What is in store for the Tamils?

by. P.C.P.Gnanadurai from Jaffna

(Nevember,14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The question that arises in the mind of everyone who sincerely and proudly considers himself a Tamil is — what's next? Will this race continue to be a distinct race in Sri Lanka or will history soon record that there was a race called Tamils in this beautiful island?

It should be stressed emphatically at the outset that the writer does not belong to any party or group but is only concerned about the present precarious situation of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. There are several in the other communities too who think likewise, and share this view.

Everybody wants peace in this country. Nobody likes strife. But the question is what sort of peace? What is needed is certainly not peace through fear and subjection, but peace with dignity.

There is a school of thought among some Sinhalese that once this war is brought to an end; forcibly or otherwise, the state could concentrate on economic issues, which would ultimately result in peace and stability. It may be true to some extent, but will that give satisfaction to all citizens of this country, especially the Tamils?

Nobody would deny the fact that the people of this isle lived in harmony without being discriminated against. It should also not be forgotten that we all fought together to get rid of foreign domination.

But the most important and vital question is whether we got this so called independence due to our combined effort. No! Certainly not.

Had not India got independence due to the sacrifice made by all Indians irrespective of caste, creed or race led by Mahatma Gandhi, we would still be a subject nation. We should actually be thankful to India and seek their advice in resolving our internal strife.