The SLFP proposals have shocked not only the Tamils but also the unbiased political observers and the international community. This is evident from the responses among the diplomatic circles.

In a political climate, where a war has been unleashed in the country, when there are acts of genocide against the Tamil people, the ruling SLFP has put forward a political package, which is described as a mere sham.

That Tamil people in their entirety have rejected these proposals outright is a great blow to the SLFP government. This has been rejected not only by the LTTE and Tamil National Alliance but also by all Tamil parties.

The EPDP of Minister Douglas Devananda, Ceylon Workers Congress, Western Province Peoples’ Front, Ananda Sangari-Chitharthan-Pathmanaba Front, pro -Tamil Trade Unions etc, have all criticized the SLFP proposals.

Some argue that this proposal has not been presented as President Mahinda Rajapakse’s Government’s proposal and that this is not the final proposals by the All Party Conference summoned by the government.

The people who put forward such arguments little realize that SLFP’s main partner in the government coalition and that President Rajapakse is not only the leader of SLFP but also of the coalition. He is the Executive President of the country as well.

In order to find a lasting solution to the national problem, the support of the Executive President of the country is essential. It is interesting to note that the proposals, which are unacceptable to Tamil people, have been submitted by the SLFP, the President of which is the Executive President of the country.

This reflects the extent to which the government, the ruling SLFP and its leader are prepared to be accommodative in regard to the national issue. It reflects how far they are prepared for a compromise.

The SLFP proposals are the worst of all the proposals that have been put forward over the years and the District Council system failed to stand the test of time. By presenting a half baked, unacceptable, proposal, the SLFP which is the main partner in the coalition government, has done a great service to the Tamil people.

It has proved to the international community that the south is not flexible and that it is not ready for any compromise in resolving the national issue. By this conduct, SLFP has in a way made the international community to see the justice in the cause for which the LTTE is fighting.

The Tamil people must be grateful to the Sri Lanka Freedom party for presenting shoddy proposals and enabling the international community to identify the racism of the south which wants to dominate and oppress then minority in the country without consenting to the legitimate and fair aspirations of the minorities.

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

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