Why Indian Policy Towards Sri Lankan Tamils Changed
Great Heroes Day Speech 2007: Rhetoric and Reality-2:
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
True to form, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakharan is harshly critical of the Indian role in Sri Lankan Tamil affairs. He is however extremely economical with the truth while criticising India. Apart from being unwilling or unable to understand India’s compulsions , the tiger supremo also omits the negative contribution of the LTTE towards this sad state of affairs.
[LTTE Leader commemorating war heroes at an undisclosed location in Vanni on November 25, 2007-Photo: TamilNet]
As stated before in the previous instalment of this article, there is no denying that Indian involvement in Sri Lanka was motivated by its own enlightened self-interest. Though the nature of its role in Sri Lanka has changed over the years the elementary compulsion of enlightened self – interest remains still.
Indian policy towards Sri Lanka then was based on the twin principles of safeguarding the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka on the one hand and ensuring the rights of the Tamils on the other. Nowadays it still emphasises the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. There is however a sharp change in the other. India is for a just solution acceptable to all sections of the people and not merely the Tamils.
Why is there a change? Firtly India through greater experience of Sri Lankan realities has concluded that imposing a Tamil – friendly solution on the rest of the country is not feasible. Apart from taking legitimate concerns of the Sinhala people into account New Delhi also realises that an important ethnicity like the Muslims has to be taken note of also.
Muslims in India do not perceive themselves as being different to Hindus and Christians of their fellow linguistic group. Thus Muslims in Tamil Nadu see themselves as “Islamiyathamilar” or Tamil Muslims. This is the case in Kerala, Karnataka or any other Indian linguistic state.
But in Sri Lanka due to historic reasons the Muslim self – perception is based on a religious identity. Though the majority of Muslims speak Tamil and substantial numbers are living in the North – East they do not see themselves as “Tamil Muslims” like their counterparts in India. Instead they see themselves as a distinct ethno – religious group that has both a convergence and divergence of interests with the Tamils.
Indian policy makers were not fully aware of ramifications regarding the Muslim “identity” in Sri Lanka during the eighties. Hence their policy then focussed on Tamils pre- dominantly. But now India knows that the Muslim question has to be treated separately and equitably. There can be no viable solution without them. India also does not want the most docile Islamic group in South Asia to be radicalised unnecessarily.
More importantly Indian economic policies have also changed. In the eighties India had not liberalised its economy, but from 1993 it has. New Delhi has broadened its horizons vis a vis Sri Lanka. It seeks greater co-operation and co-ordination with Sri Lanka on a number of matters.
For this an all embracing policy towards the Island is required. No longer can it view Sri Lanka through the Tamil prism alone. India is expanding its economic role in Sri Lanka to a great extent. It does not want to be tied down to Tamil concerns alone.India wants an all encompassing greater role in the Island.
Prabakharan tries to depict this as an Indian “fault” alone. His sycophants will project this as proof of his prophetic vision.The truth however is not so simple.
One reason for the revised Indian policy is the conduct of the LTTE and related consequences. India underestimated the LTTE considerably and also badly misjudged its motives.
Militarily India understimated the LTTE and thought a “swift, surgical strike “would be enought to marginalise it. That was not so. But where India misjudged the LTTE was in assuming that the organization would always act in the best interests of the Tamil people. There it erred and erred badly.
The LTTE may claim to fight and sacrifice for the Tamil cause. The misguided souls who die for their leader may think they are serving the Tamil cause. But the LTTE is sectarian and the hierarchy grossly selfish.
The interests of the LTTE come before the Tamil people. The interests of LTTE cadres are secondary to those of the leadership. The interests of the leaders are secondary to those of the supreme leader Prabalharan.
This is why Prabakharan was able to make a tactical peace with Premadasa and co-operate with him to negate all gains made through the Indo – Lanka accord. Instead of making or helping the N – E provincial council work the LTTE sabotaged it and finally made it defunct.
The LTTE was very keen on getting the Indian army out of North – East Sri Lanka. Again this was primarily due to its own interests. Prabakharan was prepared to collaborate with the traditional enemy to get rid of what he perceived as the greater enemy.
[A. Amirthalingam]
Many people including this columnist thought then that this tactic was a masterstroke of Prabakharan’s genius. Experienced leaders like Appapillai Amirthalingam argued strongly against such a notion. This writer often recalls with sadness the bitter arguments he had with Amirthalingam on the issue.
Now with the wisdom of hindsight one realises that what Amirthalingam said was right and what Prabakharan did was wrong. The plight of the Tamil people today is pathetic and deplorable.
The LTTE and others of their ilk find fault with the earlier moderate leadership for failing to deliver through 30 years of non – violent struggle. True! But what has Prabakharan delivered through 30 years of armed struggle?
The previous political strategy of agitation cum negotiation did not succeed but the condition of the Tamil people was comparatively not bad either. Though Tamils had many grievances the bulk of the community lived in the Island with reasonable rights and self – sufficiency.
The armed struggle on the other hand has threatened the very existence of the Tamil people on the Island. 1. 2 million Tamils are abroad forming the global Tamil Diaspora. Of those living in Sri Lanka 54 % are living outside the North-East. Economy is in shambles, culture is eroded, education is affected, employment is restricted. Social fabric is torn apart. Values are brutalised.
All this could have been avoided and Tamils could have lived with self-respect and dignity if the Indo-Lanka accord was implemented.
That sections of the Sinhala polity were opposed to the accord and wanted to undermine it are not disputed. But what deserves to be condemned is the LTTE role in undermining the accord in collaboration with Colombo.
Having done all this the LTTE leader now faults India and chides it for not helping the Tamils. Apart from distorting reality Prabalharan tries to portray New Delhi’s attitude as being anti-Tamil whereas it is anti – LTTE. India sympathises with the Tamil predicament but is unwilling and to some extent unable to do much due to the LTTE factor.
If India is perceived to be leaning more towards Colombo the cause of such consequential change is the LTTE itself. Prabakharan instead of confessing “Mea Culpa” strives to absolve himself and blames India instead.
If Prabakharan is really a political wizard as his followers say he would have understood the parameters of Indian policy towards Sri Lanka. He would also have assessed the underlying rationale of the entity that is India.
The creation of Pakistan was based on the theocratic ideal. Religion was the basis on which territorially non – contiguous Pakistan was created. The East was Bengali yet Islam was seen as the binding glue.
Despite partition on religious lines, “Nehruvian”India did not succumb to religious fundamentalism. India was secular and stood for secular ideals. Re-organizing states on a linguistic basis reduced intra – tensions considerably.
While secular India stood the test of time , Pakistan fragmented . Religion was not enought to override ethno – linguistic conflict. Naturally India had a vested interest in helping dismember Pakistan.
But this was not so as far as Sri Lanka was concerned. Here India wanted to unite and not divide. Again this was due to its own self – interest.
Creating a separate Eelam would have meant perpetual hostility between the Tamil and Sinhala states. India would have had to back the Tamil , Hindu majority state. But this would have led the Sinhala state to fall into the arms of powers hostile to India.
In the eighties India was paranoid about many things including Washington, Tel Aviv, Islamabad and Beijing. It was in India’s interests therefore to keep Sri Lanka intact and increase its influence.
But this was not all. After Independence a strong separatist movement had flourished in Tamil Nadu. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) had abandoned the demand formally after secession was outlawed by the Central government in the aftermath of the Indo – Chinese war. But the party had resolved before that development to disavow separatism
This was mainly due to linguistic re-organization of states. The DMK with its anti-brahmin, populist platform saw an opportunity of capturing state power. When the DMK gave up separatism its founder -leader Annadurai stated “We are giving up our demand but not the reasons that led to such a demand”.
The DMK rode to power in 1967. One of the first things it did was to change the state’s name from Madras to Tamil Nadu or Land of Tamils. Annadurai died in 1969 and was succeeded by Muttuvel Karunanidhi. The DMK split in 1972 and cine idol MG Ramachandran formed the Anna-DMK. MGR became chief minister in 1977. After his death his film-actress paramour Jayalalitha Jayaram took over .
It is a feature of Tamil Nadu that either the DMK or ADMK has been ruling the state since 1967. More importantly the Dravidian parties have often joined central government coalitions and shared power in New Delhi. Today there are 12 central government ministers from Tamil Nadu. They are from the DMK, PMK and Congress.
There was a time when the DMK sloganeered “Vadakku Vaalhirathu :Thetku Theigirathu” (TheNorth is flourishing, the South is decaying). Today the Southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are prospering. Chennai, Bengalooru, Hydrebad and Thiruvananthapuram are centres of power.
Thus the Tamil Nadu of today is well integrated into the Indian fabric. Separatism is a thing of the past. But prudential policy makers in India know that nothing can be taken for granted. Given the emotive content of ethno-nationalism secessionist tendencies may emerge if grievances are not remedied.
So New Delhi is wary about demonstration effects of secessionism in the region. This is acutely felt in the case of Sri Lanka. A Tamil state in the Island could trigger off demonstration effects again. It could energize the separatist fringe elements in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. At the same time New Delhi knows that the Tamil problem has to be solved in a united Lanka to manage possible tensions in Tamil Nadu.
In such a situation there can be no question of a separate state in Sri Lanka. The best that Tamils can hope for is a North-Eastern province with quasi – federal powers. The Indo-Lanka accord laid down the foundation for it. It was up to the Tamils to build on it with Indian support and solidarity.
But , tragically that chance was blown. If the LTTE had o-operated then and Colombo had been perpetually intransigient and unresponsive then a case for Eelam could have been made. Even then there could have been no sudden rupture. A Cyprus type of situation where a de-facto Eelam existing within a de – jure Sri Lanka and relying on India may have emerged. But this is an academic question now.
When the LTTE began fighting the Indian army the consequences were immense. In the first place the image of the Indian army was badly dented. This in turn de-moralised the forces. Also it provided encouragement to all groups and anti-systemic elements fighting the Indian state. The demonstration effect on Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and other North-Eastern states was massive.
Worse still was the impact on Tamil soldiers of the Indian army as well as Tamil Nadu. When the Indian army was deployed a sizable number of soldiers were Tamil speaking personnel from the Madras regiment. They were of great use for public relations in the early period. But after war erupted many of them underwent schizophrenia in loyalty and became suspect. Many were recalled.
In Tamil Nadu pan – Tamil sentiments were revived. Fringe Tamil groups espousing separatism received a fillip. DMK leader Karunanidhi with an axe chopped a TV publicly to symbolise his opposition to “Dhoordharshan” TV that was allegedly engaging in anti-Tamil propaganda. Later as Chief Minister he refused to welcome returning IPKF soldiers in Chennai
Thus the fears of the Indian establishment about Tamil Nadu secessionism were revived. Despite fighting the Indian army the LTTE was not seen as an enemy in Tamil Nadu. The Chief minister maintained relations with the movement. But later this was used as an excuse to topple the DMK government in 1991.
Things may have taken a different turn but for the LTTE. In another act of political stupudity the arrogant Prabakharan overreached himself and ordered the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. This was done on May 21st 1991 in Sreeperumbhudoor in Tamil Nadu. Once it became known the LTTE was responsible Tamil Nadu in particular and India in general were horrified.
Karunanidhi was trounced and Jayalalitha came to power in Tamil Nadu. The Congress formed a government in New Delhi. There was a massive crack down against the LTTE in Tamil Nsdu. The movement was banned in 1992. Many Sri Lankan Tamils suffered as a result in India.
More importantly the mood in Tamil Nadu changed. Killing Rajiv in Tamil Nadu was a violation of the “virunthombal” hospitality tradition in Tamil culture. Tamil sentiments turned against the LTTE and by extension the Tamil cause. Even now there is tremendous sympathy for the Tamil plight. But this will not translate into active support or pressure.
Persons like Nedumaran, Vaiko, Veeramani, Subha. Veerapandian, Thirumavalavan, Ramadoss etc will manifest support in differing degrees but there is no mass support. The main parties like DMK, ADMK and Congress will not lend meaningful support though Karunanidhi will indulge in theatrical gestures sporadically. The Tamil Nadu Congress is firmly opposed to the LTTE.
With the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty continuing to play a prominent role in Indian politics there is absolutely no chance of any dispensation in New Delhi showing flexibility towards the LTTE. Even six years of BJP rule could not alter the status quo. Moreover the LTTE supporters queer the pitch further by anti – brahmin and anti-indian rhetoric. Boasting about chasing the 4th largest army is not helpful in wooing New Delhi.
Indian policy makers see the past as an act of betrayal by the LTTE. The IPKF-LTTE war and subsequent hostility towards India by pro-tiger elements among Sri Lankan Tamils has taught India a bitter lesson.
New Delhi knows that notwithstanding all assertions of loyalty towards India the Tamils dominated by the LTTE cannot be taken for granted. As long as the tigers remain the self-imposed sole representatives of the Tamils , policy makers in New Delhi will not intervene actively.
Adopting a pro- active Tamil friendly attitude is not desirable from an Indian perspective as long as the tigers rule the Tamil roost. The LTTE is likely to exploit any leniency and capitalise on it. Empowering the LTTE is anathema so Tamils at large continue to suffer.
The challenge before India is to explore ways and means of resolving the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis without helping the LTTE in any way. At present New Delhi assists Colombo militarily to combat the LTTE while applying covert pressure on Colombo to devise a political solution.
India also feels it can exert control over Colombo more easily than over the LTTE. JR Jayewardena bowed to India at a critical juncture. Premadasa resisted but after his demise Kumaratunga and later Wickremasinghe accepted Indian supremacy. Mahinda Rajapakse shows signs of defiance but goes through the motions of paying obeisance to New Delhi.
In the case of the LTTE it has been consistent defiance. Democratic regime change alllows for change and flexibility in Colombo. Continuous dictatorship causes sterile rigidity in Kilinochchi. In the case of Rajiv Gandhi a lowly naval rating struck a blow but the LTTE hierarchy got him assassinated.
The situation is confounded further by the Rajiv murder. The LTTE leader and Pottu Amman are proclaimed offenders. New Delhi wants them deported to stand trial. This prohibits any official contact between New Delhi and Kilinochchi as long as the Praba – Pottu duo runs the LTTE.
Under these circumstances Prabakharan is right when complaining about Indian attitudes towards Sri Lanka. But he is drastically wrong in attributing reasons for it. The tigers by acts of omission and commission are largely responsible for this state of affairs. India is not anti – Tamil but anti – tiger.
If the situation is to be transformed the key factor will be Tamil Nadu.Presently there is little for the LTTE to hope for as tensions are being adroitly managed. Currently New Delhi is actively helping Colombo to combat the tigers but there is hardly a protest other than the Vaiko. Nedumaran chorus.
On one level Prabakharan is being stupidly arrogant in expecting India to change and accommodate the LTTE. This is virtually impossible and to demand such accommodation is an exercise in futility.
But on another level he is not stupid but arrogantly correct in assessing the stupidity of his followers. Prabakharan knows that he is persona non grata with India. There is no chance of rapprochement as long as he is there.
If he is a leader who puts his movement and people above himself Prabakharan would either quit or surrender to India. Another option is to go in for a genuine settlement.
This he will not, because Prabakharan knows he is finished if he does so. So he indulges in rhetoric to obscure reality and impress upon his followers that war has been thrust upon them. He knows they are suckers.
Arguably the war waged by the LTTE is not to protect the Tamil people but to perpetuate Prabakharan’s hegemonic hold over the LTTE and the Tamil people.
This then is the situation which the LTTE has created and perpetuates..Yet Prabakharan in his speech is neither remorseful or repentant. Instead he chastises others.
Apart from blaming India the LTTE leader takes on the International community too. This may appear to be the rhetoric of an irrational mind but there is method in his “madness” too. [to be continued]
[EDITORS NOTE: The first instalment of this article was posted on Dec 8th. The third instalment will be posted next week]
Anpalagan said,
December 22, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Thank you DBS for the honest analysis regarding the IL Accord.
In 1989,after the murder of Amirthalingam, I argued with tamils opposed to the accord, and insisted, perhaps after 50 yrs when someone looks back and analyses the accord and why Amirthalingam supported it, we will know who is right and who is wrong.
Today my wish was delivered by you and It is only 18 yrs.
It brought tears to my eye to read the para about Amirthalingam.
The man who played a huge role in uniting the Tamil parties and bring India and not only Tamils in India but all Indians to support the Srilankan tamils, still remains a traitor in the tiger’s and tiger supporter’s eye.
I still remember once in 1984, after meeting the Indian officials in New Delhi, Amrthalingam said that an IAF officer shook his hands and said ” sir we are sympathetic to the plight of tamils in Srilanka. We are waiting for orders to help you.”
LTTE distroyed the Indian support with Premadasa’s help. How dare VP says LTTE is for the Tamils, infact Tamils are used for the survival of the LTTE.
Perhaps the Srilankans deserve a Prabaharan and not an Amirthalingam.
D said,
December 22, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Well Said Mr. DBJ
Salute your courage and love of your people to speak the truth
jan said,
December 23, 2007 @ 4:53 am
The future for the sri lankan tamils is with the sinhalese not with india or tamil nadu.As long as tamils allowe india to highjack there problems to extend there haegomonistic behavior the conflict will continue. Also tamils are now well spread in SL .To advocate monoethnic areas of self rule could create a bigger problems.
rajah said,
December 23, 2007 @ 10:27 am
wow, very realistic analysis! my concern is most of the LTTE followers do not understand english, so it would be greatful if you publish this article in Tamil
shar said,
December 23, 2007 @ 10:42 am
you will never reach your dream, live as a sri lankan or die. if you guys think as heros, it will be huge joke.
shar said,
December 23, 2007 @ 10:58 am
we all know in sri lanka is multi natinal country with more than 4 nationalties live, but they never ask for separate country exept tamils.if other nationalties ask for their part, what should we do????
you never understand, this is a small iland and we never devied this country for any reason.
then you tamils made big deal and killed thousands of people( not all the tamil people, some ruthless idiots having no job to do). we were keep silent for more than 20 years, now we not gonna keep doing this.
my last point as sri lankan, if you want to be peace full sri lankan citizen we are welcome you as a god, but if you need to devied this country for any reason, we will kick and kill you like street dog
shar said,
December 23, 2007 @ 11:05 am
in my first comment i have said tamils were ltte, sorry not all the tamil people. only some jobless people that nothing to do with time. they try be heros by doing terrorist activities.
CakeBoy said,
December 23, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Congrats DBS on the continuation of your fine analysis and the tracing of the conflict.
Just a suggestion Mr Jeyaraj – have you considered expanding on this article further and presenting as a book?
Since the ‘Broken Palmyrah’ , we have lacked a good, balanced and accurate and up-to-date account of the conflict.
Going on the basis of the above article, in my humble opinion, I think you are the right man for the job.
Give it some thought Sir! Future generations will thank you for it.
R.Goonetilake said,
December 23, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Well said DBS.
Was it not you who got beaten up and broken limbs by LTTE for your writing truths in Canada..????
How do you have guts to write like these tiger crititiques week in week out?
DBS, how on earth you manage to write all LTTE secrets ?
DBS you will never become a LTTE bootlicker like ‘Taraki’ because you got the right principles in journalism in bringing out the truth to readers.
R.Goonetilake said,
December 23, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
DBS exposing the LTTE leeder correctly.
Amirthakaliyan said,
December 23, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Well said again, DBS. I appreciate your single handed courage in raising against Prabaharan. Your ‘Quit Praba’ stand is something I was waiting to hear for a long time. Hope 2008 will be year of ‘Quit Praba’.
I wish you do some research on Praba’s personality, his birth, his characteristics during his childhood in order to strengthen your argument that VP is a selfish, arrogant stupid man and he never never had any interest in Tamils and in Tamil politics in general. If you do so, I do not think you will have any difficulty in establishing that VP would have been a successful and enterprising smuggler if not for the stupidity of the Tamils in general.The day VP learnt that he can fool the Tamils he got thisTamil political issue in his hand and had exploited it to the the maximum which no other Tamil would have ever done it.
Sadjar said,
December 23, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
I feel you are slowly losing grip to analyse the situation of Sri Lanka. I am deeply worried about the way you analyse things and this has been changed during the past months. If it continues to be too simplistic analyses I will reconsider reading your articles.
Chamin said,
December 23, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
The sooner the LTTE is eliminated once and for all the better it will be for Tamils and Sri Lanka as a whole. The LTTE is not winning any so-called “rights” but actually destroying the Tamil people with its policies. It is time for Tamils to realise that their nation already has a homeland which is TWICE the size of Sri Lanka specifically called TAMIL NADU (land of the Tamils). So let the Sinhalese live in peace in their own homeland and live in peace with them instead of trying to destroy Sri Lanka in the greed for more land. Please be happy with your Tamil Nadu and stop trying to take over Sinhala Nadu (Sri Lanka).
Ranjo said,
December 23, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
I just had a discussion with a couple of friends who are regular DBS readers (like me). Obviously, we agree that DBS has some good sources among various stakeholders of the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka. However, some of the very recent articles question his credibility and professionalism. There are clear signs of simplification and signatures of a bias.
Forget about LTTE-let’s think about the Tamil people. When the Sri Lankan soldiers were trapped in the Peninsula and LTTE was closing in, the Indian giovernment was happy to send ships to pull the soldiers out. Scores of Tami fishermen have been killed by the Sri Lankan Navy, but India thinks it is all fishermen’s fault. The Tamil people don’t ask India to help the LTTE, but to lend them a hand. India does not have to spend money and send good and experts (like what they do for the SL government), but to keep the focus on suffering Tamil people.
Indian intelligence woke up recently. They know what a phone call from Manmohan could do. Now, Indian PM appears to be surrounded by ’safe people’.
harshana somapriya said,
December 24, 2007 @ 12:18 am
Hi Sadjar,
Avoid reading DBSJ articles will not help you. Please comment on anything which is erroneous in your point of view. Threatning not to read one’s article just because the content is harsh truth is an act of cowardice. It resembles to the threatning/killing of journalists by LTTE & politicians for expressing opposing view points.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:13 am
Thanks for the article. Few points I would like to mention that are missing in your article.
If LTTE started the fire to destroy the Indo-Lanka accord, then it was the late Indian High Commissioner J.N. Dixit, who added fuel to the fire.
What could LTTE do when the peace maker became the imposter.
Do not forget the incident when the late J.N. Dixit boasted while puffing his cigar that if he ordered the IPKF, it would finish off the LTTE before the fire burn out in his cigar.
Had late Rajiv Gandhi listened to experts like Late Indian Foreign Secretary A.P Venkateshwaren and Parthasarathy the LTTE-IPKF war would never had occurred.
Arrogance was the part mainly on the Indian side rather than LTTE’s part. Worst of all not heeding to the LTTE’s numerous urgings to the Indian administration beginning from blocking the detained LTTE’s “Cream of the Crop’ Commanders from being transferred to Colombo from Plalaly by the Sri-Lankan armed forces. The Indian Government failed in it’s role miserably with this dastard decision. They were the one’s underestimated the LTTE’s determination and Prowess. We all know the outcome from this dastard Indian stupidity. It was indeed unfortunate.
I may not fully agree with the LTTE, but I definitely not support this author’s reasons.
I wish only two things, those are to live with dignity and peace in my own country without being hassled due to my ethnic origin, and also I wish the same to my fellow Sinhalese, Muslim and Burgher friends
I also Pray that the peace will come to my country in 2008, so we all can get together and build this lovely country of ours to back to what it was in the mid 20th century with harmony and prosperity!!!!!
ramesh said,
December 24, 2007 @ 2:58 am
DAVID jeyaraj,
You failed to understand the LTTE’s only motive is a homeland for tamils.It under honourable leader will always do what is right for tamils and will do anything.
veman said,
December 24, 2007 @ 4:14 am
I don’t think India can solve the problem. India always consider their benifits from our problem.
On the other hand if you study the history of tamil problem, Singhala people always fail to understand the reality. Always they belief what their government says. In one article in Sunday Times, Iqbas Athas said if you add all the LTTE casualties mentioned by the Srilankan goverment, it will more than the Srilankan Tamil population.
I think the best way to solve the ethnic problem is a common language like in Singapore. There are a lot of things we can study from Singapore.
Thangesh Rasiah said,
December 24, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Dear DBS Annaa
Once LTTE is out.
Indian policy makers will make sure there is no more political voice for tamils,other than some puppets.They wont even like an organization like 70s style TULF.Tamils
will live politically slave forever.Not like U,I opposed the
war against IPKF.LTTE failed to use IPKF but JR.
Thangesh
theeran tamilakam said,
December 24, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
thiru.DBS says that tamil nadu has developed.chennai has prospered.
what an illusion ,i hope the author visits n learns about rest of tamilnadu,where there r tonnes of problems.the state govt like a begger is literally begging for projects like sethu samuthiram [which is getting opposed by the hindi people even though they know that it is a 150 year dream of the tamils here in TN]
CM here often have to bend the knees before the planning commission chief to allocate more funds fo the state when it is evident that only a small part of which the tamil people in TN pays as taxes return as welfare scheme.the rest r used to fund the indian navy which shakes hand with srilankan navy when they continue to kill tamilnadu fishermen.what a shame
anyone can visit north india to see what the people there think about tamils in their country.
not to tell about the corrupt tamilnadu politicians who have sold themselves to the delhi people.thy just dont care about the welfare of 65 million tamils.
thiru DBS avarkale..there might not be much of linguistic discrimintion here in TN.but the economic discrimination would soon create revolution here.might take years.but once majority of tamils get educated n think abt what is happening in world politics ,indian politics and the glorious past of tamil culture.
so it is not appropiate to take myth example like”tamilnadu prospeing,chennai prospering” n try to degrarde the freedom struggle taking place in tamil eelam
u may say any reason which u feel is right[after all u r a n intelligent journalist ]
just dont try to portray the ”glory” of hindian union to analyse the effects of war in sri lanka.
and one more ,my friend who got dispalced from jaffna in the 90 ’s tells me that the intention of sinhala people was to convert the entire island to buddhism n thats how everything that we see now started.
no tamil will keep mum when his culture,which is one of the oldest in the world would tolerate such a move by the people in the south.
Dr KC said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Dear DBS, Please don’t tear my heart apart by writing articles like this. I have been a hardcore supporter of the IL accord. Only a solution of this nature could bring peace and security to the NE.
I do not think the Sinhala chauvinists will ever give us a federal system – even if they offer something like that to calm down the IC, they will never permit the smooth running of such a body.
The current CFA fell apart due to 3 reasons: the presence of the SLAF in the streets of NE; absence of armed neutral peace keeping force; unhindered access to weapons by the LTTE. The beauty of the ILA is that it possessed built in mechanism to deal with all this drawbacks.
I think the ILA was offered to us too early during our struggle, if it had been offered 5 or 6 years later the people would have appreciated and embraced it. It is my firm believe that only a ‘Cyprus-style’ solution can ever bring peace to the NE.
When the LTTE carried out the first fatal attack on the IPKF I killed off my dream of independent Tamileelam, I dreaded for the very existence of Tamils in SL when I heard the brutal assassination of Rajiv Ghandhi.
The LTTE has achieved nothing: got itself banned by 33 major democratic countries; its leader has been convicted of murder and hunted by the Interpol; the LTTE has become a ‘death vehicle’ to our precious young men & women.
If Amirthalingam had been with us he would have shed tears of blood to see the present calamity and catastrophe. What a tragedy!
Ratna said,
December 24, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
No point in blaming LTTE only.
Thanthai Selva could not implement the pacts he made.
Thalapathay Amir could not implement the pacts he made.
So Thesiya Thalivar Prabha is not alone.
Looks like the struggle going to the next generation.
Jamis said,
December 24, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
” think the best way to solve the ethnic problem is a common language ”
Why should the Sinhalese sacrifice their language to satisfy minority Tamils. Sinhala is only spoken in Sri Lanka while Tamil is spoken by 60 million people in Tamil Nadu itself, besides in other countries including Sri Lanka. This is something that Tamils should understand. In Singapore they can afford to make English the primary language because Chinese is spoken by more than a billion people in China. Malay is spoken by 20 million people in Malaysia and another 100 million if you include Indonesia. So it doesn’t matter if these languages are relegated to the back, because they will survive with or without Singapore.
Dr KC said,
December 25, 2007 @ 6:02 am
I do not understand what theeran tamilakam is talking about.
TN has become one of the most prosperous states in India; its economic growth is above the national trend; foreign investment is pouring in and above all this state enjoys peace and security.
In a federal-like governance peripheral states ought to discuss with the centre for allocation of funds/subsidy etc but to my knowledge the CMs of TN hardly complained about discrimination or anything like that on allocation of funds.
Now the former super power Great Britain is part of the European Union and GB engages itself on difficult negotiations for allocation of funds, subsidy EVEN ALLOCATION OF FISHING QUOTA with Brussels, does that mean the GB is kneeling down and begging?
The curse of our community is that some of our people do not care about or bother about civilised and decent negotiation to sort out differences.
Under the ILA, the NE had the potential to evolve into a self-governing unit. If the GOSL continued to be evasive on devolving power to the NEPC, Indians would have had no option other than declaring the NE as an Indian Protectorate and the NEPC as the governing body of this special territory – if we had stood solidly behind the govt of India – and the IC would have endorsed it without any difficulty. Tell me who scuttled this golden opportunity? We could have achieved all this without sacrificing thousands of our children in their tender age.
Dyan said,
December 25, 2007 @ 7:05 am
DBS
Io be honest, you are for the rights of tamils in Sri Lanka.
INDRAN -CROYDON-UK said,
December 25, 2007 @ 7:40 am
I FULLY AGREE WITH SADJAR’S COMMENTS!
Barathiyaar said,
December 25, 2007 @ 11:57 am
I strongly beleive if the Sri Lankans Tamil have to win their rights its going to be during Mr. Prabaharan time only. Make no mistake about it.The time is coming soon.
Barathiyaar said,
December 25, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
We most of the Tamils around the world have enough knowledge and education to understand the vision and courage of a leader. Mr. Prabaharan have that leadership skills.
A.Rajasingam said,
December 25, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
DBS you have made a perfect statement that ‘the interests of the LTTE come before the Tamil people. The interests of LTTE cadres are secondary to those of the leadership. The interests of the leaders are secondary to those of the supreme leader Prabaharan.’ In order to cover all their gimmicks they have been using the word ‘Traitor’ knowing that this word will attract the Tamil masses. Neverthless, there is a silent majority among the Tamils who are watching this situation. It is after the murder of Amirthalingam and Rajiv Gandhi coupled with the attitude of Premadasa, India was compelled to suspend its policy towards Sri Lanka, but not against the helpless Tamils. But their policy on Tamils to meet a honorable and dignitary position remains the same until the LTTE meance is wiped out. It is time that Tamils realize that the LTTE not only destroyed the Tamil culture, but also a generation of Tamil youths because of a mad man and his company. The only achievement of the LTTE was the creation of an arrogant society.
Dr KC said,
December 25, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
Dear Nalan, Trincomalee
Those who complain about IPKF atrocities ought to examine whether there was any provocation of the Indian soldiers by the action of the LTTE.
Please see the 3rd picture in the following link: (the following paper was published by a well known writer only about a couple of weeks ago)
The Indo-LTTE War
This picture shows the half/full naked bodies of fallen Indian soldiers who were put on public display by the LTTE. This incident happened on the 3rd day of the LTTE’ IPKF conflict. (When the fallen LTTE cadres were put on display by the disgraceful GOSL the LTTE lodged a strong diplomatic protest at the UN and that’s another story)
The IPKF did not come to the NE as occupying forces nor did they kill a single civilian, cadre or rape anyone. The IPKF was mending roads, schools, play grounds and above all protecting civilians in border villages. The entire NE enjoyed the sweetness of peace and security. The western journalists who visited the NE during this period praised the IPKF for its superb professional military conduct.
Only after the IPKF was fatally attacked, killed in large numbers and put on display, it retaliated and overstepped the legitimate scope of military operation. Whilst condemning the IPKF for its abuses on civilians I hold the LTTE equally responsible for provoking them and thereby causing civilian casualties.
S.C. Kanagaratnam said,
December 25, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Sri Lanka, had communal riots with the blessing of the then ruling Governments. In 1958 Bandaranaike allowed the riots without declaring emergency(Refer Tarzie Vittachi’s “Emergency 1958″), In 1977 JR justified the riot as “Natural anger of the Sinhalese.” In 1983, the worst ever riot was with the blessing of JR, Cyril Mathew, Dissanayke and the like. Looting and arson prevailed.People were burnt alive. Women were raped in front of their family members.Thousands were made homeless overnight and fearing for their lives had to take refuge in Schools and temples.Have you considerd, why there are no more riots since 1983.Because Tamils have an army.Do you remember the famous “Kottiya Friday” when the rumour spread in Colombo that the Tigers were at Fort Railway Station. All the “brave” army, police and thugs ran for their lives!! Why India is not helping? Because they want a puppet Government who can dance to their tune.Why they are angry? Is it because of Rajiv’s assasination? No way. If that’s the reason, then, they should have been angry with the Sikhs as well because Sikh bodyguards only assasinated Indira Gandhi. India is angry because, the fourth largest army in the world, was defeated at the hands of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Navam, UK said,
December 26, 2007 @ 4:17 am
I am managing a Nursing Home over 10 years very successfully in UK. I have some academic qualifications like BSc, MSc and MBA. However, for me, managing LTTE so successfully is an impossible task (for example over 70, 000 Indian Army against less than 4,000 Tigers).
A.Rajasingam said,
December 26, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Comment # 30
Dear Dr.K.C. I totally agree with your comments. During my visit to Jaffna I had the privilege of being called by a Commander of the IPKF at Manthihai where he told me that their major problem was communication with the people. However, when educated people (the late Mahalingam, an Attorney-at-Law & a former vice-principal of Nelliyady Central College and V.Pasupathipillai, Area Manager of Singer Company) assisted them in translating and mending close ties with the IPKF, they were shot dead by the LTTE. The LTTE cannot answer with reasons but by bullets as they do not have anything in their heads. Also remember the drivers played a vital role in many of the abductions which was taking place from the time of the IPKF, because it is a driver who threatened me for talking with the Indian Commander.
theeran tamilakam said,
December 26, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
DR.KC reg comment no 24
sir
when i say about development ,i think about health care,education,agriculture n infrastructure.
the health care being deliverd in govt hospitals is simply pathetic.full of pain.i have seen these in institutions in the heart of the state capital.patient dying due to lack of ventilators,lack of good anitibiotics ,the way delivery is being conducted.cant be said in words.
these arise from two problems.one,the corruption in the govt health sector.second, the lack of sufficient funds in the state locker.
25 percent of tamils here in tamilkam live n enjoy descent standards ,i must say.but, what about the rest .there is poverty everywhere in that 75 percent.
i dream of a universal health care for my people like in UK n canada.but in a pseudo federal status i wonder whether the state govt would be able to provide this.
IMR here in the state is 34 per 1000 n the HDI index for the country is 128.is this not poverty n shame.
this is just one sector i am talking about as i have knowledge in this.but the condition is same in other fields too.
u say that CM has not complained.how will he when dr.kalaignar’ s family is one of the richest in the country.how will he?
and u compare a country like great britain in a europen union with a state like TN in a pseudo federal status in india.is this fair?
FDI is coming in some pace.but who gets the bulk of the benefits.it is the centre which gets it n uses the fund to improve state like bihar which has no law n order.
recently the floods in TN caused damage around 1500 crores.the state govt has allotted 200 crores n waiting for the centre to give the remaining.sure the centre will give the asked amount within 50 years.
there is a huge difference between federal set up like u have in western countries n the pseudo federal set up here in india.plz understand doctor.
theeran tamilakam said,
December 26, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
reg the IPKF n indo lanka accord ,i got some questions
recently a former IPKF chief has confessed that dixit on rajiv ’s order wanted to have mr.prabakaran killed when he came for peace talks..
is this fair?
and also dixit’s attitude about thileepan when he was fasting to death.he reportedly had said ” let him die”.
if this is the attitude of a senior indian official ,does nt it raise serious questions about india’s ugly intentions it had about the whole indo lanka issue n more important the respect it had for the tamils.
and the kumarappa ,pulendran incident .if the IPKF had acted like a true peace keeping force.would they have committed suicide.
i also heard that the IPKF attacked n destroyed the eelamurasu office n started the indo ltte war..is this true?
above all when a army of a huge country supposed to be disciplined does horrible acts ,not able to even think to the tamil bros n sisters.
how will it create peace? is this not a simple truth.
Sundaram said,
December 26, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
My comments
1.RE: Indian involvement in Sri Lanka was motivated by its own enlightened self-interest.
India’s own self interest was only one of the few reasons for its involvement. The continued pressure from Tamil Nadu and the sympthay towards Tamils after 83 riots were also reasons for that.
2. RE: Though the majority of Muslims — North – East they do not see themselves as ‘Tamil Muslims’ like their counterparts in India.
That did not appear so till few years after SL independence. In the first few Parliament elections, Muslims contested in East representing Federal Party and won seats. Sooner Muslims may have realized that Tamil leaders were not very genuine and fully dedecated to their cause. Muslims realized it would be better to go as a distinct ehinic group in future and did that, which started yielding the results better than expected.
During IPKF times in the East, Muslim boys joined the Tamil boys of LTTEand fought together. I was told that there in few cases even the arae leaders were Muslims.There were few Muslim cadres in PLOTE too.
In Banda – Chelva pact Muslims factor was not considered and I do not know if there was any complaint from Muslim quarters then gainst that ill fated pact.
3 a. RE: Indian policy makers were not fully aware of ramifications regarding the Muslim ‘identity’
b. Militarily India understimated the LTTE .
The above are not only the short comings of India. They do not understand the complexities of the issues even now. For instace when Karuna revolted against VP, India thought he would be a rational and Pro India one, and there were signs of India’s indirect blessings to him. Even leaders like Subramaniam Swamy said that Karuna was Pro India and India should back him. But India would have only now realized that Karuna was only a roke and not all fit to be any kind of leader.
India does not seem to have any inteligence agents who have direct access to the situation atleast in Govt. controlled area.. They have to rely on what the SL agents or other parties tell them.
There is no capable leaders among Tamils either to explain to India about the real practical issues since capable leaders have been killed by Tamil militants.
Recently the Tamils lived for many centuries in South of Trinco. have been forcibly chased out and Sinhalese are being planted by Hela Urmaya backed Rajapakse govt. I not think India is pressurizing SL govt. to stop such worst inhuman acts. (Similar to LTTE chasing Muslims in Jaffna).
4. RE:The Indo-Lanka accord laid down the foundation for it. It was up to the Tamils to build on it with Indian support and solidarity.
I whole heartedly agree with you. We have dug our own graves by attcking the Indian Army.
Now merger of N and E Provinces is not possible and the East is fast becoming a Sinhalese Province.
LTTE has let down the Tamils badly. But I am surprised that still large numbers of Tamils have not realized the truth and supporting LTTE in Western countries.
5. Before the Indo Lanka accord there were other groups fighting against SL army along with LTTE. Except LTTE, other groups(EPRLF & PLOTE) genuienly belived India and stopped fighting. So India should be answerableto the other groups and have a moral obligation to now intervene and try to stop the State terror against the Tamils including ehinic cleansing of East currnely being done. India is not doing sufficently in this regard.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
December 26, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Dear Dr. KC,
Thanks for your link. I did see the picture and I has seen it earlier in the Times magazine as well as the India Today magazine during the war.
As I said it earlier that it was an unfortunate war that should not have occurred. Had India used persuasion rather than rushed and signed the agreement on behalf of Tamils. Please remember the Indo-Lanka accord signotories were India and Government of Sri-Lanka and Rajiv represented us at the accord without our consent.
I do support the LTTE but with reservations. I do not condone their “Political Assasination” at all. I also totally opposed to their mortal silencing of their critics and so to their suicide attacks whether it’s a military or civilian targgets
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
December 26, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
Sad that Rajiv would have been hero or cold blooded killer who scored Aces in the eyes of Indian oppinion in actual fact Rajiv actually intended to assisinate Prabha in India even before IPKF got involved in the Island. I guess Praba was a faster gun slinger.
Rajiv is equally to be blamed!
seyoon said,
December 27, 2007 @ 8:37 am
questions unanswered.
seyoon said,
December 27, 2007 @ 8:37 am
coming shortly
Dr KC said,
December 27, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
S.C. Kanagaratnam
You wrote:
“they should have been angry with the Sikhs as well because Sikh bodyguards only assassinated Indira Gandhi”
I do not think there is any logic in your statement. The Sikhs who assassinated were apprehended and justice had been served on the assailants. Once justice had been served one has to put things behind and move on. Exactly that’s what India did. In RG’s case the assailants are still on the run and therefore the people of India are unable to come to terms with.
You have to remember that Sonia Gandhi made appeal against Nalini’s death sentence and had it converted to a life sentence. Nalini is now on the verge of completing IT post graduation MCA with 1st class honour in prison, according to her tutor.
You have also repeated the empty rhetoric of “LTTE defeated the 4th largest army story”. If that’s the case, tell me as to why the leaders of the LTTE are hiding in the bunkers whilst the 140th army in the world commit heinous and horrendous crime on our people in the NE. The LTTE has lost over 65% of territory and its political leader had been assasinated by the GOSL but I cannot understand why VP is feeling shy about ejecting 140th army from the NE!!
Ms Vani Kumar, London, UK said,
December 27, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Thank you very much S.C. Kanagaratnam. You are absolutely RIGHT. “India is angry because, the fourth largest army in the world, was defeated at the hands of Sri Lankan Tamils”.
nk said,
December 27, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Dear DBS ,
Your both articles are very informative and have provided valuable informations about the current problems. Keep it up!
LTTE survive because of SLG’s inability to resolve the ethnic problem as appropriate. LTTE must thank to current president of SL for helping!!!
Anonymous said,
December 27, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Vide comment 32.
It’s not the genius of VP that made him last this long. It’s rather to more to with his cash-cow status for the ruling elites of SL and the need for the regional power India to have her finger in the SL pie.
There were opportunities to end his story during the IPK/ Kalkert days but they were under strict orders to spare him. Further it has more to do with the ruthless amoral war that VP is waging with the affected dedicated and critically unthinking brainwashed younger generation.
When they begin to think like Mahendrarajah or Karuna VP’s desiccated brain could not accommodate them and could only shoot and shoot much like the like the mindset of the Sinhalese Majoritarian doing to the Tamils VP wanted the Eastern Karuna and Co liquidated
Dedicated warriors in their own terrain are always at an advantage but not when the whole dammed world is ganged up to meet the threat of protecting a crucial link and important sea-lane along with thwarting the spread of separatism in India.
Rajiv’s India that wanted to build a highway to link the north of SL now it’s in the process of deepening the sea separating for security and cheaper costs to sea transport
Sundaram said,
December 28, 2007 @ 4:51 am
Regarding Comments # 31 by SC Kanagaratnam
Could you pl advise me where I could obtain Tarzie Vittachi’s ‘Emergency 1958″ to read.
I accept your comments except the statement comparing Sikh and tigers. India does not have to be angry with Sikhs because the killers of Indira Ghandi have been tried in court and punished. India is angry at Tigers because they did not agree to what India thought as a best solution to the Tamils question and therefore cannot justify Tigers fighting against IPKF.
But how long the tigers can fight? Now whole world is backing SL and tigers are loosing badly.
Do you believe that tigers can achieve any thing more than what was in the Indo Lanka accord for Tamils?
If the implementation of Indo Lanka accord had been continued for few more years the N & E would have emerged as an Indian model Federal unit and that was the idea of India.
Estate boy said,
December 28, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Its unfortunate it takes 20 years to realise that Indo Lanka accord was the best possible opption for tamils in Sri Lanka, not only DBS but EPDP leader too mentioned that he was wrong in opposing the indo Lanka accord, I was only 23 at that time but realised that accord offerd the best possible solution to tamils.
But I was influenced by late senioer Thondaman and his way of doing things but our jaffna brothers were influenced by Prabakaran. It was and it is unfortunate.
Gayan said,
December 28, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Quote of the year .”But what has Prabakharan delivered through 30 years of armed struggle?”
Well said DBS
Devatharsan said,
December 28, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
If India is genuine in its approach towards her neighbours, we could only see happy neighbours around them, rather than she is surrounded by hostile neighbours.
India is only after its interests. A stabilized economy in SL is not something they are after.
What can people like Amirthalingam could do? What would they have brought to us by supporting Indians, something they have failed over 30 years?
Why did Amirthalingam and Co opted for Tamil Eelam, rather than begging for help from India?
Dr KC said,
December 28, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
Dear Nalan, Trincomalee
You wrote:
“Please remember the Indo-Lanka accord signatories were India and Government of Sri-Lanka and Rajiv represented us at the accord without our consent”
I do not quite agree with you. India made genuine attempts for a solution worked out by Tamil groups & the GOSL i.e. Thimbu Peace talks. But we could not come up with any agreement. Meanwhile, ethnic oppression continued unabated in the NE and thousands of Tamil refugees and cadres started arriving in TN. As India was directly affected by this conflict, she inclined to make an agreement with SL to contain violence in the NE. Mind you ALL the Tamil groups including the LTTE did accept the ILA.
ILA was not a static political exercise; it was meant to be a dynamic process – it possessed the ingredients to convert the NEPC into a self governing unit/Indian Protectorate/ even a separate state if we had remained loyal to India. India will NEVER permit any anti-Indian elements to govern any political arrangements in the NE. This is the painful lesson the LTTE leadership should have learnt by now.
A.Rajasingam said,
December 28, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Comment # 42
There was never a question of tiger-controlled area during the time of IPKF. Almost every place was brought under the control of the IPKF and people were able to go to Colombo and come back though they were subject to checking. When the IPKF pounded the hidden areas of the LTTE, the LTTE sent a SOS message to Premadasa to send the IPKF back, during which period Balasingam even went to the extent of saying that they do not want Eelam. During this period there were a number of incidents where the LTTE provoked the IPKF in a cowardly manner. The true colour of the LTTE was exposed when Premadasa and Rajiv Gandhi were assassinated by them. Now when the Government pounds on them, the LTTE has again appealed that India has a moral obligation to interfere in Sri Lanka. What happened to their might.
Ranjo said,
December 29, 2007 @ 5:42 am
Dear Mr. Jeyaraj,
You may want to write a factual article on the prison attack. LTTE supporting web-sites have pre-empted everyone. TMVP sites are quiet. The Daily Mirror gives the government version. You are the best hope number of us got.
Sundaram said,
December 29, 2007 @ 10:42 am
RE: Comment #37 by Nalan, Trincomalee
Since the SL govt. have always cheated and dishonoured the accords entered with the local Tamil leaders in the past it was indeed very good to have the accord signed with the leader of another big country so that SL govt. would find it very hard to repeat the same.
India did not rush for the accord. The then Indian High commisiner JN Dixit consulted the then TULF leaders who saw eye to eye with Indain Politicians in power in preparing this accord. TamilNadu leaders were also consulted. Mr. Narasima Roa who has been familiar with the SL situation since Indira Ghandi’s time was also invloved in finalizing this accord.
Anyway we have to understand that any accord in the world would have flaws and during the implementation of the accord we have to take decision using our wisdom.
According to this accord SL Army had to be confined to their barrcks in N& E. But nothing was said about water. If the same condition had applied to water the SL Navy too would have had to confine to their bases and LTTE leaders like Kumarappa , Pulendiran and others would not have been apprehended by SL Navy but only by the Indian Navy.
Not dealing with the issues over water was one of the major draw back of this accord.( That was a major problem with the Norwegian brokered CFA too.)
.
Despite loosing their leaders(Kumarappa, Pulendi & others) if LTTE had been patience and accepted the accord we would have had the Indian model Fedral unit in entire N & E by now.
Now what the LTTE has achived for Tamils so far? What can they achive for us despite sacrficing tens of thousands of our young boys and girls? I beg you to think pl.
Dev said,
December 29, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
My, my, seems like there are quite a few people who consider India their motherland, and have only sweet words for the country that single handedly caused the conflict in Sri Lanka to escalate and continues to ensure its existence so as to keep Sri Lanka in her influence.
jayanth said,
December 29, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Hello tamils!
very soon you will be free from the ltte the year for that is 2008
jayanth said,
December 29, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Hello tamils!
very soon we will not have ltte and will have a good life in future.
A.Rajasingam said,
December 30, 2007 @ 2:59 am
Comment # 49 by Dr.K.C.
Dear Dr.K.C. I am really glad that you have mentioned that ILA was meant to be a dynamic process – it possessed the ingredients to convert the NEPC into a self governing unit/Indian Protectorate/ even a separate state if we had remained loyal to India. Had this specific point been clearly explained by Balasingam to the LTTE leadership, LTTE would have saved its image and Tamils would have lived honourably.
jayanth said,
December 30, 2007 @ 11:02 am
hi what ever ltte saying i dont care and tamils will be having good future with Indias help and our slave life will end very soon.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
December 31, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Wishing you all a very Happy and Peaceful 2008.
Pray that 2008 will bring Peace and relief to all Sri-Lankans.
Thanks to the Tamil Week for providing us this opportunity to interact with various people to express our opinions. You’ are doing a great service.
Mr. D.B.S. Jeyaraj; very much appreciated your hard work and investigative analysis.
Peace at home and on Earth!
Thamilmaran said,
January 1, 2008 @ 4:55 am
Hope Snanjayan at work
jayanth said,
January 1, 2008 @ 9:07 am
If something hapen to prabkaren and he die then India come to help Tamils in lanka and teach mahinda good lesson. we tamils will have good life in future . happy new year
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
January 6, 2008 @ 10:52 am
India knows what she’s doing. The interest of the Tamils – both indigenous and of recent Indian origin – is at the core of her policy making. It is for all to see India has advised GoSL to come out with an acceptable power-sharing proposal pronto – but GoSLis dragging her feet. Not that Mahinda R does not want to go down in history as the man who brought the peace but he, in the words of many close to him quoting his own words, “is a prisoner of the JVP, JHU (and the Kandy and the Amarapura Prelates”) Like Narasimha Rao who followed the belief of Dwight Eisenhower, MR fervently believes with the passage of time all problems get solved by themselves. There is as much wisdom in this as in the words of Mark Twain that “can be written behind a 2-cent postage stamp” Meanwhile, that peculiar phenomena of recent Lankan politics Rohitha Bogollagama tried to fool MR, GoSL and the Lankan people by the assurance that thru his personal diplomacy and charm he has succeeded in arranging to get down Dr Manmohan Singh for the Feb 04 (60th Independence Celebrations) and obliquely suggested with the arrival of the Indian PM there will be a solution or something close to that. Everyone who has some inkling of knowledge knew this to be a massive fib – now confirmed today by the Press via the Indian High Commissioner here. Only a few minutes ago I heard the late MP Maheswaran’s “Minnel” rebroadcast of last Sunday’s event in which he says “only Mother India can save Sri Lanka” But the good Mother too has her patience and MR’s game of procrastination will eventually blow up on his face unless he comes face to face with reality.
Mootha Seran Sengutuvan said,
January 8, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
What’s the point in borrowing, rehashing, restating and recycling borrowed cooments? Can one not end it on a good note for DBSJ’s efforts?
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
January 9, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Welcome #62 Ilango Adigal. Good to have the family around.
DBJ, I think, would rather prefer constructive comments than
demeaning ego-massaging that you suggest. The whole culture of learning and writing, throughout history, has been and will be based on borrowing, rehashing, restating, recycling knowledge from a catholicity of sources within whose confines also comes creative and original thought. Have you heard this “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than be saved by criticism” I borrowed that from Norman Vincent Peale.
MSS said,
January 10, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Yes agreed and thanks #62. What’s the significance of your chosing the pseudonym as ISS. There are those who beleieve that there is “nothing ever new under sun”. They too may be correct.
“History repeats itself” because we don’t learn from “the lessons of history”. Any aspiring polico or even those who pretend to serve people more than themselves should have a basic knowlege of History, Geography, Archeology, Anthropology, Psycholgy and Science. The day to day Democracy that is more Buy, Far From and , Off rather than the theoritical ideal of By, For and Of and of the people.
When a particular skill is learned by a troupe of mokies on one island, it is observed in another from another island too practice it quickly. The theory of evolution came around the same time to Alfred Wallace In Malaysia and Charles Darwin with more practical evidence around the same time like “Calculus” to Newton and another.
So there may be radio-waves like timeles-spaceless thoughts sphere from which both monkies and humans may be picking-up. The bigger issue is that people who are aware that they don’t know are more open to learning. Yet the vast majority of us which includes both Sinhalese & Tamils assume to know things from the past which are not real and true but more mythical and fictitious and that’s where the greatest stumbling block lies.
If you carefully observe #62, I have not mentioned or reffered to you specifically and yet you took it upon youself thinking the cap fitted you most. I meant it more generally to all who participate to be more diligent and not bore too much the other participants and raise cognitive level of this plaform. Yet I am sorry I caused caused ill feelings to you.
MSS said,
January 10, 2008 @ 12:40 am
#64 correction in the last sentence of the last para to read as Yet I apoligise for having caused the ill feeling. My real motive was that people in reiterating the future Indian role are trying to intimidate and impel the readers and the MR govt to spare VP’s life when VP similar to Sadham Huesein is not willing to make amends with India for his past several misguided blunders and seek India’s help even now from the impending greatest calamity of loss of life, limb and property to date facing those people around VP as his human sheilds. Its time VP traded in himself to minimise the greatest loss facing Tamils and Singhalese to a lesser extent on that island.