Wigneswaran’s folly

Provocative statements by the former Northern Province Chief Minister will only serve to harden the majority community stand on 13th Amendment

Commentary
By Editor_1
0

By P. K. Balachandran

COLOMBO – Controversial and provocative statements made by the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Koottani (TMTK) MP and former Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran are likely to result in a hardening of the majority Sinhala community’s stand on the contentious 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

The 13A, enacted in 1987 at India’s insistence, gives Sri Lanka’s provinces a modicum of autonomy through devolution of power. However, the dominant view among the Sinhalese has always been that the 13A was an imposition by India and that it should be cast away at the earliest. But the Tamils, who bitterly opposed the 13A from 1987 to 2009 (in that period they were hooked on the dream of securing a fully independent Tamil Eelam) are now wanting it desperately.

The Tamils are now seized by the fear that the current Gotabaya Rajapaksa government is capable of jettisoning the 13A lock, stock and barrel, depriving the Tamils of what little autonomy they have under the Amendment.

To the Sinhala majority, the 13A smacks of federalism, which is anathema because it is equated with secession and separation. In this context, Wigneswaran’s statements during and after the parliamentary elections are accentuating the entrenched anxieties among the Sinhalese. He has gone beyond the routine demand for federalism and greater devolution of power, to demand the “right to self-determination”, which he says should be exercised through an internationally supervised referendum among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Addressing a meeting in Kilinochchi last weekend, Wigneswaran went to the extremity and appealed to former cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to join the TMTK. He praised their commitment to the cause of Tamil liberation (namely an independent Tamil Eelam) and said that such commitment to a goal is necessary now if the Tamils are to secure their rights. Wigneswaran recalled that when TNTK was formed, he had invited the ex-cadres to take over the leadership of the party.

Wigneswaran criticized other Tamil parties like the Tamil National Alliance (especially its core, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi) for disregarding the former LTTE cadres and for keeping quiet in Parliament when Sinhala MPs like Sarath Foneska and Manusha Nanayakkara were berating him for making Tamil nationalist remarks.  While Nanayakkara demanded that Wigneswaran’ statements not be entered in the Hansard, Fonseka even said he would have to have to face the wrath of the Sinhalese.

Daily News, the State-run English daily quoted Fonseka as saying: “Denigrating the motherland in this House is a violation of the honour of this august Assembly. According to Wigneswaran, the oldest language in this country is the Tamil language. That means, according to him, the Sinhala people came to this country after the Tamils. I would like to remind him that we would never bow our heads to anyone who attempts to undermine the Sinhala nation and any such attempt to undermine the Sinhala nation would fail. Anyone who does so would not be able to exist in this country. Wigneswaran must remember that there were people in the past too, who tried to undermine the status quo of the Sinhalese. There was A. Amirthalingam who was in Parliament, who instigated the Tamil youth against the Sinhalese. Finally, he got a bullet from the very same Tamil youth. Then there was Prabhakaran who thought he could create a separate state in this country. You saw what happened to him. Unfortunately, despite his attempts, Wigneswaran cannot be Prabhakaran as he is too old to emulate Prabhakaran; he has no time left for it. Hence, I urge him to be satisfied with what he has and never try to undermine the Sinhalese. If you try to do that you’ll face unpleasant consequences and you will repent for your folly.”

Wigneswaran complained that when such threats to his life and limb were being made in Parliament, other Tamil MPs were silent. Later, in an interview to the State-run Sunday Observer, Wigneswaran said if the Tamils do not get self-determination they will all become Sinhalese in 15 to 20 years. He pointed out that in Negombo and Puttalam, such a loss of Tamil identity and absorption into the Sinhala community is already taking place.

While the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government plans to integrate the various ethnic and religious communities in Sri Lanka by ensuring equitable economic development and non-discriminatory policies, Wigneswaran has said that Tamils are not for “economic sops” but political autonomy.

On the alleged threat to the 13th Amendment he said the Tamils would invoke India’s help as the 13A was the brainchild of India. But invoking India’s help will only further alienate the Sinhalese who consider the 13A and the India-Sri Lanka Accord from which it stemmed as an imposition by the Big Brother across the Palk Strait, at a time when Sri Lanka was weak with no friends to run to for help.

The 13A is opposed not only by Sinhala nationalists but by Sinhala intellectuals and the Sri Lankan media. These consider the Provincial Councils and the administrative set up in the provinces to be a White Elephant.

All Tamils parties, barring the Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Minister Douglas Devananda and a section of the Eelam Peoples’ Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) led by A. Varadarajaperumal and K. Pathmanaba, opposed the 13A vehemently. The then powerful Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) led by stalwarts like Amirthalingam also opposed it and refused to contest the first election to the united Northern and Eastern Province held in 1988. To the Tamil parties the 13A was then “too little too late”. Their eyes were set on an independent Eelam promised by the LTTE.

But now, after the crash of the independent Eelam dream, the Tamil parties are anxious over the fate of the13A because the present Gotabaya Rajapaksa government enjoying a two thirds majority in Parliament has the strength and the will to abolish it if it chooses to do so.

However, the government is unlikely to jettison the 13A wholesale. In the new constitution to be drafted, elements of the 13A will be kept while some unimplemented and unimplementable provisions like the grant of police and land powers to the provinces will be struck off. The Sri Lankan political class even in the Sinhala-majority South, see the Provincial Councils (PCs) as a stepping stone to Parliament. The PCs are an intermediate stage between elected local government institutions and Parliament. They provide an avenue of political mobility.

The Provincial Councils are likely to stay albeit in an attenuated form, despite the fact that that the Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara is a strong and consistent votary of the abolition of the 13A on Sinhala nationalistic grounds.

However, given the Sinhala majority’s opposition and the increasingly provocative Tamil nationalistic statements of Wigneswaran, the government might be compelled to take a tough nationalistic line on the 13A. If it is not abrogated altogether, there is danger of its being crippled and the powers now with the Provincial Councils might revert to the Central government. And Wigneswaran will be partly responsible for that.

-P K. Balachandran is a senior Colombo-based journalist who in the past two decades, has reported for The Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express and the Economist

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication