By Blind Spot
On Thursday 27 February 2014 in Washington DC, 11 US Senators tabled a Resolution in the Senate expressing support for the “internal rebuilding, resettlement and reconciliation within Sri Lanka”. The Resolution also called upon the President of USA “to develop a comprehensive and a well-balanced policy towards Sri Lanka that reflects US interests including human rights, democracy, rule of law as well as economic and security interests.”
Further, the Resolution called upon the US Government and the international community ‘to assist Sri Lanka with due regard to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, stability and security in establishing domestic mechanisms to deal with any grievances arising from actions committed during the war in Sri Lanka.’
This Resolution was a major departure from the previous stance of the US which harped on human rights only. It also indicated a shift in US sentiments vis-a-vis Sri Lanka, in the minds of a growing number of influential US politicians. Most importantly, it brought a fresh dimension to the Sri Lanka issue in the eyes of the US, and sent out a signal that there is another point of view emerging amongst the top US leadership.
This change of heart seems to have been developing slowly but surely for some time now. About nine months ago, US Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega requested the US not to bully Sri Lanka, and not to apply double standards. Congressman Faleomavaega, who had previously visited Sri Lanka, called upon the USA “to find better way forward, rather than using United Nations resolutions to destabilize developing nations like Sri Lanka.” About six months ago, the influential Senator from Oklahoma, Senator James Inhofe made a statement on the Senate floor wherein he urged the US to approach Sri Lanka in a more balanced manner. Senator Inhofe urged the Obama administration “to review its current policies regarding Sri Lanka and seek further engagement to assist them as they continue their progress toward reconciliation and reconstruction after 30 years of a bloody civil war against the Tamil Tiger terrorists.”
He also stated that “Peace has brought historic post-conflict recovery and Sri Lanka is bringing the dividends of peace in an exclusive manner, particularly to those in the north and to the east of the country, from where Tamil suicide bombers and other terrorist attacks were once launched.” Senator Inhofe also expressed concern that U.S. diplomatic efforts had lagged behind, as a result of which, long-term economic and national security interests of the US were suffering. The Senator specifically pointed out that, “at a time when the United States is pivoting or rebalancing toward Asia, we may be giving this island nation reason not to consider the United States a friend and strategic partner”.
This change of heart and attitude of a growing number of US Senators and Congressmen seemed to be reflected in the Resolution 364 moved by the 11 Senators in late February 2014. Consequently, this point of view becomes an important feature in the US political landscape in relation to Sri Lanka, and must now be used as a useful platform to rally support for Sri Lanka’s position among other key leaders in US, and the strong Sri Lankan expatriate community in the USA.
As is now well known, immediately after the conflict ended, the Sri Lankan authorities concentrated on rebuilding the areas devastated by the conflict. They protected and nurtured the hundreds of thousands of persons displaced; they resettled them after a massive de-mining operation; they provided livelihood opportunities; they rehabilitated thousands of ex-terrorist cadres. However, while the Sri Lankan authorities were productively engaged, certain segments of the overseas Tamil Diaspora as well as many ex-LTTE controlled TNA politicians concentrated on stirring the flames of racism and hatred to disrupt the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka. These segments of the overseas Tamils and the TNA Leadership had no interest in the welfare of the Tamil people living in the Northern Province. They only viewed the Tamil people as the means to achieve their own political ends, in a similar manner to that of Prabhakaran who used them as human hostages during the conflict.
Fortunately, however, a growing number of ordinary folk in the North are now beginning to realize that they are being viciously exploited by these insensitive politicians and the affluent Tamil Diaspora of the West. The ordinary farmer in Kilinochchi wants to till his land and earn a reasonable living. He needs seeds, water, loans, transport, electricity, storage and other agricultural and business inputs. He wants a reasonably good hospital to go to when he is ill. He wants a school for his children. He wants the Police to make his neighbourhood safe. He wants to have the freedom to enjoy a pleasant evening with his friends. At the same time, he is not interested in a direct flight from Jaffna to Chennai. He is not interested in the 13th Amendment or in devolved police powers. He will be happy, just like his fellow citizens in Hambantota or Batticaloa or Pilimathalawa, will be, if the protection and well-being of his family, village and his business is assured, and his human and political rights are safeguarded. This reality has dawned on many Tamils of the North, and is gradually dawning on many others too!
Almost simultaneously, many political leaders in the West and the USA too, are beginning to appreciate and understand the ground reality in Sri Lanka, and also see through the bogus cries of the ex-LTTE Tamil Diaspora who have cleverly reinvented themselves as pious Human Rights activists today. If this reality trend continues, it will only be a matter of time when the bulk of the ex-LTTE cadres would be exposed, in their true colours. When that happens, Western political leaders will probably distance themselves from these persons, and the true position is likely to gain further traction in the future.
In order to expedite such process, the overseas Sri Lankan community who have been continuously exposing the machinations of the LTTE, must continue to make their voices heard in different parts of the world: from Los Angeles to Paris, London to Wellington, Oslo to Tokyo, and within the Middle East. As is well known, there are thousands of migrant Sri Lankans who have access to the political leadership in the towns, counties, provinces and countries where they live and work. Some even have close connections to national level politicians of those countries. Already many of the Sri Lankan communities have regularly exposed the blatant lies and misdeeds of the ex-LTTE groups, as well as show-cased the actual ground conditions in Sri Lanka. Needless to say, if such efforts are continued with renewed vigour, those efforts could quickly negate the gains made by the former LTTE terrorist financiers during the period that the Sri Lankan authorities and overseas communities were somewhat dormant.
Resolution 364 tabled in the US Senate is a classic indication of what is possible if the overseas Sri Lankans unite and work towards creating awareness in their adopted communities. This Resolution should therefore serve as an inspiration to all patriotic overseas Sri Lankans, who may now be energized, individually and collectively, to work towards shaping the attitude of those in power in their newly chosen lands, towards Sri Lanka. At the same time, the Sri Lankan government must give encouragement to fashion such movements in an organized manner, so that the ex-LTTE financiers turned Human Rights crusaders are not allowed to have their own way and mislead politicians in the capitals of the world.
Resolution tabled by eleven United States Senators Expressing support for the internal rebuilding, resettlement, and reconciliation within Sri Lanka that are necessary to ensure a lasting peace.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. INHOFE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the internal rebuilding, resettlement, and reconciliation within Sri Lanka that are necessary to ensure a lasting peace.
Whereas May 19, 2014, marks the five-year anniversary of the end of the 26 year civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka;
Whereas the people of Sri Lanka suffered greatly as a result of this conflict, the impact and aftermath of which has been felt by all, especially by women, children, and families;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka established a ‘‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’’ (LLRC) to report whether any person, group, or institution directly or indirectly bears responsibility for incidents that occurred between February 2002 and May 2009 and to recommend measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future and promote further national unity and reconciliation among all communities;
Whereas the LLRC report was presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament on December 16, 2011, and officially translated into Sinhala and Tamil on August 16, 2012;
Whereas the LLRC report acknowledges important events and grievances that have contributed to decades of political violence and war in Sri Lanka and makes constructive recommendations on a wide range of issues, including the need to credibly investigate widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearances; intentional targeting of civilians and noncombatants; demilitarizing the north and the country as a whole; reaching a political settlement with minority communities on the meaningful decentralization of power; and promoting and protecting the right to freedom of expression for all through the enactment of a right to information law and additional rule of law reforms;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka developed the National Plan of Action to implement the ecommendations of the LLRC and has made significant progress within limited time in the implementation of the National Plan of Action, notably in the areas of demining, rehabilitation of ex-combatants, resettlement of displaced persons, improvements of infrastructure and social services in the North and East, as well as investigations into complaints regarding persons who have disappeared during the war;
Whereas there have been reports of attacks on places of worship and restrictions on the media in several places in Sri Lanka;
Whereas the Government of Sri Lanka expressed its commit ment to address the needs of all ethnic groups and has recognized the necessity of a political settlement and reconciliation for a peaceful and just society, which is a long-term process that will need to be driven by the people of Sri Lanka themselves;
Whereas the September 21, 2013, elections in Sri Lanka for the Northern, Central, and North Western Provincial Councils were an important step in fulfilling this commitment;
Whereas these elections were made possible through a sustained effort by the Government of Sri Lanka to restore infrastructure in the North and put in place a system for the conduct of the elections;
Whereas the elections allowed the people of the North of Sri Lanka to exercise their political rights that had been withheld from them for more than 20 years by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and resulted in a clear victory for the provincial wing of the Tamil National Alliance;
Whereas Sri Lanka is enjoying rapid economic growth as an important hub for shipping transport, technology, and tourism in the South Asia region;
Whereas Sri Lanka is of great strategic importance to the United States, due to its location, deep-water ports, and proximity to the world’s busiest shipping lanes, an importance noticed and pursued by other significant powers; and Whereas Sri Lanka seeks to be a key United States partner in the fight against terrorism and Indian Ocean piracy: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) calls upon the President to develop a comprehensive and well balanced policy towards Sri Lanka that reflects United States interests, including respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as economic and security interests;
(2) calls on the United States Government and the international community to assist the Government of Sri Lanka, with due regard to its sovereignty, stability, and security, in establishing domestic mechanisms to deal with any grievances arising from actions committed by both sides during and after the civil war in Sri Lanka;
(3) encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to put in place a truth and reconciliation commission similar to the one adopted by South Africa to help heal the wounds of war, taking into account the unique characteristics of the conflict and its aftermath; and
(4) urges the Government of Sri Lanka to improve religious and media freedoms and to bring to justice those responsible for attacks on journalists and newspaper offices as well as places of worship, regardless of religion.
Source : “The Sunday Leader” news paper on 09.03.2014
