Consensus on languages

"Public bashing of the politicians is no secret and there was a whole heap of questions from the audience most of which dealt with the double-game that politicians played – when in opposition and when in power, and that they talk and don’t deliver."
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By FS

(July 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)A little-known fact that the JVP is supportive of a policy where Sinhala, Tamil and English should be made national languages emerged at a recent discussion in Colombo. It was an interesting revelation, which many observers say provides a different face of the JVP which has been involved in two attempts to overthrow the government through armed rebellion before giving up violence and entering the democratic framework.

The JVP view came from Parliamentarian Sunil Handunetti, who speaking during a panel discussion comprising young politicians at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, said the JVP’s 1976 manifesto contained provision for all three languages to be national. He further said, in some enlightening comments, that the likes of Prabhakaran have been created by the present constitition which doesn’t have both Sinhala and Tamil as national languages. “The constitution says Sinhala will be the official language while Tamil will also be an official language. What do you mean by this? Why not both being national languages and English as a link-language,” he asked, waving a copy of the Constitution.

UNP Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera, also on the panel, said he was heartened by the JVP view and gave his fullest support to this initiative to settle a long-standing grievance relating to languages and the rights of the minorities. Chipping in was Milinda Moragoda, the new Justice and Law Reforms Minister, who said he too was for such a move, triggering applause from the audience during an absolutely, interesting discussion.

The instant coming-together and consensus on a sensitive issue by politicians of different hues and affiliations – in fact the three should have signed a pact to endorse their promise thus making them accountable – provides a different perspective of politicians who the public are fond of bashing because of their ‘talk, talk, talk’ and do-little approach.

The discussion was based on a vision for Sri Lanka in the year 2020 and the panel comprising parliamentarians Kabir Hashim, Jayasiri and Sajith Premadasa (all from the UNP), Ministers Moragoda and Faizer Musthapha (government) and Handunetti (JVP) were asked for their views.

Handunetti was asked by a member from the audience how a group that was so violent earlier could have a national interest in developing the country and also devolve power to the regions (in the interests of the Tamils). His response, “Would you ask the same question from Karuna Amman (who was also invited but didn’t attend) if he was present?” Regarding devolution, the JVP MP said their policy has been one of providing administrative power to the regions so that people have a say in administrative matters.

Interestingly Nelson Mandela, revered over the world as one of the greatest freedom fighters in the mould of Mahatma Gandhi, etc, was also involved in near-terrorist activities. In his memoirs, “Long walk to freedom’, Mandela talks of how after the ANC’s non-violent campaign failed in the 1960s, they set up a military wing which he led that was planning to resort to acts of sabotage including blowing up railway lines, public installations but making sure civilians were not harmed.

Public bashing of the politicians is no secret and there was a whole heap of questions from the audience most of which dealt with the double-game that politicians played – when in opposition and when in power, and that they talk and don’t deliver.

They were asked about their arrogant behaviour on the roads where ordinary mortals have to step aside when their convoys with securitymen and sirens blaring speed away oblivious to the inconvenience caused, apart from the danger of being knocked down by their drivers described as ‘good for Formula One races” and generally perceived by the public as speed fiends.

Hashim said security was due to the risks involved and that all that would end now that the security threat (to politicians) is not there. Overall the parliamentarians agreed with the public view that they are perceived as playing double games, cannot be trusted and are prone to ‘forgetfulness’ and ‘amnesia’ when changing hats (parties). On a positive note, they agreed that there was a need for a change in the political structure and a need for consensus on national issues.

At least the first step has been taken with consensus on the language issue and hopefully others to follow now that all parties – including the TNA and the JVP - have come back to the government-backed reconstruction discussion.

Or will the promise of agreement at the chamber discussion be just another verbal one and prove – at the end of the day -- that politicians only talk and don’t deliver? It is now essential for the chamber to follow up and made good on this promise by politicians on a sticky national issue that has dogged the nation for decades.

-Sri Lanka Guardian