My views about the situation in the North-East & proposal to bring normalcy

June 5, 2007 at 6:57 pm · Filed under Federalidea, by Dr. K. Chandradeva

By Kan. Chandradeva

I was born and brought up in Trincomalee, and since my childhood I witnessed and experienced barbaric state-sponsored racism. Military oppression and suppression became unbearable and I fled the country in 1985. I adore those children who had different ideas in their mind – they thought that bringing freedom to our homeland was their supreme duty. Armed resistance and struggle for self- rule became their brave mission. We consider every fighter as equal to our own child and his or her death gives us a great deal of pain. My intention of this communique is not to wantonly discredit the LTTE or support the anti-Eelam groups. This review should be understood in the right context of our struggle. During an armed struggle, when an opportunity opens up to solve the problem politically, it should be grasped, with both hands. In our struggle, in my opinion, the Indo-Sri Lankan Pact (ISP) in 1987 gave us a very good opportunity. The LTTE strategist Anton Balasingham says now, that the LTTE would have accepted an Indian federal system (IFS). But they never considered the same when the ISP was worked out and for several years later. To us, the LTTE said that Eelam was their sole target but they never realized that this was virtually impossible to achieve by military means alone. If the LTTE did not want the ISP they should have stated this clearly to the Indians. On the contrary, the LTTE agreed to the ISP and subsequently it received multi-millions of rupees from India because they pledged to accept the ISP. I put it to you that there was no major difference between the ISP & IFS.

1. The accord recognized the reality of Sri Lanka being a multi – ethnic, multi – religious nation and not a mono – ethnic, mono – religious entity as proclaimed by majoritarian chauvinists.

2. It also acknowledged the North – East (NE) to be the historic homeland of the Tamils and Muslims.

3. The accord also brought about the NE merger.

4. It afforded official language status to Tamil.

5. More importantly it brought about a scheme of devolution.

6. It paved the way for the deployment of the Indian army throughout the NE, and this gave a sense of security and stability in ethnically mixed areas, especially to the Tamils.

The powers had to be reduced due to the tricky situation of getting it past the Supreme Court. The Indians had plans of enhancing devolution on a staggered basis. They had obtained an assurance in writing from the late Mr. J R Jayewardene to that effect. In one particular aspect I would say that the ISP is more federalist than the IFS: the Indian president has powers to dissolve a state government whereas under the ISP, the Sri Lankan president had no such powers. But, in order to sack the Perumal-led North East Provincial Council (NEPC), the LTTE teamed up with the late Mr. Premadasa and got him to pass necessary amendments in the parliament to give powers to the President and eventually got Mr. Perumal sacked!!

What has happened now? After years of strife and sacrifice the Tamil people have not achieved anything tangible. Multitudes have died or been maimed, the economy is shattered, people dispersed, values brutalized, culture eroded and dwellings destroyed. Yet the Tamils have achieved nothing in return. Even the LTTE had lost only 711 fighters at the time of the ISA. Today they have lost more than 19,000. The LTTE should have cooperated with Indians. We need the support and sympathy of India for our very existence. In the 80s Indians were solidly behind us and we should have built on this mutual respect and rapport with them. In the aftermath of the ISP, the late Mr. Amirthalingam said to an eminent journalist: ‘I am telling you from experience. The Sinhala state will never accept our rights without outside intervention. We need India to help us. If the Indian army goes off before our rights are ensured our people particularly those in the East and Vavuniya will be finished’. Now we are witnessing this precise prediction in great pain. In Trincomalee we see a mass exodus of fishing families to India and the pattern of exodus is extremely worrying, that the LTTE has recently appealed to the people not to flee. These poor people could not stand the brutality and terror committed by the Sri Lankan army, and are compelled to flee. A similar pattern of exodus is now spreading to Mannar and Vavuniya. In Trinco, the IPKF did a fantastic job in maintaining peace. Since independence, only during the IPKF stay, have the Tamils in Trinco enjoyed the sweetness of peace. Some Tamils became euphoric and they started reclaiming the lands that were encroached by the state-sponsored Sinhala settlements whilst the IPKF opted to turn a blind eye to this! In Trinco the relations between Tamils and the IPKF was cooperative and cordial. By getting rid of the IPKF from Trincomalee, the LTTE has done a massive disservice and damaged the welfare and safety of the Tamils in Trincomalee. We should have given more time for the Indians to solve our problem. The mere presence of the IPKF in the NE created chaos in the rest of the island and if this had proceeded the South would have become destabilized and ungovernable. As you know the JVP became irrational and went on the rampage ….the whole cabinet was bombed by the JVP….I reckon at one point both the SLFP & UNP would have approached us desperation to help them to send the Indians back – and this would have given us an excellent bargaining position to get the maximum devolution of powers to the NEPC. But the LTTE scuttled it, merely two months after the arrival of the IPKF, the LTTE’s first land mine exploded under an IPKF jeep. Mind you, not a single Tamil civilian or an LTTE cadre was killed by the IPKF before the LTTE fatally attacked the IPKF in October 1987. Rather than turning the guns against them the LTTE should have resolved any dispute with Indians through non-violent means. After all, India is our fatherland, as defined by Anton Balasingham, and our rich culture does not permit violence against a father-figure. We should have carried on with hunger strikes and other non-violent ways as staged by Thiyahatheepam Thileepan. Since the LTTE turned its guns against the Indians I became an LTTE-sceptic. Until then I had been a strong supporter of the LTTE, but I did not see any wisdom or vision in fighting the Indians. India had been the cradle for the birth of our highly successful armed resistance and with Indians on our side and with their blessings the NEPC, I believe, would have evolved into a self-governing unit for Tamil-speaking people. We could have achieved all this without much suffering and loss of young lives in their tender age.

The LTTE is now isolating us from the international community as it did against the Indians. Since the ban by the EU, the LTTE is demanding the removal of EU members from the SLMM. Although I do not agree with EU’s action in the current situation, the LTTE has to ask itself why they are becoming internationally isolated. Before the EU, India, USA & Canada had already banned the LTTE. We Tamils are the oppressed and suppressed people in this conflict and therefore, in theory, the organization that leads us should have been receiving red-carpet welcome in the international arena. But unfortunately the reverse is happening. I therefore put it to the LTTE leadership that they ought to review their conduct in relation to the international community. After the ban, the EU extended an olive branch to the LTTE by saying that they would continue to have contacts with the LTTE. In return, the LTTE could have given a conciliatory gesture by recognizing their positive move. But unfortunately the LTTE is taking a confrontational approach by demanding the removal of EU members. Even after this the EU envoy traveled all the way to K’nochi to plead with the LTTE to change its mind. The LTTE is refusing to change its decision. I am worried that the EU is likely to withdraw its members and if that happens the SLMM might disintegrate. The SLMM has saved the lives of hundreds of Tamils from the Sinhala state terrorism in the NE and I dread to imagine the plight of the poor Tamils without that protection. The situation in Trinco is extremely depressing. The LTTE ought to understand that confrontational approach and intransigence do not deliver goods when it comes to international diplomacy. Where do we go from here? Can we sustain this war? I believe this war cannot be sustained and my reasons are as follows:

1. Over 50% of the Tamils in the NE have vanished due to deaths, displacement and emigration. There is already a man power crisis to sustain this war.

2. Economy in the NE is shattered and therefore the LTTE is not in a position to sustain this war with resources in the NE, in other words, the funds will have to come from the Tamil diaspora. But the LTTE is banned in 28 affluent countries; therefore fund raising among the diaspora is becoming an impossible task. Not a single foreign country supports our armed struggle; every bullet will have to be purchased through fund raising. But there will be problems. In the UK, anyone found funding a banned organization could be deported (even one holds a British passport) to the country of origin even without a judicial hearing (Immigration regulations 2005).

3. According to the latest UN reports over 60% of children in the NE are severely malnourished. How can they make good soldiers? (Please note that in the rest of the island 30% of the chidren are severely malnourished).

4. Every military expert says in the event of another war there will be another military stalemate and there will not be an outright military victory to either side. By that time we would have lost another 3000 or 4000 of our children. In a military stalemate the warring parties will have to sit down and start political negotiation again. Hence political negotiation is the viable option.

5. Whether we get a free Eelam or federal system the next day we need at least £10 billion to reconstruct the basic infrastructure in the NE. Not a single foreign country supports a separate state for us as yet. So even if the LTTE achieves military victory and Eelam, the £10 billion may not be on the table to rebuild the NE. On the other hand, the international community stipulates a negotiated settlement based on a federal principle, and this outcome is likely to attract massive foreign aid.

6. Unfavorable position for the LTTE in the international arena. Under the leadership of the LTTE, we have lost support and sympathy internationally. In the 1983 riots, over 200 Indian MPs boycotted the parliamentary proceeding and spontaneously went on a protest march in the streets of New Delhi demanding the Indian govt protect the Tamils. Late Mr Amirthalingam was invited and attended as a diplomatic guest to the Indian parliament, and I understand he addressed the MPs, an extraordinary privilege to someone from our homeland. In the 80s a number of states in the USA received our leaders as guests. We don’t see any of this nowadays, do we? The LTTE have been the sole leaders during the last quarter of a century and they need to explain this international isolation to us. To my horror, I learn from press reports today that Japan is now hinting about banning the LTTE. Some analysts predict that cunning Mahinda Rajapakse has plans to go on a full scale war once he has mobilized sufficient international opinion against the LTTE.

7. The war has become protracted, causing immense socio-economic and healthcare crisis in the NE.

8. We may not have the good offices of Norway if war breaks out. The co-chairs are already on the verge of quitting.

9. War is cruel; fighting with a brutal regime like the GOSL is even crueler.

So what should we do now? I feel the LTTE has achieved its military objectives optimally and it’s the ideal time to go on a full scale political offensive – I am not suggesting that the LTTE should surrender the weapons at all at this stage.

Firstly, our relations with India are extremely vital for our struggle and the recent statement by LTTE leadership has recognized this. The major sticking issue is Rajiv Gandhi’s (RG) case. Indians are still terribly angry. I know Dr Ramdas, Mr. Gopalaswamy and other people are trying their best but the mainstream Indian opinion is adamantly against the LTTE. The Indians as a whole wish to help the Tamils but they don’t want to do anything with the LTTE. I feel the LTTE has only one option, it has to revisit RG’s case. The whole world points its finger at the LTTE for the assassination. Mainstream media are even writing in black and white that the LTTE did it. I do not think it is the right time to play with words as did Anton Balasingham recently. An outright and straightforward apology will have to go to the family of RG from the highest level in the LTTE. I am not saying that this gesture will open the floodgates of Indian generosity towards Sri Lankan Tamils. But in the name of decency the LTTE will have to do this. At least this gesture will help the efforts of pro-Sri Lankan Tamils’ lobby in Tamil Nadu and calm down the ferocity of anti-LTTE lobby in India. Only when India responds positively to this gesture we can discuss about the deaths of civilians during the IPKF military operations. Compensation and compassion to these families from India will go a long way to heal the old wounds. What Anton Balasingham did recently about RG’s case is nothing but amounts to another ‘monumental blunder’. We ought to understand RG’s case prompted India and the USA to ban the LTTE outright. People of India turned against us. This is an extremely sensitive issue. India is still mourning, his family is still grieving and the murder trial is still pending but Anton Balasingham is playing with words. Would you discuss such a complicated case with a journalist? What do you mean by saying that ‘it was a monumental tragedy’ without a formal apology, and asking India to forget the past and be magnanimous towards Sri Lankan Tamils? Since there was no outright apology, I think this ill-fated interview has simply reactivated the anti-LTTE lobby yet again in India. I commend the conduct of the Indian government in the aftermath of RG’s assassination. India could have unleashed her military might to capture the people, as she thought, were responsible. Compare this with Israel: for 2 missing soldiers Israel is demolishing the whole region. I would say, so far, the Indian response has been balanced, exhibiting a great deal of political maturity born of Indian democracy. Sonia Gandhi’s conduct has been unbelievably magnanimous. To date, she has not uttered a single word to offend or damage the interests of the Sri Lankan Tamils even after she became a politician.

Now the whole world says that the solution should be based on a federal system in Sri Lanka but the negotiation is not getting anywhere and our homeland is being torn apart. LTTE quite rightly says that there should be normalcy in the NE, but they go on planting claymore and the Sri Lankan army goes on the rampage massacaring innocent people including children and infants. I think it is illogical to debate as to who started the violence. What we are witnessing is a heinous vicious cycle and it should be brought to an end at once. I want the LTTE to behave like responsible governors of an emerging nation not as a bunch of violent people who are hooked to claymore…….Here are some insensitive conduct of the LTTE….Innocent civilians including children and infants are brutally murdered by the army whereas our leader is refusing to meet senior international diplomats of high caliber such as Mr. Akasi for security reasons even in the leader’s headquarters…..Young men & women, in their tender age, are still sent as suicide bombers whereas the children of the most senior leaders of the LTTE (including the highest level) have been sent recently to the western countries for higher education….

Please note that the Co-chairs on a number of occasions mounted scathing attacks on the government for the human rights violations in their reports. For a sovereign state such reports are extremely insulting. We should do more groundwork diplomatically with the international community to bring about sanctions against Sri Lanka. I am seriously concerned about the current situation and I approached a close associate of Anton Balasingham and asked for a meeting with him but it was turned down. I was asked to talk to Mr. Pulithevan (Director of LTTE’s peace Secretariat in K’nochi). I sent a number of emails & left telephone messages with his secretary but I did not receive any response. I consider myself as a responsible and respectable person in my community and am thoroughly disappointed with the way I have been treated by the very people who lead a campaign to give us freedom. I very much wish to bring about changes in the LTTE’s approach and strategy. By criticizing the LTTE from outside I am afraid I might cause damage to our struggle for freedom. That’s why I chose this channel of communication. Some friends said to me that I am unnecessarily putting myself at risk with this initiative. Yes, I can understand their concerns. However, those beautiful children, over 19,000, who made a supreme sacrifice to bring freedom to us, give me the strength to speak up. I started drafting this text a few days ago, and today I learn from the BBC that Denmark & Finland are pulling out of the SLMM. This is nothing but another disservice by the LTTE to the people of the East. In the East the Tamils have to defend themselves against the atrocities committed by the army, armed Sinhala & Muslim men and Karuna-led gang. I hope you can recall, the very same LTTE suggested at the beginning of the current cease-fire that the talks could take place in India although it was banned there! Are we going to say no to EU aids to the NE? I hereby enclose my proposal to bring some degree of normalcy in the NE, for your perusal and I look forward to receiving your comments. If you feel that my proposal is appropriate in the current situation please urge our leaders, via whatever channel you may have, to consider the chance of adopting it. And also, please forward this message to as many Tamil friends and colleagues as possible: The theme of this task is to bring peace with dignity not deaths, destruction, destitution, despair and international isolation to the land and the people I very much love & adore.>[Drafted, June 2006]

Dr K Chandradeva MBBS(Cey), MRCS(Eng) & LRCP(Lon), DA(UK), FRCA(UK)
Consultant Anaesthetist

28 June 2006

For the attention of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) via
Rt Hon Hanssen-Bauer
Special Envoy to The Peace Process in Sri Lanka

The Royal Norwegian Ministry of External Affairs

Dear Sir

‘Putting Away Weapons in the Armoury under the Purview of an International Arms Monitoring Body’ (PAWAPIAMB)

I am a Sri Lankan Tamil residing in the UK since 1985. I am worried about the current violence that rages on in the north-east of Sri Lanka and am deeply disturbed by the recent brutal murder of children in this conflict. Respectable international bodies such as Amnesty International have blamed the Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF) for these heinous crimes on children but the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has not taken any meaningful steps to bring the culprits to justice. Although the current peace process appears to be on the verge of collapsing, I beg the Royal Norwegian government not to abandon their mediatory role. The Norwegians’ dedicated mediatory role has saved many thousands of lives so far.

I wish to make the following proposal and I would be most grateful if you could bring this to the attention of the LTTE. Please note that I am not in a position to forward this document directly to the LTTE as this organization has been banned in the United Kingdom. The components of this proposal are as follows:

1. The LTTE puts away the weapons in their armouries

2. The weapons of the LTTE come under the purview of an international arms monitoring body

3. The SLAF becomes confined to the barracks in the north-east

4. A peace keeping mechanism or force deployed in the north-east

5. The arms are taken out of the equation in this ethnic conflict, therefore peace talks can resume between the LTTE and the GOSL in an environment of normalcy in the north-east.

Sir, I wish to bring to your kind attention that the Irish Republican Army took a groundbreaking step in 2001 by announcing ‘putting weapons beyond use’. This brave and bold step by the IRA paved the way for a settlement in the Northern Ireland after 50 years of fighting. I very much hope to see that the above proposal will bring about a similar outcome in Sri Lanka.

Yours truly,

Dr K Chandradeva

cc Rt Hon Tony Blair, The Prime Minister, United Kingdom

A proposal for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to bring some normalcy in the north-east of Sri Lanka:

‘Putting Away Weapons in the Armoury under the Purview of an International Arms Monitoring Body’ (PAWAPIAMB)

[By Dr K Chandradeva MBBS(Cey), MRCS(Eng) & LRCP(Lon), DA(UK), FRCA(UK)

Consultant Anaesthetist, United Kingdom]

Background

The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka between Sinhalese and Tamils is one of the longest running and the bloodiest civil wars in modern times. Approximately 70,000 people have been killed, tens of thousands of people have been disabled, and the war still rages on. The current cease-fire agreement and the peace process mediated by the Royal Norwegian Government, despite her dedicated and strenuous efforts, are on the verge of collapsing. In order to overcome this political deadlock, the Co-chairs (the United States, the European Union, Japan and Norway) are urging both the GOSL and LTTE to take a meaningful political step to contain the violence and restore the peace process. Therefore, a new concept or a new mechanism ought to be considered to bring some normalcy in the north-east of Sri Lanka.

About 70% of the territory in the north-east is controlled by the LTTE and the reminder by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). Recently, a large number of Tamil civilians including children were killed in the GOSL controlled area in the north-east allegedly by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF). The international community is dismayed by this worrying development and eagerly look to both parties to take a bold and statesman-like step to break the current cycle of violence.

The LTTE can claim to have initiated the current peace process by declaring a unilateral ceasefire in 2001. By making another constructive step along this line to contain the present volatile situation, I have no doubt, not only will the international community recognise the LTTE for this gesture, but this may also strengthen the position of the LTTE at the negotiating table.

Proposal

1.The LTTE agrees to Put Away Weapons in their Armouries under the Purview of an International Arms Monitoring Body (PAWAPIAMB).

2. Members of the international arms monitoring body should be acceptable to the LTTE, GOSL and co-chairs.

3. PAWAPIAMB paves the way for confining the SLAF to their barracks in the north-east of Sri Lanka.

4. Thereby the weapons are taken out of the equation in this conflict.
The LTTE quite rightly claims that it took up arms to defend the Tamils’ right to self determination because they were being denied basic human rights. Having agreed to PAWAPIAMB, it becomes necessary to protect the Tamils and maintain law & order in the north-east. A peace-keeping mechanism or force ought to be deployed in the north-east.

5. Please note that PAWAPIAMB is not surrendering of weapons.
The list of arsenal of the LTTE and its locations would be kept confidential between the LTTE and the IAMB.

6. With the cooperation of the parties involved talks on political solution can resume between the GOSL and the LTTE in an environment of normalcy.

7. Peaceful environment that could prevail following PAWAPIAMB, is likely to encourage the international community to carry out the essential relief operations to the people in the north-east who have been badly affected by 25 years of destructive war and devastation by the tsunami in 2004.

Editors note: The above proposals and explanatory article were written by Dr. Chandradeva last year. They are being circulated among Tamils of Sri Lankan origin and others aware of the Island’s ethnic conflict. Dr. Chandradeva’s efforts are indicative of his concern and frustration at the Tamil plight in Sri Lanka. This is a time when all movement towards ethnic re- conciliation and a negotiated settlement are at a standstill. It is time therefore for those committed to the welfare of Tamils to speak out and suggest possible ways to surmount this impasse. Dr. Chandradeva’s article and proposals are reproduced here in that spirit. The Federal Idea wishes to encourage as much discussion and debate as possible.We are convinced that only a solution on federal lines is feasible and the sooner we get to it the better for Tamils in particular and Sri Lankans in general.Reader responses to Dr. Chandradeva are most welcome.

46 Comments »

  1. Naraan said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 8:43 pm

    Seems to be a good proposal.
    Kanesh

  2. sivaram said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 9:11 pm

    dear, doctor ur ideas with regard to war crimes committed by the lttl were very true and consiting some factual information. But unfortunately you have tried to protect ltte most of the time and put the blame on to the sl armoured forces. Remember the sl armoured forces are doing a great service to the tamil people specially in the east. This is a problem within our country, do not think India being an out sider will solve tamil problems, How can you ask a political solution by blaming to the sinhaleese people. you must be in ur day dreams. you have to wake yourself up to learn how to cooperate with the majority sinhaleese before asking any favours.North and east belongs to sinhaleese, muslims and then tamils.ok.

  3. Cham said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 9:39 pm

    I Agree with Dr.Chandradeva in some aspects.
    I’m a Sinhalese and I agree that there has been a discrimination against Tamils in the past.
    Because we are so much indulged in the past we are not moving forward as a country.
    What I see is that LTTE is a large business who can do illegal activities using it’s terrorist organisation. Amount of money LTTE have received by now from Tamil diaspora for the last 3 decades they can buy any weapon in the world and beat the SL army. But the money is been used for the welfare of LTTE leaders around the world and their luxurious life styles.
    Unless tamil diaspora says no to LTTE this war won’t end. LTTE won’t ever come to peace talks or lay down their arms to any international pressure. According to tamil ealam they have the rights to have their own army and police. Which states clearly we are just punching to the air asking them to lay down the arms.
    Good luck with your suggestions, hope one day peace would arrive in Sri Lanka

  4. G.de Silva said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 10:43 pm

    Dr Chandradeva is quite prepared to place the blame for the deaths of people in the north and the east on the Sri Lankan Armed forces.Does he know how much is the tamil population in Sri Lanka and the actual number of tamils living outside the troubled nothern and eastern areas?.Actual data will prove that the vast majority of tamils live and work in the other parts of the country along with the people of other races.The total population of tamils in the north and the east is very much less than the numbers living outside the troubled areas.Apart from this when armed forces commenced their thrust into the L.T.T.E camps in the east the tamil civilians living in such areas moved away from the fighting zones.Where did they go.Did they go further into the areas controlled by the L.T.T.E for their safty?.No.They instead came over to the government controlled areas.Why is that.Are they mad to leave their so called saviours and come into the areas controlled by the sri lankan army, which is perceived as their enimies, to secure safty?.This itself shows the reality.

  5. para radha said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 10:44 pm

    Chandradeva left the country long ago. he seems like an indian than a tamil. Let the tamils decide their fate. They know what is good for them and they are standing by that.

  6. Suresh M said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 11:07 pm

    Chandradva,

    Even if LTTE agrees to your suggestion, Sinhalese will never agree to a foreign intervention. Rajabaksha brothers think they can eliminate LTTE altogether in the near future, and give more power to Village councils (Indian minister Mani Iyer’s advice). It seems all western governments have given a silent blessing to Sri Lanka to embark on a military victory, including our ’savior’ or ‘fatherland’ India. Reality is no body can save Tamils in Sri Lanka; we become international ‘Pariahs’ just like Palestinians, and expendable.

    Sinhalese want to live alone in Sri Lanka without Tamils or Muslims
    India wants to control Sri Lanka
    U.S. wants a foothold in Sri Lanka
    Pakistan, China wants a place in Sri Lanka to have an eye on southern India.

    None of these competing interests is going to help Tamils in their thirst for justice.

    My advice to brave Tamils who are still living in Lanka, give-up fighting, and accept Sinhala/Buddhist rule. No body is going to help or support you in your fight against Sinhala oppression. It becomes illegal to support your fight around the world in the name of fighting terrorism, and sovernity. You have no right to self determination, and condemn being under Sinhala rule for foreseeable future. We, Tamils were under foreign rules for four hundred years from 1505 to 1948 began with Portuguese, Dutch, and last English.

  7. Greg said,

    June 5, 2007 @ 11:49 pm

    He has lavishly criticized the GOSL and armed forces putting some seem to be valuable proposals forward, without even mentioning the barbaric acts of LTTE. He has talked about discriminations after obtaining his professional qualifications from GOSL. He has claimed that he fled the country, after migrating to a western country, for the betterment of his family. He put all the killings in North & Eastern SL in the account of SLAF, indicating that LTTE was literally an innocent guerrilla group that at least not thinking about civilian killings. He pointed out that all civilian killings take place in GOSL control areas of North & Eastern SL and did not mention about the Tamils living in other parts of SL, which are controlled by the same GOSL. The killings resulted from bomb blasts in Colombo and other parts of the country seem to be natural deaths to him. So….the purpose of this communiqué is crystal clear.

  8. Ravi said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:01 am

    Briliant proposal by Dr.Chandradeva.
    This is the time the peace loving peopole should be active. Some body should save the innocent SriLankan tamils from both LTTE and SL government.

  9. Senthil said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:30 am

    I disagree with most of the comments made by Dr. Chandradeva. Indo-SriLanka agreement was signed mainly to protect India’s interests in SriLanka. Tamils’ security was a secondary issue for India. True, India raised Tamil armed resistance, but mainly for the reason to keep JR Jeyawardena under their control. When India achieved their objective of controlling JR through supporting Tamil resistance, all they wanted was to make a deal with SL government to protect their own interests. True, the indian population was very sympathetic to tamils, however, the ruling hierarchy of India supported tamil resistance as a means to an end, that is to control the SL government.

    Another big blunder India made was that, instead of consulting Tamil militant groups, India just went ahead and signed the agreement on their own terms. Is this democracy? Who is the aggrieved party? Tamils. Then tamil representatives (LTTE) should have been part of the discussion before signing the accord. Only 2 hours was given for Prabhakaran and Balasingam to just look at the Indo-Lanka agreement and just approve it, and no question was entertained. On top of that, JN Dixit issued a veiled threat that unless they agreed to the accord, there is no guarantee they will get out of India. So, Dr. Chandradeva is wrong in saying LTTE went along with the Indo-Lanka accord. LTTE was initially forced to do it. LTTE was patient because, they thought India would not betray them. But JR played his cunning cards in the ISP and India went along with that. That is what caused the tigers to take up arms again.

    When China fought for their independence and won it, a lot of western countries did not recognise them. Don’t believe western countries are always true people. They go wherever the money and business is. Right now, they do business with SL government. So, they scratch SL government’s back.

    No need to apologise for India. Balasingam’s words are good enough. No body talks about the brutal killing of about 10000 tamil civilians in the hands of so called IPKF. No body talks about the hundreds of women forcibly raped by IPKF. No body talks about India’s unsuccessful attempts to kill Prabhakaran during 1987-89. All people worry about is the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. What you sow what you get. So, the politicians, even if they are commanders in chief cannot be assassinated, and guerilla leaders can be assassinated?? What kind of logic is that?? It is a good excuse for Indian establishment to advance their goals right now using RG’s assassination.

  10. Dads said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:35 am

    I agree with what’s written. I a born tamilian and adopted sinhala as a first language and having mixed cummunities within my family, lived equally as a citizen of SL now feel that I am not safe. The reason being the Present Governtments’ attitude towards the Minoriity Community. We feel very much unsafe where we belong. The people backed by Govt. and with the Armed forces are directly or indirectly harresing the minority everywhere. All the Tamilians are viewed as a Traitor or a Terrorist. SL need immediate intervention by a netural third party to solve the ethinc problem instead supporting with Military hardware and killing innocent people. World must wake up and save the country.

  11. Arun Vincent said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:40 am

    Good work Dr. KC.
    If every Tamil doctor in the diaspora think like you we would be better off in soon.

    First and foremost we [mainly people like you] shall STOP funding LTTE terrorism. Then the counter terrorism also will stop.

    Secondly, the Tamil professionals [mainly people like you] shall take Tamil politics into their hands.

    Finally, we should be ready to start over again from scratch.

    In ten years,, just 10 years, we will be one of the most advanced race in this world!!!

  12. Keerthi Sri Rajasingha said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 1:29 am

    The writer Chandradeva’s facts are correct and certainly
    a big eye opener for everyone who wants peace in Sri Lanka. It is sad to see how stupid the Sri Lankans are
    when they elect people like Rajapaksha and the company.
    They have no idea how much the innocent people in Sri Lanka suffers irrespective of Tamils, Muslims or Sinhalese. They have one thing in mind …make the
    maximum amount of money and get lost. They have the responsibility to explain to masses that Tamils have equal rights as Sinhalese in our country.

    Sri Lanka was ruled by 177 Kings and Queeens in our history,out of which 17 are Tamils. That alone is enough evidence to prove that they have equal rights.

    However today Sri Lanka is in the hell thanks to stupid
    politicians,Media and the Clergy. They are the main culprits of our mess.

  13. Neethi said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 1:49 am

    I disagree with most of your criticism of LTTE.

    1) What makes you say that LTTE agreed to ISP. There is basis for that assetion. In fact the genesis of the conflict with Indian Govt and LTTE is ISP being forced upon the later.

    2) How can you say ISP better than IFS if the then SL President can make amendments and sack the Chief minister. Isn’t then essentially same if not worse

    3) All close observers know that LTTE tookup arms against IPKF only after Indian quite inhumanly decided to hand over its leaders to SL Army. Which lead to mass sucide of the said group of leaders

    4) The international isolation is true but not the reason you give. It is due to sucessful propaganda of the enemy/oppressor and self interest of countries involved

  14. Jeronimo Azavedo said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 1:58 am

    Dear Whatsisname,
    According to Mrs Amirthalingam, the LTTE has killed more Tamils than the Sri Lankan armed forces. You have not addressed this very important issue.

    Restricting the SLAF to their barracks and allowing the LTTE killers of Tamils to roam around will be like letting the foxes in with the chickens.

    So lets restrict the SLAF’s to the barracks only after locking up and throwing the keys away of the LTTE, the biggest killers of Tamils in history.

  15. Ajith Sam said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 2:10 am

    Dear Doctor,
    I am a sinhalese & Iam for peace. I want to experience the joy of being able to visit every part of the country and to migle with people, share the food, kindness they have to offer despite of a language barrier.
    BUT
    a) In your article, at every turn you have painted a barbaric picture of the SLAF. You can not blow hot & cold with the same breath.
    b) In doing so, I can come to the following conclusion. On the one hand you want to appease the ltte or on the other you value life therefore may be due to fear.
    c) Talking of Late. Amirthalingam, it was his TULF that mooted this eelam idea for political gains and he never envisaged the encouragement to tamil youth boomerang on him & the tamil community as a whole one day.
    d) If you enjoy your position and as you too had fled SL, just look back to your past and experience the nostalgic memories if inter mingling communities and who had invested in your early education & where you had it prior to your departure?
    e) 1983 was a grave injustice to the Tamils & I apologise for it & I was never a party to it. I risked my life to get a tamil person out of harms way. I took meals to my bil`s family at Wellawatte kovil & there I experienced among those who had taken refuge there was showing off class & affluence, sadly.
    f) take the tamil population of SL. % living outside N&E even after 1983 and todate. Then take the % of tamils who left the country after 1983? Then, take the tamils %
    now in the country living in the N& E and do they need a eelam or a federal state for their existence? Who provide them the basic food and other ameneties? the LTTE? No. ltte money only goes for arms & to educate their children as pointed outby you.
    g) Who leads the ltte political wing? Before, Anton.B and now there is no body.
    h) If you seek genuine peace, why don`t you bring people like Rajasingham Jayadevam an ex-ltte`er now doing social service through the Wembly Kovil, Hon. Ananda Sangaree, Douglas Devananda, yourself and the likes to sit with the GOSL and fomulate a national policy for the mutual benefit of the uplifment of the entire country and all communities where all future govts too will have to compulsorily follow.
    i) You bank on Norwegians. It is unfortunate. Erik Solheim with the connivance of Late Anton Bala took the IC for a jolly ride at the expense of the LTTE. It was articulated to create a short cut to assend to the Norwegian ruling throne for Erik Solheim. That was the prime motive. Neither Erik nor Anton cared for Tamil lives and Norwegians were made to look suckers. This is Erik Solheims plot with a couple Norwegians. Anton was the pie. Money thrown to all corners and it spoke as it was lavishly available. Basically, the ltte never had a Jerry Adams and the tigers will never listen to such a person if they had one.
    j) Of late a decent fight back by the SLAF, IC distancing from the ltte, the tamils in SL are once again left in the lurch at the mercy of ltte. What ltte was able to create was smuggle their sympathisers every major country in the world and create extortion gangs to maintain a money flow. This was possible through western organisation who were gullible or succmbed to dirty money. That is why you outspoken fairminded tamils outside SL are not safe. In SL too, NGO.O & underworld have succumbbed to ltte dirty money. Its a cancer.
    k) ltte has no political leadership & if they do yet they will be talking with a barrel to their heads. No educated tamil can represent them other than Anton Bala who rode the ltte for his own selfih gains. he had no children and did not mind sacrificing other children. His aim was to bring Erik Solheim the former red Barna official of SL a non entity to make him a diplomut, a politician and someday the governer of Norway. To achieve this end, Erik & Anton got the gullible Norwegians to ride the LTTE……..
    l) If the tamils in SL are to enjoy normalacy life in SL, the SLAF must & will have to completely disarm the ltte and leave no weapon in their hands. Majority community has learned much after 1983 and have restrained themselves despite much provocations by the ltte.No eelam or federal solution is going to solve Tamil problems as long as LTTE cadres have wepons in hand. Innocent tamils will always be suppressed. So assist the GOSL forces to disarm the tigers so that they could create people like you to return to SL to work towards the upliftment of the tamil community and the country as a whole.
    Let us live hope this give back time will dawn or else SL will be never at peace.

    PS. SLAF are not barnaric as you have indicated. They are very much more deciplined, better trained and more committed. They could match any ground forces in the world in the form of ability or more. Hope the time will come to annilate the ltte leadership and absorb their cardres into the SL armed forces and ask the UN to provide more UN duties for the SLAF worldwide as our forces will be more experienced. This way, we educate them and also demilitarise the country.
    God bless all communities of SL to a better future with understanding.

  16. Thanabal said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 2:20 am

    The Indo-Srilankan Accord is between India and Srilanka and not between Tamils and Sinhalese. This is the fundamental error of the Accord.

    Secondly, if the Tamils have no security under the GoSL controlled area, there is no need for LTTE to Put Away weapons in LTTE controlled area.

    Thirdly, Now the Ruling party has released its proposal, we know what we can get from Sinhala Srilanka ths maximum.

    The only option, the non violent way of parting is have a REFERUNDUM to decide (the people of both north and east together) whether they want to be part of Sinhala Srilanka or seperate Entity.

    The seperate entity not necessarily have to be seperation. For example take and example of Aland. This can be a role model for Tamil state without talking anyhting about breaking the country.

    I think we reached climax point that either International Community and UN has to do what they did in East Timor of having an election to decide OR FIGHT to the Last MAN STANDING. (I also remind you that both you and me as well as all the polititians in Colombo are fighting a PROXY WAR or REMOTE CONTROL WAR and have no right to talk about the people in the front line).

  17. Lankan said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 2:39 am

    I am a sinhalese, and i do accept that in the past discrimination against tamils might have been there becuase of sinhala idealogy, but sri lanka as a whole has realised that tamils and musilms need a frame work to follow their idealogy and aspirations. i have many tamil friends who are closer to me than sinhala ones’ and ironicaly my relations are in the army. and i still cant understand why we as sri lankans cant live together. the reason is that ltte cannot survive with out violence. the karuna split is a good example. how can ltte be the sole representative when they kill their own brothers and sisters? even under a UN force the ltte will not giv up arms even if a federal frame work is approved. history shows that ltte will accept nothing short of elam. in history 1 country 2 governments will not work. further how can any man sinhala, tamil or musilms sacrifice their children when the ltte leaders children are abroad. how many children are forcibly recruited? at least mahinda rajapakse gave one of his sons for the forces. and if ltte comes to power for the tamil ppl, it will be a dictatorship not a democracy, how can the tamil people enjoy the western idealogy of democracy when the ltte completely rejects it? the tamils will never have freedom with the ltte, it will only be fear. to close how can you not expect discrimination when only tamils are allowed to live in the north and east? come to the south we got all races living together in some what harmony. if there is fear it is cos of the ltte.

  18. Ranjith Subasinghe said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 2:58 am

    I agree some of the opinion. But I do not agree that Sinhalese army destroy every thing. Yes there are some problems when you have a war. But more than the Army, we should blame Tamil politicians. This problem actually brought forward by wealthy educated politician. Rich Tamils are the one who wants to run this war. Then they can bring their other relatives to western countries under refugee status. Actually who are in western countries under refugee status never experience a war. They just migrated from Colombo and suburbs. Poor inocent Tamils are the victim of this struggle. Tamil diaspora fund this war. For them it is only a $100. They are playing a game in a play station. They give a little money and watch the game (through internet). I am sure Sri Lanka is for everybody. You should not divide the country in ethinic lines. But should protect the right of all communities. Before this war, Tamils and Sinhalese lived together very hapily.

  19. Ranjith Subasinghe said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 4:07 am

    http://www.tamilnation.org/indictment/continuingwar/060608vankalai.htm

    We Tamil have lost more than 60 000 Tamils
    to Srilanka’s state terrorism.
    They are not victim of war
    they are victim of Genocide.

    There is nothing to comment.

  20. varakuna said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 5:15 am

    Hallo Dr. there are so many ways to solve this srilankan
    ethnic problem.fist of all deleed or remove the word ethnic,then the singala politicos must realise tamils are
    part of the nation.
    After SJVs leadership not a single leader lead the tamils
    Amirthalingams ambition is India will fight for tamils and give the thamil Eelam in his hand.
    the tamils defenitly knows the singalese never allow the tamils live in peace.when a bomb blast in south they are telling LTTE is trying to create communal violance,but daily bombing north and east killing so many innocent civilians.is tamils are not humans..then there is one and
    only treatment is not allow the south in peace,then only singalese peoples knows the difficult what tamils are facing in north east.
    So Dr.your suggestions never comes to cosider.
    why cant the Govt of Srilanka follow the CFA.from the start they oppose every clauses..the main person who disturb the CFA is presnt Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.
    so now is too late to regrate.. every body is blaming LTTE is making money..because of this money the tamis are living otherwise the singalease govt and the army
    will make a big grave yard and plant some banana trees.
    we the tamils and the tamil speaking Muslims have right to live in this country like singalese..
    so the singalease rulers will realise very soon..same time dont trust this Indian politics. Mr.chandradeva do your contribution to Ltte monthly

  21. Mohan said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 5:58 am

    I never accept that tamils and sinhalese lived together very hapily,We can’t forget 1958, 1983 july,etc,
    Can we forget sinhalese burned tamils alive?,Please don’t says sinhalese and tamil lived togeather hapily.
    I dont think we need a new rubbsh proposal like this,
    There is an aggrement already(Cease fire aggrement-CFA) Well documented and aggred by both parties,
    From the first day Srilankan government didnt stick with
    CFA, example -High security zone (HCZ)
    according to the CFA military should leave from HSZ,should leave from private houses, temple etc, but they didn’t do that
    If Srilankan government implement CFA 100%,there will be no problems,
    I can tell you, no Srilankan government will give federal system

    Who did assure you this federal system, did any foreign government or Srilankan Government assure you?
    They still talk about district/panchayat level,
    Do you think they will give you federal system,?
    Ask Srilankan government,sinhalese or JVP, Are they prepared to give federal system,? Did Know what happened
    When LTTE submitted ISGA proposal.Ask Former present Chandrika or GOSLor sinhalese if you dont know
    Do you think GOSL accept federal system?
    How many of our innocent tamils have been kidnaped and killed in colombo and in Government controled area,What international community or India did?
    Put your proposal into a bin,and ask GOSL to implement
    current CFA 100% and talk with LTTE

    What you know about Indian Federal system and Northeast provincial government created by Indian Government,

    Are your giving a charactor certificate to IPKF?
    Did you know what IPKF did? Don’t you know what IPKF did to our Jaffna Hospital
    Can you forget IPKF entered to our Jaffna Hospital and killed patients, nursing staff and doctors,
    Did you forget that?
    Ant Army in the this globe did the same ?

    I think best way for peace is to implement CFA 100% (both side)and talk,
    No need for any new proposal like this

    Dr.N.Mohan. MBBS, FRACGP,

  22. Mohan said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 6:56 am

    Will any foreign Government compel GOSL to enshrined in the law of the country, equality of all communities in Sri Lanka. All are equal citizen (ie. Sri Lankan) without identifying as Sinhalese, Tami, Muslim, Malay or Burger. There should be a harsh punishment if any one speaks or acts on ethnic basis. I think this will solve all the problems. For example if any one receives a citizenship in U.K or any other Europeon country, he/she is treated like any other white skin native. Why can’t they do that in Sri Lanka for Sri Lankan?

  23. Danushka said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 7:07 am

    Dear Dr. Chandradeva
    Hope you read our comments and also hope other Tamil brothers and sisters will too……
    I am a sinhalese guy and Most of my life i saw war arround the country and it is a very sad feeling that such a nice country in such misery.I personaly beleave the discrimination against Tamils in the past.Specialy 70s & 80s .But in my thoughts i beleive that we did not start this ethnic problem .When brit’s leave the country they plant the seeds of this problem.We need to overcome our rivalnes and had to think like one nations people ” Sri Lankans” Not singhalees / not Tamils / Not muslims…hope you all agree.
    But i have to tell you something doc, If you go to Sri lanka just check where the tamils live more peacefuly and you will find interesting stats. Most of them are in south .not in north or East. In colombo We have about 50% is tamils live with others .We have mixed families and living together for a long time with out any problems. So im just confused of your ideas and i think it is right time to you to go there and find out . Tamil people need to figer it out now that they want real politics not murderes to represent them.

    Also hope Gov. doing good with the projects they have in East and hope LTTE will not distroy this chance of it’s own people (As they say but i dont beleive that thay are a real reps of tamil people)to come back to thiere vilages and live like the rest of the country.
    ANYWAY JUST TELL ME WHY WE ARE FIGHTING FOR A SMALL COUNTRY …WHY CAN’T WE LIVE LIKE THE WAY WE DID 100 YEARS BACK.

    Good luck with your suggestions, hope one day peace would arrive in Sri Lanka

  24. Dr KC said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 7:15 am

    Thanks for the above comments.

    The LTTE is the legitimate baby of the illegitimate governance of the post independent Sri Lankan regime. If the Sri Lankan state had upheld the rule of law and treated every citizen equally, I do not think Tamil boys & girls in their tender age would ever have taken up arms and made supreme sacrifices. On the contrary, Sri Lanka would have become on of the most prosperous nations in the world – there would have been Silicon Valleys all over Sri Lanka.

    Cursing only the LTTE for the calamity & catastrophe in the country, in my opinion is a non-starter. There is NO military solution to this conflict. Only political negotiation in good faith both parties can bring peace.

    In my opinion the LTTE has achieved its military objectives and it is high time the LTTE ought to go on the political offensive to win the hearts and minds of people nationally and internationally as did the IRA 10 years. I urge the LTTE to shoulder its responsibilities and behave like a progressive force. The LTTE will have to get into the good books of the international community and convince them that they are truly freedom fighters. Under these circumstances, if the GOSL is still evasive about agreeing to a federal system, the IC will have to recognise the Tamils’ right to self determination. Coming out of near-international proscription should be the immediate objectives of the LTTE; not exploding claymores here and there.

  25. Das Samuel said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 8:07 am

    The Sinhala Buddhist regime will never allow the SLArmed Forces to be confined to barracks.Only a UN Peacekeeping Force can ensure this.
    If the LTTE surrenders arms,in any other circumstances,
    they will be massaccred totally,and they know it.It would be suicidal.The SLGovernment awaits total weakening of LTTE to carry out this ‘final solution’.
    The Federal Idea is unacceptable to most sinhalese.
    Only direct UH intervention will ensure ahy sort of justice to the tamils.
    It is incorrect to say that LTTE attacked the IPKF first.
    Click ‘IPKF’ on the search facility in TamilNation.Org -
    all information is there.

  26. Thamarai K. said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 9:52 am

    Again, like other web sites, we have got into verbal diarrohea and soon be exhausted. This is what I think ‘the man in the bunker’ never speaks and speak only once a year on 27 Nov. of every year.

  27. raj said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 10:59 am

    Dear Brothers and Sisters,(Sinhalese and Tamils) I spent last two hours reading Dr.Chandradeva’s(Dr.D) comments, his proposals and the comments made by number of others on what DrC has written. The state of affairs in Srilanka can clearly identified by the divided opinion stated by different people( Sinhalese and Tamils)on this issue putting together many arguments refering to both sinhalese and Tamils, some past history and some present occurances. All the commentators including Dr.C are in unique to find excuses and reasons for the situation in Srilanka.My European collegues refer to Srilanka as A beautiful country and the Srilankans as the most polite and unselfish people on this planet earth.
    What is going on? . Why we allow the foreigners to think that we are nice people to them but not among us.
    There is only one word to describe this ‘MISTRUST’ amoung us
    It is not only my European collegues , but the whole world agree that we Srilankans are very lucky to call Srilanka as our Motherland. For such a small country we have every thing rich for all of us to live happily, but only one thing is missing . That is that unique word, ‘TRUST’
    We cannot live in the past trying to analyse history, right and the wrongs, instead we must start living trusting our brothers and sisiters.
    Just a bit of geneology to finish. Do you know the names ending in ‘koons’( Samarakoon, Tennekoon, Alhakoon), also ‘Arachige’ are originally from Tamil words and this goes on to show how closely releted the Tamils and the Sinhalese. Do we realise that in fighting we are indeed killing our own brother and sisters. This is not a religious sermon but reality.
    Come on TRUE SRILANKANS, we have to unite ,rising above our charactors ( most of the time it is not easy) . Rising against each oter will not going to unite Srilanka only rising above our charactors will . It has to start in your heart and it sholud start today. If your are a Sinhalese , when you meet a Tamil next time, regardless what back round, religion or status , love them with all your heart and the same goes to Tamils who meet a sinhelese , do the same. Dont worry about what other people say or think. Pass this message all youe friends and families. and we will see the best country in the whole world in 10 years time wher e our children can live proudly. .

  28. Alex said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:19 pm

    Dear Dr. Chandradeva,

    What ever u said here I agree with you, only we need a foreign involvement/ pressure to solve this with a final solution. For that our neighbor & the super power India only can do this.

  29. Greg said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

    Dr. KC
    If you do believe that LTTE has achieved its military objectives, it is not the high time for LTTE to go on the political offensive. Look at the past. They never come to the negotiating table when they were militarily strong. Always, they came forward for negotiations when they were weak, so that to take time for re-organizing.

  30. Suresh M said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 2:11 pm

    Danushaka,

    Most of the Tamil people choose to live in the South because it is some what safer there, compare to living directly under Sinhala Army occupation in the North / East. There is no prospects to earn a living in the North/East, as the army restricted the fishing, and farming by occupying a lots of fertile land, and designated more as High security Zones. Sinhala Army occupies a lot of houses that are left behind by fleeing Tamils. That doesn’t means Tamils wanted to Live in the South. As you may know, there is always a danger of getting killed by Sinhala mobs, or at least harassed on a daily basis in the South.

    LTTE controlled area is more safer for Tamils, but often cut of from the outside world, lack of facilities, and subject to Sinhala Air force bombing, and shelling.

    Dr. KC

    Too late, It is illegal ( at least perceived to be illegal) even to support, or promote Tamil’s self determination in some countries (i.e. India). Not to mention, even merely talking about Tamil’s freedom fight, might invite unwanted inquiries from authorities in most of the free societies or western countries

  31. annavi said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 9:13 pm

    Dear Dr KC,
    I do not think your proposed ideas will work. We Tamils are very tired and fed up for a long time with not just Sinhala genocide war but with so many proposals, failed agreements and failed implementations. Even India or IC could not guarantee any agreements reached in the past. Some good examples are Indo SriLanka accord in 1987, CSA in 2002 and POTOM in 2005.
    India could not prevent the de merger of Tamil homeland (North and East part of SL) when SL Supreme Court ruled the merger was illegal.

    The IC witnessed POTOM that was a very simple mechanism to help the poor Tamil people affected by Tsunami. Yet again, SL Supreme Court ruled against that agreement.

    Most of clauses of CSA were not implemented by SLG from very beginning. Ie… displaced Tamils were not allowed to go back home and settled in High Security Zones. SL army did not vacate Schools (Hartley College, Methodist school etc..) or Temples. Now almost all clauses were broken by the SLG. Did Norway or IC pressure SLG to implement the CSA or POTOM?

    Sinhala SLG will never agree to give anything for Tamils except death and destruction. Talking about Federal to Sinhala SLG is waste of time never mind about coming to an agreement or waiting for the implementation. The IC too will not help to bring any substantial solution for Tamils unless we get stronger than SL armed forces. The time has come when Tamil diaspora should wake up to reality and do something to achieve independent Tamileelam.

  32. Peace2007 said,

    June 6, 2007 @ 11:16 pm

    I am a Sinhalese.. I have read Dr. C. proposal and the comments that followed. What I cannot undertand is that Dr. C. who has got a qualification from SL and due to that has gone on to become a doctor and make a life for himself in the UK can turn around and say that Tamil people are discriminated. Were you not accepted to university? Were you denied of an education?

    I studied in SL and had Tamil friends who were studying with me in the Sinhala medium. We never felt any difference and todate we remain friends. But with the LTTE issues bringing in this civil war… is when people even started thinking about who is Tamil and who is not. I know of a Tamil friend who married from a said ‘low caste’ that his parents refuse to go to his house even to visit their grand children because his Tamil bride is not from their ‘high caste’. Tamil poeple have created problems for themselves not only with the rest of the ethnicities of SL but also within their own community (in my opinion). My Tamil friends have their own businesses in Colombo and live very good lives with a few servents to help them… which I don’t have.

    I agree with one of the comments which said about SL having 17 Tamil kings. What I like to add to that is that the last King of Lanka was also from the Tamil ethnicity. He brought his two wifes from India. The country accepted him the King and Sinhalese people protected him…. The history books talks about these things…..

    No other country in the world accepts poeple from all communities and accept their languages like SL does. No other country has declared public holidays for all the religions and ethnic celebrations -eg. public holidays for Buddhists (Vesak and Poya days), Hindus (Thai pongal, new year, deepawali), Christians (easter, christmas), muslims (ramasan) etc… SL is the most multicultural country in the entire world. Only when you go overseas that you realize this.

    I hope that peace will come to SL and that all citizens will be able to go to every part of SL including the Sinhalese and muslim people to the north of SL as well. When spoken of discrimination, one should not forget that the Tamil poeple can come to Colombo and the South but Sinhalese people cannot go to the North…

    May all beings be well and happy in a peaceful SL in the very near future is my wish!!!

  33. Siva said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 5:18 am

    It is not fair to compare the IFS with the ISP. IFS is superior to ISP. ISP is meant to 13th amendment to the Constitution. The 13th amendment can be revoked by two third majority in Parliament. Indian Constitution prescribes approval by a majority of the total membership of both Houses of Parliament and no less than two thirds of the members present and voting. If, however, the amendment is concerned with the federal distribution of powers, it must be also ratified by no less than one half of the States.

    I think we shoud appreciate Dr CK for his suggestions. However, I do not think that the LTTE will hand over the weapons to any institution without a permanent resolution to the etnic problem. GOSL bashing or LTTE bashing won’t help. The CFA is there. Both parties must commence negotiations under the CFA. I do not think that the present government headed by the SLFP comes to talk. They are interested only in military solution. The situation is so complicated. Most of the Sinhalese are not in favour of a federal soloution but the majority of them may agree to devolution under a unitary state. However, the Tamil community will never accept anything less than a federal solution. So the war is on.

    The argument that most of the Tamils are living outside the North/east Province is not a valid one. If there is a solution, Tamils will move to to North/east to live.

    Sri Lanka’s territorial intergrity argument is working now because the IC wants a solution under a united Sri Lanka. This argument has some problem with para 7 of the Un friendly declaration 1970. Only time will tell how the IC reacts in a couple of years.

  34. Switzerland said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 5:51 am

    Reading the comments one would agree that it is media
    diahorea when this subject is dealt these days. The
    PAW… suggested is one angle that will come up for a
    final conclusion with or without the IC.
    The whole thing hinges on one mans mind – head and if
    this is dealt with similar to the PAW::: proposed I would
    venture to suggest that his status be laid out in a
    surrender form in settlement as acceptable to him – as
    we do not have a G.Adams in this case. The alternative
    V.P has supported by his Lieutants is to fight to the last man in the name of saving the Tamils! A face-saving
    formula? VP can negotiate his surrender to India on terms
    that will provide a political settlement via the UN.
    The SL Army is paid to kill when its life is at stake as
    much as the Ltte man in the bunker – this is war.

  35. Dr KC said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 12:05 pm

    Annavi

    Thanks. I am afraid I do not agree with some of your comments. We cannot and should not write off IC or India in assisting to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict. As the Jaffna Bishop put it to the visiting American envoy a couple of weeks ago, without the active involvement of India and IC this problem cannot be solved.

    You mentioned about the Indo Sri Lankan agreement and questioned what India did when the NE was de-merged. You can’t pick and chose the clauses in an agreement. ISA stipulated surrender of weapons by all militants, devolution of powers to the merged NE etc

    LTTE accepted the IS accord, got millions of rupees from India, posed to camera surrendering the weapons and two months later, even though the IPKF did not kill a single Tamil civilian or a cadre, still carried out a fatal landmine attack on the IPKF. This is where the LTTE made the biggest blunder. If the LTTE had conformed to the requirement of the ISA and behaved like a progressive and responsible force, I do not think we would have been in this mess. The day the LTTE attacked the IPKF the ISA became defunct by virtue of the fact that the LTTE had been the major stakeholder in the proposed NE Provincial Council. How can you complain about de-merger now?

    Even now if the LTTE is prepared to accept the ISA by words and deeds, I am sure India is very likely to make positive moves. I understand the next meeting of the Co-chairs is due to be held in New Delhi, a welcoming development. Some light at the end of the long tunnel?

  36. Baptist, UAE said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 2:46 pm

    I agree with some of the comments regarding that our relations with India should have been handled better. But India has its own interests, and will do anything in their power (be it immoral) to stop the division of Sri Lanka…You just have to look at their manouvourings on the recent accustaions that LTTE abducted and killed TN fisherman…

    you have also forgotten about the oppressive nature of the successive sinhala governments, which we ultimately needs to deal with. Not a single government has genuinely tried to address the genuine tamil concerns, and the sinhala people have been voting these racist leaders in time after time.

    Have we forgotten the 30 plus years of non-violent struggle that culminated in armed resistance after being oppressed by the sinhala governments? Where was India and the international community then? Had LTTE and other tamil groups not taken arms, would anybody have paid any attention to our plight? Please don’t insult their sacrifices.

    Today, people are being hoarded into buses and sent from Colombo for being Tamils. The best the SL government has to offer is the Village Councils…what a joke

    However well intentioned your ideas are, history teaches something. We should stand on our own feet, and fight for our rights; this isn’t about the LTTE, and the petty political infighting and point scoring within us; this is about the survival of Sri Lankan Tamil civilisation. This is not the time to tremble.

  37. Dr KC said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    Siva

    Thank you, Sir, for your useful comments.

    I am not suggesting the surrender of weapons at this stage. In order to confine the SLAF to the barracks in the NE and deploy peace keeping force (in fact these are the biggest shortfalls of the current CFA) the LTTE needs to come up with a tangible offer to initiate a chain of events and that is the basis for ‘PAWAPIAMB’. Under this arrangement the LTTE should be able to reclaim (I do not think things will go to this stage once the CFA is reinforced by addressing the current shortfall) the weapons by giving appropriate notice to the IAMB. In other words the IAMB ‘baby sits’ the weapons of the LTTE whilst the owners of the weapons are FULLY INVOLVED in peace talks!!

    Even under the UNP govt the CFA was not fully implemented: HSZ, attacks and counter attacks on/by the LTTE etc.

    Secondly I would like to ask you as to how the LTTE can come out of international isolation & proscription. Does the LTTE at least realise they are being isolated internationally? What can be done to reverse this trend?

  38. Selva, Canada said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 4:17 pm

    I quite agree with some comments made by Raj. The sinhalese politicians will not give a solution to this ethnic problem. This will go on for ever. Both parties like to drag this issue as long as possible. It is high time that IC gets into Sl and give a federal solution like what we have in Canada. All those who opposes this solution must be put into jail for treason. If the tamil problem is solved amicably, LTTE will disappear automatically. You need medicine as long as the sickness is there. Once you cure the sickness, the medicine is not necessry any more. It is simple as that. Will there be any country who can boldly do this in SL. India will not do it as she is playing the ball to get more benefits from this issue. Who can bell the cat? Will there be a time where both communities can live together like brothers and sisters as we lived in 1940s and early 1950s before the sinhala only policy. I had several sinhalese classmates when I was schooling in Jaffna.Will that time come back again for our children. I am living in hope.

  39. Sarath said,

    June 7, 2007 @ 11:52 pm

    Why is it that Tamils can live everywhere in Sri Lanka but the Sinhalese and the Muslims cannot? Is this fair? Tamils who complain about the Sinhalese should realise that Colombo is 40% Tamil! Is Jaffna 40% Sinhalese? Can you imagine New Delhi with 40% Kashmiri Muslims? This is how tolerant and accepting the Sinhalese are. Do not take it for granted.

  40. Chandras said,

    June 9, 2007 @ 3:12 am

    Dr K Chandradeva,

    I admire your ideas and line of thinking.

    I am proud to be one of your classmates.

    Unfortunately people thinking in your frequency are rare in our community. Our people are generally selfish and do not mind the others dying for themselves.

    Most of Sinhalese are indeed good people but sadly they do not get the true picture of incidents in North & East (NE). Also many of them have a sort of prejudice or misconception about the aspirations of Tamils in NE.

    For an example during 1983 riots the navy men in Trinco went on unprovoked rampage in Trinco., identified the shops of Tamils and burnt those down. That was a very well planned atrocity. BBC World Service reported that. But Srilankan media blacked that out!

    The English and Sinhala media in Srilanka mostly gave a biased picture of the situation and contributed largely to the misunderstanding of majority community.

    During that riots if not for the warning of late Indian Prime Minister

    Indira Ghandi, Tens of Thousands of Tamils would have been killed island wide.

    After many Shops of Tamils were burnt in Colombo, the government was considering a move to acquire all the damaged properties. That move was also prevented by India.

    But now we, the selfish Tamils of Srilanka have forgotten the great helps from India during those times. They in fact saved our souls.

    Tamils with broad vision like you must get together and create awareness among our community. We must talk to the good Sinhalese people and explain them of the situation.

    For example late Edmond Samarakody and Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne are kinds of men from majority community who have consistently supported the Tamil cause.

    Dr KC, your thinking and efforts touched my heart. Pl do not give up and continue that.

    To implement any solutions N-E Srilanka must be occupied by a neutral army atleast for 15 years. Because Srilankan army will be influenced by the chauvinist elements to see that any devolution does not practically take place in ground.

  41. Dr KC said,

    June 9, 2007 @ 10:51 am

    Sarath

    Thanks for your comments. Ceylon got independence with basically a unitary constitution (UC). I am not saying UC is bad for a country. Look at Singapore, under UC this country has flourished. Like Singapore, if the state of Ceylon/Sri Lanka upheld the rule of law and treated every citizen equally our country too would have become one of the most prosperous and peaceful country in the world. There would have been Silicon Valleys and skyscrapers all over SL.

    What did the post independent SL state do? enacted Sinhala Only Act, disfranchised ~15% of Tamil population, imposed discrimination etc when Tamils agitated peacefully – by non-violent means – the SL state ordered the army which is made of 99% Sinhalese to oppress and suppress the legitimate political demonstration by Tamils. Now we are in terrible mess as you know. I never imagined 500 Tamils, women and children, would have been ethnically cleansed from the CAPITAL of Sri Lanka as did Mahinda Rajapakse. What is the guarantee this will not happen again? MR has demonstrated that your argument about ‘40% Tamils in Colombo’ irrational, hasn’t he?

    To come out of this mess I can think of only one option, i.e. offering a federal solution to this conflict. As Selva from Canada put it on this forum above: IF THE SL STATE GIVE AND IMPLIMENT A FEDERAL SOLUTION IN GOOD FAITH, THE LTTE WILL SIMPLY DISAPPEAR FROM THE SCENE.

    Once a peaceful solution is reached any citizen of SL should be able to live anywhere in SL in PEACE WITH DIGNITY. I cannot wait to see that truly beautiful Sri Lanka again. I am too living in hope and I hope you too!!

  42. Siva said,

    June 10, 2007 @ 4:33 am

    Dr KC

    I agree that a federal solution is good. Just federal solution will not solve the problem. A federal solution with autonomy, power sharing at the centre and minority veto is the possible answer. What about the electoral system recently recommended in Sri Lanka if implemented? ie 140 seats with First past the post system, 70 seats with PR and 15 with national list. This is a majoritarian electoral system. If this system is implemented, either SLFP or UNP can reach power in their own right. About 40-45% of the votes polled are enough to capture power. What will happen to the power sharing at the centre? Federal system will fail.

  43. Dr KC said,

    June 10, 2007 @ 11:54 am

    Dear Chandras

    Your posting very much touched my heart and the memory of our childhood days back in Trinco. How are you Chandras?

    I am a busy consultant anaesthetist. I have no affiliation to any political party or militant organisation but I am deeply disturbed and distressed by what’s going in the NE. Thousands of young men & women in their tender age are dying in vain. Due to the siege in the NE, the healthcare workers are reporting an epidemic of severe malnutrition in the NE. I think the incidence of severe malnutrition is over 85% and this gives me sleepless nights.

    I certainly agree with you that any negotiated political solution should be coupled with the mandate to keep a neutral (? armed forces from Co-chairs) army for 15 years for two reasons: to keep the resurgence of Tamil militancy at bay and to stop the Sinhala chauvinists from manipulating the Sri Lankan army in the NE for their own electoral benefits and to fill their wallets.

    We need a leadership with a vision to take us in the right path. I am not at all happy with things as they stand at present.

  44. Rasika said,

    June 10, 2007 @ 11:32 pm

    The main problem here is that Tamil poeple have so much hate toward every singhalees person regardless of their values, jugging every one with a hatfull angle. that is not going to help them in any way. If they want a solution they need to undestan that problem now is that southern poeple don’t undestand what they are fighting for (LTTE), they don’t see any discrimination happening in colombo for any ethnic group. if you explain the suffering of the nothern brothers and say what your fighting for, perhaps they will undestand and even suport for your cause. Most singhaleese I know are very kind and generouse, being budhist. They are bound to help you if there had been any injustice.

  45. Chandras said,

    June 12, 2007 @ 8:43 am

    Dr KC,

    I pray for your good efforts to succeed.

    For me the most worrying is the mass displacement of people. During last 20 years many thousands of Tamils have been chasaed away from their traditional villages.

    Recently from Sampur, Eechilampattai and Verugal area atleast 30,000 Tamils were displaced. I am afraid that those affected might not be resettled in their villages.

    State sponsored colonization program of Sinhalese people is well underway.

    In 1980s we lost the village of Thennaramaravadi (North of Pullmoddai)an old Tamil village when the security forces openly chased the inhabitants away at gun point.

  46. Sundaram said,

    June 14, 2007 @ 9:39 am

    One has commented here that there are 40% Tamils in Colombo. Then there must be 40% Tamil MPs from Colombo and there must be few Tamil AGA divisions.

    But in Vavuniya there are only two pockets of Sinhalese villages (in Eerataperiyakulam and Mamaduwa), which are at two different locations, but they form an AGA division.
    So the policy of government is obvious. They do the merging and de -merging of areas to the advantage of the majority community. There are similar examples in East too.

    There are few comments here saying that Tamils are quite safe in Colombo and other Southern part of Lanka and living happily with Sinhalese.

    In 1958, 1977 and 1983 Tamils in Southern parts were attacked. Only after 1983 there was not open attack against Tamils in Southern part because Tamil militants took arms and started to hit back. It is the strength of Tamils in Northern & Eastern Pronivce, which gives leverage to Tamils in South and infact to other minorities.

    If Tamils in North East become weak then, Tamils and other minorities in South also would be more at risk. Then Government might again bring the Sinhala Only act.

    Tamils have been living in Northern, Eastern and some part of North Western Province atleast from 01st century.

    Expectation of Tamils in their traditional homelands in North East will be much higher than their expectations in South.

    Generally the Government and the Chauvinist forces would prefer the Tamils in NE to move towards the South so that they become weak allover and would gradually loose their identity.

    It is said that during last 30 ?40 years, few thousands of Tamils in Negombo and Chilaw region have mingled with Sinhalese lost their identity.

    When few hundred Tamils were chased from Colombo last week the Prime minister has apologized. But nearly hundred thousands of Tamils have been chased from their homes in Eastern province by artillery fire but no one from the government apologized. After chasing those Tamils from their traditional villages their houses were either damaged or razed to ground.

    Personally Sinhalese are people with good manners. But during North East crises their Army is hell bent on destroying Tamils.

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