Renewal of Indo-Sri Lanka Relationship
(Madan Menon Thottasseri)
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It is really appreciable that the Sri Lankan government takes concerted actions for the resettlement of the people displaced by the internal war. The Rajapaksa government has gracefully come forward to hear opinions from the most responsible political front in India who have empathy to the victims of war. The octogenarian Chief Minister Dr.M. Karunanidhi has risen to the level of a statesman by interacting with the Sri Lankan regime and enabling a delegation to visit there. The Chief Minister has refined his vision for peace in Sri Lanka and the life of Tamil speaking people belonging to the island nation for generations.
Sri Lanka should take up the rehabilitation mission with international support and ensure that the displaced Tamil speaking people are settled back into their native towns and villages. Similarly the Sri Lankan refugees in India should also be allowed to go back to their native places and enable to settle down there. Primarily the removal of land mines from the villages will be a herculean task for the army. Probably the Sri Lankan government has to rebuild the very basic infrastructure viz. power connections, roads, bridges, telephones etc. in the majority affected areas and international donors may be willing to contribute for the same. India can help Sri Lanka by giving assistance in our know-how on installation of telecommunication lines, construction of roads and bridges etc. Indian Railways can give assistance for reopening of bunged railway lines in Sri Lanka.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has the capability to gather support from all sections of society to arrive at a consensus on a challenging and lasting political solution for the peaceful muti- lingual and multi-religious society in the island nation. The government has to offer an economic package for generating employment opportunities, commencement of farming, trade and business activities in the regions where people are being resettled.
President Rajapaksa was not sarcastic when he asserted to the visiting Indian delegation that for the political solution to be arrived at towards the ethnic issues of Sri Lanka, he would expect the fulfillment of two conditions viz. the solution is to be acceptable to all communities and it should also be acceptable to the neighbor (India) as well!
President Rajapaksa was not sarcastic when he asserted to the visiting Indian delegation that for the political solution to be arrived at towards the ethnic issues of Sri Lanka, he would expect the fulfillment of two conditions viz. the solution is to be acceptable to all communities and it should also be acceptable to the neighbor (India) as well!
The Indian delegation was initially not very optimistic on their mission when they set out to Sri Lanka. They had all apprehension and reservation on the direction of the island’s official who have been genuinely engaged in the schedule of the delegations visits to different camps, farms managed by refugees etc. The unfortunate incident of driving the lady District Collector (Agent) of Vavunya into tears by the leader of the delegation Mr.T.R.Balu, though unintentionally, up on querying in a tough language, would have spoiled the spirit of the Sri Lankan Officials to some extent.
It is high time that the political parties in tamilnadu come forward to accept the ground realities without any pre-conceived notions and suspicions on the Sri Lankan refugee issues and join hands with the Chief Minister in his endeavor to rehabilitate war displaced people.
The Chief Minister of Tamilnadu should have to maintain good caution and restrain while commending or giving press statements in respect of the Sri Lankan refugee issue. The sympathy to refugee should not over- rule the prudence and the laws of our land on refugees. Any attempt to over react on the refugee issue will be wrongly taken into account by Political Circles in the Tamil Nadu. They can blame him for taking an advantage of the situation on the eve of the world Tamil Conference, to be held in June, 2010.
The Chief Minister of Tamilnadu should have to maintain good caution and restrain while commending or giving press statements in respect of the Sri Lankan refugee issue. The sympathy to refugee should not over- rule the prudence and the laws of our land on refugees. Any attempt to over react on the refugee issue will be wrongly taken into account by Political Circles in the Tamil Nadu. They can blame him for taking an advantage of the situation on the eve of the world Tamil Conference, to be held in June, 2010.
The main criticism by the Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu against the delegation to Sri Lanka that it was not an Official one and the Sri Lankan authorities would have provided only a guided tour to them in select locations where there was minimal oppression etc. They too have to be cautious as the people of both countries who have seen the war in the tiny island nation for many decades can form their own opinion while the war is over and they will expect a good a gracious approach to the complex issue of rehabilitation of refugees, let it be from the Sri Lankan regime or from India. Every common man in India or Sri Lanka will wish to find a political solution to ethnicity in the war ravaged Sri Lanka. Instead the Opposition too can interact with refugees in various locations in Sri Lanka and India and come forward with constructive opinions enabling to propose a political solution package. There should not be any slightest element of Political advantage to target the sensitive linguistic -vote bank in Tamil Nadu while taking a stand in the issue of refugees. In fact the Opposition will be appreciated by the people for their constructive participation and valuable opinions for prompting the regime in Sri Lanka to be more proactive and moderate in designing the road map for a political solution to the ethnicity in the homeland of both Tamils and Sinhalese of all religions.
Similarly The Sri Lankan Government too apply vigilance and not to over- celebrate the war victory, as it is actually a transition of their nation from the very verge of ruin .The ruling Sri Lankan Freedom Party has been keen on seeking people’s mandate for both Parliamentary and Presidential polls on winning the war in May,2009. The idea of aiming for a sweeping victory in polls will mainly allow Rajapaksa to bid for a second term as President!
It is quite interesting to high-light the Sri Lanka’s indifferent response to the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Ms.Navaneetham Pillay’s request for international investigations into the alleged killing of civilians during the final phase of the war 2006-09 against rebels. She has declared that a similar request was made by the U.N.Secretary General also.AS per reports released to press she had revealed that the Sri Lankan government would not let her visit in the nation.
The Sri Lankan President had consistently denied the report of mass killings. While addressing a 30- nation Asian Cooperation Dialogue at Colombo, the vociferous speaker of nationalistic independence on international forums, President Rajapaksa advocated Asian countries “to regain its independence that is challenged on many fronts and across many boarders”.
As per the latest news the Indian Government contemplates to grant around Rs.600 crores for the rehabilitation of the war displaced people in the island nation. This must be the beginning of a refurbished Indo-Lanka relationship with due mutual respect and authenticity in mutual help.
India and Sri Lanka together will form a big Trade-Power in the region and can jointly formulate policies for safe-guarding the interests of both countries. Both countries are having almost a uniform export basket and thus can even jointly formulate export strategies to offer the best quality of tea and plantation produce to the global market under the global trade regime and earn highest price in foreign-exchange.
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As per the latest news the Indian Government contemplates to grant around Rs.600 crores for the rehabilitation of the war displaced people in the island nation. This must be the beginning of a refurbished Indo-Lanka relationship with due mutual respect and authenticity in mutual help.
India and Sri Lanka together will form a big Trade-Power in the region and can jointly formulate policies for safe-guarding the interests of both countries. Both countries are having almost a uniform export basket and thus can even jointly formulate export strategies to offer the best quality of tea and plantation produce to the global market under the global trade regime and earn highest price in foreign-exchange.
