Remembering Neelan Tiruchelvam

Six years ago on July 29 Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, the well-known Constitutional-lawyer politician and civil rights crusader was brutally felled in the vicinity of his home and work place by a still faceless assassin who probably stalked him for sometime before choosing the time to complete his deadly mission.

Neelan lost his life during a period when he gave so much of his time and the benefits of his learning to the desperate search for peace that Sri Lanka is groping for long now.

He was snatched away, it is suggested, at a time when he was about to clinch a breakthrough in our constitutional imbroglio where the long claimed interests of the minorities were to be realised while the sensitivities of the majority were sufficiently addressed. A study of Neelan's parliamentary speeches and writings adequately establish his determination to build bridges between the two major communities.

Although he was a senior Parliamentarian of the TULF, in inviting him to deliver the SWRD Bandaranaike Memorial lecture the SLFP leadership and the Bandaranaike family were sending out signals that in him they see little partisanship in the communal cleavage.

In that address Neelan said several of the features in the power sharing process then finding acceptance were some that originated from the thoughts of SWRD in the B-C Pact.

It is well-known Neelan passionately believed political and cultural pluralism in making life for all of us "a festival". Despite the odds, the difficulties and rigid positions between the contending parties, he patiently worked towards a peaceful resolution. If such a man was to be eliminated through a fascist-oriented conspiracy, the master-minds must be sick well beyond redemption.

It is given to a few whose ideas and thoughts continue to benefit society after they are gone. Neelan is indeed one of them. One of Neelan's finest achievements is to provide space, infrastructure and opportunity for young academics in their research and quest for knowledge. The foundation he established International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) has gained for itself both national and international recognition and serves as a meeting point for visiting academics and exchange students to interact with their local counterparts. Academics, social scientists, lawyers, political leaders and others of international recognition use the medium of ICES to share their thoughts with the Sri Lankan community. These guest-lectures are held almost every 2-3 weeks. Among the few names of speakers in recent times that come to my mind are of the calibre of Clare Short, M.P. and former Minister in Tony Blair's government, Dr. Alex Boraine, friend and former Cabinet colleague of President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Shri N. Ram, Chief Editor of the Madras-based "Hindu", Lord Mayhew of Twysden from the House of Lords, UK, Prof. Ramesh Thakur, Asst. Secy.-General of the UN.

The well-stocked and comprehensive ICES library is regularly used by students both from here and overseas. Among the other cultural activities the ICES makes available are films and documentaries of current topicality with a deep educative content. Recent showings "The Postman" from Italy and "Young Che Guevara" from Argentina are just two that I recall attracted full and pleased audiences.

The Centre provides young and upcoming writers, poets and artists a platform to present and discuss their work-a process through which their creative talents secure encouragement.

The Centre also organises panel discussions to focus on changes in the Constitution sensitive legislation, national budget and other topics of contemporary interest etc., where experts in the particular discipline are invited to analyse issues with active audience participation.

Neelan is no longer with us but his useful work continues to profit both young and old; those of different ideological and political persuasions; those who share different perspectives in the national debate. The true democrat he was, Neelan enthusiastically encouraged and believed in unity in diversity. If the fiercely contending forces within our polity succeed in ushering in a conflict-free, peaceful and democratic Sri Lanka this will be the finest tribute to this good man who made the supreme sacrifice in its long and weary search.

- A. Kandappah