Alleviate Lankan Tamils

The visual media and print media is abuzz with the impending US sponsored resolution on SL in the UNHRC. There were heated arguments in the Indian Parliament on what should be India's stand on the resolution . Unfortunately India ,as a nation ,is looking at the whole issue as a geopolitical strategy and not from humanistic values . Somehow I feel no external force can find  a  solution to this ethnic crisis. The resolution for this ethnic crisis lies essentially with the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils . No amount of interference by any other force in the world  can  find an an end to this conflict.I have given my thoughts on this .

The bloody war ended in 2009 . The armed fighting in SL ended .But not the ethnic infringe . Even after 4 years , no reconciliation is in sight . The root cause for  the ill will and hostility still remains ,because it is an ethnic conflict. That has to be resolved to find a meaningful resolution to the crisis. Many precious lives have been lost .Many were crippled for life .Many others were made orphans . Yet people concerned have not learnt lessons, despite the constitution of a lessons learnt and reconcilation commission by the Lankan government. How normalcy can be restored ?Only if the government is earnest in its commitment to rehabilate the IDP's .They are their own citizens ,an ethnic minority. Still harboring animosity or treating them as second class citizens is not going to help resolve the crisis.

Political parties ,neighbouring nations ,world bodies like UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Crisis Group are not going to help fusion or integration among the  different ethnic groups of SL. All  of them have their own agenda . The Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups should come together and co exist peacefully and contribute their might together to rebuild SL. India with its multiple ethnic culture is the stablest among South Asian countries. With coliation governments ruling the central government India is truly federal now. SL can emulate this model and ensure there is due representation for Tamils in administration and governance.Ensure Sinhala and Tamil  languages are given equal status with English as  a link language. Ensure equal job opportunities or provide reservations to ethnic minorities  in education and employment,as we do in India.

Some people may argue after the bloody war it would be difficult for the two ethnic groups to coexist peacefully. There are many multiethnic nations where people of different ethnicity live together peacefully.With the majority following Buddhism ,I pray there should be an ' awakening' and 'enlightenment'  among them ,to treat their Tamil brothers and sisters with dignity .NGO's and other private organisations truly interested in ensuring peace in the island should come together and work towards uniting the two ethnic groups . Make earnest efforts to bury the past and move forward taking along the ethnic minority in the process of rebuilding. Some well meaning SL Tamil diaspora that live all over the world , can  now make meaningful contributions towards this end.The SL government should encourage their participation in rebuilding the nation and should not distrust them or doubt their honesty in this cause.

I know hardcore Elam supporters may not agree with my suggestions. More than Tamils the change of mind is to be exhibited   convincingly  by those in  authority and the Sinhalese majority community. The initiative  should come from the majority community peace lovers . Because those in agony and pain would be looking for some olive branch .Once that is extended ,they would easily grab it .

A final word for the Sinhalese Administration .Please encourage multiculturalism. Please do not despise ethnic minorities.Encourage minorities to integrate into mainstream society and take active part in social, cultural, economic and political affairs. Guard minorities form the onslaught  of intolerant groups in the interest of harmony and peace.