Tamil National Alliance -A Sinking Ship
Kumarathasan Rasingam
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was formed with the blessings of Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader late Pirabhakaran in 2002. While LTTE was engaged in armed resistance, TNA was mooted to agitate peacefully among the Tamils ,and in the Parliament to draw the attention and support of the International Community. TNA also supported the LTTE’s goal of a separate state which was mandated in the General Election of 1977 following the historical Vaddukoddai Resolution in May 1976 sponsored by the late leader SJV Chelvanayakam.
During the genocidal war between LTTE and Sri Lankan Government [2006-2009] TNA struck to four demands of Tamils which were placed for negotiations in the Thimpu talks in 1985 in Bhutan between United National Party and Tamil representatives.
Even during the height of the war, TNA leader Sampanthan in the Parliament in 2008 made the following principled correct statement emphatically and with just anger.
“Minorities in Sri Lanka Tamils and Muslims feel that they have a place in Sri Lanka as long as they are compelled to fall in line and be slaves within a Sinhalese identity and within the contour of Sinhalese nationalism”.
The war between the LTTE and Sri Lanka’s Security Forces was ended by the Sri Lankan Government in 2009 with the military, logistical support, assistance and encouragement provided by 22 countries who justified the means to end it with genocide without taking into account, the root causes of war, the 60 year legitimate sufferings and grievances of Tamils from 1948. The brutal war harvested genocidal crimes, which were ignored by United Nations, UN Security Council and International Community who closed their eyes and ears to the crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Geo-politics and military interests prevailed over universal human rights.
The victorious Sri Lankan Government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa won the elections who ruled as president until 2015 when he was defeated unexpectedly due to dictatorial family rule, corruption, abuse of power, financial fraud, political vendetta etc.
TNA during the rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa could not raise its voices without fearing for their lives and security. As usual, Rajapaksa dangled the carrot and stick policy to cajole and dump the TNA after holding several deceptive empty round of talks with TNA who fell for the trap and tantrums of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa brought new hopes for Tamils who were determined to bring down Mahinda Rajapaksa who inflicted the worst crimes and sufferings for the Tamils. The “Good Governance” of Ranil Wickermesinghe and Maithiripala Sirisena was seen as a light at the end of the tunnel.
TNA wholeheartedly supported the “Good Governance” and went all out to endorse the Government’s programs including the ‘budget’ which allocated increasing funds for defense including Security Forces. TNA leader Sampanthan became the leader of the opposition which was also the liking of Ranil/Maithiri Government. By this step the “Good Governance” devalued and stultified the constructive opposing role of the position of an opposition leader who is supposed to voice the opposition for measures and shortcomings affecting the people as a whole. However, opposition leader is yet to play the role of opposing and/or criticizing the Government’s failings particularly breach of promises to Tamils and International Community, United Nations, UN Human Rights Council [UNHRC] etc. including corruption, nepotism, and financial wrong doings.
