Sri Lanka: Is the International Community really concerned about civilians caught in the war?
By Raj Gonsalkorale
The LTTE has trapped thousands of civilians in the no fire zone in the small pocket of land in the North East of Sri Lanka. This land mass is reportedly only about 3 square kilometers. The international community estimates the number of civilians there to be more than 50,000. It is assumed they are not counting the LTTE cadres there, although one is entitled to wonder how they are doing this unless the LTTE are wearing their uniforms to distinguish them from the civilians. If this number is accurate, then these trapped civilians probably only have standing space in this small pocket of land.
Then, there are over 200,000 internally displaced persons according to Sri Lankan government estimates. The international community claims they are in poor shape.
This concerned international community however has failed to acknowledge that those who are trapped in the no fire zone and held as human shields by the LTTE, and those in IDP camps, who managed to flee the LTTE, are all there because of one entity, the LTTE.
The concerned international community continues to call for a ceasefire, when all they have to do to get that ceasefire is to demand in unison that Prabakaran and the LTTE give up their military/terrorist war, and lay down their arms. The ongoing failure to do so has highlighted the double standards of the international community, and it has given a new lease of life to terror groups that if they are able to articulate their case with some sophistication, bribes to politicians, feed media organizations with misinformation and leading INGOs like how the LTTE has done, and hood wink the international community, then they could convince them that terrorism is an acceptable means to an end.
If the LTTE lays down their arms, there will be an automatic ceasefire and then the 50,000 or so trapped civilians can then go to temporary IDP camps, and along with the rest of 200,000 or so in existing camps be looked after until conditions are right for them to return to their homes. The Sri Lankan government has already begun a resettlement program, although admittedly it will take some time to resettle close to 300,000 people who may end up in IDP camps.
If they are so concerned about the plight of the IDPs, besides making world press headlines and falling over each other to claim the mantle of the most concerned country amongst nations, especially Western nations, the international community should put money where their mouth is and assist these hapless civilians, initially to have a better life in the IDP camps, then to be resettled in their homes.
If the international community ends their triage against the Sri Lankan government and chooses to do something more meaningful for those they are concerned about, they only have to abide by a basic temporary rule set by the Sri Lankan government.
This rule is that the IDP camps have to be contained and guarded by the military for the safety of the residents, inside and outside, as the government is determined to make sure LTTE elements outside do not try to harm those civilians inside and LTTE elements inside, do not go out and harm civilians outside.
No doubt the Sri Lankan government would welcome assistance from the concerned international community to help these civilians as long as they abide by the above mentioned basic rule.
It will be interesting to know how many of this headline grabbing nations have contributed in cash and kind to help the civilians they are so concerned about. Although the Sri Lankan government is doing its best to make these IDP camps as comfortable as possible to the residents, the challenge to manage so many of them and more to come, is a monumental task for the government. The conditions in some camps no doubt could be improved substantially and this is where the international community could help.
The international community also seems to be assuming that the Sri Lankan government and its people are not concerned about the civilians trapped in the no fire zone and civilians in the IDP camps.
The war would have ended before the 4th of February 2009 if the Sri Lankan government was not concerned about its own citizens who the LTTE thought fit to hold as human shields. It is an insult to Sri Lankans if any section of the international community thinks that Sri Lankans are not concerned about their own citizens. Sri Lanka has battled the LTTE because they are concerned about its citizens. They have done so in order to allow peace loving people who believe in democracy to discuss and find a solution to a conflict that is decades old, but which a group of terrorists have reversed the gains made over the years.
Sri Lankans, in particular Tamils, should ask themselves whether they are better off in Sri Lanka today than say 1976, when Prabakaran killed his first known victim by assassinating Mr Alfred Durraiappah, the Mayor of Jaffna. They should ask themselves whether their cause has been advanced by over 30 years of terrorism. Those who argue that the LTTE is a product of the cause and not the cause should ask themselves then why they allowed the product to take precedence over the cause considering that the cause has not advanced any further since 1976, although the product had advanced to a multimillion dollar international business enterprise dealing in illicit drugs, gun running, extortion and contract killings.
They should also ask themselves whether the cause it self was realistic and in tune with the collective sentiments and sensitivities of Sri Lankans considering that it has failed to move many Tamils living in Sri Lanka who have chosen to leave the clutches of the LTTE and live amongst their fellow citizens outside their so called home land.
The Sinhala people on the other hand must also ask themselves whether their decisions to abrogate all agreements entered into by Governments of the day with the Tamil political leadership of the day since 1956 has been wise. They need to ask themselves whether it has been a penny wise pound foolish attitude to have rejected these agreements since 1956, and allowed a mole hill to become a mountain, not just a mountain, but a volcanic one at that.
As much as Tamils need to do some soul searching to question the validity or the relevancy of the cause, especially in the age of the Global Village we live in today, Sinhala people also must reciprocate and search their souls to better understand the fundamentals of the Tamil cause, and work towards a collective agreement that is acceptable to all sides.
No doubt lack of economic development contributed in large measure to making the Tamil cause bigger than what it may have been, and conversely, accelerated economic development will help to diffuse the magnification of this cause, and allow everyone to see it for what it really might be.
However, what even economic development will not be able to address are the dents made in the Tamil persons pride and self respect, by being made to feel second class citizens, especially in the two decades from the early fifties. This is not however irreversible and it requires a political strategy alongside an economic strategy to restore that lost sense of dignity and pride of the Tamil psyche.
Some Sinhalese people might question this and pretend or ignore such a thing exists. They are no doubt entitled to think so. However, if one does not face up to reality, the end result would be like having a temporary dressing over a wound without attending to the wound. That wound will fester, and it might well lead to unwanted repercussions later on.
A political strategy that recognizes the need to have checks and balances in political governance at the centre that would prevent discriminatory policy development at the centre, coupled with a realistic degree of devolution to the periphery could be the foundations of such a political strategy.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Totally agree with the
Totally agree with the writer. All Sri Lankans are concerned about the trapped civilians. International Community is completely wrong in throwing stones at the GOSL. As the writer stated clearly, this war could have been over several months ago, if the GOSL did not care about the civilians.
International community is completely wrong in asking for a ceasefire. It is a totally meaningless exercise. What happens after the ceasefire? Will that eliminate terrorism? Definitely no. It has been tried before. International community, particularly the western nations are resorting to this meaningless approach of "ceasefire" that we consider as extending the menance rather than a solution to the problem.
If they choose to do something more meaningful to get the civilians released and remove the menacing terrorism from the island, we all join hands with the Western nations.
Tamil Diaspora are equally guilty. They have done nothing but dancing in the streets of western capitals and major cities carrying terrorist flags. They have used their influence with western leaders to act in this meaningless ways.
In fact many westerners are realising that Tamils in those countries have become a menace to them. We in Sri lanka cannot assist the westerners now. We hope they settle their problems as they see fit.
Meanwhile, there is no point in sending delegations to Sri lanka. The tools are in the hands of the West. They can pressurise LTTE through their loyal Tamil lobby groups in their countries to release the civilians and take a democratic path leading to peace. Failure of the Western Government to do this little will always be remembered by the little Sri lankan people.
It is time for the leaders of the West to show their ability. We will ever be grateful, if peace is brought to Sri lanka by these Western leaders.
Hope they stop coming to Sri lanka because there is very little that GOSL can do except to fight the war on terror.
Sarath It is clear that
Sarath
It is clear that since the day that civilians trapped in the no fire zone began to flee in to safer area. Sri Lankan armies had taken care of them until they were sent to IDP camps and now again it is the Sri Lankans mainly the Sinhalese and Muslims who have collected various goods ranging from food to all other household items and distributed and are being distributed to the Tamil civilians who live in IDP camps. Now where is Tamil Diaspora or other Tamils who staged protest rallies and marches saying that they were very much concerned about their own people? Everybody in Sri Lanka wishes to know how much have they contributed to the survival of those innocent people who were exploited and still being exploited by LTTE and its supporters who especially reside in UK, USA, Canada, Norway and other countries. In words, they highly talk and show to the international community that there is no any other community like Tamils who are very much worried about the state of ID people jut to draw their attention and receive compassion, but in action, they are no so, no one from this highly affected group has come forward to help a single displaced civilian, instead they still try to mislead the certain western powers by publishing technically modified scenes and photos of war atrocities committed either by themselves or by some other country in their 99.9% bogus website 'Tamil Net' and proving this sort of news to BBC which can be termed as the official clarinet of LTTE next to Tamil net and Al Jazeera TV, another TV channel which is always ready to publish any news item with no responsibility of its accuracy for their mere survival.
The writer had articulated
The writer had articulated the current situation quite correctly. The international community should start assisting the GOSL to feed the IDP and contribute their might to help them to re-settle. They also should pressurise the LTTE to give up arms and surrender. The concern for Tamil civilians will immediately go away as soon as LTTE give up arms and join the democratic political process.
Japan & India are whole
Japan & India are whole heartedly with Sri Lanka(SL) now. UK & US are still on the fence! (Kotta Uda). France, Norway are with LTTE still!. Who cares freinds? If King Dutu Gemunu could defeat Ellara, Mahinda with Goatabhaya, with the full support of our SL Armed Forces will show the World how we kept our National Esteem (Jathi Arlaya) for over 2800 yrs, when the UK, US etc. were living in Caves. Just hang on for few more days! Gamini
A well balanced article by
A well balanced article by Raj as usual. The writer asks sinhalas to do soul-searching. I can speak for myself.
As a boy I was ashamed if I heard ridiculing or villification of Tamils. Today you see very little if any of this.
I was ashamed that there were Sri Lankan Tamil residents without citizenship. This has been corrected.
I was sympathetic to the Tamil language. This has acquired official status.
I was ashamed most of all for the assaults on innocent Tamils. This has not happened since 1983.
I was taught to blame SWRD for all the tension between Sinhala and Tamils. Or JRJ for going on marches. Or Dudley for reneging on agreement with SJV.
I asked Tamil friends to consider that we are of the same blood. I was answered that they were from aristocratic background of South India (I don't know what that made me).
Years later after having decided that it is better to give Tamils half the country (or at least Jaffna) if they really believe themselves to be different, I realised one day that they are my people too when my heart spontaneously ached hearing about child-abductions. Then I resolved that we should free our people. They have now been largely freed.
In the meantime I have read a bit more history:
Eelam call came in 1919-20.
Universal Franchise opposed in the 1920's by Tamil leaders.
50-50 proposed (meant 50% seats to minorities and 50% for open election -i.e. sinhala+any minority candidates) in the 1940's
Tamil State party founded in late 1940's which proposed separate Eelam in 1955.
SWRD brings in native languages act to oust English. This is in line with linguistic regions proposed by Nheru in the same year.
SJV and Sunderalingam (among others) oppose Native Languages Act in conjunction with the Social Disabilities Act (including reasonable use of Tamil)and persuade SWRD to include reservation of arable land in the East to Tamil speakers (in the guise of opposing "colonisation" by Sinhalas- How do you colonise one's own country?)
JRJ marches to prevent the agreement between SWRD and SJV (saves the earlier onset of Eelam).
Federal Party members threaten to walk out (in the 1960's) if Tamil children are not segregated from sinhala children (Tamil kids in the south were attending sinhala-medium schools).
Temple entry riots in Jaffna+ recognition of Tamilnadu state (1968)
Vaddakkodai Resolution 1976.
The list goes on from here on.
Reading these truths has made me angry. Angry that I have foolishly believed propaganda villifying Sinhala people and Sinhala leaders. The duplicity of Tamil leaders and their aim (along with some English speaking Sinhalas) to maintain the elitist position they (the Vellalar Christians) had in the Colonial Ceylon became evident.
The time to ask the sinhalas to soul search is over. We have been soul searching since 1956 when we were asked to be ashamed of learning in our mother tongue and for expecting the language of the land to be sinhala. We have compromised and compromised to the point that one president was willing to give 10 years unfettered dominance over the north and east to a terrorist leader.
Well, guys like me who would have gone along with all that at one time, have had enough. Especially, living in foreign countries, we can see more clearly now the injustices that have been perpetrated on all Sri Lankans in the name of pleasing one minority.
Well those days are over. It is time that Sri Lanka became one country for all Sri Lankans. All citizens should be able to go anywhere, live any place and be treated equally by any official in this fare land whether they are Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Gay, Hetero, Male, Female or Transsexual. In a country which does not recognise divisions such as Goyigama, Karawa, Salagama etc. A country which no longer needs to practice affirmative action as sufficient numbers from all walks of life have access to education and opportunities. A country where there is no discriminatory laws such as Thesavallamai restricting land holding by people labelled low caste.
A lot of pondering &
A lot of pondering & arguments as to the attitude of the west towards Sri Lanka. To me its very clear. Very simply, for a lot of reasons, they favor an EELAM rather than a united Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: Is the
Sri Lanka: Is the International Community really concerned about civilians caught in the war?
The answer,
NO!!! This is an astounding " NO".
(Except for a few countries) IC is only responding to the protests in their countries. After all the constiuents in the electoral ridings must be kept happy.
They all are indifferent to the tamils suffering, see the Srilankan issue as a fighting for the land OR
as a trible war in their former colony.
Arrogant Millipede is a good example.
As I always said they deserve two fingers.
My question is how many of
My question is how many of the so-called international community gave money to help the government.I read everyday that these so- called community is going to grant this much/pledged this much/approved this much etc.But how many of them actually gave the money to help.
Milliband even promised some money last week but when will this come in the physical form is the questions.
However ,Mr.Akashi has made a great point he has stated that it was heartwarming to see mostly sinhalese are collecting food and money to the IDPs.First ever claim by an international dignitary that the sinhalese and the south are actually doing something to help.
West is good at talking and to release a statement,that is all that they are good at.
One more thing sinhalese are inclusive in their thinking not like tamils who do not include thier own due to cast issues.
Sri lanka is lucky as to have generous people who willlingly give anything and everything to the others which comes with the religion I guess.
But you should come to this part of North America where nobody cares a S.... for others.These are the very people who come to us to teach how to resolve our conflict apperantly the conflict is here not out there.
In addition to the soul
In addition to the soul searching suggested by the author, every Sinhalese must ask itself, “what should I do to make my Tamil and Muslim friends feel like truly equal citizens? What kinds of changes are needed to the nation’s political systems to ensure that our (majority’s) naturally greater political power is checked so that it cannot unfairly violate / discriminate against minorities basic rights? What kinds of changes are needed in the nation’s social systems, such as the education system, to ensure that minorities are respected and cherished as equal citizens with dignity in a just society? What kinds of changes are required to cultivate fair and equal attitudes by us towards minorities? What kinds of changes are required to the nation’s national symbols so as to give an equitable place to them also? What kinds of reforms are required in the Constitution to give their religions also an equal status or perhaps change the national constitution to be religion-neutral? How can I help create a new national identity that integrates all Lankans as a single unified people devoid of ethno-religious labels – perhaps leveraging on those strengths / bonds common to all communities? How can I make our Tamil, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Burger and other friends feel that this tiny island is as much their home, their homeland, their refuge – as equally as that of mine, and not an iota less? How can I assure their safety and security?”
At the same time, every Tamil, Muslim and other minority citizen must ask itself, “despite the wide imbalances I have had to endeavor in the past, what should I do to reach out to my Sinhalese friends to ensure them that I am in no way a threat to their race? What do I have to do to prove my allegiance is primarily to the Sri Lankan nation as opposed to Tamil Nadu or elsewhere? What do I have to do to help evolve a national identity devoid of ethno-religious labels? What do I have to do to prove that I am fully committed to building a unified prosperous nation where every individual is equally empowered, valued, and cherished?”
Persistent self-examination along similar questions may perhaps liberate us from the shackles of parochial behaviors and hopefully, enlighten us to build a just and prosperous nation.
I would say RULE OF LAW
I would say RULE OF LAW gives EQUALITY, EQUITY,RESPECT for everyone.
Laws have to be enacted that ensures MERIT in any field to be properly assessed and rewarded.
1. "what should I do to make my Tamil and Muslim friends feel like truly equal citizens?"
----Legally ALL Sri Lankans are identical to each other.The state makes no distinction in this regard in the legal system
2.What kinds of changes are needed to the nation’s political systems to ensure that our (majority’s) naturally greater political power is checked so that it cannot unfairly violate / discriminate against minorities basic rights?----->
THIS IS THE ISSUE WE MUST PUT ALL OUR EFFORTS TO FIND THE ANSWER TO.
3."How can I help create a new national identity that integrates all Lankans as a single unified people devoid of ethno-religious labels – perhaps leveraging on those strengths / bonds common to all communities? How can I make our Tamil, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Burger and other friends feel that this tiny island is as much their home, their homeland, their refuge – as equally as that of mine, and not an iota less? How can I assure their safety and security?”||||>>>>>>SIMPLE ANSWER IS RULE OF LAW.
May You Live Long and Prosper
I can agree the most of the
I can agree the most of the content, but there are few points that need to be clarified.
First, I totally agree with the writer's openion on the "International community"
But as a sinhalese, I always feel,
What is the social barrier in Sri Lanka that prevent tamil peoples' rights to learn, do good jobs to earn, to do politics as their wish? The answer is nothing. Any tamil(even the LTTE supporters)can hold any of the higher positions in Sri Lanka and even to do any struggle in Parliment(See how the TNA LTTE carders behave in Parliament). All of them benefit from free education in the country(even Praba's children were also befitted). Our constitution has not laid any restrictions to Tamils, they can go to any court for their rights (there are ample of NGO s to help them as well).
Many people speak on the the poor living standards of Hill country Tamils, But they are lucky enough that they all are having a permanent job to earn and they are provided with houses to live in(though they are very poor quality). Nobody speaks about Sinhala people who commit suicide due to starvation in Monaragala or Horowpathana. The ultimate truth is Sinhala or Tamil, all suffering from the same economical problems, nothing related to their race.
Most of the Sinhalese fear to accept that this is a Sinhala Buddhist country, But the truth is it is so. Every country in this world has a dominant race and a religion that nourishes the race to become a nation. Has anybody argued on the Crosses in Britten's national Flag or the flags of Scandinavian countries (or in another words "Democratic Paradises"). Will prince Charles become the King of UK, in front of the Mahanayaka thero of London Buddhist Temple, instead of The Archbishop of Catebury?
Anyway, Sinhalese being the dominant nation in Sri Lanka, still they are the people at the receiving end.
Sri Lanka is a Sinhala - Buddhist country, the great history, values, traditions and ancient ruins provide the evidences. But anybody belong to any race can live in Sri Lanka with harmony, and can gain all the benifits that are benefited by Sinhalese.
NOBODY SPOKE ON THE RIGHTS OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT SIHALESE WHO DIED DUE TO TAMIL TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.
TIME HAS COME TO BREAK THE SHUTTERS!!!!!
Leaving aside all past
Leaving aside all past follies committed by previous GOvernments/Leaderships, let us ask the following questions
a) What have been legally & constitutionally denied to Tamils?
b) The aspiration for a separate state is it due to the fact that the Tamils cannot live with the Sinhalese or do Tamils actually desire a separate state?
c) If Tamils desire a separate state irrespective of the bogus discrimination charge..it means that even with the military defeat of the LTTE the problem remains totally unsolved & we have been running around the mulberry bush
d) if Tamils do desire a separate state....what is the reaction of the world?
e) Sri Lanka has been used as a platform to veil other strategic initiatves veiled beneath the LTTE for almost 30 years....
f) If we are to move ahead as a country the Tamil people must now come out of their hiding & be honest to themselves
g) Has the Tamils in general suffered a downward living....not those living outside of the North & now the East since 2008....therefore where has been the discriminiation. If Tamils have not developed in the North the fault lies with the LTTE & Tamil Diaspora - The DIaspora used the LTTE to enable them to better their lives, bring across their families & made sure SRi Lanka suffered enough violence to enable them to becoem 800,000 living overseas (this is out of 2,4million Tamils in Sri Lanka)
Shenali
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