Tamils:Vacant Voice In The Wilderness
By Chandi Sinnathurai
25 June, 2010
Countercurrents.org
The Ceylon Tamils in the North and East in Sri Lanka are no doubt going through a wilderness phase - not in terms of post-war development necessarily. But in terms of power politics. There is no credible voice who could stand up for their cause with intellectual integrity, moral weight and political acumen.
Within the diaspora of course, the West in particular, there are abundant voices who are clamouring to fill this vacancy. There are claims such voices have come to this 'filling-the-gap' process through democratic means. Many in the diaspora however, quietly see through such vanity and feel sick to the core. How can such groupings claim to be authentic voices of the Tamils when they have not been "Voted in" by the Tamils whom they claim to represent? It is undemocratic should the diaspora feel that they can manipulate the future of the Tamil citizens from a distance! It is principally faulty with a smack of hubris and lacks honesty.
The post-war Colombo administration is making every effort to be also the voice of Tamils. We are told a few captured LTTE leaders like "K P", V Balakumar and a handful of others have signed up to this project. No one knows the behind the scenes truth. For all its worth, it can simply be, at its best pure speculation or even a spin, at it's worse an art of distraction. But the important point is, Colombo is yet to gain the trust and support of the Tamil people. There is a long way to go. The matter of the IDPs need to be settled. Historically, the Sinhala leadership was notorious in going back on their promises.
Colombo must take note what the Tamils want is not token concessions. They want equal rights. A fair slice of the pie. They want to be governed by themselves within a central government set-up. They want development, modern hospitals, jobs, excellent centres of education, space for innovation etc. Some argue that first, there must be a political solution followed by development. President Rajapaksha seem to think that wiping-out of the Tamil Tigers has already brought in the political solution. The peace dividend that is currently experienced is the right time for development.
Evidently, the post-war phase has brought in a lot of division and fear among the Sinhalas. The former General Fonseka's matter has done a fair bit of damage even in the lines of caste especially among the Southern polity. One must however remember that Sarath Fonseka was not given the reins of power by the masses. Instead, the mass-appeal remains with Mahinda Rajapaksha. That is the reality. Hence, Colombo feels strong enough to resist UN intervention in its 'internal affairs.'
The Tamil voice that speaks on behalf of the Tamil citizens must be raised from its own soil by its own people. That ought to be the fundamental stance of the democratic world.
Other voices can of course, relish in their glorified lobbying pin-stripes and reap its reward. But no voices can equal the authentic voice of the suffering Tamils in Sri Lanka. Diaspora Circles ought to mind-the-Gap.
The authentic indigenous Tamil voice must dialogue with Rajapaksha. And speak truth to the power.
