'Thirteen' plus or minus, Lanka's prerogative

Exactly 14 years ago, on January 25, 1998, the LTTE launched a dastardly attack on the most sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in the ancient city of Kandy.

The Tiger suicide cadres exploded a massive truck bomb at the entrance of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, killing 16 persons including a two-year old infant and injuring about 25 others, all innocent devotees who were on their way to offer alms at the Temple on that fateful morning.

The destruction by terrorists to the venerated shrine was strongly condemned by people the world over. The dreadful memories of this inhuman attack are still fresh in the minds of Buddhists all over the world. The terrorists, perhaps, would have resorted to such an attack to provoke Buddhists and seek undue advantage from the international community.

On the contrary, Buddhists who account for almost three-fourths of the country's population, exercised utmost restraint and acted wisely. They were deeply cognizant that the LTTE had attempted to create mayhem and show the world that the Tamil community was being harassed in Sri Lanka. Thanks to the magnanimity of Buddhists here, the Tigers could not achieve their ultimate goal.

Although one-and-a-half decades have elapsed after that deadly attack, the Tiger proxies and the shadow organisations of the now defunct LTTE are still attempting to project a gloomy picture of Sri Lanka before the international community. LTTE sympathisers abroad seem to be still living in a world of fantasy though the LTTE leadership was routed by Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces in May 2009.

A section of the Tamils living abroad, including LTTE sympathisers and Tiger proxies in Sri Lanka such as the TNA, have spared no pains to woo international sympathy and prove to the world that the Government is not doing enough to address their grievances. The Government may have done little or nothing to satisfy their objectives, but the Government has done enough and more to address the grievances of people in the North and the East.

The problems and aspirations of the Tamil community in the North and the East are totally different from migrant Tamils, living in Europe, Canada, Australia and the US. While most Tamils who have either obtained citizenship or permanent residency in those countries still cling to the ideas imbued in them by the LTTE, the demands of Tamils residing in Sri Lanka are poles apart from a separate state and devolution of power. Tamils living in the North and the East are only keen on a better tomorrow after their liberation from the clutches of LTTE terror and care less for police and land powers to Provincial Councils, as demanded by the TNA.

In point of fact, the demands and aspirations of Tamils in Sri Lanka differ depending on where they live. The problems faced by people in the North are completely different to those faced by their counterparts in the East. On the other hand, the Tamils in Colombo and other parts of the country have different aspirations. Hence, is it justifiable to make a general assessment and arrive at a common solution for the entire Tamil community?

The problems faced by Tamils in the North are akin to those faced by Muslims in the province. Similarly, the problems encountered by Tamils in the East are not unique as the Sinhalese and the Muslims in that province too encounter the same problems.

In other words, most of the problems faced by Tamils are not due to their ethnicity, but chiefly due to their geographical location. Unfortunately, those with vested interests in the international arena and certain INGOs which have a predilection to create problems in countries such as Sri Lanka and thrive on them, more often than not jump to conclusions that Sri Lanka has a deep ethnic issue which demands further devolution of power.

International experts and INGO agents must bear in mind that Sri Lanka is a tiny speck in the Indian ocean, the extent of which is almost negligible when compared to countries such as the US, Australia or even India. Hence, the power devolution models which certain countries are attempting to foist on us do not suit local needs.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has time and again quite rightly said that Sri Lanka needs a home-grown solution that meets the aspirations of all communities here. No country has the right to impose anything on Sri Lanka or interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. As far as power devolution is concerned, Sri Lanka has gone to the extent of setting up Provincial Councils, which is a heavy burden on the country's exchequer.

The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report has highlighted how Sri Lanka could find a solution to foster greater ethnic harmony and, moreover, solutions to the actual grievances of the people in the North and the East. The LLRC report, which has been hailed by many experts in the international arena, is no doubt food for thought. The Government could easily address the genuine problems faced by all communities in the North and the East on the guidelines proposed in the LLRC Report.

In this backdrop, whether such a solution should be based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution or not is purely up to the Government and the political parties represented in Parliament. Even if it is based on the 13th Amendment, the extent it should go, be it 13 plus or 13 minus, is the prerogative of Sri Lankans.

During President Rajapaksa's six years in office, he has amply demonstrated his political maturity and passion for democracy. Hence, he would certainly consult all political parties, social and religious leaders on the best solution to address the genuine problems of people in the North and the East.

The solution needs to be honourable and acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka, similar to President Rajapaksa's inspiring leadership to the Security Forces in achieving an honourable peace while protecting Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The international community should not be unduly swayed by the wily propaganda of LTTE poltergeists, with an eye on the forthcoming UN Human Rights Commission sessions and other international fora. The Government has a sincere desire to address not only the grievances of the Tamils, but also all other communities here.

The world, at large, should view gigantic developments in Sri Lanka after terrorism was eradicated, with an open mind. Those who still see Sri Lanka from a negative perspective, should visit the country and see for themselves the rapid development in the country and the ethnic harmony that now prevails.