CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Dr.Subramaniam Swamy's exclusive interview to Sri Lanka Guardian, and the Constitutional Reforms.

By Charles S.Perera

Dr. Subramanian Swamy in his exclusive interview to Nilantha Ilangamuwa of the Sri Lanka Guardian, does not seem to have grasped an in depth knowledge of the so called ethnic problem of Sri Lanka, as much as most of the International Community, the coteries of Human Rightists, and other foreign Humanitarians- who have become a disaster rather than a help to Sri Lanka.

Dr. Swamy says that the Government policy is taking a racist path, and should take up an accommodative approach. He does not expand to give the reasons, for him to come to the conclusion that the Government of Sri Lanka is taking racist path. Dr. Swamy goes further to say that the Rajapaksa regime doesn't want to work with the moderate Tamils, and he says that it is the reason that India is turning away from Sri Lanka.

There is no truth what so ever in his above contention. The Government of Mahinda Rajapakse has launched military action against terrorists, and not against Tamils. The Military action is to deliver the Tamil population caught up in the areas controlled by the terrorists, and get rid of terrorism from Sri Lanka.

As to Dr. Swamy's affirmation that Mr. Rajapakse does not want to work with the moderate Tamils, one wonders where he got that information from. Everybody knows that the President Mr.Rajapakse is not only working with moderate Tamils- some even in his Government , but also, he has not ceased to ask the LTTE terrorist leader Prabhakaran to come for negotiations.

Dr; Swamy further asserts, that India will give support to the Tamil people and not to the Tamil military movements as it did in the past. But, in fact India should help neither the Tamils nor the Sinhala, but the Sovereign Government of Sri Lanka, which is not fighting with Tamils, but fighting to disarm a ruthless group of terrorists, who unfortunately are Tamils. If the terrorists were of Sinhala origin the government would have gone against them with equal vigour to eliminate them. Therefore the terrorists being Tamils does not logically follow, that the fight against the terrorists, is a fight against Tamils..

The Journalist interviewing Dr. Swamy say that the good Dr.Swamy retorted, 'Sri Lanka government should clearly respond to a political settlement without dragging its feet claiming it wants to eliminate the LTTE first'. But again Dr. Swamy is jumping to conclusions, without giving enough thought to the prevalent situation. A political settlement is an important matter that concerns the Tamil population, and it is also going to be the future political landscape of whole of Sri Lanka, and the terrorists have no concern with it, as what they want is an Eelam at all cost. A devolutionary package while the terrorism is going on is meaningless, as its implementation becomes a hazardous task. Therefore it has to be offered at a time when there is a peaceful atmosphere in the country and the people are ready to accept the change evaluate , and appreciate it.

Dr. Swamy had further observed that in not offering a proper political solution, while the Sri Lankan army continues in its effort to eliminate the LTTE, will only strengthen the LTTE network. In saying that Dr. Swamy seems to think that the offer of a political solution would be the end of the LTTE terrorism, which again is a wrong assumption as, if the political solution offered falls short of the expectation of the LTTE terrorists- which is to cede North and East for the Eelam, the terrorists will reject the political offer and fight with more determination to set up a separate Eelam calling the Tamil diaspora to help them financially in the setting up of the Eelam..

When Sri Lanka Guardian reporter had asked Dr. Swamy 'when more than 50 % of the Tamil population is living happily with the Sinhalese in Colombo and other areas in the South, how could the LTTE struggle succeed?

Dr. Swamy had said that, " the 50 % of the Tamils living with the Sinhalese doesn't mean that they have rights or freedom like the Sinhalese. We are seeing Tamil people being harassed in Colombo for all kinds of reasons. There is clear example when we saw Tamils being forcefully evicted few months ago. These terrible acts came to an end when India and the international community pressurised the government of Sri Lanka."

This shows how ignorant Dr.Swamy is about the Situation in the South, of Sri Lanka, and the real reason for the eviction of Tamils, who had taken temporary residence in Colombo. The Tamil people living among the Sinhala in the South, are in no way discriminated against either by the Sinhala people themselves, or by the Government. The Tamil people in the South enjoy the same rights and freedom like the Sinhala or the Muslims. But, why the Tamil people in the South, remain silent without speaking favourably about the government is because of the fear of reprisal by the terrorist.

And the temporary eviction, that the Dr.Swamy referred to, was to identify the persons coming from Jaffna and Wanni, as there was information that bombs and lethal material were being transported by unknown people sent by the terrorists. When a hue and cry was raised against it the people who had been arrested were released. The number of claymore mines- the land mark of the terrorists, being exploded every where since a few days ago, poses the question whether release of the persons evicted without verifying their identities was a wise step !. That evection Dr.Swamy was a security measure, the stopping of a careful verification of the identities, due to exertion of pressure on the Government , had perhaps, cost the death of many civilians including school children.

Dr Swamy, had said that, "USA and India are thinking on the same wave length on Sri Lanka. Both countries want to eliminate the LTTE. But we are very concerned about Tamil people in the country. We have not forgotten the terrible events of the past".

The Government of Sri Lanka is more concerned about the Tamil people, because they are a part and parcel of Sri Lanka. That is why even the Sri Lanka Air Force, concerned about the Tamil civil population does not bomb the areas occupied by the terrorists haphazardly, to avoid civilian casualties.

About the terrible events of the past , they did not have a racial beginning, and there were many causes that lead to them. These are unfortunate events that are not unique to Sri Lanka. Even India went through such terrible events in the past which were much greater in proportion, Dr.Swamy. Even USA who takes a parallel view with India on the question, does not have such a clean past- vis-à-vis the Indian Aborigine population.

One more point in the interview calls for an answer. Dr.Swamy had urged that 'constitutional reforms must take place immediately to end the problems indefinitely', and added that the 'Indian model constitution is ideal for Sri Lanka because Indian constitution embodies unitary frame-work and also reflects the theme of unity' he added.

A Constitutional Reform should be made when the country is peaceful and the conditions are favourable. Now we are in the throes of eliminating the nation of the fear of terrorism that had eaten into the entrails of our Nation, for few decades. Just now the people are not able to think properly what is the best political set up suitable for our country.

In proposing Constitutional Reforms we should take into account the generation gap, and therefore, should prepare a Constitution that will stand the rigors of time. Before that we will have to reconstruct our country, in a way that terrorism will not ever raise its head again, whether from the North, South, West or East.

Our Country is not as big as India or USA . Sri Lanka is a small country with only four major Communities. ( including Burghers and Malays as one Community). Our culture and even the religions are acceptable by any one, and therefore, they could exist in harmony with the Society. It is imperative to build real unity, therefore there should be a healthy, harmonious, movement of population to reflect the multi-racial nature of our country in every Province.

Therefore, the Indian Constitution which is good for a country as big as India , is not suitable for Sri Lanka. The Indian Constitution for the moment seems stable, but its weak links are already showing. Indian army is perhaps strong enough to keep in check any revolting State. But the Central Government is not that free to take decisions, and its foreign policy has to be made taking into consideration the rebellious Chief Ministers of States. That does not speak of a strong Constitution. Therefore, the Indian Constitution may not be the model for a Constitution for Sri Lanka.

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