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by Dr. Vickramabahu Karunarathne

Speech delivered on 23 Aug at the Rotary Club - Kandy

Peace process is to resolve the Tamil national problem. Our society is faced with two major problems. One of them is the Tamil national problem. The other is the problem created by the conditions placed on us by global capital. Tamil national problem is due to the practice of inequality and discrimination on Tamil speaking people of this country. In particular on those who are from the North East (NE) region, claimed homeland of the Tamil people.

During the last few decades we witnessed the growth of the struggle of the Tamils of NE for freedom and liberation. The liberation war of Tamil Tigers is a part of this common struggle. Peace effort is to resolve this crisis by a political solution. It is expected that a federal constitution with a substantial autonomy for the NE will bring the Tamil people to live peacefully within a united country.

The second problem arises due to loans and donations we negotiate from World Bank and leading capitalist countries. These are given under certain conditions. In other words, they tell us what to do and where to go. Advice and direction from experienced masters of economic development could be appreciated. But if their advices undermine not only the interest of working masses but also even national capitalist classes of the country.

Then such conditions could be restrictive. This can be a new kind of subjugation where we lose our freedom to decide our future. Final effect will be that of the global capital, taking control of our economy and the exploitation of our resources. We cannot change our legal systems, social services framework and the welfare of our people according to the needs of global capital.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe's Government started off with certain limitations, due to political problems. Firstly for a comfortable majority in the Parliament it is dependent on a series of minority-based political parties.

These do not have a common interest and have widely different demands. Secondly, President Chandrika Kumaratunga is from the opposing party and she is the main contender for the national policitical leadership, against Ranil. This has created a mini cold war between these two personalities. However Ranil successfully stopped the war by signing an MoU with Tamil Tigers movement. New Left Front (NLF) supports this peace effort in spite of our criticism of the Government.

This peace effort is said to culminate in a federal solution with a substantial autonomy for the Tamil homeland. Muslims interests are to be incorporated within this with Muslim dominated sub-autonomy.

We had proposed devolution and self-government as early as 1974. Thereafter we consistently campaigned for such a solution. JR proposed a Provincial Council set-up in 1986 and eventually made constitutional changes in 1988. However PCs were to given enough powers nor could they obtain sufficient funds.

Though PCs could be dissolved by neither the Cabinet nor the President, the powers given are much less than in the Indian constitution. Hence there is nothing surprising in the dissatisfaction shown by all Tamil parties for this solution. In 1995 President Chandrika came out with the idea of a Union of Regions, but retreated under the pressure from the opposition including the UNP.

Though we give critical support to the UNF regime we cannot agree to the document "Regaining Sri Lanka". This book explains the agreement between the Government and the donor agencies. There are three things we totally oppose. Firstly, the total freedom given to the foreign capital to enter our market, secondly, the removal of legal protection of the working masses, and finally the dismantling of social security network.

With these the Multi National Corporations will dominate our economy. Also it means suffering not only to the working masses but also to the local capitalist classes.

We notice two confrontations pressed against the government. On the one hand, there is the chauvinist campaign led by the JVP and the Sihala Urumaya. This cannot be of much value except due to the support given by the SLFP, Chandrika has started a dialogue with the JVP in order to arrive at an alliance. President Chandrika's brother Anura Bandaranaike has become the kingpin of this alliance.

However, it is very unlikely that Chandrika could forget her proposals of 1995 and embrace the racism of the JVP and Sihala Urumaya. But she is flirting with them in order to disturb the Government. On the other hand, the Government has to face the campaign led by trade unions and left parties for higher wages and for the protection of worker's rights. The social democratic elements within the SLFP are also helping this campaign.

Even the opposition leader has given his blessings. Ranil thus has a choice he can give in either to the racial campaign or the social campaign. How he will face yet to be seen. Ranil has the backing of global capitalist leaders including America. In fact his Government is a West oriented government, and he believes that the Western powers are there to rescue him. His confidence is based on this belief. Does he think that he could counter social democratic campaign by this support?

The Western Masters of the Government govern even the discussion with the LTTE. Ranil's Government expects Western powers to push the LTTE towards talks and to force a limited solution on the Tamil people. Unless Tamil leaders are able to mobilise masses and win the support of working masses, both local and international, the liberation struggle is facing the danger of liquidation.

LTTE, though based on the anger and hate against the repression of Tamil people, expanded its strength by winning the sympathy of Western liberal society. After the 1983 riots (Black July) everybody in the West accepted the legitimacy of Tamil liberation.

But today the same liberalism wants the LTTE to give up armed struggle come to a compromise and accept a devolution within one Sri Lanka. US Deputy State Secretary Armitage said recently that they would hunt them (LTTE) down and stop their finances unless the LTTE comes back to the discussion table.

This clearly shows that the Western powers are here on their own agenda and not for any liberation. Thus time has come for all oppressed in Sri Lanka to come together on a democratic basis and strength fight against local and global injustice.

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