Third thoughts: On Sri Lankan Tamils Q & A

Col R Hariharan | April 28, 2021

 Here are my answers to questions received by e-mail from a student of defence and strategic studies on Sri Lanka Tamils:

Q 1. Do you see any military solutions in the Sri Lankan Tamil Issue?

No. LTTE's solo military effort failed after 2 generations of youth have been wiped out. Any military solution requires an outside power's intervention. India's effort failed because it could not gain whole hearted support from all stakeholders.

Q 2. Is there any possibility of Eelam in the future?

The historical period for Eelam to come up has ended. Now, due to Eelam wars, SL Tamils have been weakened; they have moved out of their 'homeland' both at home and abroad. In fact, LTTE’s failure to develop a political narrative parallel to insurgency, has weakened Tamil cause. So, Eelam will continue to remain a distant dream.

Q 3. From your experience, how you see the current plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka where the Rajapaksas are back in power?

As long as Gotabaya continues as President, Sri Lanka is likely to continue with a highly centralised, quasi military rule. It is being superimposed over the democratic multiparty system in the name of national security and Buddha Sashana. As a result, majoritarianism has become the order of the day. Rule of law and civil liberties have been given the go by. Not only Tamils and Muslims, but every citizen including free media and civil society are suffering due to this.

4. What ought to be done in the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee problem in Tamil Nadu? Is citizenship is the only solution for it?

This has to be deliberated by all Tamil Nadu parties in a non-partisan manner, to evolve a holistic action plan to resolve the refugee issue in a humane manner. Citizenship is no easy solution because there are unregistered illegals among refugees from many countries living in the country.