Sri Lanka Brief
IN THIS ISSUE:
Summary: Sampanthan’s speech continues to make waves
- Disappearances and Mohan Peiris
- Militarisation and Sinhalaisation
· President in retreat:Londonfiasco
Summary: Sampanthan’s speech continue to make waves
The speech made by R. Sampanthan at the ITAK annual meeting on 28th May continues to be the focus of political solution debate.
R,Sampanthan him self entered the debate in an interview given to the Daily Mirror in which he said ” I am ready to compromise”. He urges media to be balance in coving his speech: ”The media needs to be more even-handed in handling this question. This is a very grave issue which concerns the future of all those living in the country. I don’t think the media should be sensational. My appeal to the Sinhalese and my position with regard to the Muslims – why has that not been carried or given prominence?”
Jehan Perera of National Peace Council thinks that Sampanthn’s speech was a electoral consideration rather than principled position.” It would appear that like his counterparts in the government, the TNA leader has to be concerned about keeping his electorate with him. So far his moderate leadership of the TNA has not been able to deliver results to the Tamil people of the north and east. As a result, Mr Sampanthan is being outflanked by more nationalist members of his party who are gaining ground within the TNA and may even seek to oust him.”
Political commentator Rajan Philips argued that ” Contradictions were inevitable with Mr. Sampanthan having too much ground to cover, too many stakeholders to connect, too many issues to address, too much pessimism to dispel, and too little optimism to inspire. The recurrent message in his speech was ‘patience’ – delivered specifically to his Tamil constituencies.” He concluded saying if there is no ”response of genuine reconciliation” “this country will have to face one of the worst declines in its history.” It will not be the dismemberment of the island, but worse, its slow implosion.
Dayan Jayatilleka in his third response to the speech advised that GoSL should not held election to the Northern Provincial Council as it may fall in to the hands of TNA: ” In 1990 that Council which had been set-up under the 13th amendment, made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence, with tens of thousands of foreign troops on the soil of the area. Who is to say that a future Council which is similarly committed to going beyond the 13th amendment will not do likewise, only this time with foreign troops being invited in by the rebellious Council? Why would any responsible state take that risk?”
Another political analyst Kalana Senavirathna opposed Jayatilleka’s line of argument saying that it is only justifying current impasse: ”The Govt will see in the recent advice and argument of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka – the retention of the 13A but the non-implementation of it (until the secessionist threat recedes) – a brilliant way of justifying the current impasse.” He concluded saying that ”That new chapter begins with a simple, yet profound, statement: ‘The going is tough, yet the struggle will continue.’ But the problem is not only the fact that after so many years the going is still tough, but that dominant elements within both camps consider this to be a new phase of their struggle. When two sides of the opposing camps think that their struggle has just begun, one knows very well the nature of the conflict.”
Related articles given below:
I am prepared to compromise! – R. Sampanthan
It has been described as disturbing, conufusing, and even provocative. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan’s speech at the 14th annual convention of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has generated tremendous public interest, and raised many questions about the veteran Tamil politician’s commitment to evolving a political solution to the ethnic issue within the framework of an undividedSri Lanka.
Sampanthan’s speech: Intentions, interpretations and implications
Contradictions were inevitable with Mr. Sampanthan having too much ground to cover, too many stakeholders to connect, too many issues to address, too much pessimism to dispel, and too little optimism to inspire. The recurrent message in his speech was ‘patience’ – delivered specifically to his Tamil constituencies.
BY Rajan Philips
What led to the change in the approach of TNA leader Sampanthan?
By Jehan Perera
The speech of TNA leader R Sampanthan at the annual sessions of the largest Tamil political party that took place in Batticaloa in the east has raised the red flag for many of those whose primary concern is the unity and sovereignty of the country.
ITAK and the New Chapter in Post-War Politics of Sri Lanka
Kalana Senaratne
From its inception in late 1949 as the Tamil Federal Party, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) – a party which, as the late Lakshman Kadirgamar once claimed in Parliament, was founded by a “dedicated group of principled men” – has been in the forefront of Sri Lankan (and Tamil) politics.
Moving out of the Maze: No to Nothern Provincial Council
Dayan Jayatilleka
The ubiquity of the Tiger flags was the most dramatic aspect of the demonstrations inLondonduring the President’s visit for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Diaspora Tigers were not a result of a vacuum inSri Lanka’s post-war policies. Several times the recent number demonstrated in 2009, blocking access to the Mother of Parliaments in the last weeks of the war.
TNA making same demands as LTTE: Prof Vitarana , LSSP
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has put forward demands which the LTTE failed to achieve militarily. They are also stressing on pre-conditions to attend the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) proceedings to find a political solution to the national question, Senior Minister and former All Party Representatives Committee chairman Prof Tissa Vitarana said.
PNM wants action against TNA leader
President of the Patriotic National Movement Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera yesterday said that the statement made by TNA leader R. Sampanthan at the annual ITAK Convention in Urani was a violation of the constitution and warrants his expulsion from parliament.
Disappearances and Mohan Peiris
Mohan Peiris: A diplomatic representative of the nation or just a rascal?
The former Attorney General, Mohan Peiris, last November told the United Nations CAT Committee that he knew personally, through a reliable source that Prageeth Eknaligoda was living in a foreign country. However, last week when giving evidence before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court he said that he does not know whether Prageeth Eknaligoda was dead or alive.
Disapearence in Sri Lanka between January and Aprial 2012
by Brito Fernando, Right to Life
Fifty two incidents including abduction, attempted abduction, Disappearences and missing after being taken away by the CID and police for questioning have been taken into notice by our organization from the media, other organizations, websites and individuals between 01st January to end of the April, this year.
Militarisation and Sinhalaisation
Sinhala militarisation expanded in Jaffna contrary to claims: Jaffna Paper
Contrary to news reports released by Colombo that it has drastically reduced the number of troops in the North, the occupying Sinhala military in Jaffna peninsula has been stepping up land grab for military purposes in recent days even outside of the so-called High Security Zone and former Forward Defence Lines in the Jaffna peninsula.
Muslims discriminated: SLMC on the fence
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has come under severe pressure from the eastern based Muslims not to contest the forthcoming provincial poll with the government. The SLMC, who support the government, is yet to decide whether or not to contest the election with the government.
Land grab in the North: Residents to file fundamental rights law suit against Police
A group of northern residents are to file a fundamental rights law suit against the Sri Lanka Police claiming their houses are being forcibly taken over by them. In the wake of allegations of land grab by the security forces in the north, it is revealed even the police are culpable for attempting to own houses belonging toJaffnaresidents.
Is Sri Lanka heading towards another July ’83?
By Latheef Farook
IsSri Lankaheading towards another July 1983 type pogrom? This is the growing fear in view of the repeated threats on mosques and madrasas provoking Muslims. In the midst of this turbulence, the Criminal Investigation Department’s call for a list of mosques and madrasas – no information on worshipping centers of other religions was sought — has sent shockwaves among beleaguered Muslims.
President in retreat: London fiasco
Rajapakse besieged in London, after Gota denies Tamil region
”By late afternoon, the Evening Standard Newspaper had screaming headlines “’Killing fields’ protest in central Londonhits Queen’s Diamond Jubilee lunch”. Channel 4 news at 7.00pm had a field day. The following day most major British newspapers carried the story.”
by Dushy Ranetunge in London
As its President dines with the Queen, Sri Lanka’s torture of its Tamils is revealed
Further evidence has emerged of the brutal treatment of Tamils by Sri Lankan soldiers during the closing stages of the country’s civil war. Video footage obtained by The Independent shows soldiers gloating over a pile of more than 100 Tamil corpses, including dozens of women who have been deliberately stripped of their clothes to expose their breasts and genitals.
More:
- MR’s Londonfiasco: Diplomatic and intelligence failure – The Sunday Times
Rajapaksa strengthens the Tamil Diaspora – Read here: Sri Lanka Guardian
Sri Lanka intelligence knew of the impending threat to President Rajapaksa in London– A conspiracy within? Read here: Lanka News Web
The LondonDebacle And The Rajapaksa-Psychosis – Thisaranee Gunasekara
Rajapakse speech halted but he still meets the Queen – Channel 4 News
