenue within the PC region? What is the
mode of inflow of capital to the Provincial Council? Inadequate inflow results in
them begging the Central Government for funds. Well, it could be that the PC
will have only limited power, but they cannot generate adequate revenue to run
the Council. Embracing Power is not going to improve people’s living standards
and enhancement of knowledge in socio-politico-economic and technology. We are
in the 21st century, not the 12th century with a rearward
monarchy system.
If the Provincial Council system
cannot solve economic and technical issues, can we assume that a Federal System
will solve them? A Federal System will be a catastrophic tragedy to the entire Sri Lanka. On a 10-year horizon, Sri Lanka
may accelerate to be another third-world African nation.
Tamil Diaspora embraced with the
myth of a separate nation has not understood the implications and unreality of
such a perception. If PC and the Federal System were not feasible, then a
separate nation would be a treacherous debacle. A separate nation (TE) would be
a threat to the entire South East Asian nations. TE would be an airport for
foreign terrorists, drug traffickers and smugglers. Such illegal means may
become a reality on a 15-year horizon.
TGTE propagates that Tamils need
to govern themselves free from oppression and discrimination. Those elite
Tamils have not perceived that they have been oppressing and discriminating against
lower cast Tamils for centuries and the tradition continues. It is the Sri Lankan
government that opened up opportunities for all Tamils to gain access to good
schools, Universities and employment. A separate country (TE) will maximize
oppression and discrimination of the lower segment of the Tamils by the Elite
rulers under the pretext of democracy.
Most educated literate members of
TGTE gained free primary, secondary, and University education plus free food
through coupons. Most of those are the very same educated people now calling
themselves Tamil Diaspora, who are working against Sri Lanka to destroy Sri Lanka's
economy, sovereignty and esteem.
Please ask a question. Why did the
British merge N & E with Ceylon? If the merge did not go through, today
Tamils would be a bunch of uneducated tramps. We have to accept the fact that
our Tamil politicians in the state/legislative council period refused a Federal
System when Mr SWRD Bandaranaike made the move. Maybe, we must appreciate those
politicians in the early years.
Tamil Diaspora – (TD)
Tamils are categorized as a kind
of nomads and drifters look for greener pastures. General characterization is
that we have a habit of not staying in one place, but wonder to other greener
pastures. Tamils from India invaded and colonized Indonesia and Ceylon. Well,
historically South Indian Kingdoms and travellers via the Indian Ocean stormed
Ceylon. The world should sympathize with the Sri Lankan Sinhalese, as they are
people who suffered the most over several centuries with sudden unpredictable
assaults from South India, Muslims, Moors and Europeans. We should read history
without revamping stories to suit us.
Tamils, because of the psychopath
caste system, tend to live in cluster formation. We colonize other areas.
Tamils from the N&E quickly colonized Colombo 4, 5, 6 and every place they
could. No Tamil wanted to move to Vanni because of Malaria. On the other hand,
Tamils object and scream if others try to move and settle. That is our nature.
We are selfish, we will not make use of it and we will not allow others to make
use of it, and are not flexible. Everywhere we colonize; our priority is to
build temples and eating houses.
Even in places where they have
settled or colonized, we tend to cluster into primary groups based on caste.
In Ceylon, Tamils were identified
as “Kallathonies”, which is true. Even after Ceylon gained independence, people
from South India (Tamil Nadu, Andra) were creeping illegally on boats. The government
established a unit in Palaly to eliminate illegal immigration. Tamils were
irritated because of this impression.
However, in the 21st
century, Tamils from Sri Lanka are entering European countries, New Zealand and
Australia illegally by boat. They enter as refugees, but after they receive
permanent residence, they go back to Sri Lanka on holidays. Can they be refugees?
Today some of the Tamil Diaspora,
maybe approximately 25-30% are perceived with a mindset of Tamil Ealam and
TGTE. Notwithstanding, wherever they have colonized Australia, they have built
several temples in different suburbs in different states. A significant number
of curry houses and eating houses are been opened up. Some of them are
ambitious to enter local politics. Are these migrants willing to change and
integrate with the Australians or is there a possibility of demanding a
separate governing body for the Tamils in Australia?
The result is several millions of
dollars wasted each year for their TE campaign, with nil results.
Tamil Nadu Poly-tricks
We all are aware that Tamil Nadu
(TN) politicians originated separatism calling for an independent Tamil Nadu as
soon as they got independence. Later they abandoned the demand for their selfish
reasons. Their motive was to develop their state, which they accomplished.
However, they could not rid of the racist mindset, which resulted in the birth
of Dravida Kazhagam. Today there is a significant number of political parties,
which embed the word “Dravida”. In Tamil Nadu, the majority of people are not
educated but are inflicted with myths through cinema. After 64 years, TN is
crowded with migrants from other states, who have settled and call themselves
Tamils. The majority of the TN people can speak Hindi in TN. Some from neighbouring
states have found an easy method of entering politics. These individuals found
that cinema is a sound channel for entering politics. Most illiterates in TN,
saturated with idiosyncrasy, hero-worship cinema actors vote for them. The term
“Democracy” has no meaning in TN.
Those frustrated leftovers and
some politicians, rather than addressing their issues, direct their grievances
and attacks on the Central Government in Delhi, via the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
India promoted LTTE, trained them and gave them weapons to fight GSL. They had
two motives. (i) satisfy their local state TN politicians (ii) to control and
thumb down GSL.
Today TN politicians are moaning
and crying that N & E is colonized In SL. No one speaks about Tamils
colonizing the South. Well, these TN politicians are either politically &
socially immature or they plan to destroy SL.
Observation
We Tamils in Sri Lanka have shown
a high degree of racism and xenophobic approach to the GSL by titling political
parties starting with “Tamil & TamilEalam”. Today, political parties have congregated
to be either Tamil Elam or Liberation Tigers. This is an indication of the high
degree of racism and xenophobia. In the Sinhala sector, no political parties
carry the name “Sinhala”.
Have we thought about why we
carry the name Tamil in every nook and corner? Tamils should rid of this ill
reactionary attitude of stamping everything “Tamil”. All are Sri Lankans
irrespective of race and religion.
Even in the 21st
century, most Tamils inflicted with 12th-century murky,
mud-spattered thoughts of dominance over others are like that of animals in the
jungle. “Fundamental & fanatic caste & creedal
thoughts is a kind of psychiatric problem as it is outside human norms”. As
questioned earlier, can we consider that 25% of the Vellalars have some mental
problems as they live outside the human norm?
What
type of jobs are those who claim superior engaged overseas? Does the dollar
compensate for their dignity?
Are
Tamils possessive? Are Tamils selfish and self-centred in all aspects? What is
the reason that Tamils cannot understand the basic norm? Why cannot Tamils be
flexible and reliable, have some courtesy and give some thoughts on the dignity
of labour? Are Tamils violent by nature because we worship Hindu gods who depict
weapons in their hands? Why do Tamils celebrate days of killing and not
otherwise? Why do Tamils believe in myths, imaginary things, and not reality?
Why are Tamils reluctant to believe in science? Are Tamils of N & E
Dravidian, Aryan or Sri Lankan? Why do not Tamils embrace humans of another
race or ethnic group? Why are we xenophobic? Does any constraint prevail for
Tamils not to learn the Sinhalese language?
Tamil demand for autarchy leads to an
assumption of chauvinism. Could this be a reasonable assumption?
Prof Daya Somasundaram in his
publication has given statistics of Tamils in service in Sri Lanka. (Ref: MCGILL FOREIGN AFFAIRS REVIEW, Volume II, Issue 1 - Winter
2010). The
table depicts as follows:
Table 1: Percentages of Tamils employed in Sri
Lanka, by sector.
|
Year
|
1956
|
1965
|
1970
|
2002
|
|
Administration
|
30
|
20
|
5
|
8
|
|
Clerical Service
|
50
|
30
|
5
|
9
|
|
Professionals
|
60
|
30
|
10
|
10
|
|
Armed Forces
|
40
|
20
|
1
|
<0.01
|
We must believe that we were less than
approximately 11.5% of the total population in Ceylon. Nevertheless, Tamils
were holding 50% of the jobs in clerical service, 40% in the armed forces, and
60% Professionals in 1956. A simple question is, would Tamils tolerate this
proportion of employment if they were the majority being 85% of the total
population? On the other hand, would Elite Tamils tolerate this proportion of
employment by the lower caste, among the Tamils?
Mr.
V. Rudrakumaran in his interview with a journalist stated that the Tamils are
facing multidimensional colonisation.
He stated that colonisation in Tamil
soil occurs as follows:
1. Land
2. Language
3. Employment
4. Culture
Have
we for a single moment thought that Tamils, not only have colonised every part
of Sri Lanka by way of land, employment, culture and language but also
colonised foreign countries?
TNA & Future
TNA
is the sole representative of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. TGTE is an organisation,
which floats in the air. TGTE can never claim that they are neither the
representatives nor any other organisation overseas. Could a separate TE be a
reality based on political and economic assessment? The Tamils in the N&E are
an ethnic group with significant differentials among them, and since
independence, we have not shown any progress, correction, step-up or advancement.
Tamils look for greener pastures.
The
following are not feasible from the socio-economic perspective of the Tamils.
1. Provincial
Council
2. Federal system
3. Separate country
TE
There
can be only one government (GSL) and Tamils could be part of the government. If
Tamils need power sharing, please think of an option of joining the governance.
Tamils must realise that we are quite a low minority and power-sharing requests
should be reasonable. TNA could request the changes to take effect by an irrevocable
act of parliament.
TGTE
and overseas Tamil Forums should not dictate terms to the elected
representatives in SL. TGTE and other forums should not interfere with the
governance of GSL and should not attempt to disintegrate SL as a nation. What
is required in SL is peace and stability for people and the country's economy
to grow.
Tamil
extremists domiciled overseas and those refugees who have obtained permanent
residence should think before acting. Their thoughts, verbal diarrhoea, or any
acts shall not render any counterproductive measures in SL. It is an
observation that Tamil Diaspora’s actions, verbal, and journalistic statements
do not measure with the civilised world.
Further,
TGTE is creating precedence for the rest of the world to be destabilised.
The
Tamil Diaspora should think and understand with pure reasoning that a separate
country is not viable. Even a PC or a federal system is not economically viable
as SL is a small country with very limited resources.
Power
or language will not produce food for people to survive.
Tamils
need to be proactive, constructive, productive, practical, positive, helpful,
thoughtful, considerate and thorough in their political ideology and
performance to achieve peace and build Sri Lanka a powerful nation in the
Indian Ocean.
Thank
you for taking the time to read this letter.
Kind
Regards
Yours
Sincerely
(Kanthar Balanathan)
