TN politicians trying to reign supreme, straining bilateral
relations - DEW
by Mnjula FERNANDO
Senior Minister for Human Resources Dew Gunasekera said,
Senior Minister Dew Gunasekera |
“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
Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe
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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.
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