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| Sunday, 29 August 2004 |
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Case for federalism by Rashomi Silva International experts say the key to the crisis in Sri Lanka lies in a solution based on a federal structure. These views were expressed by Chairman Bob Ray, of the Forum of Federation, a Canadian based International Network on Federalism and Prof. David Cameron, the vice Dean at the University of Toronto, after a brief visit to the war ravaged North last week, which included a closed door discussion with LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvam. Addressing a seminar arranged by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, in Wadduwa visualising several possible scenarios for the national problem and the future of Sri Lanka Ray said the Federal solution always presents itself as an unavoidable choice to make. They stressed the need to establish a separate administrative mechanism for the North-East, till a final solution is worked out and the need to grant urgent humanitarian assistance to the public of war affected cities. Experts were of the view that the reality that had not stuck the majority in the South was that within Sri Lanka, there exists two states. One is the government of Sri Lanka a democratically elected body recognised internationally. And the other is the defacto LTTE state controlled by the LTTE. The defacto state is dictatorial with no democratic mechanism and lacking respect for Human Rights. But the defacto state has its own judicial, economic, educational systems, defacto Army, Police etc. The government by signing the Memorandum of Understanding and the Cease-fire agreement with the rebels accepted the existence of the defacto state. One possible scenario is that country would slide back to war, and the government forces would win, but defeating the LTTE would not end the crisis, there are genuine aspirations of Tamil people which need to be addressed. For that the government will have to start negotiations with Tamil representatives and ensure that their grievances are addressed . If the LTTE wins they will again have to talk with the government to make arrangements for a power sharing mechanism since a self declared LTTE state will not gain international recognition. Peace activist and head of Law facility Rohan Edrisinha, commenting on the ISGA proposals said the proposals are clear on the issue of self rule were apparently silent on the issue of shared rule, an equally important concept in a Federal structure. Power should go down to regional levels from the Central government, and it is also important to share power within the region. The rights and aspirations of the regional minorities, the Muslims and Sinhalese should also be taken into consideration. A suitable federal structure should be in the form of federalism within federalism within every administrative unit there should be a degree of autonomy which allows it's sub units a certain degree of decision making. The final settlement should be an autonomy within autonomy, federalism within federalism. Meanwhile peace activists here sounded optimistic about future negotiations and said the talks could resume if both parties realise the result could be undesirable if they do not talk. |
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