Tamil Diaspora for Dialogue

by Hiranya Malwatta | April 7, 2009 at 10:28 am

1072 views | 42 Recommendations | 18 comments

21 intellectuals, members of the Tamil Diaspora arrived in Sri Lanka last week to have discussions with the government and to see the situation in Sri Lanka for themselves. These individuals came in the hope of getting involved in the future development plans for the North and East of Sri Lanka, if the discussions are to their satisfaction.

LTTE not the sole representative:
‘Solution only through political means’
---We have to be the people that we were 30-40 years ago---

Dr. Rajasingham Narendran, a veterinary expert who was the key speaker at the diaspora - dialogue which was held between the government and the Tamil diaspora representative last week in Colombo in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that it was time to think afresh instead of clinging on to the unpleasant experiences of the past. Militancy will not help to address the grievances of the Tamils. In this through healthy political means only a solution could be found for the Tamil question in the country.

Q: How do you describe the dialogue that took place between the Government and the Tamil diaspora last week?

A:It was very positive, interactive and answered many of the questions we sought answers for and has convinced us that the Government is genuinely interested in resolving the problems the Tamils confronted with.

Q: What made you to engage in a dialogue of this nature?

A:In the diaspora the campaign by the LTTE is so negative and exaggerated. The LTTE is trying desperately to convince the foreign leaders and politicians abroad. But we really wanted to come and see what is going on and to speak to the Government leaders of Sri Lanka. Therefore we took part in the dialogue with the representatives of the Government and got the real picture of what is happening with regard to the North and East crisis.

Q: What is your observation on the current state of affairs in the areas hit by war in Vanni?

A:We could not go into the war zone, but we went to Vavuniya and met the Internally Displaced Persons. It is very pathetic to listen to them. Most of them had injuries and several of them were shot at by the LTTE when they were escaping. Some of them were with amputated legs with serious injuries. Families have been separated, husbands have been separated from their wives. Some even paid ransom to the LTTE to flee from their grip. But now almost everyone of them are happy with the IDP centres created in Vavuniya. The Government is doing its best to see that the IDPs are safe and looked after well. The people in the IDP centres are happy. There are shops, banks, medical centres, libraries and places of worship within the centres look into their needs.

Q: How does the Tamil diaspora react to the situation in the North and the East?

A:Most of them do not see the wood for the trees. The propaganda of the LTTE abroad is so powerful. The diaspora is suffering from a syndrome. As a result they are unable to forget the past. They are ready to swallow whatever is told to them. Any story you tell about the Lankan Government or the Sinhala people, they believe. It is very difficult to bring out from their present mind set. It is only the actions by the Lankan government on the ground can bring the change.

So if we take the stance of the diaspora 40 per cent are fully committed another 40 per cent stand in the middle and 20 per cent are totally convinced that the LTTE is not the way forward.

Q: How do the Governments of the respective countries of Tamil diaspora see the Lankan situation?

A:Apparently they are very confused. Because there is a very vociferous campaign going on. Lack of true information has made the foreigners confused. However they are very much aware of the attitude of the LTTE and they won’t be simply carried away by the adverse propaganda of the LTTE.

Q: How do you see the liberation of the Eastern province from the clutches of the LTTE?

A:Definitely from what we have heard from the Government they have done a tremendous job in the East since the region was liberated from the LTTE. Specially in providing the infrastructure - road building, house building and in reviving the agriculture. Plenty of things have been done. We hope that they could maintain this trend and improve further.

Q: LTTE claims that it is the sole representative of Tamils. What is your opinion on this claim?

A:It is a misleading claim.You cannot become a sole representative at the point of a gun or by killing the dissidents people who disagree with them. It is the people who create leaders. Leaders don’t create people. The LTTE claims that they are the sole representative of Tamils by controlling them arrogantly and not by popular choice. So it is something like Hitler claiming himself to be the sole leader of Germans.

Q: What is your observation on the Tamil political leadership in the country?

A:Disgraceful - that is the best I could say. The Tamil National Alliance looks a lame duck. I do not want to amplify anything more on them. Where as the others who are aspiring for leadership in the future are caught up in their own personal ambitions. Lot of efforts have to be made in the Tamil front to evolve the next generation of leadership. We have to worry about the current bunch of people who claim that they are the leaders of the Tamils.

Q: What sort of a settlement do you expect for the Tamil strife in the North and the East?

A:I would say the 13th amendment could be a good starting point, if it is implemented fully in both letter and spirit much can be done. The present government really want to come out with a durable solution for the crisis by burying the past. So we would support whatever the good effort made in the right direction to solve the problem peacefully.

Q: What message are you all taking back to your respective countries from the dialogue with the Government?

A:Some of us carry very bad memories of the past. However we cannot live in the past. But it is time to forget.

Tamils are not the people we were thirty years ago. In every socio-political parameters Tamils have been weakened, brutalised and traumatised. The militancy has overtaken us.

It is time for recovery. We have to rejuvenate our society, cultural values and we have to be the people that we were thirty - forty years ago. Then naturally our political rights can be achieved.

Among the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the diaspora has the cream of our society. Willingly or unwillingly most of them have migrated to the west and they have also produced the next generation with good education exposed to modern civilisation in all its facets.

They have the financial resources. The leaders of Sri Lanka should see the greater participation of people in the peace efforts and the development activities.

Once peace is established the Tamil diaspora will not only confine to the development activities in the North and the East but will do its best in covering the entire country.

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Hiranya Malwatta

at 10:53 on April 7th, 2009

One of the members of “Tamil Diaspora for Dialogue” Mrs Rajeswari Balasubramaniam yesterday appealed to LTTE leader Prabhakaran for the release of innocent civilians trapped in the “No Fire Zone”.

“This is the time for us, Tamils, to rethink anew whether war and destruction is the final solution for Tamils who have lost thousands of them when one looks back after almost 20 years”, she said.”We Tamils who have borne the brunt of suppression, oppression, battered and bruised over the years must forget the past and think anew. We know that it is not easy to forget the past after what we went through was hell for many years it is not easy but you have to forget the past” she asserted.

“This message is especially for all those members of the Tamil Diaspora who are especially beating the war drums from the cool comfort and safety of their homes in foreign capitals around the world. They must think anew and learn to live in a united Sri Lanka where all could enjoy equal rights”, she said.

israeli.agent

at 10:37 on April 7th, 2009

"The propaganda of the LTTE abroad is so powerful. The diaspora is suffering from a syndrome."

Self explanatory.

.Agent.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 10:45 on April 7th, 2009

"Most of them do not see the wood for the trees."

Tranroy

at 19:52 on April 7th, 2009

I heard that there are 25 Tamil MPs who were elected by people. Why don't you get them work with you guys.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 20:19 on April 7th, 2009

Tranroy,

There are MPs from few different parties, out of which all except TNA are actually working with the government. TNA was/is the voice of LTTE in the parliament, it is general knowledge. However, in very recent times there are a few TNA members also who have begun to have good relations with the government. Let's hope they will get involved in things in the future.

Tranroy

at 21:23 on April 7th, 2009

That is good.

israeli.agent

at 20:27 on April 9th, 2009

In the video, the speak Tamil that is closed to that Classical Tamil.

What essentially they say that their request is:-

1. They want only peace. Nothing else.

2. The lives of civilian should not be endangered. Somehow someone must find a way to rescue the people trapped in the war zone.

3. The suffering of people trapped in the warzone are unimaginable - without food, shelter and they are living in hell.

The people who are actual Sri Lankan Tamils (They don't need EEzham or Peezham or Armed Conflict or anything like that. These are just the creation of some political vermin across the sea , LTTE terrorists and a very few LTTE supporting "Diasporan" who have no connection with the reality in Sri Lanka.

.Agent.

senthil5000

at 21:06 on April 9th, 2009

They didnt talk about Tamil Eelam, LTTE or sri lanka government because they are not happy to get into the 'white van'. Their main objective of the fasting is to stop the brutal war and treat people as people.

israeli.agent

at 00:02 on April 10th, 2009

That is a lie. They don't want talk about the Tamil Ezham because they don't want it. I agree with the second sentence provided you add these two words at the end.

"by LTTE"

.Agent.

senthil5000

at 10:49 on April 10th, 2009

That is not a lie. Its the sri lankan government that needs to treat people as people.

chanaka

at 21:31 on April 19th, 2009

"because they are not happy to get into the 'white van'." wow does this theory too popular in USA. There are 100000s white vans in Sri Lanka and which one are you talking about?

Deshi (not verified)

at 04:35 on April 11th, 2009

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Dear Prof Arunachalam. Sathananthan.

I know you all who brings facts are being threatened by LTTE.But as humans all peace loving people would be thankful for this contribution.

This is what is really needed at this moment. Why not act now without hanging on to the past having grievances where nobody will benefit from those.

Thank you again Prof. Arunachalam Henry Sathananthan for doing something really good.

———-

By Henry Sathananthan from Australia

Twenty one of us went to Colombo to get help for our refugees (IDPs) in the North by invitation of the foreign minister, the Hon. Mr. Bogalagama. This was the first time a foreign minister invited the Tamil Diaspora for direct talks in a 2 day conference organized in Colombo, for which we are very thankful. The Government listened to us, one to one, each with diverse opinions and we initiated a constructive dialogue.

This should have been done a long time ago and would have saved thousands of lives. We opened the door for further negotiation for anyone who wants to go and we will facilitate this to the best of our ability.

The talks were cordial and various matters were discussed including the rehabilitation of the IDPs, devolution, discrimination of Tamils by successive governments, safety of the people in the war zone, resettlement, medical aid etc., focussing on the immediate future of the Tamils.

We also met four other ministers and their secretaries, including the Basil Rajapakse, who elaborated at length about the rehabilitation of the East, which was impressive. Dr.Tissa Vithana spoke to us about devolution which was most encouraging. We also met some Tamil politicians but not the TNA who were conspicuously absent, and asked them to help the people in the North. We believe that the TNA must go to their electorates and help the IDPs, which is their responsibility.

When I met the foreign minister in October 2008 in Melbourne with Dr.Nadesan, I requested him to open up the roads and allow our IDPs to go anywhere they like to settle, which he agreed to in Colombo among other concessions, which will be elaborated in our website in due course by other members of our team.

We represented ourselves as individuals members of the Diaspora and seek nothing in return. I represented my forefathers and my father, the late C.Arunachalam. We hardly knew each other before we met in Colombo.

Since our mission was primarily to help the IDPs, I undertook urgent medical needs for the IDPs and met the Secretary Health Ministry on 30th March 2009, in keeping with my expertise, which was agreed to at the conference. We will do our best to help these people who have nothing left, except maybe there homes or land.

The government has given them shelter, food and some medical aid and now it is our turn to help, irrespective of our political affiliations. The government cannot do this alone, since they have to look after, the soldiers, as well. The news this week has not been good. We have lost more innocent lives and a generation of youth on both sides in this conflict, our own children - a tragedy indeed! We may be able to stop this by further negotiation, if the Tamil Diaspora all over the world are willing to do so now.

Deshi (not verified)

at 04:36 on April 11th, 2009

Contd.

Here are the stats:-

* 60,000 IDPs in government welfare camps – more coming day by day- many injured or maimed

* 60,000 or more trapped in 20 sq Km in the “safety zone” under LTTE control (Peace Council)

* 14 IDP camps in Vavuniya (see table attached) – one was visited by some of us

* 1 camp in Ambepussa – 39 youth who surrendered – we saw it and were impressed

Urgent needs from Health Ministry:-

* Anaesthetists

* Orthopaedics surgeons

* Psychologists

* Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists

* Drugs and bandages (drugs approved by Ministry – are cheaper in SL)

* Cheddikullam hospital – equipment and doctors – instruments cheaper in SL

* Upgrade Mannar and Vavuniya hospitals

* Nurses and Counsellors

* Tents for refugees and doctors in camps

Sri Lankan, Indian and French doctors are already there plus 14 NGOs - local and international

Doctors need to work at least 1 month – security, transport in SL and house? will be provided.

So I appeal to all doctors and paramedics in the Diaspora – Tamil, Sinhalese, Burgher, Muslim and also Australians. We have to work closely with the Health Ministry and Sri Lankan doctors

Other needs for IDPs. These will be addressed by other members of our group eventually

* Food and nutrition

* Beds and sheets

* Schools, teachers, books

* Computers and CDs, DVDs, PPTs

* Prostheses

• Toys

Yes we can :-

* Sponsor a student or orphan in a school

* Sponsor a family for rehabilitation

* Rehab a whole village – build homes

* Ask your relatives in SL to give a home to a family – anywhere in Sri Lanka

* Contribute funds to ICRC or camps, churches, temples or open your bank account in SL

I urge the Tamil Diaspora and all Sri Lankans to come forward in the darkest hour of our tormented history. Don’t take a back seat now, politics apart. The IDPs of all communities need your support, now or never. They have suffered long enough. They are our own people – not so fortunate as we all are. They have to be resettled and cannot live in camps for the rest of their lives. This is their hour of greatest need. Please visit http://srilankan-diaspora.org/ for images of refugees and other information

We lived as one not so long ago, remember our school and university days and the free education we had? Lets work together to help our motherland and our peoples.

Arunachalam Henry Sathananthan Professor, Monash Immunolgy & Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University

- ASian Tribune -

Deshi (not verified)

at 04:39 on April 11th, 2009

Contd.

Here are the stats:-

* 60,000 IDPs in government welfare camps – more coming day by day- many injured or maimed

* 60,000 or more trapped in 20 sq Km in the “safety zone” under LTTE control (Peace Council)

* 14 IDP camps in Vavuniya (see table attached) – one was visited by some of us

* 1 camp in Ambepussa – 39 youth who surrendered – we saw it and were impressed

Urgent needs from Health Ministry:-

* Anaesthetists

* Orthopaedics surgeons

* Psychologists

* Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists

* Drugs and bandages (drugs approved by Ministry – are cheaper in SL)

* Cheddikullam hospital – equipment and doctors – instruments cheaper in SL

* Upgrade Mannar and Vavuniya hospitals

* Nurses and Counsellors

* Tents for refugees and doctors in camps

Sri Lankan, Indian and French doctors are already there plus 14 NGOs - local and international

Doctors need to work at least 1 month – security, transport in SL and house? will be provided.

So I appeal to all doctors and paramedics in the Diaspora – Tamil, Sinhalese, Burgher, Muslim and also Australians. We have to work closely with the Health Ministry and Sri Lankan doctors

Other needs for IDPs. These will be addressed by other members of our group eventually

* Food and nutrition

* Beds and sheets

* Schools, teachers, books

* Computers and CDs, DVDs, PPTs

* Prostheses

• Toys

Yes we can :-

* Sponsor a student or orphan in a school

* Sponsor a family for rehabilitation

* Rehab a whole village – build homes

* Ask your relatives in SL to give a home to a family – anywhere in Sri Lanka

* Contribute funds to ICRC or camps, churches, temples or open your bank account in SL

We lived as one not so long ago, remember our school and university days and the free education we had? Lets work together to help our motherland and our peoples.

Arunachalam Henry Sathananthan Professor, Monash Immunolgy & Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University

- ASian Tribune -

Deshi (not verified)

at 04:43 on April 11th, 2009

Contd.

Here are the stats:-

* 60,000 IDPs in government welfare camps – more coming day by day- many injured or maimed

* 60,000 or more trapped in 20 sq Km in the “safety zone” under LTTE control (Peace Council)

* 14 IDP camps in Vavuniya (see table attached) – one was visited by some of us

* 1 camp in Ambepussa – 39 youth who surrendered – we saw it and were impressed

Urgent needs from Health Ministry:-

* Anaesthetists

* Orthopaedics surgeons

* Psychologists

* Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists

* Drugs and bandages (drugs approved by Ministry – are cheaper in SL)

* Cheddikullam hospital – equipment and doctors – instruments cheaper in SL

* Upgrade Mannar and Vavuniya hospitals

* Nurses and Counsellors

* Tents for refugees and doctors in camps

Sri Lankan, Indian and French doctors are already there plus 14 NGOs - local and international

Doctors need to work at least 1 month – security, transport in SL and house? will be provided.

So I appeal to all doctors and paramedics in the Diaspora – Tamil, Sinhalese, Burgher, Muslim and also Australians. We have to work closely with the Health Ministry and Sri Lankan doctors

Other needs for IDPs. These will be addressed by other members of our group eventually

* Food and nutrition

* Beds and sheets

* Schools, teachers, books

* Computers and CDs, DVDs, PPTs

* Prostheses

• Toys

Yes we can :-

* Sponsor a student or orphan in a school

* Sponsor a family for rehabilitation

* Rehab a whole village – build homes

* Ask your relatives in SL to give a home to a family – anywhere in Sri Lanka

* Contribute funds to ICRC or camps, churches, temples or open your bank account in SL

Deshi (not verified)

at 04:48 on April 11th, 2009

Contd.

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Here are the stats:-

* 60,000 IDPs in government welfare camps – more coming day by day- many injured or maimed

* 60,000 or more trapped in 20 sq Km in the “safety zone” under LTTE control (Peace Council)

* 14 IDP camps in Vavuniya (see table attached) – one was visited by some of us

* 1 camp in Ambepussa – 39 youth who surrendered – we saw it and were impressed

Urgent needs from Health Ministry:-

* Anaesthetists

* Orthopaedics surgeons

* Psychologists

* Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists

* Drugs and bandages (drugs approved by Ministry – are cheaper in SL)

* Cheddikullam hospital – equipment and doctors – instruments cheaper in SL

* Upgrade Mannar and Vavuniya hospitals

* Nurses and Counsellors

* Tents for refugees and doctors in camps

Sri Lankan, Indian and French doctors are already there plus 14 NGOs - local and international

Doctors need to work at least 1 month – security, transport in SL and house? will be provided.

So I appeal to all doctors and paramedics in the Diaspora – Tamil, Sinhalese, Burgher, Muslim and also Australians. We have to work closely with the Health Ministry and Sri Lankan doctors

Hiranya Malwatta

at 06:06 on April 11th, 2009

Deshi, Thank you for the valuable article.

SRatnam (not verified)

at 11:57 on April 21st, 2009

Tamils living any where in the country living in peril since the independence. The safe zone guaranteed was not kept safe by the military that is controlling the war right now. What is the guarantee Govt can give to the Tamil safety in the rest of the country?

If the extremist mobs cause another riot, where do the Tamils flee to? That is when the question of a real and believeable safety region for Tamils comes in to play in rebels terminology "Eelam". Not otherwise, but now what is the govt going to do about the mobs who goes on the rampage? The election is round the corner too to make things worse once again for Tamils in the rest of the country...