TN politicians trying to reign supreme, straining bilateral relations - DEW

by Mnjula FERNANDO

Senior Minister for Human Resources Dew Gunasekera said,

“I think it is a role played by some extremist elements in Tamil Nadu. The objective was to provoke the Sri Lankan people. I think we should not get provoked but act with restraint. We have to handle this question diplomatically with the central government. We must understand that Tamil Nadu is just one of the 25 states in India.

Just because certain elements behave in an unruly manner, we must not generalise that this is the reflection of the perceptions of the Indian people and the Government. We must allow the Indian government to handle this. Their actions could probably have a connection to the provincial council elections here, they may want to provoke the Sinhalese against the Tamil people.

During the period of the 30 years of war on terrorism there was no such incident in Tamil Nadu. It is obvious that these elements are frustrated pro – LTTE groups deploying various tactics to provoke the Sinhala people against the Tamils in Sri Lanka and to cause a backlash like in July 1983. We should not forget that the 1983 black July riots was the start of the war on terrorism. We have to learn lessons from history.

The second thing is that I am of the view that there are problems facing the Tamil people.

All political parties must get together and try to find a lasting solution to these issues. The Government or a single party alone cannot resolve them. These are issues that have not been addressed properly. The LLRC has also drawn the Government’s attention to this in their final report. We have to resolve our internal problem. Then we can minimise foreign interference to some extent. India is an economic giant. Being a small economy we can’t afford to lose friends like India, China and others.

There may be an international dimension as well to this incident. India should view this matter seriously. India has issues with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and all countries sharing their border. These are provoked by extremists, maybe to fulfill the aspirations of foreign elements. There is a disturbing pattern. In the aftermath of this Tamil Nadu incident, I think we have to look at the broader picture and handle the situation wisely.

Maximum security for pilgrams
Foreign Secretary Karunatilaka Amunugama

External Affairs Ministry Secretary K. Amunugama

The Sri Lankan Government and the External Affairs Ministry was compelled to issue this Travel warning due to the number of incidents that have taken place in Tamil Nadu and we are hopeful that this situation will be settled shortly. The Indian External Affairs Ministry has assured our high commission in Delhi that they will provide maximum security for the people visiting India and Tamil Nadu.

We also expect the visiting groups to keep the External Affairs Ministry and the Sri Lankan mission in Tamil Nadu informed of visits undertaken to South India in view of the current situation.

Sri Lanka is aware of the efforts taken by the central government in maintaining the good relations between our two countries. Sri Lanka considers relations with India, especially the people-to-people contact between the countries as valuable.

Think tank to implement foreign policy vital
Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha

I think we need to be concerned about this, and work together with the Indian government to make sure it is not repeated. While misplaced emotion may have contributed to the attack, we cannot discount more insidious political motives, to damage relations between our two countries.

I believe more should have been done to make clear in Tamil Nadu the good work being done here, and I was sorry that when I visited Chennai last year, where a comprehensive program had been arranged by our Deputy High Commissioner there, many of the journalists and civil society activists I spoke to said they had not had such information conveyed in such a fashion previously.

It was a pity the Deputy High Commissioner there, who was doing such an excellent job, and was a Tamil speaker, like his predecessor, was suddenly changed. I have no doubt his successor is also capable, but there should be a more systematic policy decision.

I think a think tank for Foreign Policy that has already been suggested by many must be put in place.