India-Sri Lanka Relations: A Critical Review

India's policy toward Sri Lanka has undergone several twists and turns during the post independence period. From a policy of active involvement, it took a handoff policy after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. However, given the geographical continuity and ethnic affinity India cannot isolate itself from the developments in the island republic. The recent activities and policies pursued by Pakistan and China is also a matter of great concern to New Delhi.
India's long term interests in Sri Lanka will be a political solution which guarantees the safety and security of all minority groups in the unified country and the removal of extra regional forces which pose a threat to India's security environment. In this paper I propose to highlight some of the important issue which has a bearing on India and Sri Lanka relations.
For the Tamils in Sri Lanka and the also Tamil Diaspora scattered in different parts of the world, Tamil Nadu is their original homeland. For the Sinhalese India is the closest neighbor whom they can always lookup towards help and favor. Despite these close ties, India's policy towards Sri Lanka has always had a negative impact on bilateral relations. The love - hate relationship compounded with the fear of a big brotherly attitude had always made Sri Lanka look at India with suspicion. India, although being in an advantageous state, did little to install confidence in the southern neighbor. What is more New Delhi antagonized its neighbor by its short sighted policies. The ambiguous role played by Central Government in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu Government towards the protracted ethnic conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese also played a big role in India burning its hands by its involvement in Sri Lankan issue. While the ethnic crisis is an emotional issue, Indian policy towards Sri Lanka was also guided more by its strategic interests due to the location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. The Sri Lankan Government should also be given equal credit for contributing towards love – hate relations. Despite her awareness of India's security concerns, Sri Lanka has always tried to play a divisive role by inviting external actors in the affairs of Indian Ocean and thus act against India's interest. A telling example of this attitude became apparent when Sri Lanka allowed Pakistani Air Force to refuel during the Bangladeshi war of 1970. Thus Sri Lanka's self-interest is also one of the reasons for India's over arching security concerns especially on the issue of extra regional presence.
Impact of Ethnic Conflict
The Indian intervention in Sri Lanka, could have been avoided. The India Sri Lanka accord should have been signed between the Colombo and the Tamils and India should have acted as the guarantee. The Indian forces sent to Sri Lanka became a victim to the hasty and un co-ordinated policies of India. Having fought against the LTTE on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent out unceremoniously by the Sri Lankan Government. The Tamils who had welcomed the IPKF with open arms also played their part to get the IPKF out of Sri Lanka, bringing to an end India's controversial involvement in Sri Lanka. The end of Eelam War has opened a new chapter in India Sri Lanka relations. India need not now be worried about the presence of the third navy (Sea Tigers), Air Force (Air Tigers) and suicide cadres in the Indian Ocean. But the absence of LTTE does not mean that there is no threat arising from the Indian Ocean, rather the close relations of Sri Lanka with China and Pakistan has increased strategic concerns for India.
Approximately 17 years ago around this time of the year Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi landed at Colombo airport by an Indian Air Force plane in the thick of the Sri Lankan crisis.
He was not taken to the city in a cavalcade by road. Instead, he landed at Colombo's Galle Face by an Indian military helicopter as IAF planes guarded the airspace. Across the seafront were to be seen Indian Navy ships which had been positioned apparently for any contingency.
Sri Lanka was facing a grim situation caught as it was in ethnic crisis. President Jayawardene, who needed a helping hand, had clearly succeeded in persuading Rajiv Gandhi to lend him one.
The result was the India-Sri Lanka Agreement which the two signed later in the day. Among other things, it provided for India sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force to bash up the LTTE which was threatening to carve out an independent Tamil Eelam in the northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
One could feel the tension in the air. President Jaywardene's dissenting Prime Minister, R. Premadasa, stayed away to signal Sinhala opposition to the agreement.
By agreeing to send the IPKF, India instantly provoked a strong reaction among the Sinhalas so much so that on the following day a Sri Lankan Navy rating attacked Rajiv Gandhi with a rifle butt when he was inspecting the guard of honour. India's Prime Minister could have lost his life that day a few minutes before he boarded the IAF helicopter for the airport to fly back to India.
India had willy-nilly jumped into the Sri Lankan mess. In the process it actually earned the anger of both the Sinhalas who hated India for sending its troops to Sri Lanka and the LTTE which the IPKF was to fight against. What was essentially a fight between the Sinhalas and the LTTE became an open conflict between India and the LTTE. No wonder, President Jayawardene was known for his cleverness.
Whatever President Jaywardene's calculations, India's relations with much of the dominant Sri Lankan opinion had become suspect. The IPKF was seen as an occupation force, and India as a hegemonistic neighbor. Centuries of a happy relationship had given way to a quick-fix that did not work but left a legacy of intense distrust.
Seventeen years later, now one, however, experiences a sea-change in the relations between India and Sri Lanka. Distrust has given way to the belief that India means well for Sri Lanka and is a friend and not really a Big Brother, throwing its weight around.
India's Support
The end of the ethnic conflict was accompanied by the displacement of 300,000 Tamil civilians. New Delhi’s primary concern in recent months has naturally been about the rehabilitation of internally displaced Tamils. With an investment of $110 million, India has provided emergency supplies of medicines, temporary housing and cement, and undertaken demining of Tamil habitats located in the battle zones. But this is necessarily only a beginning, in a larger package of assistance that New Delhi has to provide to the Tamil population in the war-affected parts of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. With plans underway to have an Indian Cultural Centre and renovate the famous Duraiappan Stadium in Jaffna, India would have to invest substantially in building higher educational and technical training institutions in Tamil areas to enable the Tamil population to integrate into an emerging pluralistic and economically dynamic Sri Lanka.
Politically, President Rajapakse should be persuaded to implement the provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lanka Constitution enacted in 1988, pursuant to the Rajiv Gandhi-Jayawardene Agreement of 1987. Moreover, if a return to a situation of Tamil discontent fuelling insurgency is to be avoided, it would only be wise for Sri Lanka to also enact legislation to implement the provisions of the “Constitution of the Republic of Sri Lanka Amendment Bill” of August 3, 2000, and effectively end human rights violations of innocent Tamils.
This Constitutional Amendment Bill was presented after extensive consultations by President Kumaratunga’s advisers G.L. Peiris and Neelan Tiruchelvan and was withdrawn because of domestic opposition. The implementation of this bill, together with the 1988 Constitutional Amendment, will largely address Tamil concerns and aspirations. But, at the same time, the Tamils of Sri Lanka would have to recognize that with the East becoming very different from the North in terms of its ethnic composition, demands for a united north-eastern province may no longer be tenable.
Concerns naturally exist in India about growing Chinese involvement in Sri Lanka and especially its partnership in the development of Hambantota Port. This port, being built with a concessionary Chinese loan of $300 million, will eventually have a LNG refinery, fuel storage facilities, three separate docks, together with facilities for ship repair and construction. It can serve as a base for bunkering and refuelling. Moreover, China has been the largest supplier of military equipment to Sri Lanka in recent years and is involved in projects for the construction of highways, railways and a coal-based power plant.
India has extended the Lines of Credit amounting to $592 million to Sri Lanka for upgrading of the Colombo-Matara rail link, the supply of railway equipment and construction of railway lines in Northern Sri Lanka. Proposals are under consideration for the interconnection of the grids in Sri Lanka and India. But New Delhi would do well to ensure that negotiations are finalized for constructing a 500 MW power plant in Trincomalee.
Tamil Nadu Issue
Tamil Nadu's role in the India-Sri Lanka relations can never be ignored. Due to the close ethnic and geographical proximity, Tamil Nadu had always tried to have a say in India's policy towards Sri Lanka. However on many occasions New Delhi bypassed Tamil Nadu in its crucial decisions.
In the initial stages of the ethnic conflict while the Tamil Nadu and the Central Government in New Delhi were keeping a close watch on developments in Sri Lanka, they scrupulously refrained from doing anything that could be considered interference in Sri Lankan affairs, in spite of there being tremendous support from the opposition parties and other key players of Tamil Nadu for a more active policy toward Sri Lanka. However, Tamil Nadu's role became inevitable only after the Tamil militants began to play an active role in Tamil Nadu. Their presence in Tamil Nadu activated the Tamil social constituency in India and many Tamil public figures, media organizations and even local politicians started sympathizing with their cause. Tamil Nadu factor should be analyzed on the premise of two important factors; first: role of Tamil polity of both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka during the initial period of ethnic crisis, second: their role since the beginning of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Until the movement of Tamils militants into Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Government was only giving lip service and not real involvement, particularly in terms creation of Tamil Eelam.
Sri Lanka is strategically placed to exploit the geopolitical struggle unfolding in the Indian Ocean between China and India, with the United States having its own agenda for retaining its influence. While Pakistan is playing for stakes in Sri Lanka with Chinese acquiescence to queer the pitch for India, the Russians too are keeping a hawk eye on any activity in the Indian Ocean.
Considering that Sri Lanka sits adjacent to the shipping lanes that feed 80 per cent of China’s and 65 per cent of India’s oil needs, its strategic importance can hardly be ignored.
With the bulk of China’s trade passing through the sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka thought it prudent to enter into a quid pro quo with the Chinese. While it drew upon Chinese support in terms of sophisticated arms and diplomatic backing, Colombo conceded strategic concessions, particularly a major new southern port at Hambantota, to Beijing. Ironically, it was India that Sri Lanka first approached for setting up a port at Hambantota, but when the Indians showed lack of enthusiasm, Colombo wasted no time in going to the Chinese.
China has developed similar port facilities in Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh and Pakistan as part of a “string of pearls” strategy to develop its naval reach and protect crucial oil and other supplies shipped via the sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean.
In the run-up to the decimation of the Tamil Tigers, the Chinese were not only generous with weaponry but they also encouraged Pakistan to train Sri Lanka Air Force pilots and supply small arms. China sold Jian-7 fighters, anti-aircraft guns and JY-11 3D air surveillance radars to the Sri Lankan army, leaving the Pakistanis to meet the small arm needs of the Lankans.
In July last, for the first time, Sri Lanka attended the Shanghai Cooperation Council meeting as a dialogue partner, a blessing bestowed by Russia and China in recognition of its importance in the new Indian Ocean strategic game.
For India, it was none-too-easy to arm the Lankans to combat the Tamil Tigers due to the fallout this would have had in southern India, but it did provide defensive weapons and intelligence to the Sri Lankan government, besides economic aid, so as to maintain a degree of leverage with Colombo.
The Sri Lankans acknowledge that given its southern compulsions, India did give useful help in fighting the Tamil Tigers in the crucial stages. It helped the Sri Lankan navy through vital intelligence; it gave off-shore patrolling vessels and also provided a blockade against LTTE vessels.
The focus was on preventing Sri Lanka from falling into the Chinese lap and if that meant opening the purse-strings to counter-balance the Chinese supply of arms, Indian strategists were perfectly in tune with it.
There was the classic example of a $2.4 billion loan sought by the Sri Lankan government from the IMF to tackle its balance of payments problem which was refused by the IMF. Ordinarily, Sri Lanka would have turned to China, but before it could do that the Indian government indicated to Colombo that it was prepared to extend that loan if the IMF did not come round. It was indeed a case of once-bitten-twice-shy, having seen how the Chinese had grabbed the opportunity to develop the Hambantota port.
As part of its strategy to make Indo-Sri Lankan relations attractive for Colombo, the Indian government has also taken the initiative to set up a high-capacity power transmission link between India and Sri Lanka which is likely to be completed by 2013.
The 285-km-long power link, including submarine cables, over a stretch of 50 km, would enable the two countries to trade their surplus power, thereby offering a cheaper option to bridge their power generation deficit and also manage their peak demands.
The link will also help Sri Lanka reduce its use of expensive fuels and import cheaper power from India’s surplus. For India, the link would help open up a new market for its projected surplus of power.
India currently faces an over 12 per cent power deficit, with a peak demand of 109,000 MW annually. The government hopes it could add at least 62,000 MW of generation capacity in the next couple of years, with additional capacities being set up by private investors through captive and merchant power plants. This, along with the power from ultra mega power projects has fuelled hopes for a tradable surplus.
India had also signed an agreement with Sri Lanka for the construction of a railway line between Omanthai and Pallai in the island’s war-torn Northern Province. It is all set to open a consulate in the northern town of Jaffna so as to enhance its involvement in “reconstruction and rehabilitation,” for which it has offered a $108 million aid package.
India is also involved in the rehabilitation of the southern coastal railway line from Colombo to Matara by providing credit worth $167.4 million. It has considerable investments in Sri Lanka, including in the retail fuel, telecommunications, hotel, cement, banking, tyre, rubber and information technology sectors.
India can draw satisfaction from the fact that in regard to Sri Lanka, its interests broadly converge with those of the US. The Americans are indeed as keen to ward off the Chinese challenge for hegemony in the Indian Ocean states as India is.
A report published by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on December 7 last called for Washington to counter Beijing’s influence in Colombo through “a broader and more robust approach to Sri Lanka that appreciates new political and economic realities in Sri Lanka and US geostrategic interests”.
However, India is loathe to Washington’s influence increasing beyond reasonable proportions in its strategic backyard. India is no doubt counting on Washington’s assistance. At the same time, however, it is wary about the US achieving too much sway in its strategic backyard.
With Mahinda Rajapakse having won a second presidential term in Sri Lanka recently, India is pursuing its interests cautiously. New Delhi wants close ties with Colombo to counter the growing influence of rival China and to open up opportunities for Indian businesses. At the same time, it is concerned that political unrest in Sri Lanka, particularly communal tensions involving the Tamil minority, will have consequences inside India, especially in Tamil Nadu.
The Indian Government’s reiteration of the call for a “political solution” to the 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka through a power-sharing arrangement between the Sinhalese and the Tamils is unlikely to find favour with Rajapakse. While keeping the sensitivities of the Indian Tamils in mind, however, India will have to tread warily by not pushing too hard.
There can be little doubt that Sri Lanka under President Rajapakse would continue to take advantage of its strategic position by bargaining with the Chinese and the Indians. The days of India pushing its agenda with the Sri Lankans to the exclusion of China are indeed over. Indian diplomacy will indeed be on test.
Manmohan-Rajapakse Meeting
In November 2011, India and Sri Lanka agreed that the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries should meet and discuss steps to ensure that peace and harmony prevailed in the waters between the two countries and Indian fishermen are not attacked by Lankan navy.
The decision was taken at a meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in the Maldives.
They were of the opinion that the JWG should ensure that fishermen of India and their counterparts in North Sri Lanka, both speaking Tamil, should meet and discuss issues of common concern.
Future Ahead
It can be said that it is important that India looks at the issue of internally displaced persons numbering to 300,000 in Sri Lanka. Their needs are enormous and immediate and any delay in delaying help to these people would put them into enormous trouble. The Sri Lankan Government with all its insincerity in giving a proper political package in the past has promised a political package for the Tamils. But the fear in most of the Tamils is that Sri Lankan government would again deprive them of a package unless Indian involves itself on the side of the Tamils.
It is imperative that India adopts a pro active policy towards Sri Lanka, to not only save the people but also for its own security reasons. Economy aid could be a big trump card in India's policy. Indian corporate houses have shown interest in investing in Sri Lanka. There is also a favorable mood in Colombo in allowing Indian houses to invest. India can use this leverage to not only develop the north and east that has been affected by the protracted war.
With the end of war, Sri Lanka has become closer to China, Pakistan and Israel because of their support to Colombo during the ethnic conflict. China building the Hambotota port cannot be ignored by India. Hence it is important that India looks at these developments with great caution and ensure a proper policy toward her closest southern neighbor. India needs to invest in Sri Lanka to keep the latter in its zone of influence. India's timely help during the Tsunami has proved to the world that we are capable of handling challenges facing the region. Having proved ourselves, it is important that India should consolidate the good will amongst the neighbors.

Fate of Tamil Expatriates If Sent Bank to Sri Lanka

Concern is being expressed about the possibility of Sri Lankan Tamils living in various foreign countries, being sent back to Sri Lanka. The Tamil Diaspora in the United States has already sounded the siren in this issue. The war that devastated the country for the past three decades has finally ended and Colombo is engaged in its usual diplomatic melodrama, keeping busy trying to convince the world at large that everything is now rosy and easy in the country, especially in the North and the East.

Harboring Different Views
In such a backdrop, Tamil expatriates in the United States have expressed fear that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could press the respective governments of countries where Sri Lankan Tamils have sought political refuge, to send them back, along with the few Sinhala expatriates who had also sought shelter in foreign chimes to escape the witch hunt of Colombo, for harboring different views.

The Tamil Diaspora in the United States reveal that they are reliably informed that the UNHCR is seriously considering amending its guidelines over safeguarding refugees the world over. These Tamils have openly expressed that amending or changing the existing UNHCR enactments and regulations would only endanger the lives of Sri Lankan expatriates, asserting that if they are sent back to Sri Lanka they might face torture and even subsequent extermination.

Prevailing Situation
The US Tamils also point out that a statement issued by the Department of State in 2009 explicitly elucidates the extremely perilous situation prevailing in Sri Lanka. The statement outlines incidents of abductions, disappearances, kidnappings etc. of political nature committed by sub security groups with or without the knowledge and blessings of the government. The statement declares that these acts of intimidation occur even in the regions where there is no war.

Moreover the US Tamil Diaspora claims that if the UNHCR proceeds to amend and relax its existing laws of protecting refugees and new laws persist that the expatriates should return to their respective countries, it would lead to a number of issues. The main issue will be the youth. It asserted that young Tamil expatriates will be subjected to harassment if they ever set foot on Sri Lankan soil. They might even be ensnared and charges framed against them which could lead to long-term detention, torture and possibly death to these young people.

Granting Refugee Status to Tamils
Hence, the Tamil group has requested that the UNHCR precisely evaluate the true situation in Sri Lanka prior to making any negative changes to its present position of granting refugee status to Tamils as well as Sinhalese. They insist that the UNHCR should conduct a thorough and comprehensive evaluation by utilizing its own experts. It added that the Tamil expatriates believe that the organization would approach this issue from a humanitarian angle as it involves the basic rights of the people.

UNHCR is a colossal organization that gives shelter to displaced people all over the world who have lost their livelihoods and their basic rights due to natural as well as man-made disasters. We hope that it would consider this issue with utmost prudence, without any bias or haste.

Can we expect the UNHCR to look at this crucial issue pertaining to US Tamil expatriates with understanding and not think it to be inopportune or flawed?

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.

Global Tamil Forum Conference

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has called on the Tamil Diaspora to support the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that has stepped forward to lead the community at a time when it is being subjected to continuing miseries and hardships.

Joint Statement
Following is the statement released by Ganeshalingam, secretary general of the Global Tamil Forum:

The political journey of the Tamil community has never been a bed of roses. Yet, despite the road to our freedom being thorny and strewn with roadblocks, we have never failed to persevere.

Former Federal Party leader S.J.V. Chelvanayagam launched the political struggle of the Tamil community through a non-violent approach. After his death, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran led a combined politico-military offensive to sustain the struggle to win Tamil rights. At present, only the TNA is in a position to take on the mantle of leadership and continue the struggle on behalf of the Tamil community. It is an undeniable fact that the Tamil Diaspora has remained a potent link with all these three forces which have successively led the demand for Tamil rights.

Tamil Community's Leadership
At present, it is only the TNA that is equipped and able to give leadership to the Tamil community that finds itself deeper in crisis. Therefore, the Tamil Diaspora should come forward to extend their total support to the TNA on whom the Tamil community's leadership has fallen.
Since the Tamil Eelam political atmosphere is in a destitute condition the Tamil Diaspora needs to strengthen the hands of the TNA and come under one umbrella. The Tamil Diaspora supported the LTTE economically to prosecute its armed struggle for the last 30 years so as to help win the political aspirations of the Tamils.

The Tamil Diaspora contributed to help the LTTE to emerge as a strong organization comprising three armed forces. When several elements in the past attempted to destroy LTTE organization it was the Tamil Diaspora that was in the forefront to thwart such attempts by staging powerful demonstrations and rallies. Their contribution is indispensable to continue our political efforts to win back our homeland. As such I call upon all expatriate Tamils to stand united to help achieve the political aspirations of our brethren in Sri Lanka.

Unpatriotic Forces Betrayed
It is true that the political journey of the Eelam Tamils has faced an array of defeats and disappointments in the past. Our community has been crushed as a result of betrayals committed in the past by various unpatriotic forces.

In whichever direction we turn, there are plots and betrayals being heaped upon our people. We know that we are not the root cause of all these unfortunate acts. Several countries and forces in the world are carrying out all forms of subversive suppression upon our community and they have often succeeded in their attempts.

Participants at the Global Tamil Forum said: "We are now facing a future that is potent with danger and need to be constantly alert to what's happening around us. Our race should not become a victim of the conspiracies plotted by external forces. Our combatants and politicians should stand up together against all elements which seek to undermine our objectives and destroy us. We must be on maximum alert therefore as we continue our struggle."

Political Change Needed
Considering this overall backdrop to our present position, let us, therefore, help the TNA to assume full leadership on behalf of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder with the TNA and open the path for a prosperous future for our kith and kin living in our Eelam homeland.

Simultaneously, participants at the Global Tamil Forum will also make every effort to help bring relief to our people held in welfare camps and to create for them a bright future through a political change. We, the Tamil Diaspora, must work hand in hand to accomplish this task.

Impact of LTTE Re-emergence on Sri Lankan Government

The Sri Lankan Government proudly claims that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been vanquished. However, it is still plagued with the fear whether the rebel movement would rear its head once again.

The president of the Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore had recently warned that Sri Lanka might face the threat from the LTTE again. He said:"LTTE members active in different countries continue to operate in unison. If the Sri Lankan Government fails to control their activities in collaboration with the international community, the impending threat to Sri Lanka is inevitable."

Meanwhile, defense spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella too had recently stated that the Government could not be certain whether the LTTE has been rooted out, never to reemerge.

In the mid of all these, an alarming statement relating to the LTTE was released recently. The statement read "the dispute that prevailed among the members of the LTTE has now been sorted out and a common front has been formed."

Confrontation with Security Forces
LTTE leader Prabhakaran was killed in a confrontation with the security forces when he attempted to escape via the northern part of Nandikadal during the final phase of the military operation at Mullivaikal. The Armed Forces, who recovered his body, had burned it later. However, the LTTE offices overseas continued to claim that Prabhakaran was not killed and he was still alive. The overseas operational offices of the LTTE were under the control of Manivannan alias Castro, one of the key cadres of the rebels.

Meanwhile, Selvarajah Pathmanathan alias K.P., who was appointed director of the LTTE Foreign Secretariat, announced on May 22 that Prabhakaran was not alive. This announcement led the overseas activists to a state of confusion and there were two different views put forth by these groups about the death of Prabhakaran.

The two groups were disputing with each other through their statements reported in newspapers and websites.

Role of Tamil Diaspora
At some stage one of the two groups described K.P. as a traitor, but it has to be stated that he was the only high ranking LTTE member who had been in touch with the LTTE leader until his final moments.

This led to the inability to confirm the death of Prabhakaran while the statements released relating to his death could not be verified either.

As a result of this, the Tamil diaspora was not able to carry forward their struggle. The various efforts were made to amicably settle the disputing stances adopted by these two groups, it is learned.

A statement was released by Suresh (Amuthan) and Ram at the LTTE Foreign Secretariat last week, on behalf of their executive committee.

It needs to be reminded here that Ram, who had been the commanding officer of the LTTE in Amparai District, had fled the island to reach foreign countries recently along with Dayamohan.

The statement released by Ram read that Selarajah Pathmanathan alias K.P. would formulate the next course of action of the LTTE and that a new secretariat has also been established. According to the statement, several new divisions have been established in the Secretariat.

The news that the LTTE has resumed functioning having opened new divisions may have shocked the Government of Sri Lanka.

Strength of Government
Sri Lanka was glad that the LTTE was divided into two factions abroad at a time when the organization was completely destroyed in the country. Sri Lanka also believed that it had no more headaches.

It is learnt that the two groups now merged together will engage in the anti-Sri Lankan Government activities in unison. The most important question is: How they are planning to pose problems to the Sri Lankan Government? They have categorically stated that they would not wage an armed struggle in future, but wage only a diplomatic struggle. This announcement would definitely be annoying to the Government.

The military strength of the Government is enough to quell any armed uprising. However, it has become difficult for the Government to guess as to how the LTTE would handle its future course of action; politically or diplomatically.

At the same time Government is determine to have K.P. arrested through international intervention. Further it has requested the EU to help eradicate the LTTE. Although the LTTE had suffered a debacle in Sri Lanka the organization it continues its operations overseas.

Pressure on International Community
If the European Union (EU) does not cooperate to eliminate the overseas network of the LTTE the situation might take a critical turn. Ravinath Ariyasighe, Sri Lanka's permanent representative for EU, has called on the EU to exert heavy pressure on Sri Lankan diaspora living in European countries. Similarly, the Government is also involved in propaganda to arrest K.P. through Interpol.

However, recent reports reveal that K.P. still maintains links with foreign nations. At a time when the LTTE had declared that it would continue its struggle diplomatically, another key question before us is how the international community would handle the activities carried out by these LTTE groups.

Even the United States has extended its ban on the LTTE recently. India and the EU too have still not lifted their ban on the outfit. The ban on them in Canada also continues.

Still nobody knows as to whether the LTTE would get involved in activities only in foreign lands or they would be allowed to carryout their political activities in Sri Lanka.

There is no signal to indicate that the Government is prepared to permit the LTTE to get involved in the political activities as it permitted the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna to operate politically despite its involvement in two bloody rebellions in the past.

Obviously, the Government would certainly not permit the LTTE to operate politically because it had a great influence on the Tamil community for the last 30 years. However, only time will tell whether the decision of the Government is correct or not. Another vital factor is, wiping the LTTE out or erasing the image of the organization from the minds of the Tamils is really going to be a tedious task.