‘Tamil Eelam’ sprang from Chola expansionism

W A De Silva

Eelam is not a new concept promulgated by LTTE. The origin of this concept is directly related to the nature of relationship that prevailed between Sri Lanka and South India throughout the history. It has been observed that various strategies have been implemented by Tamil States in South India for expansion of their power over Sri Lanka during the past as far back as 2nd Century BC. Eelam is considered as one of such strategies presently being implemented by Tamil Nadu for above purpose.

Ruins of Nalanda University

Indo-Sri Lanka relationship in ancient and medieval history could be divided into two stages. Firstly the relationship with Northern India. Secondly the relationship with South India mainly with Tamil Nadu. Based on the nature and impact of these relationships it could easily be identified that relationship in Northern India during this period of ancient history was a cordial and friendly relationship which was beneficial to Sri Lanka. Advent of Buddhism from Mauryan Empire under Emperor Asoka to Sri Lanka and cultural relationships with Both Gaya, Sanchi, Saranath, Nalanda and Thakshila of ancient India and diplomatic relationship we had with Kushan and Guptha Empires are considered as sufficient evidence to justify the notion above referred to.

On the other hand the nature of relationship we had with South India mainly with Tamil Nadu could be identified as aggressive, invasive and harmful to Sri Lanka right from the beginning. Sri Lanka has experienced the adverse consequences of expansion of Tamil communities from South India presently called Tamil Nadu throughout her history right from the past as far back as 2nd Century BC.

Sinhalese rulers

At the early stage of history from 2nd Century BC up to 7th Century AD. Tamil communities have been infiltrated from South India to Sri Lanka in the form of small groups at a time initially in the pretext of trading and with the intention of capturing power and plundering the wealth of Sri Lanka when the situation of the country seemed conducive for their purpose. However plundering wealth of this country was their prime objective. Thus Sena and Guththika (177-155 BC), Elara (145-101 BC), Pulahastha, Bahiya, Panayamara, Pilayamara and Datiya (44-29 BC), Cholas (109 AD) and Pandu, Parinda, Kudda Parinda, Thiritheran, Datiya and Pitiya (435-462 AD) were some of the Tamil intruders who fall within the ambit of the first stage of Tamil expansion above referred to.

These intruders have plundered wealth of this country as much as they can until they were defeated and expelled by Sinhalese rulers. King Gajabahu the 1st (112-134 AD) invaded Chola territory in South India in order to retaliate Chola intruders who came here and plundered wealth of this country and returned to Chola Desa during his father's reign. King Gajabahu successfully subjugated Chola ruler in Chola Desa and brought back the wealth carried away by them together with Sinhalese prisoners.

At the second stage from 8th Century up to 14th Century AD. Tamil aggression from South India (Tamil Nadu) over Sri Lanka had been activated consequent to the expansion of their power through invasions led by Tamil States that emerged in South India presently called Tamil Nadu under Chola, Pandya, Cheras and Vijayanagar dynasties.

Invasions led by Pandyas twice during the reign of King Agbo the 4th in 674 AD and King Sena the 1st in 840 AD, Cholas during the reign of King Mahinda the 4th in 976 AD and King Mahinda the 5th in 1029 Ad and invasion caused by Virupaksha of Vijayanagar Empire during the reign of King Buwanekabahu the 5th in 1375 AD could be classified under second stage of Tamil expansion above referred to.

Tamil intruders and invaders

As far as those Tamil intruders and invaders concerned none of them were able to establish their authority over entirety of Sri Lanka. Their powers were confined only to certain provinces of this country and all of them have been defeated and expelled from this country by Sinhalese rulers within short spells except Elara and Cholas who ruled Anuradhapura, North and North Central provinces for a period of 44 years and 41 years respectively. Elara was successfully defeated and his followers were expelled by King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) and Cholas were successfully defeated and expelled by King Vijayabahu the 1st who ruled this country from 1055-1110 AD. Further King Vijayabahu the 1st had maintained friendly and matrimonial relationship with Pandyas against Cholas as a diplomatic measure to control Chola aggression and made it confined to South India itself.

Mahabodhi temple

Further to the above, Tamil aggression from South India had also been suppressed by King Parakramabahu the 1st (1153-1186 AD) by invading South India and subjugating Chola leaders there having secured Pandya support against Cholas diplomatically. Similarly historical sources have clearly confirmed the fact that Parakramabahu the 2nd (1236-1271 AD) was also able to unite Sri Lanka by subjugating hostile Tamil elements that prevailed in Northern Province and Vanni, in Sri Lanka. Tamil invader called Aryachakravarthi who captured Jaffna and ruled that province for a period of three years was defeated and expelled by King Parakramabahu the 6th who ruled this country from 1415-1467 AD.

Tamil Diaspora

From the foregoing facts it may be observed that aggression and threats directed from Tamil Nadu could be identified as a recurrent process that occurred throughout Sri Lankan history right from the beginning as far back as 2nd Century BC. It has nothing to do with so called violation of human rights or equal rights of Tamil community in Sri Lanka as pretended by Tamil Diaspora and certain Western powers at present. Claims based on human rights violation of Tamil community in Sri Lanka are considered as another strategy adopted by Tamil Diaspora and certain Western powers in collaboration with Tamil Nadu to substantiate a background for setting up an Eelam in Sri Lanka and for destabilizing this country and to delink South India from India the main in the long run.

In the process of expansion of Tamil power from South India presently called Tamil Nadu the invasion led by Chola Empire of South India during the reign of Rajaraja and his son Rajendra were considered very critical. The provinces fall within Chola rule in Sri Lanka was named as “Eelam Mandalam” and the tiger head being the royal emblem of Chola Empire was declared as the emblem of Eelam Mandalam as well by Cholas.

Violation of human rights

In view of above the agitation launched by LTTE and TNA for an Eelam in Sri Lanka could be reconciled as re-incarnation of Tamil expansion that took place under Chola Empire.

Professor Neelakantasastri who was an eminent historian and authority of South Indian history has very specifically stated in his book titled “History of South India” if Chola power had not been conquered by Prince Keerthi from Rohana (later enthroned as King Vijayabahu the 1st) at that critical stage, Sri Lanka would have become a part and parcel of South India forever.

Similarly I wish to state if LTTE had not been defeated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa from Rohana at that crucial juncture of our history Tamil terrorists led by LTTE would have been formed permanently a well carved separate state called Tamil Eelam comfortably within Sri Lanka with the prospects of encroaching whole island through the passage of time with the blessings of their supporters within and outside of this country.

The alleged violation of human rights of Tamils and so called war crimes on Tamils are considered absolutely false and baseless allegations leveled against the government as an alternative mechanism adopted by LTTE supporters to achieve Eelam what they could not achieve by practising wrathless terrorism using LTTE led by Prabakaran.

Similarly, the aggressive campaign launched by some disgruntled politicians in Tamil Nadu for an Eelam in Sri Lanka is nothing but another step for pushing through Tamil expansion over Sri Lanka. In this process TNA in Sri Lanka plays the role of the proxy of those Tamil Nadu politicians.

TNA argues that Northern province including Jaffna should exclusively be carved as an autonomous body or a separate state for Tamils, called Eelam based on the reasoning that Northern province is their “Nijabhumi” and they are the majority of population in that province.

As far as I understood Nijabhumi means original habitat. Nevertheless historical sources have confirmed the fact that Tamil Nadu of South India was the Nijabhumi of Tamils who were migrated to Sri Lanka consequent to the expansion of Tamils from South India throughout ancient and medieval history of Sri Lanka. Epigraphical, archaeological and historical evidences found in North and North Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka have corroborated the fact that Sinhalese Buddhist community enjoyed the majority status of population in those provinces during ancient and medieval period of history. Vallipuram Gold Plate found in Vallipuram, Jaffna has stated that “Amathe Isigiriya Nakadiva Bojameni” which means Northern Province including Jaffna was ruled by a minister called Isigiriya who was one of the ministers of King Vasabha who ruled this country during the period of 65 BC–109 AD.

In addition inscriptions and archaeologically valued Buddhist ruins and artefacts which belonged to ancient period of history abundantly found in North and North Eastern Province have clearly confirmed the fact that Sinhalese Buddhist community had played a dominant role in the past in these provinces.

Democratic framework

In view of above TNA's claim that Northern Province is the Nijabhumi of Tamils seems a baseless claim far from the historical truth. In fact Tamil community in those provinces have been emerged from the residual Tamil community remained in those provinces after defeating and expelling their leaders from this country by Sinhalese rulers from time to time. Tamil community in those provinces could be identified as a by-product of Tamil expansion activated from South India during the period (ancient and medieval) as above referred to.

Let us now examine the “majority theory” declared by TNA in order to substantiate their claim. TNA argues that Northern Province of Sri Lanka should exclusively be allocated for Tamils due to the fact that majority of population in that province consists of Tamils. Apparently this argument is based on two factors, majority and ethnicity. Arising there from TNA is not willing deliberately to identify Tamils in that province as Sri Lankans.

TNA also thereby disregards the right of living of other communities in Northern province along with majority of Tamils.

It is a fact that Northern province of Sri Lanka is only a province of the whole country and in that context Tamils being majority of the province have to be recognized as minority if not recognized them as Sri Lankans when compared to the entire population of Sri Lanka.

In that context TNA has to accept the fact that it is grossly undemocratic and totally unjustifiable to allocate Northern province exclusively for Tamils, disregarding the right of living of other communities in that part of the country on the one hand and also without concurrence of the majority of population of whole country on the other hand.

In the process of finding a permanent and long lasting solution for the demands agitated by TNA, it is absolutely necessary to hold genuine discussions and negotiations based on give and take policy with all stakeholders of the problem. From that point of view the most appropriate arrangement within a democratic framework for activating such discussions and negotiations is nothing other than PSC (Parliamentary Select Committee) established by the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Otherwise it is absolutely undemocratic and extremely impossible to realize TNA's demands through aggression and agitation caused ex-parte and unilaterally.

On top of that aggressive tactics launched by some of the disgruntled politicians in Tamil Nadu for setting up an Eelam by force in Sri Lanka seems nothing but a ridiculous attempt with the ulterior motive of reinstating Tamil Expansionism once again over Sri Lanka using TNA as their proxy. This ridiculous exercise of Tamil Nadu politicians is totally undemocratic and unacceptable to Sri Lanka being a Sovereign nation.

TNA, Tamil Nadu politicians

In connivance with TNA, Tamil Nadu politicians have launched a funny approach to promote Eelam in Sri Lanka by harassing Sri Lankan pilgrims gone to India mainly the Buddhist pilgrims via Chennai. This is the latest comical event in Eelam drama.

Provoking emotions on racism of Tamils in Tamil Nadu and thereby securing their votes at the forthcoming elections for survival is the sole theme of this drama.

Let us now examine whether Eelam is a real necessity of ordinary Tamil community of Sri Lanka. Findings of an in-depth study carried out on so called ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka it has been revealed that it is basically an artificial conflict manipulated and imposed over ordinary Tamil community by Tamil politicians mainly TNA although nothing as such exists in reality at ground level. Let us observe how peacefully Tamil citizens and rest of the Sri Lankans are living in any part of this country. In particular, majority of population in Colombo city are Tamils. Were there any grievance from Tamils not only from Colombo but also from any part of this country that they are being harassed by rest of the communities on ethnic grounds?

It may be noted that conducive background for an ethnic problem between Tamil community and Sinhalese has originally been created by British Imperialists when they ruled this country by implementing divide and rule policy by granting undue privileges to contemporary Tamil Elites over and above the majority of population of this country in legislative councils, administrative structure and even in the civil society.

Section 29 (2) set out in Soulbery Constitution could be considered as one of such mean tactics which suppressed the supremacy of Parliament of Sri Lanka in the pretext of safeguarding the right of minority. This impression given by British rulers paved way for emerging a conducive background for a conflict between Sinhalese being the majority of population and Tamils being the minority.

Tamil politicians used this situation to provoke emotion of ordinary Tamil citizens in order to secure Tamil vote in favaour of their survival although there is no such conflict at grass root level.

Development projects

From the foregoing facts it may be observed that Eelam is not the real necessity of Tamil community of Sri Lanka. Ordinary Tamils believe they are the Sri Lankans and not the citizens of an Eelam as demanded by TNA. What exactly the Tamil community in Northern Province needed is nothing but restoration of their peace, harmony and decent livelihood devastated by Tamil terrorists led by LTTE.

The effort made by present government to restore their true necessities as above referred to and to improve their livelihood by launching massive development projects and implementing them so successfully at unprecedented level in Northern and North Eastern provinces would cause them to realize very soon that agitation for an Eelam by TNA along with disgruntled politicians in Tamil Nadu serves no purpose other than survival of TNA in Sri Lanka and pro LTTE politicians of Tamil Nadu at the disadvantage to the ordinary Tamil community in Northern province.

In that context Eelam concept is nothing but an attempt launched by some disgruntled politicians of Tamil Nadu for reinstatement of Tamil expansion once gain over Sri Lanka with the support of Tamil Diaspora and pro LTTE Western powers using TNA as a cat's paw which will never be realized as evident by what had happened in response to such attempts caused by Tamil Nadu in the past.