Urge to merge

The recent statements made by some eminent personalities, including the Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe, V. Anandasangaree, and a few spokespersons for the Indian Government, indicating the necessity to take steps to once again merge the Northern and the Eastern Provinces, only proves that they are totally ignorant of the circumstances that led to the merger, and also the history of the country.

It must be emphasised that, in J.R.'s own words, who signed the Indo-Lanka Agreement, the merger was temporary and that it was a small price to pay for peace.

Having paid that 'small price' did peace dawn, even after the lapse of nearly 20 years? The country has waited for 20 years for the elusive peace. Are we to wait for another 20 years? If the anticipated peace did not dawn, the only alternative, as any school child would say, is to restore the status quo.

Moreover, there was no mention whatsoever in the Agreement, about the merger being made permanent. Besides, Rajiv Gandhi, who signed the Accord on behalf of India, did specifically mention that terrorists will be disarmed within 72 hours and that it will be a 'short sharp exercise'. Any Doubting Thomas has only to go through the newspapers issued during the relevant time, about the said statement.

That 'short sharp exercise' has not yet taken place and that means India has reneged on their Agreement, while J. R. himself reneged on his solemn undertaking that 'a referendum will be held in the East, after one year and that he will personally campaign against the merger' Those UNPers who are now vociferously campaigning for a merger once again, should realize that they are betraying their dead leader, if they campaign for a merger now, because it was never J. R.'s intention to keep the two provinces permanently merged.

Be that as it may, the request for the merger is based on the belief that the North and the East are the traditional homeland of the Tamils. This theory has been debunked totally, in the book written by Rev. Ellawala Medhananda, titled "Our Heritage in the North and the East".

The Ven. Priest has challenged anybody for an open debate with him over the concept of traditional homelands. (Divaina 5.1.2006).

Mr. Champika Ranawaka, in an interview he had given to the Sunday Observer of December 17, 2006 had stated that "When Moguls invaded India, Tamil leaders escaped to Sri Lanka. Sinhalese are generous people.

We allowed them to stay in the North. I challenge anybody to show me evidence of a Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka" - Thirdly, Rev. Elle Gunawansa, in an interview given to Irida Lakbima of December 31, 2006 has challenged anybody to let him know what the grievances of the Tamils are, consequent to they being Tamils.

Very fortunately, none of our politicians, some professors, NGOs et al, who rush to the press and make statements at the drop of a hat, are adopting the policy of 'mythical monkeys'. i.e. 'hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing', as far as these challenges are concerned, leaving the ordinary citizens like this writer confused, as to who is wrong and who is correct.

It is time that the local Indian High Commission, convey the contents of this letter to their Government, for the enlightenment of their Ministers and officials who are 'advising' the Sri Lankan government to merge the two provinces.

It is time that at least one such officer accept the challenges referred to above, without groping in the dark about some non-existent entity. If nobody responds to this letter, the readers will make their own conclusions as to the sincerity of purpose of all those who are clamouring for a merger.

It is also a matter for great regret that the so-called Experts Committee, advising the All Party Conference, has totally ignored very relevant facts, as detailed above, in arriving at their conclusions. They owe an explanation to the general public for this glaring lapse on their part.

D. M. Wijewardena, Matara.