Silent suffering and cost of living in Jaffna
Two reports from the Jan-Feb issue of Groundview bi-monthly Journal:
I: The psychological trauma of an age old war
By Puthiyavan
A recent survey conducted by a social organsitation in Savatkadu, Anaikottai Jaffna under the supervision of a psychiatrist, revealed the silent suffering of generations who’ve witnessed the war first hand.
The killings, abductions and disappearances that take place daily have contributed to decades of mental agony, which are finally taking its toll in the manifestation of n aggressive society.
The survey revealed that the majority of young widows had lost their husbands due to killings or abductions. All the young widows were suffering from mental depression.
Their children in age group of 1-10 years displayed signs of stubbornness, urinating in the bed, and pain in the limbs. However it was indicated in the survey that, these disorders were purely psychological impacts of the violence they had witnessed.
The elderly have now grown accustomed to the killings and abductions of their kith and kin including their children, in-laws, and friends. They are tired of grieving; attending funerals, there’s no one to console one another; each and every family is victimized daily by the violent activity in Jaffna. They’ve learnt to control their feelings, they hardly laugh or cry.
Such emotions could lead to a tendency of frustration and finally develop into a long term psychological trauma. The survey also highlighted that, community awareness programmes at the village level could help restore these people emotionally.
During the survey it was brought to our attention that a girl returning from school asked her mother for food by threatening her with a cane. When we inquired about her family, we came to know that her father was abducted on front of the family at gun point.
The survey proved that psychological trauma had no boundaries where well educated and rich families were affected as well as poor.
Sri Lankan soldiers in Jaffna peninsula, November 2007.
(AFP/File/Pedro Ugarte-via Yahoo! News)
II: No one to listen to our plea
By Udayar in Jaffna
“The cost of living is sky rocketing like the Kfir jets” said an old man standing along a road side in Jaffna. He was holding his loaf of bread tightly as though it was something precious.
“Yes, soon will have to give up eating” another old man standing next to him admitted. It is easy to estimate the cost of living by comparing the price increase of wheat flour and bread.
While posing a question regarding the cost of living to a crowd in front of t grocery shop, a man answers, “so many reporters and media people have asked visited us and asked the same question again and again, our silly people have been repeating the same story, but we hardly witness any outcome. They just pour out their grievances. On the one hand our people gain some mental solace, on the other hand the reporter gets a story” he said dejectedly.
“Who cares about our plight? Though we had rice and sambol for lunch, we just pretend as though we ate lunch with chicken curry. We use to hide our personal difficulties, but now we are unable to afford even bread and sambol for our meal” said Vimala (50).
Jelina Stanislas travels every day from Sillalai to Jaffna for work. She says, “fuel prices are increasing day by day, so are the bus fares. Early morning, I come to Jaffna then I have to take a bus in the evening to go home. I don’t know when all will come to an end. Thought the bus fares increase I have to catch one bus after the other, if I want to come to work”.
A trishaw driver by the name of Ravi said that he will take me to a place in Navanthurai, where stagnated rain water had collected. “Do you know that place? Get into my auto, I will take you there” said Ravi eager to earn a few rupees under the guise of helping me with some information.
As he has described, the area was submerged by flood water due to the monsoon rains, which had not drained as yet. Big stones were laid in front of all houses to cross the path without stepping into the water. It was sad to see the children standing inside their houses and staring through the windows. The residents were living amidst unhygienic conditions which ha led to breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other water borne diseases. The Jaffna District Rural Bank Association was also under water.
It’s quite natural for a community living in such poor conditions to become frustrated wit life. When we returned to the place where Ravi had stationed his trishaw, he slowly looked at his watch and checked the time. “One hour has passed, please pay me Rs.450/=” he said. It was not a demand. It was a firm affirmation. Knowing his plight, I agreed without any negotiations only asking him to take me home safely.
joseph C. said,
February 23, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
It is very sad to hear the story. I personally experienced the suffering that our Tamil people are going through. Yes we all the Tamil around the world have to hear the cry of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and have the obligation to free them soon than it is too late.
Sudalaimadan. said,
February 24, 2008 @ 1:43 am
from the L.T.T.E.point of view these sufferings are essential but temporary.True enough.If normalcy returns these sufferings will vanish within a month.I am not mentioning about the Mental trauma the present residents of Jaffna are undergoing.But the economic.
The Jaffna Thamil society is financially very sound.
I think normalacy will return to Jaffna very soon.But the geniune fear in our minds( the other Thamils) is whether there will be justice and fairplay from the Jaffna Thamils?
Because the fruits of freedom is going to be fully enjoyed by the Jaffna Thamils exclusively,and not others.
Prices Skyrocketing is the government to be blamed solely?
Are the Jaffna Thamil Traders in Colombo making hay while the Sun Shines?After so much of sufferings destructions deaths have these created any change in the minds of the upper cast Jaffna Thamils who are virtually contrilling everything?My answer is sadly NO.
Sam said,
February 24, 2008 @ 4:16 am
Yes Joseph, the obligations from all the Tamils around the world has so far led to a 3 decade war. Keep supporting the terrorist organisation, war will continue, people will suffer from both sides. simple isn’t it??
EEroppe Sinhaya said,
February 24, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Its good that Jaffna people can afford bread. But the people in the south canno’t afford bread in their meal at all. Tamils trying to potrait economic problems in the country as only happend to them. This selfish attitude is the main cause for troubles in Sri Lanka. I don’t understand why? Tamils cannot be resonable.Economic problems are common to a poor nation like SL It is common in Notrh and South
that is why JVP youth took up arms twice.
Surya said,
February 24, 2008 @ 9:31 am
It is important to see main reasons of this meaningless sufferings of the people of Jaffna. Who made that the Tamil people of Sri Lanka is in a situation as they are now? We have no to blame but ourselves. We had nummer of opporturnities to get a viable solution to have a decent life. But we thrown away by our superiority feelings.
Still many Tamils particularly from Jaffna look down upon to others specially India and Indians. That’s why nobody want to help us when we need them. Beside whole Sri Lankan Tamil community led by bunch of uneducated and undemocratic LTTE wouldn’t make any help for sufferings of these people.
But I am certain that soon, within two years a silverline is coming for these sufferings. I can see that the Tamils will have a meaningful and just peaceful life with prosperity. I hope these people manage survive until that point.
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
February 24, 2008 @ 9:34 am
I was speaking to an old friend – a highly respected teacher from Jaffna – hailing from a prominent family who is now virtually bed-ridden in a Colombo suburb. A keen student of politics in the country – both North-East and the Sinhala land – and certainly in many theatres of the world. Once a delightful man of letters and a keen contributor to the national Press. He believes that a strategy has been let loose to destroy the Tamil race in Sri Lanka in many ways now that every other effort to reduce the influence of the Tamils in the past 60 years – including threats, intimidation and then military action – have failed so far. This includes the gradual breaking of the backbone of the Lankan Tamil business community both in the south and the north – that has been in effect for many years now. In Colombo the level playing field in government business opportunities, in industry (new and existing) and many other areas in commerce is being altered in favour of the Sinhalese.
Regular incidents will be “created” in the South and particularly in Colombo areas where Tamils live to instil fear into theirl businessmen so that they will gradually leave – which is happening now. In the North-East this strategy is to use the war and the “security-reason” as excuse to displace the Tamils and destroy their economic well being by taking them away from their fields and from the seas – which is already on for years now. In the scheme of things is also to weaken the strength of Tamil children and youth in the field of education where their inherent strengths are now a legend. The well-planned denial of adequate food and medicine now controlled by the armed forces (both the shipping and the distribution) is what is being referred to in this article.
Regular attacks from sophisticated instruments of war from the air has killed, maimed and displaced lakhs of Tamils. And, as you say in this article, many young women are made widows and without means of subsistence to drive them out of their minds. Children are subject to unbearable trauma so that they become disoriented and abnormal. The White Vans have come back again – escaping all the checkpoints to and fro their destructive missions often in collussion with men of the armed forces and Police – to abduct, instil fear and rob Tamil civilians at a time when Elections are going to be held in the East. India and the international community see this, know this very well and yet keep quiet. The Tamil strengthboth in terms of population and influences in the country is meanwhile dwindling fast – in line with those plans engineered by those who want to see the end of Tamils in the country.
I have no answer or evidence to contradict my 90 year oldteacher-friend. All this is done by a people who swear in the name of the Enlightened One – a great Hindu Prince from India who preached ahimsa, love and exhorted not to kill. and the philosophy not to even kill animals. In spite of all this evil the Tamil Nation in this country will not go off the map – thanks to the diaspora and Tamil speaking people in India, Malaysia, Singapore. South Africa and indeed other peace loving people in the world who stand for justice.
Suresh M said,
February 24, 2008 @ 11:14 am
I still have my family members live in Jaffna and in regular contact with them. More than the cost of living, lack of medicine, lack of Medical professionals, it is the physiological warfare the Sinhala regime let out on mainly aging population is deplorable.
As Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan said in his comment, India or IC is not concern of Tamils but their own business. Nobody likes the losers.
It is us, Tamils who live around the globe can make an effort to remedy this situation as world Jews came together to fight back overt/covert anti-Semitism.
Indian Tamil said,
February 24, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
#6,#7
SL tamils displeased with the Indo-SL accord and gave the thumbs down to India.When LTTE was losing to SL advance,we intervened to help.
Now India supports peace initiatives.It is for SL tamils to engage SL govt,negotiate,reengage and renegotiate to obtain max devolution of powers.No use blaming India.Even Tamil speaking people in India donot endorse LTTE except nedu,thiruma,kolathur mani and vaiko.
harshana somapriya said,
February 25, 2008 @ 6:20 am
ilaya seran senguttuvan /Suresh M/ joseph C.
It is disgusting to see your attitude towards LTTE, who are the main contributor to the immense suffering of SL Tamils today. When the Tiger madly try to kill the Lion, you expect the lion to meditate? All the suffering that Tamils might be undergoing are side effects of LTTE terrorism. As soon as the LTTE terrorism cease, the major troubles of SL Tamils will be over. By contributing to the LTTE, many in the Tamil diaspora support the suffering of innocent Tamils trapped in Vanni. Why don’t you speak for the innocent, forcibly recruited children fighting in the FDLs? Unless & until you people fail to analyse the situation in a balanced manner, the suffering will continue for all Sri Lankans.
It is rediculous that Ilaya criticisize Eastern elections, where as he is endorsing the rigged polls that brought TNA many seats. Sofar Eastern elections is quite peaceful except for the suicide bombing of LTTE against TMVP.
It is the LTTE who prevent Tamil children from Schooling & they rob medicine & food sent by govt. to unliberated areas. No other govt. inthe world feed terrorists inthis manner.
Today many Tamil children in NE benefit from district based quota system, which Tamils opposed in70s.
I don’t know why the Jaffna tamils look for bread. They were the best farmers in the country prior to the war.
Or did they just smugled in Indian stuff and sent them south as made in Jaffna?
Suresh M said,
February 26, 2008 @ 12:19 am
Indian Tamil,
Primary reason India got involved in SL is to safeguard Indian interest in the region. What we got out of SL-Lanka accord that Rajiv Gandhi signed on ‘behalf’ of SL Tamils was 13nth amendment to the unitary constitution. In reality even now no Tamil party would endorse it, except India.
As one reader suggested, India as not a mature democracy should stay out of Lankan affairs completely. For an example LTTE, and SL Tamil issue is a political game in India, especially in TN. Recently as last month Selvi. Jeyalalitha, Subramanian Swami, and P.Chidamparam were claiming that LTTE activities were on the raise, but your coast guards and other security agencies were claiming otherwise. Motive, they want to bring down M.K’s family rule. They use LTTE, and SL Tamils’ suffering as a tool for power. For Indians it is an entertainment, just like your movies, Sun/Jeya/Kalinger TV shows, or predicting whether Rajanikanth is going to enter politics. This is a life and death issue for SL Tamils.
Leave it to the West.
Priyani Gunaratna said,
February 26, 2008 @ 7:03 am
That’s so sad. But our leardes do not understand the real situation.
Indian Tamil said,
February 26, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
#10
Suresh M,
It is nice to know that you watch so many TV shows and constructive discussion on Rajani entering politics.Chennai traffic keeps us,working class, away from such entertainment.
Strategic partnership with SL to continue.While you pursue your western options ,request not to whipup tamil sentiments thru ltte sidekicks here in TN.
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
February 27, 2008 @ 8:39 am
Good of Harshana Somapriya (9) to enter the fray. There are millions of Sinhalese who think along your lines in these matters and I expect my comments will bring you a new awakening.
My friend, you know all too well the LTTE is a post-1983 phenomena. When the Tamil leadership envisioned the Sinhala Only Bill of 1956 was the first nail intended for the Tamil coffin-they rose in protest – PEACEFULLY, NON-VIOLENTLY and STRICTLY PER DEMOCRATIC NORMS. They knew other crimes will be heaped on the Tamils later by a fastly growing monster of racial-religious majoriarian supremacy. When they sat at Galle Face Green and prayed for justice- your Sinhala thugs were set upon them;their heads were smashed, they were physically assualted until they bled, some (elderly brilliant lawyers) were thrown into the Beira Lake opposite the old Parliament and criminals and thugs transported by Sinhala MP’s and Ministers found the whole drama so amusing. When these gentlemen MP’s came into Parliament-with Amirthalingam still bleeding – that great Buddhist Sinhala Messiah SWRD mockingly said “Ah! the true badges of war” or something to that effect. Do you admit this was a totally despicable crime? In 1960 Mrs B sent her relative (?) General Udugama and his army for a job that the multi-racial/religious Police pleaded they can handle without allowing it to go out of control.
Yet, her Cabinet of Sinhala hardliners insisted-with the result the Tamil youths from then on began dubbing that army detachment “Sinhala Occupation Army” What an expensive mistake, my friend? In 1956/57 the Sinhalese hammered and chased away hundreds of Tamil families in the Eastern Province after the Gal Oya Scheme was opened in the Inginiyagala and adjacent areas – families who had lived in peace with their Sinhala friends for generations. They lost their properties they owned for hundreds of years, some their household goods. Many educated officials were assaulted in front of their innocent and terrorised families. This was one of the first cases of organised colonisation by using States resources calculated to alter the demographic pattern of the Batticoloa District-then pre-dominantly Tamil. This was done to “Sinhalise” the area bringing men with criminal records many IRCs-from the South. How Buddhistic is this, Sir? In 1974
the Police were encouraged to “break up” an International Tamil Conference – with several participants killed (electrocuted) by the electric wires being cut (Mass killings of civilians by the army, the armed forces the airforce and the Police had not started then – that we see now almost daily) The Police-inspired destruction of the Jaffna Library and the destruction of many houses and business places in Jaffna town in 1981 is now history. In 1981/82 hundreds of Estate workers in the Ratnapura District were killed – some thrown into burning fires.
They were of Indian origin and had nothing to do with the Eelam issue. These are some of the incidents I recall – and the LTTE was not even known then. So do you agree this Govt propaganda of all evils begin and end are by the LTTE will only convince the gullible and the idiotic – varieties the Sinhalese always had in an over-supply situation…As to your comments on the Batticoloa sham Election. Have you heard of the TNA?
The whole world – with some inkling of recent Tamil politics-accept the TNA represent the popular views of the non-LTTE Tamils. They have the largest number of N-E Tamils in Parliament. They have refused to take part in this “sham Elections” And, so the UNP which had many non-Sinhala MPs from the District from 1947. It is not merely in 2008 but, in my
view, it will take at least another 10 years for the Batticoloa District to be suitable for democratic elections. This facade is only for President Rajapakse and his sinking ship of a Govt to show the world – more the aid donors-that under his Govt
conditions have been brought to normal in the Batticoloa Dist.
This is nonsense. People in the District are in a vast, open prison. Where is that Tamil Varsity Vice Chancellor of the EPU who was abducted by these “democrats in white vans” with govt collussion? This Govt and the armed goons under its command can fool people like you-but the diplomatic community and representatives of the international community here are patiently watching the situation with much disappointment. Have you forgotten it is those who are hoping to win these “Elections” with their guns and grenades who abducted at least 3 close relatives of MP’s during the last Budget vote so that, through shameful intimidation, they can have the day. They had the day indeed? Surely, all this is not the work of the LTTE.
Of course, the LTTE is responsible for many crimes and will have to meet their own fate some day-but this is because successful Sinhala Govts allowed (or as some would say engineered) the collapse of democratic culture in the N-E…
You ask “Why do Jaffna Tamils ask for bread” and then you provide the answer “they were the best farmers in the country” I am with you on both. In which planet have you been living these years, my good man? Did’nt you know MP Mavai Senathirajah and another farmer – after many years of trying to convince the local authorities and the Army-went to the Supreme Court merely to “return their farming lands and houses so that they can continue their subsistence farming” falsely seized as necessary “for security reasons under the HSZ. Tthe Supreme Court found it had no way to reject the appeal and save the face of the Govt – and so it ordered the restoration of the farm land and houses to all those concerned. This has hardly taken place although I hear, just for the record, some farmers have got small plots and their destroyed homes. So do you now know why the Jaffna people are hungry and in want?
Are you still “disgusted” I spoke for my suffering Tamil people.
If you are not a congenital racist and lack a heart of your own – you must melt within you for these crimes. Will you join the other thousands of good Sinhalese now beginning to accept that the Tamils in this country have been wronged for long and the Tamil question should be studied differently and settled immediately – before things go out of control. As to the LTTE and its terrible history, do you know Tamils abhor this as anyone else because many innocent and dissenting Tamils have been brutally killed by the assassins of the fascist LTTE.
I cried when I read a report recently that more than 50% of married women in the Jaffna District are widows and many disoriented by various forms of violence-by the army, the LTTE. It was sadder to learn children from 5-15 have also become disoriented and abnormal for reasons related to trauma in an environment of war. Don’tyou think it is time the Sinhala side gets together and settle this matter. How? Just get your political-power hungry priests and the political system that is controlled by them to allow the 13th Amendment as it was passed in 1987. Allow the Tamils their right to run their lives and livelihood the N-East as before in this undivided Sri Lanka. Without the bogus promises that have been in action for many decades allocate, initially, at least 25% of the entire Parliamentary Budget allocations for the development of the N-E province to be overseen by a Committee of highly respected Group of Eminent Persons from Sri Lanka drawn from the major communities as well as a team of represenatives from the donor countries. Isn’t this a better option than seeing this lovely land – in which you, we and our parents grew up with our Sinhala, Muslim and Burgher friends decades ago – to be bifurcated like East Timor and Kosovo.
My good friend, I am afraid the international community is weary of our inability to settle our differences and they will have no other option but to divide the country into two. Of course, most of our present leaders would have by then fled to California, London and Melbourne and elsewhere where they have invested their loot. You and I will be left to build back the country from the embers that they have consigned our Motherland to. Province.
Suresh M said,
February 27, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
# 12
Indian Tamil, can you pursue your central government to publicly state the their stategic parnership between India, and Sinhala government? Also, explain what stategic partnership means, and the deatails of it.
harshana somapriya said,
February 28, 2008 @ 2:07 am
Hi Ilaya,
Thanks for taking time to make a lenghtly reply.
Well, In my case I cannot recall experiances related to the ethnic conflict prior to early 90’s, since I was born in 80’s.
But I have studied the post independant history to some extent.
I am a Buddhist & a person who believes in ‘Aththanan upaman kathwa-Nahaneyiya Nagathaye’. I always dream of a country where all people are happy regardless their ethnicity/religion/cast etc.
I am sure that most of the ordinary Sinhalese are so ashamed & vehemently condemn the incidents in 1983 & I am proud today that our people are mature enough to defy the much more brutal & barbaric provocations by LTTE who wants a replay of black July.
( I deplore your claim that LTTE is a post 83 phenomenon, where as black july was trigered by LTTE after killing a group (15) of Sinhalese soldiers in Jaffna. )
I do not consider SWRD a hero but a cunning short sighted selfish fellow who wrongly manipulated the problems of the majority Sinhalese to come to power. Failure to implement Banda-Chelva pact proves his political inability. I only pray that in 50 year time another Sinhalese young man will not have to say the same thing about MR. He also used JHU/JVP to come to power. But I only wish that he will have the guts to implement 13th amendment in full & go ahead with the APRC to make a constitutional change. I salute him for his sound & brave approach towards the barbaric LTTE terrorists & wish that the Armed forces will be able to defeat LTTE militarily for the sake of innocent civilians of this country.
Although we joyously welcomed CFA, LTTE continued to dissappoint us.
One has to accept that although the conditions are not perfect in the east, it is far more better than when it was under LTTE. At least the children in Batticalo can goto Schools instead of fighting in the FDLs. I don’t think we have ever had perfect elections whether thay are in North or south. Helping TMVP to establish themselves as a political entity is not wrong hoping that they will not require arms when LTTE threat is finished. ( their resort to arms is made more acceptable in the view of recent suicide bomb in batticaloa) Such slow transition to democratic politics must be encouraged and we should expect LTTE to follow tha same path in the future.
I am sure that considerable devolution of power to the provinces is now possible (may be thanks to LTTE), but I donot see any willingness by the LTTE supporters ( mainly diaspora) to see an end to the conflict through negotiations. ( they don’t want anything below Ealam) This will continue to bring suffering to the helpless Tamil civilans in North, on whose behalf nobody is talking! ( Including you Ilaya, you seem to be blind to the suffering of Vanni Tamils in the hands of LTTE)
( There is less chance for division unless another ‘IPKF’ comes to SL & thankfully Ealam is not a strategic interest of the US like Kosovo, right now. If some third party try to force such division another balck july- much much darker than that of 83- will be inevitable)
Indian Tamil said,
February 28, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
#14,Suresh M,
The idea of establishing a strategic partnership with SL is often greeted with a degree of scepticism.
The aim is simple enough: both India and SL strive to work closer together on common goals, for the benefit of both countries.Existing military exchanges, combined and joint training and exercises, and arms sales (defensive due to TN)all play a key role in developing military to military ties that can develop closer working defense relationships with countries that share strategic concerns.
Initiatives such as the Maritime Security Initiative have done much to develop closer defense cooperation between India and SL. Exploring ways to improve these programs and expand into new areas of cooperation could further strengthen working defense relationships.
Forward-looking Increased participation in regional
multilateral fora, increased foreign aid, expanded diplomatic relations in the region, foreign direct investments and expanded educational exchange programs could send positive signals to SL. New programs to address nonmilitary issues such as trade, health issues , disaster assistance, human trafficking, and poverty alleviation may be constructive ways to
demonstrate India’s commitment to and engagement with SL.
Create a political atmosphere that would be more open to closer defense cooperation with SL.India committed to unity and integrity of SL.This has been publicly demonstrated by signing the accord in 1987.SL Tamils are unable to figure out even now.
Jackson said,
February 28, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
Indian Tamil has a habbit of monopolising this forum and pretending to represent INDIAN TAMILS ..
Is he really representative ..
Time of INDIA has this interesting piece .. poll survey ..
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=4319
majority sympathise with Eelam even today.
direct quote from times.tv
“Karunanidhi knows this and has played to the galleries – as a TIMES NOW poll reveals his support for the slain LTTE leader is in sync with the people of his state.
1. A whopping 69% is in favour of making a martyr out of any slain LTTE leader
2. More than 84 % of Tamilians are aware that political parties are playing the LTTE card
Clearly, LTTE is not as taboo a word in TamilNadu as it is in the rest of the country. The ban on the terror outfit notwithstanding, there seems to be sympathy for the Tamil crusade in Lanka.
But Jayalalithaa is a woman who will have none of it. Her much-publicised campaign against the LTTE sympathiser in Karunanidhi has now been stepped up a notch”.
Indian Tamil said,
February 28, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
#17,Jackson
Indian Tamil from Thanjavur,settled in Chennai.Ordinary citizen of India.Never can imagine as sole representative of India.
I hope this web site is run for healthy discussion about Eelam issue to debate,express opinions of people from various background so as to arrive at an appropriate decision.I value your poll survey.Majority of tamils sympathise with our SL tamils for their suffering and we want peace to descend on the island of lanka as early as possible.Times poll clearly conveys the true feeling of every true Indian tamil.
But,when it comes to LTTE and its infiltration into TN invites trouble for the whole society.We see SL tamils and LTTE as two different entities.We sympathise for those innocent tamil children and women who are sacrificed/killed by the warring parties.
As for as LTTE is concerned NO political party supports them.Out of 234 assembly seats vaiko and thiruma hold 8 seats only.DMK-90,ADMK-64,CONG -34,PMK-18 and balance shared by communists/independents.Please read the following to see how political parties disown LTTE besides Jayalalitha.
Sympathy for SL tamils shouldnot be misconstrued as support for Eelam.If that be the case,all political parties will be on the road to agitate as was in 1986-87 and shout for eelam in unison. Pragmatic assessment reveals that all political parties support peaceful solution and support central govt policy on SL.
Just happened to express that logical appreciation of policies in this forum,not intended to monopolise.We are democratic and we go by the mandate of people .So LTTE supported parties are only 8 in numbers.Does it convey anything? .May not understand,as you are ruled by undemocratic sole representative of tamils.
Suresh M said,
February 28, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
#16, Indian Tamil,
Thanks for your detail explanation.
We, SL Tamils are skeptical because our past / present experience didn’t help us trusting both SL Government, and India. We ordinary SL Tamil people had paid a heavy price for the arrogance of Indian establishment. Now, strategic partnership between India, and SL means Indian Tamils are part of Indian establishment, but SL Tamils are completely out of SL establishment. That is the basic difference.
On your legitimate fear of LTTE intruding in to TN is unfounded as you might well know that Indian nationals are smuggling fuel, medicine, and other parts for money. Smuggling has been going on for many years.
Another point is ; Pala. Nedumaran, Viko, Ramadas, Thirumavalavan, M.K at times vocal supporters, and Subramanian Swamy, Cho Ramasamy, Selvi.Jeyalalitha, are vocal opponents of Eelam Tamils. You should know the reason.
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
February 29, 2008 @ 3:12 am
Harshana Somapriya (15)..
Tku. If the enemy of the army is as bad and pursues a dead cause as you seem to suggest, this patriotic army; with such vast resources at their command; should have overcome this unpopular uprising over 25 years ago. After all, the combined strength of GoSL armed forces is between 150,000-2000,000 – excluding the tremendous air-power advantage. GosL estimate of LTTE strength varies from 6,000-10,000. Why is that the larger number was not able to overcome the much smaller resistance for so long? Many academics and analysts believe the Sinhala dominated govt cunningly uses war both as an excuse to keep the Tamils under their boot and at the sametime as an on opportunity to make huge money – which they invest in the name of their family members overseas to be used when they desert the country. They well know this is a totally failed military misadventure. Do you know many ex-armed forces men have got US Green cards in the past 10 years alone not to mention the PR’s in Australia and rights to stay in England? Also, if one were to believe govt statistics of LTTE casualties, the war should have been over long ago. Do you agree that govts here have taken the Sinhala majority on a ride?. The rulers including the higher ups in the armed forces become fatter and wealthier. The yakkos go without food and have no other option but to grin and bear the full burdens of the rapidly increasing CoL…. Don’t blame the diaspora. As human beings they feel for their suffering people – as you would for your own. Many in the diaspora have directly suffered enormously in the past few years and carry deep phycological wounds. They have the ways and means to get day to day accurate information of the suffering of the Tamil people. The laughable claims of Rambukkwella, Fernandopullei and Yapa are only to fool the Sinhalese ……
Answering your charge I say nothing against the suffering of the people in the Wanni, pls see my comments in many of the articles here and you will see where my sympathies lie…
And to your comments that you “deplore” my comments on LTTE/1983 you are a student now – admittedly, and still learning. The problem appears to be your teachers and the wrong history they feed you with. Young man! I repeat it was not the LTTE who attacked and killed the 11 (not 15) army men lead by Sub Lt Vaas Gunawardena at Tinnevely Junction in 7/83.. It was the TNT (Tamil New Tigers) under the command, I believe, of the late militant leader Sellakil. This is something which you must discuss and educate your teachers with. If you have access to Police archives, you will learn that the LTTE emerged much after 1983….. I am glad you and many other educated Sinhalese recognize it is the Sinhala state that had continuously committed crimes of against the Tamil people that gave birth to such monsters as the LTTE and drove the Tamils to the wall.
This truth was known to the International community long ago – although the JVP/JHU mercilessly attacked them for this.
And now wisdom comes to the Sinhalese – better late than never, as you would say…Finally, while I appreciate the conciliatory words in your comments, I regret the unfortunate threat therein “. .. if some 3rd party is to force such a division another black July – much much darker – than that of 1983 will be inevitable..” I am afraid here you are no different to those bogus Sinhala Buddhist patriots of 7/83. Your comments are nothing but a threat that the GoSL armed forces will descend on innocent Tamil women, children and civilians in case there is an incident – from whatever quarter. I am afraid I cannot condone such “heroism” and neither will a large number of decent Sinhalese. If the LTTE or anybody else for that matter attacks the GoSL armed forces the latter should – together with those many Sinhala heroes of the JVP/JHU/PNM shouting from here – go to the front and attack the LTTE. They must leave civilians – Tamil and others here – untouched. That is the way in which civilised armed forces and responsible societies are expected to behave. By the 7/83 experience brought great shame to this country and her people.This must never be repeated again.
Indian Tamil said,
February 29, 2008 @ 11:53 am
#19,Suresh M
Please name those who trust LTTE.Did we not pay heavily for the arrogance of LTTE.Infact,every major democracy has banned the SL Tamil representative.So you are paying the heavy price for their arrogance too.You donot seem to recognise the fact that ,it is LTTE’s arrogance which has alienated SL Tamil from the western powers.It is a coincidence that SL Tamils are present in the very same countries in large numbers.
I agree,Indian Tamils are to be blamed for smuggling in fuel,medicine for monetary benefits.Please read MK’s recent statement of LTTE arrests made in TN dealing with anti national activities. This will flare up with the support of LTTE side kicks such as nedu,thiruma and vaiko.They have no political followers and have nothing to lose.Ramadas and MK have lot to lose.Support to LTTE will make a mince meat of the political ambitions of Anbumani and Stalin .So they will just do lip service.
Please ignore subra and cho.They are like vaiko and thiruma.Empty rhetoric with no followers.Atleast vaiko and thiruma have 8 MLAs.These two poor gentlemen have none to follow.why waste time?
Yes.Selvi.Jaya has 64 MLAs and huge followers.