Issues of concern to Tamils in the forthcoming Presidential elections

An open letter to the President by the concern team of Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora

(January 24, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) We are appreciative and thankful for your successful effort to end the civil war and the menace of terrorism. However, the national wounds have yet not started to heal as they should have and the national divide yet remains to be bridged, despite your efforts.

While the majority Sinhala opinion favours stretching a hand of friendship and reconciliation to the Tamils, the Tamil people yet remain wary. Perceptions that issues of immediate concern to them have not been addressed in a meaningful and sympathetic manner are yet dominant amongst the Tamils. There is a political vacuum in the Tamil mind following the defeat of the LTTE, irrespective of whether they were supportive of or opposed to that organization. Many forces are also trying their utmost to fish in troubled waters and fill this vacuum with their misplaced, if not devious, agenda.

The purpose of calling for an early presidential election, in your own words, was to also seek the mandate of the Tamils for national governance. Your objective may be lost in the confusion engendered by electoral politics, if Tamil concerns are not satisfactorily addressed by you personally and directly.

You have to explain in clear and unambiguous terms what your thoughts and plans are for not only the country as a whole, but also the Tamils, Muslims and other minorities, in terms of their national, regional and sectional interests. This is your opportunity to assert yourself as a national healer and a statesman.

It is of utmost importance that you address the following issues of immediate concern to the Tamils and other issues of importance to them, to forestall mischief making and allay suspicions:

1. Resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Should be transparent, open to participation by non-state actors and based on long-term plans. The IDPs should be active stake-holders in this process. Assurances should be given that the IDPs will be resettled in rebuilt villages and given the assistance to resume their normal lives under better circumstances.

2. IDP voter registration: Should be carried out quickly and in an organized manner to ensure IDP participation in the elections and prevent emergence of a distorted Tamil opinion. State resources should be rapidly mobilized for this purpose immediately.

3. Ex-militant prisoners: The continued incarceration of ex-militants in prisons- many for long periods- and camps, is an issue of concern to the Tamils, as many are their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and relatives. They should be subject to the due process of law, rehabilitated or released as soon as possible. A time frame based schedule should be announced to resolve this issue.

4. High security zones and land issues in the north and east: There is serious concern about the extent of the high security zones, incorporating valuable agricultural land and formerly inhabited areas. A time frame based program to shrink the high security zones and return lands to their rightful owners should be announced.

A clear policy statement on how land-related issues in the north and east will be tackled should be made to clear Tamil perceptions of unauthourized land-grab by various elements

5. Devolutionary exercise: How the 13th amendment to the constitution will be implemented and the fate of the APRC report should be explained. The APRC process was considered pivotal for political reform by many Tamils amidst the turmoil of war.

The concepts of equality of status, equal opportunities and equal protection for all citizens, irrespective of linguistic, religious or regional differences, should be also explained and measures taken already to ensure these publicized.

6. Disarming of all non-state actors: This should be carried out honestly and effectively, prior to the presidential elections. The fear of non-state actors yet carrying arms is quite palpable in the north and east. These fears should be allayed immediately.

7. Misgivings regarding government-sponsored Tamil leadership: There are serious suspicions regarding the government’s intentions with regard to future political leadership of the Tamils. The fear is that a leadership, largely unacceptable to the Tamils is being foisted. This issue must be dealt with and fears allayed as quickly as possible.
8. Implementation of constitutional provisions and laws relating to the Tamil language:

The manner, in which the provisions and laws relating to the use of the Tamil language are being implemented now and future plans in this regard, should be explained to the Tamils.

9. Educational reform: The curriculum, quality of text books and quality of teachers in the Tamil medium educational sector need to be reviewed. Education has become an unwitting victim of war for the Tamils and immediate attention should be focussed on this sector. Education has been always valued by the Tamils and this is now a serious social concern. Tamils should be assured reforms will be undertaken expeditiously.
10. Administrative reform: The provincial administrations in the north and east have been enfeebled by long years of civil war and the direct/ indirect influence wielded by the LTTE. The people find the government services not progressive, unresponsive to their needs, inefficient, over bearing, riddled with favouritism and corrupt. The good intentions of the government are being subverted at the point of implementation and delivery. This issue needs to be also tackled as an urgent priority.

11. Publicity for development programs: The people in the north and east should be aware of the scope of development programs for the north and east and see them unfold. Most Tamils in the north and east do not yet believe large development programs have been planned and some are already being executed. These plans and activities should be brought to the attention of the Tamils immediately.

12. A role for the Diaspora in national affairs and dual citizenship: A department or ministry for Diaspora affairs should be created on the lines of what was done in India and dual citizenship for all persons of Sri Lankan origin and their descendents made available. This would facilitate and legitimize the participation of the Diaspora in national reconciliation and development activities. The Diaspora will become stake holders in national progress as a result of these measures. The Tamil Diaspora will also desist being a force for divisiveness and have the incentive to not only make a positive contribution to national development, but also positively influence many Tamils in Sri Lanka who are dependent on their remittances.

Dr. Noel Nadesan (Australia)
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran (Saudi Arabia & Sri Lanka)
Mrs. Rajeswary Balasubramaniam (United Kingdom)
Mylvaganam Sooriyasekaram (United Kingdom)
Ignatious Selliah (Australia)
Dr. Ramanathan Narendranathan(Canada & Sri Lanka)
Sabapathy Suppiah Kuhanathan (France)
Luxshmanan Murugapoopathy (Australia)