WikiLeaks: Govt. Promise Of Devolution Of Power To The Eastern Province Under The 13A Has Been Broken – US
July 2, 2013
“Local leaders stated that many Tamils want a change and were frustrated with a string of broken promises. According to the Catholic Bishop in Batticaloa (protect), the TMVP disarmed with the hope that its members would get jobs, but this has not happened. Provincial Council promises of development and employment have fallen short. The central government promise of devolution of power to the Eastern Province under the 13th Amendment has been broken. On the other hand, multiple interlocutors referred to General Fonseka,s war-time statement that the land belonged to the Sinhalese, and minorities should be satisfied with food and housing, as clear evidence that he would not support Tamil interests.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The ‘Secret’ cable discusses the situation the Eastern Province before the . The cable was written on December 22, 2009 by the US Ambassador to Colombo, Patricia A. Butenis.
Pillayan - would be difficult to wash his hands
Embassy officers visited Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts in the Eastern Province from December 13-16, 2009. In Batticaloa, officers met with Government Agent S. Arumainayagam, Mayor Sivageetha Prabhakaran, United National Party (UNP) Provincial Council member T.A. Masilamani, UN officials, a Catholic Bishop, the President of the local NGO Consortium and people who had returned from displacement. In Trincomalee, officers met with Governor of the Eastern Province, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema; Government Agent and District Secretary, Major General T.R.R. de Silva; Chief Minister Sivanesethurai Chandrakanthan (a.k.a. Pillayan); UNHCR, local human rights groups and returned IDPs.
The ambassador wrote; “Pillayan judged that returnees in Batticaloa would follow the TMVP,s lead and support the President, but that Trincomalee returnees were undecided. He expected that returnees would vote for those who assisted them or might spoil their vote. Asked directly whether the GSL’s sudden interest in IDPs would continue after elections, Pillayan’s colleagues acknowledged the concern with general nodding and nervous laughter. Pillayan answered that the President had made commitments to both the population and Ministers and ‘it would be difficult to wash his hands’ of them.”
“The UNP Council member had begun canvassing for Fonseka votes but noted that intimidation and lack of funds restricted the UNP’s campaigns in the East. One interlocutor pointed to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the one hope for Tamils because he had “proven himself once before” by signing the 2002 ceasefire as Prime Minister. None of the interlocutors had anything positive to say about General Fonseka himself, but focused on the need for change, the desire to break up Rajapaksa power, and Fonseka,s endorsement by the UNP.” Butenis further wrote.
Placing a comment Butenis wrote; “While commentators have eagerly speculated on the Tamil swing vote, many Tamil returnees in the East do not believe they have a true voice in Sri Lankan politics or governance. Any meaningful GSL move toward reconciliation in the East was conspicuously absent. The Eastern Province,s coastal areas and fertile land offer significant potential for development, but, if left unaddressed, Tamil disaffection could undermine progress.”
