After The UN Resolution What?
S. Sivathasan
For years together, three primary entities; UN, Tamils in Sri Lanka and outside and the Sri Lankan government more reactively than pro-actively were engaged in getting the Resolution passed. For plain sailing, sails were trimmed selectively. Now throwing the trimmings to the waves, vision needs to be riveted on navigation: direction, speed and avoidance of shoals. With UN surveillance, no shipwreck is anticipated. UN High Commissioner Zeid Al Hussein has inspired confidence as an able helmsman. With belief in ourselves and trust in the UN and the HC to be constant like the North Star, we can nurture a positive frame of mind.
What is Primary by the Tamils?
Recognizing that the phase of post war coldness is over after six years, the inevitable rebalancing act needs to be embarked upon. Stated, declared, emphasized and reiterated even ad nauseam, has been for the Tamil leadership to institute a ‘Think Tank’. To undertake studies immediately, to continue eternally, this mechanism is multi tasked. It has perforce to be multi- disciplinary. Drawing personnel from the world of scholarship, specialism and expertise is unavoidable.
Why this unprecedented step which will certainly be protracted? No hypothesis can be evolved or conclusion reached without studied analysis supported by statistics that are authentic and credible. Take just one area as a case in point:
- In 1971, the last year of credible population census, Sri Lankan Tamil population was: 11.22% of the nation’s total.
- In 2011, the latest population census, Sri Lankan Tamil population was: 11.15% of the nation’s.
- It is known thoroughly that in the 40 year period, emigrant Tamil population together with their natural increase is an estimated 900,000 (Nine lakhs) and no less.
- In the same 40 years, violent deaths of militants, their associates and those caught in between number an estimated 150,000 if not more.
- Tamil population in Sri Lanka depleted by 1.15 million in 2011, remains at the same level as in 1971 as per the report of the Department of Census and Statistics ie as endorsed by the government.
It is asserted by this writer that the census statistics are falsified. A challenge is thrown before anybody to establish otherwise.
Why this designed mischief? On such data are argued the statistics of killings (the rot of 7,000 deaths in the final phase against a probable 70,000 or more; so with ‘missing’ and ‘disappeared’; and to minimize Diaspora strength to a miniscule 0.07% or 14,000 in several countries in all continents. So the UN need not take the Diaspora seriously). What a travesty! Onus is upon the government to correct the falsification. No rigmarole will hold water.