First Things To Do

By Col R. Hariharan |Sunday Leader|September 29, 2013

The massive victory of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which secured 30 of the 38 seats in the recent Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections, marks a milestone in the stalled ‘political process’ for greater empowerment for Tamils. As TNA leader R. Sampanthan said it was a mandate for “the framework of a united, undivided country, they want to live in security, safeguarding their self respect and dignity with adequate self-rule, to be able to fulfil their legitimate political, economic, social and cultural aspirations.”

Even those who dispute his statement would agree the election results indicate two things: Tamils were not happy with the government’s post war dispensations that lacked a political content, and they are looking for more autonomy within a united Sri Lanka. In other words, Tamils want to have a say in their governance, development and administration, while retaining their identity.

While noting this development in North, one needs to recognise President Rajapaksa’s thumping victory in the elections for the Central and North Western provincial councils. It shows most of the people approve President Rajapaksa’s policies.

But unlike the elections in the North, the Tamil autonomy was not an electoral issue in these provinces. They had not undergone the traumatic experience of 25 years of separatist insurgency in the North that cost at least 80,000 lives. It is unfortunate that Sinhala right wing sees the democratic rise of the TNA in the NPC as a red rag to Sri Lanka’s existence.

And they point to the resurgence of Tamil Diaspora organisations like the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) which still talk of creating an independent Tamil Eelam, because many leaders of TNA in the past shared the same sentiments. And TNA was a political ally of the LTTE.

The choice of C. V. Wigneswaran, a non-political personality for heading the NPC, and his clear statement that they would not allow external influences in their working, should dispel this. But fears of separatism groomed with blood and gore are not going to vanish unless TNA makes a difference on how it conducts itself. Otherwise, it will mean going back to ethno-centric politics that had been the bane of this country. I am sure this is the last thing people of Sri Lanka want regardless of their creed.

Sri Lankans have wasted a number of productive years looking at the past rather than at the future. TNA despite disarray in its rank and file due to the war, went to the elections with a manifesto, not a secret agenda. Despite its lengthy preamble in essence it wanted, not an independent Tamil Eelam, but greater autonomy for Tamils within the existing framework of united Sri Lanka.

After the electoral success many top TNA leaders reaffirmed this. The liberal democratic elements across the country understand this; but the ordinary citizen is apprehensive. President Rajapaksa’s policy making has largely been conditioned by popular perceptions. And TNA has to recognise this and redesign its act to suit this environment. To start with, its leaders can do a few things easily: allow Prabhakaran to rest in peace and not deify him; equally important is not to give snide hints of separatism.

The government on its part should recognize the peoples’ verdict in the North and take immediate and visible measures to show it is mindful of their concerns. This requires only administrative orders, not parliamentary approval.

The first thing is to replace the existing governors of northern and eastern provinces with eminent civilians preferably belonging to the minority community. Let the army reduce its intrusive presence in the normal lives of people and carry out professional training. Rein in and defang paramilitary thugs accustomed to beat up the opposition and media persons. Prevent provocative acts of religious extremists. Restore confidence in the rule of law to show there is government that is concerned.

Of course, there are two other issues that affect them – the large number of people missing after the war and the bleak future of huge number of war widows and destitutes. These are time-consuming humanitarian issues which probably require case by case approach. These can be taken up by the NPC government for processing with the concerned bodies in Colombo. If NPC acts and Colombo is sincere and receptive these are not big issues.

As the electoral success has increased the legitimacy of TNA, the President cannot ignore the issue of 13A with glib talk. Actually President Rajapaksa and C. V. Wigneswaran as the chief minister of NPC, now have no choice but to confront the issue. As they are accustomed to do it from different planes, they have to build a working equation. This is going to be a tricky problem. Management by objectives (MBO) is an effective management tool used to handle this kind of situation – immovable object meeting the irresistible force.

To put MBO into action, Rajapaksa and Wigneswaran will have to sit and identify clear cut objectives to be achieved within a given time frame. To reach that stage both sides will have to take some of confidence building measures to remove suspicions and foster trust.  Of course, honesty of purpose is fundamental to this.

And I am sure, if political consideration is not the sole driver, both sides would not be wanting on this count. One can hear sniggers at these suggestions in coffee shops in Colombo or Jaffna where politicos and ‘intellectuals’ palaver. It is best to ignore them because leadership is to face challenges and not be swayed by doomsday men.  And people want action from leaders not comments from cynics.

[Col R Hariharan is a retired MI officer who served as head of intelligence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.]

Written on September 25, 2013

URL: http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2013/09/29/first-things-to-do/