“A good political solution should have the support of the political majority in Sri Lanka devoid of racial divisions, north-south divisions and dry-zone-wet-zone divisions. Such a solution need not be drafted amidst curfews, talked in secrecy and implemented forcibly. People will demand the implementation of such a solution."by Thomas Johnpulle
(October 26, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Most rebellions had a two pronged solution; one military and one political. It was not the case that when one fails the other gathered momentum. On the contrary, both processes proceeded complimenting each other albeit at different times. No political solution can solve a terrorist problem and no military victory can suppress the ethnic problem. Although this is too obvious, a lot of people do not see the obvious when faced with difficult situations! It was not just war that Sri Lanka had with the LTTE and Tamil aspirants.
There were wars, ceasefires, cessations of hostilities, peace talks, stalemates and various other fruitless endevours in the attempt to bring peace. Peace which means law and order for all intends and purposes evaded this island nation. As long as there are non-state actors not obedient to state authorities carrying guns, bombs, mortars, artillery, explosive laden planes, boats and trucks around, there is no conducive environment for a political solution.
There were wars, ceasefires, cessations of hostilities, peace talks, stalemates and various other fruitless endevours in the attempt to bring peace. Peace which means law and order for all intends and purposes evaded this island nation. As long as there are non-state actors not obedient to state authorities carrying guns, bombs, mortars, artillery, explosive laden planes, boats and trucks around, there is no conducive environment for a political solution.
LTTE must be in it for any solution to work
Negotiating a political solution without the LTTE is a complete waste of time. Ultimately it is the LTTE that is in control of terrorism in Sri Lanka and it must end its terror campaign for any kind of resolution. LTTE has shown its incapacity to come for a political solution. Unlike the IRA and Sinn Fein where the political wing is in charge of the military wing, LTTE controls its clownish political wing. The legendary political head of the LTTE used to threaten bloodbaths! So much about the value LTTE places on political negotiations. Sri Lanka has set up a world record with the sheer number of political solutions. However, even with the compulsion of the fourth largest army in the world, LTTE refused to come into the political mainstream. LTTE cannot be trusted for serious political agreements. The time has long passed when democratically elected Sri Lankan leaders ran after the LTTE and Tamil political parties with political solutions as offerings. Those who need a solution most must seek it, prepare a conducive environment for that and be ready to accept it when it comes. The tiger leader once said that he should be killed if he drops the Tamil Elam demand. Simply put it, only dead tigers compromise.
Those who rejected all previous political solutions now demand them. Hilarious! What guarantee is there that any new political solution will be any ‘better’ than previous ones?
The ‘southern consensus’ nonsense
Whenever political solutions were drafted political and ideological differences in the ‘south’ surged. This is a very healthy symptom in a functioning democracy. However, if the political majority is against a proposed solution, it is undemocratic to implement it. There is complete consensus in the ‘south’ to devolve administrative powers within a unitary state but there is no northern consensus for it. Similarly there is enormous southern consensus for the war that all three major political parties exploit for their advantage! There is absolutely no reason why the ‘south’ should suppress its political demands just to please the ‘north’ and that will not happen.
A good political solution should have the support of the political majority in Sri Lanka devoid of racial divisions, north-south divisions and dry-zone-wet-zone divisions. Such a solution need not be drafted amidst curfews, talked in secrecy and implemented forcibly. People will demand the implementation of such a solution.
There’s no political solution to address Tamil aspirations
A good political solution should have the support of the political majority in Sri Lanka devoid of racial divisions, north-south divisions and dry-zone-wet-zone divisions. Such a solution need not be drafted amidst curfews, talked in secrecy and implemented forcibly. People will demand the implementation of such a solution.
There’s no political solution to address Tamil aspirations
It must be accepted by all parties to a future political solution that there can be no political or negotiated solution that can satiate Tamil aspirations. Tamil aspirations are the acceptance of Tamil homeland(s), Tamil nationality and Tamil right of self-determination. The moment these are entertained, Sri Lankan national interests are jeopardised. There is little sense in breaching the aspirations of over 85% of the population just to satisfy the aspirations of 15% of the population. It is totally against democratic principles. Over 85% Sri Lankans are vehemently against entertaining these Tamil aspirations even in part and hence any political solution that satisfies Tamil aspirations ceases to be political. That would be an enforced ‘solution’ which will eventually be squashed by the people. A political solution, for it to continue, must encompass aspirations and wishes of most Sri Lankans. Unless the Sinhalese and the Muslims gain anything from a political solution, they will never support it. For them to gain, let alone not to lose anything, the political solution must be within Sri Lankan national interests which in turn is incompatible with Tamil aspirations. This is the unpalatable truth about political solutions.
However grievances of all citizens especially Tamils must be addressed. The specialization is only due to the fact that Tamils suffered most due to riots, discriminatory policies and conduct of governments.
War is part of the political solution!
War is a practical necessity. Sri Lankans need this war to live and work in their villages, have access to resources throughout the country, enjoy the Constitutional rights awarded to them and save their way of life. Notably this round of war started in 2006 when LTTE terrorists advanced their genocide theory to Mavil Aru after they succeeded in the north. If not for the violent military response which included heavy artillery fire, aerial bombardments, counter terrorism operations (some may be controversial) and continued military operations, tens of thousands of people would have lost their lands and livelihoods. The same can be said about Welioya, Muttur, Manirasakulam, Kathankudi, Valachchenai and Trincomalee. The military solution has delivered results in this regard. Not even the Norwegians could do that!
Of course, war has reduced the rights of a section of the people. But people living in former battle zones that are now under the control of security forces, live in relative safety and happiness than those who are still under LTTE control.
Unless a military victory is secured by the security forces, over 90% of the Lankan population will live cramped in 65% of the landmass; they will have to depend on just 30% of the coastline for their needs. It would be a ridiculous predicament.
However, for the war to be part of the political solution, security forces must continue to win the battles and eventually the war. This explains why whenever the warfront is not going in their favour, people have rejected further military operations.
This brings about the other bitter reality. After the war, security forces will continue to stay in parts of the north-east. Limited operations, especially search operations will be conducted regularly. If any ‘political’ solution blocks these operations, the useful life of such a solution will reduce drastically.
Therefore for a speedy political solution, the first chapter of the political solution process must be completed successfully as early as possible. If security forces fail to achieve total victory against the LTTE, it is meaningless to proceed to the second chapter. The Thirteenth Amendment is a classic example of an incomplete start and the subsequent collapse of a solution. The lesson: don’t put the cart before the horse; wipe out the uncompromising terrorists first, start the dialogue in an atmosphere devoid of terror for a sustainable and honorable solution and if passed by the political majority, implement it. There is no need to hurry and no need to short circuit the process.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
Of course, war has reduced the rights of a section of the people. But people living in former battle zones that are now under the control of security forces, live in relative safety and happiness than those who are still under LTTE control.
Unless a military victory is secured by the security forces, over 90% of the Lankan population will live cramped in 65% of the landmass; they will have to depend on just 30% of the coastline for their needs. It would be a ridiculous predicament.
However, for the war to be part of the political solution, security forces must continue to win the battles and eventually the war. This explains why whenever the warfront is not going in their favour, people have rejected further military operations.
This brings about the other bitter reality. After the war, security forces will continue to stay in parts of the north-east. Limited operations, especially search operations will be conducted regularly. If any ‘political’ solution blocks these operations, the useful life of such a solution will reduce drastically.
Therefore for a speedy political solution, the first chapter of the political solution process must be completed successfully as early as possible. If security forces fail to achieve total victory against the LTTE, it is meaningless to proceed to the second chapter. The Thirteenth Amendment is a classic example of an incomplete start and the subsequent collapse of a solution. The lesson: don’t put the cart before the horse; wipe out the uncompromising terrorists first, start the dialogue in an atmosphere devoid of terror for a sustainable and honorable solution and if passed by the political majority, implement it. There is no need to hurry and no need to short circuit the process.
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