Sri Lanka: A Complete Loss Of Moral Imagination?
By Chandi Sinnathurai
07 June, 2010
Countercurrents.org
Now is the time to mend broken relationships and to build bridges between the Tamils and the Sinhalas. The grass roots will need to see the reality of peace translated in the most practical way. This is however not the time to cut under-hand deals with various sections of the Tamil community, including the "KP" factor, and go down the route of divide and rule. This lacks statesmanship but reflects more on the bad old ways of the post-colonial Sinhala politics and policies.
On the Tamil side, at home and particularly in the diaspora, the struggle has become a battle-ground for power and influence. Sadly, Things have boiled down to a "liberation industry." The fighters who have been on the forefront of the armed struggle are facing the dark side of the force of the law - there is hardly any one to represent them nor are there any one to voice for their human rights. They are simply dumped into the black hole of misery as "terrorists."
When you hear some bright-eyed, bushy-tailed axe-grinder speak of the Tamil struggle as a moral obligation of Tamils in the diaspora, you at once hear not the bleating of a lamb. Same is true of the Tamil political leadership in Sri Lanka. Of course, we have to work with what we have, you might say. Quite.
But do we have to work with those who have proved again and again that their interests is not in finding a permanent political solution for the Tamil question?
TNA [Tamil National Alliance - formerly known as 'tiger proxies' in Sri Lanka] is turning to India. But there is already a lot of friction within and there could well be a split in the alliance. It isn't clear whether the friction is ideological. The Tamil minister and former rebel [EPDP wing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eelam_People's_Democratic_Party ] Douglas Devananda is expecting to become the Chief Minister of the North. The much speculated government deal with "KP" [http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2009/2/39000_space.html] is an irritation to Douglas as well as to the former General Fonseka. There are of course, other forces who would like to try their luck to power.
What the Government might be expecting from all these deals is a glorious fudge. A cosmetic face-lift. Such a move can only be a product of a blinkered leadership. Whether the Tamils will get any thing tangible out of this wheeling and dealing? Or will an appearance of "Power sharing" be thrust upon them is a question that yields only superficial answers.
Mahinda Rajapaksha began his political career as a human rights lawyer. On sober reflection, he might listen to his instincts. There needs to be a greater vision that simply transcends racial, religious, language, caste, creed and party political barriers on both sides of the divide. All communities must have the integrity to uphold the moral imagination.
Both sides of the divide have a moral responsibility towards the people - whether they are Tamils or Sinhalas.
For the sake of humanity, and the sanctity of life, we cannot continue to rehearse and replay the past records, nurse our wounds and play the same old games. In order to win hearts and minds, to build bridges across and to be a reconciling community we need to imagine, dream, envision...People must feel safe to voice their opinions and determine their political future.
One can only hope that Rajapaksha will not squander this opportunity for a lasting peace
