Blowing Bubbles: [The situation of the Ceylon Tamils]
By Chandi Sinnathurai
19 June, 2010
Countercurrents.org
The war crimes accusations against the Rajapaksha regime are flying helter-skelter, while multi billion-dollar development deals are being signed and sealed between Sri Lanka and China. President Rajapaksha's recent state visit bagged such a deal with the subcontinent. These are seen to be strategically important deals with the emerging world powers in an increasingly a multi-polar world. The Rajapaksha regime in Colombo is employing the rhetoric of national reconciliation, restoration and reconstruction [3Rs]. But there is one crucial paradigm shift: These 3 Rs are thought through in terms of the whole south-east Asian region within the frame work of a multi-polar world. In this sense, Rajapaksha's thinking is certainly out-side-the-box. He cannot however escape the perennial Tamil question by token gestures. Rising above stringent "Sinhala only" constrictions and placing the Tamil Question in the global context, though it has to be sorted out internally is a given.
There are currently various out-side pressures including from the human rights industry, brought to bear on Colombo concerning its human rights record. Sadly, none of these are without mercantile interests. Intellectuals both diaspora Tamils and Sinhala et al; have raised their voices some what, but at the end of the day, intellectuals mainly are servants of some power-house. They have their own axes to grind. On the other hand, organic intellectuals of calibre and moral standing have for most part have kept them selves out. There could be valid reasons for such a stance. Multitude of ding-dongs have sounded their hollow sounds. Rajapaksha however has understood the ball game in the great scheme of things: the strategic placing of Sri Lanka in the Big Picture. The US, the EU have all got their eye on the ball. Norway has been given the red card by Colombo and it has lost its credibility as a peace broker. None of them are really concerned about human rights abuses nor are they willing to give 'two hoots' to the struggle of the Tamils. That is the reality of global politics. To think otherwise is to hoodwink the masses.
The diaspora Tamil organisations, and the so-called Tamil Transnational Government are trying their bit by lobbying Western capitals. Whether the Ceylon Tamils who are currently citizens of the homeland have given these diaspora camps a legitimate mandate is a question problematic! Clearly in any democratic set up it is the citizens of the land who decide upon their future. No out side force can throw at them a one-size-fit-all formula.
Tamils globally can make an impact by bringing awareness but whether they can influence the internal affairs of Sri Lanka is totally another matter. Tamils in India have lent their ardent support to the Tamil struggle. Sadly, they could not even influence their own state government, let alone the Central government! This is of course not to underestimate the power of mass support. But it also must not lose wider perspective.
What Rajapaksha regime ought to have understood by now is that this Tamil National Question has to be politically settled in order to have wholesome 3R's. What is so wrong in divesting governing powers to the Tamils and recognising them as a "distinct nation" within Sri Lanka? If President Rajapaksha's logic is that there are no minorities in Sri Lanka then, in the same breath, recognising a distinct society with its own ancient culture, language, religion is not an alien concept, is it?
It is utterly shameful when one reads comments from some that the Ceylon Tamils must return to India. Such individuals must still grope in the dark ages. Those who realise that we are in the 21st century must therefore accommodate fresh ideas and creative solutions.
The Sinhala masses have to be re-educated and weaned out of archaic racist theories. It is the politicians who prefer their voters to be shackled to the past...In this way they can always play the racist card and play on the fear psychosis of the masses and win the race.
The moment the masses begin to think out-side-the-box that'll be the day of Independence.
