At A Time Like This…
By Chandi Sinnathurai
24 June,
2008
Countercurrents.org
Much talk is circulating once again, about pressure being put upon Sri Lankan state to go for rounds of peace talks with the Tamil Tigers. It could be seen on the surface as good news. But, when you look at recent history of talks and its utter failure to achieve any thing, makes one think twice if not suspicious of the whole process. On the other hand, unceasing war is neither a best option. What makes one pensive however, is to witness the consuming passion of the Sinhala State to demand for the Tamil defence system to dismantle and disarm. Such a gesture and posture might kick start the talks. Its like putting the cart before the horse. When the bargaining power is gone what is there left for the Tamils. Crumbs under the Table?
Tamils can’t be that daft. Suffering in the hands of the Sinhala state has taught them valuable lessons. Peace at what cost? Not at the expense of human dignity, nation pride and self-worth. Not at all.
Whoever wanting to “mediate” the conflict resolution initiative
must ask the fundamental question: Why the oppressed are oppressed?
Tamils are not oppressed just because they chose to take up arms.
Taking of arms is a result of continuing oppression.
Now, how do we root out the oppression of Tamils? This simple question will enlighten the path of liberation. The answer does not lie in rooting out or snuffing out the liberation movement. Even if the State managed to do it, for argument sake, that will not annihilate the movement towards liberation.
So, stop all silliness of empty rhetoric.
Sinhala regimes have tried and failed in their militaristic misadventures. Of course, it has killed off thousands of innocent Tamils, and so were the state-sponsored pogroms. But none of it has convincingly sorted out the national question.
It is utterly irresponsible and opportunistic for some one to lash out in verbal abuse by encouraging every Sinhala person to arm themselves against Tamils. That is despicable diplomacy bent on genocide. Such an arrogant view must be dislodged from the Sinhala hegemonic mind.
Tamils must self-determine in no uncertain terms.
Do they want a hoodwinking peace-process or an honest conflict resolution?
And the Sinhala state will be lost in translation.
