The bitter truth

Wasantha Priya Ramanayake (Translated by A A M Nizam)

The possibility exist more about the victor in a war neglecting the vanquished. However, Dharmasoka of India and Abraham Lincoln of America did not do so. The Guerillas of Nagaland waged a war against India similar to the LTTE in our country. Ultimately the Nagaland guerillas had to surrender to the Indian Army and surrender all their weapons in queues.

The weapons were piled up like a mountain and together with that the guerillas also surrendered to the Indian Army. Subsequently India implemented a controversial devolution of power. The Indian government included a revision to its constitution formulated by Ambedkar and gave powers to Nagaland not enjoyed by Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Provincial council system

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the whole world by addressing Parliament after defeating the LTTE that the war carried out in the North was not a war against the Tamil population. He said “the defeat of the LTTE and crippling of the fire power was in no way a defeat of the Tamil population”. (4th session of Parliament - May 19, 2009). By now the government has started discussions with the Tamil National Alliance about the political solution to be given to the North. Without stopping at that the government is also planning to find the best political solution through a Parliament Select Committee. In the meantime a decision has been taken to hold elections for the Northern Provincial Council definitely next year.

If the existing provincial council system is to be given to the North as well, there is no need to hold talks with the Tamil National Alliance. There is also no need for the Parliament Select Committee. There is no need for a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission as well. Therefore it is quite clear that the government wants to listen to the political demands of the Tamils and to provide a solution. That is fine and appreciable. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s expectations are clear by this.

Meanwhile the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (the JVP) has directly accused the government saying that it is military rule that exists in the North. The UNP does not have a backbone to say even something like that. As a whole the JVP accusation is baseless. The freedom gained by the Tamil population by removing Prabhakaran’s and the LTTE’s brutal rule is greater than the freedom gained by the Sinhala population. It is the same Security Forces that established this freedom to the North.

The North will not remain as a undeveloped area in the future. There is no war in the country now. Any discussion will be easier when peace prevails. In addition to this there is a leader acceptable to the South.

He is President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The best time has also dawned to find a solution to the problem that has been existing business for over 50 years. It is something that could not be understood by the International community. They talk about this trying to exert some pressure on us. The Darusman Report and Channel 4 video are the interim results of these pressures.

Ancient kings

“Our country is an independent nation. Do not lay interfere in our business. You look after your business. Do not exert pressure on us” we cannot say so and behave like the foolish thugs of the townships. Similar to the way we use our sovereignty they also could use their freedom the way they want. It is not reasonable to ask others help requesting not to exert pressure on us only at times when we are in trouble.

It is in such an international background we have to safeguard our identity and our sovereignty.

Those who could never come to power could say many things that would not materialize. They could speak about an unlimited independence. But a responsible leader steering the country and a government in power could not do so. Everything has to be done systematically, cautiously and carefully. The people who brought this government to power still hold the belief that similar to the way the war was won, it will also overcome the current obstacles.

Even today the grateful people say that whatever the problems we have we are able to walk on the roads without any fear. We get our work done and sleep peacefully at night because of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This is the truth. This gratitude of the common man will be there forever. Historical accounts about his link to the ancient kings are being made. Today the President is being described as the contemporary King Dutugemunu.

Generally for an incumbent government the second term is not as bright as its first term. This phenomenon is common to this government as well. They can find reasons also to base their arguments on this matter. The Pensions Rights for the Private Sector was a dream of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He thought about this during the time he was the Labour Minister. It is the same sort of officials who should take responsibility about the University lecturers problem.

It seems that the advice being received by the government on this matter is incomplete. As per the salary sheet shown to this writer by a Senior Lecturer it amounts to Rs. 49,050. With all allowances it amounts to Rs. 62,000. Presently he is on the last point of his salary scale. Rs. 49,050 including salary increments. He does not get overtime, travelling allowance, fuel allowance and telephone facilities for his residence. Even a Mail Sorter in the Postal Department with his overtime payments gets about Rs. 50,000 per month. The problem is in discrepancies like this. The government has to get accurate reports about these matters. Dealing with the intelligentsia of the country should be handled very carefully. Therefore, with the intervention of the Higher Education Minister both parties seem to be going for a settlement through compromise.

Channel 4 film

The results of the Darusman Report, United Nations interference, Channel 4 film, and all these things depend with India’s review. That is the truth. India will not allow something bad to happen for one of friends in the region. The government’s relations with India are cordial. Their basic demand is to provide a solution to the problem in the North based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

For India it is Tamil Nadu. For President Mahinda Rajapaksa it is the South of Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not prepared to provide a solution to the problem of the North by antagonizing the South. Similarly India is not prepared to help Sri Lanka by antagonizing Tamil Nadu. Both India and Sri Lanka have to move forward by properly managing these issues.

To get the silver lining appear on this journey, the experience of the leaders of this government are quite sufficient. Only the honest desire is required. The one who really sleeps can be awakened but that cannot be done with one who pretends to be sleeping.