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| Sunday, 14 August 2005 |
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P-TOMS - the linguistic approach I wish to comment on an article written by K. Sivalingam on P-TOMS which appeared in the Sunday Observer of July 24. Mr. Sivalingam argues that the tsunami has affected two linguistic people and 'there is no religious entity for communities to request for their representation in P-TOMS Council'. By the same token, the tsunami did not unleash its fury against Tamils and Sinhalese as such but against all Sri Lankans living in the coastal areas. So why should there be a P-TOMS on a linguistic basis at all ? Isn't it then a matter for the Sri Lankan Government to address the post tsunami relief and rehabilitation ? Muslims are indeed a separate community with distinct identity and have been recognised as such, in the country and the world over, from time immemorial. The Tamils themselves have recognised the distinct nature of the Muslim community by carrying out murderous attacks against the Muslims, confiscating their lands and committing various other forms of atrocities. As if to remove all doubts and for ever, the LTTE carried out its inhuman ethnic cleansing of almost 100,000 Muslims from the North nearly 15 years ago. They are yet to be allowed to return in spite of several promises by the LTTE. Mr. Sivalingam's assertion, therefore, is not shared even by the LTTE for whom Muslims are a separate community that can be violated and dealt with as it pleases. To dismiss the Muslim claim for separate representation, he makes the outrageous suggestion that the Portuguese Burghers of the East, who are Catholics by religion but speak the Tamil language, must also be given separate representation if Muslims are to be represented separately. Even the Burghers have not asked for separate representation because they know they have absolutely no case for such representation as they are a tiny fraction of the population of the East with their total number being in 4 digits making around 0.5 per cent. Further, the fact that the Tamil groups spared the Burghers of any atrocity that they inflicted on the Muslims is an indication that they are regarded as part of the Tamil community. Needless to remind, the Muslims are the single largest community in the East making 40 per cent of the population. Therefore, bringing up a non-existent Burgher factor to trivialise the perfectly valid Muslim demand for separate representation is not merely mischievous but a pointed insult to the intelligence of your readers. It must also be pointed out that there is a widespread feeling that merging the North and East is totally unfair, unjust and undemocratic when the Tamils form only about 1/3rd of the population with the Muslims and Sinhalese making up the 2/3rd. While the population mix of the East makes the case for merger very weak, the attitude and mind-set of the likes of Mr. Sivalingam makes the case for de-merger very strong indeed. Will the international community care to take note ? M.I.M. Siddeeq |
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