by Northern BreezeDec 10, 20197:46 pm

Can TNA bridge the Gap?

Possible if TNA play its role as Sole Representatives of the Tamils in the Real World

Sri Lanka doing well at the South Asian Games is a good development for the country under the leadership of a new president, facing the real world preparing to rule the country putting right people in right places to administer the country, refer to attached TV programme aired last night.
Face The Nation 09-12-2019 | Col3neg Television

But it still leaves the minorities, particularly the Tamil speaking people living in the previous war zones North and East of the country, who are still living in a dream world, hoping for a better life. More so those who got displaced by the three decades of civil-war unhappy with events in their country of birth, refer to the attached article written by Mr. Thambu Kanagasabai, President, The Tamil Canadian Elders for Human Rights Organization.

sri-lank4-fast-sliding-to-become-a-failed-state_Download

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should take the opportunity and accept the general invitation made by the New President to all political parties to support in the nation building efforts by his care taker government. TNA could help the New Ruler to bridge the gap where the ruled minorities wanting their issues resolved including devolution of power, while the government wants to assist first in their development activities. Thus resolving the issues of those, who keep sending TNA back to the parliament election after election, would earn the self proclaimed title as “Sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people”, at the same time ensure security of the island nation.

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1

Northern Breeze on Dec 11, 2019 at 1:29 pm
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Upendra Singhe
12:00 AM (13 hours ago)

Thanks Rama,

I hope TNA and those in the south can bridge the somewhat un-reconcilable differences and find a way forward.

Development requires participation of the global community and hopefully best of universities and institutions . That can be facilitated only if there is peace law and order and credibility. In its absence all and future generations will suffer.

Perhaps this is the only opportunity our generation has to make a positive contribution. We got to find a way round prior failures. It involves walking a tight rope during a storm. It can be done with proper resolve and discipline.

Dreaming of a global city in Trinco and global creative arts / music festivals all around.

Best

U

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  Northern Breeze on Dec 11, 2019 at 1:32 pm
  Reply
  
  Upendra,
  
  TNA and the President must bridge this gap to go forward, for this other political parties on either side must put the country before their political parties, there lies the problem. President is in the right frame of mind to attract global community participation and there are many waiting to grab the opportunity due to the location of the country in the Indian Ocean. Already India, China, USA have expressed interest and now Japan. As to our formal colonial masters UK, they have their own problems at home with the upcoming general election, perhaps they will come in later. EU is already here so all the President has to do is to put the country in order, before taking the country to the polls next year.
  
  Unfortunately, TNA is yet to touch the ground as they were floating in the air that began before the presidential election anticipating the victory of DNF; but sooner they come back to the ground to face reality by meeting the President to secure a peaceful future for all. In its absence as you have said correctly all Sri Lankan future generations will suffer.
  
  TNA with their self claimed sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people role, must grab the opportunity to make a positive contribution and find a way round prior failures. True it involves walking a tight rope during a storm, but achievable with proper resolve and discipline of the TNA leadership; rather than waiting on outsiders to resolve issues of the minorities.
  
  Once the issues of the minorities are resolved amicably, the President must introduce a national policy for a real-world of Sri Lankans in the country, all enjoying basic rights living in a multi-cultural mix; educated with ability to communicate with each other having as a minimum knowledge of two of the three languages and follow the faith of their own choice in a real-world, where the majority have a dominance; a feature exists in all countries in this beautiful world and in Sri Lanka it is Sinhala Buddhist, no fuss provided that majority follow Buddha Dharma.
  
  Good Day Pal,
  
  Thamby Ramar
  
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  - 3
    
    Northern Breeze on Dec 12, 2019 at 6:34 pm
    
    Upendra Singhe
    2:38 AM (6 hours ago)
    Simple game theory / or prisoners dilemma will show that parties have to cooperate to move forward. The differences, in reality, are not material as both languages are somewhat obsolete in the global economy. I don’t mean to upset anyone but the reality.
    Think of a bell-shaped distribution curve. Either end has little relevance, that includes BBS and perhaps some part of TNC. So need to consolidate the middle.
    I question the claim by TNC that they represent the Tamil view. On a numerical basis that is absurd; north and east consist of a small fraction of the Tamils hence no mandate.
    In my view, TNC consists of less than 25% of Tamils.
    Tamil speaking population in Sl consists of 13% ahh proper Tamils but in reality, it is double that with Muslims who are Tamils that makes it 26% and with estate Tamils it Is in order of 30%. So TNC has no mandate from Tamils as their representation is 6 to 7 % of the population. Either way, this is total irrelevancy when the objective is to lift people out of abject poverty when a major resource at their disposal is occupied by India under false pretences. India is only 5% Tamil and their ( new Indians —not Tamil) objective is regional domination.
    We have to get beyond that and deploy global interest in utilizing the most important trade route that will be dominant in the future. Indian Ocean trade will be 80% of global trade by the end of this century,
    For the few who may not have done this; go to the Kovil in Trinco go up the hill and 10 mins focused on the ocean.
    Then you may get it.
    Best
    U
    
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4

Northern Breeze on Dec 12, 2019 at 6:58 pm
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Yes, according to the 2012 figures indicate of the total population that is classified as Tamil speaking is made up of 11.15% Ceylon Tamils, 9.3% Ceylon Moors and 4.2% Indian Tamils. Further of the total Ceylon Tamils in the country, only 43.79% are living in the Northern Province and 27.20% in Eastern Province are the only population that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) may claim to represent as the rest 29.01% are living outside these two provinces and are represented in parliament by other political parties. Yet that’s the way TNA has been conducting themselves self-proclaiming to be the sole representatives of the Tamils is far from reality.

Many times the TNA leadership has been advised by many Tamil civil groups both in the country and overseas to bring in other political parties of the Tamil speaking people, least for consultation on matters pertaining to the plight of the Tamil speaking people. In fact, an invitation was extended by other political parties of the Tamils in the rest of the country to form a common alliance to resolve issues of Tamils. Since the TNA leadership failed to use these opportunities, some political parties in TNA have opted to get out of the alliance; while the suffering Tamil people have continued to display solidarity by voting TNA back to parliament election after election.

For the critics are up in arms with the main controlling body of TNA, the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) that dominate the remaining members, as it should be held responsible for the pathetic state of the Tamil people in North East of Sri Lanka; challenging as to what they have achieved for Tamil people in the 70 years of their political carrier as elected representative in parliament. They are accused of receiving for them many payout privileges for giving unconditional support to the previous government; this on top of the large sum of money they made on the car permit every five years. These critics also claim that few senior members have negotiated free education for their children in the top universities when they visit countries of the superpowers to discuss the problems of the Tamil people. If TNA continues this way before long people would dump them.

Well as to your other comment, yes I have been to Thirukooneswaram Kovil up the hill in Trinco many times twice this year and reminded myself of the many opportunities missed in the past 70 to utilize the port in the most important trade route and on the land site the underutilized storage tank farm that could be put to use to benefit the whole country. Since independence, all governments have neglected these areas as referred to past posts in Northern Breeze; perhaps all this will change under the new president, who has promised development for these people.

Good Day,

Thamby Ramar

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5

Northern Breeze on Dec 13, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Reply

Sinnadurai Mahendran
Dec 12, 2019, 4:58 PM (20 hours ago)

Dear Upe,

Tamil speaking population in Sl consists of 13% ahh proper Tamils but in reality it is double that with Muslims who are Tamils that makes it 26% and with estate Tamils it Is in order of 30%. What’s the reference for these figures Upe?

Last census figures in 2012 say Srilankan Tamils 11%, upcountry Tamils 4%, Muslims 9% You are out by a total of 6%:

Ethnic groups
Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)

Also you said,
“I question the claim by TNC that they represent the Tamil view. On a numerical basis that is absurd; north and east consists of small fraction of the Tamils hence no mandate. In my view TNC consists of less than 25% of Tamils.”

Unfortunately the census information totally contradicts your view.
If you look at the demography chart below you will appreciate that 70% of Tamils still live in NE provinces! 21% live in Western and central province

Mahen

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6

Northern Breeze on Dec 13, 2019 at 2:07 pm
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Nalin,

Appreciate your opinion about this forum. Upali requested and promptly remove his name from the circulation as done to all others requested for the same.

Thanks for quoting George Burns. Unfortunately, there are many in Sri Lankan parliament who have passed into retirement age, still plodding on, many political parties are waiting for a change, but unable to achieve it. UNP and TNA are good examples.

In the nineteenth amendment only to prevent Namal contesting the presidency they introduced a low age limit of 35; the same lot never thought of an upper age limit; had they done so many political parties would have fielded new leaders.

Good Day,

Thamby Ramar

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