Sunday Commentary

The last march of the `Vaddukkodai Resolution’!

Prasad GUNEWARDENE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

C.V. Gooneratne

A. Amirthalingam

S. J. V. Chelvanayakam

The infamous `Vaddukkodai Resolution’ that sought the creation of the dreamland of a separate state, is now on its final march towards the graveyard constructed by Velupillai Prabhakaran. This resolution will be written in Tamil history, as the most criminal and notorious piece of paper that cost the lives of thousands of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in this country.

By historical conscience, that vicious resolution also snatched away many Tamil leaders of repute, who dreamt that distant dream, in hope and joy. Lest they knew the horror contained in that once `joyous’ dream. The separate state concept was a dream deferred, and in the words of African-American poet, Langston Hughes. And, that deleterious dream exploded critically on the Sri Lankan society like a curse contained in a `charmed’ paw of a monkey.

At least three generations of Tamils from the North and East, who would have had emerged brilliant and worthy citizens of this country, were dragged into a senseless war and buried by that cruel resolution mooted in Vadukkodai. The graveyards constructed by Prabhakaran over the thirty years, speaks volumes to that effect. It only resulted in the creation of an armed struggle that finally ended up in terrorism, now confined to a ruthless gang of Tamil traitors led by Velupillai Prabhakaran, called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

History has its twists and turns, as well as backward and forward movements that often take many by surprise. Such a dramatic turn was witnessed two years ago, when the LTTE forced President Mahinda Rajapaksa into another war, code named by Prabhakaran as - Eelam War 4. Prabhakaran never ever dreamt that it was the beginning of his end. As usual, he depended much on the Tamil Diaspora overseas for funding.

Though belated, the Tamil Diaspora overseas seemed to have realized that further funding would only let Prabhakaran annihilate more Tamils living here. And that Prabhakaran, for over thirty years had only written death certificates for Tamils and many in Sri Lanka.

When Elena was banished from Russia she said - “To dwell in the past you will lose one eye, and if you forget the past you will lose both” . In the bygone decade, many of our parliamentarians and leaders looked blind to the realities of trials and tribulations connected with a war. Instead, they ritually engaged themselves in a `war of words’ while the LTTE scored many victories on ground. The present government seems to have analytically learnt much from that past to protect both eyes.

However, history records that there were two members in two Parliaments of the past decade, who took the lead to urge the then governments to put the country on a war footing, and to create war awareness among the people. They were Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa from Hambantota District and Clement Victor Gooneratne, Colombo District, popularly known as Mahinda and CV in all political circles. From the day the LTTE war broke out in a frightening manner, these two members displayed patriotism inside and outside the Chamber.

Their contributions need no statues of stone or bronze, though they richly deserve many, when the country headed by one of them today is on a winning journey over terrorism.Mahinda Rajapaksa, as a then opposition and government member always stressed the need to fight the war as a war, and CV Gooneratne repeatedly wanted the country put on a war footing. Today, President Mahinda Rajapaksa who would crown his country at any moment recording a historic victory over LTTE terrorism, would certainly miss his dear colleague CV Gooneratne, a victim of LTTE terrorism on the inauguration day of war heroes. If the Churchill-styled C. V. was alive, he would have certainly in his stentorian voice, flamboyantly sung the Latin saga - “Monumentum Exegiaere Prennius” - which spells, - life and deeds and deeds are eloquent enough - of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s commitment and contribution to the nation.

The battle against LTTE terrorism is considered a top national priority and obligation by President Rajapaksa, despite the fact that national politics stand divided. Petty partisan politics continue to haunt the psyche of many of our opposition politicians. The government has not only faced resistance from the LTTE but, also from opposition political parties and some politically brain washed media stooges. It is timely to recall that former UNP State Minister Dr. Anandatissa De Alwis once told the scribes at a cabinet media briefing that, at times of war the media must stop meddling with issues relating to national security. That statement was made in the presence of his then Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, who is now a cabinet minister.

Our leaders at contest should learn from the recent events and developments in the United States. Both the Republican and the Democratic parties united as one entity, to fight terrorism after the September 11 terrorist attack on the US. They also forgot political rivalries after elections and joined hands in nation building. Defeated presidential candidate, John McCain was very vicious in his election campaign against Barak Obama.

But, McCain was the first to call Obama to concede defeat, congratulate Obama and offer his hand to build the nation. Addressing his supporters after defeat, McCain said,” From now onwards I will support Obama who is my President”. That was a high degree of magnanimity in democratic politics witnessed in the recent past.

The Tamils in this country have now given up the distant dream of a separate state. The remaining LTTE cadres, who are misleading a few Tamils of such a dreamland, are now much nearer to the graveyards constructed by their mentor, Prabhakaran. The infamous Vadukkodai Resolution will also be cremated with the last LTTE terrorist, to usher a new era to Tamils.

The nation calls upon all political party leaders to join hands to rebuild the nation and foster national unity. A victory over LTTE terrorism is certainly a jewel in the crown of Mother Lanka. Then the epilogue of our future could be titled, - `National Unity and Understanding’.

In the future, the civilized Sri Lankan society should not be allowed to sink down to barbarism for any ethnic cause. The infamous `Vaddukkodai Resolution’ must be cremated early to ensure a better future for all Tamils in this country.