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By Charles Perera

Two interesting articles appeared in the media recently one by the TULF Leader Anandasangaree and another by the University Teachers for Human Rights.

The intellectuals, and the Constitutional experts and nondescript, but, informed writers have written long or short essays on the subject of what sort of constitution is suitable to a multi-ethnic society of Sri Lanka. Anandasangaree has not pronounced the word Federalism, in his plea but proposes a constitution taking the Indian Constitution as a Model. But his problem is with the United and Unitary Sri Lanka. He speaks of the shattering of the confidence of the Tamil people and the sense of fairness they expect from the Sri Lanka State, if the political solution is to be based on a Unitary Sri Lanka. He warns such a solution will take the country back into another cycle of violence. Then he goes on to say that the people of the East need economic reconstruction , and need a political solution that is fair to the Muslims, Sinhalese and Tamils……where all people will feel equal and not feel like a minority or majority in order to be successful in reconstructing the East.

That is a good thought, but why cannot Mr.Anandasangaree propose the same solution to whole of Sri Lanka, where Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese will feel equal and not feel a minority or majority ? But, that sort of feeling of equality without being a minority or majority already (should)exists in the South. But as mental attitudes cannot be changed the Tamils and Muslims in the South, living with the Sinhalese may still feel, that they are in the minority and unequal. A solution to North and East should not be proposed in isolation to the rest of the country. A solution should be taken with all communities in mind, not leaving out the Sinhalese because the government happens to be of the Sinhala Majority. There lies the fault in the plea for a political solution within a United Sri Lanka.

It is said that 54 percent of the whole Tamil population in Sri Lanka live in the South. Every body accepts that they live in harmony with each other even if some may have handicapped mental attitudes with regard to the Sinhalese neighbour. Why cannot it be so in the North and East ? If it is not possible in the North and East, the root cause of it lies with the Tamils and Muslims who are in the majority in the North and East. It is they who should get rid of their mental distrust for the Sinhala brothers and sisters and accept them as their equals, not as members of the majority community.

Mr. Anandasangaree and the University Teachers for Human rights should contemplate on the question and make proposals for a communal integration where there would not be Tamils, Muslims or Sinhalese but Sri Lankans. It may seem to be too idealistic but it is a feasible proposition. Unless and until the inane distrust, and even dislike for one community towards another remains, nothing will be changed whether the government proposes a solution based on a Unitary Sri Lanka or a United Sri Lanka.

The Sinhala people in the South have lived for generations with the Tamils and the Muslims, and others in harmony despite the fact that there had been no Federal political system. Why cannot it be so in the North or East. The problem is therefore not with the Sinhala Governments or the Sinhala Supremacists , but the ulterior feeling of the Tamils, that some sort of exclusive Tamil Federal State in the North and East, is necessary for the Tamils. That is a divisive desire rather than a desire to unite the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim population.

The inability to see the unfairness of the proposed solution lies in the fact of looking at the problem with a fractioned mind. What is a fractioned mind ? A fractioned mind is where the mind is divided according to a person's race, community, religion, social status, profession etc. There is a fraction which is the race or community-Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, another fraction which is religion-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Islamic, another which is the social status -upper class, middle class, high caste , lower caste etc. and another which is professional– a Doctor, Professor, Politician etc. Hence, if you look for a solution to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka, as a Tamil , a Hindu, a Vellala, or a Doctor, you look at the problem with that particular fraction of the mind, and find a solution which suits that fraction of the mind. Therefore your solution is incomplete and prejudiced. But if you look at the problem with the whole mind, you will see the problem in the correct prospective and find a solution which is fair and just.

Both Mr; Anandasangaree and the University Teachers look at the ethnic problem and propose solutions looking at the problem with one fraction of the mind , which is the Communal faction.

The University Teachers report says that the capture of the territory (the East) does not mean that the hearts of the people have been won. The major problem that the government of Sri Lanka, had faced with, was the territories in the East, which under the CFA were called the territory under LTTE terrorist control. The government could not enter those areas and help the civilians trapped in those territories without capturing the territories. Therefore the capturing of those territories was fundamental. The question of winning the confidence of the Tamil or Muslim people in the East is another thing, given the fact that it is difficult to estimate how much of their confidence had been won even in the South. There is a "war" situation between the terrorists and the government and in that situation HSZ are essential for the security forces to maintain security in the areas for themselves and the inhabitants.

The University Teachers even propose a re-merger of North and East, which is again not accepting a legal decision which righted a wrong situation, perhaps because of the underling mistrust of the Sinhala Government and its justice. If the University Teachers want to bring the communities together they should work to eliminate these peoples communal distrust and build confidence in the government.

Karuna situation is different. Asking Karuna group to lay down their arms is to ask them to commit suicide. Because the terrorists and terrorism have not been completely eliminated, and Karuna being an element that helped, at least partly, to win the war against terrorism in Sri Lanka up to now, makes him very much wanted by the LTTE terrorists to "settle accounts". One should show gratitude at least to a small extent.

The Federal State in the North or East is not a wise proposition. Because, if there were to be an armed uprising the rebels could break away the Federal State from the Central Government, and even call for support from the proximate Tamil State in South India, for military assistance, and declare a provisional government. India despite its many years of a United Government is fragile. They have to give into South India most of the time lest it breaks away.

A Unitary solution is a more workable proposition, with a well planned communal integration, without leaving Jaffna as an exclusive Tamil Province . The communal mixture in the South should be reproduced in the North and East, so that "…all people will feel equal and not feel like a minority or majority in order to be successful ………", in a united progressive Sri Lanka. To go a step further we may use Tamil, Sinhala, and English as common languages, and encourage mixed marriages.

These are the lessons we have to learn from present problems, and implement to progress together in the modern world, not to repeat history over and over again.

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