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Twenty
five years of conflict
Sri Lanka will shortly enter twenty five years of conflict
between the LTTE and the government. This raises the question
of what have the LTTE achieved for the Tamils? They have lost
the East and elections have been held their recently - it
is clear they have never represented the interest of the Tamils.
It is for the LTTE’s own self interest that this conflict
has gone on and the Tamils have been in travail and have lived
under threat of intimidation. Many have called for a negotiated
settlement but, it is clear that the current leadership are
not in the least interested -such calls have fallen on deaf
ears. It is Eelam or bust.
The government too has to shoulder some blame, for it has
yet to implement the 13th and 17th amendments to the Constitution.
Furthermore, the recommendations of the APRC (All Party Representative
Committee) await a decision. The longer the government delays,
it calls to question its sincerity in resolving this issue.
The longer the government procrastinates; it creates the impression
that it is as intransigent as the LTTE. It is imperative that
the 13th and 17th amendments are immediately implemented and
a decision made on the recommendations of the APRC for implementation.
The armed forces may have successes in defeating the LTTE
- the underlying issues of the minorities have to be resolved
if we, as a nation, are to move forward or we shall be stoking
the embers for yet another conflict in the future.
The meaning of life is happiness and the source of happiness
is creating values for the other. The people are saddled with
the rising cost of living and businesses struggling with stifling
regulations by external authorities and bureaucracies - while
inflation is running at about 20%, one could partially blame
the global downturn. But with the continued conflict in the
north, which has drained funds away and with our infrastructure
needing an overhaul - we are teetering at the seams. Sixty
years of independence and we have nothing to show for it -
except our young and those who can seek opportunities abroad
for themselves and their children. The LTTE has failed the
Tamils and our politicians have failed the country. We need
new leaders who would put country first before self.
C. Silva
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