Fonseka should champion the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils also

| by N.S.Venkataraman

( May 22, 2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) With his release after around two years of imprisonment , Fonseka should be receiving lot of advice and suggestions , both from solicited and unsolicited quarters. He must be now thinking hard as to how to reposition himself in the political sphere in Sri Lanka and how to consolidate the gains that has come to him , due to the huge public good will and sympathy created by his unjustified imprisonment. However, Fonseka does not require any hard thinking and the task is simple.

The mission before him should be good will for all and ill will for none. If this would be his genuine approach , then he can really lift himself to higher level of standards. Many of his well wishers would really pray that God would give him the wisdom to meet such expectations of the average Sri Lankan.

Fonseka had to lead a war against the rebels in Sri Lanka and in the process must have been the participant and witness to large scale destruction and agony of both Sri Lankan Tamils and others in Sri Lanka.

While the fact is that the section of Tamil rebels fought to disintegrate the country, it should be recognized that many Tamils did not share this view and want to be an integral part of Sri Lanka and live with honour and dignity. Even such people had to remain silent when the war was going on and the Sri Lankan government and Fonseka should be able to distinguish such people and treat them with the respect and love that they deserve.

Now, that the war is over and Fonseka is no more a warrior and no more a military leader , he should recognize the lakhs of Tamils in Sri Lanka who stand for national integrity and who have suffered enormously and are still suffering today.

Such Tamil population deserve and need an approach of understanding , love and compassion and must be supported with rehabilitation measures to bring them back to the mainstream of national life , with equal opportunities ,rights and privileges, as anyone else in Sri Lanka.

We have always seen that hatred will only beget hatred and love will be reciprocated by goodwill and peaceful response. One can be sure that with his vast experience, Fonseka would know this. However, he requires courage of conviction to approach the Sri Lankan Tamils with a positive outlook and friendly attitude.

With huge good will that he commands today, let not Fonseka be obsessed with any anti government feelings but should focus his attention on building amity and goodwill everywhere. The two years of imprisonment has created a position for him where he can start all over again and play the role of a messiah.

It is said that he cannot contest election for the next seven years. Let this not bother him ,as the people’s power can undo all these man made laws peacefully and elegantly.

The Tamils in Sri Lanka may not be sure today as to what they can expect from Fonseka. If any one of them have doubts about his approach to the issues facing Tamils, it is the duty of Fonseka to allay such misgivings with his disarming approach.