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in Colombo
 President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake at the all-party meeting called by the government in Colombo on July 2.
THE pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of what could be the future of post-Prabakaran Sri Lanka appear to be falling into place. A three-hour, no-holds-barred interview of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu group of publications, on the evening of June 30 appears to throw up several pieces that could fit into the puzzle. The interview is of enormous significance. It is hasty at this juncture even to attempt to grapple with all its possible aspects and repercussions. Its value is enhanced as it came (published in three parts in The Hindu on July 6, 7 and 8) 42 days after the demise of Velupillai Prabakaran and the elimination of the top brass of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that he led. It covers every conceivable topic of concern to Sri Lanka watchers. The articulation of views on a whole range of issues – relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of the 300,000 war-displaced people to the contours of a possible political solution to the ethnic divide, the political and military strategy behind what was widely believed to be an unwinnable war, and so on – came from the highest authority in the island nation. What was said and left unsaid by President Rajapaksa in the interview has left his critics, admirers and the in-betweens bewildered. Little wonder that the interview has become a key reference point in public and private debates, discourses and diatribes of the Lanka society. A recap of the main points is in order. Without explicitly going into the commitments made by his regime on May 21, Rajapaksa underscored his determination to resettle “as soon as possible” the nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians displaced by the conflict with the LTTE and spelt out his road map of what needed to be put in place to ensure the safety of those who are to be sent back to their villages and meet their basic needs. “I would say the condition in our camps is the best any country has,” he asserted, only to concede subsequently that the government was aware of the “shortcomings” and gaps. “Slowly, we have to overcome them. In some camps there are no problems.” Revealing that he did not rely on “information only from officials”, he said that he had sent “some people close to me to the camps” for verification. His assessment, based on inputs from multiple sources, is that the displaced in the camps are “satisfied with the housing and shelter” but their real problem was the lack of “freedom of movement”. It broadly tallies with the evaluation of the 52 United Nations and other aid agencies with varying degrees of access to the camps. Why can the government not free those above 60, below 10 and those who could go either to their relatives/friends/original places of destination in the east, the Jaffna peninsula and the hill districts? Rajapaksa said there were security concerns: “I don’t know how to do that immediately.” De-mining had to be completed, and certified by the U.N., in a region where “every square centimetre has been mined by the LTTE” and “if something happens, I am responsible”. He also said: “I can’t send them to a place without basic facilities. Now we’re spending on electricity, on roads, on water. We can’t send them back to a place where there are just jungles.” The costs of de-mining are high. The infrastructure in Wanni is in such a bad state that everything must be created from scratch. He also sketched his vision of reconciliation and development, stressing that there was no place for “racism” and anything that “creates a disturbance among our three communities… Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim”. Political solution
 TNA leader N. Srikantha at a demonstration in Dindigul in November 2008 to protest against the "killing of Tamils" in his country.
On the much-needed and awaited political solution to the ethnic problem, Rajapaksa said: “I know what to give and I know what not to give. The people have given me the mandate, so I’m going to use it. But I must get these people [Tamil National Alliance representatives] to agree to this. They must also know that they can’t get what they want. No way for federalism in this country. For reconciliation to happen, there must be a mix [of ethnicities].” “Even tomorrow I can give that [political solution] – but I want to get that from the people,” he said. He insisted that all parties, and especially TNA representatives, should participate in discussions on the political solution. “I am waiting, but it will be after my [re]election [as President].” And that, according to some political observers, may come as early as in November 2009. It is anyone’s guess what is on the Sri Lankan President’s mind. Perhaps he believes that given the wafer-thin majority of his government in Parliament, it is not possible to push through a solution. In the interview he stuck to “my theory… [that] there are no minorities in Sri Lanka, there are only those who love the country and those who don’t. They tried to twist that, but I still maintain that position.” He spoke, too, of his assessment of the LTTE’s character and capabilities, its military strengths, weaknesses, and the final strategy. He gave new insights into his own approach to the peace process and what led to the successful military offensive, which, he said, “did not come without negotiation or without any reason”. He answered questions about “triumphalism”, the “too-powerful presidency”, pressures on media freedom, India-Sri Lanka relations, and India’s response to the recent developments. TNA’s turnaround
Is Rajapaksa’s strategy going anywhere? A cursory look at the fast-moving developments in the country since the end of the war on May 19 shows that the answer, at least as it appears now, is in the affirmative. Take the example of what transpired in Colombo less than 48 hours after the interview. The participation, on July 2, of 22 parties, including the pro-LTTE TNA, in the first meeting of the newly constituted All Party Committee on Development and Reconciliation, and their assurances of cooperation and support to the President in this ambitious project, is nothing short of a miracle compared with the state of affairs just two months before that. The TNA had chosen to stay away from an all-party conference that the President convened some weeks ago. In the first meeting of its kind since a section of Tamil groups in Sri Lanka took to arms 30 years ago to fight for their rights, N. Srikantha of the TNA, the single largest party of Sri Lankan Tamils in Parliament, expressed his party’s “gratitude” to Rajapaksa for the opportunity to participate in the forum. In the July 2 meeting, the party made a plea for the speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of the war-displaced people. “Our party assures all support to you and all democratic parties in achieving democratic solutions,” Srikantha said. He told the conference that the TNA believed the country now had the political will to solve the national question. Speaking in Parliament on July 8, Srikantha, who represents the Jaffna district, referred to Rajapaksa’s interview with The Hindu and said that his party could understand the political constraints and compulsions confronting the President. “When I say our people in this case, it does not mean only Tamils or Tamil-speaking Muslims. It includes our own Sinhala people as well,” he said. He said that there were many aspects that united these communities. “We are there with you to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country,” he said. “We are not interested in terminologies in this case,” he said. He emphasised that all sections should leave the past behind and unite now. “In the past, there were instances where we fought against each other and together as well. We were united against the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Why can’t we unite now?” he asked. He concluded his speech saying: “United we stand, divided we fall.” A far cry from the call for Eelam. Does it signal a sea change? Since the formation of the TNA, Srikantha said, his party had accepted the LTTE as the representative of the Tamil people in negotiations with the government for the resolution of the problem. “But it was not because of any love for them. We had been aware of the deeds and misdeeds of the LTTE.” Similar voices, though faint, are being heard from the Tamil diaspora. Lanka Guardian reported Dr. Raju Selva from Melbourne as saying, “I am a Tamil living outside Sri Lanka, hence by mere definition, unfortunately, I belong to Tamil Diaspora which I am ashamed of myself of being one of them and I am making this appeal again to the misled pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora to lay down the ideology Eelam”.• |
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Discharge IDPs with own houses from Wanni camps, says TNA MP Srikantha- ASIA TRIBUNE
Srikantha M.P., speaking in the All Party Conference
For the original article ... follow the link below:
http://asiantribune.com/07/04/discharge-idps-with-own-houses-from-wanni-camps-says-tna-mp-srikantha/
- K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 04 July, (Asiantribune.com): N Srikantha and other TNA lawmakers attended an all party conference held by the President for the first time in several years signaling thereby a change of heart in synch with the times. They appreciate the government efforts at resettling the IDPs but have their own views on how the work should progress.
In an exclusive interview with AT, Srikantha has spelt out these views. Excerpts from the interview
Asian Tribune: After a long time, you accepted an invitation by the President and went for the all party conference yesterday. Why this sudden change of heart? What happened at the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, we have been invited in our individual capacity as members of parliament, but without harping on the technicalities the TNA as a party discussed this invitation which we received on Wednesday evening. After long deliberation, we decided to join the all party meeting.
Now your second question – what happened there (at the meeting). We (TNA) highlighted two issues. We urged the meeting to consider these issues as a matter that deserves top most priority.
Firstly, the hardships faced by about 300,000 Tamils who are now housed in the IDP camps in the North as a consequence of the war. We pleaded for speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of these people.
Secondly, we said a political solution should be evolved with a view to quickly solve the national question without any further delay.
These are the two matters we raised at today’s meeting.
Asian Tribune: Who and who Participated from the TNA side? Yourself and?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yesterday’s meeting only those TNA MPs who were present in Colombo participated in the meeting, and next time it will consists of all the TNA MPs under the leadership of Mr. R. Sampanther.
Yesterday, there were 8 of us – along with me , Thurairatnasingham MP from Trincomalee , Aradi Immam, T. Kanasbai from Batticalo, Mrs. Pathmini Sithamparanatha, Vino Noharathalingam, Sivanathan Kishor and Arianthiran from Batticalo.
Asian Tribune: What was the response in the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Generally speaking, except for one or two, every one seems to be of the opinion that these pressing issues should be dealt with in addition to certain other matters. These two issues I raised on behalf of TNA. The President said that the area is heavily mined (by LTTE) and these landmines needed to be cleared before any resettlement could commence for the protection of the people.
We see the point he made and we understand that, but the people can’t remain in the IDP camp for a long time because by October we will have the advent of the rainy season. And matters will become worse. Therefore, bearing this situation in mind we thought of pleading for a speedy resettlement because we are of view that clearing the land mines in Vanni region will take considerable time. Therefore, people can’t be expected to remain in the IDP camps for a long time.
Asian Tribune: Is it true that more than 25-30,000 IDPs with own houses in Jaffna are now in Vanni camps.
N.Srikantha M.P: Mmore than that
Asian Tribune: Ok. We understand that another 50,000 plus IDPs from the East own houses are also in Vanni camps. Why can’t they be sent back to their own homes?
N.Srikantha M.P: Very happy that you raised this issue. This is very logical. I have already raised this issue in Parliament and with Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services the other day when the war was in the final stage
Asian Tribune: Even I spoke with the Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen yesterday about this issue.
N.Srikantha M.P: Very good! Very good! He is a very sensible man. Very conscious of the problem of the people and very much interested in bringing up a solution to the people.
As you have rightly said there are thousands of people who own houses in Jaffna and certain other parts of the country; there are thousands and thousands people who can find alternate accommodations from their relatives and friends. Hence these people can be immediately released for resettlement. This will reduce pressure on the IDP camps; the government will also get some relief; once these people are out, the government can focus on the rest; that number will be very much manageable in the camps.
Asian Tribune: I think more than one third of the IDP’s, about 100,000, can be resettled immediately but what minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen told me was – they the government is registering the IDPs, the registering process will be over soon, and once the registration was completed, may in another week, the government will k now who has houses, who donot have houses and where is their house. Then it will be possible to consider this type of resettlement. May be you like to take up the issue with the President when you meet him next.
N.Srikantha M.P: In today’s meeting I have expressed our desire to meet with the President separately in order to discuss very many issues pertaining to these two matters; the president replying to the discussion said he will be meeting with the representative of various parties separately in the next few weeks.
We will be making a formal request to meet the President in the next couple of days. And once that (meeting) comes through, as you rightly said, we will raise these matters and discuss with him. We will try to impress up on the President the feasibility of releasing these people without any further delay so that they can stand on their own feet or with the assistance of their kith and kin.
Asian Tribune: The government can also assist them and give them all the support. The international community wants them to be resettled as early as possible.
N.Srikantha M.P: You see there are thousands of public servants who are also lodged there. They were working for the people in the war zone area when the war was taking place. And the government asked these people to come into the government controlled area and assured them they will resettle them. What has happened? We understand Government’s practical difficulties in dealing with such a large population, but now that all have been housed in transit camps, a system is put in place to look after them, the government logically move to the next step to see whoever could be released without any further delay is released.
You know, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people but the problem is they should have the clearance from the government.
We are getting calls from abroad expressing willingness to help our people. There are a number of people who are asking us repeatedly that they are willing to help.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help…..
Furthermore, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people and the problem is that they should have the clearance from the government.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help in solving this issue.
We can organize a massive assistance programme from the civilian population in the North and from those who are residing in Colombo.
Some of them organize some materials to be send by lorries and even then there were some practical difficulties. The Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen was very helpful.
We encourage social organization to give all the assistance in getting all the necessary clearance and arranging transport.
Minister Douglas Devananda was also helping in that direction.
Asian Tribune: Only thing is that you to be vigilant and cautious that some of the unwanted elements should not get in the way.
N.Sri Kantha M.P: Yes, that is true, the type of elements who gain by using the miseries of the people. There are even calls from abroad from people indicating willingness to help this people. We haven’t finalized on these requests. Asian Tribune: Who are the organizations which wanted to get involved?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, there are number of people who are known to us, who are repeatedly asking us that they are willing to help through various NGOs in Europe and individual capacity. We will connect them directly with people once we take it up with the President.
Asian Tribune: There are some big local NGOs who cook and feed thousands of people on a daily basis.
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, I think that they are all doing commendable service to our people.
Asian Tribune: Why can’t you link your people and organizations with these local NGOs?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, that is a good suggestion.
We will raise this issue with the President. One important issue we wanted to raise is, as you rightly said, whoever are confident of going out of the camp and are able to manage their day to day life from among the IDPs, they should be permitted to do so after the government verified their claim.
If someone wants to come forward to take charge of their relatives who are in the IDP camp, then the government can take the person’s details and can always check on them if necessary to make sure what they are doing and should be allow the particular relative(s) with them, till they are settled in their place of choice.
That maybe most probably in the case of the people who are mainly coming from Vanni region, but as you rightly said there are thousands of Tamil who were forced to leave the Jaffna Peninsula when LTTE moved out of Jaffna in 1995 December. Number of my relatives went to Vanni and now they are now in the IDP camps. But majority of them have their own houses and want to go back to Jaffna and restart their lives.
Asian Tribune: When are you going to meet the Sri Lanka President?
N.Srikantha M.P: I think as Mr. Sampanther – Our Parliamentary group leader, has returned and now in Trincomalee. Now that he has come, we will all be meeting tomorrow or day after and then in the next working day probably on Tuesday our request will be on the table of the President. I think he will invite us as quickly as possible.
- Asian Tribune -
- K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 04 July, (Asiantribune.com): N Srikantha and other TNA lawmakers attended an all party conference held by the President for the first time in several years signaling thereby a change of heart in synch with the times. They appreciate the government efforts at resettling the IDPs but have their own views on how the work should progress.
In an exclusive interview with AT, Srikantha has spelt out these views. Excerpts from the interview
Asian Tribune: After a long time, you accepted an invitation by the President and went for the all party conference yesterday. Why this sudden change of heart? What happened at the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, we have been invited in our individual capacity as members of parliament, but without harping on the technicalities the TNA as a party discussed this invitation which we received on Wednesday evening. After long deliberation, we decided to join the all party meeting.
Now your second question – what happened there (at the meeting). We (TNA) highlighted two issues. We urged the meeting to consider these issues as a matter that deserves top most priority.
Firstly, the hardships faced by about 300,000 Tamils who are now housed in the IDP camps in the North as a consequence of the war. We pleaded for speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of these people.
Secondly, we said a political solution should be evolved with a view to quickly solve the national question without any further delay.
These are the two matters we raised at today’s meeting.
Asian Tribune: Who and who Participated from the TNA side? Yourself and?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yesterday’s meeting only those TNA MPs who were present in Colombo participated in the meeting, and next time it will consists of all the TNA MPs under the leadership of Mr. R. Sampanther.
Yesterday, there were 8 of us – along with me , Thurairatnasingham MP from Trincomalee , Aradi Immam, T. Kanasbai from Batticalo, Mrs. Pathmini Sithamparanatha, Vino Noharathalingam, Sivanathan Kishor and Arianthiran from Batticalo.
Asian Tribune: What was the response in the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Generally speaking, except for one or two, every one seems to be of the opinion that these pressing issues should be dealt with in addition to certain other matters. These two issues I raised on behalf of TNA. The President said that the area is heavily mined (by LTTE) and these landmines needed to be cleared before any resettlement could commence for the protection of the people.
We see the point he made and we understand that, but the people can’t remain in the IDP camp for a long time because by October we will have the advent of the rainy season. And matters will become worse. Therefore, bearing this situation in mind we thought of pleading for a speedy resettlement because we are of view that clearing the land mines in Vanni region will take considerable time. Therefore, people can’t be expected to remain in the IDP camps for a long time.
Asian Tribune: Is it true that more than 25-30,000 IDPs with own houses in Jaffna are now in Vanni camps.
N.Srikantha M.P: Mmore than that
Asian Tribune: Ok. We understand that another 50,000 plus IDPs from the East own houses are also in Vanni camps. Why can’t they be sent back to their own homes?
N.Srikantha M.P: Very happy that you raised this issue. This is very logical. I have already raised this issue in Parliament and with Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services the other day when the war was in the final stage
Asian Tribune: Even I spoke with the Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen yesterday about this issue.
N.Srikantha M.P: Very good! Very good! He is a very sensible man. Very conscious of the problem of the people and very much interested in bringing up a solution to the people.
As you have rightly said there are thousands of people who own houses in Jaffna and certain other parts of the country; there are thousands and thousands people who can find alternate accommodations from their relatives and friends. Hence these people can be immediately released for resettlement. This will reduce pressure on the IDP camps; the government will also get some relief; once these people are out, the government can focus on the rest; that number will be very much manageable in the camps.
Asian Tribune: I think more than one third of the IDP’s, about 100,000, can be resettled immediately but what minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen told me was – they the government is registering the IDPs, the registering process will be over soon, and once the registration was completed, may in another week, the government will k now who has houses, who donot have houses and where is their house. Then it will be possible to consider this type of resettlement. May be you like to take up the issue with the President when you meet him next.
N.Srikantha M.P: In today’s meeting I have expressed our desire to meet with the President separately in order to discuss very many issues pertaining to these two matters; the president replying to the discussion said he will be meeting with the representative of various parties separately in the next few weeks.
We will be making a formal request to meet the President in the next couple of days. And once that (meeting) comes through, as you rightly said, we will raise these matters and discuss with him. We will try to impress up on the President the feasibility of releasing these people without any further delay so that they can stand on their own feet or with the assistance of their kith and kin.
Asian Tribune: The government can also assist them and give them all the support. The international community wants them to be resettled as early as possible.
N.Srikantha M.P: You see there are thousands of public servants who are also lodged there. They were working for the people in the war zone area when the war was taking place. And the government asked these people to come into the government controlled area and assured them they will resettle them. What has happened? We understand Government’s practical difficulties in dealing with such a large population, but now that all have been housed in transit camps, a system is put in place to look after them, the government logically move to the next step to see whoever could be released without any further delay is released.
You know, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people but the problem is they should have the clearance from the government.
We are getting calls from abroad expressing willingness to help our people. There are a number of people who are asking us repeatedly that they are willing to help.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help…..
Furthermore, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people and the problem is that they should have the clearance from the government.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help in solving this issue.
We can organize a massive assistance programme from the civilian population in the North and from those who are residing in Colombo.
Some of them organize some materials to be send by lorries and even then there were some practical difficulties. The Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen was very helpful.
We encourage social organization to give all the assistance in getting all the necessary clearance and arranging transport.
Minister Douglas Devananda was also helping in that direction.
Asian Tribune: Only thing is that you to be vigilant and cautious that some of the unwanted elements should not get in the way.
N.Sri Kantha M.P: Yes, that is true, the type of elements who gain by using the miseries of the people. There are even calls from abroad from people indicating willingness to help this people. We haven’t finalized on these requests. Asian Tribune: Who are the organizations which wanted to get involved?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, there are number of people who are known to us, who are repeatedly asking us that they are willing to help through various NGOs in Europe and individual capacity. We will connect them directly with people once we take it up with the President.
Asian Tribune: There are some big local NGOs who cook and feed thousands of people on a daily basis.
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, I think that they are all doing commendable service to our people.
Asian Tribune: Why can’t you link your people and organizations with these local NGOs?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, that is a good suggestion.
We will raise this issue with the President. One important issue we wanted to raise is, as you rightly said, whoever are confident of going out of the camp and are able to manage their day to day life from among the IDPs, they should be permitted to do so after the government verified their claim.
If someone wants to come forward to take charge of their relatives who are in the IDP camp, then the government can take the person’s details and can always check on them if necessary to make sure what they are doing and should be allow the particular relative(s) with them, till they are settled in their place of choice.
That maybe most probably in the case of the people who are mainly coming from Vanni region, but as you rightly said there are thousands of Tamil who were forced to leave the Jaffna Peninsula when LTTE moved out of Jaffna in 1995 December. Number of my relatives went to Vanni and now they are now in the IDP camps. But majority of them have their own houses and want to go back to Jaffna and restart their lives.
Asian Tribune: When are you going to meet the Sri Lanka President?
N.Srikantha M.P: I think as Mr. Sampanther – Our Parliamentary group leader, has returned and now in Trincomalee. Now that he has come, we will all be meeting tomorrow or day after and then in the next working day probably on Tuesday our request will be on the table of the President. I think he will invite us as quickly as possible.
- Asian Tribune -
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