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English Translation of the Tamil doc on this site
A Concept Paper
on the need for a think tank of the Tamil Diaspora
to work for the cause of the Tamils of Sri Lanka
 
I. Introduction
This document suggests the need to organize a formal meeting of erudite persons from among the Tamil Diaspora interested in the future of the Tamils in a post war situation to consider the feasibility of the creation of such a body to decide on the future role the Tamil Diaspora could play in helping the cause of the Tamils.
 
Being aware of the existence of different shades of opinion among the Tamil Diaspora on the rights and wrongs of past events and future activities relating to the Tamil cause, it is felt that it is important to have an untainted neutral body of erudite Tamils to unite those Tamils with different opinions and jointly work for the cause of the Tamils of Sri Lanka.

II. Goal

To enable the Tamils of Sri Lanka to live in their traditional lands with dignity and enjoying all the rights and privileges a citizen in a democratic society should enjoy.

III. Objectives

To form a neutral think tank representing the view of all members of the Tamil Diaspora in Europe who are concerned of the plight of the Tamils in Sri Lanka today.
To identify the matters relating to the Tamil cause about which there is no difference of opinion among the Tamil Diaspora.
To deliberately avoid speaking of main factors about which there is a difference of opinion which could split the members and forge a united body by agreeing to disagree on such specified matters.
To meet at regular intervals and prepare a plan of action in consultation with international experts in the field on how to achieve the goal.
To collaborate with other organizations with similar goals.

 
 
IV. Methodology

To promote the formation of neutral think tanks consisting of erudite Tamils in each of the countries in Europe with the objectives specified above. They are to be the base level bodies which will feed into the apex body of the think tank.
Each such base level think tank is to have an elected head with an executive committee.
Such base level think tanks are to meet at regular intervals and discuss relevant issues on a democratic manner and take decisions.
Decisions so taken to be conveyed to the apex body by the representatives of the base level body at the next meeting of the apex body.
At least two or three members of the committee of the base level think tank are to be selected to represent the Think Tank of Tamils of that country at the Apex Level Think Tank of the Tamils in Europe.
Such apex body is to have regular meetings to discuss topical issues and prepare a plan of action to achieve the goal.

 
V. Miscellaneous

It is expected that if this idea receives the support of any existing leading neutral organization of the Tamils in Europe they would organize a workshop of the different groups of Tamils and prepare the organizational structure, the rules of procedure of such body/bodies and take other steps to formally register these organizations.
 
N.B.
 
1.  There should be a representative group of Tamil ‘thinkers’  with all shades of opinion from as many European countries as possible. (once we succeed in conducting this workshop successfully we may suggest similar workshops to be conducted in other regions and build up a network to arrive at a global consensus on this subject).
2.  This group should also consist of  a reasonable number of ladies and members of other Tamil speaking groups from Sri Lanka both at the base and apex levels. .
3.  A definite and firm decision should be taken to exclude discussions on the past performance of any group or persons in an effort to regain  the  rights of  the Tamils.
This is to prevent divisive discussions which could inhibit the objectives of this workshop.
4. The workshop could be in English as the operative language with provision for  speakers in Tamil with simultaneous translation if necessary. The records may be maintained in English, as it is an international language and would facilitate interaction with other similar bodies.
5. We could perhaps consider getting  an experienced  member of  international community who is well informed  of the problems of the Tamils to conduct the proposed workshop and help in arriving at a consensus.
6. We could consider inviting persons with experience in solving problems of this nature to make a keynote address at meetings, where appropriate. (Examples of such  persons  are  Dr. Ian Martin or Sir Nigel Rodley)
 
 
( These are merely some thoughts of the author for consideration and are not mandatory. Other ideas could be incorporated into it by consensus)