What do Tamils need: Secularism or nationalism?

Continued from September 27, Monday

S K Thangavadivel

Some of our politicians raised the issue of omission of section 29 of the Soulbury Constitution in the New constitution. The Sinhala Only Bill and the taking off of the Civic Rights bill from the plantation Tamils were passed even when the section 29 was in force. Regarding the minorities some important rights were included in the 1972 constitution. If the TULF had joined hands with the LSSP to draft the constitution, the Tamils would have benefited a lot. Otherwise if the Federal party supported the 1964 coalition Government where LSSP was strong or helped the SLFP and LSSP to form the Government in 1965 the Tamils would have got their maximum rights. That is the fate of the Tamils to have opportunistic leaders.

In 1970-1977 coalition the whole country developed. Local production thrived. Restrictions were imposed on imports of goods that were produced locally. In some cases imports were stopped. Encouragement was given to small Businessmen to expand their businesses and farmers to increase their income, Educated youths were given employment. In the Northern and Eastern Provinces the farmers, owners of industries, employees in the Government and private sector put up new buildings. There were many factories. Katankudy sarong, Chankanai trouser material, Valvettithurai Soda and Vathiri shoes were among the famous products produced by North-Eastern people.

All went flat after JR came into power in 1977. Political opponents of the UNP were harassed. JR declared war against minorities. Innocent Tamils were killed, their assets destroyed. A good number of Tamils went abroad as refugees. Another good number ended up in local refugee camps. Communal riots took place continuously, majority of the Sinhalese inclusive of some Buddhist Monks were sympathised with the Tamils.

They helped the Tamils at the expense of their lives. Only one communist party member represented all the leftists in the Parliament. He was Sarath Muthettuwegama. He was the main speaker for the Tamil community. Shelton Ranarajah a Sinhalese Buddhist from Senkadagala also spoke for the Tamils. Even though he was a UNP Deputy Minister he spoke in favour of the Tamils. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Bernard Soysa, Wimalasiri de Mel, Nevil Rodrigo and other leftist supporters from the Lanka Samasamaja Party and Ceylon Communist Party helped Tamils.

During Riots Uma Maheswaran, the Secretary General of PLOTTE was respected by most youth inclusive of Sinhalese. Some Sinhalese youth even joined PLOTTE to fight for the rights of the minorities and working class as a whole. PLOTTE ran a Radio station in both Sinhala and Tamil languages which was heard by many people.

Majority of the people in Sri Lanka hate communalism. But the Ruling UNP at that time poisoned the hearts of innocent Sinhalese. On the Tamil side Anton Balasingham an advisor of LTTE Poisoned the heart of Tamils. The LTTE started killing innocent Sinhalese and Muslims. UNP thugs killed Tamils.

At later stages both killed their own people. LTTE killed their opponents and at one stage LTTE was alone. Security Forces started to liberate the Jaffna District from LTTE.

They attacked the houses with Bulldozers to Bring peace. IPKF came and Rajiv went on a pact with Sri Lankan Government, and it was called Rajiv-JR Pact or Indo - Ceylon pact. Temporarily North-East Provincial Council was formed.

The Government wanted to co-operate with the LTTE. But the LTTE did not co-operate. At last Election was held and A Varatharajaperumal became the Chief Minister. The LTTE started fighting against IPKF and all the consecutive Governments. At last they lost to the present Government. The main reason was majority of the people inclusive of Tamils did not like war and also the present President convinced the opponents of the LTTE to bring peace.

The LTTE’s Anti-Indian Policy helped India to get closer ties with the present Government it is also one of the reasons for the defeat of LTTE. Unlike UNP’s tactics, present President did not allow communal Riots and brought peace to the country. Sinhalese and Tamils must consider communalism as a dangerous disease.

As a person who moved with people of all races in the rural areas. I love all people. And they are all very good. Some politicians and media are poisoning the minds of the people.

After all, what is life? Birth is accident. Even marriage is accident. God is Omni present. There is only one god, one race, one caste. Political solution is very easy.

What is the difficulty to implement the 13th Amendment fully? Every citizen of Sri Lanka can buy properties in any part of Sri Lanka. State land should be given according to Ethinic Ratio of the district. Without any power how could the Tamil youth get powerful weapons. Government must solve the ethinic and economic problems for the benefit of the country.

In all successive communal riots the LSSP, the CP the Democratic Left Front and the majority of the Sinhalese protected the Tamils. LSSP, CP and Democratic Left Front supported Indo-Ceylon pact. They have endeavoured to implement the 13th Amendment fully.

At this juncture, the people of Sri Lanka must get together and bring peace for all, irrespective of race, caste and religion. Tamil politicians must get united under one banner and have talks with the Government not only to achieve the political rights of the minorities but also for their economic freedom.

Liberation comes from satisfying poor man’s economy. Then only we can liberate our minds from desire.