Solution to the Ethnic problem

Letter to The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa

by V.Anandasangaree

(June 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I am happy to note that you are taking the initiative to start negotiations to find a satisfactory solution for the ethnic problem. As a first step your impending visit to New Delhi shortly is very much welcomed by the people. Whatever solution found, after so much of loss of life and property, should be acceptable to all sections of the people and also should be a lasting one, that should not be meddled with, in the future, to the detriment of any group of people.

Your Excellency is very well aware of my views in this matter. I have been always of the view that a solution under a unitary system will never help to find a solution and as the only alternative the Indian model may be adopted, without leaving room for any division of the country, if necessary with guarantees by India. I wish to quote here an extract of my speech delivered on the 23rd of January 2008 at Temple trees, at the handing over ceremony of the APRC proposal by Prof.Tissa Vitharane, to you.

“It is no secret that we had been agitating for a solution based on the federal concept and also offered to accept the Indian Model as the only alternative, if the term federal is allergic to anyone. We have not changed our views in this matter and in the matter of merger of the North and the East. We assure everybody that while spurning violence, we will by non-violent means and in a friendly way, continue to persuade the citizens of our country to agree that no permanent solution can be found under a Unitary System. We will continue to dispel the fears of those who think that the country will be divided. We will take all steps to erase off the minds of our people the idea of separation and to strongly support the concept of a united Sri Lanka”

Annexed please find my response to Mr. Sampanthan’s appeal that the Government and the International community should accept the verdict given by the people of the North and the East, should be accepted. I strongly object to this request since the ITAK (TNA) polled only 65119 votes which is only 9% of the total voters in the electoral district of Jaffna. Furthermore the IDPs could not cast their votes properly due to various reasons. Hence kindly see that all Tamil parties are consulted whether they have representation in Parliament or not.