APRC in Quandary Over Future as Jan 23 Deadline Draws Near
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) is facing a practical dilemma as D -day or January 23rd draws near!
The APRC chaired by Science and Technology minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana is in a quandary about what it’s future course of action should be in terms of presenting a final report on Constitutional reform to President Mahinda Rajapakse on Jan 23rd.
President Rajapakse last week changed the goalposts while the match was in progress when he asked the APRC to furninsh him with a comprehensive report on how the existing Provincial Councils system could be rejuvenated with enhanced devolution as provided under the 13th amendment to the Constitution.
When Rajapakse appointed the APRC in 2006 he had mandated it to present a comprehensive scheme of Constitutional reform. He also promised to abide by its report.
The President however changed the APRC’s direction when he announced on Jan 9th this year that the APRC should take up a fresh task.
He wanted the APRC to give urgent priority to compiling a report on how the existing Provincial Councils scheme could be revived and maximum possible devolution made feasible.
Rajapakse also submitted a 4 page document titled “A Political Proposal: The Way Forward” at the meeting held with party leaders and APRC representatives.
This document outlined the guiding principles under which the President wanted the APRC to compile its report.
Rajapakse also wanted the APRC to come up with proposals about how the defunct Provincial Councils in the North and East are to be revived and also how advisory bodies are to be set during the interim period.
These bodies in essence were to be interim administrations without being described as such.
The President wanted the APRC to put on hold their regular function and focus on the report on 13th amendment plus. He also wanted the APRC to present it as its “own” proposal.
Furthermore the President imposed a two – week deadline and wanted the APRC to present him with a full report on Jan 23rd.
The APRC had earlier planned to visit Britain on Jan 14th. The plan was to examine power – sharing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The trip was cancelled.
Rajapakse also indicated that he would begin implementing the report on rejuvenating Provincial Councils quickly and that all work on Constitutional reform should be shelved until implementation begins.
The APRC held a special meeting to discuss the issue on Jan 10th. While agreeing in principle to complete the fresh task set by the President APRC members found themselves sharply divided about how it should be done. Most members – quite naturally – were concerned about the APRC being undermined.
Unable to arrive at a firm decision the APRC decided to continue as usual on the one hand and also work on the 13th amendment report on the other. In short the APRC decided to adopt parallel courses of action for the time being.
It was also decided that at least three APRC meetings be held before the January 23rd deadline. The next meeting was to be on Jan 17th.
Meanwhile Prof . Tissa Vitarana underwent tremendous anxiety in contemplating upon his future course of action. It may be recalled that the veteran Sama Samaajist was in a similiar predicament when the APRC’s experts panel “delivered” in December 2006.
It was a fractured result with eleven of the seventeen experts submitting a “majority” report and four others endorsing a “minority” report. Two others presented a dissenting report each.
The majority report was hailed as the most progressive of its kind. It had the added advantage of multi – ethnic backing. Six Sinhala, Four Tamil and One Muslim signed it while the other three reports had only Sinhala signatories.
Rajapakse egged on by the Sinhala supremacists in his camp refused to accept the majority report though the International Community (IC) was strongly behind it.
Everything was at a standstill.
It was Prof. Vitarana who saved the day then by announcing that he would select the best of all four reports and compile his own report.
He then presented his own report as a working paper. He left out some of the contentious issues and forged a document that included a lot of the salient recommendations made in the “majority” report.
The past year saw the APRC using the Tissa Vitarana report as the basis of discussions. It was a case of fine – tuning the working paper. It was this manouevre by Vitarana that has kept the APRC going.
Now the Trotskyite cabinet minister decided to repeat what he did earlier. He decided to submit a draft of his own.
Obtaining assistance from Constitutional experts and also drawing on previous recommendations on similiar lines ,Prof. Vitarana evolved a document outlining proposals on how devolution content under the 13th amendment could be enhanced and how the Provincial councils could be rejuvenated.
The document also explored ways and means of reving the defunct Provincial Councils in the North and East including the setting up of advisory councils to handle administration in the interim period.
It may be recalled that during Chandrika Kumaratunga’s presidency plans were afoot to revive the North – East Provincial council and regulations about an interim administration were gazetted.
The idea was abandoned due to the insistence of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Kathiravelu Devananda alias Douglas that he head the Interim Administration while being a cabinet minister.
Even when the 13th amendment was introduced in 1987 , devolution was perceived as an “evolving” concept. It was not very satisfactory devolution and it was expected that the substance of devolution would be enhanced as time went on.
In fact former President Junius Richard Jayewardena has in a document dated Nov 7th 1987 agreed to enhance devolution in certain aspects of the Provincial Councils scheme.
When the APRC met on the 17th a parallel track approach was patently visible. Work went on in respect of completing its original mandate. At the same time the APRC also addressed the 13th amendment plus issue.
When the meeting commenced the APRC delegates continued with the work in progress namely the finalization of a report on Constitutional reform. With the Jan 23rd deadline drawing near the APRC began identifying areas and items on which there was a broad consensus.
Matters were made easier by the recent decision to confine APRC proposals within the framework of a unitary state. Earlier there was much resistance within the APRC towards the imposition of a unitary state by President Rajapakse.
Recently the APRC showed “flexibility” by agreeing to explore power sharing within a unitary state framework. This was in deference to the President’s specific request that all devlolution had to be within a unitary state.
Rajapakse had placed this constraint on himself during the Presidential elections where he campaigned on his “Mahinda Chinthana ” (Mahindas vision) manifesto.
Since Mahinda had then explicitly stated his preference for the unitary state he was unable to go back on that concept the President had explained.
However he had said that he was supportive of maximum devolution within the unitary state framework.
It was on this basis which the APRC was functioning now.
Some of the parties represented at the APRC were not supportive of the unitary state . It is also the opinion of this columnist that true federalism or authentic quasi – federalism is not possible in a state designated clearly as unitary.
It would have been a satisfactory compromise to leave the nature or structure of the state explicitly undefined . If the state was neither unitary nor federal then some form of quasi – federal system could have been evolved.
This however has been ruled out firmly by the President. This meant that either those opposing a unitary state had to pull out or compromise.
There was also the possibility that the parties – though small – opposing a unitary state were in the majority at the APRC.
Practically, outvoting the unitary proponents at the APRC would have yielded nothing tangible because President Rajapakse would then have dissolved the APRC.
Besides there was also the reality of these parties being constituents of the Rajapakse Government. They could not defy the President and yet hope to remain in the cabinet.
It was against this backdrop that the APRC focussed on areas and items where there was agreement. With the element of intra – APRC hostility over the structure of the state concept removed, participants found it easier to forge consensus.
During this exercise participants dicovered the vast number of matters on which there was total agreement. Contrary to ill – informed comment in sections of the media that the APRC was bogged down in disagreement, the participants found that they had indeed progressed very far.
This does not mean that everything is humky – dory because there are some outstanding issues to be resolved. These are likely to be taken up at the next APRC meeting.
What is of significance here is that notwithstanding areas of disagreement the APRC has also achieved substantial success . It is a question of positive or negative emphasis. Is the glass half – full or half – empty?
After discussing and finalising some aspects of the proposed Constitutional reform package the APRC participants were given copies of the draft prepared by Prof. Vitarana. They were asked to examine it and propose any amendments, deletions or fresh suggestions.
The document was titled “Recommendations made by the APRC for the full implementation of the 13th amendment”. The document took its cue from the paper given by the President and was drafted within guidelines set out.
It basically explained the history and principles behind the 13th amendment and what it sought to achieve. The draft recommendations were to be discussed and approved with appropriate changes where deemed necessary.
The fundamental guiding principle was to explore ways and means of identifying existing bottlenecks and proposing suitable remedies. The important requirement was that all recommendations had to be implemented without recourse to Constitutional amendment.
The suggestions have to be legalised and implemented through simple majority in Parliament and executive decisions by the President and cabinet.
13th amendment plus is deemed necessary at present on the premise that a Constitutional amendment is not possible due to lack of a two – thirds majority. It is assumed that such a majority cannot be procured even though genuine efforts at achieving a bi – partisan consensus have not been made.
Another reason necessitating a Provincial Council renaissance is the fact that the people of the North and East have not tasted the fruits of devolution since 1990.
Ironically the Provincial Councils were primarily set up to address North – Eastern needs but the PC’s function in the seven Sinhala majority provinces but not the North or East.
With the discussions on a new Constitutional reforms package getting prolonged and the Government feeling that a two – thirds majority was impossible to secure at this stage, reviving the existing Provincial councils on a new basis seems to be the best option as far as the Government is concerned.
There is also a sense of urgency as the Eastern province “liberated” from tiger control last year is yet to acquire a proper , devolved administration. This could be politically counterproductive.
In Prof. Vitarana’s draft pride of place was given to the issue of clearly demarcating powers to be handled separately by the Central government and provincial governments as well as those designated as “concurrent” between both.
Though it was anticipated earlier that the concurrent list of powers should be eliminated totally it has been realised subsequently that such action is not possible.
While some powers can be clearly separated there are other powers requiring some element of concurrence due to practical considerations.
Among the 36 items coming under the concurrent list there are many that can be handled by the Province alone. In those instances an executive decision needs to be taken whereby those areas are “devolved” in practice to the Province.
In other areas enabling legislation has to be passed by simple majority in Parliament whereby the limits and functions of the central and provincial governments are clearly and unambiguously defined.
There are areas where the central government in practice has re – acquired powers given to the Province. These areas are mainly in the spheres of health, education, social services, rehabilitation, agriculture etc. Provisions have to be made whereby such powers and institutions are “returned” to the Provinces.
There is also the need to identify areas where under “principles of national policy” the Central government can overide the provincial administrations and set in some checks and balances
There are also areas where provisions set out under the 13th amendment have not been implemented. For example, no machinery exists at present to set up the Provincial Police service as envisaged under the 13th amendment.
Prof. Vitarana’s draft document also outlines the need for two five – member advisory councils to be set up for the North and East respectively. They will be virtual “interim administrations ” but will not be called so.
President Rajapakse is firmly opposed to the nomenclature “interim” as he believes the word has acquired negative connotations.
The interim administration concept has been given a bad name through the antics of the tigers and the EPDP in the past.
The APRC chairman after distributing copies of his document recommendations for implementing the 13th amendment requested participants to study it thoroughly and come up with comments at the next meeting
Two more meetings of the APRC are scheduled for Sunday Jan 20th and Monday Jan 21st. The report on recommendations for implementing the 13th amendment is likely to be finalised within these days.
If everything goes well the special report relating to the 13th amendment enhancement and implementation will be formally handed over to President Rajapakse on Jan 23rd as requested by him.
There are however difficulties about fulfilling the original mandate of the APRC. Despite vast areas of agreement there are problematic issues too.It is doubtful whether a final report can be formulated by the 23rd.
Since the emphasis will be on finalising the set of recommendations regarding 13th amendment implementation there will be very little time to focus on resolving areas of disagreement concerning the original mandate.
One option to meet the Jan 23rd deadline is for the APRC to compile different formulations and to “vote” on those. . Thereafter two or more reports could be prepared on the basis of support indicated by such voting.
The chances are that the SLFP, MEP, JHU will be on one side and the Tamil and Muslim parties will be on the other. The left parties may be neutral or adopt a different position.
This could result in a repetition of what transpired in the experts panel. There was a majority report, minority report and dissenting reports.
Given the fact that the Tamil and Muslim parties are in a majority within the APRC their report could become the majority report.
In “realpolitik” this would be of no consequence and be even detrimental to the quest for greater devolution.
In the experts panel the majority report had multi – ethnic endorsement. The strength of that report lay in the fact that Six Sinhala persons had signed it. It would not have carried weight if there was no multi – ethnic backing.
Likewise a “majority” report in the APRC would be of no significance if the signatories were all minority community parties. Also the minority parties are actually “small” and basically have only “ethnic” constituencies.
If a report is to be truly “majoritarian” it should have multi – ethnic approval and not from particular ethnicities alone.
The reality of the situation is that any report needs substantial Sinhala endorsement to gain acceptance.Minority parties may be the majority within the APRC but that does not make it a valid majority. It would be an artificial construct.
It must also be remembered that the APRC was convened to forge a Southern or Sinhala consensus. Any APRC report lacking adequate Sinhala approval will not be a Southern consensus.
Such ethnic polarisation within the APRC is not desirable either. If such a fracture on ethnic lines occurs, it is in practical terms the death – knell of the APRC.
There can be no forward movement thereafter. The APRC will be “dead as the Dodo” regardless of whether President Rajapakse dissolves it or not.
Despite its ups and downs and the hot air generated, the APRC still remains the only ray of light in a dark, gloomy scenario. The challenge is to stay the course and strive for a multi – ethnic, multi – party consensus. It would be unwise to precipitate an APRC downfall.
The prudent course would be to gain more time and work pragmatically towards a consensus. This requires time but President Rajapakse’s Jan 23td deadline is a definite constraint posing a difficult dilemma.
One possible solution would be for the APRC to prepare a progress report of sorts and submit it to the President. The vast progress in areas of agreement could be pinpointed. The President could be requested for some more time to finalise the APRC report.
It appears from a statement made by Tissa Vitarana to the “Daily Mirror” that the APRC would be presenting two reports to the President on Jan 23rd.
One would be the APRC report proper and the other on implementing the 13th amendment satisfactorily. The 13th amendment report draft is not likely to cause many problems as there is an “unofficial” consensus on implementing it.
The main APRC report however will certainly pose problems as work is incomplete . Unless the APRC makes a gigantic effort to resolve differences and arrive at a consensus the report is unlikely to be finalised by the 23rd. In that case the APRC can only present an interim or preliminary report outlining all areas of agreement and perhaps the options available to resolve outstanding issues.
What the APRC should be careful about is to prevent efforts by powerful elements to substitute the 13th amendment implementation report in place of the Constitutional Reform report. Both are different.
The 13th amendment plus report is aimed at removing obstacles and implementing the Provincial Councils scheme set up under the 13th amendment. It is a case of improving and enhancing what is already available but not implemented properly.
The Constitutional reform report by the APRC is the fundamental task for which it was convened. This report should not confine itself to the 13th amendment alone but recommend far reaching proposals affording maximum devolution. Basically it would be a “southern” consensus on power sharing.
Proposals for greater power sharing may entail Constitutional amendments or a new Constitution requiring two – thirds majority and ratification through referendum. This may not be possible at the present juncture.This however does not mean that such efforts should be abandoned, aborted or down sized.
It is imperative that the APRC come up with a report advocating power sharing to the maximum extent possible. This would instil the Tamils and Muslims with the hope that a just and honourable solution is possible. For practical reasons the 13th amendment could be implemented until a proper climate for greater Constitutional reform is created.
What the Tamils fear is that implementation of 13th amendment plus would be the “end” of all attempts at Constitutional reform and power sharing. Thus it is essential that the APRC refrain from constricting its mandate to the 13th amendment alone.
Besides the Constitutional reform package to be recommended by the APRC is not confined to Devolution alone. It is much more comprehensive and includes at present several proposals relating to electoral reform, public service, judicial service, second chamber, vice – presidency, modifying the presidency etc.
Thus attempts to substitute the 13th aqmendment report for Constitutional reform must be resisted. One should not replace the other. If one report advocates what should be desirable in the long term the other recommends what could be attainable in the short term. They are complementary and not contradictory.
The APRC also faces the danger of being jettisoned totally. The National Socialists masquerading as marxists have renewed demands to that effect. It remains to be seen whether these demands are “orchestrated” or whether they are independent.
Time is of the essence for the APRC.
Just as the APRC is hard – pressed for time so too is President Rajapakse. According to informed Indian sources, there is a very good reason for the President to insist on the Jan 23rd deadline.
[President Mahinda Rajapaksa, meeting India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, December 28th, 2005: Pic: Sudath Silva-mahindarajapakse.com]
Apparently the question of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attending the 60th independence day celebrations in Colombo remains a probability still.
New Delhi had told Colombo that things would be a lot easier for the Indian PM to makea bi- lateral visit if the Lankan Government could demonstrate substantive progress on power sharing before that.
According to Indian sources New Delhi is of the view that an Independence day “visit” could be arranged if positive announcements on power sharing and devolution are made by Feb 1st.
It is because of this :unofficial” Feb 1st deadline that Rajapakse has set a Jan 23rd deadline. Indian circles feel that Rajapakse needs some days to fine – tune the APRC recommendations and come out with it publicly by Feb 1st.
India has evinced great interest in the APRC and has provided President Rajapakse with some advisory input on how to effect maximum devolution under the 13th amendment.
Since the Sri Lankan President is very keen that the Indian Premier should mark his appearance on Feb 4th, he is pressing the APRC to deliver on or before Jan 23rd , opine Indian circles.
Government sources deny this. They say that the possibility of a Manmohan Singh visit though most welcome is not the criterion influencing President Rajapakse’s deadline.
The President is very keen on announcing the proposals to implement the 13th amendment before Independence day. He wants to reach out to the estranged people of the North and East before Independence day . Thereafter his message on the historic 60th anniversary of Independence would be statesmanlike , stretching out a hand to the minority communities.
All this however has increased the pressure on the APRC. With the Jan 23rd deadline approaching it is in a quandary about its future course of action. Will there be one or two reports?
Today (20th) and tomorrow (21st) will see the APRC in crucial deliberations. It is to be hoped that the APRC will find a way to resolve this practical dilemma even “time’s winged chariot draws near”.
Related: President Rajapakse wants “APRC River” to Flow Backwards
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
William said,
January 19, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Dear DBS,
very lengthy article. make it short without unnecessary details. then it’ll be easy for quick readers like me.
Thangesh Rasiah said,
January 19, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
Finding a solution through APRC looks very violent way of approaching(politiopshycologically) to solve the ethnic question.
DBSJ anna Don`t you know how many APRC like panels failed to solve the question in the past. I think you want to register it (your analysis)again in the history.May be India want to have an excuse to keep quet itself when Sri Lankan Govt. doing inhumane acts on tamils in the future
Sahadevan,Canada said,
January 19, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Tamils have seen a lot of APRCs since JRs time and many pacts since independence,nothing going to work out until or unless sinhalese mind set changes,unfortunatly it seems like not going to change.Only way out of this mess can be a powerful out side intervention,Even Tamils will agree to sacrifice LTTE for a reasonable solution. If we allow this to drag then ultimate losers will be Tamils.
krish said,
January 20, 2008 @ 1:01 am
when I read this excellent article by DBS The following matters came to my mind.
Devolution to be effective the following matters should be adequately addressed.
Funds:-Funds should be adequate,predictable and if it is in the form of grants it should be given priority in the national budge and in the release of funds during the year.It should be charged to the budget once an independant body like a Finanace commision recommends.Thereafter there should not be any downward revision.
Functions:-functions should be clearly defined. There should noe be any ambiquity.no subsequent dilution.
Functionaries.:-The devolved unit should have adequate control over their staff-recruitment,promotion,disciplinary control etc.the devolved unit should have adequate staff to carry the functions devolved in an effective mannar.
Freedom:-Finally freedom in all the above.provisions should be made to prevent any interference from the centre.
Otherwise it will again be a cosmetic effort. These 4Fs are the crucial elements in anf sucessful outcome.
Krish
Estavez said,
January 20, 2008 @ 1:21 am
the question is why APRC has to recommend the IMPLEMENTATION of the 13th Amendment? 13th Amendment is passed as law and the obligation to IMPLEMENT falls on all govt’s for the past 21 years.
If a simple 13th Amendment takes 21 years to Implement,then, India should realize its folly of pressing any GOSL of the day to KEEP the Implementation,but, just like North-East was split without a Referendum, 13th Amendment also could be repealed by any GOSL on the day!
Secondly, APRC is not APRC at all without the active participation of UNP/JVP/TNA. APRC is just the Ruling PA govt parties and thus it should be the Consensus of Ruling PA.
LTTE ruled out 13th Amendment as far short of a solution to the Tamil National Question and thus, the war carried on for the past 21 years. If Implementation of it as a solution,then, this GOVT is putting the cart before the horses as well as their confidence in defeating LTTE militariy and shove this 13th amendment as the solution down the throats of the Tamils.
TMVP, EPDP non co-operation in the Eastern elections will make the implmentation of the 13th Amendment in the East more difficult and will drag on. Thus, the GOSL will fail to showcase the east as rid of terrorism and ethnic conflict being resolved to the world.
The war although without a name is in full swing in five fronts and none have made significant inroads into LTT held areas, tells,the war will be fought for a long period.
War has to be fought for a longer period to keep southern populace mesmarized about LTTE eradication from the island until the next Presidential Elections.
The GOSL should fear for JVP more than LTTE as JVP could stage a coup when the war in the North is in full swing. The way JVP got its noose around the President, this could be the underlying fact that they back this govt to hilt.
ratna said,
January 20, 2008 @ 10:14 am
If North-East provincial council is revived, what will happen to UDI by last north-east council?
Kurudan1 said,
January 20, 2008 @ 10:57 am
I feel sorry for DBS and like minded fellows,
You all knew for a long time that APRC or any other mumbo jumbo is not going to to solve the problem…. .VP said in 2006 MV speech “.. they are trying to find the black cat in the dark room….” . Sihnalese will NOT give anything to Tamils.
VP understood this clearly long time ago. India, IC and ” tamil moderates” also aware of this. They all have problem accepting VP’s position. You all trying find a “acceptable solution to all” for other reasons. Have some humility, accept it, TE is the only choice . Sinhalese and Tamils cannot live in one country.
” It is very difficult to wake somone who is pretending be at sleep”
Esta said,
January 20, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
Its the International Pressure that set the deadline for APRC to come up with “something”. The GOSL, Rajapakshe, Tissa Vitharana were going merry-go-around for the past 18 months without any progress in APRC.
Would anyone explain why TNA was ostensibly avoided in the APRC?
APRC is not APRC without UNP/JVP/TNA and they add up to more than 50% of the country’s representation.
13th Amendment is already a law and GOSL’s for the past 20 years haven’t had the guts to IMPLEMENT it.
Only when Manmohan Singh applied this condition for his participation in the Independence Day Celebrations, Rajapakshe woke up to this farce.
Though, 13th Amendment a failure and a forced solution on Tamils, plus an accord to serve the Interests of India and not the Tamil National Question, harping on this says that Sinhalese will not devolve any serious powers to Tamils.
The war has gone on for the past 21 years due this 13th amendment being insufficient to Tamil Demands and India did nothing to see this FULLY Implemented to this date. This also says that even if LTTE and Tamils arrive at a solution with the Sinhalese, no one out there to enforce the solution being implemented. THIS IS REALITY. THOSE CO-CHAIRS, INDIA, NORWAY CANNOT FORCE GOSL TO IMPLMENT CFA TO ITS LETTER. What’s the point signing peace deals and not implement to AGREED Clauses?
You can’t fool Tamils anymore!!!!
Dr KC said,
January 20, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
The following article (see the link below) by B Raman clearly illustrates the pathetic plight of the SL Tamils. He postulates that once the LTTE is driven out of Vanni, the status of Tamils will be reversed back to pre-83 era: full blown military occupation and oppression of the NE; anyone who dares to speak about the rights of Tamils will be considered as terrorists; state sponsored Sinhala colonisation of the NE including the north will be activated in full swing etc etc
At this juncture we ought to understand that the LTTE is not capable of liberating us but we have to remember those grass root cadres of the LTTE are our children and we need to do everything we can to protect them. I would very much want them lead their lives like any other human being entitled to do so. I do not want them to perish in vain.
I can think of only one option: We should urge the LTTE to surrender VP & PA to India to face their charges for a deal for a SL Tamils. The ‘deal’ could include immediate ceasefire; our loyal & sincere acceptance of India’s good offices to revive the peace process etc etc.
The fact of the matter is that VP & PA are convicted murderers in India and as long as they remain the top two leaders of the LTTE we will never make any political progress or any protection to those over 5000 of our children who are armed stationed in the Vanni. These children have not done anything wrong; they took up arms against state sponsored injustices and terror.
Let the request to surrender VP & PA to India become a mass campaign of the Tamils. Of course this is an unthinkable deed but I cannot think of any other alternative. The precious lives of those cadres in their tender age are the paramount issue in our immediate strategy.
Daily Mirror
Venkai said,
January 20, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
Mahinda is just playing for time and hoodwinking the international community. Nothing will come out of this. Waste if time and money.
2ndClassTamil said,
January 20, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
The 13th Amendment is a dinosaur that never saw the light of day for decades! Now they want to take its DNA and manipulate it to bring a new life form – as has happened only in fiction so far.
Why do you need the APRC to put sheen on the 13th Amendment? Is it not the job of the govt to give expression to the various articles in the constitution – as long as what they do is within the constitution? That is why I thought the MPs are paid a salary and a fat pension too, to attend parliament!
The job of the APRC was deemed to be futuristic; to propose modifications to the constitution itself.
I am a firm believer that the APRC was set up purely as a time buying mechanism, for use by the president as and when he required, on the pretext of showing to the world that there is genuine political space at the highest level for liberal thinkers to engage and be effective on the ethnic issue. Professor Tissa Vitarana should wriggle out of this mess before his name gets sullied. That would apply to the other good souls as well. The worst ones have already jumped ship.
Honestly, I don’t care about the outcome on the 23rd.
nathan said,
January 20, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
In the proceedings of the Rajiv Ghandi assasination case, Justice Thomas stated “…………all steps taken to apprehend three of the main accused 1) Veluppillai Pirapakaran 2) Pottu Amman and 3) Akila did not succeed and hence they were proclaimed as absconding offenders ”
If the LTTE surrender, they will be slaughtered to the last man. If they surrender under a UN Force this may not happen, and normalcy may return in time.
dias said,
January 20, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
What Dr. KC (#9) says is already happening – with every military victory by Sri Lanka Armed Forces, the ugly head of Sinhalese-Buddhism is rising-up one notch. President Rajapaksa is clearly aware of this and sincerely attempting to put-together a solution that will constitutionally lock-in rights of minorities prior to any attempts at destroying the LTTE. Unfortunately, none of the 20 proposals on the APRC table, the Vitharane Report, nor the 13th Amendment+ will cut the mustard. With every one of these it is the process by which these were developed that was flawed. Politicians are not framework designers -this is the job primarily of constitutional architects – typically those who participated as experts in the Expert Panel. The fact is, the Expert Panel of 2006 did not do their job correctly – instead of producing 4 competing proposals, they should have produced 2 or 3 proposals with full consensus. Consensus-friendly proposals by the experts would have had an excellent chance of getting through the political consensus forming process, the APRC. No matter the time wasted or the pain, the process has to be fixed at the point-of-failure: the Expert Panel. What the President need to do: (a) Acknowledge the error (b) Call a temporary ceasefire (c) Recall the Expert Panel (d) Issue a Presidential Directive to submit new consensus proposals
Many blame the JVP for the failure of the APRC. But it must be recalled that the JVP fully supported the Expert Panel process and were willing participants of the APRC until time the panel released the Majority Report – which they detested. On the other hand, the JVP heartedly supported the Minority Report – and Dr. Vitharane was left to fuse the two. This task should have been done by the experts at the Panel level and are the ones who should have remediated the differences -or derive a totally new design (s).
The fate of the 23rd launch of the APRC proposals is easily predictable. They will not be acceptable to the Tamils, the IC nor the moderate Sinhalese. They are already a dead set of proposals.
Suresh M said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:07 am
Tamils have seen many ‘Packages’ in the past and APRC will be one of them. Only way Tamil speaking minority can get a just solution is with a help of a powerful nation that has no previous active participation in the Tamil issue. It is childish for a medical Doctor to prescribe the solution in the form of surrendering VP/PA, and as reward, India would some way going to change MR’s, and Sinhala’s heart to grant a just solution!. India has no reason to help Sri Lankan Tamils as it is not economically profitable, and it doesn’t enhance their security as well.
mahendran.M. said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:40 am
Kurudan
to those who been reading DBSJ series articles on APRC we have got lot of info abut how APRC been going on so far
we know by reading DBSJ that he too knows whats hapening at APRC very well. So you are wrong to think otherwise
mahendran.M. said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:42 am
william
why we read and like DBSJ articals is because they have lot of details and info. If you have no time then you go and read headlines some other place
gloria Abraham said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:45 am
Mr. William at No 1 comment.
Mr. Jeyaraj’s articles are in depth and not superficial. If you want supeficial stuff then go some other place. Please dont as Mr. Jeyaraj to shrink his articles for people like you
carlo kovoor said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:48 am
Mr. Blind “Kurudan”
Anyone with a modicum of intelligence will understand what DBS has been writing about in his articles on APRC. It is because of the details he provides that we know what’s going wrong with APRC. How blind can you bee?
mrinalini said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:53 am
what DBSJ writes is like a four course meal served at a posh restaurant with waiters in tuxedo , candle light and classical music in background.
what William likes is a hot dog or sausage with a beer can to wash it down while standing on a sidewalk.
I suggest William go to the street vendor for his sausage instead of asking a good restaurant to serve him sausages
Jackie said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:55 am
Hey William!
You wanna DBSJ to write short pieces so you can glance quickly? You wanna pluch bright feathers from peacock tail so you can see it ………..?
Sree said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:57 am
William
why dont you call yourself as Will or Bill to be really short?
vipul said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:59 am
Mr. Kurudan
It is actually Prabakaran fighting for Eelam is like blind man searching for black cat in dark room
leelananda said,
January 21, 2008 @ 2:01 am
We are greatfull to DBS for writing a lot about APRC here. Mahinda trying hard to spoil things but Prof. Tissa very fine management so far. Hope he will bot give in
EstaVez said,
January 21, 2008 @ 9:44 am
If you ever wondered why I write in these forums,then, here’s the answer!
I an majoring in political science and specializing in south Asian region. One day I wish to work in the Department of State.
I was reading both parties’ arguments and find DBS as a balanced writer. Fact or fiction, the man got the idea of looking both ways before crossing the road.
I admire his writings and the solution which DBS nevertheless speculates is well short of what ordinary tamils would want after sacrificing 20000 youths and another 100000 elderly to this war not to mention living like paupers in their own land.
The ordinary sinhalese are hooked by the 1956 Revolution of SWRD and doesn’t want to let go of it.
Those who want war are simply do not understand that every tiger or tamil have a heart and a soul and a above all Self Respect.
You have to blame both parties for violence and the choice of attack on each other. Carpet bombing on its own civilians is a big No,NO! Sending suicide bombers to attack civilians are also despicable,
I hope, UK will turn the tables and go for a military presence in SL just like in Afganistan and separate the island into two nations.
Dr KC said,
January 21, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Dear Suresh M
I wish to put it to you that I posted #9 with a heavy heart – of course it was very painful. But you ought to understand that we cannot go on sacrificing our children senselessly in this way.
We are peace loving decent people all we want is freedom and dignity in our homeland. We do not want to be led by convicted murderers. All convicted murderers in RG’s case ought to be surrendered to India.
I find it very painful to accept that young women and men in their tender age are making sacrifices to shield 2 or 3 convicted murderers – this is not fair. This is not the freedom struggle that I was dreaming of.
2ndClassTamil said,
January 21, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Dear Dr KC(#9),
Not surprisingly I held similar views re LTTE leadership and aired them in these columns way back last year. But now I have revised my opinion after concluding – quite contrary to the widely held view – that India actually wishes for the longevity of the LTTE leadership!
In these days of globalisation and boundless consumerism, cold calculations of cost and benefit are very much in focus. So how India can maximise its benefits from the Sri Lankan problem would have been the central consideration of the Indians. Tangible benefits in trade, security etc are important, but they pale into insignificance when compared to acquisition of political influence/leverage over Sri Lankan affairs – if that can be securely tethered – through which all the said benefits and much more can be derived! India would love to be the top dog in its patch.
Thanks to LTTE, the barking dogs, nurtured by the Indians since Indira’s time to corral the southern wild herd, India enjoys enviable influence over GoSL. It has SL exactly where it wants. SL can twist and turn and do acrobatics, so long as it pays obeisance to India. (I refer to the various arms deals with countries – like China, Pakistan, US etc – and foreign policy initiatives of SL in recent times). The numerous scurrying visits to Delhi by SL officials for consultation are indicative of this influence. (Even Norwegians reported to New Delhi). So long as the ethnic conflict is kept simmering in a no-win situation for either party, India stands to gain. The looming threat of military interference in support of the looser will keep both parties at bay from achieving a military solution. (One wonders whether this is the reason why the IC including India keep saying that there is no military solution to the conflict. After all, cadres alone without weapons cannot win a war. The Tigers are bound to lose if the arms supply chain is truly broken – unless clandestinely supported by India or others). Keeping the lid on Tamil Nadu unrest or modulating it, is another tactic for this same goal.
So long as India can dictate terms to SL it is a win-win situation for the Indians. At a time when other sharks (and whalers) are gathering in the Indian Ocean, this ability to influence or better dictate terms to SL has to be seen as a godsend to India. What will upset them is a genuine breaking out of peace in SL, as they stand to lose their grip on SL. Here, what India is not saying is significant and very telling. When US says they are looking for a genuine political settlement; when EU says there should be a better deal than what has been proposed so far, India uses diplomatic language and even justifies CFA annulment. With the leverage India has it can bring a political settlement is no time at all as Rajiv did with JR (and followed up with his infamous letter re VOA and Trinco harbour). But that would mean peace, to be followed by lack of leverage, at a time when other geopolitical forces are active in the region. The excuses of non-interference, good neighbourliness, burnt fingers once etc sound hollow. When my neighbour’s tall tree casts shadows on my lawn, or when his Hi-fi is in full blast, asking him to do something about it is not interference but interaction, upon which the whole society function safeguarded by laws.
Someday, the Singhalese and Tamils will realise this and decide to extricate from the Indian net by forging an amicable settlement between them without any third party – especially India – and swim in the Ocean of freedom…. or be swallowed by the Indian shark as another state before other sharks smell blood.
So if we agree that the ongoing conflict is in the interest of India we would have to figure out whom would India prefer to spearhead the Tamils? Outwardly it will be anyone but Pirabha, but secretly, given his credentials, it will be him as this also achieve another deceitful goal for them – that of hiding behind the anti-Pirabha/Rajiv smoke screen and claiming the moral high ground saying they have no interest in SL affairs except as a friend.
The barking dogs may severed the leads and escaped. Though they are stray dogs now they are doing their master’s bidding better than originally envisaged! – Dr VB
kurudan2 said,
January 21, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Dear mahendran.M & carlo kovoor,
I also reading DBSJ’s article for a long time. You are correct that he has good sources and he is telling us what is going on there. He is also aware what is going to happen. But the fact remains that he always has hope for these kinds of shows presented by Sinhalese, ‘political package’. This always helps the Sinhalese to drag the issue forever. You all are very intelligent people, but still refuse to accept the fact that Tamils and Sinhalese living peacefully in one country is a forlorn concept.
Suresh M said,
January 22, 2008 @ 1:13 am
Dr K.C, Thanks for your comments.
Sure, we all of deserve a peaceful life with dignity. Yes, we Tamils prefer our leaders to be some professional, most likely to be a lawyer, and as clean as SJV. The reality is that none of the potential leaders are free of any criminal activity, including TULFers who had instigated, or blessed the violent activities of the youth wing in late seventies.
VP/PA are convicted in a court of law in India, but if India opens up a commission to investigate all killing took place in Lanka that involves their own Intelligence service, there will be many past RAW officers will have to face the same fate as VP/PA. Some of the incidents to list: (1) Anuradhapura killings –RAW ordered and LTTE executed, (2) Tharmalingam MP (Manipay) RAW ordered and TELO executed as per his son ‘PLOTE’ Sitharthan.
I am more convinced that for India, ‘troubled’ Sri Lanka is a profitable venture. Tamil entertainment industry went through a difficult period in early eighties, and it was not a secret that it had picked up ever since Sri Lankan Tamils moved to the west in thousands in late eighties. Also, no secret that many expatriate Ealam Tamils have been investing in India. Other source is the Fish stock in the North-East, because of the Sinhala Navy blockade, there is a rich Fish stock in the North-East, and Indian Fishermen are going with a ‘good’ catch while our Fishermen are dying out of hunger.
Since Sinhala regime depends on India for deep sea surveillance, and clamp down on LTTE supports in Tamil Nadu, India exert influence (or blackmail) to bring Lanka in line in terms of their defence, and economic interest.
Even if VP/PA surrender tomorrow, India’s policy would not change as it is driven by their national interest, but not on raw emotion.
My line of thought is that we expatriate Tamils should be active in persuading our respective governments to get involve directly. Recent debate in the House of Commons in U.K and Priminister Gordon Brown’s statement in India are encouraging news. We also should vigorously advocate that LTTE to reform within to be a real player in our future.
theeran tamilakam said,
January 22, 2008 @ 3:20 am
DR.K.C
its better to ask the srilankan air force not to drop bombs near schools as it did on the 17 th this month near kilinocchi.they dont bother to kill the tamil children.i hope u would have seen that news.
i am surprised to see u having so much faith in india.i dont want to hurt ur sentiments,but it is always nice to know that ”the world is not rotating on an axis of moral justice”.india is part of this world too.
mahendran M said,
January 22, 2008 @ 4:51 am
kurudan
It is your idea that Singalese and Tamils cant live together in Sri Lanka. Fact today is more Tamils live in south than north and east. Only LTTE and people like you say they cant. If tigers relax controls 50% of Vanni people will leave and live with Singalese
carlo kovoor said,
January 22, 2008 @ 4:54 am
Mr. Kurudan
Nothing wrong in DBS or others hoping that APRC will succeed. What is wrong is Velluppilai Prabakraran and LTTE hoping to get Eellam and doing great violence. They are damaging Tamils permanently by this. Tell LTTE to give up false hope
Metha said,
January 22, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
Taken from Sudar Oli Paper.
அதிகாரப் பரவலாக்கல் என்று கூறிக்கொண்டு, மஹிந்தரின் அரசியல் அதிகாரம் இன்று தூக்கிப் போடப்போகும் இந்தப் ” பிச்சையை’, ஒரு தாராள விடயமாகக் கருதி ஏற்பதற்கு தமிழ் பேசும் மக்கள் வெறுமனே கையேந்தி இருப்பவர்கள் அல்லர். இனத்தின் இருப்புக்காகத் தம்முயிரையே இரந்தளிப்பவர்கள்; உரிமைக்காய் இறப்பவர்கள்.
விட்டெறியும் எலும்புத் துண்டுக்காய்ச் சிங்களத்துடன் ஒட்டியிருந்து வாலாட்டும் சில தரப்புகளுக்கு, இந்தப் பிச்சை அமுதமாக இருக்கலாம். அதற்காக அவர்கள் வாய்களில் எச்சில் ஊறலாம்.
ஆனால் செல்லாக்காசு பெறாத இந்த அதிகாரப் பகிர்வுத் திட்டம் தமிழரைத் திருப்திப்படுத்தாது என்பது திண்ணம்.
http://www.sudaroli.com/editorial.htm
Sinha Puthra said,
January 22, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Sinhalease and tamils living in this contry for a long time. Tamils are living in Sinhala areas very peacefuly and protected by sinhalease. If they are qualified they can get any job, they can do any business. That’s a multicultural society. Think about north , tamils are living under the grip of LTTE. No any multicultural society there. Only one kind of animal cannot live in the jungle along. Even Sri Lankan government decide to give Prime Minister post to a Tamil, what will happen to him? Definitly he will be killed by LTTE after few months.Who killed Educated Tamil leaders like Dr.Neela Thiruchelvam, Lukshman Kadiragamar, Amirthalingam?So We have to eliminate LTTE to have a peaceful country and can live together.
Best Regards to Tamils and Sinhalease !
nathan said,
January 22, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
Ref Comment 29 :-
The sophisticated warplanes of US, UK & the Coalition Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed hundreds of civilians unintentionally and dozens of coalition soldiers in “friendly fire” incidents.
The warplanes of Israel in the war against Lebanon in 2006, suceeded in killing only about 600 Hezbollah, but also killed 1,500 civilians and eight UN Peacekeepers ! !
This shows that aerial bombing is never accurate.
The SL Air Force with its antiquated warplanes
and hardly any anti aircraft fire claim to have
NEVER killed a single civilan ! ! !
miller said,
January 22, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
m.mahendran do u guys forgot south side tamil people came 1983 from train and ship to jaffna, and previous riots also. if no tamil guard not formed than no body cant live in south side. this riots will continue still u guys think live together………..?
miller said,
January 22, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
SL goerment poltion never give any better packages than old system there self. this thing also show up the world. its mean they want get the funds from the world. thats all.
Thamil said,
January 23, 2008 @ 3:28 am
Sinhala racist will never deliver any solution. Period.
Tamils have only only two choices either fight and win Tamil Eelam or just pay slavery to Sinhala race.
Upul said,
January 23, 2008 @ 10:58 am
The tamils and sinhalese have avery diffrent langauge, religion and geography.. 99% sinhalese army in tamil majority areas, serical ethinic riots against tamils and state sponsored colonization make all this TOO LITTLE TOO LATE !!
Kurudan 3 said,
January 23, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
Dear Sinha Puthra,
From the Constitution of Srilanka
Buddhism.
9. The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).
Multicultural Society in Srilanka .. ??
Dr KC said,
January 23, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
Suresh M
I know the LTTE followers have been saying whatever you have repeated for
donkey’s years – the RAW did ‘this and that’ so we did ‘this’, in other
words: the law of the jungle. No one is bothered to buy this ‘explanation’.
The followers of the LTTE will have to take their ‘explanation’ with them
only to their graveyard.
RG’s case is extremely sensitive and painful story; this single event turned
the world opinion against the LTTE. People of India began to treat the LTTE
as outcasts. In TN, the support for LTTE took a nose dive from 95% to mere
1%. The barmy strategy of the LTTE and brutality of Mahinda are wiping out
our children every day.
(It is my habit to call those young men and women who took up arms to
liberate us as ‘my children’ irrespective of their age)
Again I repeat my plea: please surrender the people wanted in the RG’s case
to India to face their charges. Alternative is endless fighting, sacrificing another
5000 of our children and in the end achieving nothing. We should be decent enough to say that we do
not want to be led by convicted murderers of a popular and mainstream
political leader of India.
If India does not get involved directly to bring a settlement we are no more. Do not have too much hope on the
UK and other foreign countries. They will not move their fingers if they do not get the right signal from India.
India’s involvement is extremely vital for our survival.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
January 23, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
Now SLAF is bombing on LTTE . We will soon have a political solution.
miller said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:06 am
Dr. KC. i have question for u when there was IPKF start war with the LTTE only, so wat about the more than 1000’s civilians they killed. if the people go for international war crime courts, they can surender with the officers and solders for that operation. u guys think so?
This thing tamil people never foget or forgive for them.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:39 am
The LTTE leadership should resort to same tactics used by late Croatian strongman the Franjo Tudjman .
Talk and walk will get us nowhere. Handing over VP/PA will never going to materialise cause India is as much as guilty as LTTE!
I trust my fellow Sinhalese counterparts more than I trust the “Backstabbing” Indians, Pakistanis and Chinese scavengers!
The SLAF will breathe only until the LTTE use it’s first anti-aircraft missile. For those who already written the LTTE obituary, your action was pre-empted and deluded with smokes.
The 2008 will be a decisive year and LTTE will come out as victors!
Cheers.
joe said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:40 am
Dr KC, your trust in India is unbelivable. i cant beleive you are so naive to think that
India will come and safe guard the tamils when VP/PA are gone.
you are talking of finding a solution in the absence of LTTE. thats not gonna happen.
any one who thinks a solution could be found, ignoring the LTTE is living in a dream land.
they said that east is liberated. but look at whats happening in monaragala.
mahinda must stop negotiating with his friends like sitha, douglas and sangari.
if he wants war to stop he must talk to those who are fighting him, LTTE.
Karunapala said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:54 am
Hi beloved DBS,
Please give us an update on what is going on in Vanni; you have quite a few reliable contacts there. You have become an unsung celebrity in the realm of journalists by disclosing the fate of Prabhakaran.
Since then you have gone quiet on that front; we hope you didn’t experience the spectacle of a gun making its shadows on your scalp.
If it is not the case, please give us some information, especially relating to last few days.
We get information both from the governtment’s side and that of LTTE. We mortals, always have that eternal difficulty while reading them – striking a balance.
This is where you can render your valuable service.
Please don’t do anything that make you vulnerable; it is not worth it. We will wait till the dust settlles down.
Take care of yourself and the family.
nathan said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Ref Comment 40. VP,PA & Akila were NOT convicted of anything in the RG Murder Case.
The Case was flawed.
Full details are available elsewhere for those interested in the truth.
Hence there is no necessity for anyone to “surrender”.
Anonymous said,
January 24, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
I agree with most of KC’s comments. All i wish to add is Jaffna Tamils must be given Paruppu and Vada/Bonda if they dont listen to INDIA.
Anonymous said,
January 24, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
I agree with Upul. it is too little too late.. it time for UN
Ilamathy said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
I am wondering whether Dr. KC is the twin brother of Dr. Subramanian Swamy.
I like to mention one thing. It took for Sinhalese 20years to accept something which had been agreed between India and Srilanka. Even they came to this stage because Tamils are still armed. Imagine if they don’t have and armed strength?
May be Tamils have to wait another 20years to reach their aspirations. Better to wait.
2ndClassTamil said,
January 24, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Condescendingly, a bone has been thrown at the Tamil dogs to pick and lick. India welcomes this and are pleased that GoSL has been good enough to share this dishing act with them. I am of course referring to the APRC proposal released today on the implementation of what is already the law of the land. Apparently the ‘meat’ is to be thrown on a later date! Well done APRC after 63 sittings. Even knowledgeable Singhalese friends will be laughing, I am sure.
It is time for those Tamils who think that India has a beneficent eye over them (as we all thought once), to seriously question Indian intentions. In this quest analyse what they have done and are doing, and also what they could have done. Check out their rhetoric, try to unmask any impostor and figure out who is genuine. This is the responsibility of every Tamil. There is a lot of information out there. So I will refrain from influencing. At some stage, if you overcome your emotional ties and realise that a cold and calculated game is being played you will see things differently from then onwards.
Interestingly, India was the last to comment on CFA but the first to hail the comical APRC report. So far the IC has not commented. I guess they know the game after seeing India’s hand.
theeran tamilakam said,
January 24, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
what is india? who are indians?
though we are ethnically tamils,we are like ”65 million” indians living in the southern most part.
the leaders of all the political parties in tamilnadu stateexcept two parties[one which says it has legitimate grievance and the other led by a obscessed lady who wants to oppose other leaders for the sake of opposition without having valid reasons]
have in their heart a definitive moral support for the liberation movement.
hence tha central govt of india would dare to do things that will hurt the majority of 65 million indians in her country.
the indian army n navy guys can covertly assist their srilankan counterparts to a small extent.but they r aware that once they cross the limit,they themselves will be threatening the very existence of the indian union.
it is a certain fact that the indian union would never like to hurt the 65 miilion indians,if they wish for unity in this highly sensitive coalition like administration.
certainly the delhi guys would like to see the defeat the tigers,but their hands are obviously tied.they can only hope n watch n give some assisstance now n then to make it happen..
but when the tigers emerge victorious or attain a military superiority ,then the delhi guys will eventually be forced to recognise that though they might not like it.
these problems r due to the presence of certain people of certain community administering the south block..
but if any indian anywhere in the country thinks with a stable mind,it is quite obvious that the tamil eelam is vital for india”s long term security in the indian ocean,rather than having hypocrites in colombo to adminster the vital stragic areas which the usa,japan ,china want to rule with a army base.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
January 25, 2008 @ 1:16 am
GOSL is stirring the “Hornet’s Nest” with SLAF,
The Sri-Lankan armed forces meanwhile quite busy with chopping and killing innocent Tamils arrested for nothing but merely being Tamils. Kebitekollawa graves being the latest evidence.
The International Community will never be impartial as clearly demonstrated by their persistent anti-LTTE statements and unanimous silence on GOSL’s atrocities.
Who will protect us India?(sorry folks who adore India,), I.C.? I doubt it , we have to protect ourselves. I wish LTTE choose the path of late Croatian strongman Franjo Tudjman or Eritrean rebels and put this bloody mess in order.
Year 2008 is not exactly “rat year” as per the Chinese Calender rather it will be “Tiger year” as predicted by M.R. Rajagopalan of Kumudam Jyothidam.
So, please hold on to your writing of LTTE’s obituary. I’m awaiting anxiously the GOSL’s so called “final battle to eradicate Terrorism in from Sri-Lanka”.
This 2008 will be a decisive year for Sri-Lanka, it chose the path and will be rewarded in the same way the late Franjo Tudjman delivered to the mighty Serbians!
Kalu Kolla said,
January 25, 2008 @ 9:58 am
Dear Kurudan (comment #39)
There is nothing that you nor any other Tamil can do about Buddhism in Sri Lanka. You will have to accept it in the constitution if you want peace. It is not negotiable. Sorry.
Dr KC said,
January 25, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
“Unfortunately there were some bitter experiences. India had good reason to be offended with both the government and the Tamils. I won’t dispute that. But I think India is the only country that can bring about a resolution to this question, in a way that all communities will be happy.”
The above is Mr R Sampanthan’s interview as reported in Daily Mirror on 25 Jan. This interview would make a very good reading material for the LTTE followers.
I am not against the LTTE. I am only highlighting the blunders after blunders of the LTTE leadership. The LTTE has been fighting for over 25 yrs and has sacrificed over 25000 of children, but what has it achieved? Its leaders are hunted by the Interpol on murder charges; got banned by the major powerful democratic countries; not a single country in the world is prepared to recognise the LTTE; even the only Tamil homeland outside our homeland is dead against the LTTE.
I want the leadership of the LTTE to become acceptable to the international players and particularly to India. If the LTTE leadership fails grasp this reality I am afraid it runs the risk of regressing
Kurudan said,
January 26, 2008 @ 12:32 am
Dear Kalu Kolla ( coment # 53 )
I am not against Buddhism. I am not asking to remove that part from the Const. I reminded that point for the “Moderate Tamils”. ( Eventhough they knew about that ) . You are absolutely correct Tamils can not do anything about it. May be that is the root of the problem.
Nalan, Trincomalee said,
January 26, 2008 @ 2:04 am
Comment # 54.
Dear Dr. KC,
I like to read your comments as much as I read others, and this include the Sinhalese readers, I believe in democracy and this is the sole reason I like the Tamil-week as opposed to the other web sites.
I’m with you when it comes to LTTE leadership to deviate from it’s current strategy and implement the recommendations made by the UN and it’s Human Rights Commissioner Madame Louise Arbour, so it can regain the confidence and credibility it had with them a decade ago.
I do not like the Indian Government and it’s approach towards us. It never honoured it’s pacts. Good example is the Srimao-Shastry pact which made India the guarantor of interests of Tamils of Indian Origin. Has It ever honoured it as bound by the pact, never!,
Presently, they are dwelling on Rajiv Gandhi’s death. There is life beyond RG. There is no justification in punishing the whole Tamil community because of LTTE’s action. If that’s the case, what’s the difference between GOSL and INDIA.
I have so much respect for Madame Arbour and our present U.S. Ambassador Hon. Richard Blake. We, Tamils owe him so much for single handedly minimizing the kidnapping of Tamilians in Colombo.
Eventhough I am a LTTE supporter I strongly disagree with them in certain issues, like suicide attacks, attacks on civilians and mortal silencing of their critics. Nevertheless, as a Tamil, I will not waver on my support !
Sinhalese had their Pilimathalawa and equally we had our “Erstwhile Eastern Commander/Liberator Col. Karuna” and the good news is Pilimathalawa suffered in mental agony for his betrayel, while ours is enduring penetentiary agony. Hope, either Amnesty International or HRW will get him legally and lock him up for the rest of his life.
” Arasan indru-aruppan, Theivam ninru-arukkum”
Cheers.
Dr KC said,
January 26, 2008 @ 7:45 am
I meant to say……
I am not against the LTTE but I can only support the LTTE minus (VP+PA).
Dr KC said,
January 26, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Dear Nalan, Trincomalee
You wrote:
“Presently, they are dwelling on Rajiv Gandhi’s death. There is life beyond RG. There is no justification in punishing the whole Tamil community because of LTTE’s action.”
I am sorry to say your above comment is a non-starter. Justice should prevail in the RG’s case. The people who have been found guilty ought to serve the sentence or appeal against the sentence and face the trial to clear their names. It is up to the Indian govt to give amnesty to those people who have been found guilty.
As long as the RG’s case is not resolved there are legal implications that restrict the Indian govt from getting involved in the Sri Lankan conflict. Therefore, your criticism about India is not fully justified.
Only after the RG’s case has been resolve WE CAN WORRY ABOUT THE LIFE AFTER RG.
Once RG’s case is resolved we should conduct a campaign in full vigour for compassion and compensation from the Indian govt towards the civilians who were injured/killed during the IPKF military operations.
Kurudan said,
January 27, 2008 @ 12:15 am
Dear Dr KC ( # 57)
Ha..Ha.. what a joke . You do not know the rest of the LTTE leaders. VP has a leash on all of them, directing their energy towards to the goal of separate TE. If the LTTE’s energy focused on just killing people no one can save Srilanka. Bosnia… Ruwanda…… Be careful what you wish for.
QSS said,
January 27, 2008 @ 2:16 am
Vide Comment 56.
‘If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.’ ‘ Martin Luther King, Jr
“The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
-George Orwell
‘Before we set our hearts too much on anything, let us examine how happy are those who already possess it.” Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld.
There are really only three fundamental ways to break the Law: harm someone; damage another’s property or use fraud or mischief in your contracts. All things under statutes rest upon a foundation of consent or agreement and thus are violations of a societal contract.
“To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life’s good comes not from others’ gift, nor ill
Man’s pains and pains’ relief are from within.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !.”
- Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C
“The nature of the universe is such that ends can never justify the means. On the contrary, the means always determine the end.” (Aldous Huxley).
Suresh M said,
January 27, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
Nalan, Trincomalee!
I agree with you on the most of the issues, including LTTE’s tactics. There is no question that LTTE should avoid civilian casualties, and stop recruiting child soldiers.
Suresh M said,
January 27, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Dr KC,
LTTE minus VP/PA will be another TELO (RAW’s lapdog). You seem to have a lot of faith in India!!. Good luck, you need a lot of them.
Sampanthan MP also said
‘ This government very ill-advisedly thinks that this problem is capable of being solved militarily, and once that is done they can force any solution on the Tamil people. They will not be successful in either. As long as there is a legitimate cause it can’t fail. You don’t end the struggle by destroying Prabhakaran, or Raviraj or Maheswaran’ and
‘I think they will come to talks. I’m not saying the LTTE haven’t made mistakes but it is the duty of the govt to ensure that its governance is reasonable to all people’.
rex said,
February 1, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Dear Kurudan 3:
Check this one too of a so-called liberal society:
Church of Norway on the Norwegian constitution:
‘The Church of Norway is established as the state church of Norway in the Constitution of Norway, and its constitutional head is the reigning monarch of Norway, who is obliged to profess himself/herself to the Lutheran faith. ‘