The death of Rajiv Gandhi as well as the deaths of Vanni civilians – have added great natural value to the claim of self governance without any threat of armed intervention. The enemy that killed these people is the armed person/s attacking and not defending.
by Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam
(July 30, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) I write in response to the Sri Lanka Guardian article ‘Delhi’s Lankan limp’ ’ by Srinath Raghavan, of Center for Policy Research, New Delhi.
I like the approach taken.
Dr. Raghavan says ‘So far, the Indian government has been quietly urging Sri Lanka to capitalise on the victory against the Tigers and forge a settlement. Its position is neatly encapsulated in the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of both countries a couple of months ago. India sought the “expeditious implementation of measures” towards resettlement and “genuine reconciliation”.
These included early return of displaced persons to their homes, early withdrawal of emergency regulations, investigations into allegations of human rights violations and restoration of normality. The statement also noted that a “devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would contribute towards creating the necessary conditions for such reconciliation”.
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was based on the Indo – Lanka accord signed by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J R Jayawardene. It is therefore an memorial instrument honoring Rajiv Gandhi whose life was lost at that time, due to the Sri Lankan Ethnic Problem. It is therefore natural that India would continue to seek the implementation of the provisions of the 13th Amendment. Those who lose lives due to their work in a particular issue – as Rajiv Gandhi lost his life, add natural value to that issue as per the ‘side’ taken by them. India has the responsibility to work to implement the essence of the 13th Amendment to pay tribute to its leader Rajiv Gandhi.
Similarly, those who lose their lives due to one or more of the following reasons, add natural value to their side. They are all war heroes because they add exponential value to the issue:
(1) The other side enforcing its way – as happened to Civilians of Vanni.
(2) Soldiers/combatants who lost their lives by the other side fighting outside the common rules of combat or beyond the boundaries of their own personal Truth.
The death of Rajiv Gandhi as well as the deaths of Vanni civilians – have added great natural value to the claim of self governance without any threat of armed intervention. The enemy that killed these people is the armed person/s attacking and not defending.
This enemy needs to be killed through Practice of Self Governance with least reliance of armed forces.
In addition, the provisions of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, that work against devolution of Power need to be diffused/disregarded. If the implementation of the 13th Amendment is needed by Tamils, the diffusion of relevant provisions of 18th Amendment is needed by the Sinhalese voters who have now reduced powers due to the Monarchical structure that the 18th Amendment proposes.
All those who are critical of these provisions of the 18th Amendment – had/have the responsibility to openly condemn the claims of ‘sovereignty’ under which the president expelled the International Community before the final attack on Vanni. Whoever does that has an even/zero base start and will be part of the solution. Each time India pushes for implementation of 13th Amendment – India is in its own mind and the minds of those who have faith in India, diffusing the ‘monarchy provisions’ of 18th Amendment.
As we sow, so shall we reap
Annexure A is the transcript of a dialogue between two educated Sri Lankans – one of Sinhalese origin and the other of Tamil origin. These realities need to be balanced for there to be real practical validity to the relevant laws.
Annexure A
Sinhalese:
'Buddhist monks have a huge say when it comes to these matters. If most Sinhala people are to agree to power devolution of sort including police and land I do not think the politicians will be not striking a deal with TNA. They know if they do they will be out next elections. See the plight of Ranil, he was seen as a sympathiser of federalism and the architect of the cease fire'
Tamil (Gaja):
It is not a question of agreeing or disagreeing. Voters have the power to elect. If they elect as per their belief - governance would be natural. If they vote as per their thinking - then it is highly likely that we would continue to be undemocratic.
Elected leaders must bring out the belief of the people through their own belief and give it form acceptable to the intellectual leaders from other communities. At the moment Sri Lankan Government seems to be lacking in both. Hence it is important that those of us who are able to this - do so through our own fields of expertise. This would then sideline politicians on both sides.
Ranil lost the elections because of VP. We are paying for that karma now. Truth has a way of manifesting Itself despite Sinhalese making up majority vote. Hence Tamils became the EQUAL opposition in parliament. Then LTTE spoilt it all. We however, know that we have it in us to hold that Equal power. It is made more easy when Sinhalese have internal divisions. We just have to wait until the right time to identify with the manifestation of Truth. Ranil is a free man by losing the elections. MR lost his freedom by winning the elections after which he kept gloating.
Sinhalese:
'It was the sinhala commoner who gave their children away to fight the Tigers.'
Tamil (Gaja):
It was the Tamil youth who risked their lives to form Tamil Tigers. They did not have money rewards like the army gave those soldiers. The parallel of Tigers is the JVP. They are the ones who need to be honored more than the soldiers.
Sinhalese:
'In their minds the land of Sri lanka is stictly sinhalese.'
Tamil (Gaja):
Not in their hearts. You need to do a reconciliation between heart and mind.
Sinhalese:
'Noth East merger or federalism will never materialise.'
Tamil (Gaja):
If people of North and East are one minded - then they have already merged. Any Government that is blind to this or worse tries to separate - is working against Natural forces. When LTTE was the uniting force of North and East - they won battles. Not after they had the internal split. Next time the merger could be through ordinary activities and then anyone who clings to Government declarations - would get left behind.
Sinhalese:
'Of course I can not prove it at this moment, this can be said by what Mahinda Told Nirupama Rao and the Shivashankar Menon that it will be curtains for him if he gives the land and the police powers'
Tamil (Gaja):
What Mahinda said is his reality. What you are saying is taking advantage of his difficult situation - just for the purpose of forecasting and to say you were right.
Life in those areas should not be played around with even through 'social chit chats'. We need to develop belief through our hearts for which the mind needs to be still
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