I am shocked at the UNP’s decision to “re-position” itself and among many others, to drop the Federal Concept. I hasten to protest against this move and plead with the UNP Leadership not to drop the” Federal Concept. I genuinely feel that it will prove disastrous to the country that is already bleeding profusely. The UNP too as the main opposition party which, when in power, committed to the Oslo Agreement lose its credibility in the International Community.
To quote from the statement of the Royal Norwegian Government’s Statement of 5th December, 2002.
“Responding to a proposal by the leadership of the LTTE, the parties agreed to explore a solution founded on the principle of internal self-determination in areas of historical habitation of the Tamil-speaking peoples based on a federal structure within a United Sri Lanka. The parties acknowledged that the solution has to be acceptable to all communities”.
The Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka was held on June 9th and 10th in Tokyo with the participation of 51 countries and 22 International Organizations. The Opening session chaired by Hon. Yasushi Akashi was addressed by the Prime Ministers of Japan and Sri Lanka. Hon. M.Junichiro Koizumi and Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe respectively.
At this conference, participants expressed the view that “a negotiated settlement in Sri Lanka will be a landmark achievement with regard to peaceful resolution of an armed conflict. The Conference commends both parties for the commitment to a lasting and negotiated peace based on a federal structure within a United Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the Conference stresses the importance of bringing tangible dividends of peace to all the People of Sri Lanka”.
Having committed to this extent, if the UNP now goes back on its earlier stand it will lose its credibility and the 51 Nations and the 22 International Organization that had pledged financial support to the tune of 4,5 billion US dollars and technical and other assistance will not trust us for a cent and Sri Lanka will lose it honour and prestige, which is more important than anything else.
Merely because the UNP had been remaining in the opposition for 13 years is no justifiable reason to change its policy on which it polled 49.7% of the votes at the last Presidential Elections. Like wise the SLFP too remained for 17 years in the opposition. The fact that more Tamils live in the south with the Sinhalese and Muslims is a factor that cannot be ignored. The UNP is trying to change its policy at a crucial time when arriving at a solution is in sight. Opinion in the ruling circle is also gradually changing with all indications that a solution is nearing.
The UNP should not make a historical blunder at this juncture. They should seriously consider how much loss of life and damage to properly had been caused since the famous March to Kandy in 1957, if not for which the ethnic problem would have been solved fifty years back. Everyone should ask whether we should face death and destruction everyday merely to put or keep some one in power. Has a curse befallen on our country with unpleasant history repeating itself over and over again?.
A solution under the Unitary System will not be acceptable to the Tamils. The only alternative to a Federal System, acceptable to the Tamils, is the one like the Indian Model which will satisfy those who are allergic to the term Federal. I am recommending this proposal not as a Tamil but as one who loves this country and its people and love to die as a patriotic Citizens of Sri Lanka. All what I want is Peace in a contented Sri Lankan society.
Federal solution for Sri Lanka
This feature by Satchi Sithaananthan was published on the website www.independentsl.com last year. In view of the impassioned plea made by Mr Anandasangaree, we are publishing it for its relevancy, even more for the urgency before another blunder is made by the Sri Lankan Government. We are convinced that the federal system can ensure the unity of a country and not pose the danger of separation. Even when a tiny state like Micronesia or even St Kitts and Nevis can have a federal system, it is inconceivable Sri Lanka had not opted for it and persisted with racial and religious chauvinism and bigotry for five decades now.
In fact, traditionally, Sri Lanka should have been founded as a federal state when the British ended their colonial rule in the country. It would have been a natural follow up to what existed for ages before the country fell under colonial rule. Unfortunately, the Tamil leadership fell into the hands of an utterly visionless, adamant and aggressive criminal lawyer, G G Ponnambalam who reflected the unyielding intolerance of high caste elite and demanded an unjustifiable and quite a stupid 50-50 representation in a unitary state. It was a pure political gimmick, a hard up alternative for the lack of political wisdom, and understanding and appreciation of the needs of the country at large.
He should have consulted with the grass roots and opted for a system that would have respected traditional habitations and devolved responsibilities within a unitary system. He never had that foresight because he was deeply mired in the decisive factor being Colombo and everything in the country should flow from there like a trickle outwards, one provides, the other receives and not a system where every one provides, and every one receives in the spirit of sharing with one another as one nation and many people or one people and many nations, call it how it appeals to us.
We the People of Sri Lanka now have the opportunity to bury our anger, fears, prejudices and whatever negative factors that have caused us so much anguish and give ourselves the opportunity to create a nation of diverse cultures or national community of nations working and sharing together in harmony for the good of Sri Lanka which belongs to all the people.
The Sri Lankan Diaspora must also free itself from its fossilized state and exorcise the ghosts of 1983 and all that, move forward and reach out to the leaders of the country and help redeem Sri Lanka and rebuild the paradise for our children and for generations to come. We should not devastate ourselves with dilemmas but pursue dreams that will determine the destiny of our children so that they will inherit a great heritage.
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