Government Too Needs A Sampanthan
Rasika Jayakody
Many claim that the reason behind the TNA’s resounding victory in the North is nationalistic inclination of Jaffna Tamils that was aroused to a large extent by pro-LTTE propaganda. Among the Sinhala community, a perception has already been created that Tamils, as a collective, have voted for the “nation”, while the Sinhalese are burying themselves in the mud pool of preferential votes.
The TNA’s victory in the North was not something unexpected. Everyone knew that the TNA would secure the power with a huge margin, probably with a two thirds majority. But many expected a keen contest between the TNA and the UPFA in some parts of Jaffna that were previously considered as EPDP strongholds. However, there was no competition whatsoever in the end and the election appeared to be a one horse race.
The TNA election campaign was cashed in on prevailing divisions and the election manifesto was clearly gravitated towards separatism. The need of an armed struggle was stressed at election rallies from time to time and incendiary speeches were made by top rung TNA leaders, including Wigneswaran, its Chief Ministerial candidate, from the outset of the campaign. Some candidates openly stated that they were seeking a mandate for ‘liberation’ and it was crystal clear that they were referring to the creation of a separate state. The TNA, throughout its election campaign, did not consider the 13th amendment even as the starting point of a political solution. Above all, territorial integrity of Sri Lanka was challenged, overtly and covertly, and that seemed to be the core message of almost all their speeches and slogans.Read More
Time To Unclench Fists, Hearts And Minds
By Malinda Seneviratne -September 29, 2013 |
Malinda Seneviratne
On May 14, 1976 the Tamil United Liberation Front passed a resolution in Vadukoddai (Batakotte). That document, describable as Tamil nationalism at its chauvinistic best, was voted on, in effect, on July 21, 1977. The TULF won 18 seats. Last Saturday, the political successor to the TULF, the Tamil National Alliance secured the Northern Provincial Council with a resounding majority. The election was preceded by the launch of a manifesto that was a virtual one-to-one of the Vadukoddai Resolution which, among other things, spurred Tamil youth to take up arms and precipitated an armed conflict that cost the nation and all communities, especially Tamils.
In hindsight both resolution-moment and election result in the seventies provided opportunities for all communities to revisit the ideas of nation and citizenship. Exaggeration of grievance and tall-order aspirations generated less hope than fear, but had statesmanship prevailed monumental losses incurred over the next 30 plus years could have been shelved.
There were other such opportunities, especially when the tsunami hit the island in December 2004. By that time, however, guns and bullets were the languages in vogue even in their largely reluctant mutations courtesy the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement (CFA).
The TNA’s victory last week comes in a post-conflict Sri Lanka. The guns have all gone silent. The nation has recovered in ways that most countries plagued by terrorism and war have not. Indeed, the TNA owes a big ‘thank you’ to the Government for clearing the way for elections. A quick visual of a 2013 September with the LTTE militarily intact would not exactly make anyone in the TNA, including C.V. Wigneswaran, salivate. In all likelihood, the ex-judge would have been enjoying his retirement in Colombo.Read More
