Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Cooperation: Scopes and Prospects

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's three-day visit to Dhaka, recently. The implementation of the MoUs could create a relationship of immense cooperation in different fields between the two countries.
MoUs Signed
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have signed MoUs on technical education, nurses training, culture, exchange in education and science, agriculture research, research of fisheries and livestock, and export promotion.
In addition, during the official meeting between President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the two leaders discussed cooperation in food security, shipping and curbing terrorism. In the exclusive talks, they stressed the need for working together in the regional and international forums. Sri Lanka has assured of extending support to Bangladesh vying for nonpermanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Over all, the Sri Lankan president's Bangladesh visit can be termed a great scope for developing Dhaka-Colombo bilateral relations. Both countries are still lagging far behind in optimum utilization of the scopes and prospects in the fields on which the MoUs have been signed.
Trade Development
In the fiscal year 2009-10, Bangladesh exported goods worth $23.7 million to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka at the same time exported goods worth $22.6 million to Bangladesh. In the first six months of the current fiscal, Bangladesh's exports were at $13.8 million, whereas Sri Lanka's exports stood at $12.8 million. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said the volume of bilateral trade between Dhaka and Colombo is not satisfactory. The Sri Lankan finance minister has said that the trade volume was not mentionable.
But there have been immense prospects. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) presented those prospects before the Sri Lankan president during the luncheon arranged in his honor on 19 April. The FBCCI has urged the Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to invest in the infrastructure, agro-industry, power and energy sectors of Bangladesh. FBCCI President A.K. Azad has placed proposals for joint venture investment in coconut oil industry, textiles, hide, shoe making, engineering, and food processing industries. The organization also has called for forming a joint economic council to enhance bilateral trade and investment. It may be mentioned here that Sri Lanka invested $70 million in Bangladesh from 1971 to 2010.
The dim picture of trading between the two countries could be brightened with a successful implementation of the proposals adopted during the visit of Sri Lankan president. The two countries have agreed to undertake various measures in this regard, including removing nontariff barriers and brining diversity in export items.
Cooperation in Other Sectors
In addition, the peoples of both countries could reap immense benefits by utilizing the huge scopes and prospects in cooperation in the fields of technical education, nurses training, culture, exchange in education and science, agriculture research and research on fisheries and livestock. There should not have any dearth in active initiatives from our side in this regard.

India Wins ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Chasing, the victory target set by the Lankan team, 274 runs to win, the host India lost its two opening batsman, Master and Blaster, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early on but Gautam Gambhir and Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rebuilt the innings and sealed the victory in India's favour by six wickets with 10 balls to spare. With the victory India crowned itself with the prestigious 'World Cup Trophy' at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April, business capital of India. Pre-tournament favorites India spectacularly broke the jinx of the nation hosting the final of the World Cup not clinching cricket's most treasured prize in earlier editions.

India rewrote history -- a piece of which they had first scripted 28 years ago -- capping a run that got better and better as the 2011 World Cup progressed.

Clash of Asian Giants

Two Asian teams faced each other in ODI World Cup Cricket final for the first time ever. Since 1992, every final of the World Cup tournament has had one Asian team but never had both finalists been from South Asia. Moreover, this is first time in the ICC Cricket World Cup history that the host country has won the title of 'Championship.' This was the second consecutive final for Sri Lanka, who lost out to Australia in 2007. The country has won the title by defeating Australia in 1996. While India also entered third time in the final of the tournament. After winning the silverware in 1983, India on second time had entered in the final in 2003, but lost to Australia that time. As the victory shot was hit by the Indian captain, frenzied celebrations erupted across the country with people bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets and dancing in the streets waving the tricolour. Ecstatic fans, who had been glued to TV sets since afternoon, spilled into the roads, greeting each other, honking cars and dancing to the beats of drums, choking key street intersections and main thoroughfares. A festive atmosphere prevailed across the country. India's President, Pratibha Patil watched the pulsating final with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa. With this, the six weeks journey of the tournament of the 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup-2011 came to an end.

Yuvraj Singh, who strode in to strike some imperious blows, was declared Man of the Series for his stupendous all-round effort for the triumphant Indian team. His two wickets in the final made his total tally of wickets soar up to 15, making him the sixth highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He also has scored 362 runs in the World Cup. Indian captain Dhoni was Man of the Match.

Memorable Moments

The tournament has helped create some of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport, including one of the most dramatic games of all time, when Australia and South Africa tied the Cricket World Cup 1999 semifinal, and one of the greatest shocks, when India defeated West Indies in the final of the 1983 event. India's star batsman, Sachin Tendulkar was the official event ambassador for the International Cricket Council World Cup 2011. In his role as ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 ambassador he was called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament. Tendulkar’s sixth World Cup campaign finally turned out to be the one he will remember for the rest of his life — 19 long years since the day he played his first Cup match back in 1992.

Semifinals

Chasing, the target set by India, 261 to win, Pakistan fell short by 29 runs in a high-voltage second semi-final match, played at Mohali in Chandigarh. With this win, India not only qualified for the final, but its World Cup record remain intact (India have won all five encounters against Pakistan in World Cup).

The enabled India to maintain its unbeaten record against the arch rivals in 36 years of World Cup history, was the result of some brilliant bowling and fielding show by the home side after its much-vaunted batting line-up had posted a modest 260 for nine to which Man of the Match Sachin Tendulkar made a lucky 85-run contribution.

Sri Lankan team entered for the title clash, outclassing New Zealand by 10 wickets at the Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 29 March. New Zealand were dismissed for 217 in 48.5 overs. After the way Sri Lanka demolished England in the last match, New Zealand needed to post a score in excess of at least 250 to have a realistic chance of stopping the home team from storming into their second straight World Cup final.

After winning the silverware in 1983, India on second time had entered in the final in 2003, but lost to Australia that time. Two Asian teams will face each other in ODI World Cup Cricket final for the first time ever. Since 1992, every final of the World Cup tournament has had one Asian team but never have both finalists been from South Asia.

End of Murali's Magic

One of the finest and at the same time controversial spinners of all time, Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan bowed out of international cricket as highest wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs though he failed to make any impact in his swansong match -- the World Cup summit clash against India. The 38-year-old off-spinner walked into sunset after an illustrious 19-year career as Sri Lanka lost to India in the World Cup final by six wickets. Muralitharan has already quit Test cricket with a record 800 wickets.

Muralitharan's swansong appearance on home soil could not have been better as he scalped a wicket of his last ball in international cricket, a similar feat that happened in his final Test, in the World Cup semifinal.

Other Highlights

The opening match of the ongoing tournament was played between India and Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium in Mirpur in Bangladesh on 19th February, while the Final match of the world cup was held on 2 April, 2011 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai city, business capital of India. The tenth edition of cricket's quadrennial showpiece, featured 14 teams, played in India, a dozen in Sri Lanka and eight in Bangladesh. Nine editions of the tournament have taken place to date, with the event being won by Australia on four occasions (1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007), West Indies twice (1975 and 1979), and India (1983), Pakistan (1992) and Sri Lanka (1996) on one occasion. The 2011 Cricket World Cup winning team took home a prize money of US$ 3 million and US$ 1.5 million for runner-up. The 43 days (19 February to 2 April 2011) event returned to the subcontinent after 15 years, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are jointly hosting this world cup. Pakistan was also to host the world cup but lost the opportunity because of security reasons. India hosted cricket world cup in 1987 along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1996. The Current world cup is the third world cup for India. India is the second country to host cricket world cup for more times after England, which hosted world cup for four times.

Sri Lankan opener was just three runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar on the list of the highest run-scorers in the current World Cup, but he took his tally to 500 runs with what was not exactly his most fluent innings in the tournament.

Indian seam bowler Zaheer Khan is the joint highest wicket taker in the World Cup along with Shahid Afridi of Pakistan. Zaheer ended up with a tally of 21 wickets.

Gary Kirsten ended his term as the Indian cricket team coach on a euphoric note, guiding the country to an historic World Cup triumph.

Sri Lanka Should Pay Attention to International Conventions

The newly appointed Sri Lankan foreign minister said recently that our foreign policy should be amended while placing the economic development of the country in its place of primacy. The objective of this interview is to discuss what changes should be made to instill a positive outlook about our country in the minds of the international community. Following are the views presented by Kalyananda Godage, former additional secretary of the Foreign Ministry.

Senanayake: It is the foreign policy of a country that conveys to the global community the thinking of the government in power. Has our foreign policy succeeded in creating a positive picture of the country in the global community?

Godage: The foreign policy of a country is nothing but a signal emitted by a country to the world to remind it of its presence in the global community. There are various other signals of a similar nature. But the world community forms an opinion of a country only upon a certain set of factors such as its respect for human rights, its compliance with international conventions etc. A foreign policy with regard to its imports and exports is also essential for a country in its development objectives. Presently, the attention of the world community is focused on how a country reacts to the concept of honoring human rights, especially in connection with its minorities. The World War II was ignited because Hitler began the annihilation of a minority.

Our country too is a signatory to various international conventions on human rights and is committed to safeguarding those rights. In effect, we proclaim to the world that we will forge an alliance with foreign nations committed to these precepts. Of course, they too will constantly monitor us to ascertain our bona fides. However, it cannot be honestly said that our foreign policies have succeeded in creating a positive image of Sri Lanka among the comity of nations.

There was a huge wave of discontent in foreign governments about the direction in which Sri Lanka was headed ever since the incumbent government came into power. They were unhappy that the rights of the ethnic groups were seriously negated, especially during the prosecution of the war. We could not change their mindset because a systematic and well organized propaganda campaign had been launched worldwide, that irrespective of what the government claimed, it an egocentric Sinhalese country and that no one would ever get any rights here except the Sinhalese.

However, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) never dreamed that Mahinda Rajapaksa's government would be able to defeat them. That is why, during the previous presidential election, they blocked the votes intended for Ranil and let Mahinda win the election. But Mahinda formed a good team and with ample aid from China, Russia and Pakistan, ultimately won the war. But our foreign policies have not succeeded in creating a positive attitude towards Sri Lanka among the global community.

Senanayake: It is currently being widely debated that our foreign policy should be subjected to some kind of change especially since we need the cooperation of other countries to develop our country. What sorts of changes should be made in our foreign policy to meet this need.

Godage: Our foreign policy is a guide to how we will conduct relations with the international community and through it we articulate our own perceptions of the rest of the world. The world at large expects to hear us clearly spelling out our intentions of how we will deal with ethnic minorities in the country. We have to make it transparent to our foreign friends that we mean business when we say that we intend safeguarding the rights of our minority communities. We should also prove to the world that we will honor the accords that we have subscribed to. There is no point in changing foreign policies without showing substantive proof of our intentions to abide by those international conventions. It is true that the war is over. But the Tamil organizations operating in foreign countries are now preparing to proclaim a phantom Tamil state. As long as there is an unfinished issue of the Tamils to deal with, they will have something to complain about. Therefore, what we have to do now is to solve this problem.

Senanayake: Our country has lost the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) Plus exports tax concession. Evidently, the EU opinion about Sri Lanka is far from positive. What kind of diplomatic strategy should be launched to win back their confidence?

Godage: I served as ambassador for Europe from 1984 to 1987 and then again from 1991 to 1994. During that period, various European parliaments passed resolutions condemning actions in Colombo on not less than 18 times! All of those resolutions were related to allegations against Sri Lanka that we were ignoring the rights of the minorities. A British ambassador said to me that they did not have any kind of economic interest in Sri Lanka from the day the estates in the island were nationalized. He said the Britain does not care for Sri Lanka and it is not interested in advocating for the island on any of its issues. But he said that the Britain was attentive to the claims made by various organizations that the ethnic communities were being oppressed here. We enjoyed the GSP Plus all the while that these allegations were being made.

But then five youths were murdered in Trincomalee and 15 activists of an aid agency were killed and the government did not do anything to bring the culprits to face justice. Appointing commissions will not solve this kind of problem. These two incidents too could have heavily weighed in the EU's decision to withdraw the GSP Plus from us.

Not only that. When UN representative John Holmes visited Sri Lanka, he was harshly criticized. It accused him of talking in return for LTTE money. This is not how a country should nurture and maintain diplomatic relations and this was not how Kadirgamar acted. He always resorted to dialog to solve problems. Most of our agricultural products are exported to these countries. Can we expect any economic growth by antagonizing these counties?

The biggest challenge our foreign office has is to work out how to secure the support of the nations which are currently disenchanted with us. They do not simply listen to what we tell them. The foreign embassies in our country too report to their respective governments about what really goes on here. Those countries also talk with Tamil people living here. And they listen to other political parties of our country. Therefore, it is difficult to win the goodwill of the global community without solving the issues of the minorities living here and without abiding by international accords to which we are signatories.

Senanayake: The new Foreign Minister G.L. Pieris said recently that Sri Lanka will not agree to conditions unfavorable to the country just for the sake of securing the tax facility or to retain the goodwill of the global community. Will we not be able win them over and solve this issue while preserving our independence?

Godage: When the economy of Greece collapses, we are affected by it. Then how can we be independent? In the present context of the word, it is not possible to hang on to archaic presumptions of what is denoted by the terms "independence", "sovereignty" etc. The Chernobyl nuclear incident in Russia affected various countries around the globe. When a nuclear reactor in the Indian sub-continent melts down, we cannot be indifferent to it, claiming that we are an independent state. The world today has shrunken into a small village. Therefore, the concept of independence is not fully applicable as an exclusive concept in the present global context. In the meantime, as far as I know, no unfair conditions have been stipulated by the European Union as prerequisites to restore the GSP Plus. What the EU insists on is that we should implement the human rights commitment to which we have been signatories.

Meanwhile, we cannot say that other countries look upon the killing of the persons who came to surrender with white flags in their hands, as a grave issue. International laws have yet to clarify what nature of response is to be extended to potential suicide killers. The suicide attack strategy introduced by the LTTE has now become very popular among militants all over the world. Any suicide killer can approach you waving a white flag at you.

Can killing such a person be considered a human rights violation in its truest sense? Therefore, the world too would need to look afresh at this issue and come to a logical conclusion about how this phenomenon needs to be dealt with by international law. Today a computer buff can cripple the world by playing havoc with a crucial computer program and without firing a single shot. New international laws have to be created to fight other potential menaces as well.

Sri Lankan New Constitution Needs To Unify All Communities

Intent on pushing through its planned constitutional reforms, the government is putting the final touches to the proposed legislative amendments. The amendments are said to be planned in three stages.

Several reforms, including the eligibility of a person to seek a third term presidency, expunging constitutional obstacles to the implementation of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and some radical electoral reforms, are being considered by the government to be incorporated in the new constitution.

Intended Reforms
The government needs a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament to put into effect any constitutional reforms of this nature. Although it is only five votes to command that two-thirds majority, as things stand now it looks like it will be a light matter to harness those five vital votes from opposition benches. But if the government could push through the intended reforms with some help from various parties in the opposition it will have some positive effects in the area of national economic development.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which are the major parties representing the minority communities have already flashed a green light for the proposed constitutional reforms.

Both parties have decided to back the constitutional reforms provided however that the government treats the urgency of a solution to long outstanding Tamil ethnic grievances on a top priority rating.

Ambitions and Agendas
The government would do well at this point in time to acknowledge the conditions stipulated by these two political parties, mend fences with them and then move on smoothly to the business of pushing through the planned constitutional reforms.

When new constitutions were introduced in the past they reflected the policies of the parties and personal agendas of the leaders of those parties who introduced those reforms. Those were the very reasons why the country could not sustain any meaningful long-term development strategy.

The first constitution of the country drawn up by Sir Ivor Jennings did not reflect the expectations and aspirations of the people of this country. He framed the entire thing without consulting as much as one other person.

The 1972 constitution which was introduced by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was also drawn up in a manner that secured her personal ambitions and agendas.

So, also was it with former President J.R. Jayewardene when he introduced the 1977 constitution to promote his personal ambitions.

Recurrence of Tragedies
All these constitutions failed to address the aspirations and grievances of minority communities in the country with the cumulative effect of disastrous repercussions on the entire nation. The disasters and scale of destruction let loose in the wake of these constitutional changes put back the country's development clock by several decades. Preempting the recurrence of the tragedies of the past now rests wholly in the hands of today's political leaders.

Different communities namely the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers are domiciled in Sri Lanka. They speak the Sinhala, Tamil and English languages and following different religions.

In the circumstances, the constitution of the country should be such that its provisions proactively foster the welfare and wellbeing of all communities in the country.

There is no need for hasty constitutional reforms. A general consensus approval of all sections of the people would be essential before such reforms are implemented. In order to fully exploit the potential of the opportunity now at hand, President Mahinda Rajapaksa would do well to first of all introduce constitutional changes, which will promote national harmony.

This will need an in-depth study of the constitutions of neighboring countries. For example, the Indian constitution was prepared only after multi-ethnic and multi-religious factors had been exhaustively studied. This is the basic reason why there has been a vast improvement in race relations in that country.

Extensive Deliberations
Today, the South African constitution is hailed as the best in the world. The Constitution of South Africa was also prepared after having extensive deliberations with different religious as well as ethnic communities in the country.

If Sri Lanka follows in their footsteps there will be nothing to prevent us seeing a new constitution that will unify all communities in this country.

Indian Bona Fide’s Questionable in Sri Lankan Issues

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao recently said India stood ready with more funding for Sri Lanka's rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the war affected northern region.

India has continued funding the northern reconstruction and economic development process ever since the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was concluded on 18 May 2009. India has poured in billions of dollars for Northern Province reconstruction and rehabilitation projects undertaken by the Sri Lankan Government and recently announced more funding for the reconstruction of the Palali Airport in the Jaffna Peninsula and development of the Kankesanturai Harbor.

Victory Over LTTE
There is no gainsaying the fact that India's liberal assistance for the economic restoration effort in the Northern Province, which was completely devastated by the three-decade long war, deserves commendation. But the dominant question that begs an answer today is whether her liberal funding for the development and reconstruction projects in the north will in any way help restore an enduring peace in this war-torn nation. It is an open secret that India extended to the Sri Lankan Government her unreserved support to help bring the war against the LTTE to a decisive end.

The Sri Lankan Government would certainly have not been able to so conclusively deal a death blow to the LTTR militarily had India's unreserved support not been forthcoming on all fronts. The Sri Lankan Government celebrates the first anniversary of the military victory over the LTTE on 18 May. But the same government has not taken any credible action to resolve the enduring ethnic grievance which in the first place triggered that brutal war.

President's Personal Commitment
At the outset President Mahinda Rajapaksa publicly held out a personal commitment to unveil a solution to this outstanding issue after the holding of the presidential election. Then, after the presidential election was concluded, he modified that commitment to say he would iron out an agreement on an equitable solution through negotiations with the Tamil MPs who would be elected to parliamentary in the parliamentary general elections. When that point was reached he then said the negotiations with the Tamil MP's would begin after his return from the SAARC Summit in Bhutan.

The SAARC Summit is also past us. Instead of inviting the Tamil National Alliance for talks to explore a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community, the government seems to be instead occupied with attempts to weaken the Tamil National Alliance politically.

Implementing 13th Amendment
Earlier official commitments to implement a 13th Amendment plus solution to remedy all Tamil grievances are now in limbo and the government is guardedly tight lipped on the 13 plus topic.

At the time that the government emerged the victor in the war against the LTTE in 2009, India was actively pressing for a solution based on the 13th Amendment. India also insisted that the solution offered now should surpass the provisions of the 13th Amendment.

However, what has happened now? We see a subtle yet unmistakable change of attitude on the part of the Indian Government toward the nature of a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community. While India is at pains to compete with China and Pakistan in helping Sri Lanka on several fronts, Delhi does not now seem to be concerned about a settlement to the ethnic issue that will satisfy the aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils living in the north and east. Instead, India seems content to be a mere unconcerned listener to all that is said by the Sri Lankan government.

Establishing Permanent Peace
Peace and harmony cannot be ushered in purely through financial assistance extended by the Indian government to Sri Lanka. India's contribution is more direly required to bring about a lasting solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. India should understand this reality. Her current backing of Sri Lanka will never help establish a permanent peace in the country.

India should also understand that all the economic development in a country which lacks peace will not only be an illusion of a solution, but will ultimately prove to be a wasted effort.

Undue Expansion of Sri Lanka Army

Although the first anniversary marking the completion of "Eelam War-4" is to be commemorated shortly, the euphoric talk about the war victory by the general public goes on unabated in southern Sri Lanka। On the other hand the grievances of the Tamils who were severely affected by the war are yet to be resolved. Approximately 100,000 displaced civilians are still held in welfare camps.

Furthermore, there does not seem to be any substantial evidence in the country to support the claim that the conflict is over। Emergency regulations as well as the prevention of terrorism act are very much in force. The presence of the armed forces in the north and east has not declined. High security zones are still maintained. The number of security personnel in the country is comparatively high as far as Sri Lanka is concerned while the cost of maintaining them is also very high.

Progressive Strength
As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the Army has been progressively strengthened over the last 60 years with the solitary objective of keeping the Tamil community under foot। The number of soldiers in Sri Lanka is very much more than the number in the United Kingdom.

According to the data published in June 2009, the British Army had six divisions with 146,000 men। But the Sri Lankan defense secretary had said recently that Sri the Lanka Army had 300,000 personnel. The Sri Lankan Government is also in the process of recruiting a further 50,000 soldiers.

A close look at the history of the Sri Lanka Army would reveal the fact that its growth corresponded to the growth of the intensity of the Tamil struggle। The armed Tamil struggle was born only after the nonviolent struggles of the Tamil community had failed. In the year 1970 the number of personnel in the Sri Lanka Army was increased to 8,500.

Although the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed in the 1970s there was a notable increase in the attacks launched by them in the mid-part of the 1970s। However, the LTTE started to launch serious attacks only in 1981.

In the first attack launched by the LTTE on the Kankesanturai road in Jaffna two soldiers were killed। When the LTTE gradually intensified their attacks the Sri Lankan Government was compelled to increase the number of personnel in the army. In the year 1983 the Sri Lanka Army had 12,000 personnel.

Later, in the year 1986, it was increased to 30,000। By the time that "Operation Liberation" was launched in the Jaffna Peninsula in the year 1987, the Sri Lanka Army had increased its cadres by another 10,000 men.

When the military operation was launched by the Indian Forces the Sri Lanka Army did not absorb any great loss। But with the exit of the Indian Army, the Premadasa government had increased the cadre very greatly. In the year 1990 the Sri Lanka Army consisted of 50,000 soldiers. In 1994 at threw conclusion of "Eelam War-2" the strength of Sri Lanka Army had shot up to 104,000 men.

The commencement of "Eelam War-3" made deep psychological inroads into the Sri Lanka Army। When the LTTE started using antiaircraft weapons and crash landed into Sri Lanka Air force aircraft, it infused fear in the minds of the Sri Lankan soldiers.

The number of escapees from the Army had increased many folds during that period। The Sri Lanka Army which had a strength of 104,000 personnel in 1994 had declined to 90,000 in 1996. But the Army was subjected to a complete restructuring in the same year with the idea of facing a full-scale war.

Structure of Army
Former Defense Minister Anurudda Ratwatte restructured the Army in the year 1995। He established the 51, 52, 53 divisions in the Army. Later, several other divisions were created to cater to the needs of military operations launched by the Army. In 1997, the 43, 55 and 56 divisions were formed. But as a result of the attacks launched by the LTTE during its "Unceasing Waves Operation-3" and on the Elephant Pass base, the 54 division was completely destroyed and later dismantled.

However, when there was a decline in operations in the latter part of 2001 the Sri Lanka Army had nine divisions with 95,000 personnel. It has 11, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 53, 55, and 56 divisions.
Later, consequent to the Ceasefire Agreement signed in the year 2002, all these divisions underwent restructuring with new personnel। And the number of men in the Army had also increased to 118,000.

At the time when Mahinda Rajapaksa held the reigns of power as the president of the country in the year 2005 several other changes were effected in the army cadre। Since clashes between the Army and the LTTE intensified in 2005 several other changes were effected in the structure of the Army. When the Sri Lanka Army besieged the LTTE and people of Mullattivu in the vicinity of Nandikadal it had 20 divisions. During that period the Sri Lanka Army had the 11, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61 divisions and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 battalions were engaged in combating operations. A new division called the 65 Division was also established following the conclusion of war.

When the Sri Lanka Army announced the conclusion of the war in May 2009 it had 240,000 men with 20 divisions including 265 battalions। However, the defense secretary recently said the Sri Lanka Army had been expanded by 300,000 and the overall army strength was 450,000 men.

The number of army personnel in Sri Lanka is 50 percent more than that of the United Kingdom। The expansion of the Sri Lanka Army with the help of certain regional powers has not only eaten into the national economy of the country but has also caused several negative impacts on several fronts in Sri Lanka.

Defense and Expenditure
The defense budget of the country for the year 2009 was 1।6 billion dollars which is more than five percent of Sri Lanka's gross domestic product. This is two fold higher than those in Pakistan. Since the Sri Lankan Government maintains the same army which it maintained during the war, the defense expenditure will never decline.

The Sri Lanka Army has suffered during the Eelam wars। During the war which lasted between 1981 and 2002, 17,066 army personnel were killed and 29, 486 men from the Army, including 9,220 officials had lost their limbs.

In an interview with an Indian daily, the Sri Lankan defense secretary had said that when Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office as the president in the year 2005, the Sri Lanka Army had lost 26,000 personnel in the operations launched earlier।

Further, according to the data received by the government on the loses suffered in the "Eelam War-4", 6,200 army personnel were killed and 30,000 personnel were rendered permanently invalid। The government is now faced with the serious financial challenge of maintaining the families of 6,200 soldiers killed in action during the last three years and over 30,000 injured servicemen.

Establishing Permanent Peace
The government is paying $750-$1200 through insurance to the families of the soldiers killed or who are missing in action। Insurance and other financial benefits are being paid to the injured soldiers too. Such payments and financial benefits paid to the families of fallen soldiers have also increased the defense budget.

The first year commemoration of the end of the war is to be organized by the government shortly and to this day one will find reports in the newspapers as to how the war was won। Superior fire power and man power helped the Sri Lanka Army destroy a small group of militants.

It is said that 20,000 men are adequate for the Sri Lanka Army as the war is no more and permanent peace has been established. In short, the government is compelled to maintain an army that is more than the country requires.

16th SAARC Summit: 25th Anniversary of Founding

The 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit concluded on 29 April in Bhutan's capital Thimphu। SAARC, an economic and political organization, includes Bhutan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Summit also marked the 25th anniversary of its founding। Anniversaries generally are times of introspection and resolve. When it is the 25th there is all the more reason to do so.

SAARC has come a long way since its inception। Though it may not be able to match the record of the EU in terms of economic and fiscal integration the results achieved are remarkable. This is especially so in view of the strained relations between its two giant members - India and Pakistan. Actually the unresolved problem between them has been the single most deterrent to its rapid progress. However, that the South Asian nations have been able to achieve significant economic integration despite that divide is a sign of the maturity of its leaders including those of India and Pakistan.

By now SAARC has the institutional mechanisms to further strengthen its diverse unifying mechanisms. The South Asian agreement of cooperation in fighting terrorism is a case in point.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maldives' President Mohamed Nasheed, and Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley attended the two-day summit.

Major Issues Discussed
At the end of the Summit, the leaders agreed on the following major issues:

1। The leaders noted Bangladesh's proposal to convene an inter-governmental meet in Dhaka on the SAARC charter of democracy.

2। SAARC countries might consider Bhutan's experience with the concept of Gross National Happiness and welcomed Bhutan's offer to host a SAARC workshop on GNH in 2010.

3। They noted that while climate change impacted every country, the SAARC member states as developing countries were shouldering a major burden, in spite of having contributed least to the problem. They emphasized that global negotiations should be guided by the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities as enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate change. They underscored the need to initiate the process to formulate a common SAARC position for COP16.

4। Leaders called for focus on water management and conservation and development of cooperative projects at regional level.

5। The leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed deep concern over the threat which terrorism continues to pose to peace and security and economic stability of the region. They emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to fight terrorism and crime.

6। Action plan on energy conservation would be prepared by the SAARC energy center, Islamabad with inputs from the member states and submit to the inter-governmental mechanism for consideration.

7। Leaders noted the proposal from India for preparing a roadmap for developing a SAARC market for electricity (SAME) on a regional basis.

8। The leaders took note of the reports of the steering committee of the South Asian university, and appreciated the progress being made towards establishing the university.

India's Announcement
India has announced setting up of a fund that would help South Asia effectively meet urgent adaptation and capacity building needs posed by climate change and also proposed establishment of innovation centers in the region to develop sustainable energy technologies. India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the announcement at the 16th SAARC Summit that began here with an apt theme - 'Toward a Green and Happy South Asia'.

He also proposed setting up of climate innovation centers in South Asia to develop sustainable energy technologies based on indigenous resource endowments and welcomed the conclusion of the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment.

Noting that India has already launched a national mission in sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, the Indian Prime Minister said the initiative could serve as a nucleus for regional cooperation in this vital area.

Singh said there was perhaps no region more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than South Asia and lauded Bhutan's efforts in combining development with conservation of the environment.

The SAARC Council of Ministers on 27 April agreed to seek observer status at the climate talks scheduled to be held in Cancun, Mexico in December to better articulate the concerns of the region.

Time Opportune for Concerted Tamil Speaking Communities’ Force

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa through his convincing victory at the presidential election proved that he could win an election even without the support of the minority communities. Similarly, the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Rajapaksa has proved through its resounding victory at the just concluded general election also that it could form a government without the support of minority communities. The landslide victory achieved by the president at both elections exposes the bitter fact that the bargaining power held by the minority parties has slipped out of their hands.

Representation of Minority Communities
Considering the victory by the majority parties in their attempts to slash down the representation of minority communities in Parliament, these communities are now plagued with the fear that the prevailing trend against them might take an ugly turn in the future. Confirming the accuracy of their fears the government recently revealed intentions of proscribing parties of minority communities which harbor aspirations for securing devolution of powers.

Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had expressed sentiments to this effect relating to parties that insist on devolution of powers. Mithripala Sirisena, general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has shown the green light to the proposal advanced by the defense secretary.

Broad Political Alliance
Therefore, as far as the minority parties are concerned the need of the hour is unity among them selves in order to safeguard the survival of the communities they represent. At this juncture the views expressed by Mavai Senathirajah, senior parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) relating to the formation of a broad alliance covering all minority parties gains significance.

In the circumstances, the TNA plans to form a broad political alliance comprising representation by Muslim as well as hill country Tamils to hold talks with the government. The formation of such an alliance will create a status quo which cannot be ignored by the government in carrying out its functions relating to concerns of the minority communities.

The TNA will submit its proposals along with the proposals submitted by the other parties in the alliance, to the government. This development would pave the way for the international community to speak to the government. The government is now under heavy international pressure. If President Rajapaksa fails to hold talks with this proposed broad alliance we will press on with our democratic struggle of non violence, mobilizing our people to achieve our legitimate objectives. The views expressed by him on behalf of the TNA are healthy and commendable.

Forming New Alliance
Meanwhile, we could also be positive about the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) readily coming into such a broad alliance. The SLMC has expressed its support on several occasions in the past for an alliance of Tamil speaking people. In the course of private discussions the writer has held with SLMC leaders, they have expressed their willingness to form such an alliance.

We should also not fail to underscore here the fact that SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem in the run-up to the elections often said that only a joint struggle of the Tamil and Muslim communities would help politically win the rights of both communities, either through agitation via Parliament or through joint struggles from without.

If he acts in keeping with his stated intentions, the possibilities of forming a wide Tamil alliance are not unrealistic. It is also essential to reckon with the upcountry political forces in this context.
When the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) dominated the political scenario through their armed struggle, the Muslim as well as up country parties were hesitant to work in tandem with the TNA. But the atmosphere now obtaining is different following the defeat inflicted on the LTTE. There are no such obstacles now to minority parties closing ranks with the TNA. The time would then seem opportune for the country political leaders to join such a mega political alliance.

Follies Committed in Past
The greatest folly committed by the LTTE and parties like the SLMC was their belief that they could win the rights of the communities they represent by waging independent struggles. But the Tamil and Muslim parties have now realized the error of their past convictions and it augurs well that they have now changed that mindset.

World history has recorded several incidents in which minority communities which once stood divided joined forces later to successfully win back their political rights.

Learning lessons from history the minority communities namely Tamils, Muslims, and upcountry Tamils should come together in a collective force with the aim of winning their political rights. Such a Tamil speaking alliance is an indispensable body for the objective of ensuring the political rights of minority communities.

Minority political parties have hitherto made gestures of agitation for their rights only during an election campaign. But there are no possibilities of an election being held in the new future. It will take another six or seven years for elections to be held. As such, coming out of the election myth, minority parties could now unite in a permanent entity on behalf of the communities they represent. The time is now most opportune for them to unite and work for the well being of the communities they represent.

The parliamentary election is now over and the UPFA is poised to form the new government without the support of the minorities.

The moment is also opportune for opposition MPs to join the government. As such there are possibilities for the UPFA to get strengthened further.

Against this backdrop the government would face no obstacle to fulfill its ulterior objectives such as proscribing the parties which clamor for devolution of powers, colonizing Sinhala people in the traditional homelands of Tamils, abolishing proportional representation and so on.

A single Tamil political party can never stem such destructive plans of the government against the minority communities. It would be possible only by a broad Tamil alliance.

Leaning on the government by certain Tamil, Muslim, and hill country parties is essential because this will help them to fulfill the expectations of their communities. We might even brand it as a kind of diplomacy.

If proposals such as a university in Vanni, houses for estate laborers, development of harbor in Oluvil, swift development of the North as envisaged by certain MPs are to take shape it is certainly necessary for certain MPs of the minority communities to back the government. This strategy will help develop Tamil areas while struggles are pressed to get the rights of Tamil people restored.

It does not mean that minority communities should give up their demands for their rights. Certain factions may not respond to our opinions. When we analyze the election results of the North and East we could see that minority communities have voted for the development of their regions.

Therefore, while leaders of minority communities focus their attention on our development they should also not give up their demands to fulfill the aspirations of their people.

Against this scenario, if the minority parties were to decide that they will not assist in the development process until they attain a federal system of government or the right of self-determination, it will not be a conducive approach. Therefore, while fine-tuning their struggles to thwart conspiracies hatched against the minority communities with the support of the international community on one hand the broad based alliance of minority parties should also concentrate on social development.

Disclosure of Tamil Homeland Myth

International pressure exerted on the Sri Lankan Government seems to be of no small measure when focusing on the issues regarding the alleged human rights violations leveled against the country. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has proposed that a special three-member committee should be appointed to investigate into the said violations of human rights and war crimes allegedly committed by the Sri Lanka Army. Subsequent to this, the US Department of State also submitted report on human rights violations said to be committed by the Sri Lankan Government.

Issues and Measures
The issues cannot be easily and lightly discarded. Although the Sri Lankan Government protested against these measures, it is has still not understood the next turn of affairs. When Sri Lanka was frequently accused of abusing human rights, the government raises another question instead of producing an answer.

It is why the United Nations, which was never, concerned about the human rights violations of the United States Army in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel and also in some middle-eastern countries, is now overtly concerned about probing into 'supposed' human rights violations committed by the Sri Lanka Army. When the United States question about rights violations in Sri Lanka, the government in turn asks why the US State Department does not speaks about crimes committed against ordinary civilians when the US Army launch attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.

After ending Prabhakaran's terrorism, the solutions to challenges faced by Sri Lanka lies within the counter charges of the government based on the same issue. To maintain cordial international relations, four vital points are identified in political science.

1. To reach conscientious through discussions.

2. Offering grants.

3. Imposing embargoes.

4. Stabilizing domination.

Economic Embargoes
United States and other 'powerful' countries apply all four measures at different stages toward poor and less affluent countries. The way in which the United States intervened in Iraq could be quoted as a clear example. The US intervened initially in Iraq with an accusing finger. The UN intervened to investigate nuclear 'arms factory' in Iraq consequent to US allegations.

However, Iraq permitted the UN monitors to carryout their inspections under a 'controlled' situation. Then the US and the UN claimed that Iraq abandoned on its own accord the opportunity of coming to an agreement through negotiations. Subsequently, economic embargoes were imposed on Iraq and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces invaded the country. Thereby Iraq was subjected to two international strategies, i.e., imposing embargoes and stabilizing domination.

any questions are raised on US attacking Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the response should be based on this standpoint. It was due to the US adopting such a policy on Islam terrorism that a leading Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan was questioned at the US airport on his entry to the country, because his name was Khan.

Well-Formulated Plan
Sri Lanka should also resort to US course of action when facing the present challenging situation. It should essentially not follow the mistake committed by Iraq under similar circumstances. In the struggle by Tamil communalists projecting the image of a Tamil Eelam state, the defeated faction was the combat arm of the movement.

Although Western pressure was exerted on the government during its fight against these combatants or in other words Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Mahinda Rajapaksa government was prudent enough to use good judgment on the face of such pressure. A state policy was in place, which gave the military, authority to intensify its war strategies, which ultimately defeated the LTTE. The plan was well-formulated and the Western and global powers could not directly intervene in the operations.

The same positive approach Sri Lanka pursued in eradicating terrorism should be shown in dealings with the accusations emitted by the West. If the Rajapaksa government did not adopt this steady and unwavering attitude towards the LTTE, it would never have been possible to defeat the outfit. A clear example is the tenure of Chandrika Kumaratunga's regime. During this period, the Sri Lankan Government's policy only showed the global community, the foolishness of its agenda by launching military operations and on the other hand talking of peace.

Sri Lanka projected to the world that its policy is launching limited military offensives is a necessity prior to commencement of negotiations. Accordingly, the offensives were launched not to defeat terrorism but to hold discussions with the terrorists, in order to form a separate state or in other words a federal administration. If the same policy was adopted by the Rajapaksa government, Venupillai Prabhakaran would still be among the living.

Preserve Unitary and Sovereign Status
In this instance, the government should take an example from its own strategy followed to annihilate the LTTE. The demand for an Eelam or separate state by Tamil communalists is based on the myth of Tamil homeland concept. Even Nelam Tiruchelvam identified the Tamil aspirations of Tamils from the platform of the so-called Tamil homeland.

The government should respond to the pressures exerted by Eelamists and Western governments by disclosing to the world, by destroying the myth of the Tamil homeland. When this is accomplished, the global community or the West would be in the same situation which it faced at the time when the Rajapaksa government forged ahead with the war to defeat terrorism. This is where Iraq failed. If Iraq too openly put forward to the global community a clear-cut policy regarding nuclear arms then North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Forces would not have been able to invade Iraq.

Sri Lanka should now forge ahead to defeat the present covert moves of the Tamil Eelamists, by taking this as an example. The Sri Lanka Government should adopt as a policy that a historical Tamil homeland concept is a mere myth. The fight against the Eelam concept should commence from this point to preserve the unitary and sovereign status of the country.

Ruling Alliance Wins Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections

The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on 9 April swept to a 'resounding victory' in the parliamentary election falling just short of a two-thirds majority. According to the final elections results, the UPFA, whose leader is President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had polled 47,97,272 votes winning 117 seats out of 196 in the fray in 20 districts gaining 60.43 percent of the votes polled.

Rajapaksa's Proper Strategy
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) led by opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe lagging far behind had been able to garner only 2,336,691 votes which is 29.43 percent and secured 46 seats.

The DNA (Democratic National Alliance) led by detained General Sarath Fonseka and mainly consisting of the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) had polled 439,601 votes winning 5 seats with a percentage of 5.54 percent. The TNA (Tamil National Alliance) that dominates politics in the North which contested under the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchch (ITAK) banner had polled 212,590 votes which is 2.68 percent and received 12 seats.

The Unicameral Sri Lankan Parliament has 225 seats out of which 196 are contested directly and the rest 29 are nominated based on the percentage of votes polled by various national political parties and groups.

Opposition UNP Concedes Election Results 'Setback'
Main opposition UNP conceded it had suffered a setback at the general elections and said that it would have to introduce a number of changes. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the party's strategy and the organizational structure needed to be changed once the election results were fully reviewed. He said the party leaders would discuss these matters in detail after the final results of the April 8 general elections were announced.

The UNP that secured 82 seats at the 2004 election was nowhere near that mark this time but in stark contrast, the UPFA that won the 2004 general elections with 105 seats in an alliance with the JVP won many more seats at this election without the support of the JVP.

JVP which was once described as the third force in Sri Lanka's politics had secured 39 slots in the previous parliament contesting under the UPFA but suffered a major setback at 8 April elections.

Is India Losing Hold on Sri Lanka?

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's recent visit to Sri Lanka stirred hope and optimism among Tamil factions as well as in Tamil media circles to a considerable extent. However, the same cannot be said of the Sinhala people and the Sinhala media.

The question raised by most people is; what is the objective of her visit to Sri Lanka had been, especially at this time? Until someone who is well connected with the decision makers in New Delhi tell us what the true reason was, we have nothing much to do than seek refuge in speculations. Nevertheless, it is now obvious that it has nothing to do with the Tamil question. Then, of course it should be in the interest of India.

Relations With India
Since recent times, we observed, especially after the presidential election, that no one in Colombo seems to be showing any enthusiasm about the Colombo-Delhi relationship. This dreary attitude is a sharp contrast to the excited atmosphere that prevailed here a few months ago, during the latter half of 2009. Because of the affiliations in the war, both countries seemed to be very chummy during that period.

Now, it appears that the 'flirting' has suddenly ended. Some eyebrows in Delhi were raised and foreheads were creased when President Mahinda Rajapaksa went to Russia in his first visit after ending the war in Sri Lanka. Considering the volume of support New Delhi extended to Rajapaksa during the decisive phase of his war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE), as well as the blessings bestowed by them for his controversial presidential contest, it is to India he should have paid his first visit after the conclusion of both contests.

However, even after two months of the conclusion of the presidential election, not only did the Lankan president make a goodwill visit to his closest neighbor, nor has he made any strong gesture to indicate that he has not forgotten. Of course, some statements were issued by the Presidential Secretariat to thrill New Delhi to the effect that, "Sri Lankan soil would never be allowed to be used for any action against India," and so forth. But even these kind of political lullabies have stopped since the past two months.

Considering these transformations, the million dollar question that arises now is: "Will the relationship of Colombo with New Delhi fadeout during the second tenure of Mahinda Rajapaksa's office?' The time will provide an answer to this question. It is important to note that certainly India too should have felt this sudden change of attitude of Sri Lanka.

There is another matter that should be mentioned at this juncture. India was not allowed to play any role in the gigantic development activities that are earmarked for the Hambantota District and in the surrounding areas in the south, which is the forte of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Massive Development Projects
All the massive development projects have been granted to China. It was learned that Beijing has agreed to help build a most modern airport in south. Therefore, if there is any ebb tide in the Colombo-New Delhi 'love affair', there is a sense of urgency from the Delhi (not from Colombo) that it should be rectified as soon as possible. India's melancholy became evident by the congratulatory attitude radiated by Madam Rao during her short stay in the island. She was full of praises and applauds during her stay here. She even said India and Sri Lanka are like two sisters.

Moreover, utilizing this opportunity to please Tamil Nadu could have been another supplementary objective of New Delhi. Karunanithi had issued a statement a few weeks ago, more or les, to the effect that they will strive to win a just solution for the Lankan Tamils ethnic issue. By this, it becomes apparent that for some reason, Tamil Nadu needs the Lankan Tamils to win a political solution for the ethnic problem.

May be Chennai did turn some screws that are painful to New Delhi in this regard. May be, it could be that center wanted to please its southernmost state. It also could be that is why New Delhi chanted old lines such as "reconciliation among communities," "resolution for the ethnic issue," prior to Rao's Colombo expedition. New Delhi is well aware that statements are all that is needed to humor Tamil Nadu.

India's Objective
Probably, this could have been only an additional objective of India, while the prime objective being related with the one we mentioned earlier. However, it has become explicitly clear that India is not going to assume an offensive or punitive posture against her naughty little sister. New Delhi believes that maintaining control over Colombo, at this juncture, should be attained by radiating goodwill.

At any cost, the relationship should be maintained. That is why; Colombo was applauded and back-patted while several aid programs were announced, especially to resettle displaced people in the North and the East. Also infrastructure development was pledged for Mullattivu and Kilinochchi Districts along with financial assistance to construct railway tracks in the North. Feasibility of establishing a branch of the Indian High Commission in Jaffna too was explored.

Tamil Issue
What about the Tamil question? There is nothing significant in that direction though some persons still think wishfully that India is relentlessly pressing Sri Lanka to find a solution for the ethnic issue pronto. This is not true.

In fact, India is no longer in a position to coerce Sri Lanka. If New Delhi wishes to be 'hanging around' in the island, at least under the pretext of monitoring the aforesaid aid projects, it is important that it secures the goodwill of Colombo. If Colombo declines assistance, there is nothing the big sister could do. The only other option India has is resorting back to its old strategy of conspiring against Colombo as it did during 1980s. India presently does not relish theatrical conspiracies. Therefore, all what is left is sweet-talk Sri Lanka.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, India is not in a position to call shots for the Lankan ethnic issue. That is why the good Madam Rao kept mum with regard to this issue thus pulling the rug off Tamil factions here. May be the subject could have been skimmed and it could be that the president did not make any enticing moves. And the bitter fact is that India has nothing to do in this regard.

However, it becomes apparent when observing the potentials of the projects of New Delhi, that it has shown keen interest in tools that would give India controlling interest, not just over the North and East regions but if possible, upon the entire people of Sri Lanka. An embassy in Jaffna is nothing but a medium to control the Tamil people in the region.

Therefore, it should be comprehended without any illusions that India is not going to champion a speedy political resolve for the Tamil ethnic problem here. Also, it would not be surprising at all if we Tamils have to try to wriggle ourselves from the political pull of India once again.

Sri Lankan Government To Halt Corruption for Country’s Economy To Prosper

A few days ago we carried an analysis by Prof Harsha de Silva, one of the much acclaimed financial analysts in Sri Lanka, on how the imprudent economic proposals enunciated in the Mahinda Chintanaya had dragged this country into an irreversible economic collapse. He pointed out that the country had lost a gigantic 460 billion rupees (SIRe) because of the mismanagement, waste, corruption, and fraud which have infested the current administration.

Prof Silva stressed that 'fraud' had been a major elections platform issue that reverberated throughout the country during the recent presidential election. The charges of fraud and corruption raised mainly on opposition party platforms have begun to rumble on the southern region as well which is believed to be a stronghold of the ruling alliance.

The responses of the government to these criticisms have funnily enough been tantamount to an admission rather than a rejection of those charges. Why? Because, the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in its first term in office claimed that its prime objective was that of eradicating terrorism is now pledging to fight corruption, waste and fraud, in its second term.

Corruptions and Frauds
Mahinda Rajapaksa rode into power on the back of promises given in the first election campaign. It however does not look like he is going to do anything about these serious allegations. Instead, it appears as though his objective is to project himself as a man who will vengefully hunt down anyone who dares to reveal anomalies, corruptions and frauds and use his position to oppress them. This is the gut feeling one gets when one assimilates the news pouring out in relation to these issues.

Transparency International in Sri Lanka is an organization committed to revealing corruption, fraud, waste, tyrannies, transgressions and anomalies in state administration. It also monitors incidents of the ruling alliance abusing state resources and assets to promote its election campaign.

The Asian Human Rights Commission has said it has reliable information that indicates a government plan to place impediments in the way of its investigations in Sri Lanka and to render it impotent by putting its Chief Executive Attorney J.C Weliamuna behind bars by framing false charges against him. The commission expressed deep concern over recent obstructions against it by the government similar to those unleashed on a wider scale against various other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the country by making false allegations against them as well.

People's Responsibility
In the meantime, M. J. M. Muzammil, a Muslim candidate contesting in the Colombo district from the United National Party has made some observations in this regard. He has drawn our attention to a remark made by Wimal Weerawansa, one of the prominent governing alliance candidates in the forthcoming election, at an election campaign meeting, while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was present also on the same stage.

Various constraints exist which make it almost impossible for political parties to totally weed out corrupt members from their ranks and they are compelled to coexist with these bad eggs. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the people to identify those corrupt politicians and remove them from the political realm by not voting for them. Muzammil, while quoting this remark by Weerawansa, has said that Weerawansa should then help identify those bad guys since Weerawansa appears to know who these bad eggs are!

Wishful Thinking
It is mere wishful thinking to hope that anything of this nature would ever happen here in Sri Lanka. The reality is that people are arrested on trumped up charges and committed social activists in the NGOs are arrested when they reveal the wrongdoings of the government and this will continue.

In the context of these realities in the political realm it would then seem logical to contend that an economic revival in Sri Lanka is light years away.

Sri Lankan Government Responsible for Global Interferences

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says that according to United Nations conventions and other related agreements to which Sri Lanka has been a signatory, the government cannot oppose any suggestions made by its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or its member states in matters pertaining to probes in the context of those agreements and conventions.

The country also subscribes to the principle that people should not allow foreign powers to interfere in our internal affairs and to challenge our sovereignty. But we do have to work in concord with the world. It is the government that is paving the way for international forces to intercede in our matters and to challenge our sovereignty by its acts of political revenge, human right violations and other antidemocratic activities.

Human Rights Violations
The various other criticisms are being made about the escalating interference by other countries. Such interference has apparently increased in the recent past. He observed that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently said that a special panel should be appointed to probe human rights violations allegations against Sri Lanka.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made public his firm resentment of this suggestion, but it is nothing but an attempt to deceive the people. Meanwhile, 'political infants' cradled in the lap of the government too shout down the suggestion made by Ban Ki-moon. All this melodrama is mere intentional posturing aimed at harnessing more votes in the coming general election. If they are true patriots they should be shouting in front of the President's House instead of demonstrating opposite the British High Commission.

Rebuilding Country
The need to rebuild this country is being strongly felt now that terrorism has been totally rooted out of this country. The United Nations and various other countries have stressed this point. The United Nations and the Sri Lankan Government agreed on certain matters and eventually both issued a joint statement. Certain actions that have to be implemented first and foremost in this regard have been highlighted in that statement such as conciliation among communities, national unity, impartiality, etc.

Moreover, the statement stressed the importance of resettling the internally displaced people in their native places and the need to provide them with sustainable livelihoods. The resolution asserted that human rights should be upheld and a transparent and acceptable administrative structure in the country be ensured while the Sri Lankan Government would be held accountable for any lapses in any of these areas. But the country is presently overwhelmed with media oppressions, political feuds, illegal activities, antidemocratic activities and blatant human rights violations. Hence, not a single pledge agreed upon in the UN agreement has been fulfilled.

Negative Ambience
In such a negative ambience, it is inevitable that the United Nations would step into the picture at some point of time. We too disapprove of interference by other countries in our affairs. But it is the government that helped create this situation.

The government speaks in English to establish various agreements with foreign bodies but deceives the people by speaking to them in Sinhalese on these matters. In addition, Ban Ki-moon only said that he wants to appoint a panel to observe the situation here. He never said he was going to appoint a team to investigate. But the government distorted his remarks and is trying to make fools out of people.

The people should understand that the government would obviously engage in this kind of ruse, particularly at election time. But to deceive the public with such colossal lies is despicable. If we have threats from foreign powers it is the government that invited such interference in it. Therefore, do not get deceived by the theatrics of the government. They are only good at play acting and know nothing about ruling a country.

Future of Tamil Politic and Parties

No matter how terrifying the cobra might look, only a few people would be afraid of it, if it was known that its venomous fangs have been removed. The armed struggle of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Ealam (LTTE) became intense only after its mentor S.J.V. Chelvanayagam said, that only Almighty God can save the Tamil nation. However, it was seen that the decades-long struggle of the LTTE did not see any salvation in the end. In the meantime, emerging facts indicate that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the only progeny of the LTTE is also becoming weak and diluted especially at a time when it should be fortifying itself.

Soon after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa emerged victorious in the 2005 presidential election, his party launched a number of 'divide and destroy' ploys, which turned out to be very successful. Many political parties that were majestically portraying themselves as strong representatives of minorities, soon started to deflate. Many United National Party (UNP) front liners succumbed to this ruse and left the party to join the ruling regime. UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya also left the party to join the government.

Trap of Divide and Destroy
In this backdrop, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) buildup great hopes of becoming the next major opposition party and moved ahead accordingly, only to be ensnared in the government's trap of divide and destroy. Subsequently, Wimal Weerawansa, the JVP's pinup boy and stalwart of the party, left the party along with some senior members and formed the National Freedom Front. This dealt a considerable blow to the JVP and weakened it to the core.
At this juncture, an important matter should be pointed out. In the past, Karuna Amman, one time Eastern commander of the LTTE, left the movement after a conflict his peers. Present Eastern Chief Minister Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, a hardcore member of the LTTE, also followed Karuna's footsteps. Both Karuna and Pillayan announced later that they are entering the path of democracy by forming a political party.

In fact, the objective of this article is not to explore the developments of their party but it is well known that the newly formed party was grounded even before take off mainly because of the disagreements of its founders. Karuna and Pillayan then openly expressed conflicting views and this situation developed into mini-warfare in the East. At present, Karuna and Pillayan have joined the government representing two different factions.

Dominance of LTTE
Amid this chaos, the TNA somehow held itself together and chugged along in its chosen path without falling prey to the ploy of 'divide and destroy' for some time. However, the clout that the TNA wields at present is a far cry from its original depiction. The alliance had been a group that was controlled by a remote device, which was operated by the LTTE leadership. The LTTE decided and finalized the next move of the TNA. Noticeable objections did not spring from the TNA when the LTTE had been a formidable power to reckon with. This submissiveness of the alliance toward LTTE had been a public secret.

There was another reason for this attitude of the alliance. The popularity of the LTTE played an illusive but large role in all the political successes of the TNA. The dominance of the LTTE was directly seen in the political pursuits of the TNA. There was a time when the TNA enjoyed the most numbers of seats among Tamil parties in Parliament, thanks to the awe-inspiring influence of the LTTE.

It is a thought whether the elimination of the LTTE is the reason for the present downfall of the TNA. Desertions and disagreements are accepted norms in any political party. Take for instance, the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are constantly crossing over fences. Intermittently, someone would start new political parties too. However, the consequences of these crossovers and counter-crossings would only reflect within the respective parties and rarely would affect the public in the Tamil Nadu.

Situation in Sri Lanka
Unfortunately the situation in Sri Lanka is different. Which Tamil political party can call itself influential to exert any pressure on the government? The Sinhala majority is well aware that TNA is representing the Tamil community to a considerable extent with its 22 MPs but if it becomes defused and dissolved, no one would seek its support during an election.

It is well-known that the TNA's decisions had wielded lot of influence in the recent presidential elections. However, after the results were announced, certain disagreements that had been lurking inside the alliance have now come to light. One wonders if this situation would have come into being if General Sanath Fonseka had won the presidential elections. If the alliance had left the decision to people without taking sides, it had to lean on the winner and claim it is him they had been supporting. But the alliance did not employ this tactic and this proves that TNA was not able to prudently handle an intricate situation to its advantage.

The TNA is not a children's club. It is party that has intellectuals and weathered politicians in its membership. Therefore, everyone in it should be held responsible for not being able resolve their disagreements. While it is indisputable that this is a setback for the TNA, the results of the forthcoming general election will prove the real strength of the TNA.

The LTTE could not attain a sustainable victory, even with the use of air and sea attacks. Even the movement's formidable international network failed disastrously. In such a context it is highly questionable if the alliance could achieve anything by being a mere political party which too had become shaky with disunity. However, the nature of the outcome of this situation largely rests with the decision the Tamil community would eventually make at the coming general elections. The fact that some front liners of the alliance have left the party also gives dejection to its supporters and makes the party look desolate.

It was a noticeable fact to a certain extent during the recently concluded presidential elections that the Tamil community was not in any way influenced by the disagreements that prevailed within the TNA because it had been a contest that presented a simple choice of selecting between two major contestants. Huge campaigns were not needed to convince the people as to whom they should vote for. Merely following the media reports was sufficient to make decisions. Moreover, there was an attitude of indifference in the air especially among the Tamils over this election and it was obvious that whatever the outcome of presidential election, it was not going make any big difference in the outlook of the alliance. Ironically, even though the TNA supported General Fonseka, it also indirectly benefited when the general lost the fight.

However, it should be understood that parliamentary elections is total different ballgame. Even a small slip in this contest would lead to a major loss for the alliance and could in turn mar the future survival of TNA. As a result, the alliance has been pushed into a corner and it has the irrefutable duty of providing the correct guidance for the Tamil community in this election. Undoubtedly, the TNA supporters would be confused, if totally different views are presented by the members who remain in the party and by those who have deserted the same.

Anyone's opinion could emerge victorious. The success lies in the way opinions are handled and presented. But no one can deny that the political clout of the Tamil community would be eventually mutilated by this type of in-house clashes. Some of those who left the alliance and pledged that they would contest as a separate party have ultimately joined the ruling party.

Tug-of-War Game
If few players leave their side in tug-of-war game that has an equal numbers of contestants, the team that lost its players will be affected. It would not make any difference if the players who abandon their side did not join the opposition. The side that loses players invariably would become weaker because of imbalance.

In the meantime, the issue of internal displacements, along with the present state of inactivity confronting the Tamil expatriates after the defeat of the LTTE, has constituted a major blow to the Tamil political parties. However, it is small consolation that certain groups are still fighting to preserve their Tamil identity with never ebbing zeal.

However, blending the efforts of local as well as expatriate Tamils is vital to make the strife of establishing a Tamil identity really productive. These factions have the paramount responsibility of rebuilding regional nationalistic attitudes while reviving the diminished fortitudes. For instance, it would not be very prolific talking about liberation and freedom to a person who is worrying about his next meal. In addition, the local factions as well as the Tamil Diaspora, who are striving for a Tamil nationalistic identity should realize that a community that had been suffering with basic livelihood restrains would not have the inclinations to think about colossal issues such as political rights, freedom, liberation, etc.

Therefore, parties that have nationalistic aspirations should try to shred their differences as much as possible. They should also be attentive in trying to provide immediate solutions to the basic problems of the people. At the same time, they should prepare themselves to address broader issues in due course. This is relevant to expatriates as well.

If the Tamil parties continue to be at each other's throats, they will eventually fall into the 'divide and destroy' trap. Ultimately, the political apparatus of the Lankan Tamil race would irretrievably fall into a bottomless pit.

India’s Intervention Indispensable To Resolve Lankan Ethnic Issue

It is learned that India has impressed on Colombo the importance of initiating the process for a political solution that will be acceptable to all other communities including the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Responding to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha, Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna has said that since the military option had been accomplished in Sri Lanka, the present environment has presented an opportunity to initiate a sustainable political solution in Sri Lanka.
He has added that there is a possibility of establishing a political solution through discussions built upon a structure of a united Sri Lanka which would be acceptable to every community.

Prevailing Military Conflict
Meanwhile, even during the conduct of military operations in Sri Lanka, India has been constantly driving home the fact that a political solution was imperative to implement a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the country's ethnic issue. But, he added, this request does not appear to have produced any tangible or credible response and this has triggered a wave of exasperation among the Tamil community as well as among its various political leaders.

The people of this country know very well that this crucial national issue has been dragged along endlessly for several decades and Sri Lankans have had to pay a heavy price for it. It is now very evident that the Tamil people are earnestly with renewed anticipation awaiting the elusive political solution that could be worked out in the prevailing military conflict free atmosphere in the country.

Meanwhile, while speaking at a campaign meeting held recently in Trincomalee, R. Sampanthan, the foremost candidate of the Tamil National Alliance and a prominent leader of the Tamil community has said that the Tamils cannot hope to achieve a resolution to their grievances without India's intervention. He warned that this parliamentary election was a crucial one, particularly at this moment of time, when India as well as the global community had adopted clear stances on a political resolution to Lanka's conflict especially now that the military question was out of the way. Sampanthan further stressed that this was a moment in time when the Tamil people should articulate their demands loud and clear.

National Ethnic Issue
Against a backdrop, in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged that he would hold talks over the national ethnic issue with the Tamil representatives who will be elected in the forthcoming contest, the Tamil community has to think about their utmost need to elect a parliamentary representation that has ample clout.

Looking back over the past 60 years of the bleak history of the Tamil struggle it could be seen that they have done all the running but discover that they are still at first base. Therefore, it is now the hope of the Tamil people that the international community including India announces their interest in the ethnic issue of Sri Lanka and call for a truly productive response from the government in Colombo.

No one should forget that everyone involved in this crisis has the moral obligation to create conditions in Sri Lanka which would be conducive to facilitating the Tamil community to live a peaceful and independent life by delivering them from their present despondent situation and restoring to them all that they have lost in the past. The Tamil community has suffered incomparable losses through the misery and destruction of the past.

The Tamil ethnic question has been made an international issue and every one should be focused on the fact that the Tamil people have lagged behind by several decades in many aspects of development due to the unending anguish they have faced during this long struggle. Therefore, the paramount responsibility of making the essential moves at this point rests on the shoulders of the Tamil leaders. They too need to be sensitive to their own responsibilities. Only then can the international community be able to act upon a clear cut rationale set forth by the Tamil Diaspora.

Selfish Political Atmosphere
In the meantime, it is being pointed out that the main reason for the unspeakable miseries and difficulties of the Tamil people which later mushroomed into unprecedented proportions is the disunity that prevails among the Tamil leadership. It is this attitude of tit-for-tat. The Tamil leadership should understand that if existing conditions are permitted to continue, the Tamil community will not benefit in any way at all. Sadly, this message has not been fully understood.

Although it is being widely proclaimed that a strong Tamil leadership is essential to initiate a sustainable solution to the deep seated problems of the community, the Tamil people at large are clueless as to how a strong leadership could be established in a selfish political atmosphere among Tamil politicians where everyone is reaching for each other's throats. Most are convinced that the rivalry prevailing among Tamil political parties has already paved the way for the Tamil national issue to be dragged on indefinitely.

It should be also born in the mind that if this opportunity, which has given an opening to approach the national issue with intelligence and sincerity in an atmosphere free of armed conflict is missed, it could only be the start of another round of curses to fall upon the Tamil nation.

Role of International Community
Political analysts opine that if the international community, including India, is actually sincere in their intentions to help work out a lasting solution to the national issue of Sri Lanka, they should provide their fullest cooperation instead of withdrawing themselves after submitting a few cursory suggestions. Therefore, everyone involved in this issue should stop repeating the same ineffective mantras and approach the issue with constructive and practical proposals.

We would like to impress, in the name of humanity that it is vital that this attitude of sacrificing an entire community in exchange for mere political benefits should be jettisoned completely.

Split Among Tamil Nationalists

The battlefield of the forthcoming election is reverberating with words such as 'historic blunder', 'historic obligation', 'historic betrayal etc. In all 22 districts including that of the North and the East an augmented number of candidates are contesting this time. The 'Swan' that was moving on the water during the presidential election period now has turned into a 'trophy' and the Sinhalese people will decide whether this 'trophy' should win or lose.

In the meantime, keeping the names of various political groups contesting the election in mind would be tedious for even journalists let alone the general public. A political alliance could be formed with relative ease by coining a name using words such as 'democracy', 'national freedom', 'united', 'freedom' etc.

Deviating From Basic Principles
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) established jointly by Sivajilingam and Sri Kantha is an example for this. The Democratic National Alliance headed by General Sarath Fonseka, the United National Front led by the United National Party and the United People's Freedom Alliance of Mahinda Rajapaksa are few more examples for this juggling of words to create party names.

At the same time, it is seen that a 'peaceful war' is about to trigger in the North and the East as nominations have not been given to S. Gajendran and Padmini Sithambaranathan, who had received highest numbers of votes in the region at the last parliamentary election. These two have joined Ponnambalam's All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) in retaliation. This group argues that the TNA is deviating from the basic principles of 'Two Nations' and Sovereignty for Tamil ethnicity.

Here, the question arises whether they would have raised this issue of principals if they had been offered TNA nomination to contest the election. There is an apt Tamil adage in relation to this situation which means 'it is the exorcist who gains when the village is disunited.'

It is significantly seen that these 'nomination wars' are being fought mainly targeting Jaffna. Also, the withdrawal of ACTC from the contest in Amparai and Batticaloa districts harshly criticizing the TNA should be taken into account. Meanwhile, the news that a branch of the TNA is to be opened in New Delhi has attracted more attention. This has ignited accusations that the TNA is working according to the agenda of India.

Former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran responding to a similar blame during a radio interview in Canada regarding their activities in relation to the stance of the Indian Government said they are not willing to accept whatever solution thrust upon them by India or by Sinhalese rulers. He had reminded the fact at this interview that they had not willingly accepted the provincial council solution forced on them through an India-Sri Lanka Accord.

Effect on Tamil Community
In another instance, remarks made to the same Canadian radio station by R. Sampanthan, the former parliamentary group leader of the TNA created lot of controversy among the expatriate Tamils. Sampanthan had said the TNA would not work according the agenda of India, but it could not work ignoring the Indian stance either.

If Sampanthan believes it is not possible to win a unified motherland and sovereignty for the Tamils without the help of India, he should explain to the Tamil masses how India is going to pressure the Sinhalese rulers to grant these legitimate, political rights for Tamils. At a time where the Tamil people have considerably lost their faith in India, the assurances and beliefs of this nature expressed by Sampanthan would have no positive effect on the Tamil community.

Tamils would have placed minimal trust in India, if recommendations were made to the Government of Sri Lanka to relocate the construction of the thermal power plant project away from east Muttur. If that move had been made by India, over 45,000 Tamil families could have been resettled in their original lands.

Moreover, the scars of the painful memory that India did not come for their rescue at the Mullivellivaikkal killings, at the last stage of the war, is deeply embedded in the hearts of Tamils. They were hurt more when it was speculated India in fact supported this particular attack. Therefore, the skepticism of the Tamils over India's bona fides in relation to Tamil interests cannot be dismissed easily as this fear cannot be termed as baseless.

Participate in GTF
Within the new world order, transformations that are taking place in the Asian theater of politics, the role of India could be reinforced only with patronage of the Western world. The participation of prominent British figures in the recent Global Tamil Forum (GTF) conference held in London also can be taken as an indication of West's approval over recent moves of India.

Generally, ruling and opposition parties join only on issues that have national significance. Apart from this, rivalry crops up on occasions of facing problems including foreign policies. They might stand in unison in order to represent a particular stance, but would hold different notions on any such shared view to make sure that their majority vote banks is not affected.

Therefore, it can be reasonably said that the British parliamentary election coming up in the middle of this year and the power struggle taking place in Asia among superpower 'wannabes' could have been the main ingredients that brought prominent British political figures from both the ruling and opposition parties to participate in the GTF. At the same time, the Tamil Diaspora should understand that the western world would not move an inch away from the issues of regional interests of India.

It was reported that a parliamentarian of South Africa, who had congratulated and hailed the Sinhalese rulers for defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka had also participated in the London conference. Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister David Miliband had sung the old 'international sonnet' on how Tamils should join with all the communities to make a collective decision on arriving at a solution to the Tamil problem.

Stern Resolutions
'Vaddukoddai Declaration' and the eventual armed struggle were waged because the resolutions proposed by the Tamils were torn to pieces by Sinhalese rulers. Talks to resolve the problem had to be facilitated by Norway, because Tamils knew that Sinhalese rulers would never pave way for any just solution. Prior to that, talks were held in Thimpu with the backing of India.

The prescription Miliband has put forward only affirms the 'impotency' of the western world in relation to Asian affairs. The Sinhalese leaders managed to diplomatically diffuse all stern resolutions made directly and indirectly at the UN Security Council as well as at the Human Rights Council.

Therefore, the reality is that the pressures applied on Sri Lanka by the western world would be parallel to the moves of India. In-depth factors pointing to this development can be observed in the recent report issued by the International Crisis Group. In this backdrop, the moves that are being made in relation to the upcoming general election should be carefully assessed.

A formidable strategy is underway in the present political context to beleaguer the TNA. Several pro-government parties and opposition parties of the South and a number of independent groups have hurled themselves into the election battlefield against the TNA with the support of defectors.

Assessment
This has created the impression that nationalist hard-liners and conservatives among the Tamils are locking horns. But it is the communal majority who will eventually be benefited from all these rivalries among Tamil parties. Votes will be divided and the end result would be that each Tamil candidate will gain only a small number of votes.

These splits will lead to yet another dangerous political atmosphere where the Sinhalese people would be successful in creating a Tamil speaking group that is loyal to the government. The statement President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently made that he would discuss with the Tamil leadership regarding a solution to the ethnic issue, apparently points to this potential development.