At one time, before and just after India’s Independence, Tamils in India demanded a separate nation. Later, they realized the advantages of a united India and gave up their demand. That shifted foreign policy, security, and inter state affairs to the federal government, and let the Tamil Nadu state to focus on local economic and social issues. This lead to the rapid development of Tamil Nadu state.
Sinhala governments could have done the same thing with NorthEast in Sri Lanka. They failed, and that resulted in civil war. Still, SL government can devolve some powers, and establish NorthEast as an autonomous state. SL government could even join the Indian Federation, if it serves Sri Lanka's interests. At a time when European Union, African Union, APEC, and Arab League are realities, it very possible for Sri Lanka to join the Indian federation.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Integrating Tamils and Sinhalese
Citizens of a nation must share a common vision to develop the country towards greatness. We must respect diversity, but at the same time we must strengthen our common foundation. Infrastructure, universal education, universal health care, and natural resources should be developed for all and by all. At the time of independence Sri Lanka had a head start in comparison to South Korea or Singapore. But, later we lost the way and fell prey to violence.
If Sri Lanka is to rise again, it must learn to integrate Tamils and Sinhalese. Tamils and Sinhalese do not necessarily have to adopt a single language, religion, or way of life. Instead, we can share a common education system, health care, and security. We can cheer for the Sri Lankan Cricket team. We can make films expressing our shared cultures. It is not difficult as some may believe. After all, we have known each other for more than two millennium.
If Sri Lanka is to rise again, it must learn to integrate Tamils and Sinhalese. Tamils and Sinhalese do not necessarily have to adopt a single language, religion, or way of life. Instead, we can share a common education system, health care, and security. We can cheer for the Sri Lankan Cricket team. We can make films expressing our shared cultures. It is not difficult as some may believe. After all, we have known each other for more than two millennium.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tamil should return to Buddhism
Before Bakthi movement took hold in Tamil Nadu around 6th century most of the Tamil population was Buddhist. A notable portion were Jains. These two religions contributed to Tamil language immensely. The most admired Tamil classics Silappatikaram and Manimekalai are Buddhist works. The ethics text Tirukkural, and even the ancient grammar Tholkapiam are claimed by some to be created by Buddhist authors.
Equality, non-violence, and enlightenment offered by Buddhism sharply contrasted that of Hinduism where caste hierarchy was supreme. According to Hindu order, most of the Tamils were Sthuras, or the lowest of the low. Thus Buddhism had a wide following among Tamils.
After the Bakthi movement Tamil Kings obeyed the Sanskrit order, and forced the Hindu religion onto the masses. From that time on until Christian missionaries Tamils were chained by the constrains of the caste system. The Colonial rule enabled the Dalit Tamils to oppose the Hindu caste system. In a desperate effort to escape the caste system many Dalits converted to Christianity and Islam. A significant portion also converted back to Buddhism.
Today many Tamils are returning to Buddhism. For instance, consider the online Tamil Buddhist Encyclopedia: http://www.tamilbuddhism.com/. There does not even exist a similar Buddhist reference work in Sinhalese. You can refer to many BBC articles (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6050408.stm) where Tamils are converting back to Buddhism.
Sri Lankan Tamils are divided into Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. They are divided into numerous factions, and have a history of violent infighting. It is this history that engaged the pacifist Buddhists into war. For the cause of united Sri Lanka, it not impossible for Tamils to return to Buddhism. In fact this is the aim of the project sponsored by Niranjan de Silva Deva-Aditya, Member of European Parliament (http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=26500). At the least Tamils should learn to respect Buddhism, and not question its privileged position in Sri Lanka. After all, Buddhism is also the religion of the Tamils,
Equality, non-violence, and enlightenment offered by Buddhism sharply contrasted that of Hinduism where caste hierarchy was supreme. According to Hindu order, most of the Tamils were Sthuras, or the lowest of the low. Thus Buddhism had a wide following among Tamils.
After the Bakthi movement Tamil Kings obeyed the Sanskrit order, and forced the Hindu religion onto the masses. From that time on until Christian missionaries Tamils were chained by the constrains of the caste system. The Colonial rule enabled the Dalit Tamils to oppose the Hindu caste system. In a desperate effort to escape the caste system many Dalits converted to Christianity and Islam. A significant portion also converted back to Buddhism.
Today many Tamils are returning to Buddhism. For instance, consider the online Tamil Buddhist Encyclopedia: http://www.tamilbuddhism.com/. There does not even exist a similar Buddhist reference work in Sinhalese. You can refer to many BBC articles (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6050408.stm) where Tamils are converting back to Buddhism.
Sri Lankan Tamils are divided into Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. They are divided into numerous factions, and have a history of violent infighting. It is this history that engaged the pacifist Buddhists into war. For the cause of united Sri Lanka, it not impossible for Tamils to return to Buddhism. In fact this is the aim of the project sponsored by Niranjan de Silva Deva-Aditya, Member of European Parliament (http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=26500). At the least Tamils should learn to respect Buddhism, and not question its privileged position in Sri Lanka. After all, Buddhism is also the religion of the Tamils,
Tamils should learn Sinhalese
Sinhalese is the language of more than 75% of the Sri Lanka’s population. It is a beautiful, rich language with a long literary tradition. Learning another language will benefit the students intellectually, and socially.
English is a colonial language, and it is best for Sri Lanaka to evolve from its colonial past. Learning Sinhalese can bridge the communication gap between Tamils and Sinhalese. Just by learning the language Tamils can access government jobs that require Sinhalese.
Some may object this as an additional burden on Tamils, on the contrary it is an advantage. Unlike Sinhalese Tamil does not dependent on Sri Lankan Tamils to be maintained. In fact, the majority of Tamils (more than 90%) live in India. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan government should also provide incentives for Sinhalese to learn Tamil. However, it should be a choice and not mandatory.
English is a colonial language, and it is best for Sri Lanaka to evolve from its colonial past. Learning Sinhalese can bridge the communication gap between Tamils and Sinhalese. Just by learning the language Tamils can access government jobs that require Sinhalese.
Some may object this as an additional burden on Tamils, on the contrary it is an advantage. Unlike Sinhalese Tamil does not dependent on Sri Lankan Tamils to be maintained. In fact, the majority of Tamils (more than 90%) live in India. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan government should also provide incentives for Sinhalese to learn Tamil. However, it should be a choice and not mandatory.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The voice of Thenee
Thenee (http://www.theneeweb.de/) is undoubtedly the most powerful force against Tamil terrorists within Tamils. The site presents the alternate voice for Tamils. It is a confederation of former Tamil terrorists. Most of them now living outside of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government should provide further support to this confederation. It must foster the next set of leaders who will work constructively with the Sinhala government. Also, we must use their services in neutralizing Tamil diasporas activities.
Thenee has the seeds to teach Tamils democracy. We must nurture, and let it blossom.
The Sri Lankan government should provide further support to this confederation. It must foster the next set of leaders who will work constructively with the Sinhala government. Also, we must use their services in neutralizing Tamil diasporas activities.
Thenee has the seeds to teach Tamils democracy. We must nurture, and let it blossom.
Our Mission
The purpose of the space is to chronicle Tamil terrorism, and the Sri Lankan government war on terrorism. In particular we want to highlight the plight of Tamils. The alternate voices to terror must be heard. Also, we will expose the Tamil terrorist connection with the Islamic terrorists, and point out ways how the Sri Lankan governments war on terror can aid the global war on terror. We invite your comments, and criticisms.
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