The package presented by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party led by President Rajapakse is a sham. It is a half backed package to a half a century old national problem. Rejecting the SLFP proposals, TNA Parliamentarian has stated that they are another act of deceit by the Sinhala government. The proposals are not worthy of any consideration. He has echoed the unanimous view of the Tamil people in the island.

All Tamil Parties including the Ceylon Workers Congress and even V.Anandasangari have rejected the package.

These proposals reflect the temerity of the Sinhala Buddhist extreme forces not to grant the Tamil people their inalienable right. These proposals reveal the twin view points prevalent among the majority community.

One view point is that Buddhist must be given a special place. By suggesting the District as the unit of devolution it is indicated that the majority community is not prepared to move away from its policy of domination over the Tamil people.

By stressing on giving prestigious position to Buddhism in this country, President Rajapakse tries to project the image that he is another Bandaranaike.

By suggesting ting the district council System, that was envisage by J.R.Jayawardene in the early 80’s and which was rejected by the Tamil people, President Rajapakse portrays that he is another Jayawardene in the eyes of the Sinhala people.

The present position was envisaged by V.Prabakaran, the LTTE Leader, in his historic address on the Martyrs’ Day last year. He forewarned that the Sinhala government was not going to put forward a reasonable solution.

He further stated that by announcing an All Party Conference, the government was playing for time to pursue its acts of genocide against the Tamil people.

It is obvious that the ruling party has ignored the appeal by the international community to resume peace talks and peace efforts on the basis of the agreement reached between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.

By viewing the tone of the ruling SLFP package, the international community can see the justice in the cause and demand of the Tamil people.

Having read the government party’s package between the lines, the international community can fathom the reality. It is high time that the international community recognized the Tamil struggle for the right to self–determination.

An English translation of the Editorial in The Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed