Tamil Homeland In United Sri Lanka
By S. Narapalasingam –March 13, 2016
Dr S. Narapalasingam
The beautiful and harmonious island in the Indian ocean, known as Ceylon at the time of independence in 1948 and renamed ‘Sri Lanka’ in 1972 is to have another constitution soon, the fourth since independence. It is vital to know fully what happened since independence that destroyed the unity of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation depriving peace and significant national development that relegated it below other developing countries like Singapore with regard to average per capita income and living conditions for majority of citizens. During the early years of independence, Ceylon was a model that the past leaders of these countries now relatively more advanced were keen to emulate.
The main aim of this article at the present critical time for all concerned about the future of Sri Lanka, when another constitution for the conflict-ridden State is being considered is to draw attention to the past failures, in constituting a suitable governing system that recognises the ground realities, particularly the diverse dwelling pattern of the different ethnic communities since ancient time. This is vital for ensuring voluntarily the unity of the people in the multi-ethnic island, with some regions having largely Tamil residents although nationwide they are the main ethnic minority. This diverse dwelling pattern was not imposed by foreign invaders. It was only after Britain captured the entire island, all the regions under different rulers were administered centrally from Colombo. This was done for the convenience of the British government without interfering with the traditional dwelling pattern of the Sinhalese and Tamils in the captured island.
By the way, the upcountry Tamils descendants of the manual workers from south India brought in during British rule to work in the plantation sector have contributed immensely to Sri Lanka’s export of tea and rubber which helped to enhance the island’s import capacity. Many commodities vital for meeting the daily needs of the population are not produced locally either in adequate amounts or not at all. It is paradoxical for a section of the ‘socialist’ country’s hardworking population to be considered as second class citizens. The caste system that is blatantly visible, particularly in the North is also unacceptable in the 21st century. Many societies in the developed world got rid of it a long time ago.
Many Sri Lankans (including some Sinhalese) have settled recently in foreign affluent countries, far away from Sri Lanka because of the calamities that occurred in the island nation after independence, dimming hope of bright future for themselves and their children. They expect to live securely with promising future for their children and grandchildren in their new habitats.
The regionally diverse dwelling pattern exists in many other multi-ethnic countries in the developed and developing world. The democratic system there is not branded either unitary or federal. The residents live cordially without racial or religious discrimination. One stable country with ethnically diverse regions is Great Britain. Scotland which is in Britain is the traditional homeland of the Scottish people. Those who live there have not abandoned this attachment. Their ancestors like the English migrated to other countries. For example, the Australians, Americans and Canadians whose ancestors came from Britain do not consider their homeland is England or Scotland. Why should the Tamils living in Sri Lanka for centuries consider their homeland is Tamil Nadu in south India?
