Picture Yourself
By Chandi Sinnathurai
22 June, 2009
Countercurrents.org
Amidst the talk of peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka the plight of the Tamil population has hardly changed according to the British Channel 4 news report [Please see below video link]. To be fair, it must be said however, that none of the reports can be verified. Fear is looming large in the minds of the Tamils.
The Tamils in the IDP camps are suffering. Relatives are given only restricted access to these camps.
It is said, one can feel that there is a clear divide between the vanquished Tamils and the conquered Sinhalas. Such a context is contrary to what the President Rajapaksha was saying to the nation in Tamil. He considered the Tamils to be sons and daughters of the soil and not as minorities. Should this be the case, the ground reality ought to be different.
The West completely neglected the cry of the Tamils for a very long time. But, now, so very suddenly, the Western governments are seeing the pivotal role China is beginning to play in Sri Lanka as well as in the region. The beginning of the end of the uni-polar world is happening. Russia is strengthening its ties with Sri Lanka. And so are other countries. Suddenly, the Tamil issue is on the agenda of the Western media. This is not to say that its a bad thing. But sadly, end of the day, it is not the suffering of the people nor is it the altruistic concerns that are the driving forces. It is the ruthless and blatant Geo-politics and its mercantile instincts.
Having shed so much blood and having gone through terrible trauma Sri Lanka should by now ought to have learnt its lessons. Continuing to suppress the Tamil population is not going to help any one. Following the past of suspecting every Tamil to be a Tiger is a colossal error.
India is pushing for a federal solution and so is the defunct peace-broker Norway. The Tamil National Alliance [TNA] is showing signs of siding India. TNA has been the 'democratic' voice of Tigers for a considerable period and its credibility among the people is questionable. For now, one TNA Member of Parliament for Vanni has announced that he wishes to join with the Government. That's not surprising.
Noises are being made by a "faceless" group, aiming to replace the demised Tiger leadership that, they wish to form a Government-in-exile. Many are trying to fill the vacuum left by the Tamil Tigers. But this will primarily be an exilic community oraganisation lacking credible direct support of the suffering grass root Tamils in homeland. Perhaps, this group is trying to make the best out of the worst situation. At worst, it could just be a grand old talking shop. At best, it could make use of the mood-change in the West. Either way, can they get things done on the ground to alleviate the suffering of the Tamils is the Question?
Many Diaspora Tamils would be pondering on the pros and cons.
In the mean time, the reader may want to view the Channel 4 news video link:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/
bcpid1184614595?bctid=26637880001
