Converting Military Success to Political Victory in the East
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The launching of “Operation Riviresa” in 1995 – 96 saw the Jaffna district in its entirety coming under the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GOSL) writ. It was regarded then as a magnificient military victory . The USA after conducting a fact – finding mission of the Northern peninsula urged the Government headed by Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to consolidate the military gains by converting it into a political victory. Kumaratunga was advised to make Jaffna a “showpiece” of development and prosperity. Colombo was also requested to advance a political process.
But the Kumaratunga regime did not heed that advice. Lured by the mirage of military conquest the Govt plunged the armed forces into war in the Northern mainland known as Wanni. An ambitious military project titled “Operation Jayasikurui” was set in motion. The political quest was put on hold. Jaffna was held as a military “prize” without much attention being paid to the “hearts and minds” of the Jaffna people. The consequences were disastrous in the Peninsula as well as the mainland.
A decade later Kumaratunga’s successor is in a similiar position. After a protracted 15 month military campaign the armed forces commanded by President Mahinda Rajapakse have brought the entire Eastern province under GOSL domination. The Government is praised and also praises itself for this victory. All sorts of shakes and moves are on to bring about a new political sunrise for the East. In the midst of euphoria the USA has offered words of caution and advice.
US envoy Robert O. Blake Jr in his address at the seminar “Sri Lanka:the Way Forward” on September 21st made some pertinent and illuminating comments about the East. The seminar held at the Galle Face Hotel was sponsored by the US – Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission and the Fulbright Alumni Association of Sri Lanka. Ambassador Blake had this to say about Eastern Sri Lanka.
” Let me a say a word about the stabilization and reconstruction process in the East, which also is an important part of the way forward. ”
“Now that conflict has subsided in the East, the Government has a significant opportunity to stabilize and develop the East in a manner that would demonstrate to all Sri Lankans, but particularly Tamils and Muslims, that they have a bright future within a united Sri Lanka and that the Government is serious about ensuring their rights and providing opportunities equitably within a pluralistic state. In short, a successful transition in the East can be an important confidence builder and a building block for a future negotiation process. ”
“Conversely, the government faces significant risks if it fails to seize its opportunity in the East. Specifically, a failure to effect an orderly transition from military to civilian control, a failure to consult elected representatives of the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities on the development and other programs now being devised for the East, and a failure to rein in paramilitaries are all likely to destabilize the East and harden minority attitudes about prospects for negotiated settlement. Likewise, resettlement and development plans that change the ethnic composition of eastern districts, restrictions on access to means of livelihood, and slow economic development will produce similar negative effects. ”
What prompted Ambassador Blake to make these well – intentioned observations? Obviously the US envoy like some of his diplomatic colleagues is well aware of what is going on now. The news that comes out of the East is not good. The armed forces may have won the East militarily. But Colombo has not got its act together politically. 75 % of the Province consists of Tamils and Muslims.Territory may have been captured but the hearts and minds of these Tamil – speaking people are yet to be won over. If current trends are any indication the GOSL seems headed for a political defeat there.
There is a lot of news about the East going to “rise” and “re- awaken” and “renew”. But none of this is in Tamil spoken by three- fourths of the Province’s people. In fact the Province is being constantly referred to as “Nagenahira” now. The Tamil language term “Kizhakku”is missing.
This is a province where the ethnic ratio in 1921 was 55% Tamil, 40 % Muslim and 4 % Sinhala. In 1981 when the last official census was taken the ratio was 42 % Tamil, 33% Muslim and 25% Sinhala.
One would expect therefore that the Tamil language be given its due place but the failure of this Govt to accommodate Tamil in the grandiose plans for the East is not only insensitive but a symtom of a deep – seated malaise namely a Sinhala supremacist mindset.
The emphasis on “Nagenahira” to the exclusion of “Kizhakku” is symbolic of this regime’s disdain and contempt for the Tamil and Muslim people of the East. This act of omission and a number of other acts of commission are making many Tamils feel that they are a “conquered” people.
The Tamils and Muslims of the East are being treated as second class citizens. The GOSL thinks that altering the demographic structure of the East through deliberately colonising Sinhala people will help stabilise control. The Tamils and Muslims are being undermined and marginalised. The long term goal is to make the Sinhala community the dominant numerical entity in the East.
What is usually necessary after military operations is to provide relief, rehabilitation and re- construction to the affected people. Displaced people and other victims of war need to be given urgent priority. Re- settlement, restoring basic infra- structural facilities,housing, health care, education, transport, etc are the need of the hour. The revival of lost livelihood is of utmost importance.
These concerns and needs are not being addessed in the way they ought to be. Instead of focussing on bringing back civilian normalcy the region is being excessively militarised. The humanitarian dimension with deep political ramifications is being ignored or overlooked.
It is against this backdrop that Ambassador Blake’s comments need to noted. What the US envoy is talking about is the imperative need to move away from military to civilian control. If the region is to be stabilised and developed then there must be a speedy and orderly transition from military to civilian control. The Tamils and Muslims need to be convinced of a bright future. For this an enlightened approach is necessary. Failure to address this requirement can create conditions for future de – stabilisation
The existential reality today is that the East is being run in a militarised manner.National security has become an all – powerful “manthra”that justifies the diminishing of civilian control and enhancement of military power. The elected Tamil MP’s from the province are sidelined as tiger mouthpieces. The elected Provincial body has been defunct for nearly 17 years.
The local authorities are dysfunctional in many cases and in some, function powerlessly. The civilian bureaucracy goes through the motions of civil administration but real power lies with the security force officials.The military is concerned mostly with security matters. Civil governance is not their primary concern
There is an urgent need therefore to restore civilian control and expedite rehabilitation and development. This is necessary not merely from a humanitarian perspective but also from a politico – military viewpoint. How this is to be done is the question. Delay or failure in this respect would have dire consequences.As Ambassador Blake said the government faces significant risks if it fails to seize its opportunity in the East.
This government heavily influenced by the ideology of “Sinhala Buddhist supremacy” has both a covert and overt Eastern agenda.
Covertly it seeks to “Sinhalaise” the East at the expense of Tamils and Muslims.Sinister plans are being set in motion but more of that on another occasion.
Overtly the GOSL talks of holding elections on the one hand and on the other , setting up a special agency and/or ministry to implement rehabilitation and development for the East.
The Rajapakse regime has been ignoring the Tamil National Allliance MP’s in their plans for the East. They are not invited for most official meetings. Security is not provided for the seven elected and one appointed Eastern TNA Parliamentarians to visit their province. The Eastern “eight” lodge routine protests at this treatment but to no avail. So it seems unlikely that the Tamil MP’s of the East will be called upon to play a role in restoring normalcy.
Currently what the Govt has in mind is the staging of elections for the Eastern Provincial Council and other local authorities. The regime has an ulterior motive in holding provincial council elections. One is that by holding PC elections in the East the de- merger can be made permanent.
The other reason is that it wants to ensure that the para – military groups collaborating with the state are ensconced in power. The current favourite is “Col” Karuna’s Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) because it is the only Tamil entity supporting the de – merger.
Imposing a ” political leadership” from above like the TMVP or Devananda’s outfit cannot be of great help. These elements are not seen as independent but as being “in dependence ” of the Govt. Just as the TNA is a tiger lackey these groups are GOSL puppets. Their imposition through electoral malpracice cannot provide the answer. They will be resented by people of all communities. Also they will simply expand their shady activities and continue with things like extortions, abductions etc.
Trying to replace the LTTE with these elements is like substituting hyenas for the tiger. Besides there will be a lot of violence. The various factions of the TMVP will engage in intra – group violence. There will also be inter – group violence. It must be noted that several TNA members of local authorities and former candidates have been killed. Elections at provincial or local level can aggravate such assassinations. Also the LTTE pistol groups will have a field day killing candidates.
Under these circumstances whatever election held will have no credibility. The election will be fraudulent. The “winning” candidates will be members of para – military groups. Democratic norms will be violated. The winners will be given extra – security and would very likely live as security force appendages. The new Councils will be a joke. In the eyes of the people these new “representatives” will be perceived as Govt stooges and security force minions. They will not inspire confidence nationally and internationally.
The other option pursued by this regime is to set up a special authority or ministry for Eastern development. There is speculation that the nation building ministry would be in charge with a special Eastern development authority set up. There could be a special project ministry for Eastern development too. Basil Rajapakse is tipped to head the ministry or ministries and already he is in charge of some envisaged Eastern resurgence projects.
President Rajapakse announced in Los Angeles that 20 billion rupees will be allocated for the East. It would be a model for post – conflict reconstruction. The crunch however is lack of funds. The regime expects generous foreign assistance for re-generating the East. But there is little chance of Colombo getting all the money it wants for this
For one thing any project under Basil Rajapakse will be viewed with suspicion. If twenty billion is allocated cynics will say 10 % of that is two billion.
Even without Basil, foreign entities will be reluctant to give money to a project or ministry administered by the central government. Apart from doubts on the hidden “Sinhalaisation” agenda the international community would prefer these tasks to be planned and implemented at the provincial level because that would facilitate greater participaation by people from the region. The Tamils and Muslims too would prefer the Provincial level.
It becomes necessary then to transform military control to civilian control as speedily as possible for expediting foreign assistance and restoration of civilian normalcy. Given the prevailing constraints and difficulties of resurrecting an electoral body the only way out seems an enlightened approach of “benevolent” Presidential rule. While the Province is under direct Presidential rule the administration could be planned, coordinated and implemented by the Governor acting on the advice of an interim advisory council.
The President can invoke Constitutional provisions – 154 A and 154 T – to set up a Provincial Council for the East and then establish a special advisory council through Gazette proclamation for a specified period.Powers vested in the Provincial Council chief minister will be transferred to the Governor who in turn will delegate it to the advisory council. It would not be a case of the Governor “consulting” the advisory council but clearly acting “on the advice” of the advisory council.
In India when a state government is dissolved and Presidential rule is imposed the powers of the chief minister will be in the hands of the Governor who is the President’s representative. An Advisory council is appointed to “advise” the Governor. This advisory council becomes the de – facto administration till fresh elections are called. The advisory council comprises experienced and capable persons with administrative ability and expertise.
Likewise the envisaged special advisory council for the East could have persons possessing commitment and competence with knowledge and experience of the region and/or the erstwhile North – East Provincial administration. The important thing is not to have security forces or para- military representatives on this council. The composition should conform to the ethnic ratio of the province. Since Tamils are the single largest ethnicity in the province and also because the Governor is a Sinhalese the advisory council head could be a Tamil.
The advsory council’s term could be for two years.Its immediate priority would be provide adequate relief to people victimised by the war and to re- settle and rehabilitate displaced persons speedily. Urgent steps should be taken to revive agriculture, fisheries, small industry and animal husbandry. Repairing and re – building of houses, schools, hospitals, roads and sanitary facilities , restoring electricity and improving transport etc should be the immediate priority. Recruiting Policemen and public service officials is also a must.
Most of these functions come under the Provincial list in terms of the 13th amendment. There may be a need however to utilise powers devolved under the concurrent list or those given to the centre to expedite or enhance activity for humanitarian reasons.In that case statutes have to be drafted for each function specifically and passed by Parliament. In effect Parliament will be giving powers to the President who in turn will delegate it to the Governor and advisory council.
While the special advisory council functions like a virtual interim administration the political process seeking Constitutional reform should not be abandoned. If the APRC and APC finalise matters the quantum of devolution (sans concurrent list) agreed upon could be given the Provincial Council without two -thirds majority or a referendum. This requires under 154 G a bill to be passed by Parliament and endorsed by all the Provincial Councils.If this can be done then the PC’s will have greater devolution.
Setting up an advisory council will facilitate transfer of control to the civil from military. Though the elected council will not be there the Provincial administration will be in “force” through the Advisory Council. This province – oriented administration will inspire greater trust and confidence among the people of the Province than a Central government structure or fraudulently elected body. The International Community will have no qualms about providing finances to uplift the Eastern province and the people through this structure.
The special advisory council will not be an end unto itself but only means to an end. The ultimate objective should be the setting up of a democratically elected body to be the political executive for the province. Law and order should be the responsibility of the Police. The armed forces should only be in charge of security. The para – militaries should be absorbed into the regular army and subjected to military discipline.
For all this to happen President Rajapakse must display enlightened statesmanship. The need of the hour is to facilitate transition of military control to civilian administration. The best option seems to be that of Presidential rule of the Province through the Governor and a special advisory council. Arguably that seems the best way to convert a military success into a political victory.It is only then that the East will truly have a new sunrise.
DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at djeyaraj@federalidea.com
AA said,
October 6, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
Expecting statesmanship from the Blood Brothers is a Day dream.
They have the Law (Defence and of course the Chief Justice himself)in their hand
They have the Finance (ministry) in their hand
And they have the Ports in their hands.
How on the earth some one can bring developments by passing this structures.
Basi is going to be appointed as special commissioner/ minister for the East development and by doing this the Blood Brothers wil have 95% of the budget allocations in their hand.
For the Sinhalese and those Tamils who lick MR’s boot, it will be a sad story like Two monkeys asking the hopper to share with the help from a FOX. Good Luck.
tham said,
October 6, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Article is written with good intention….
But Singhala regimes always come to power by competing to give less to Tamils..
Their goal is always come to power…nothing else..
DBS including IC have not realised it. yet..
VP has got it spot on long time back….
Chennai_Analyst said,
October 7, 2007 @ 12:04 am
DBS Sir,
While we all appreciate your writings for depth, Tamils are being wiped out as a race in SriLanka aided and abetted by the crooked Hindia and Hindians! All Hindia cares is resources for the Hindians. They don’t give a damn for others as was seen this week in Burma when people were shot and Hindia cared less! The Americans are also playing time to get Trinco!
Mr. DBS ,write the whole truth!
Kannan Saravanan said,
October 7, 2007 @ 12:30 am
Dear D. B. S. Jeyaraj,
First of all, I tend to pose a question. Does Mahinda possess enlightened statemanship? The answer is a “BIG NO”. It is a well-known fact that he is an ill-witted person who still lives in 1950s.
Mahinda & co’s regime’s heavily influenced by the ideology of Sinhala Buddhist supremacy. It covertly seeks to Sinhalise not only the East, but also the other parts too at the expense of both Tamils and Muslims.
His policy is a terrible, tragic and counterproductive one. Tamils cannot trust any Sinhala leadership any more. There hasn’t been a single day of good-faith peace talks between Tamils and Sinhalese.
Mahinda, as a President, ought not take any action that would promote a certain religion over others, and that unfortunately has been violated numerous times by him.
His religious faith and his political posture will never bring peace to Sri Lanka. As Thamizhenthi said, if Tamils cannot live in Sri Lanka, nobody else can live there.
Mahinda & Co and the Sinhala polity need to be educated that the realm of religion and the realm of politics should be completely separated
After all, politics is the last resort of scoundrels.
chelva antony said,
October 7, 2007 @ 1:09 am
I FEEL VERY SAD FOR MY PEOPLE. Singala military is concentrating them in concentration style camps. Many are not allowed to go back to their homes. Infact may houses are bulldozed out by singala military to make way for HSZ camps in Kathiraivellee/ Vaharai areas. Why are they doing all these for us??
Singala governemnt used Karuna to the maximum and now he was made to flee the country. How cleaver Fox.
Its obvious more and more Tamil youth going to join the Tigers to fight for our homelands. Already “Leapord” regiment of the Tigers are back in the East organizing everything. They have gven high ammount of training in the North with sophisticated weapon systems. I hope they will torment the Singala forces and eventually get ride of them.
UNP’s RECENT ‘NO MORE FEDERAL SYSTEM ‘ for TAMILS shows TIGERS Strenth was the one made them to offer Fed System. SO ITS TIME TO MAKE OUR TIGERS MORE POWERFULL THAN EVER BEFORE.
MORE STRONG THE TIGERS MORE POLITICAL POWER WE WILL ACHIEVE.
andy lingam said,
October 7, 2007 @ 3:08 am
The best option seems to be that of Presidential rule of the Province through the Governor and a special advisory council
Jeyara, DB Jeyaraj!!!
come out from your day deam you had enough !!!
you are a very valuable wrter in our Tamileela histry.
you know & I(we) know only solution we can achieve with our National leader Hon VP wherther We like it or not.
Ms Vani Kumar said,
October 7, 2007 @ 5:50 am
Dear D.B.S,
To begin with, I must commend you on a wonderful analysis. It is very interesting and well researched.
Most people will agree your observations about East.
“The Tamils and Muslims are being undermined and marginalised. The long term goal is to make the Sinhala community the dominant numerical entity in the East.”
“This government heavily influenced by the ideology of “Sinhala Buddhist supremacy” has both a covert and overt Eastern agenda.”
I wish you well and continue the good work.
Ms Vani Kumar, London, UK
veerakathi said,
October 7, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Human Rights
&
State Terrorism in Sri Lanka
o There is widespread racism and state terror that has been directed at the Tamil people since Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948.
o The Sinhalese came to Sri Lanka about 2500 years back and claim to be Aryan race, which is a bunch of crap
o Tamils have been living in Sri Lanka for more than 30,000 years and called it Ellam.
o In 1769 the British arrived and absorber the Island of Ceylon into its huge empire.
o Before Portugese, Dutch & British came, there were three Kingdoms in Ceylon, Tamil kingdoms in North and East, one Sinhalese kingdom in Hill Country and one in Costal areas of Ceylon.
o British centralised all powers in Capital Colombo for administrative purpose , unified the whole country by amalgamating three Kingdoms into one Country and brought large amount of Tamil Labours from India to Build Tea estates and these Tamils built the national economy and earn highest amount Foreign exchange today ( US $ 900 Millon per year )
o When British left in 1947, they handed over centralised power in Colombo to Sinhalese and the first Sinhalese majority parliament stripped, (which consisted of Racist like DS Senanayaka, SWRD Bandaranayaka & JR Jeyawardena,) one million tea estate Tamils in the central hill country of their citizenship and right to vote, because they voted against the ruling party and happened to be Tamils.
o The third parliament of Ceylon in 1n 1956, under the leadership of SWRD Bandaranayaka and with the support of UNP, made Sinhalese the only official language and as a consequence large number of Tamils lost their job opportunities. LSSP leader Colvin R De Silva warned one language, two countries, two languages, one country.
o During nineteen seventies the Government of Srimao Bandaranayaka, with the support of Badudeen Mohammed, NM Perera, Peter Kennaman & Colvin R De Silva implemented the standardisation policy where Tamil student have to get much more marks to enter university, irrespective of their merit, and abolished the Constitution Drafted by Last British Governor and deleted the protection given to Tamils under that Constitution and these act angered moderate Tamil Politicians and young Tamil students and provided a strong motivation to start armed struggle, another foolish act of Sindhalese
o Major Sinhalese political parties and Majority of the Buddhist Monks are totally racist and anti Tamil.
o In July 1983 the Sinhalese thugs aided, supported and encouraged by Sinhalese politicians, Buddhist monks and Sinhalese army and police killed thousands of Innocent Tamils, burned down their houses, business premises, medical clinics and lawyers offices and ganged raped Tamils girls and this is known as ‘ July Holocaust’ or ‘ Black July’ .
o The Tamil armed struggle gathered momentum after this foolish act of Sinhalese and resulted in the development of present day Tamil Army known as ‘Tamils Tigers’
o Some feel that creation of a Tamil Federal state or a Scottish style Tamil Parliament will bring peace; this solution will not work, because this type of political system to work, the central government should be trust worthy and Tamils have no trust in Sinhalese central government or Sinhalese politicians. They cannot be trusted, because Sri Lankan army, police and state machinery is one hundred percent Sinhalese.
o The only option for Tamils to fight Sinhalese state terrorism is to create their own state which existed before Portugese, Dutch and British came to Colonise Ceylon – Sri Lanka.
o WITH OUT A TAMIL ARMY TAMILS HAVE NOTHING – POLITICAL POWER GROWS OUT OF BARREL OF GUN – ARMY IS HE CHIFE COMPONENT OF STATE POWER –
o The ‘Tigers’ control their own territory and run it like a totalitarian dictatorship now, after winning an independent state for Tamils, they have to grant democracy to all people, otherwise Tamil people will revolt
o Tamil Army is a militant army with a cause, to disarm them is impossible and no army can fight them forever.
o The ‘war on terror after 9/11′ has been used by Sri Lankan States (past & present) to suppress Tamils and opposition descendants and get plenty of foreign aid from US, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, China and Israel. Tamils and their Tamil Army are not terrorist, but freedom fighters. The Sinhalese and International media describes the entire Tamil people as terrorist and remain silent about Sri Lanka state terrorism for the benefit of their Geopolitical agendas.
o FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.
Param said,
October 7, 2007 @ 9:40 am
You have worked very hard to strengthen the Tamil cause for the past few years and now Sinhalese politicians may be listening to your advice.
ratna said,
October 7, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Hyenas and Tigers – what a comparison.
Jaffna became Yapapatana 15 years ago and still under military rule, an open prison. Same for East as well.
This is expected from sinhalese politicians. This is what tamil seperatists are saying for years.
Sri Lanka needs a Gandhi like leader, not a Dutugemunu like leader.
T Kalaichelvi said,
October 7, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
On the 10 of September 1990, Tamil civilians from Batticaloa, Saththurukkondan, Panichchaiyady, Kokkuvil, Pillaiyarady were taken to the Army camp for interrogation. They were stabbed with sharp knives including a one and a half year old child, children and women.
In June 1991, 150 Tamils were killed in the Eastern Province. The next major killing occurred on January 1993 when naval personnel shot and hacked to death four boats of civilians at Kilaly. Only 35 bodies baring marks of torture and gunshot wounds floated in the lagoon.
Reference: Avis Harrell Sri-Jayantha.
Proceedings of International Conference On Tamil Nationhood & Search for Peace in Sri Lanka, Ottawa, Canada 1999.
Ramesh Sivagunan said,
October 8, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
According to one writer on this forum;
Tamils have been living in Sri Lanka for more than 30,000 years and called it Ellam.
There is no scientific or anthropological evidence to suggest that mankind existed more than 30,000 years ago. If one were to believe in Evolution perhaps the writer was suggesting that the tamils descended from Monkeys and therefore they have special rights for EElam. Is this is what the “educated Jaffna” tamils could write on a forum?
And we blame the singalese for our problems??
2ndClassTamil said,
October 8, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Dear DBS,
In a recent article Ravi Sundaralingam Academic Secretary of ASATiC (who I think is a moderate addressing the origins of the crisis in Ceylon) said:
It is the total capture of the state by the Sinhala chauvinists and the majoritarian state terror against all minority communities since the ‘independence’.
and went further to say:
The program to eradicate the Tamils as a viable community within the island was obvious from the beginning, and should have been expected. The push for the ‘Sinhalese solution’ started with DS Senenayake, as soon as the independence and continued relentlessly, taking a fully blown military face with JR Jayawardene declaring his wish to ‘drive all the Tamils into the sea’
If you do subscribe to these statements then your article sounds more like a pleading note despite its admirable eloquence.
A.Rajasingam said,
October 8, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
DBS has analyzed clearly as to the future occurences. Mahinda should realize that eternal vigilence is the price of liberty and he will have to bear the consequences of the atrocities of the military. We cannot expect anything from Mahinda as he is silent on the solution to the present crisis. Still he is under the impression that he can destroy the will power of the Tamils. He has forgotten the lesson from Kalinga war. There can be turn of events. The economic condition of the country has already gone to the bottom. The re-emergence of the Tigers is another factor in addition to the de-merger of North-East Provinces. Military solution cannot always be the answer. It is time for the eastern Muslims to realize how they were decived by their own leaders. I am sure Mahinda is digging his own graveyard if he implements his evil plan of colonization with the Sinhalese and neglecting the urgent needs of the displaced at the same time.
Jothi said,
October 9, 2007 @ 12:59 am
LTTE must be wiped out. Otherwise tamil peoples cant survive
chelva antony said,
October 9, 2007 @ 2:54 am
hello Mr SMART Guy aka Ramesh SIVAGUNAM !
YOU must be one of those SMART singalese…. able to pretend like a Tamil guy and all? haha
You Say “There is no scientific or anthropological evidence to suggest that mankind existed more than 30,000 years ago.”
Well i live in Australia. Aborogines History here date back to 70,000 yrs ago.
“The minimum widely-accepted timeframe for the arrival of humans in Australia places this at 40,000 to 45,000 years ago. The upper range supported by others is up to 70,000 years ago.”
Many researchers also say DARK skined dravidian related people are the one who migrated to Australasia via South east Asian (singapre etc) landmass when sea levels went down.
30,000 yrs is a minor priod when its comes to Evolution.Infact its so rare any mammal can evolve from one species to another within 30k period!, although It could happen when Species are Isolated in an Island etc.
So pls don’t open your ignorent mouth without knowing any science.
Pls do your selve a favour by reading more about human evolution and educate yourselve. Use only reliable sources!!
Pls also read this book ‘DALIT: THE BLACK UNTOUCHABLES OF INDIA’ by Rajshekar.
” This book is the first to provide a Dalit view of the roots and continuing factors of the gross oppression of the world’s largest minority (over 150 million people) through a 3,000 year history of conquest, slavery, apartheid and worse. Rajshekar offers a penetrating, often startling overview of the role of Brahminism and the Indian caste system in embedding the notion of “untouchability” in Hindu culture, tracing the origins of the caste system to an elaborate system of political control in the guise of religion, imposed by Aryan invaders from the north on a conquered aboriginal/Dravidian civilization of African descent. “
theeran said,
October 9, 2007 @ 6:29 am
dbs sir
expecting or talking federalism to chavunistic bros is not wise ….more over they have delusion n OCD kind of disorders………independent tamil eelam will arise against all odds
Ramesh Sinniah said,
October 9, 2007 @ 11:40 am
The present day destroyer of Tamil unity is in the UK , enjoying the hospitality of the British Government, thanks to his” guarantor and erstwhile guardian angel “the Sri-Lankan government. His minions are continuing their leader’s dirty work unabated. How can Tamils gain their rights when there is such a lack of unity among the Tamils themselves? Batticaloa and Trincomalee district Tamils bore the brunt of LTTE’s unsavory actions, and now due to their “son of the soil ” Karuna and his minions their situation has gotten from bad to worse. In the past the LTTE presence was a deterrent from the State Terror in the eastern province referred to now in state media as Nagenahira (rising sun). Now, who is going to speak about the injustices perpetrated on the Tamils? The defender of our rights – the LTTE and the powerless TNA M.P.’s?, I quiet doubt it. I have more faith in our current US Ambassador Richard Blake than anyone else in Sri-Lanka! , It was him who single handedly stopped the brutal abductions in Colombo, while the whole world stood by as silence spectators. He deserve much praise currently than any of our Sri-Lankan leader whether it’s Tamil, Singhalese or Muslim leaders. He is a doer not a destroyer like our Tri-ethnic leaders. If peace comes to Sri-Lanka in very near future that is because of his hard work behind the scenes.
eesan said,
October 9, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
I am really surprised to learn that some actually expected anything different after this change in control of territories in the east. The eternal hope of the naive.
P.Nathan said,
October 10, 2007 @ 8:21 am
All these analyses ignore the ongoing Reign of Terror in the northeast by the government.
THIS IS NOT EVEN MENTIONED.
The visiting UN official will be given a conducted tour and will be unable to meet the people without the presence of militay,police & state personnel, to learn the truth.
Recently the BBC Channel 4 team who had obtained permission were hounded out of jaffna in haste, citing ’security’, by the military.
The military now run the government and the politicians of the ruling junta & sidekicks keep on praising them – thus giving them encouragement and impunity.
“The elected tamil MPs are sidelined as tiger mouthpieces” “Just as TNA is a tiger lackey…………………………………” These two views are contradictory.
siva said,
October 10, 2007 @ 9:03 am
anthony, you may have some good points. but we are also aware of the Christian conspiracy that had been happening for years to defeat the Hindu and Vedic teachings.
Chatura said,
October 12, 2007 @ 7:09 am
I have been a regular reader of DBSJ’s articles. But now I have a suspision that he is more a communalist -eelamist than what most think. The reasons are a plenty and more the tigers get hit by this government more DBSJ’s articles become violant towards MR’s government.
When DBSJ accuses the MR regime of colonising the east with Singhalease he forgets that Colombo has been fooded with tamils due to reasons best known to them.What would be the Sinhaleese reaction if they also think in this tribalist line? Instead of alwas pointing the finger at the others the tamil leaders and intelectuals should do some soul serching.
What is all this about using the sinhala name “Nagenahira” for the development programe for the east? What ever the name is if it does good to the poor civiliens who are at the wrong end of the gun who ever is in control of the east, that is what counts right now. Let’s get in to these trivial matters like name boards an so on when those people have something in their stomacs.
I’m no fan of any of the Sri lankan politicos be it JRJ’s or Bandaranayake’s or Rajapaksas nither amirthalingams or Ponnambalams. Common man in SL have allways been taken for a ride by these self serving shameless vultures. Nither I have any respect for the so called “S.B’s”(the name board Sinhala buddists) and safron clad IRC’s as much as the forigen funded evangelists or love & peace NGOs.
I denounce the way DBSJ is condemning the relief effort programe the government wants to implement in the east , at least to give those poor brethen of ours some sort of solace, even befor it gets under way.What this mighty hurry to condemn this project, even it has non tamil name? The “Mashal” plan for defeated Germany did good or bad to the average German berliner?What ever the name, even the MR siblings pilfer 50% of these funds while at it, it can do only GOOD to a starved, hunted and humiliated brothers of mine who are desparately in need.
Let the MR and their cohorts do what they want to do to develope the East and then and then only we can criticize but not befor.If they are as good as they proffesse then good.If not , only then we can condemn and show their nudity to the rest of the world.
Lastly, this is not a time to quarrle about trivial things.Sinhalas, tamils or muslims ,we are all in for a bad time wherever we live in this country. The politicos have stolen the contry and now raping us in broad day light and LTTE has all but finished a very decent & respected community called the Ceylon tamils. So let us fight that scourage in a united way.That will be the Srilankan identity of the future.
Bala said,
October 12, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
Re #20, P. Nathan what is contradictory about the TNA being a lackey of the tigers and elected Tamil MP’s being sidelined as tiger mouthpieces?
punitham said,
October 14, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
Re 21 Siva
Please stop dragging religion in now when the Tamils(and Muslims) are in this sorry state- after all some unbuddhist Buddhists started this dreadful saga in Sri Lanka nearly six decades ago.
eesan said,
October 15, 2007 @ 1:12 am
chatura, in reply to your 2nd para:
1stly, most tamils would have no problem with sinhalese buying property in the NE and living peacefully as good neighbors with their brethren of other communities. The objection, once again, is against STATE AIDED COLONISATION of what were/are predominantly Tamil speaking areas.
2 ndly I am yet to hear of of the Wellawatte tamils being a threat to the security of sinhala residents of Nugegoda, Bambalapitiya, Dehiwela or Borella for example. If anything, its the otherway around. Plus the Geographical contiguity of the sinhala dominated areas can never be the threatened by the tamil areas of wellawatte, kotahena or in the hill country. Are the streets of wellawatte patroled at night by tamil homeguards?