THE CONCERNS OF TAMILS FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN SRI LANKA AND CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS FROM CEYLON TODAY, PUBLISHED TODAY. Tamil Nadu counts on President Sirisena addressing Tamil concerns! It has turned out to be a time of celebration for people of Tamil Nadu and its politicians who were up in arms against Sri Lanka over Tamil issues saying at the conclusion of the presidential election, that the defeated UPFA regime did not play fair by the Tamil citizens after the war was won. Last Friday morning after the news of a handsome victory in the defeat of Rajapaksa reached across the Palk Strait, came with it a great sense of relief. Tamil Nadu counts on President Sirisena addressing Tamil concerns! BY SULOCHANA RAMIAH MOHAN It has turned out to be a time of celebration for people of Tamil Nadu and its politicians who were up in arms against Sri Lanka over Tamil issues saying at the conclusion of the presidential election, that the defeated UPFA regime did not play fair by the Tamil citizens after the war was won. Last Friday morning after the news of a handsome victory in the defeat of Rajapaksa reached across the Palk Strait, came with it a great sense of relief. A Tamil youth activist in Chennai, V. Prabhakaran told Ceylon Today although the defeat of Rajapaksa is to be celebrated they have plans to hold two protests, one if Mahinda Rajapaksa wins in the presidential election and if Maithripala Sirisena wins mainly because whoever takes to power will not show concerns on Tamil issues. We will have to fight it out. Its time to systematically handle this situation because the new leadership did not offer promises either to India or to the Tamils in the island on the national issue. The close fight of the two main candidates in the presidential election was similar to the moment when Sri Lanka won the world cup an engineering student also a student activist, Gabriel said over the phone. President Maithripala Sirisena promised a fresh foreign policy that would mend Colombos ties with the international community, contrary to Mahinda who messed up the Colombo relations with the West and India. Some quarters say President Sirisena who made no pre-poll promises either to India or to the Tamils in the island but there have been backstage deals with Delhi and the Tamil National Alliance (tna) ruling the Northern Province. However, across the political spectrum of Tamil Nadu; stalwart politicians such as of Dravida Munnetra Kalagam (MDK) M. Karunanidhi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kalagam (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko. Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) Tamil Nadu President Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Naam Thamilar Katchchi President Seeman and BJP Global Convener Vijay Jolly in their press statement welcomed the new leadership and showed a sense of overriding jubilation. Karunanidhi Karunanidhi, who was re-elected as DMK chief for the 14th time yesterday, said it was a happy moment for Tamils. Winners and losers should mend ways realizing who is responsible for what happened in the past. Karunanidhi demanded that the war crimes probe stay alive. He also requested the new president to avoid the mistakes his predecessor made. T.K.S. Elangovan of DMK has also said, Tamils in general are very happy. But we have to wait and watch as to how the situation develops. Film director Seeman The controversial Tamil Nadu film director Seeman said it is not only Rajapaksa who was defeated but also the Indian Prime Minister N. Modi. Seemans media release stated that President Rajapaksa was in the view he would continue to be the leader but was defeated by his own camp and people. His nepotism and dictatorship has taught him a bitter lesson and his time came too quickly and unexpectedly to everyone after calling for an early election. Seeman added that Rajapaksa was too confident that he was doing the right thing for his people but people called for a change. Tamils are still in the camps in Sri Lanka and in Tamil Nadu. Did he show any kindness to them? He was only interested in developing the country. Developing the nation for whom? Shouldnt it have been for the people with whom he has lost the common touch? he queried. Seeman who is critical about Modis government said, many of the politicians including Prime Minister Modi had said that Rajapaksa was a commendable leader doing the right thing. But Sri Lankans proved him otherwise. Seeman went on to say that Maithripala Sirisena who defeated Rajapaksa should take all what happened in the past as examples. We, the Tamils in Tamil Nadu still cannot fan our happiness to the new leadership as we have still to see how he would approach the Tamil national issue. But we do appreciate his effort for defeating his best friend by stepping out from the Rajapaksa camp. We are looking forward to seeing a peaceful nation, free from dictatorship giving equal opportunities for everyone and that is what even all the Sri Lankans expect from the new leadership. President Maithripala should maintain law and order and elevate himself to be the ideal president of Sri Lanka. He should also, now let the United Nations team into probe human rights violations in Sri Lanka, Seeman stressed. Indian media quoted that BJP Tamil Nadu President, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan had told the media persons in Coimbatore that anybody who is against peoples welfare will have to go and the Rajapaksa loss is a testimony to this. Tamils are extremely happy. Even DMK Leader Elangovan stated, We would like to wait and watch the progress of the new leadership. Vaiko Vaiko, who broke away recently from the NDA formation in Tamil Nadu, described Friday as the happiest day in his life. Every Tamil family is celebrating the fall of a dictator, he said in a conversation with the press persons in the temple town of Tanjavoor. Vaikos hopes from the new leadership – that he may not follow Rajapaksas footsteps of tyranny, reflects the general expectations of the political parties in Tamil Nadu from the new dispensation in the island nation. Even though he is in another side of Sinhala racism, he is likely to be better because there would be pressure put on him to improve the treatment given to the Tamils, Vaiko said in his statement. Vaiko said justice prevails and Rajapaksas defeat is a celebration. Rajapaksas defeat comes with the Tamils denouncing their support to him. The entire Tamil votes and the Muslim votes, he could not secure and that gives a strong message. That is the final judgment his press statement revealed. Vaiko, like Karunanidhi and PMK chief S. Ramadoss (who is a partner in NDA), demanded that Rajapaksa be taken for war crimes at the international court of justice. They (TN political parties) may not hate Sirisena as much as they hated Rajapaksa, who they all want to be taken for war crimes in the international court of justice, said Prof. Ramu Manivannan of Madras University, Hindustan Times quoted. The fishermen issue aggravated the hate relationship between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka and it will continue to dominate in politics both sides when it comes to elections. Prof. Manivannan Prof. Manivannan explained as to why these issues would find articulation in Tamil Nadu politics. Firstly, it is only a regime change for Tamils in Sri Lanka and how the new dispensation deals with their concerns – reducing militarization in north and east of Sri Lanka, constitutional amendments to give more powers to Tamils, livelihood issues given to the fact that Sirisena had not committed himself to any of these during the electioneering. Corruption and nepotism were two major issues that gave a blow to Rajapaksa and the Tamils concerns were not an issue in the elections. Concerning this and how they are addressed or ignored will continue to resonate in Tamil Nadu politics, Prof. Manivannan stated. Whether the new president will stop forcible resettlement of Sinhalese in Tamil majority areas is something that needs to be watched, he had said. S. Ramadoss Pattali Makkal Katchi, which is parent of NDA (BJP led National Alliance), headed by S. Ramadoss in his statement said, Maithripala won with nearly 450,000 majority and Rajapaksas defeat sends several warning messages. His defeat is what everyone had been looking forward to. Ramadoss also noted the defeat of Rajapaksa comes mostly because he lost the minority votes and the new leadership should not forget this deciding factor. He lost the Tamil votes because he failed to come to terms with the Tamils aspirations and ideologies, he added. He urged the new leader Maithripala to show his gratitude and be grateful to the Tamils by showing his concern to their problems and that is what the Tamils all over would like to see. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in that scenario along with Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga coalition can bring a solution to the Tamil problem which is at stake. He also questioned whether the new government will not remove the military presence in the north so that is also a matter of concern, he added. BJP Global Convener Vijay Jolly BJP politician Vijay Jolly told Ceylon Today, triumph of democracy the Sri Lanka peoples verdict for a change is in consonance with the winds of change sweeping India. He stressed that people in power should not lose touch with grass roots and takes everyone alone on path the path to progress. One man party and one man rule is no good for democracy and the Sri Lankans verdict is a vivid proof of this dictum. Congratulations to the great winner and caution to the grand loser in Sri Lanka presidential polls, he added. Maithripalas win endorses the change most Sri Lankans yearn for... BY SULOCHANA RAMIAH MOHAN The Northern Province is split in its ideologies and political aspirations this time too, in comparison to the many from the South who wanted the incumbent president to remain in power. The majority Tamil speaking people again showed expressed their aspirations by voting for a new leadership. The winner who made no promises to the Tamils has something up his sleeve, many local politicians have opined. NP Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran Chief Minister of the Northern Province C. V. Wigneswaran in his press statement clearly said they have voted decisively and elected a new President and that he has complete confidence that democracy will be established under him. I believe that the foundation for a just solution to the problems of the Tamil speaking people, which have remained unresolved for more than sixty years, will be laid under his stewardship. I wish to state that we remain committed in providing him with our co-operation and assistance in this regard. He said that northerners believe that President Sirisena will not neglect or ignore the needs and welfare of the minorities. Several heavy responsibilities have been assumed by him he said. The obligations are manifold and include the obligation to provide relief to the inhabitants of the Northern, Eastern and the Upcountry regions who have suffered due to natural calamities in the recent past; the obligation to protect and reassure the Muslims who have been subjected to attacks by religious fanatics; and the obligation to restore and transform the livelihoods and lives of the inhabitants of the Northern and Eastern provinces, who are suffering from the presence and interference of a disproportionately large military despite the end of the war. I have no doubt in my mind that he would give those issues the necessary consideration. Patience, trust and empathy are all vital to sustain democracy. We have sowed the seeds for a democratic revolution today by committing ourselves to those attributes. We have done our duty. We have done so in the midst of varied intimidations, travails and dangers. We believe that the new leadership would enable our lives to flourish. May the future usher in a new era! May those who rule the country understand our needs and empathise with our aspirations, concluded the CM. The defeat came mainly because of a poor strategic plan to resettle the IDPs, not freeing the political prisoners, and land grabbing leaving many to live in welfare camps and shift houses and to relatives homes, the former government has kept its eyes shut. Jaffna, which looked too sober during the Northern Province Election, held in 2013, this time during the presidential election had hardly any signs of supporting any victor. There are two huge cut-outs of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in two places right outside the Jaffna railway station but his entire sketch is fully plastered with scotch tape, supposedly by his own party people who follow the election law. However, there is no trace of Maithripalas campaign. According to people there were no Maithripala or Ranil posters ever printed for the campaign except for the Tamil National alliance calling the Tamils to vote for Maithripala Sirisena. The people have been educated to vote for the Swan symbol pointing out Maithripalas name. Prior to the election, a youth in his 30, showed a fake ballot paper which was printed with a three-wheeler and the symbol pointing at the name Maithripala Sirisena. A youth who works for a kiosk in Jaffna said, This confused the people. This fake ballot paper was even printed in the Tamil newspapers paying enormous money to mislead the people. However, people were clear to vote for Maithri, he added. A taxi driver, Jegan (36) says he likes President Rajapaksa but not for another term. We need a new leadership. Welfare camp in Konapulam The Konapulam welfare camp was in a privately owned land in the North of Valikamam, where nearly 330 families were settled. Yoganathan (56) initially from Myiliddy, now lives in the Valikamam welfare camp for the last 20 years displaced in 1990, says, I am not keen on seeing who the next Sri Lankan president is, but to return to my land in Myiliddy where my living condition was 20 times better than what it is now. Having fathered his fifth child in the camp, he lamented that he is so sad that it had to happen in the camp while having a house and property in Myiliddy. The status of the welfare camp in Valikamam was pathetic. There had been floods in the recent past and they say their houses were submerged. There is no electricity. I have no job, but to seek labourers job for daily wage. I am a fisherman and I only know that trade well, he lamented. Stressing that he makes a monthly income of a little more than Rs 10,000, but half the month he is at home having no work to attend to. I am from Myiliddy, during a heavy airstrike we were displaced to Wanni, but during the last phase of the war we came here and remained here ever since 2010. He said that his land is in the high security zone. I like to see my house and property which is a vast acreage of land, he added. According to the statistics by the Valikamam PS, there are 37 welfare camps in the Jaffna peninsula. Around 9,900 families are displaced as their land has been demarcated as High Security Zone. Media has repeatedly exposed many of the IDPs conditions in the past and it remains the same, according to officials of the Valikamam north Pradeshiya Sabha and so a change in power is needed to address these shortcomings people face, the officials added. The pipe-borne water supply and makeshift houses are made by NGOs they said. Another voter, A Kadiragamanathan aged 56, a watchman who has studied in the English Medium, says we are poor and we have nothing. My land and my house... I just wonder when I would ever be there once again. I still dream of being there, he added. However, when Ceylon Today met with Governor of the Northern Province G. A. Chandrasiri in his spacious office in Jaffna, he denied that Northerners are being unhappy and in fact the youth are highly delighted to have President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the president for one more term. I will tell you today, there is no place for regime change. The President has pledged to restore the honour and dignity of the people of Jaffna and the Northern Province and he has done immensely to restore the peace people have lost and people, especially the younger generation sees him as someone whom they could rely on, he added. When asked why the northerners with all the efforts and development brought by the President for them, have not been in favour of him at all, the governor opined that the older generation are the ones who basically dont want a change in the society as they cannot change their ideologies. However, he recalled there is a 60% youth population in Jaffna and they are hyped up about the election. Having assured that Rajapaksa victory is definite, the governor said, he will too remain as the governor of Northern Province for the next 5 years. UPFA politician S. Thavarajah S. Thavarajah, of the UPFA representing the Jaffna District before the defeat of Rajapaksa said Tamils have continuously lost going to do mainstream politics joining the Centre, which has been the case in the past too. Tamil politicians dont want to be in power and gradually secure what they want. I dont see why President Rajapaksa will not give us what we want. Firstly, we should know to work with the Centre amicably without craving for overnight power and refusing to adjust. Tamils are deprived of power mainly because they want more and do not want to do mainstream politics joining the majority. They always want their share and that too immediately, he opined. Their coalition with Maithripala and Champika Ranawaka, Ven. Rathana Thera will drag them to a terrible situation. What are the Maithripala factions promises for the people of the North? Nothing and that is dangerous, Thavarajah claimed. When asked, why the people are listening to the TNA however, Thavarajah added its because they are emotionally attached to their traditions and beliefs and TNA plays with that emotions well. Tamils are highly sensitive and hardly can break out and think differently, he added. Claiming that as a Tamil, he thinks reasonably, said that anyone in his right sense should not vote for Maithripala because he is surrounded by extremists. I can sense it, and I dont say it because I am a UPFA politician. Northern Provincial Council Chairman, C. V. K. Sivagnanam Northern Provincial Council Chairman, C. V. K. Sivagnanam said everyone wanted a change including me. President Rajapaksa sent all of us a SMS before the election that he will restore the honour and dignity of the people of Jaffna and the Northern Province which means he has not restored. So, he basically says what he has not noticed this issue all these while, added Sivagnanam. The TNA knows Mahinda or Maithripala both cannot fulfil our demands, yet, let us see how it goes. We only wanted the regime changed. Once upon a time even UNP leaders said he will not join the TNA, and look today, he has come forward. What remains at the end is that changes are the only thing that keeps changing and so we want to try it without speculating anything at this moment. Maithripala also stressed that he will keep the army in the North. Let him keep anyone they want but they should not interfere in ordinary peoples lives and lets see how it goes. At the moment there is no major agreements signed with President Sirisena. Our people have grieved and they will be grieving till there is a common solution that comes in. The fact that there will be a National Government is strength itself and we welcome it. We also know that CBK has admitted that there is a Tamil issue, so we can safely assume, there can be changes brought in. We want a larger autonomous power within the unitary state. Our priority is to return to our land, release the 462 political prisoners, and resettle the displaced people on their own land and not anywhere else as suggested by the officials. He also said the TNA is happy that KP and Karuna and many others who are traitors of
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:55:55 +0000
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