கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Tamil Times 1995.08

Page 1
Wo XW No. 8 SSN. 266-4488 5 AU
(GOV U VeliS
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ANINI LIYAYL SUESC;IIIN
JIndISTILanka-1525 Austr:III.AJE55 T.E., „EITE 5. AIEEE ETTHES ETTUS:5
President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Hqu S S S S S S SS S S S S S S S S S S S L LL L L S S S S S S S L C S LLLLL S S LSS SLS S S S S L SSS S LLSaL LSaLS # ==st LEH= E is Literói MTהה, שהחIFEF || . Tה זהה. LS S S S S S S S S S S S S S SS SLLL LS SLS S S S S S S S S SL S S SLSS LLS S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S SLSSSLS S S S S S S S S L S S S S S SSS S SS LL S S S S S S H S S SL L S S LS SLS S S S S S S S S S S S SLLLLS Ay its WELITEEEחחiP) החH דוחה ובית=rה ללי, "ixחE=ETT LLLSS SaaS SS S S S S S S H K S S S SSSSSLL
III || H.

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2 TAMIL TIMES
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15 AUGUST 1995
I do not agree with a word of what you say, but H. defend to the death your
ISSN 0266-4488
Vol.XIV NO.8 15 AUGUST 1995
Published by
TAM TIMES DO P.O. BOX 121 SUTTON, SURREY SM13TD UNITED KINGOOM
Phone: 0181-644. O972 Fax: 0181-2414557
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CONTENTS
Govt.'s Political Package for Solving Ethnic Conflict. . . . . . . . . 4.
A Political Mask to Cover Military Designs - LTTE......... 7
Political Package: Federalism in all but Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Political Package: an Instrument for Effective Sharing of Power... 9
NewS Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Ethnic Conflict and the West... 17 Most Radical, Most Enlightened,
Most Progressive. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Facing the Challenge Effectively and Honestly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Beliefs & Myths in Lankan Conflict. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Tamil Nadu Newsletter. . . . . . . . 26
Readers Forum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Looking at the re political package the Government universally welco
ln Substance, fundamental and and the unitarys Scheme of powe to become a U. divesting of powe merged Northea:
The subjects Centre and the Regional List ar. interference over
The executive President is to President acting Ministers, and at the Chief Ministe exclusive legisla untrammelled by Public Service W. a High Court ar Regional Attorne by and accountal vested in the Re and other forms ( investment, inter
There is no c government's pr sharing of State analysis or comp previous ill-fatec Satisfies the test
ln proposing Structural and CO Kumaratunga ar muSt be Self ev thrown of Course Sought to be mo the government'
in this Contex players in the o Alliance Govern nOt have a man
On the other stated that the government tha alternative to th decide. The gov the turn of the positively. Let hi resolution of the
it is futile now hostilities betwe The opportunity an ideal chance gOvernment wo and asking fort hostilities and s ment.
 
 
 

TAMIL TIMES 3
he Political Package
Ictions from the more important capitals of the world to the for the resolution of the ethnic conflict unveiled recently by of Sri Lanka, one cannot fail to appreciate that it has been ned as a commendable and courageous effort.
what has been offered through this package is a radical constitutional reorganisation of the Sri Lankan polity ucture into a model federal system based on a well defined sharing. Sri Lanka is no longer to be a unitary State and is lion of Regions. The package envisages a substantial r from the Centre to eight Regions, one of which is to be the t Region. ind functions of the State are to be shared between the Regions on the basis of a well defined and delineated da Reserved List. The Centre is to have no power of the subjects and functions designated in the Regional List.
power hitherto vested in an all powerful Executive be shared between the Centre and the Regions, the On the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Of the regional level by the Governors acting on the advice of rand Board of Ministers. The Regional Council will have ive power over all of its specified subjects and functions interference from the Centre. There is to be a Regional th a Public Service Commission, a Regional Judiciary with ld inferior Courts with a Judicial Service Commission, a y General, a Regional Police Service with an IGP appointed ple to the Chief Minister of the Region. All State land is to be gional Council. Powers of Regional Councils to raise taxes of income will include the power to negotiate directly foreign national grants and loans and development assistance.
foubt that the constitutional dispensation offered by the oposals provide a constitutional instrument for effective Dower, legislative, executive and judicial. By any standard of arison, it not only represents a substantial advance on all i proposals made by previous governments, but also s of a reasonable advanced federal system the political package with such wide-ranging political nstitutional implications, one must recognise that President 'd her government have taken grave political risks. That ident from previous attempts to resolve the ethnic crisis ! by orchestrated opposition, and the opposition that is now unted at the instigation of chauvinists in the south against S proposals. , there is a special responsibility that falls on the main going war, the government and the LTTE. The Peoples nent was elected on a promise to bring about peace. It did late to Continue the War.
and it may be well to recall that the LTTE has very often would consider a political package presented by the would meet the aspirations of the Tamil people as an 'ir demand for a separate state, and let the Tamil people nment has now presented its alternative package. It is now LTTE and the Tamil people to respond, and respond tory not record that another viable chance for the peaceful conflict was missed by the failure on the Tamil side.
logo into the question as to why there was a resumption of in the LTTE and government forces and to apportion blame. of the publication of the government's proposals presents for both parties to get back to the negotiating table. The ld not lose anything by sending its proposals to the LTTE eir views. And the LTTE could in turn offer a Cessation of 'ek negotiations on the political package with the govern

Page 4
4 TAMIL TIMES
Govt’s Political Pac For Solving Ethnic Co
PREAMBLE
The government, in its policy statement on June 6th 1995 stated that:
"Our Government is committed to a peaceful resolution of the ethnic confict. We have a vision of Sri Lanka where all communities can live in safety and security, where human dignity is valued and equality of treatment is an accepted norm of public life. We believe that all communities must be given the space to express their identity, and participate fully in the life of the nation, whether it be at the national, provincial or local level. . .
With these objectives in view the government is seeking to re-build the constitutional foundations of a multiethnic, plural society based on the following principles: a) promoting a vision of Sri Lanka where all communities can live in safety and security and their human dignity is valued and equality of treatment is an accepted norm of public life; b) ensuring that all communities be given the space to express their distinct identity and promote that identity including the right to enjoy their own culture, profess and practice their own religion, and nurture and promote their own language including the right to transact business with the state in the national language of their choice; c) ensuring that all persons may fully and effectively exercise all their human rights and fundamental freedoms without any distinction and in full equality before the law; d) giving recognition to Sinhala and Tamil as official languages and recognising English as a link language; e) providing an effective constitutional framework for the sharing of power with the regions based on an internally consistent and coherent value system. There would be clarity and consistency in the distribution of power between the centre and the regions and the scheme would be one which is capable of effective implementation and include structures for the just and equitable resolution of centre region disputes; f) ensuring that all communities participate fully in the life of the
nation whether it
regional or local le couraging the regio munities which ir become constructiv stable and pluralist
1. STRUCTURE DEVOLUTION
1.1 Unit of Devo
A regional count lished for every pro' a new schedule to One of the regions tuted by redemarca boundaries of the p. Province in full co. view to reconciling S Muslim interests.
1.2 Regional Col
A Regional Coun such number of de determined by law. cil will, unless soon tinue for a period of will be a Speaker an er for each Council
1.2.1 Legislative p will be vested in the Every region may able to the region w subject set out in th Regional Council wi tion over the Reser
1.3 The GOVerno
There will be a region for which a has been established President with the Chief Minister of th 1.3.1. The Goverr office upon: (a) resignation; (b) a two-thirds maj al Council pass confidence; (c) removal by th 1.3.2 The Gover dissolve and proro Council on the ad Minister.
Chief Minister a of Ministers
The Governor v person who comma of the majority in th to form the Region

15 AUGUST 1995
Kage onflict
pe at national, el, thereby enns and the comhabit them to partners in a c democracy.
)F
ution il will be estabrince identified by the Constitution. would be constiting the existing ’esent North-East hsultation with a inhala, Tamil and
Incils
cil will consist of puties as may be A Regional Couner dissolved, confive years. There da Deputy Speak
ower in the region
Regional Council. make laws applicith respect to any 2 regional list. The l have no jurisdiced List.
r
Governor for each Regional Council , appointed by the oncurrence of the 2 Region.
or will vacate his
rity of the Regionng a vote of no
President.
Or may summon, ue the Regional ice of the Chief
d the Board
ll call upon the
ds the confidence Regional Council administration.
1.4.1 The Chief Minister cannot be removed from the office so long as he enjoys the confidence of the Regional Council.
1.4.2 Executive power in the Region will be vested in the Board of Ministers who will be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Board of Ministers and the Chief Minister will be collectively responsi
ble to the Regional Council. Ministers
will be collectively responsible to the Regional Council.
Capital Territory
The territory comprising the cities of Colombo and Sri JayawardenapuraKotte vill be excluded from the jurisdiction of the Regional Council constituted for the Western Region and will be administered directly by the Centre, in such manner as the Centre may think fit.
2. FINANCE
2.1 There will be a National Finance Commission entrusted with allocating grants to the region, keeping in mind the objectives of balanced regional development.
2.2 Regional Councils will have the powers of taxation in certain specified areas, and the Constitution will require other revenue sharing arrangements.
2.3 Regional Councils will have the power to borrow as well as to set up their own financial institutions. International borrowings above a prescribed limit will require the concurrence of the Centre.
2.4 Regional Councils may regulate and promote foreign direct investment, international grants and development assistance, subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Centre.
3. LAW AND ORDER
3.1. There will be a regional police service headed by a Regional Police Commissioner appointed by the Chief Minister, in consultation with the Governor of the Region. The Regional Police Commissioner will be responsible to, and function under the control, of, the relevant Chief Minister. The Regional police service will investigate all offences against persons and property.
3.2 There will be a national police service responsible for investigating offences against the state, threats to national security, offences related to elections, inter-province crimes and international crimes. The national police service will be headed by the National Police Commissioner and will

Page 5
15 AUGUST 1995
be responsible to the Central Government.
3.3 The recruitment, transfers within the region, dismissal and disciplinary control of members of the regional police service will be the responsibility of the Regional Police Commission.
3.4 There will be a National Police Commission, the functions of which will include the transfer of the police officers from one region to another in consultation Regional Police Commissioner.
3.5 The National Police Commission and the Regional Police Commission will both be appointed by the Constitutional Council. In the case of appointment of the Regional Police Commission, the Constitutional Council will act in consultation with the Chief Minister of the region in question.
4. LAND AND SETTLEMENT
4.1 Land will be a devolved subject and State land within a region will be vested in the Regional Councils. State land within a Region required for the purposes of the Centre in respect of a reserved subject may be utilised by the Centre in consultation with the relevant Regional Council in accordance with such procedures as may be established by law.
4.2 Priority in future land settlement schemes will be given to persons first of the district and then of the Region.
5. EDUCATION
5.1 Education and Higher Education will be devolved subjects included in the regional list.
5.2 Certain specified schools and universities may be declared "National” institutions administered by the Centre.
5.3 The recruitment, transfer and disciplinary control of teachers other than those in National Schools will be the responsibility of the Regional Council.
5.4 Training of teachers will be the responsibility of both the Centre and Regional Council, depending on whether such teachers are to be recruited to the national or regional boards
5.5 Curriculum development in regional schools will be the responsibility of the Regional Councils. Minimum standards will be set by the centre.
5.6 There will be a National Education Commission composed of representatives of the Centre and the regions entrusted with the following functions:- a) identifying "National' schools and Universities in consultation with
regional chief lating criteria these national ties. b) setting minir regard to tra curriculum a teachers.
6. ADMINISTRA JUSTICE
6.1 There will every region. Th exercise criminal, jurisdiction within
6.2 The Region Commission, whic by the Constitutic sultation with thi the region, will c Judge of the High High Court judges
6.3 Regional Ju mission will be appointment of R Judges and minor. Region. The Regio Commission will National Judicial with regard to the
6.4 The Gover Regional Attorney advise the Govern tionality of laws pa al Council. If a unconstitutional, t ney-General, after the Governor, will fore the Supreme tribunal specially disputes between t Region.
7. PUBLIC SER
7.1 There will be Service Commissio) Constitutional Cou with the relevant sponsible for the plinary control an persons employed the Regional Count
7.2 The Region Commission will National Public S. (also appointed by Council) in effectin such persons outsic
8. COMMISSION DEVOLUTION
8.1. There will be mission on Devolu the Constitutional disputes between region or disputes a The Commission w mediation as well a

TAMIL TIMES 5
hinisters and stipufor admission into chools and universi
um standards with ning, examination, d employment of
TION OP
e a High Court in High Court will appellate and writ the region.
al Judicial Service n will be appointed nal Council in conChief Minister of onsist of the Chief Court and the two next in seniority. dicial Service Comesponsible for the gional High Court judiciary within the nal Judicial Service consult with the Service Commission transfer of judges.
hor will appoint a -General who will or on the constitussed by the Regionlaw is seen to be he Regional Attorconsultation with institute action beCourt or any other set up to resolve he Centre and the
VICE
: a Regional Public h (appointed by the ncil in consultation Chief Minister) rerecruitment, discid dismissal of all by, or seconded to, ils. al Public Service consult with the rvice Commission the Constitutional : the transfer of all e the Region.
ON
Permanent Comion appointed by Council to resolve he Centre and a mong the regions. ll have powers of
adjudication.
9. FRAMEWORK RELATING TO DEVOLUTION
9.1 The Constitution will provide: (a) that the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be united and sovereign. It shall be a Union of Regions. (b) that the territory of the Republic will consist of regions, the names of which are set out in the first schedule, and its territorial waters; (c) that the legislative power of the People will be exercised by the Parliament, Regional Councils and the People at a Referendum to the extent hereinafter provided; and (d) that the executive power of the People will be exercised by the President of the Republic acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Governors acting on the advice of the respective Chief Ministers and Regional Boards of Ministers to the extent hereinafter provided.
9.2 Article 76 of the existing constitution will be deleted.
SUBSTANCE OF DEVOLUTION
10.1 Regional Councils will exercise exclusive legislative and executive competence within the devolved sphere. The subjects and functions will be distributed between the Centre and the Regions as set out in the appendix (see box overleaf).

Page 6
6 TAMIL TIMES
APPE
Subjects and Functions (
(A) The Regional List
. Health and indigenous medicine. . Education and Educational Services, excluding national schools and national universities and the setting of minimum standards for training, examination, curriculum, and teacher qualifications. . Agriculture and agrarian services. . Irrigation within a region. . Animal husbandry. . Fisheries. . Forestry and Protection of the En
vironment within the region. 8. Industries and Industrial Develop
:
ment. 9. Energy. 10. Transport.
11. Minor Ports and Harbours. 12. Roads and Waterways. 13. Housing and construction. 14. Urban Planning. 15. Rural Development. 16. Local Government. 17. Co-operatives. 18. Supply and distribution of food with
in the region. 19. Promotion of Tourism. 20. The regulation of cultural activity within a region, including public performances. 21. Broadcasting and media, including
television. 22. Relief, Rehabilitation and Recon
struction. 23. Social Security. 24. State land and its alienation or disposal (State land within a region required for the purposes of the Centre in respect of a reserved subject may be utilised by the Centre in consultation with the relevant Regional Council and in accordance with such procedures as may be established by law). 25. Regional Police and law and order. 26. Administration of Borstal and re
formatory institutions. 27. Regional Public Service. 28. Sports. 29. Regulation of unincorporated assocations and societies within the region. 30. Regional debt. 31. Domestic and international borrowing (international borrowings above a specified limit would require the concurrence of the Centre). 32. The regulation and promotion of foreign direct investment, international grants and developmental assistance to the region. 33. Regional financial and credit institu
tions. 34. Excise duties to be specified. 35. Turnover taxes on wholesale or retail sales to the extent to be specified. 36. Betting taxes, taxes on prize competitions and lotteries other than National Lotteries. 37. Motor vehicle licence fees. 38. Stamp duties on transfer of prop
erties, such as land and motor cars.
39. Fines imposed 40. Court fees, in documents pro 41. Land revenue, ment and colle maintenance C venue purpose 42. Taxes on mine 43. Offences again any of the ma list. 44. Fines in respec
Regional List. 45. Planning at th
(B) Res (Central Go
1. Defence, natio) police, and the 2. Immigration Citizenship. . Foreign Affairs National Censu . National Plann . Currency and
ternational ec monetary polic 7. Public Debt oft
Lanka. 9. Regulation of financial instit 10. Insurance. 11. Stock Exchan
kets. 12. Audit of the
Lanka. 13. Taxes on incor of the individ corporations. 14. Custom duties
export duties, cluding such e. devolved on th 15. Turnover tax goods and ser those taxes a the regions). 16. Pensions pay
ment of Sri consolidated fi 17. Atomic Energ 18. Maintenance the National ( 19. Minerals and
development 0 resources, pet. products). 20. National rive 21. Airports, har
international 22. Inter-regiona
ways. 23. Civil Aviation 24. Inter-regional 25. Shipping and Zones includ and territori Economic Zc Shelf). 26. Elections (exc al authorities, 27. Posts and Tel
28. National Pu

15 AUGUST 1995
ENDIX
of the Centre and Regions
by courts. luding stamp fees on duced in courts.
including the assessction of revenues, and f land records for re
S.
ral rights. st laws with respect to tters specified in the
t of the matters in the
e regional level.
erved List vernment List)
hal security, national
security forces. , Emigration and
s and Statistics.
ing. Foreign Exchange, inonomic relations and
y. he Government of Sri
Banking and other utions.
ge and futures mar
Government of Sri
ne, capital and wealth uals, companies and
, including import and and excise duties (exkcise duties as may be e regions).
es and stamp duties, rices taxes (excluding ld duties devolved on
able by the GovernLanka or out of the nd.
V.
and management of rid. nines (regulation and oil fields and mineral oleum and petroleum
S.
bours and ports with
ransportation.
transport and rail
highways.
navigation; Maritime ng historical waters l waters (Exclusive he and Continental
uding elections to loc
communications. lic Service and the
A
29.
30. 31. 32. 33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38. 39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44. 45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50. 51. 52.
53.
54. 55.
56.
57.
58.
National Public Service Commission. National Health Administration (inclusive of existing special purpose hospitals and teaching hospitals affiliated to the national Universities; Training, education and research relating to Health; Development of National Health Standards; Administration of all special programmes). Drugs, poisons and narcotics. Administration of Justice. National Universities. National Standards with regard to professions, occupations and training.
National Standards relating to research, development and training in the area of agriculture. Inter-regional irrigation schemes. Fishing beyond the territorial waters.
Management of central policy and research institutions in the field of education eg. National Institute of Education; Management and supervision of national schools; conduct of national public certification examinations; imposition of minimum standards for training, curriculum and teacher qualifications. Adoption of children.
National Industrial Research and Training.
Regulation of activities for the enhancement of quality standards.
Foreign trade, Inter-regional trade and commerce. Patents, inventions, designs, copyrights, trademarks and merchandise marks. Monopolies and mergers. Inter-regional food distribution.
National media including Central Government Broadcasting and Television Institutions.
National Archives and Museums, and archaeological sites declared by law to be of national importance. National Environment and National Policy on Tourism. Specialised National Housing ProgrammeS.
Specialised National Poverty Alleviation Programmes. Youth and Women's Affairs. Buddhism.
Development of National Sports administration and infrastructure. Intervention in instances of National (natural and environmental) disasters and epidemics. Labour regulation and standards.
Surveys for the purpose of any matters enumerated in the Reserved List. Offences against laws with respect to any of the matters in the List. Fees in respect of any of the matters in the List, but not including fees taken in any Court. Public utility infrastructure development.

Page 7
15 AUGUST 1995
"A Political Mask to Military Designs, say
An LTTE statement issued from its headquarters said that the Sri Lanka government has announced that it would carry through proposals for an island-wide devolution of powers. Along with it, it has also announced its intention to carry on the war with the Liberation Tigers until they are brought to their knees. Since neither of which is within the realm of possibility, this could only pave the way for a prolonged war, said LTTE spokesman Anton Balasingham addressing a Press conference in Jaffna on 11th August 1995.
Describing the so-called political package as a mask to conceal the government's military intentions, Mr. Balasingham said President Chandrika Kumaratunga had already promised the Buddhist Mahanayakes that she would not implement the proposals until the Tigers are militarily defeated and a war is brought to a finish. Under these conditions, how can she resolve the conflict through political means, or bring durable peace to the country, he asked. Mr. Balasingham declared that the Tigers cannot be wiped out, and if she thinks she could do that, then there would not be any necessity or compulsion for government to implement any proposals.
It is being stated that under this package, the areas that came under forcible Sinhala colonisation are to be excised from the Northeast region. It is also being stated that this is not a means to devolve powers to the Tamil people, but to all the regions in the entire island. The package has to be placed before the Parliamentary Select Committee. After the Committee sits on it, it has to go before Parliament which has to pass the bill with a two-thirds majority. The people's government has only a wafer thin majority in parliament, and within the Alliance itself there is opposition to the proposals. Having passed all these hurdles, the Sinhala people have to approve the proposals at a referendum. The Tamil people have the right to determine their own future. If any attempt is made to impose an arbitrary political settlement on the Tamil people through military reans, the LTTE will resist it, Mr. : slasingham said. After all, some
years ago, a re tried to impose settlement throug and, install a pup whole thing endec dent Kumaratung to go through a si has to realise wh the Tamil people the Tigers. If sh wise, she may hav bility for the ser that would flow adventure.
There are some have taken shelt ernment umbrell by the very ciri which they are accept, willy nilly, ernment tries t Tamil people. Ha liament through e they have very sympathise with they do, is of no as the Tamil str concerned. But th elderly, seasonec have seen severa political experienc political establish
Interna in Fa
Lakshman Kadirg uished lawyer and servant, who bec Alliance Governme ter in 1994, answer from the country's during his first ye banning of the LT with Rita Sebastia
Excerpts from th
Q: What would country's foreign last one year? A: To a large exten to reorganise the itself. And in thar been able to mak diplomatic appoint) the missions in va outstanding men.
Secondly we ha able attention to ou where there was a

TAM TIMES 7
Cover 'S LTTE
gional superpower a shoddy political h military means, pet regime, but the i in a fiasco. Presiga is today trying milar charade. She ether then or now, are solidly behind le pretends otherje to take responsiious consequences from such a mis
Tamil groups who er under the gova in Colombo, who cumstances under
placed, have to whatever the govo impose on the ving entered parlectoral short cuts,
few options. We
them, but what zonsequence as far uggle for rights is nere are also some l politicians who l mirages in their te with the Sinhala ment over the past
40 years, but who are yet to distinguish between illusion and reality. Going back on the very mandate the Tamil people had given them nearly twenty years ago, they have been chasing shadows, and aspiring District Councils and Provincial Councils, and now they have fallen in love with President Chandrika's Regional Councils. We might forgive them, but the Tamil people will never forgive them, Mr. Balasingham said.
The LTTE was never against a peaceful settlement, and even today when the Chandrika government has closed its doors on peace, we have not given up hopes of exploring a peaceful settlement. Whether it is peace or war, we are ready for both. If the government halts its military
operations, and creates the neces
sary atmosphere for peace by showing concern for the day to day living needs of the Tamil people, we are yet prepared for political negotiations. If on the other hand, the government tries to shut the doors against peace for all time, and intensifies its war efforts we will have no option but to close our own doors for peace, and set about carving out our own state in which our people can live in peace and dignity. Therefore, the choice of following the path of war and divide the country, or to seek a political solution to the Tamil national question is entirely the responsibility of Chandrika government, Mr. Balasingham concluded.
tional Opinion Turning VOur Of Government
amar, the distinginternational civil ame the People's ent's Foreign Minis's questions ranging foreign policy gains 2ar in office to the TE, in an interview
.
le interview:
fou say were the policy gains in the
t we have been able
Foreign Ministry t context we have e some very good ments, by manning rious capitals with
ve given considerr Asian neighbours deficiency in past
- Foreign Minister
years. And that does not mean only the SAARC nations but other Asian countries like China, Malaysia and Singapore which I visited.
We have also made considerable progress in our Human Rights record which was very bad in the past, earning the odium of the international community. To a large extent we have put that right. It is not entirely foreign policy but good domestic policy with foreign policy implications. We lifted the emergency except in the north and east and set up several commissions to inquire into involuntary disappearances. And legislation is being prepared to set up a National Human Rights Commission.
We have also removed the bad image we have had in relation to the
Continued on page 28

Page 8
8 TAMIL TIMES
Political Package: Fed in all but name
by Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu
The government is to be enthusiastically commended for its proposals for constitutional reform as conflict resolution. What is being offered is federalism in all but name. The president is to be congratulated for recognising its obvious utility in democratic nation and statebuilding. Moreover, given the entrenched chauvinist prejudice, misperception and stereotypes about federalism and powersharing that have compounded our national crisis for decades; she has been especially courageous and visionary in espousing a new paradigm for an united Sri Lanka as the policy of her government.
What is being proposed is that an "united and sovereign Republic of Sri Lanka' should be an Union of Regions'. Executive power will be exercised by the President of the Republic acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Governors acting on the advice of the respective Chief Ministers and Regional Boards of Ministers. Legislative power will be exercised by Parliament, Regional Councils and the People at a referendum. Sri Lanka as an union will be a united state as opposed to the present unitary one. Articles 2 and 76, dealing with the unitary state and the exercise of legislative power by any body other than parlament, respectively, are to be amended by the adoption of the federal principle of powersharing and partnership in governance.
Each Region will have a Governor who will be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Chief Minister. The latter in turn will be the person who commands the confidence of the majority in the Regional Council and who by virtue of that fact, will be called upon by the Governor to form the regional administration.
The exercise of the Governor's powers with respect to summoning, dissolving and proroguing the Regional Council will be on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Governor may resign or be removed by the President or a vote of no confidence passed by a two thirds majority of the Regional Council. The Governor will appoint a regional Attorney General who will advise on the constitutionality of the laws passed by the Regional Council. In the instance of a law being seen to be unconstitutional, the Regional Attorney General after consultation
with the Governor before the Suprem body set for Cer resolution.
Significantly, t cannot be removec as the Chief Minis dence of the Reg executive power ir vested in the B appointed by the advice of the Chie turn will be accoun al Council. Legisl vested in that C exercised only ovel fied in the Regiona
The federal prin pressed by the abo. rent List. There wi and a Reserved L. and the centre wil thority and power clearly delineated. mission on De appointed by the C cil to mediate anc putes between Re the Regions and th
State lands wil Regional Councils required by the Ce List subject may purpose in consul levant Regional Cc the district and th be given priority, future land settlem than schools and nated as "National will come under th mum standards th Centre regarding tion, curriculum di ployment of teach higher education subjects.
Every region wi which will exercis and writjurisdicti The Constitutic appoint The Regic Commission in co Chief Minister of appoint the Re; judges and the mi the Region.
In addition to force under the responsible to the will have its reg under a Regional Chief Minister in

15 AUGUST 1995
ralism
an institute action Court of any other ..re-Region conflict
le Chief Minister
from office so long er enjoys the confiional Council and
the Region will be pard of Ministers
Governor on the f Minister. They in table to the Region|tive power will be ouncil and can be the subjects identil List.
ciple is further ex
ition of the Concur
ll be a Regional List ist and the regions l exercise their auwithin the sphere A Permanent Comvolution will be onstitutional Counl adjudicate in disgions and between ne Centre.
be vested in the and any such land ntre for a Reserved
be used for such tation with the reuncil. Persons from an of the region will
in that order, in ent schemes. Other universities desiginstitutions which e Centre and miniat will be set by the training, examinavelopment and emers, education and rill be Regional List
have a High Court criminal, appellate n within the region. nal Council will hal Judicial Service sultation with the the Region. It will ional High court or judiciary within
he national police National IGP and centre, each region onal police service GP appointed by the nsultation with the
Governor of the Region. The Regional IGP will be responsible to and work under the Chief Minister. The national police force will investigate offences against the state, threats to national security, election offences, interprovince and international crimes.
The financial arrangements entailed will empower the Regional Councils to raise taxes in specified areas, borrow as well as establish their own financial institutions, negotiate foreign direct investment, international grants and development assistance. International borrowing above a certain limit will require consent from the Centre. A National Finance Commission will allocate grants to the Region, mindful of the objective of balanced regional development.
Admittedly, this package is a long way off from being accepted and implemented. It has to go through the whole parliamentary select committee process and then be accepted by a two thirds majority of parliament before it goes to the people at referendum. Whether it is to be presented to parliament and the people separately or along with the rest of the new constitution has also to be decided upon. Moreover, the controversial issues of redemarcation of territory in the east and the position of the Muslim community in the northeast have to be elaborated. There are also the questions of the LTTE's response, the continuation of hostilities and interim arrangements.
Notwithstanding all this, the package is an excellent foundation upon which an united and democratic Sri Lanka can be built. The president, her government and all those who want to see democratic governance and conflict resolution in this country, must canvass support for it on these grounds and ensure that support for the package is firmly embedded in the body politic. A solid informed consensus on federalism must be consolidated to make federalism an enduring reality in Sri Lanka.
There are the chauvinists on both sides who will employ a variety of means to kill the federal project we are now embarked upon. The government must lose no time in meeting their arguments with a clear and cogent rationale for powersharing. This would be greatly facilitated if at the outset the state media publishes a supplement which in lucid, comprehensible language explains the package to the average Sri Lankan, anticipates and answers their concerns. This document could serve as a basic reference point for the countless debates and discussions in private and public that

Page 9
15 AUGUST 1995
such radical reform invariably inspires.
The first argument that needs reiterating forcefully is that federalism is neither fatal or fanciful from the perspective of national unity. Federalism substantially satisifies the requirements of conflict resolution and good governance by allowing for democratic space for all. In spirit, in form and structure it is a crucial mechanism for unity in diversity, the ideal springboard for peace and prosperity.
As this column has pointed out repeatedly, the obsession with the unitary state and the gross over concentration of power in a single institution, office or person has been at the root of our national crisis. It has systematically nurtured horrendous authoritarianism, horrifying terrorism and brought uns to the point at which a terrifying quasi-state has been erected in the north and east of the island. How on earth can federalism be castigated as the certain forerunner for secession in the face of these stubborn self evident facets of our contemporary history?
A section of Tamil opinion contends that the proposals will have to be altered to provide the Tamil community with a greater measure of power in the northeast Regional Council, in recognition of their distinct identity as a nation within the proposed Union of Regions. The argument underlying this contention is that the rest of the country has not asked for federalism. Moreover, the Tamil community has fought for it over decades. After so much death and suffering, how can the Chief Minister of the northeast region accept the same powers as the Chief Minister of any other region in the rest of the country. Is this fair; isn't this near political suicide for any Tamil politician?
Ironically, there are chauviniststic Sinhala elements who are propagating the thesis that this package benefits the Tamils at the fatal expense of the Sinhalese. The answer of course lies outside chauvinism.
All councils are to have the same powers. The government has crafted its package in these terms precisely to meet the objections of the Sinhala chauvinists. What is proposed is indeed much more than the Sinhala majority has asked for itself, but the reason for this is that it meets the demands of the Tamil community for federalism in substance.
This Tamil argument may be termed 'asymmetrical federalism' on the grounds of distinct ethnic identity. Ultimately it has to be countered by the holistic perspective of federalism as a mechanism for both conflict re
solution and good federalism the hatı idency must go; wi will be powershi checks and bala democracy. We wil ble for our wefan Federalism must be Lankans for Sri La
Let us not duckt
Political For Ef
The proposals for d. publicised, have be earlier, but in a ha and in an incomple ple, in regard to La to be recognised on of a National mino Official Language. Administration in Eastern Provinces according to the pr daranaike-Chelva July 26, 1957. Th go further in mak would also be us Language.
Regional areas w the legisalation a Schedule according als. Provision wast two or more regie even beyond provi two or more region specific purpose o Now the idea is because one of th constituted at demarcating the of the North-Ea course, to avoid al is to be full con reconcile Sinhala interests before done.
Moreover, Parli gate specified po provisions. The were to wield po subjects, includin operatives, land, colonization, educa tries and fisheries, services, electricit and roads. The defined. Almost a and more are l scheme allotted t gional Councils a delineated quite cl

TAMIL TIMES 9
governance. With eful executive presth federalism there aring and sturdy nces to underpin l be more responsie and well being. 2 accepted by all Sri Inka.
he challenge that is
before us by distorting or misunderstanding it. This is a crucial moment in the history of this country and quite simply a last chance to hold it together. We have a president who has been bold enough to articulate a new vision for us. It is up to all of us now, politicians and people alike to support the package as the basis of a democratic and united Sri Lanka.
|Package: An Instrument ective Sharing of Power
by Prof. Bertram Bastiamipillai University of Colombo
evolution, currently en thought of even alf-hearted manner te form. For examanguage, Tamil was lly as the Language brity and not as an The Language of
the Northern and was to be Tamil oposals in the Bannayagam Pact of e present proposals ing out that Tamil sed as an Official
rere to be defined in nd contained in a to the 1957 proposto be made to enable ons to amalgamate ncial limits and for s to collaborate for a f common interest. made more clearer e regions is to be
present by rexisting boundaries st Provinces. Of ly unfairness there sultation so as to Tamil and Muslim re-demarcation is
ment was to delewers in the 1957 Regional Councils vers over spelt-out g agriculture, coland development, tion, health, indushousing and social y, water schemes owers were to be l of these subjects nder the present the proposed Reld they have been arly.
Importantly in respect of Colonization, the Regional Councils were to exercise the power to select allottees to whom land within their area was to be alienated and along with it to exercise the power to choose the personnel to work on such schemes. Now, it is said that under the new scheme that land will be a devolved subject and State land in a region was to be vested in the Regional Councils. Yet, State land if needed for the purposes of the Centre to be used for a reserved subject, may be utilised by the Centre, but in consultation with the council and according to legal procedure. Priority in future land setlement projects is to be given to persons of the District and then of the Region. So the present plan removes the ground for dispute or discord in respect of land affairs.
Interestingly, Regional Councils according to the ideas in the Pact of 1957 were to be empowered to tax and borrow. But now under the new scheme, Regional Councils could tax, set up their own financial institutions and even International borrowing upto a prescribed amount is to be permitted. A significant enhancement of authority is allowed in enabling Regional Councils to negotiate Foreign direct investments, international grants and development assistance.
The present plan extends beyond what was to have been allowed in terms of the Bandar an aike - Chelvanayagam Pact. Unfortunately, the B.C. Pact and other similar schemes were not allowed to come into effect and thereby prevent the escalation of ethnic strife and today more has inevitably to be given. As a result today we are beleaguered by a protracted civil war, and this could continue unless the problem from which it arose is settled by devolution.
Continued on page 10

Page 10
10 TAMIL TIMES
Continued from page 9
Then there was the SenanayakeChelvanayagam Agreement of March 24, 1965 which again spelt out that provision would be made for the Tamil Language to be the Language of Administration and of record in the North and East. Furthermore, it was promised that a Tamil speaking person should be entitled to transact business in Tamil throughout the island. However these SenanayakeChelvanayagam plans fell far short of the present arrangement which is more reasonable to and just by all communities. Also, it is more enlightened and progresive.
Instead of Regionals there were to be District Councils and powers were to be vested on the basis of a mutual agreement between SenanayakeChelvanayagam. Land under Colonization schemes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces was in the first instance to be granted to landless peasants in the District, then the Tamil speaking persons resident in the North and East and then again to other citizens, preference being accorded to Tamil residents in the rest of the island. This plan thought of by Senanayake and Chelvanayagam has now been better refined and given greater clarity in the fresh proposals leaving no room for ambiguity and thereby contentions to arise later.
Then, after a lapse of years, and an abortive and futile endeavour at decentralization through a Scheme of District Councils in the 1980s through the Development Councils Act No. 35 of 1980, there cropped up the annexure “C” which embodied yet another plan of devolution, decentralization. There was room allowed but on a prescribed condition for District Development Councils in a province to combine into one or more Regional Councils. This is quite different from the presently mooted system of Regional Councils. Those Regional Councils could be set up only if desired by the area. The leader of the party that commands the majority in the Council would be appointed Chief Minister and he would constitute a Committee of Ministers of the Region. This is almost similar to what has been now planned.
The President and Parliament manage subjects not transferred to the Region and those matters pertaining to the maintenance of sovereignty, integrity, unity, security and progress of the country as a whole. Meanwhile, the Regions' Legislative powers would lie in the Regional Council. It could enact Laws and exercise executive powers in regard to these subjects, specifically listed including Law and
Order, Administra cial and economic ral affairs and lan tion is being conc matters to be lef Councils echo mo thinking as in Ar current arrangem tion ensure all pe effectively exercise and fundamental discrimination and law.
Annexure C also ting Regional Coun resources via loans provision for a Fina: be created to ove Regions. A High C established in each matters to be dealt ing executive bus Service was to be s was to have a Regi Commission that exercise disciplinar spect of the person Service. Almost all now been re-thoug rated but in a more manner. There is no distrust. Instead of Police Force, Ann upon establishing the North and East the ethnic compos gions. The idea was which the residents fidence. For the Trincomalee Port, Authority under th ment was conside proposals reserves f ment managemer bours, Ports with Ir portation. This is a tion in regard to importance and the that Trincomalee dered to someone o The idea embed regarding land spe ment schemes w ethnic proportions the demographic b proposals however and easily comprel greater confidence of a region that tl allowed to be utili the region. All ot volution mooted mained mere pron did not come to pa Now there is grea in the plan to devo devolve sincerely the past that had ences to persist.
Then, after m

15 AUGUST 1995
ion of Justice, soevelopment, cultu
policy. As devoluived of today the , to the Regional 'e or less similar nexure C but the nt would in addirsons to fully and their human rights freedoms without equally before the
anticipated permitcils to tax, mobilise and there was the nce Commission to see allocations to ourt also was to be Region for judicial with. For conductiness, a Regional et up and a Region onal Public Service would recruit and y authority in renel in the Regional of these plans have ht of and incorpocoherent and lucid room for doubts or a Special Regional exure C reflected a Police Force for that would mirror ition of these reto create a force in would repose conadministration of a distinctive Port e Central Governred. The present or Central GovernIt Airports, Harternational Transar clearer enunciaplaces of national re would be no fear has been surrenr other. led in Annexure C tout that all settleould be based on so as not to alter alance. The present are more forthright tensible and inspire among inhabitants Leir lands would be ied by those within her schemes of dearlier however reises and devolution is in practice at all. er ring of sincerity ve. It is a failure to nd satisfactorily in ccounted for differ
ich bloodshed, an
Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement was entered into in July 1987 to establish peace and normalcy in Sri Lanka. The multi-ethnic, multi-lingual plural society of the island was openly acknowledged.
The distinct cultural and linguistic identity of different peoples was recognised; and was to be nurtured. These and other self evident facts that caused trouble as they were not considered were proclaimed and the Sri Lankan Government was to implement the relevant proposals forthwith. But the 13th Amendment was later to disappoint, than to satisfy. Hopes were aroused but not fulfilled.
To this end, the 13th Amendment of 1987 to the Constitution was passed along with the Provincial Councils Act No. 42 of 1987. But these measures seemed to have been perverted in practice so as to subvert devolution almost wholesale. The Government yas made into an omnicompetent Controller of regional matters, the Chief Minister was left in an attenuated position, the Councils were starved of adequate funds, and by introducing the practice of deciding what is National Policy by the Centre and confiscating subjects underit, the Centre left with little to be done by the periphery. In regard to sensitive but contentious subjects such as law and order, there really was no devolution. There was a concurrent list and naturally the Centre with its overmighty executive snatched much that ought to have been left to the Province. The creation of Divisional Secretaries controlled from the Centre was an act that made devolution of little use in practice. It put a full stop to devolution in many areas.
Clearly devolution cannot be viable as long as there is an overbearing Centre and the present proposed arrangements make explicit that an overseeing Centre will not intervene to thwart and stultify devolution. The abolition of the concurrent list and strengthening of the devolved list reinforces the devolution of power and responsibility to the Regions. The deletion of Article 76 of the Constitution provides for effective power sharing. In brief, whatever stymied devolution earlier has now been eradicated and there is manifest genuinity in the design for devolution.
(Courtesy of The Sunday Times).
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Page 11
15 AUGUST 1995
NEWS REVIEW
Government's Political Package
international Reaction: The President and her Government are entitled to be more than satisfied with international reaction to the political package it unveiled for the resolution of the ethnic conflict which has been quite favourable. The support it attracted has been almost universal.
The Australian Government in welcoming the proposals by the Sri Lankan government said that “the sweeping constitutional reforms proposed by President Kumaratunga recognised the underlying causes of the conflict and demonstrate the commitment of the Sri Lanka Government to a just and peaceful long-term solution'. "The Australian Government has consistently urged a political solution to the ethnic conflict and an end to the cycle of violence. The Australian Government hopes that these proposals...will be seriously considered by all the people of Sri Lanka as the basis for a durable settlement to the conflict, Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said in a statement released by the Australian High Commission in Colombo.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office in London said that the British Government warmly welcomed the government's proposals as 'a genuine attempt to meet the legitimate demands of all Sri Lankans, and hoped the LTTE would end the fighting and respond politically to the constitutional opportunities being offered' by the Government of Sri Lanka.
The French Government hopes "the courageous plan for political reform of the institutions will be considered by the whole Sri Lanka nation and allow constructive dialogue to resume...and calm and harmony to return between the Sri Lanka communities', the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In welcoming the government proposals, a spokesman for the US State Department, David Johnson, said the United States welcomed the Sri Lankan government's package of wideranging constitutional reforms that seeks to address the underlying political issues of the island's longstanding ethnic conflict. He described the proposals as an effort to “reform Sri Lanka's democratic political system in a way that provides for full political participation of all communities and protects the rights of individual citizens'. He added, 'We hope that the
proposals would lea dialogue on finding : to this tragic conflic
Meanwhile, the II tions Committee of House of Represe adopted unanimousl porting Sri Lanka peace efforts. The upon the Liberatio Eelam (LTTE) to re tiating table and g lence.
Canadian Foreig Quellet, said that t ernment welcomed Government's prop new political order, ate a Union of Re degree of devolved positive developmel parties in Sri Lan consideration to go al. Any initiative t peace cannot be igI of Sri Lanka have s over a decade and continued loss of li between the Gover beration Tigers (LTTE) underlines tinuing to pursue a Moreover senseles: the suicide bombi August 7, which k cent people, must mned. We urge t careful attention t that now exists for: Mr. Quellet said.
The European U comed the gover draw up a set of d aimed at satisfying all Sri Lankans. T the far-reaching pri ment has set out w carefully and const ties. This could op early return to pe development thro country, the EU st
The Times (LC noted that the announced a cou package designed Tamils a substanti omy'. . . which "w Lanka into a “unic give to her country akin to that of the
In India, most and journals have government for c. far-reaching set of the best chance for The Hindu referr ment’s courageous el for the entire S.

AMIL TIMES 11
d to a constructive a peaceful solution t'. nternational Relathe United States ntatives recently y a resolution supan Government's resolution called in Tigers of Tamil eturn to the negoive up armed vio
n Minister, Andre he Canadian Govthe Sri Lankan posals to create a , which would cregions' with a high powers. This is a nt and we urge all ka to give careful vernment's proposthat points toward hored...The people suffered greatly for deserve peace. The fe in engagements nment and the Liof Tamil Eelam the futility of cona military solution. s attacks such as ng in Colombo on illed over 20 innobe strongly condehe LTTE to give o this opportunity a peaceful solution',
nion warmly welment’s efforts to volution proposals the aspirations of he EU hoped that oposals the governould be considered uctively by all par2n the way for an ce, normality and ghout the entire itement said.
Indon) editorially President "had rageous political to devolve to the l degree of autonuld transform Sri n of regions', and provinces a status German Lander.
f the newspapers congratulated the ming out with a roposals providing peace in the island. d to the governpproach as a moduth Asian Region.
The editorial comment in the widely circulated Frontline said, 'What is on offer to Sri Lanka's Tamil minority is nothing less than a radical transformation of a unitary constitution and polity into an equitable and democratic "union of regions' structure. This will go a long way towards meeting the entirely reasonable demand for federalism as a way out of the ethnic cricis. . . The devolution package unfurled by President Kumaratunga on August 4, 1995 is impeccable in concept and, with respect to framework and substance, impossible for any reasonable party claiming to represent Tamil aspirations to turn down. . . President Kumaratunga's proposals represent a considerable advance on what is available to the States in India'. Local Reaction: The Campaign for Peace and Democracy, a multi-ethnic umbrella organisation of a number of NGOs, in a statement said that the proposals of the government were greeted with widespread approbation by sections of all communities who long to see an end to the killings and destruction, charter a new course for the country free of sectarian strife'. It added that public opinion suggests that the ordinary Sinhalese people are very much for giving the proposals a chance, the Tamil people in the North, if they could express themselves freely, would support the proposals overwhelmingly'.
The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka (NPCSL) said that the international community was full of praise for the government's proposals "as providing a model of conflict resolution and good government for the entire region'. It called upon the Government “to present its proposals to the LTTE and for the LTTE to respond to them through dialogue'. The NPCSL's statement also called the “Government and the LTTE to immediately cease all acts of violence and hostility and to enter into negotiations with local or foreign
mediation using the devolution propos
als as a point ofdeparture'. Tami parties: Almost all Tamil political parties, except the LTTE, have expressed their support and welcomed the government's proposals. They claimed that if the people of the North had an opportunity to freely express their view, the people would overwhelmingly back the political package.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), a key member of the ruling People's Alliance, welcomed government plans to devolve power. The devolution proposals show that the government was prepared to take bold
Continued on page 13

Page 12
12 TAMIL TIMES
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15 AUGUST 1995
Continued from page 11
and progressive steps to share power with the periphery', an SLMC statement said. “While as expected the question of the units of devolution has been left out, the SLMC is extremely happy that the Muslim political dimension in the country has been given due recognition', the SLMC said. The SLMC had previously in submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee stated that "there should be a predominant Tamil Unit comprising the Districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu in the Northern province as the base, and the identified non-contiguous Tamil areas in the Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts'. In addition, "there should be a predominant Muslim Unit comprising the constituencies of Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Pottuvil in the Amparai district as the base, and the identified non-contiguous Muslim areas in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Mannar districts'.
The leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress, Mr. S. Thondaman, who is increasingly becoming a semidetached member of the PA Cabinet, while wholeheartedly endorsing the government's proposals, came out with a rather curious and controversial proposal in a memorandum to the President. He suggested that the North-East Region be given to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be administered by them for five years and the task of governance under the political package should be entrusted to the LTTE, adding that the LTTE which has relentlessly pursued its struggle for the last 12 years should be regarded as the legitimate recipient of devolved authority and that the LTTE was equipped to wield power and to maintain law and order in those areas.
Thondaman's suggestion, besides being summarily rejected by the President, received short shrift from other Tamil and Muslim parties.
V. Anandasangari, Vice President of the Tamil United Liberation Front iTULF) said that his party rejected this concept of just handing over the administration of the North-East to the LTTE as suggested by Thondaman. The TULF was always prepared to take part in an election if there was one held in the North-East but added handing over powers to a single party was not sensible. A large portion of the North-East Province is certainly not under the control of the LTTE and
hence it would be impossible for the
Government to consider Thondaman's proposal', he added.
The Secretary of the Tamil Eelam
Liberation Organi Sivagilingam, saic the world has ever of a vast region haphazardly, and Government woul to Thondaman's id that Mr. Thondan those working w vested interests. C person to come ou proposals', he said The General S Lanka Muslim Rauf Hakeem, des proposal as prep mate government administration of armed groups. Suc be accepted by an said.
Asked about Th to hand over the N LTTE for five ya drasekeran, a D the leader of the Front, said that areas should free should govern the us here in this pa
LTTE's Position: in regard to the g package was spelt man Anton Balas 11 August. He de political package the government's as the governmen release of the pro devolution of pov intention to carry Liberation Tigers they are brought full text on page
Stating that wil tical parties do "is far as the Tamil : concerned', Mr. B cially scathing iI TULF leadership, forgive them, but never forgive the
Mr. Balasingha was never again
ment, and even t
ka government ha peace, we have n exploring a pe Whether it is pe ready for both. Ift its military operat necessary atmos showing concern living needs of tl are yet prepared tions'.
While some ne glimmer ofhope t be willing to retu

TAMIL TIMES 13
sation (TELO), M.K. that no country in handed overpowers to armed groups hoped that the PA d not pay any heed ea. It appears to me man is motivated by ith him who have )therwise he is not a ut with such unwise
ecretary of the Sri Congress (SLMC), cribed Thondaman's osterous'. 'No legiti
will hand over the a large province to ch a proposal will not y political party', he
Londaman's proposal forth and East to the bars, Mr. P. Chan2puty Minister and Up-country Peoples the people of those ly decide as to who em and “not those of rt of the country'.
The LTTE's position overnment's political ; out by Tiger spokesingham in Jaffna on scribed the 'so-called as a mask to conceal military intentions', it had along with the posals for island-wide vers, 'announced its on the war with the of Tamil Eelam until to their knees'. (See six of this issue).
hat other Tamil poliof no consequence as struggle for rights is alasingham was spehis attack on the and said, "We might the Tamil people will m'.
m added, The LTTE st a peaceful settleday when Chandriis closed its doors on pt given up hopes of aceful settlement. ace or war, we are he government halts ions, and creates the here for peace by for the day to day Le Tamil people, we for political negotia
ws analysts saw a hat the LTTE might n to the negotiating
table from what Mr. Balasingham said in the course of his press interview which was officially released under the authority of the LTTE's Political Committee, a EPRLF spokesman said, "It sounds rather ridiculous for Balasingham to call a halt to the government's military operations when in fact it was the LTTE which withdrew from the peace process, closed the door for peace and commenced military operations by sinking the boats which were anchored in the Trincomalee harbour. It is now their turn to stop fighting and seek negotiations with the government on the political package'. in the South: Even before the government’s proposals were officially released, there were some of those, some influential Buddhist priests among them, who urged the President to postpone the announcement of the plan. "The Tigers must be defeated before the proposed devolution package is announced', the Venerable Palipane Sri Chandananda Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter told the press. While the entire country is burning this is no time to unveil the devolution plan', the priest said.
Professionals and academics, the socalled cream of the Sri Lankan intelligentsia, have been lining up for and against the government's proposals placing their signatures to articles and memoranda which have been given wide publicity in the local media. Joining the opposition to the proposals are the likes of the Jathika Chinthanya gurus, Gunadasa Amarasekera and Nalin de Silva (the latter has been in London whipping up opinion among expatriate Sinhalese living in the UK), and in the words of The Times (London) editor, "those dinosaurs in the Sinhala Buddhist clergy to whom a federal political structure is anathema.
The veteran campaigner for Sinhala-Buddhists', Gamini Jayasuriya, in a statement purporting to be from 12 organisations said that the proposed federal set up would be the first step towards an independent Tamil state. "Under the proposed regional council, the Sinhala Buddhists will have no access to the Northeast region whereas the Tamils will be able to enjoy all the rights exclusively in that region in addition to equal rights in all other regions', the statement said.
As far as the mainstream print media in Sri Lanka is concerned, it is by and large anti-government, in particular anti-Chandrika. Pages and pages in these papers are being devoted for the sole and malevolent purpose of knocking down the govern
Continued on page 14

Page 14
14 TAM TIMES
SACRARACER
te • G- CR ys /عهٔ عصا محله بمسميS اہم محے تہہ P
Continued from page 13
ment's political package. If the cartoons that appeared in The Sunday Leader of 13 August and The Sunday Island of 20 August are anything to go by, one could imagine what chauvinist poison the Sinhala papers must be spouting.
However, those who are in charge of the state-owned Daily Neuws and particularly The Sunday Observer with the largest circulation are proving lamentably incapable of meeting the challenge of putting forward the government's case in support of the proposals. Of the 52 pages of The Sunday Observer, only two of its middle pages, of its main section carry articles of political content of which, very often, substantial space is provided for articles which are critical of the government and its peace efforts. While one should not criticise them for giving space to views opposed to the government on grounds of the right to free expression, those in charge of particularly The Sunday Observer ought to take into account the substantial amount of space provided each week by its rivals, The Sunday Leader, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Island, for articles and commentaries on political and military matters, including the ethnic conflict, and open up more of its pages for articles and commentaries at least in the interest of redressing the imbalance that is patently obvious in the mainstream print media.
The main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP) has not made its position very clear, but its leader Ranil Wickremasinghe, known for his "moderate views is adopting a cautious approach. In a statement, the UNP said that while the party 'supports the principle of devolution, all
necessary constiti should be incorpor devolution does nc and divisive devel expressing outrigh government's prop let it be known tha them in their pres and would seek to when they were p Parliamentary Sel tainly there appea opinion within the tion whether to ment’s proposals c former Foreign M veteran Muslim pi Hameed, is said to the proposals.
The leader of t jana Eksath Pera is not represented Dinesh Gunaward iar chauvinist g process indulging exactitude, said v outline was more vided in the In adding, "The gove package will set i tegration of the ci eventually lead to Eelam. . .One thir five per cent of t country and the n Trincomalee will Tamil homeland f population'.
The opponents proposals have s they regard as issues:
y Vesting of a gional Councils: ment will be prev an army camp wi in the context of
 

15 AUGUST 1995
Pe , à •oS و اصمعه اعت محللمعصمك مطT محمهمF
utional guarantees ated to ensure that it lead to separatist opments'. While not It opposition to the osals, the UNP has t it would not accept ent form or content,
move amendments resented before the ect Committee. Cerrs to be a division of UNP on the quesoppose the governutright or not. The inister and UNP's olitician, Mr. A.C.S. be in full support of
he miniscule Mahamuna (MEP) which
in parliament, Mr. ene, covering famil"ound, and in the in mathematical inwhat the proposals than what was prodian constitution, inment's devolution n motion the disinuntry which would ..he establishemnt of d of the land, sixtyhe coastal areas of ost strategic port of all to the so-called ir six per cent of the
of the government's ught to raise what three fundamental
l State land on ReThe central govern2nted even to set up hin the Region even serious breakdown
of law and order or install any apparatus required in the interests of
national security without the consent
of the Regional Council;
* Under the proposals, the President will not have the power to dissolve the Council, and take over its functions even if a Regional Council decides to secede and create a separate state. The centre should have the power to dissolve a Regional Council if the territorial integrity of the country is threatened.
The power given Regional Councils to directly negotiate and obtain development assistance and loans from foreign countries would lead to uneven economic development and economic and social disparities among the different regions giving rise to deep divisions within society.
Despite the orchestrated campaign against the government's proposals by chauvinist forces assisted by antigovernment newspapers, the campaign doesn't appear to have mass support. On the other hand, hundreds and hundreds of professionals and academics are lining up behind the government. The Mothers and Daughters Front in a statement said, "It is the duty of the peace-loving people to strengthen the hands of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who took a bold step to find a lasting solution to the ethnic problem which is continuing to plague the country'.
More than one hundred academics and professionals from all walks of life said in a joint statement: "We welcome the wide-ranging constitutional reform proposals offered by the People's Alliance Government as a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict...by presenting its own proposals to the people of Sri Lanka, the Govern

Page 15
15 AUGUST 1995
ment has demonstrated a commendable measure of courage and political imagination.
"The present proposals contain a number of positive features. These proposals are the most extensive ever presented by a Sri Lankan Goernment to politically resolve the ethnic conflict. . . These proposals have been made at a time of intensified war. We appeal to both parties to the military conflict to take another bold initiative to enable the people living in the North and East to join the national dialogue in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. We specifically appeal to the Government to take necessary steps to enable the people in the North and East to participate in this dialogue without fear, the joint statement said.
Except the Democratic United National Front (Lalith), which has expressed some reservations, all other constituent parties of the ruling Peoples Alliance, including the SLFP, LSSP, CP and SLMC have endorsed the government's political package.
Bomb Attack in Colombo
On 7 August, just four days after President Chandika Kumaratunga unveiled a new political package that would make Sri Lanka a federation of eight regions, one Tamil-controlled, the island's capital Colombo reverberated to the sound of a bomb explosion triggered off allegedly by a Tiger suicide operative killing 24 and injuring over 50 civilians.
The suspected suicide bomber, a man named Sinniah Sivanandan in his mid-20s, was killed in the explosion, and his alleged accomplice, N. Easwaran, was arrested and was recovering from injuries at a hospital.
Military police reported seeing the suspected bomber, pretending to be an itinerant vendor, pushing a hand cart filled with king coconuts outside the State TV Rupavahini building. Moments later, the bomb went off at the adjacent office building of the Chief Minister of Defence, Anuruddha Ratwatte, who is spearheading the military offensive against the Tigers.
According to police sources, the bomber was on his way to a previously designated destination, perhaps the Rupavahini and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation building.
Information later released by the police indicated that ironically they had briefly held the suspected bomber in custody on 6 August less than 36 hours before he set off the explosion killing himself and others.
The Officer in Charge of the Borella
police had previo with information Minister of Defen watte living in M not far from w occurred, had assassination by Police officers in ci duty in close pro: ters residence.
The police offic men pushing a h king coconuts al August at about 1 stopped and que men who identifie an from Ratnap unable to provide his identity and be to speak the Sir police detained hi tigation. The oth pushing the cart and identified h Sivananthan” ali police allowed him out to be the ac following day.
On questioning revealed that he old Thangavelu S davil, Jaffna. He 1990 and was tra offirearms, arme facturing bombs. ombo before, but instructions in Ju sources claimed til still in police cus that he and the t the explosion ha ombo on bombir LTTE’s Intelligen tu Amman. Polic searching the ho where Kumar ha last two years, th battery packs, d wire.
Deputy Inspect H.M.G.B. Kotal press, quoting th bomber's accomp custody, that the tended for a 'mc windows' of the Defence, and th explosives and co by the bomber w before the Minist tinted windows på The hand-cart fixe been pushed alon at least a week.
Tamil political condemned the b attempt to derail unveiled by the P not buckle under they said. "I do n

usly been tipped off that the Deputy ce, Anuruddha RatManning Town area, here the explosion been targeeted for a suicide operative. ivvies were posted on ximity to the Minis
ers on duty saw two hand-cart filled with ong the road on 6 1 am, and they were stioned. One of the dhimself as ‘Giridaruara, and on being further details as to 2cause of his inability hala language, the m for further inveser person who was
spoke Sinhala well imself as "Sinniah as Kumar and the to go, but he turned tual bomber on the
| "Giridaran', it was was in fact 21-yearSivapalan from Konjoined the LTTE in ined in the expertise d combat and manuHe had been in Colreturned with fresh uly this year. Police hat Sivapalan who is stody had confessed wo who had died in d been sent to Colng missions by the ce Wing leader, Pote also said that on use in Narahenpita d been living for the ley found explosives, letonators and fuse
or General of Police, kadeniya, told the he confession of the lice who is now in bomb had been intorcade with tinted Deputy Minister of at the handcart of conuts being pushed vent off by accident er's "motorcade with assed by on that day. 2d with the bomb had g the city streets for
parties in Colombo omb explosion as an the political package resident who should this type of threat, ot think the govern
TAM TIMES 15
ment should take this type of incident into consideration when going ahead with the peace process, M. Sivasiththamparam, the leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) told the press. "The most effective answer to this type of action is to steadily go ahead with the peace plan. If you buckle to this, it will only encourage more incidents of violence like this, he added.
We have to expect that the Tigers will try to disrupt the devolution plan', said Douglas Devananda of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), which has given unqualified support to the President's political package. The LTTE will try to disrupt the peace plan. So will Sinhala chauvinists', Devananda told journalists. "If she (Kumaratunga) gives in and is not prepared to take a bold stand you can never solve this problem, he said.
Condemning the bomb attack, Devananda said, 'If normal civilians are killed whether in the north or the south and whether by the army or the LTTE we very much condemn it, Devananda said.
Rauf Hakim, the Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said that this type of "terror tactics will not work. If the Tiger ploy was to trigger off a communal backlash like in 1983, then they are mistaken. There is a different polarization now, and a healthy one at that'.
Some analysts in Colombo say the bomb explosion was timed to coincide with the release of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's political package for the devolution of power to Tamils. They feel that the blast was designed and timed to disrupt the debate on the devolution package by provoking a Sinhala backlash against the Tamils.
If the Tigers were responsible, as it is suspected, then it is almost like their telling the government you had better talk to us, says a Tamil academic, requesting anonymity.
"The Tigers must feel that the government will be forced to negotiate with them when they know there is danger at their very doorstep', he says.
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Page 16
16 TAMIL TIMES
Govt. Proposals: A Sound For Autonomy and End of
More than 100 eminent persons, including educationists, politi top journalists have hailed the Government's devolution pac basis to rebuild a new Sri Lanka that is truly democratic and m a genuine sharing of power among all Communities.
In a statement, they said:
We welcome the wide-ranging constitutional reform proposals offered by the People's Alliance Government as a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. The PA Government was elected by the people with a clear mandate to restore peace, ethnic harmony, and democracy in our warravaged country. By presenting its own proposals to the people of Sri Lanka, the Government has demonstrated a commendable measure of courage and political imagination. We hope that the people of Sri Lanka will use this opportunity to work towards rebuilding a secular, democratic and multi-ethnic country on the basis of a genuine sharing of power between all communities.
The present proposals contain a number of positive features. These proposals are the most extensive ever presented by a Sri Lankan government to politically resolve the ethnic conflict. They constructively build on previous attempts at instituting regional autonomy in Sri Lanka. They entail the sharing of legislative and executive power between the centre and the provinces. The political reforms envisaged in the PA Government’s proposals can form a sound basis for deepening democracy and ending ethnic enmity in Sri Lanka.
"These proposals have been made at a time of intensified war. We appeal to both parties to the military conflict to take another bold initiative to enable the people living in the North and East to join the national dialogue in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. We specifically appeal to the government to take necessary steps to enable the people in the North and East to participate in this dialogue without fear.
“We are confident that all Sri Lankan peope will reject extremism, violence and hatred, and see their collective future in moderation, peace and reconciliation'.
The statement has been signed by:
Prof. Carlo Fonseka (Dean, Medical Faculty, Kelaniya), Dr. A. Ariyaratna (Dean, Faculty of Arts, Colombo), Prof. Shirani Bandaranayake (Dean, Facul
ty of Law, Colombo), atna (Dean, Fa Peradeniya), Prof. I na (History, Perad tram Bastianpillai ( ty), Prof. Birty Gaja tory, Peradeniya) nathamby (Econom Prof. Savitri Kur Peradeniya), Prof. (Veterinary, Perade enridge (Zoology, Pe. Kumar (Chemistry, A. Liyanagamage () University), Prof. Y (Vet. Science, P Osmund Jayaratne itus), Dr. Sudhars (Dept. of Archaeolo Dr. Arjuna Parakra glish, Colombo Univ Mendis (Medical Fa Fr. Paul Caspersz ( ton Ranaraja (Lawy gattegama (Write Coomaraswamy (R ouri Muttetuwegam Neloufer de Mel (I Colombo University Perera (Sociology, C ty), Victor Ivan (E Tissa Abeysekera (F. cien Rajakarunanay Dr. Paikiasothy Sara tical Scientist), Cha (Editor, “Pravada"), (Political Science, Gamini Samaranaya ence, Peradeniya), ) Kumar (Economics, V. Ka na path ipi Peradeniya), Dr. R (Veterinary Science, T. Manoharan (Depa Peradeniya), Raja (Journalist), Janaka nomist), Malade Alv ist), Mangalika de Si Sonali Deraniyaga Qadri Ismail (Resear( va Uyangoda (Politi ombo), Pradeep Jega pologist), Ram Mani tical Analyst), Kancl (Economist), Prasal (Researcher), Dr. Su dene (Writer), Dr. Ku na (Researcher), N (Lawyer), Waruna K

15 AUGUST 1995
Basis Conflict
ical Scientists and kage as a sound ulti-ethnic through
Prof. R.D. Gunarculty of Arts, aeslie Gunawardeeniya), Prof. BerColombo Universimeragedera (His, Prof. M. Sinnics, Peradeniya), mar (Chemistry, V.Y. Kuruwita niya), Prof. Breckradeniya), Prof. V. Peradeniya), Prof. History, Kelaniya V.C. Mahalingam eradeniya), Dr. (Professor Emerhan Seneviratne ogy, Peradeniya), ma (Dept. of Enersity), Dr. Lalith culty, Kelaniya), Satyodaya), Sheler), Simon Nava"), Dr. Radhika esearcher), Manla (Lawyer), Dr. Dept. of English, y), Dr. Sasanka olombo UniversiEditor, Ravaya'), ilm Director), Lutake (Journalist), Ivanamuttu (Poliarles Abeysekera Dr. A. Sivaraja Peradeniya), Dr. ke (Political SciDr. K. Jayantha Peradeniya), Dr. llai (History, .V.S. Rajapakse Peradeniya), Dr. rtment of Tamil, Uswatakeyawe Biyanwila (Ecovis (Anthropologlva (Researcher), la (Economist), cher), Dr. Jayadecal Science, Colunathan (Anthrokkalingam (Polimana Ruwanpura Intha Ratnayake unil WijesiriwarLimari Jayawardeatasha Balendra arunatilleke (Edi
tor - Counterpoint), W.N. Wilson (Geography, Colombo), Faizun Zackriya (Researcher), Ratna Sri Wijesinghe (Poet), I.V. Edirisinghe (Sociology, Colombo), Dr. N. Shanmugaratnam (Researcher), Shafinaz Hassendeen (Consultant), J. C. Welliam una (Lawyer), Chandragupta Thenuwara (Artist), Tennyson Perera (Writer), Jayathilaka Kammalaweera (Writer), Vasuki Nesiah (Lawyer), Dr. S. Nanthikesan (Engineer), Ramani Muttetuwegama (Lawyer), M. Mahanama Thero (Colombo University), S. Manoranjan (Journalist), Fara Hanif. fa (Researcher), Pasan Kodikara (Playwright), Sunil Bastian (Researcher), A.R. Lakshman Fernando (Dept. of English, Colombo University), A. Patchamuttu (Publisher), Hector Abhayawardhana (Political Commentator), Sydney Wanasinghe (Publisher), Ketesh Loganathan (Researcher), P.P. Maniccam (Development Consultant), Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri (History, Colombo University), Ranjith Bandara (Economics Colombo University), Chandrika Maliyagoda (Student, Peradeniya University), N.P.M. Saibdeen (Political Science, Peradeniya), M.S.N. Anes (Philosophy, Peradeniya), V. Nandakumar (Geography, Peradeniya), M. Alfred (Economics, Peradeniya), R.R. Maheswaran (Library, Peradeniya), Ann Jabbar (Researcher), Kapila Kumara Kalinga (Writer), Manu bandu Vidyapathi (Journalist), D.M.S. Ariyarathna (Writer), Ahinsaka Perera (Journalist), Dr. Laksiri Fernando (Political Scientist), Ravi John (Journalist), Ranjith Perera (Researcher), Neluka Silva (Researcher), Leela Isaac (Dept. of English, University of Kelaniya), Sunarida Deshapriya (Editor, Yukthiya), C.J. Amaratunga (Journalist), Sita Ranjani (Journalist), Kumudini Samuel (Human Rights Activist), Dr. Sepali Kottegoda (Researcher), A. Somaloka Thero (Colombo University), Nimalka Fernando (Lawyer), Anuruddha Lokuhapuaratchi (Journalist), Dr. Tissa Vith a rane (Micro Biologist), Jayaratne Maliyagoda (Trade Unionist), Rohin Weerasinghe (Kantha Shakthi), Nandana Weeraratne (Journalist), K. Sarveswaran (University of Colombo), D.A. Siyamabalapitiya (Dept. of English, University of Colombo), Underwood Manivasagar (Lawyer), Anoma Pieris (Architect), O.T. Ramiah (Trade Unionist), Ragi Kadirgamar (Architect), Fizal Mansoor (Computer Programmer), Harini Amarasooriya (Sociologist), Sriyantha Walpole (Photographer), Loranthi Ellepola (Medical Student), Dananjaya Tilakaratna (Lawyer), Regi Siriwardena (Writer), Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake, (Physics, Peradeniya).

Page 17
15 AUGUST 1995
Ethnic Conflict and th
by Adele Ann Balasingham
Since the breakdown of the negotiations between the LTTE and the Kumaratunga Government, Sri Lanka's foreign office and a section of the Colombo media have been working overtime in a slanderous and vicious campaign against the LTTE. While the media has embarked on a wild, indiscriminate anti-LTTE propaganda steeped in racist sentiments, the foreign office headed by Mr. Kadirkamar, has launched a global disinformation campaign to discredit the LTTE.
Locally and internationally the propaganda war against the LTTE is in full swing. Violating all norms of journalistic ethics and standards of objectivity, the Colombo based journalists are crying out for an all-out war against the LTTE. The denunciation of the Tigers has broken all bounds of rational political discourse. All sources of information critical of the LTTE are being highlighted to build up and justify the anti-LTTE thinking that dominates the Colombo scene today.
While the local media is engaged in a mad frenzy to whip up ethnic war, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Kadirkamar is on a world tour slandering the LTTE and openly canvassing the foreign countries to actively assist Sri Lanka's war against the Tamil Tigers.
Fearful that the powerful and influential international Tamil lobby will effectively project the voice of the struggling Tamil nation to the outside world, Mr. Kadirkamar has called upon the foreign countries, particularly Western countries - to close down the LTTE offices. Projecting himself both as a Tamil and as the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Kadirkamar thought that it is the right time to suppress the voice of the Tamil expatriate commmunity when some foreign countries are critical of the LTTE over the breakdown of peace talks. But to his disappointment, he has not received a positive response. Since the politicall work of the LTTE branches throughout the world is neither directed against the host countries nor contravenes their national interest and does not violate the laws of the land it seems most unlikely that foreign countries would seriousy consider Kadirkamaros request. These countries are too well aware i that the suppression of political
activity can only does not lead to engagement. Pl LTTE in foreig violate the basic dom of political e pluralism, multiance etc., which v themselves on. T offices would not the LTTE and th riotic supporters but rather would peaceful and law community to ta option of engag political activit struggle of their in Sri Lanka.
Such an event negative effects political milieu in The Tamil immig constituting a sig in various foreig feel offended whe political choice Most of these peo victims of politic are sensitive to til homeland. They to their motherla conflict ends. Th tive measures to 1 activities of thes populations will interests of th Furthermore, the have articulated the restoration of and some count mediation to en these circumstar close down the II be detrimental t and the possible foreign countries
In his global ca kamar is trying 1 that war is abso create the conditi has requested th to provide Sri Li assistance to p efforts. The inte ity, we hope, wi with Sri Lanka’s peace which adv lence for the rea theory which has the last 15 years disastrous conse
The military

TAM TIMES 17
e West
be symbolic and he end of political oscription of the countries would principles of freexpression, political culturalism, toler'estern states pride he closure of LTTE silence the voice of ousands of its pat
resident abroad, force an otherwise abiding immigrant ke the unpleasant ng in clandestine 7 to further the oppressed brethren
uality would have on the social and the host countries. rant communities, nificant population n countries, would in their freedom of is tampered with. ple are themselves al persecution and he struggle in their dream of returning ind once the ethnic erefore, any puniepress the political 2 immigrant Tamil not serve the best e host countries. western countries genuine concern for peace in Sri Lanka |ries have offered d the dispute. In ces, any action to TTE offices would the peace efforts mediatory role of
mpaign Mr. Kadiro advance a thesis lutely essential to ons of peace and he western countries inka with military romote its peace national communl not be confused fantastic theory of cates war and vioisation of peace, a been in practice for in Sri Lanka with
eCeS.
ption has become
the latest strategy in the Government agenda for “peace process’. To embark on a massive military campaign in the pursuit of peace' Sri Lankan military apparatus needs a great deal of shaping up and replenishing. Therefore, to undertake an all-out war as a necessary stage of the 'peace process' Mr. Kadirkamar has called for "material assistance' from foreign countries to back up the political support the international community has lavished on Chandrika's Government's peace efforts.
Presumably the call for "material' assistance is meant to read as increased military support. What else could it mean since the whole world knows that as a State, Sri Lanka. has allies who have in the past, do in the present and will in the future satisfy Sri Lanka's regular military concerns? What Sri Lanka requires immediately is additional military assistance to bolster and strengthen its military hardware and capability for a major war.
Foreign states are bound to reflect very deeply and to weigh up the pros and cons of this issue prior to making any commitments. The political and military consequences are too grave. Firstly, and at the most obvious level, the distinction between the supply of either lethal or "nonlethal' military hardware to Sri Lanka military forces for a military campaign cannot be sustained. "Non-lethal' hardware supports lethal hardware and both will be deployed in military operations where civilian casualties will be inevitable. Supplier nations, will, therefore, have to accept responsibility for the killing and maiming of Tamil civilians, homelessness, destruction of property, violation of human rights that will necessarily accompany a military campaign.
In such an eventuality, the force of such noble political concepts as freedom, human rights etc., the pillars of the dominant political systems in the civilised world, diminish in strength and appear as hypocritical jargon. Surely the foreign countries fully understand that if the military might of India failed in its all-out efforts to break the will of the people and to defeat the LTTE then the only major impact of militarily supporting Sri Lanka will be to complicate the political-military context even further and contribute to the escalation and duration of the conflict.
While present political-military Continued on page 18

Page 18
18 TAMIL TIMES
Continued from page 17
developments figure largely in the minds of foreign diplomats and foreign department officials a briefjourney into history is sometimes necessary if a balanced perception of this conflict is to remain in focus. To begin with, let us look at the implications of building up a massive military force in a small country such as Sri Lanka. It does not require a great deal of intellectual gymnastics to understand that a small country with limited resources is financially incapable of supporting a large, sophisticated military apparatus, the consequences of which will be foreign debt, unemployment, poverty etc., leading to social and political instability. Military personnel will be, as they have been in the past, deployed to quell social and political unrest amongst the Sinhala population. Human rights abuses, for which the army is notorious, will become a permanent feature of Sri Lankan life. Foreign military support will foster such conditions. Similarly with the situation in the northeast. Military atrocities is one of the major factors for the emergence of armed struggle as a mode of political struggle by the Tamil people. Secondly, for the past fifteen years successive Sri Lankan governments have pursued the military path and failed to bring the national conflict to a conclusion. Indeed, the Sri Lanka state is as far away today as it ever was from political or military success in resolving this national conflict. In short, foreign countries have nothing to gain and a great deal to lose by militarily supporting the Sri Lankan government's war against the Tamils. In fact the political credibility and neutrality of many states will become questionable.
As the aggrieved party, the Tamil nation looks upon the Western world to take constructive measures to encourage both the LTTE and the Government to seek peaceful ways to resolve the conflict, rather than actively involving in assisting Sri Lanka militarily which will certainly prolong the conflict and produce negative implications. (Courtesy of Inside Report June 1995).
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MOst Ra and
The devolution packa ment which has re veiled is undoubted topic of political intel today. The search : devolution that woul for self government a Lanka's Tamil citize tore the fabric of na became frayed in sharply torn in the and was almost total in the 1980s, has b Until now that sche has eluded us and tinued, violent, ethni all too plain.
Ever since I becar tive in this country have insisted that the united, peaceful and unless all the people country can genuir rights, can fully giv their needs for diver and truly feel that the heirs to all that is bes I have insisted also affairs could never be a maximum degree C granted to a numb approximate to our c through the creation stitution. I have of believe to be true eve future that the adop constitution is the o creating a united Sri also a system that ou for its intrinsic merit of strengthening the tic process in Sri Lar
Three serious atte by the main-stream Sri Lanka in search now proved to be the a scheme of devoluti unite this country. Th Accord of 1987 produ ate and ulimately un of Provincial Counci contained in the DF the Presidential Elect saw the light of da defeat of the candida led to the abandonm ram, the devolutio) tained in the Pres Manifesto of the l; sanayake in October more detailed and col any previous attem]

15 AUGUST 1995
lical, Most Enlightened
Most Progressive
by Chanaka Amaratunga
ge of the Governcently been uny the principal est in Sri Lanka or a scheme of | satisfy the need nd identity of Sri ms and thus resional unity that the 1950s, was L960s and 1970s y rendered apart een a long one. me of devolution the result, conc strife, has been
me politically acin the 1980s, I re can never be a
free Sri Lanka, who live in this Lely have equal ve expression to sity and identity y are equally the it in this country. chat this state of achieved unless of devolution was er of units that urrent provinces, of a federal conten said what I n now and for the tion of a federal nly means of reLanka and that is ght to be accepted s and as a means liberal democraka.
mpts were made political forces in of what has until illusive quest for on that can truly le Indo-Sri Lanka ced the inadequsuccessful system ls, the proposals 'A Manifesto for ion of 1988 never y as the narrow a of that alliance ent of that progproposals conidential Election te Gamini Dis1994, which were mprehensive than it to address the
issues of the sharing of power and of national unity, died with him.
The package of devolution revealed recently in some minor respects goes even further than the late Gamini Dissanayake's proposals and is, therefore, in my view the most radical, the most enlightened and the most progressive schemes of devolution Sri Lanka has witnessed. If it becomes a part, an integral part, of the proposed new constitution and is operated in the spirit in which it must be, it provides the best chance yet, of the restoration of a united Sri Lanka.
This package of devolution which is thorough, comprehensive and based firmly on the spirit of liberal constitutionalism, on the recognition that the firm division of power amongst rival centres of governance is at all times constructive and a vital instrument in the preservation of a free society, has been drafted with an acute awareness of the errors of the past.
It recognises what only the late Gamini Dissanayake had the courage to recognise before, that the unitary state which many Sri Lankans believe to be the necessary condition of a united country, has in fact manifestly failed to keep our country united. By its declaration that "the united and sovereign Republic of Sri Lanka is a Union of Regions' this package has committed itself to the only constitutional structure under which a meaningful devolution of power can take place. It has recognized that the failure of the Thirteenth Amendment makes it impossible to expect any political party that represents the people of the North and East to be satisfied with devolution of power within a unitary constitution. To make this recognition plain to the whole country, the proposed package envisages that:
the legislative power of the People will be exercised by Parliament, Regional Councils and the People at a Referendum. . . .
and that
the executive power of the People will be exercised by the President of the Republic acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers and the Governors acting on the advice of the respective Chief Ministers and the Regional Boards of Ministers. . . .

Page 19
15 AUGUST 1995
To further secure a genuine sharing of power between Parliament and Regional Councils which
will exercise exclusive legislative and executive competence within the devolued sphere.
The package includes a commitment to repeal Article 76 of the current constitution which declares that Parliament may not in any manner alienate its powers to any other institution.
The provisions of this package have quite rightly sought to ensure the full autonomy of elected Regional Councils. Gone from this package are the totally unjustified powers of the Governor in the current Provincial Council system which enable a Governor to assume the power of a Provincial Council if in his opinion there had been or was likely to be a break-down in the administration of a Province. The Governor as envisaged in the package, must act on the advice of a Chief Minister who commands a majority in the Provincial Council. Even in his appointment of a Chief Minister the Governor has to appoint a member of a Regional Council who commands a majority. Not as is the case now, a member who in the Governor's opinion commands the majority. Under these proposals the Governor is no longer an agent of the Central Government in a Region. He is appointed by the President, (who as envisaged in these proposals, vould be a non-executive President) with the concurrence of the relevant Chief Minister, and therefore would serve as a link between the Centre and the Region. To this end the package also envisages each Region having its own Attorney General to advise the Regional Government of its powers. This is a very necessary provision as it is notorious that the Attorney General under the present constitutional arrangements has always demonstrated a bias towards the Central Government and Central institutions in interpreting the powers of Provincial Councils.
The lists under this package have been rationalised in a way that will reduce conflicts between the Centre and the Region to a minimum, first, by making the lists comprehensive, and second by eliminating the highly unsatisfactory concurrent list under the Thirteenth Amendment, retaining a regional list and a reserved list. Several powers which are not at present available to devolved units such as wider powers of taxation, and the ability to raise financial assistance abroad have been included in the regional lists. In an era that demands greater media freedom it is envisaged that both the Regions and the Centre
will be able to per broadcasting.
An area which provement is the fir that is to allocate Regional Councils. set out do not indica of the financial com be set out as the financial commissio adequately balance both the Centre an
The provisions as ary and law and ori factory and envis enforcement to be a bility while offences national security an security at election hands of a National
The provisions o which envisage the land in a region Regional Council w sion for the Centr acquire land in a purposes is entirely the North East, w towards allaying th the inhabitants in organised colonisat would alter the del to the disadvanta groups who have lo
In keeping with federal states the ci Sri Jayewardenepu these proposals be capital territory an the competence of gional Council.
The proposals as lent on two significa have considerable ultimate success. TI the absence of an electoral system by Councils will be ele al Councils are to b tion of the people t Regional Councils I system of proportic which ensures accu for all political p groups. The secon essential feature of that involves extel power to sub-natio national legislatur character. A Sri which 60 per cen elected from the Re 40 per cent are nom. distinguished pers contribute to the l cess and to the stri tre-Regional relatio able addition to this tion.

TAMIL TIMES 19
mit television and
does require imancial commission resources to the The proposals as te the composition mission. This must omposition of the h must be one that s the interests of
the Regions. regards the judicider are quite satisage ordinary law regional responsiagainst the state, d responsibility for is shall be in the
Police Force.
n land settlement vesting of all state with the relevant hile making provial Government to ny region for its reasonable and in ill go a long way Le fears of most of that area of state ion schemes that mographic pattern ge of the ethnic ng resided there.
h the practice of ty of Colombo and ra Kotte have in 2n designated the d are thus outside
the Western Re
| envisaged are siLnt areas which will
bearing on their he first of these is y mention of the which the Regional cted. If the Regione a genuine reflechey represent, the hust be elected by a nal representation rate representation arties and ethnic d is that it is an every Constitution nsive devolution of nal units that the e is bicameral in Lankan Senate in t of Senators are gions and the other inated from among onalities who can Parliamentary prongthening of Cenns would be a valupackage of devolu
It is my view that the distribution of powers set out in this package of devolution, will if fully implemented contribute considerably towards the political marginalization of ethnic separatism and hence also to its military defeat. A genuine sharing of power among diverse peoples and regions as well as among diverse political forces, such as these proposals envisage, will help enormously in bringing about that national unity and peace which has so long eluded us. All those who are truly committed to a united and liberal democratic Sri Lanka should therefore give these proposals their fullest support. All of us should be aware too, that those who may oppose this package in the name of a united Sri Lanka would in fact be contributing to its destruction. It is imperative that is not they, but those who by supporting this package of devolution, stand firmly for a united, peaceful and free Sri Lanka, who must succeed.
"Traitor' Amidst the Debacle
The LTTE suffered one of its worst military debacles when an estimated 3,000 of its cadres mounted a concerted attack on 28 July upon a military complex composed of a main base camp and several satellite camps in and around Weli Oya in the Mullaitivu district in the northeast of the island, while its Sea Tiger naval wing attacked three coastal detachments.
While the Sri Lankan military claimed that they had killed over 300 Tiger cadres and displayed hundreds of dead bodies laid out in several rows before handing them over to the ICRC, the LTTE conceded that at least 128 of its dead were women without giving a figure for its male casualties.
For once, the army, navy and air force were ready and waiting for the LTTE assault leading to the comment that the forces had received an advanced tip-off about the impending attack. the Tiger leadership in Jaffna subsequently claimed that "traitors' in their midst had revealed prior information to security forces about the attack.
According to army spokesman Brig. Sarath Munasinghe, the air force bombed 10 Sea Tiger assault craft and troops repulsed the inland attack, killing scores of Tigers. He also said the bodies of 182 LTTE cadres, mostly those of women, were recovered, but many more bodies had been seen strewn along the beach near the fishing village of Kokilai in the Wellioya area and put the likely final death toll at more than 300. Muha
Continued on page 33

Page 20
20 TAMIL TIMES
“Facing the Challe Effectively and Hor
The following is the text of the address to the nation by P Kumaratunga on 3 August 1995 following the release O political package to resolve the ethnic conflict:
'We Sri Lankans today are faced with the most decisive and challenging moment in our centuries old history. The decisions we take today are so fundamental that they will deeply influence and shape our destiny for many generations.
The aspiration of the entire Sri Lankan populace is that the current national crisis centred around the North and the East, be brought to a peaceful, just and an honourable settlement, ushering in an era of tranquility and harmony. This crisis has, for the last few decades, drawn the entire Sri Lankan people without discrimination, be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher, to the point of ruin, impacting adversely on all aspects of our national life. The ultimate consequence of this debilitating conflict is that a pall of gloom is cast over the life of the nation.
It is not only the wealth of the nation, not only the security and property of our people that is at stake but the very future of our children is now placed at risk. It is the major obstacle in the path of our progress, as a country and a nation. The reversal of our development efforts, increasing inflation and the cost of living and erosion of investor confidence further exacerbating the problem of unemployment are all direct results of the war. This is true not only of economic development, but democratic values and basic human freedoms are all endangered, driving our nation to the brink of disaster.
The tragic loss of the nation's children of all communities is woefully apparent. Murders, shootings, bombings and the like have created a situation where it is impossible for a person to walk on the streets devoid of fear for his or her life.
It is vital that we liberate ourselves from this unmitigated crisis. This is the challenge facing us. The only way this can be achieved is by eschewing divisions based on race, religion and political orientation and forging ahead, united in thought and deed, as one people. This is the central challenge faced by every Sri Lankan and this is the only means by which we can resolve this crisis.
The one major
rent to an objec genesis and the hi. question is this; since the end oft aspirations of the not adequately parameters of th Instead, a regret history of contem address their dem disingenuous met successive gover sulted in acts o leading to the ent racial anger, ani mistrust amongst Muslim and Bul Consequently, we the bitter experier end of peaceful co part of our cultur over 2500 years. T ciples which forme the social fabric
shattered during an event which mi on the pages of serves as a consta unhappy quandar
. I would like yo
further aspects ol tion. Firstly, you country's heritage weight of these any longer. You a this burden fro! Secondly, we who with the governa are equally ready power, the instr sponsored violenc narrow short-tern Government whic bility for conduct stands ready to re tudes and strateg
What, then, is devolving on us a
It is the ident cause underlying which has persista and the evolution these vexed issue therefore, a new on uniqualified ac that the Tamil p grievances for wh found.

15 AUGUST 1995
enge nestly
resident Chandrika f her Government's
factor readily appažive analyst of the story of this national luring the 50 years he colonial era, the Tamil people were ulfilled within the e political process. able feature of the porary attempts to ands consisted of the hods resorted to by nments. These ref outright violence renchment of intermosity and mutual the Sinhala, Tamil, gher communities. have had to suffer ce of witnessing the 2xistence, so much a al heritage built up he humanistic prin'd an integral part of of Sri Lanka were black July' of 1983, ade a bloody imprint history and which ant reminder of our
y. u to reflect on two the current situawho are heirs to this need not bear the shameful memories ire ready to cast off m your shoulders. have been entrusted nce of this country to shun the lust for mentality of state and the pursuit of political gain. Our h bears the responsing matters of state pudiate former attieS.
the responsibility l? fication of the root the current crisis d for so many years of a rapid solution to s. The first task is, approach predicated ceptance of the fact eople have genuine ch solutions must be
The policy of a country must be structured on the basic premise that all sections of society are entitled to recognition as constructive partners in a pluralistic democracy. This is the fundamental principle on which our political vision is based.
In our view, therefore, the solution to the current problem lies in the implementation of a viable political solution of the contentious issues. This belief is at the very core of our political outlook which was in the Manifesto of the People's Alliance. This has been endorsed in the most emphatic terms possible by millions of people who voted for the Alliance at two consecutive elections. We have received the people's unequivocal mandate to resolve this problem through the implementation of a political solution.
The attainment of this goal represents a challenge which is daunting by its enormity. We have the courage to accept this challenge and the commitment to carry it through to an end.
My Government and I, with total sincerity of conviction, now place before you a series of proposals aimed at a lasting political solution. The proposals have not been arbitrarily or hastily formulated. They have been prepared in consultation with many responsible persons who have gained an insight into the current crisis. In essential terms, they represent continuity with similar attempts which have been made in the past in many policymaking fora. Each and every one of you will be afforded the opportunity of actively engaging in this exercise by articulating your views as the debate progresses. Your reactions in the immediate future will also assist us in giving full effect to the principle of complete openness with regard to the policy decisions of the Government.
From the inception of the present administration, the Government demonstrably displayed its honest commitment to the achievement of peace, but the LTTE spurned the hand of friendship extended to them, and is now engaged in fighting a war against the Government and against a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The LTTE are prosecuting the war by usurping the democratic rights of the people whom they claim to represent. The armed forces of the Sri Lankan Government are seeking to free the people of the North in an effort to give position to their hopes and aspiration for peace. The current military action is not, by any means, one directed against the Tamil people but is a battle for peace waged only against the enemies of peace.
The war is being fought according to

Page 21
15 AUGUST 1995
a well defined strategy. Our only goal in this war is peace. The Tamil people are aware that there is now in power a Government which is prepared to address their problems and propose pragmatic solutions at the political level. Recourse to arms is therefore unnecessary; all that is now required is the spirit of goodwill and cooperation among all the groups concerned in working out, with thoroughness and determination, the basis of a political settlement which will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Sri Lankan community as a whole.
Our armed forces have demonstrated their ability and willingness to take on and overcome the LTTE. They have fully accepted that the war is being fought not against the Tamil people, but against the LTTE. The heads of the armed forces have directed their officers in keeping with the above policy and along the lines of a well-planned campaign.
I wish to express my gratitude and that of the government of Sri Lanka to those members of our Armed Forces, the Police and the Homeguards who have fought heroically and selflessly for the achievement of these ends, sometimes at the cost of their lives. We express our boundless gratitude and appreciation to them.
We are meeting the armed attacks of the LTTE with a well planned military campaign. But military means alone can not solve the minority problems of the people of Sri Lanka. For a lasting solution to the prevailing crisis, we have to evolve political solutions. My government is now ready to face the challenge effectively and honestly. As we express these thoughts, we are acutely aware that extremist forces which are against the government and peace, are striving directly and indirectly to frustrate our efforts. The first comment II would make regarding such forces is that they have not propounded a viable alternative to the measures proposed by us. Their course of action consists of exhorting others to make war, while they themselves hide behind hollow, extremist views filled with hatred. I earnestly urge you to reject them.
We have travelled far in a very short time along the path you have chosen. Our passage was rendered smooth by the support you gave us. We have received wide-spread approval from the international community. Even in the midst of a war, we have received hitherto unprecedented commitments of foreign aid. Many nations in Asia, the Middle-East and in the West have expressed their support for the Government, and their strong displeasure
with the LTTE's cou
We request your and blessings in ou we are unshaken in to achieve the recon society based on eq mutual co-operation is that we go forwarc good wishes.
In our policy stat 6th 1995, we reiten ment to a new vis grounded on the pri accommodation an stated in the state vision of Sri Lank, munities can live in ity, where human and equality of accepted norm of p lieve that all comr given the space to ex ty, and participate the nation, whether al, provincial or loca this objective in viev is seeking to rebuild foundation of a plura united and sovereig Lanka. This Republ. of Regions. This ex the following princip (a) An effectiv framework for t power to regions ity, clarity, and a sistent and coher which is capable mentation and in for the just resc region disputes; (b) to encourage communities whic become construct stable and plurali (c) to ensure that fully and effecti their human r damental freedo discrimination ar before the law; (d) to give recog and Tamil as offic to thereby accord to the official la recognise English guage; (e) to protect the i communities and for the promotion including the rig own culture, pro: their own religion promote their own transact business the national la choice. We may now proc the proposals on t

rse of action.
:ontinued support quest for peace,
our commitment struction of a new Lality, justice and
My earnest wish fortified with our
ment on January ated our commition of Sri Lanka nciples of equality, di tolerance. We ment ‘we have a a where all comsafety and securdignity is valued .reatment is an ublic life. We bemunities must be press their identifully in the life of it be at the nationall level....'. With y, the government the constitutional al society within a n Republic of Sri ic will be a Union arcise is based on les: e constitutional he devolution of based on credibilan internally conent value system, of effective impleLcludes structures lution of centre
the regions and h inhabit them to ive partners of a stic democracy.
t all persons may vely exercise all ights and funms without any ld in full quality
nition to Sinhala ial languages and equality of status nguages, and to h as a link lan
dentity of distinct create conditions
of that identity, ht to enjoy their ess and practice and nurture and language, and to with the state in nguage of their
ed to summarise he devolution of
TAMIL TIMES 21
power to regions. The scheme of devolution envisages constituting regional councils for every province with exclusive legislative and executive competence. In the north-east, there would be a redemarcation of existing provincial boundaries with full consultation to ensure a reconciliation of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim interests.
Each Region would have a Region Council with the legislative competence within the devolved sphere and a Governor and a Board of Ministers who will exercise the executive power of the region. The Governor will be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Chief Minister and the Governor shall act on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Board of Ministers. The Governor will call upon the person who commands the confidence of the majority in the Regional Council to form the Regional Administration. The Chief Minister cannot be removed from office so long as he enjoys the confidence of the Regional Council.
The subjects to be devolved and those to be retained by the Centre are set out in detail in the proposals. In the demarcation of the relative powers and responsibilities of the centre and the region, there would be no concurrent list. In this regard, the centre would retain defence, national security, foreign affairs, immigration, currency, international economic relations, monetary policy, airports and harbours, inter-regional transport, national media and national archives and museums, and archaeological sites declared by law to be of national importance, banking and insurance, Buddhism and inter-regional irrigation. The full list of subjects reserved to the centre will be in the proposals. The subjects and functions exclusively devolved on the region would include education and educational service, local government, housing and construction, agriculture, health, irrigation within a region, transport, industries and industrial development, fisheries and social security.
In the field of law and order
There would be a national police service responsible for investigating the offences against the state, and threats to national security and it would be headed by a national IGP who would be responsible to the central government.
There will be a regional police service responsible to the relevant Chief Minister.
A regional Police Commission will be responsible for the recruitment and
Continued on page 23

Page 22
22 TAMIL TIMES
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Saturday 9th September, at 6pm at Rutlish School Hall, Watery Lane Merton Park, London SW20 9AD
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Page 23
5 AUGUST 1995
Continued from page 21
disciplinary control of the members of the regional police service.
Land will be a devolved subject and State land within a region will be vested in the regional councils. State land within a region required for the purposes of the Centre in respect of a reserved subject shall be utilised by the Centre in accordance with such procedures as may be established by law.
There will be a High Court and a Regional Judicial Service Commission in every region. The High Court will exercise criminal, appellate and writ jurisdiction within the region. There would also be a Regional Public Service and the Regional Public Service Commission which will be responsible for recruitment and disciplinary control of all persons employed by or seconded to the Regional Councils.
Regional Councils will have powers of taxation and there would be other arrangements for the sharing and
assignment of rev commission will through mediation centre - regional d
The Constitution ing to devolution v Lanka is a united public and that it is
Our nation is or history. Our mos lenge is to build a all communities a can identify and previous attempts solution to the et failed for a want ( and imagination. these proposals wil ernment has ma serious attempt to regions while reta the Republic. As ea S.W.R.D. Bandar that "In Ceylon, ea have complete thousand and on raised against this
Beliefs and Myths in
Ethnic Conflict
by Dr. S. Narapalasingam
Definitions
A myth is usually associated with a traditional story of ostensibly historical events narrated often in order to legitimate a particular view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. The distinction between myth and belief is important to expose the distorted views reported recently on the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. A belief in this context means the acceptance of something with certainty as true or real, chiefly based on the examination of all relevant and available information at that time. There is a grey area between belief and doubt when the supporting bases are the personal experiences of some members of the concerned group. If the same experiences are realised by significantly large number of its members, then the beliefs are accepted as true by the group. Since a belief in this case, however convincing to be true to the concerned group can be disputed by others because they either have not gone through the same harrowing experiences or deliberately want to disagree for selfish reasons. It is possible for a belief to be realised as untrue when the earlier evidence that supported it is discovered later to be biased or new evidence comes to light
to discard complet science has many e beliefs having bee doned completely research revealed The belief that t prevailed until it new evidence erroneous belief til round the earth. A same experiences ( only be changed
measures taken t very factors that c dissemination of th information is als ing previous belief is firm belief in st there is no need to or cite the same c of many and is usu the doctrines of a
Exploiting Ethn
Ethnicity and similar in the sens to the same ethni faith through inh choice, although there are few conv necessity from on The holy wars that parts of the world

enue. A devolution seek to resolve h and adjudication isputes. al framework relatwill ensure that Sri and sovereign Rea union of regions.
the cross-roads of t formidable chal
nation with which nd religious groups feel part of. Many to evolve a durable thnic conflict have of sincerity, resolve Those who examine tl find that our govde a genuine and share power with lining the unity of arly as in 1926, Mr. anaike prophesied uch province should
autonomy. . . . A e objects could be system, but when
TAM TIMES 23
objections were dissipated. ...it would be (acknowledged as) the only solution'. I urge all political parties and concerned groups to support these proposals which are intended to resolve the crisis in the north-east within a framework which reconciles the interests of all communities.
My late father speaking at the dawn of independence at the assembly hall in Torrington Square stated as follows:
"Compared with the great and powerful nations of the world, we are but a small people living in a small country, but our history is rich with examples of noblest impulses that move mankind - heroism, chivalry, piety, sacrifice and service. We shall need them all, if we are to triumph in the dark and difficult days that lie before us'. That is truer today than it was then.
This is our moment in history. Let us together grasp it and dispel hatred
and distrust and frame a common
future which we can be all proud of. 4 August 1995.
Lanka's
ely the old. Modern xamples of previous in revised or abanwhen subsequent new information. he earth was flat was disproved by and so was the hat the sun moved belief based on the of many persons can later by remedial o counteract those ontributed to it. The le relevant unbiased ) crucial for changs. In contrast, faith omething for which show concrete proof ollective experience tally associated with religion.
hic Divisions
religious faith are e that people belong c group of religious 2ritance and not by in the latter case erts by conviction or e faith to another. t took place in many a long time ago were
inspired by the desire to spread a particular faith or to protect some faith from annihilation. Even ethnic cleansing has its roots in the same old psyche of our ancestors. Ethnic or religious wars left in their wake distrust between the different groups and durable fear of losing their distinct identities through machinations by the group wielding powers of governance in heterogenous societies.
Politicians in independent Sri Lanka found an effective means of gaining and sustaining political power by exploiting this very same distrust and fear. They did not pursue policies that would have fostered mutual understanding and racial tolerance and allayed fears of 'annihilation' because these did not serve their own selfish interests. Many multi-religious societies have progressed significantly since the times of major holy wars to the ultimate stage of respecting others' faith. However, with regard to ethnicity the same tolerant attitudes and racial harmony are absent in countries like Sri Lanka primarily because of the exploitation of the ethnic differences by politicians to capture power. The contrasting attitude of religious leaders (except when they assume the role of political mentors or leaders) can be explained to the absence of greed for earthly benefits or fleeting popularity that come with political power.
Manipulating and Controlling information
A myth by definition is not based on Continued on page 24

Page 24
24 TAM TIMES
Continued from page 23
factual information. It is this factor that makes it important to examine the objectivity of the information that supports a particular view as legitimate and not a myth. Information is knowledge obtained from objective investigation or study of events and hence, by definition, must be factual. In the context of ths discussion, information from the above standpoint entails the collection of knowledge through either impartial observation of events that have some bearings on the lives or attitudes of people or comprehensive analysis of authentic records of relevant events that occurred in the past.
In practice, opinions often are mistakenly acepted as information, especially by the majority of ordinary people. This is encouraged by the mass media and even by governments. The reason is obvious; for information obtained scientifically and dispersed freely can be detrimental to the commercial interests of the magnates in the mass media and to the political interests of governments. Hence the desire to have control over the flow of information. Seldom a clear distinction is explicitly made between the opinions of correspondents, historians and politicians and facts reported in the media. Even scholars in Sri Lanka have contributed to this deceptive perception of information. Opinions tend to be accepted as facts by repetition and by the misleading ways they are presented to the general public.
In dictatorial regimes, access to information from outside sources is denied to the people through various controls. Similarly, the outside world has access only to the information on internal matters provided by the authorities. This serves the authorities admirably as their "information' which invariably promote their ideology or justify their actions tend to get accepted as accurate. Although all governments in Sri Lanka were committed to democracy, some had controlled either directly or indirectly the flow of information. Ideal situations were created to spread myths and conspiratorial theories and confirm inspired "beliefs' during times of crisis. Ironically, government's own restrictions are contribution to the inaccessibility of even their own information to the residents in Jaffna Conflicting information on the situation in Jaffna cannot be verified in the absence of independent reports.
Challenge to the Concept of Tani Homeland
The book on a historical appraisal of
the claim of Sri Lar the North-East regi tional homeland by E Silva has been revie Ghosh, Director, Ir Social Science Resea) The Sunday Island “Myth of Tamil H Lanka'. The review distinction betwee myths' and myths cr al facts'. It is claime former, the latter ar because their verac The reviewer also cl: studied Sri Lanka's
closely and has no c illogical approach of ernment in 1987 to Indian federal model country with only tw ethnic groups, withol tradition worth the na of India's size'. Furth doubts that the India thinking in terms of Eastern province ha error. In his mind, 'D cleared some of the
the demand for the TI But by adding mercil namely, “nothing is historical research a voke the Tamil ideolo with a counter-thesis' leeway to change his
It is astonishing til claims to be fully k the ethnic problem state that 'as long as not accepted the pri would remain weak know that the ancie people of Sri Lanka Sinhalese and Tami different. I have mad article on “Misconce ieties — II’ published 1995. His assertion ceptible myths', the v ical myths' are veril he is unaware of 1 surrounding the hist of Sri Lanka. The “information' used studies on Sri Lanka
The flaws in the n arguments used to ch myth and vice-versa with by many schola. his articles under the land Question, Sch: Ethics and the Se "Tamil Homeland a Examination of A larship' published in cember 1994 has e liberate efforts. The tions of contempora light the bias and cor

15 AUGUST 1995
kan Tamils that on is their tradi'rofessor K.M. De wed by Partha S. dian Council of ch, New Delhi in of July 2, 1995 - omeland in Sri er has made a n perceptional ated by historicthat unlike the e "less dangerous ity is verifiable'. aims that he has ethnic problems loubts about the the Indian Govtransplant the
“to Sri Lanka, a 'o or three major ut any provincial ame and one-fifth armore, he has no an Government's
a unified Northas been a gross e Silva’s book has
mysteries about amil Homeland’. fully the proviso, the last word in nd it should proguesto come out , he has left some
mind
hat a person who nowledgeable on in Sri Lanka, to this challenge is esent Tamil case First, he should nt history of the is biased and the 1 perceptions are e this point in my ptions and Anxin the TT of May that unlike 'perreracity of historfiable shows that the controversies ory of the people veracity of the in the historical is questionable.
hethodologies and hange a fact into a have been dealt rs. Rajan Hoolein titles "The Homeolarship Without cond Front' and nd Heritage: An accredited SchoCounterpoint, Dexposed these de
recent contribury scholars hightradictions in the
historical information on Sri Lanka and illustrate how even more recent data has been used selectively to support a particular view. (Reference is made to the studies in the book - "The Sri Lankan Tamils, Ethnicity & Identity edited by Chelvadurai Manogaran and Bryan Pfaffenberger, Westview Press, 1994).
Second the reviewer has discredited the demand for a federal state in Sri Lanka by making comparison with the size and ethnic diversity of India. His comparison would have some validity, if he too believes that federalism implies secession. This view widely promoted by Sinhalese politicians and which yielded political dividends in the past is a typical myth. The vigorous propagation of this myth appears to have made it difficult to use the emotive F-word — federalism in any political package to solve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Recently, a multi-ethnic group of 36 Sri Lankan professionals have forcefully renewed and rejuvenated the argument for peace. (Peace, Lies and Ethnic Conflicts' in The Sunday Island of July 16, 1995). They believe that the fact the Tamils have historically inhabited the Northeast is irrelevant and what is relevant to the resolution of the present conflict is the history of discrimination against the Tamils by the State. The ethnic factor, particularly with regard to the delimitation of the territory in the Eastern province for devolving powers, cannot be ignored at present due to certain beliefs of the minority communities emanating from the interracial conflicts themselves. These are elaborated below.
Tam Chauvinism and Sinhalese Fears
Seeds of distrust and hatred were planted in the minds of children through the country-wide educational system that glorified the chauvinism of the Sinhalese and Tamils in their respective text books. The teaching of religion, literature and history emphasized the division in the society and failed to focus on the difference between the past situations and present requirements in the modern world. Religious studies failed to inculcate moral standards, compassion and tolerance in the minds of children. In fact, the emphasis fell on mythical anecdotes and not on the underlying precepts.
Until the late 1980s when the Indian army was invited by the Government of Sri Lanka to help in ending the civil war, the myth that the Tamils in Sri Lanka gave their allegiance to India prevailed among many Sinhalese. Indeed, this myth contri

Page 25
15 AUGUST 1995
buted to the Sinhalese perception of belonging to an endangered minority group in the sub-region embracing Tamil Nadu in south India and the whole of Sri Lanka. The corollary of this feeling is the apprehension of the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka that Buddhism as practised by the Sinhalese would not survive under Tamil (non-Buddhist) domination. On the other hand, the myth of Indian protection to the Tamils in the event of total oppression by the Sinhalese also prevailed among many Sri Lankan Tamils until this time. In situations where people take seriously even per
ceptional myths, one myth leads to
another. An argument for denying the
Tamil demands re-emerged recently on the premise that if some demands
are granted, the Tamils will claim
more and more which would be dis
astrous to the Sinhalese. The advo
cates do not realize that it is this kind
of logic that serves to support the
claim for a separate Tamil Eelam!
Thus, the racially motivated myths
which contributed to the distrusts and
fears, ultimately leading to the present
predicament of all Sri Lankans were
nurtured by both Sinhalese and
Tamils. Concerted efforts were not
made to debunk them.
Beliefs that Sustained the Ethnic Friction
There are many beliefs, falling within the definition given at the very outset, that have sustained the friction between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. Among those mentioned here are some which have recently been portrayed as myths and lies by some Sinhalese scholars and professionals in the wake of the collapse of the peace talks and the immediate resumption of hostility by the LTTE on April 19.
(1) The belief that continued settlement of Sinhalese families in the North-East by successive goverments under their colonization schemes, despite the strong protests of the Tamil leaders, has been to weaken the political influence of the Tamils by changing the demographic pattern in the electorates there, is widespread among the Tamils. The comment that the colonization projects in the north and east have not distorted the ethnic ratios in these areas is gross travesty of observed facts.
(2) The belief that the Tamils were discriminated against by previous governments in employment and in admissions to the universities remained strong, the latter especially in the 1970s (notwithstanding the recent claim to the contrary by a university don). Discrimination in employment
and education was be a major factor Tamil militancy.
(3) The belief o that the developm Tamil concentratio was ignored by t visible to all, and th tion is available publications as pa economic statistics
(4) The belief til ernments failed t own remedial me: had declared wc hardships experie as a result of t enacted primarily tical gains had a f undermining the people in the govel sion for the reason mitigate the extre Sinhala Only A plemented. Even Tamil also as an Sri Lanka follow Lanka Agreement implementation h Attention is draw Bandaranaike-Che and the 1965 Du Chelvanayakam P the Tamil demand tion of governing abrogated later.
(5) The belief properties of Tami unsafe under the Sinhalese has bee anti-Tamil riots of 1981 and 1983. Th gated by some Sin notorious for its sponsible for the b library in Jaffna il destroyed 97,000 rare documents he government. Sub: the security force such as arbitrary without trial, tortu appearances of di buted to the conte Although such ex ments were comm of JVP's insurgen ceived by the Tan wide anti-Tamil ag
(6) The belieftha struggle the Sinha not grant the bas Tamils was reinfor and aggressive wa the peaceful meth nized by the FP a over more than relevant to note th which the goverr implemented and

widely believed to that gave rise to
f the Tamil people ent of the areas of n in the North-East he State is easily he relevant informain various official urt of the national
nat successive govo implement their asures, which they uld alleviate the hced by the Tamils heir lopsided acts for short-term poliur reaching effect in trust of the Tamil rnments. The proviable use of Tamil to mism of the 1956 \ct was not im
after legislating official language of ving the Indo-Sri of July 1987, its as been deficient. in here to the 1957 lvanayakam Pact udley Senanayakeact agreed to pacify for the decentalisa
powers but were
that the lives and ls are insecure and majority rule of the n reinforced by the 1958, 1977, 1979, elast pogrom instihalese leaders was severity. Those reurning of the public n June 1981, which valuable books and eld key positions in sequent actions of s in the Northeast arrests, detention ure, deaths and disetainees all contrintion of this belief. trajudicial punishon during the time cy, these were permils as part of the ggression. it without a militant alese leaders would sic demands of the ced by the negative y they responded to ods of protests organd later the TULF two decades. It is hat the very policies ments vehemently which the Tamils
TAM TIMES 25
protested non-violently, undermined the unity of the nation.
(7) The relentless artillery shelling of residential areas in the North and indiscriminate aerial bombing by the security forces fighting the LTTE have not helped to win the hearts and minds of the Tamil people. On 9th July 1995 St. Peter's Church in Navaly and an adjoining school were hit by warplane bombs, killing and injuring many civilians, who had taken refuge there. These were buildings designated as safe by the military. In the six-day retaliatory attack of the government forces in the Jaffna peninsula launched on July 9 (following the series of assaults since April 19 by the LTTE on military targets), civilians were reported to have fled the areas of fighting. The unofficial estimates of civilian casualties during the six days, provided by the Jaffna Citizens Committee were 300 killed and 500 wounded. A similar operation in 1987 by the Sri Lankan army devastated large parts of Jaffna peninsula forcing thousands of refugees to flee to India. The military actions against the civilians belies the Government's stance that the LTTE and the Tamil people are separate entities.
(8) The belief that through deception self-seeking political goals can be achieved has prevailed among many leaders in Sri Lanka. This in turn led to another related belief that parties functioned with hidden agendas different to those declared publicly, e.g. election promises and party manifestos. The feeling that not only the LTTE but also the government had a hidden agenda for settling the ethnic conflict different to that expected by the people from their pronouncements gained some credibility by government's reluctance to reveal the mysterious peace package' to the people.
(9) Beliefs that undermine the trust between different communities are also as perilous as those betwen the State and any community. For example, the way the Muslims in Jaffna were driven out at very short notice and the mass killing of 140 Muslims in Kattankudy and another 122 in Eravur in 1990 gave rise to the belief among those Muslims who had lived for generations among the Tamils in the North-East that the LTTE (presumably not the Tamils) cannot be trusted. Troublemakers try to capitalize such beliefs to intensify communal hatred as was evident from the photocopied letters purportedly sent by the LTTE to Muslim leaders in Puttalam asking them to leave the town by August 1 or die! Sinhalese civilians too
Continued on page 26

Page 26
26 TAMIL TIMES
TAML, NADU
An Upbeat Me
MDMK identifies ideology a
T.S. Subramanian in Tiruchi
The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), founded a little more than a year ago, has come into its own. This was evident from its three-day State conference on June 30, July 1 and 2 at Tiruchi, where it not only consolidated the party structure but did some serious deliberation on the problems confronting the country and the State. The event also made the cadres confident that the party was gearing itself to face the parliamentary and Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The conference deliberated on the party ideology, firmed up its understanding with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and launched an offensive against the enemies it identified.
It declared that th MDMK would wag throw out the "corn of P.V. Narasimha and Jayalalitha in communal forces r Bharatiya Janata stoutly oppose the "r mic policy of the Ce General Secretar clared that Jayalal One political enem and that his topmo fight her corrupt assured CPI(M) Harkishan Singh S special invitee, tha form opportunistic "we will never align Congress'.
At the confere asserted that it ha
Continued from page 25
have been the victims of Tamil militancy. An injustice cannot be rectified by another. Deliberate killings of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim civilians by the government forces and Tamil militants have been a barbaric feature of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It has not in any way contributed to ending the conflict and the attendant miseries but only to prolong them.
Conclusion
From the above exposition, it follows that the settlement of the ethnic conflict by force is counterproductive to the ultimate goal of ensuring lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Northe creation of an independent state of Tamil Eelam through the ongoing armed struggle will help to achieve this goal. On the contrary, these methods will only perpetuate forever the state of belligerence between different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. Many beliefs and distrusts that have contributed to the ethnic conflict persist by default and counterproductive actions of past and present governments, only to be exploited by those interested in continuing the war.
Even though good intentions were expressed by the present government before and immediately after the last two national elections and on which high hopes were pinned by the Tamil
people to end the have been left to fe been offered and no This is unfortunate, light of the eupho among the sufferin lowing President K tory last year in the recent military off the Government to the LTTE and not people, cannot be su heavy civilian cas groups quite right credibility of the g the Tamils is being called for an imm offensive and to
awaited peace pack er (extensively) to demand for autonc reported to have b two more weeks f own end-of-July dea postponement will
dibility and implem its acceptance by t damaging the inte Kumaratunga's go unfortunate event suspicions that sus conflict will be rein troying any hope settlement of the return of peace i future to the pre paradise on earth.
 

15 AUGUST 1995
et
1d allies
e CPI(M) and the e a joint battle to upt Governments Rao at the Centre he State, fight the epresented by the Party (BJP) and uinous' new econontre.
/ V. Gopalsamy deitha is the Number ly of the MDMK st priority “was to Government'. He general secretary urjeet, who was a ut “We shall never alliances' and that ourselves with the
nce, the MDMK d not compromised
ir sufferings, they el that nothing has othing will change. particularly in the ria that prevailed g Tamil people folumaratunga's victwo elections. The ensive claimed by be directed against against the Tamil bstantiated by the alties. The peace ly think that the overnment among lestroyed and have 2diate halt to the release its longage devolving powmeet the Tamil my. Its release is een postponed by om Government's dline. Any further undermine its cre!ntation (assuming he grieved party), grity of President fernment. In this the beliefs and tained the violent orced further, desof an amicable conflict and the n the foreseeable viously acclaimed
on the basic tenets of the Dravidian movement: State autonomy, opposition to Hindi imposition, social justice (reservation) and primacy to Tamil in the State. If there were expectations that the MDMK would keep a low profile on the sensitive issue of support to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the latter's fight for ‘a separate Tamil Eelam”, they were belied. The conference concluded that the formation of Eelam alone would solve the "Tamil nationality question' in Sri Lanka. The party asserted it had 'every right to raise its voice in support of Sri Lankan Tamills”.
Gopalsamy outlined the party's ideology in a few quick strokes: “We have given up separatism, but not the basic principles of Anna (C.N. Annadurai, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder). Our goal is State autonomy. There should be a thorough review of the Constitution as demanded by Anna. Powers should be devolved to the States. Article 356 of the Constitution (which empowers the Centre to dismiss State Governments) should be deleted from the Constitution. All the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule should be made official languages. Tamil, a classical language, should be first made an official language. We are committed to social justice. We are opposed to the new economic policy. We will join hands with the CPI(M) and stand shoulder to shoulder with it to fight the communal forces and the corrupt governments of Narasimha Rao and Jayalalitha. We will raise our voice if Tamils are attacked anywhere in the world'.
Surjeet, who attended the conference on the inaugural day, answered skeptics who asked what was common between the CPI(M) and the MDMK: 'What is not common between the CPI(M) and the MDMK?' He said the issues on which the two parties would fight together were: the new economic policy which was designed to "mortgage the independence of the country to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund by serving the interests of monopoly houses and multinational companies', the rampant corruption at the Centre and the 'dark' communal forces. "These are issues confronting the nation. We have a common approach on them and that is why we have come together. We have common enemies at the national and State levels. We are fighting against the Congress and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (of Jayalalitha). Our enemies are common and the issues are common. This lays the basis for sound cooperation. What else is required? Surjeet said.
Tamil Nadu secretary of the CPI(M),

Page 27
15 AUGUST 1995
N. Sankariah, who too attended the conference on the inaugural day, said both the parties were 'working on the basis of equality of status'. "We accept that the MDMK has emerged as a big force and it has its own ideology. So has the CPI(M). Both the parties believe in joint action. We have already taken part in many joint agitations. The CPI(M) is fighting to establish socialism. Gopalsamy has made it clear that the MDMK is not for separatism. Both the CPI(M) and the MDMK are together on the issues of equality of languages, State autonomy and strengthening India's integrity.
The conference was refreshingly different from similar events of other parties. There were only two cut-outs, of Periyar (E.V. Ramasami, pioneer of the Dravidian movement) and Annadurai, on either side of the huge pandal, and none of Gopalsamy. And the massive procession on June 30 was an unambiguous declaration of where the party's strength lay: the youth.
Enthusiastic young men and women marched for hours, holding aloft giant party flags and raising slogans in praise of the general secretary and condemning the 'corrupt' Jayalalitha Government. Banners announced the MDMK’s credo: integrity in politics, honesty in public life and firmness in principles. There were also banners welcoming 'our comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who witnessed the procession from a dais with Gopalsamy. A highlight of the procession, which took 12 hours to cross a point, was the 37 floats - tracing the growth of the Dravidian movement, proclaiming the
party's ideology, ridiculing and ex
coriating the Jayalalitha regime, and SO O.
Impressed by the massive mobilisation, Surjeet said at the inaugural, "It was not a crowd hired by the Government. Ninety per cent of them were youth. One was able to see their great enthusiasm. They want to see a change in society. I can understand their feelings. They have been disappointed with the earlier leadership. They have reposed confidence in the MDMK and Gopalsamy. It is your (Gopalsamy's) responsibility to see that their aspirations are not belied and you have to fight in defence of people's interests'.
The MDMK was born amidst bitter controversy. In October 1993, the simmering feud in the DMK burst into the open after party president M. Karunanidhi said: "the Government of India had come across unconfirmed information that the LTTE has plans to elininate you (Karunanidhi) in order to promote the interests of Mr. V. Gopal
samy". A distraug: ranking leader o support for himse have I done to the a traitor and a m
What irritated mand was tha attracting huge cı youth, with his fie larity among the ly not to the liki sons M.K. Stalin and nephew "Mura stand-off, the DM samy on Novemb he had acted con sions and violatec district secretaries testing against th together with Gop. MDMK on May 6,
With the first St ing just a year af party was keen tha mettle. Besides, M nettled by the at Nadu Congress C Kumari Ananthal that the MDMK w from across the AIADMK to cond MDMK treasurer party had raised f ence through its union, town and and proper accoun Loud cheers broke was "inhuman' to leader V. Prabak money. Prabakar money to sustain pan argued. Chair objected to Ku accusation.
Gopalsamy, ref such as how the collect big funds MDMK could fi these, said these Rs. 1.6 crore and F on the conference 52 lakh was hand headquarters. He leadership, "Why islation to audit th al parties? I am such legislation'.
A massive cro tiently for hours ( Gopalsamy. It wa on July 3 when major portion of tional speech was the MDMK’s righ support of the CauSe.
Gopalsamy late ters why he highl an Tamils' issue a

TAMIL TIMES 27
it Gopalsamy, a topthe party, rallied lf by asking, "What party to be branded Lrderer?” he DMK high comGopalsamy was
owds, especially the
y oratory. His popuadres was reportedng of Karunanidhi's and M.K. Azhagiri soli' Maran. Aftera IK expelled Gopaler 11, 1993 alleging rary to party decidiscipline. Several left the DMK prole expulsion. They, alsamy, founded the
1994.
ate conference comer its founding, the at it should prove its DMK leaders were xcusation by Tamil ommittee president h and other leaders 'as "receiving money seas' and also the uct the conference. Kannappan said the unds for the confer
village, panchayat district level units its were maintained. out when he said it allege that LTTE aran had provided an himself needed nis struggle, Kannaman L. Ganesan too mari Ananthan's
erring to questions district units could
and whether the urnish acounts for units had collected Es. 64 lakh was spent . The remaining Rs. ed over to the party asked the Congress did it not bring legLe accounts of politicprepared to accept
wd had waited paon July 2 to listen to is around 2-15 a.m. he took the mike. A his two-hour, emodevoted to asserting to raise its voice' in Sri Lankan Tamills”
r explained to reporighted the Sri Lanknd what had compel
led the conference to pass a resolution that “a separate Eelam” alone was the solution to the ethnic crisis. “The situation today warrants this resolution. Powerful forces are working against the Eelam Tamils. The situation in Sri Lanka, the moves of the Governments of India and the U.S. (to help Colombo) and the clever designs of the Chandrika (Kumaratunga) Government warrant our support to the Tamil Eelam cause. If we fail in this, posterity will not forgive us. Besides, there was criticism that I will be silent on the Tamils' issue. So I had to come out... Chandrika is more cunning than J.R. Jayewardene because she has succeeded in giving an impression to the world that she is all for peace. Simultaneously, she is strengthening her war machinery. Besides, has she revealed her peace package?"
Gopalsamy focussed attention also on the Centre's new economic policy and the 'corruption in high places' in the AIADMK Government. He pointed out that after the adoption of the new economic policy, the percentage of people below the poverty line had increased from 37 to 41.1. The policy had made the poor poorer. He wondered whether the Prime Minister was inventing developmental schemes to enable multinationals to swindle the country. "The new economic policy will send India to the grave. We oppose India being pledged to the IMF and the World Bank', he added and asked, “Did the Congress establish a socialist pattern of society as dreamt by Nehru'?"
He accused Jayalalitha of 'looting government property' and going on a spree of buying private property. "Many people spoke here of the corrupt Narasimha Rao Government. Some entertain the hope that the Jayalalitha Government, which is the fountainhead of corruption, will be dismissed by the Centre. But why was A.K. Banerjee, the Deputy Director of Enforcement Directorate in Madras, transferred? Did you (Narasimha Rao) transfer him because there was a phone cal from Poes Garden (Jayalalitha's Madras residence)?' he asked.
The conference passed 82 resolutions without discussion. Deputy general secretary Pon. Muthuramalingam said the important ones, on State autonomy, social justice, opposition to Hindi imposition and solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils' cause, had already been discussed in the executive and administrative committees.
The resolutions attacked the Centre for its economic policy and the Tamil Nadu Government for the breakdown
Continued on page 28

Page 28
28 TAMIL TIMES
Continued from page 27
of law and order. The one on the Jayalalitha Government's 'corruption' was the longest, running to five pages. Through another resolution, the party demanded meaningful autonomy and genuine devolution of powers to the States to protect the 'various nationalities, their languages and culture' in the Indian Union. All those subjects transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List after 1950 should be restored to the States. The Centre has been duping Tamil Nadu from 1947. Many development schemes had not been sanctioned to Tamil Nadu. . . Only a full-fledged federal set-up and the blossoming of State autonomy will ensure the integrity of the country'.
Another resolution wanted the Constitution to be amended to enable the States to fix their own quota of reservation. Yet another wanted Tamil as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges and also the genuine implementation of Tamil as the official language of the State.
The conference Governor permit th cute Jayalalitha un al Code for corrup erties acquired by female companion, ing party men by r and bribery shoulc said.
Surjeet told repo) to say where there tion, in New Del consonance with th taken against crim tics and corruption against the AIADN cannot be different It supports the C policies', he said. H when the National met on November litha 'openly supp the Babri Masjid ar temple there.
Whether the AIA itself with Narasim or the BJP would d in New Delhi', Su
Continued from page 7
on-going ethnic conflict in the northeast of the island. I can justifiably say that the international community has turned favourably on the Sri Lankan stance particularly of the peace initiatives of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. To that extent the LTTE is at a disadvantage in terms of international thinking.
And particularly our relations with India have reached an extremely warm and friendly phase all to the good.
Q: There have been reports that you are considering banning the LTTE. is this correct? A: We are certainly contemplating that. We are looking at legislative ways of doing that but no decision has been taken.
Q: In the context of the controversy over renewing diplomatic ties with Israel what have you decided? A: What we have done as any Foreign Ministry does all the time is review foreign policy options with regard to the various countries. No decision will be taken until we have consulted all the parties, both domestic and foreign parties. There is an anti-Israel lobby in the country and I have heard that about 65 MPs have signed a memorandum but I have not seen it.
C: You said in a recent interview that
the international cd aware that there h fighting with the L to the negotiating tion "Leap Forward ing you spoke of, COme? A: The LTTE by ur the Cessation of Ho on April 19, made they had resorted t It would appear establish a state of and east. The go respond to that, an been to oppose t fighting was inev government cam ta lying down.
It may have a l we hope that the home to the LT achieve its object international com the inevitability of do not blame us for Whether it is the o and whether there military question a tical implications t
Q: Has there beer because of the ci operation "Leap F A: As to the so-ca Navaly Church i know what really negative fall-out

15 AUGUST 1995
lemanded that the e MDMK to proseder the Indian Penion. "All the propJayalalitha, her Ministers and rulleans of corruption be confiscated', it
ters it was difficult was more corrupni or Madras. “In e position we have inalisation of poli, we have to fight MK. The AIADMK from the Congress. ongress' economic e pointed out that integration Council 23, 1992, Jayalarted demolition of ld construction of a
DMK would align ha Rao’s Congress epend on "decisions rjeet said. He ac
cused the DMK of vacillating on the question of its alliance' and waiting for the final decision of New Delhi'. Jayalalitha's efforts to join the National Front also depended on the decision in New Delhi. "Our opposition to the AIADMK will remain whether it joins the National Front or not, he said.
Sankariah pointed out that bribery, rape, corruption and lock-up deaths had become rampant in Tamil Nadu. 'Jayalalitha cannot wash her sins by joining the National Front. If the National Front admits the AIADMK, the CPI(M) will have no truck with the National Front as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, he said. He challenged Karunanidhi to announce that the DMK would not ally with the 'corrupt Narasimha Rao Congress.
The two parties have decided to picket jointly Central and State Government offices on August 9 to fight the new economic policy, expose the "atrocities' taking place in Tamil Nadu and demand that civic polls be held in the State.
(Courtesy of Frontline, 28.7.95).
ommunity was well ad to be a bout of TE to force them table. Was opera'that bout of fightor is there more to
ilaterally breaking stilities Agreement it clear to us that o the option of war. hat its aim is to Eelam in the north vernment had to d our response has hat. The bout of itable because no ke an assault on it,
beneficial result for fighting will bring TE that it cannot ives by war. The munity recognises the situation. They reacting militarily. nly bout of fighting, is more to come is a lthough it has poliOO.
a negative fall-out vilian casualties of ?"rWardנ led bombing of the n Jaffna we don't happened. As to a yes. But no right
thinking person will say it was deliberate and of course when there are civilian casualties there is a hue and cry. If it was an accident by the government we are deeply sorry. It can be said that for the first time in recent years that the government has been bent on reconciliation with the Tamil people. President Chandrika Kumaratunga has a spotless record of her concern for the Tamil people.
O: On the extradition of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has any headway been made, and is there a timefranne?
A: The Attorney General is going through a very big dossier handed over by India to see whether there is a prima facie case against Mr. Prabhakaran. The government does not come into the picture until advised by our legal authorities. There is no timef.
ae.
Q: Personally what has this year in politics meant to you.
A: My lifestyle has changed dramatically with an onerous lot of responsibilities which I take very seriously. And I have become a prisoner of security considerations. But on the plus side I take heart that I have been able to contribute in some way to some of the urgent problems of our time. When I decided to enter politics it was because I wanted to put something into the society from which I gained much.

Page 29
15 AUGUST 1995
READERS FORUM
MISSING CLAUSES IN
THE NEW CONTRACT
THE MUCH publicised plea For a New Social Contract” signed by a number of intellectuals (Tamil Times, July '95) in its attempts to apportion blame between Sinhala nationalists and the LTTE for the failure of the parties concerned to bring the war to an end has failed to recognize some important facts and refuses to accept some basic principles that are essential to the peaceful resolution of the national question.
What has been rather conveniently forgotten is the credibility of the PA Government. This government which was given a massive mandate in the Presidential election of 1994 did not take too long to go back on every one of its important promises. It let down the workers when they stood for their rights, began to threaten the media by using methods not too unfamiliar to us in the recent past, reimposed or continued the ban on the transport of several essential goods to the north, and has been responsible for the bombing of public places.
Unidentifiably mutilated bodies found floating in water, not long ago, have reminded us of the days of the Premadasa regime when at least 50,000 young men fell victim to state terror. That machinery of repression is still intact, despite the change in government, the government even tried to ban May Day rallies while the VOA got its green light. It is no wonder that the IMF and the World Bank love this PA socialism with Sri Lankan characteristics. The PA has been unswerving in its loyalty to the comprador elite establishment and that is one promise that the President has kept, namely the one to the Chamber of Commerce that she will not upset the applecart.
The authors of the appeal, by portraying the LTTE and the Sinhala chauvinists as the representatives of the two extremist positions on the national question, are distorting the picture through ignoring the role of the PA Government. The government remains the aggressor and oppressor while it allows the armed forces to continue to drive civilians from their homes and bomb and shell civilian targets. The government forces still act like an army of occupation. No
thing has happened the PA Government 'winning friends an ple” among potentia its war to defeat t taking serious step: ful solution. The Pri utterances in India lacked statesmansh actions have disill those who had pinr her for a peaceful national question,
democratic rights a the foreign and econ past seventeen year
The appeal seems of the state to mak ary responses to o One may suppose t 'reasonable' is rath licence for the stati reasonable respons aggression'.
The other claim defines peace as Ee proven, since, so far the south has col solution that will b majority of the Tha acted in a way that in the government. truly Sri Lankan pa since independence, parties, until their lowing the surrend the pro-Soviet CP tween 1963 and 19 spite its “multi-eth 1947-57, had a S agenda. The SLFP about its Sinhala I member of minority Sri Lankan govern partner who had to the Sinhala natic Sinhala-Buddhist) i I am not a defen acts of violence aga lities nor do I app democracy in the case of the JVP, oppressive governn much of the blame such circumstances miserably in this that this failure : underlying faith i. majority of signat Government still ha ability to deliver a
The terminology thors to describe th is designed to nega immediate issue cor lities. The use of conflict and multithe reference to nat
 
 

TAM TIMES 29
to change this and was more keen on d influencing peo| allies overseas in he LTTE than in
towards a peacesident's indiscreet a few months ago ip and her recent usioned many of ed their hopes on
resolution of the
the restoration of nd the reversal of omic policies of the S.
to defend the right e reasonable militLTTE aggression’. hat since the term er woolly, this is a to define its own es against “LITTE
is that the LTTE lam remains to be , no government in me out with any e acceptable to the amil nationality or inspires confidence There has been no arty in the country except for the left disintegration foll2r of the LSSP and
to the SLFP be70. The UNP, denic' character in inhala chauvinist made no pretences nationalism. Every r nationality in the ment was a junior accept primacy of inalist (and later nterests.
der of the LTTE’s inst other nationaove of the lack of north. Like in the the actions of an hent have to bear for the creation of . The appeal fails respect. I suspect is a result of an h the minds of a ories that the PA s the intention and peaceful solution.
used by the aue national question (e the fact that the cerns two nationaterms like ethnic2thnic society and ionalism more as a
concept than as something existing in relation to the reality of a Thamil nation that has emerged as a consequence of national oppression is not surprising in the context of the rejection of the right to self-determination on the basis of traditional homelands. They even argue that the notion of self-determination and the exclusivity of the traditional homeland as essential and indispensable prefixes for the resolution of the national question is archaic and redundant. It makes one wonder whether their proposal is serious at all about a just and lasting solution. The notion of exclusivity of a traditional homeland can be seen by some as a kind of principle that will lead to ethnic cleansing. But this need not be the case and should certainly not be if there is to be lasting peace.
The fact remains that traditional Thamil and Muslim regions have been systematically and intentionally colohised, even using the argument of a multi-ethnic nation, to reduce the Thamil and Muslim people to a minority in their regions and to deprive the Thamil people of a geographically contiguous territory. It was this experience that makes the Thamil people insist on the recognition of their traditional homelands. I find it hard to understand the signatories' fear of the notion of self-determination. They advocate autonomy without selfdetermination. This perhaps is a result of their equating the right to secession with the act of secession itself.
While I admire the sentiments of the authors of the document in relation to a truly multi-ethnic state, I regret to note that Sri Lanka has gradually ceased to be a multi-ethnic society since the ascent of Sinhala chauvinism. The events since 1977, and especially after 1983, have led the Thamil people to feel that they are a nation, or at least not part of a Sri Lankan nation whose identity had become increasingly Sinhala Buddhist. So, for the present, Sri Lanka can at best, be a state representing several nationalities. But a just solution could bring the people closer and lead to the emergence of a truly multi-ethnic society. That is for some distant, or hopefully near-distant future.
What amazed me most was that the authors of the document consider Canada, South Africa, India, Nigeria and Malaysia (emphasis mine), to be among societies which have tried and tested policies aimed at accepting devolution, difference and diversity. Perhaps we read different newspapers.
S. Sivasegaram, London SW20.

Page 30
30 TAMIL TIMES
CASSFED ADS
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Öre: 0181-644 0972
MATRIMONAL Jaffna Hindu brother, seeks partner, preferably in employment for graduate electrical engineer brother, 34. Send details with horoscope. M 804 c/o Tani Times.
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WEDDING BELLS
We congratulate the following couples on their recent wedding.
Sivanathan son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Visuvanather and Shanthini daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Nagiah at Great Hall, Bromley Civic Centre, Kent on 2O8.95.
Janakan Son of late Mr. Balasingam and Mrs. Kanthimathy Balasingam of 8A Ellsworth Street, Somerville, Mass. O1245, USA and Charunathi daughter of Mr. & Mrs. N. Wi. jayaharan of 33 Park Circle, Rochester NY 14623, USA on 19.8.95 at India Community Centre, Penfield, New York.
OBTUARIES
Mr. Ponnampalam Sripath
manathan, Electronic Engineer, Leica Cambridge Ltd., U.K., beloved husband of Maheswari; loving father of Sivahami and Ramanan; son of the late Mr. V. Ponnampalam and Mrs. Pooranan Ponnanpalam of Thirunelvely, Jaffna; brother of Yogasundaram,
as ost-2
Sathiamoorthy and Rajagopal, brother-in-law of Dr. (Mrs.) Jegatheswary Somasundararajah, Kuhanendran, Dr. (Mrs.) Nimaleswary Varmadevan, Dr. Balendran, Dr. Vipulendran and the late Sivanendran passed away on 27.6.95 and was crenated at Mortlake Crematoriun, London SW14 - 154 Wils Crescent, Hounslow, Middx. Tel: O181898 7578.
Mr. Arulampalam Kumaraguru, Retired Registered Medical Practitioner, Sri Lanka; formery of 19 Suvi Suddharama Road, Colombo 6, beloved husband of Sivahamasunthery, Retired teacher, isaipathana Junior School, Colombo 4; loving father of Gowrie Bai (Madras) Kumaresan (Canada); father-in-law of Karunaharan and Sankavai; loving grandfather of Prahalathan, Parathan and Seyanthan passed away on 24.6.95 and Cremation took place in Toronto.
The members of the family thank all friends and relatives who attended the funeral and sent messages of sympathy. - Unit 101, 250 John Garland Blvd., Rexdale, Ontario M9V 1N8, Canada. Tel: (416) 742 4944.
Sinnathamby Saravanamuttu of Maviddapuram, Kollankaladdy, Telipalai, Veterinary Surgeon and formerly Superintendent Colombo Municipality Slaughter House, husband of late Marahathavali, brother of late Sangarapilai and late Kandiah, father of late Rajaluxmy, Sundari and Dr. Thanaluxmy father-in-law of late Maheswaran, Kandiah and late Prof. Sarawanapawanandan pased
 
 
 

15 AUGUST 1995
away in Madras on 17th August '95. — 1161 Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
prJ. sanathirjahFRcoG Born: 26.09.44 Died 24.03.95
Dr. Jeyarajan Senathirajah (Airedale Hospital, Keighley), beloved husband of Dr. Manohari (Burley-in - Wharfdale Hospital); loving father of Dushyanthan (Leeds University) and Carthiga (Leicester University); son of the late Mr. & Mrs. P.A. Senathirafah (of Son asundaran A Venue, Chundikuli) and son-in-law of the late Mr. T. Carthigesar and Mrs. Carthigesar (of l.B.C. Road, Wella watte) passed away on 24th March 1995 and was cremated at a private funeral according to his wishes. Ashes will be interred in Jaffna at a later date. - 51 Thornhill Road, Steeton, Keighley, W. Yorks. BD20 6TN.
Mr. Thiainathan Manickawasagar, Retired Director of Education of Northern Region, Sri Lanka; beloved husband of Gnanambigai; loving father of Sarojini, Sri Krishnanathan, Dr. Shantha Nadarajah (Savunthala), Parimala (all of Canada), Susheela (UK) and Thilllainathan (Canada); father-inlaw of Sathiyananthan, Mala, Nadarajah (all of Canada) and Dr. Skelton Robinson (UK), grandfather of Subanan, Shibani, Subash Krishan, Manoj, Shaumiya, Umashanthi (Rebecca) all of Canada and James (UK) passed away peacefully on 126.95 in Toronto and was cremated at Highland Memorial Gardens, North York, Ontario, Canada on 15th June.
The members of the family thank all friends and relatives
who attended the funeral, Sent messages of sympathy and condoled with them during the time of great sorrow - 57 Parkwood Village Drive, Apt. 506, North York, Ontario M3A 2X2, Canada. Iel 416 510 0985.
Vaithilingam Jeyaratnam, beloved youngest son of the late Mr. Alfred Vaithilingam and Mrs. Nagulambigai Vaithilingam of Erlalai South, Sri Lanka, brother of Mrs. Gunayagam, the late Navaratnam, Gunaratnam and Mrs. Muthiah (all of Sri Lanka), Tha varatnam (Australia), Jebaratnam (UK) and Mrs. Jebaraj (Sri Lanka) passed away on 09.08.95 in Erlalai. A memorial Service will be held On 1 O.09.95 at HammerSmith Methodist Church, UK, at 3.30pm.
貓
Mr. R.N. Sivapragasam, Attorney-at-Law; Editor Hindu Organ and Inthusathanam, exPresident, Saiva Paripalana Sabai; brother of the late Mr. R.N. Sivasamboo, Journalist and Mrs. Sathiawathy Nadarajah; brother-in-law of the late Senator Nadarajah, Attorneyat-Law; loving father of Mr. Sritiharan, Attorney-at-Law, (Canada), Mr. Kengatharan (Malakam, Sri Lanka) and Mrs. Ketharagowrie Balasubramaniam (UK); father-in-law of Mrs. Gnanasakthi Sritharan, Mrs. Kailanayaki Kengatharan and Mr. Balasubramaniam, grandfather of Sivasoruban, Yamalai, Gowlini and Premasoruban (all of Canada), Rudrarubini and Sivapragasam (Malakam) and Vidyaharan (UK) passed away
peaefully on 5th August 1995.
The funeral took place on 6th August. — Mallakam, Sri Lanka.

Page 31
15 AUGUST 1995
IN MEMORAM
Sushila Jayaratnam who passedaway on 14.7.91.
Sorrowfully remembered by husband Jayam, daughters Kalyani, Tharani and Sumanthini; son-in-law Kanakendran and sisters Kamala and Indra. - P.O. Box 174, Gaborone, Bots
23.
Mr. Mayilvaganam Velumnayilum, J.P., U.M., Attorneyat-law and former Chairman,
In everloving memory of Mrs.
Urban Council, Point Pedro, Sri Lanka passed away on 31.8.89 and the sixth anniversary of his demise falls on 31.8.95.
Sadly missed by his loving wife, children Thayanandarajah (UK), Nithiyanandarajah (New Zealand), Mayilvaganarajah (UK), Chitra, Anandarajah, Krishnarajah and Jayanthi (all of Sri Lanka), grandson Cameron; in-laws, relatives, friends and a host of grateful constituents – 59 Edgwarebury Gardens, Edgware, Middx. HA8 8LL.
In loving memory of Mr. Apputhurai Gunaratnam of Point Pedro, Sri Lanka, formerly Divisional Superintendent of Post Offices, Sri Lanka on the fifth anniversary of his passing away on 28.8.90.
Tamil Orphans' Trust Thanks Sudha Ragunathan
Smt. Sudha Ragunathan, a top ranking Carnatic Musician from South India and an active supporter of the Tamil Orphans Trust in UK visited London recently to present three well attended vocal recitals in aid of the Trust. Picture above shows a
trophy being prese Winal Sockanathan, ter and Past Preside ing on is Mr. Pon The President.
The Tamil Orpha istered Charity form turmoil in the North : has a well supporte efficiently supplemer the needy orphans. 0181 908 3540/422
World Hindu
South
Decades of isolatic Hindus was brough inauguration of the
ence in Durban from Swami Siva Nandhi of the World Saiva
gave the keynote s mony of Science a Philosophy’. He exq ence of the Upanisi the meaning of the Among the others Pranavananda, Acha and Swami Purnan Acharya Omanath
Rukmini fron RSS B
y
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAM TIMES 31
Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Rani; children Thirukumaran (Australia), Vasuki (Sri Lanka), Devaki (Australia), Sutharsan (UK) and Saratha Devi (Sri Lanka), daughter-in-law Vasanthi, son-in-law Radhakrishnan, grand daughter Mayurica, sister and in-laws - 67B St. Ann's Road, London N15 6N.J. Tel: O181 802 56O1.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
September 2 6.45pm Tamil Orphans' Trust presents Natyanjali by the students of Mrs. Uma Chandratheva at Acton Town Hall, High Street, LOndon MV3. Tel 0181 908 3540/482 7745. Sept. 3 Aavani Moolam. Sept. 5 Eekathasi Sept. 6 Pirathosam. Sept. 8 Full Moon; Feast of Birthday of Our Lady Mary. Sept. 14 Feast of the friumph of the Cross. Sept. 15 Feast of Our Lady Mary of Sorrows. Sept. 16 Feast of St. Cornelius. Sept. 17 12 noon Skanda Varodaya College O.S.A. Tenth Annual Reunion Lunch, Variety Entertainment and A.G.M. Tel 0181 644 O972/881 674 1/65f 5263.
Sept. 17645pm Lakshmi Art Centre and S.C.O.T. present an evening of Bharatha Natyam
at Watersmeet Theatre, High Street, Rickmansworth in Aid of Relief and Rehabilitation in North and East Sri Lanka. Tel: 0181 904 6472/248 0512 Sept. 20 Eekathasi. Sept. 21 Feast of St. Mathew. Sept. 22 Pirathosam. Sept. 23 First Purattasi Sani; 6.30pm Salvi Munnetta Sangam presents Drama and Dance at Langdon School Hall, Sussex Road, East Ham, London E6 2PS. Tel 01268 7666.24.
Sept. 24 Amavasai. Sept. 27 Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. Sept. 28 Sathurthi, Navaraththiri Festival Starts. Sept. 29 Feast of St.s Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Sept. 30 Second Purattassi Sani, Saraswathy Poojah starts; 6.30pm Bharatha Natyam Arangetram of Miss Domatilla Arulmoli Sivagunam, disciple of Smt Pathmini Gunaseelan at Lloyds Park Theatre, Winns Terrace, Forest Road, London E17.
At Bhawan Centre, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HQ. Te: O171-381 3086/ 4608. Sept. 9 2.00pm to 6.30pm Seminar on Indian RenaissaCe Sept. 30 Bharatha Natyam Recital by Gita Cambow.
nted to her by Mr.
Solicitor, Broadcasnt of the Trust. Lookivendran, the Current
s' Trust, a UK reged in 1988 affer the ind East of Sri Lanka f fund raising activity ited by distribution to For details telephone
O12.
Conference in Africa
n of South African to an end by the World Hindu Confer7th to 10th July 1995, Adikalaar, Secretary Ouncil from London DeeCho Orn “The Harnd Saiva Siddantha Ounded On the eSSads which portrayed
Hindu way of life. eakers were Swanni rya Rameshwar. Das Inda from Mauritius, Sharma from Nepal, Ingalore, Sadhu Ran
garajan from India, Swami Bhakti Tirtha from USA and Dr. Laxmi Kumari from Tamil Nadu.
Over 35,000 gathered at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban for the rally on the final day-10th July. President Nelson Mandela was the Chief Guest.
Somu and His Boys
Under the banner of Sruthi Laya, SomaSundara Desikar presented on 12th August, a lively evening of rhythm by his thirty odd young mridangam students at Rutish School Hall, London SW20. Arranged in five progressive groups they displayed their skill with dedication. Some of then played to accompany their Guru. Violin and orchestral items by invite artistes added colour.
Among the mridangam students one could not suppress amazement at the performance of young Balaji Krishnamurthy whose vidwan - like pose, digital perfection and rhythmic control mesmerised every one. Here is a rising star. Among the invited artistes young brothers, Karthik and Kumar Ragunathan, displayed remarkable handling of the violin with attractive gamaka variations, a tribute to
Continued on page 32

Page 32
32 TAMIL TIMES
Continued from page 31
their guru Dr. Lakshmi Jayan. The orchestra was led by Malini Thanabalasingam on her veena. lt was a convivial meeting of artistes, like Sivarajah, Bangalore Prakash, Kirubhakaran, Chidambaranathan, Kothandapani and Gnanavarathan all helping Somu.
(S.S.S.)
Kalaivani lindrakumar Honoured
Smit Kalaivani Indrakumar, the wellknown carnatic violin teacher and Director of Natha Vidyalaya was draped in a golden shawl" and honoured by Smit Sudha Ragunathan, famous Carnatic Vocalist from South India at a well attended function held at Wembley High School Hall, East Lane, Wembley on 8.7.95.
Addressing the gathering present she said, "I cannot believe what I have seen this evening, so many thousands of miles away from my home, it seems that I am back in India enjoying the music from the tiny tots from the junior group to those in the senior group and from Bhayiravi Ganesh waran, the pride of Natha Vidyalaya, whose melodious music filled this auditorium to the great enjoyment of all of us. I can see that the sincere service rendered by your teacher Kalaivani is the pulse that is beating in Natha Vidyalaya, helping this illustrious seat of learning to attain great heights. I greatly appreciate the laudable efforts made by parents who in the midst of their busy schedule find the time, energy and money and above all provide the encouragement to keep the flag of carnatic music flying high as ever. I consider it a great privilege to have had this opportunity to honour a great teacher'.
Old Centralites J.S.S.A. (U.K) Cricket Champions 1995
The J.S.S.A. (UK) had their Fourth Annual Cricket and Netball Festival on 29th July 1995. Excellent weather favoured the proceedings which were well attended by the old students and supporters of the participants. Jaffna Central College annexed this
year's Cricket char the champion team
The Over 40 Crick innovation this yea leyites were the cha Ladies College Old Championship after Old Girls, the reignin COntested natch.
The association h raffle sponsored by Most of the tickets participating Old St. to whom half the proc paid back. The first ticket to Colombo by Travel Ltd was won b third prize of a return Courtesy of abo Letti was won by ticket Nic
Wathanee
The Bharatha Natya daughter of Mr. & Mrs Cheam, Surrey took Hall, Battersea Town On 5.8.95. Vathanee Vinothini Shanmugar Shantha Ponnudurai Sri Luxmanan of Bf Madras.
iqLLiLSSSMSSSMSSSLSSS
Vathanee performe needed for an Arangel
 
 
 

15 AUGUST 1995
onship. A picture of ppears below.
't Tournament was an
and the Old Wesnpions. Jaffna Hindu girls won the Netball defeating Chundikuli champions, in a well
ad a very successful Skylink Travel Ltd. were sold by the dents Organisations 9eds of the Sale were prize of a return air courtesy of Skylink ticket No. 5979. The air ticket to Paris by ng and Management . 806O.
's Debut
Debut of Wathanee, S. Srinivasan of North place at the Grand Hall, London SW11 is a disciple of Smt lathan, a student of of Jaffna and Adayer larata ChoOdamani,
d the usual items 'ram and excelled in
the Varnam which is the Central and the most challenging item of a Bharata Natya repertoire. The Varnam in Raga Valay gave much scope for bhavaand natya. Het stage personality was a plus point. The padams were beautifully rendered by the vocalist Smt Ambika Thanotheran. The other accompanists were Smt Vinothini Shanmuganathan - Nattuvangam, Sri Muthu Sivaraja - Mirdangam, Sri L. Kothandapani - Violin, Sri P. Gnanavarathan - Flute and Sri K. Sithamparanathan - Morsing.
Thiruvalluvar Statue For London
A bronze statue of the Tamil Savant Thiruvalluvar is to be erected in London. On the campus of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. The 5 foot 3 inches tall statue weighing about half a ton would soon be shipped to London. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms. Jayalalitha had sanctioned Rs. 2.75 Lakhs for making the statue following a request from the School of Oriental and safrican Studies, and an additional Rs. 1 Lakh for sending the statue by cargo flight.
CANADAN
NEWS LETTER
Dharshini Dances to Aid Temples in Canada
Kumari Dharshini Gandhi, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. K. Gandhi of Harrow, UK, and disciple of Dr. Smt Kanchana Shivalingam, gave two Bharata Natyam recitals in aid of temples in Alberta, Canada.
The performance on August 12th, '95 was at the Public Library Auditorium, Edmontoninaid of The Maha Ganapathy Society and the second on August 13th, '95 was at The University of Calgary Auditorium in aid of The Sri Murugan Society of Calgary.

Page 33
15 AUGUST 1995
The residents of Alberta were pleased with Dharshini's kind gesture and brilliant performances.
The Orchestra COnSiSted Of Natius Vangam - Dr. Smt Kanchana Shivalingam (Edmonton), Vocal - Smt Ambika Thamotheram, (London), Miradangam — Sri
R.G. Rajanna (Calgary), Flute - Dr. Sri V.
Kumar (Calgary), Tabla -- Sri S. Kalathar (Edmonton).
Demonstration in Toronto
As reported in the last issue the demonstration held in Toronto on 176.95 was ael attended. A picture of it appears below.
x
Canadian Ceylon Tamils' Chamber of Commerce held their annual fair and adhibition on 128.95 at the North Annerican Studio in Markham, Ontario. Over 100 businesses participated. It attracted over 10,000 visitors and was opened by Her Worship Barbara Hall, the Mayor of ToronO. This association is affiliated to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and spurs fe activities of Over 600 Tamil business and professional establishments in OntarO. Mr. S.K. Ariaratnam is the President of he Ceylon Tamils' Chamber and Dr. G.P. legatheeswaran is the Secretary and its aecutive director.
Continued from page 19
singhe said only two soldiers had been killed and 18 wounded.
The military said the navy also sank at least fifteen Sea Tiger' boats. Five of the vessels destroyed were water-jet propelled speedboats captured earlier by the Tigers from the navy. During the attack a missile was fired by the Tigers at an air force helicopter but missed the target, the army claimed. he assault was launched at Kokkutudharwai, Jayasinghepura and Kokilai on the coast.
Senior Tamils' Ce their second Weeke Ontario, as schedul 23rd, and 75 persc Hindus and Christian to hold a joint pra those who died in the Sri Lanka. Enriched Such as line dancing, camp fire experience Wagon rides, most of reluctant to leave the the programme. The is from August 11th Adult and Seniors C September 1st to 3. Youth Camp is plann 23rd.
Caribana. The Ann noted for its fun, fé boyant colour and fas celebrated in Toront on Saturday, 5th Al celebrated by the We during the Civic Holid at the end of the first year. This is perhap bean festival in North the biggest inter-rac Tourists from all ove witness this festival C
Montreal Murugan ing ceremony of the Of Montreal was held town on the outskirt treal. This was the C of hard work by ty Saiva Maha Sabai.
Seminar on "Our The three day semir 28th to 30th at Man for a weekend in
details please conta Inc., 6 Dalhousie Dri ba R3T 2Y7. Tel: (2(
Abaya Karam, a formed four years í and east of Sri Lank, COCert Or 29.795 Hall, Sydney to raise the programme feat by the Sahaja Yoga Odissi dance and a by the students of S aju who runs the Dance School. The presented afterward Drama - Paathukaik The Dance Drama items were greatly large crowd preset raised from the Con divided between the llam, Tellipallai and i sion Orphanage, Ba nanthan, in his pre: tailed the past fundr organisation and it vice-president Smit D While proposing the v
 
 

TAML TIMES 33
tre of Ontario had ind camp at Bolton, 2d from July 21st to ns participated The s took this opportunity ser fO COnfernOftafe 2 July '83 race riots in
by the programmes and enthused with the and the exhilarating the participants were 2 camp at the end of next camp for families to 13th. The second amp is scheduled for rad, while the second 2d for October 20th to
|al Caribana Festival Intastic music, flam'cinating dancing was p with a final parade gust. The festival is st Indian Community ay weekend that falls week of August each is the largest CaribAmerica and is also ial feast of Toronto. er the World flock to f festivals.
Temple. The sod turnNew Murugan Temple on 18.6.95 in a Small s of the City of Monulmination of 12 years he Montreal Ouebec
leritage and Vision' har scheduled for July itoba was postponed October. For further cť Friends of Eelam ve, Winnipeg, Manito
4) 255 0800.
charity organisation go to help the north a presented its annual at Bankstown Town funds. The first half of ured devotional music an Bhajan Group, an Siva andava dance mt Damayanthi BalarThillai Nadamalayam same dance school s a Ramayana Dance ku Or Anjali.
as well as the other appreciated by the ht. Over S8000 was cert and was equally Durgapuram Mahalir the Ramakrishna Misticalopa. Mr. K. Sivasidential address deaising activities of the s future plans. The evi Balasubramanian ote of thanks special
ly thanked Smt Balaraju and her students for the hard work put in by them which had resulted in the enthusiastic response from the audience. The Guest of Honour at the concert was Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji of the Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society.
Vembadi Old Girls' & Jaffna Central Old Boys' Association, Sydney met on 1.7.95 and decided to hold a dinner and a variety entertainment by invited artistes and old students of both Schools on 14. 10.95 to raise funds for both Schools. They propose to publish a souvenir to mark the occasion and old students of both Schools living both in and out of Australia are requested to contribute articles to the souvenir by contacting the Editor Mr. S. Dharmapalan whose address is 17 Katrina Street, Seven Hills, NSW2147, Australia.
Temple Celebrations. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh, New South Wales celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Maha Kumbabishekam, on a grand scale from Friday, 7th July to Sunday, 9th July. The special poojas and Homams commerced on Friday and continued throughout Saturday. On Sunday after special Abishekam and Alankaram for Sri Vengateswara, Mahalakshmi and Andal, there was Maha Deepardhi and Archanas. This was followed by Kalyana Utsavam and finally the Prakara Utsavam of the Utsava Muirthies.
A large crowd of devotees was present on Sunday and the Deities were carried shoulder high on a specially made "Thandikai' around the temple to the accompaniment of live Nathaswaram music.
Carnatic Music Recital: The newly formed Rasikapriya School of Indian Music had its inaugural concert on 30.7.95, at Wallace Theatre, University of Sydney, by Smit S. Sowmya.
Smit Sowmya is an A grade artiste of All India Radio and Dhoordharshan and was accompanied by the leading violinist Smt M. Narmada, daughter of the Violin Maestro M. S. Gopalakrishnan and on the Mridangam by Sri M.K. Balaji, a leading musician.
Smt Sowmya sang for nearly four hours to the delight of the audience. The tonal quality of her voice and the rendering of the music were remarkable.
Past Copies of Tamil Times Past copies of Tamil Times are available for sale in 13 volumes, the present series being volume 14. The price of each volume is £25 by surface mail. The price for each volume in other currencies is: US$45/Can$50/AusS55. Australian dollar cheques should be drawn on Australian Banks only. Those interested are requested to send a cheques- draft/money order in favour of Tamil Times Ltd to The Circulation Manager, Tamil Times Ltd., P.O. Box 121, Sutton Surrey SM13TD, U.K.

Page 34
34 TAMIL TIMES
Skanda Warodaya College Old Students' Association (UKBranch)
Tenth Annual Reunion Lunch Variety, Entertainment & AGM
Sunday 17 September 1995, 12noon
at Holy Cross Convent School Hall Sandal Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 5AR
Variety Entertainment by Old Students,
their children and friends 1. Veen Recital by Misses Shobitha, Sathianandan & Arthee Yogendran 2. Veen Recital by Misses Janaki Kuhanendran & Karthiga Gangatharan 3. Miruthangam Recital by Masters Angello & Marino Kumarathasan 4. Miruthangam Recital by Masters Jason & Jonathan Pararajasingham 5. Flute Recital by Mr K. Jananayagam 6. Violin Recital by Miss Bhayiravi Ganeshwaran 7. Light Songs by Mr. M. Sathiyamoorthy 8. Bharatha Natyam by Miss Mythily Sri Rajeskanthan 9. Bharatha Natyam by Miss Brintha Baladasan
Tickets: Family £12: Adult £5: Children under 12: £2 The Annual General Meeting will be held after the Lunch & Variety Entertainment
We look forward to the presence of all past students, their families, their friends & well wishers of the College on this important occasion
N.S. Kandiah K.G. Elangovan R. Vimalendran Presiderf Secretary Treasurer
Tel: 0181 644 0972 Tel: 0181881 6741 Tel: 0181 651 5263
SOUTH INDIA TEMP
We are established over 30 years ago in Jaffna as India, Malaysia and Singapore at special rates. Advance
9 day Sathiya Sai Baba Special Tour 10 day Sathiya Sai Baba Temple Tour 10 day Up Country Holiday Tour 7 day Tamil Nadu Temple Tour 15 day Tamil Nadu Temple Tour
Above prices include travel by car with driver/guide, Temp family room accomodation in Tamil Nadu, & Tourist Boal
We offer special tour packages to any
We also provide other services like car hire/hotel bool admissions/ Exports including wedding sarees ar.
For further information.jpleas
S.P. Rajah "Raj Mahal' 175 Kaveri Nagar Thanjavur 613005 Tamil Nadu India Phone & Fax: + 91 4362. 23459
 

15 AUGUST 1995
A S A
Academy of South Indian Arts
M A D R A S
Music Academy of Dance Rhythms and Songs
SATURDAY CLASSES: 1-5pm
at Longfield School, Dukes Avenue North HarrOW
Miruthangam - Karaikudi Krishnamurthy Bharatha Natyam-Lakshmi Ganeson
Wiolin - Thirvarur Gothanda Panl Veen & Vocal - Prema GameSOn
For further details COntact:
Karaikudi Krishnamurthy on 0181 248 6227 Or
Prema Gameson on 0181 845 7900
E TOURS & HOLIDAY
RAJAH TOURS and have been arranging tours to booking is necessary to avail the best hotel accomodation
e195 per person. Minimum 4 in a group £595 for couple and 2 children £795 for couple and 2/3 children £895 for couple and 2 children E995 for couple and 2 children
le admission tickets, State tax, Border tax, air conditioned d recommended hotels, receiving & sending off at airport
where in India to Suit your taste & purse
ing/Ticketing (air, train and coach)/ International School d musical instruments/ imports - act as your agent
contact our office or UK agent:
Sabesan or Yoga V & A Travel Services 140 Hoe Street WalthamstoW Ondon E17 4GR Phone: 0181-509 9896 Phone: 0181-509 0509 Fax: 0181-509 2812

Page 35
GLEN EXPRES
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VE
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Page 36
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