For Separatist Politics? Hicorp Drama and by Sumanasiri Liyanage

8 Monday 11th January 2010 The Island ANALYSIS Editorial COMMENTARY The Island The TNA’s decision: Published by Upali Newspapers Ltd. 223, Bloemendhal Road, Colombo 13. Tel: 2497574, Fax: 2497543E-mail: Revenge politics or ‘Second [email protected] Monday 11th January, 2010 Operation’ for separatist politics? Hicorp drama and by Sumanasiri Liyanage JVP's silence amil National Alliance (TNA) couple of days ago e have been urging the government and Tdecided to back Sarath Fonseka at the forthcoming presi- Opposition propagandists to desist from dential election. Although it was Whurling wild allegations at presidential said that the decision was unani- candidates, especially President Mahinda mous it seems that the three-way Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka and to present split of the TNA remains unre- paired. All Ceylon Tamil Congress lists of specific charges, if any,and have a public wing of the TNA headed by debate on them so that the discerning electors Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has could make an informed decision on Jan. 26. asked Tamil voters to boycott the Last Friday, we thought we would have an election on the basis that the opportunity to view such a debate, when Tamils have nothing do with the election of Sinhala leaders. So the Swarnavahini telecast a live discussion on a usual politics of abstinence has serious charge the government has been level- been upheld. In a way, the ACTC ling against Fonseka that he blatantly abused his decision appears to be much closer position as the army commander to enable his to the old position of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam son-in-law to do business with the army through (LTTE). On the other hand, a company called Hicorp. Addressing the media Sivajilingam and his colleagues last November, Fonseka said, in answer to a have accepted the first part of the question raised by a journalist, that the compa- ACTC position, but emphasised the importance of reentering inde- ny concerned had only supplied a few CC cam- pendent democratic politics. In eras to the army. Last week in Parliament, JVP this sense, his candidacy signifies MP Bimal Ratnayake claimed that Hicorp had a qualitative shift in Tamil poli- not even supplied an eraser to the army! tics. Anyone who has been follow- However, millions of viewers who found them- ing Tamil politics vis-à-vis elec- tions in the last 25 years can easily selves glued to Swarnavahini on Friday night grasp the logic of these two posi- hoping that they would be able to get to the bot- tions. Sambandan wing of the TNA tom of the Hicorp controversy were in for a huge has refused to accept either of disappointment. Although two persons each had these positions and finally decided to support Sarath Fonseka and his TNA announces its support to Sarath Fonseka been invited from the government and the UNF- candidacy at the forthcoming pres- nation for TNA’s decision. agree to support a candidate JVP-TNA combine backing Fonseka's candida- idential election. It is interesting Sambanthan represented the unconditionally? Ranil ture, there were only three debaters instead of to note that Sambanthan has LTTE position within the TULF Wickramasinghe offered during declared that the support of his four; NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa and and made it almost a proxy of the the 2002-2004 peace process a wide wing of the TNA is unconditional Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne representing the LTTE. This was the reason why old space for Tamil nationalism to and that General (Rtd) Fonseka stalwart like Anandasangree final- agree on reasonable political pack- government and UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has not promised anything sub- ly decided to leave the party. age that includes a federal political from the other side. Jayasekera left the studio stantial in relation to Tamil Sambanthan was conspicuously structure. How could a party that national question. If it is so, how claiming that he was not prepared to debate with silent about the assassinations of did not utter a word against the do we explain this position? What It seems Sambathan two persons! The government duo renewed their Amithalingam, Yogeswaran, LTTE decision to boycott 2005 led Sambanthan’s wing of the TNA wing of the TNA began Yogarajan, Neelan Thiruchelvam Presidential election now come for- challenge and called it a day. Swarnavahini to take a decision to support with this decision the and other leaders of the TULF by ward to support a candidate who insisted that it had invited two debaters from the General (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka? “ the LTTE. Sambanthan appears to promises, according to Fonseka camp as well and the government team How could this riddle be resolved? ‘second operation’ for sep- have observed that some sections Sambanthan, nothing in concrete In addressing various profes- arate Tamil Eelam. alleged that the Opposition had sought to sabo- of Tamil population for many rea- terms? It seems Sambathan wing sional groups in Kandy a couple of tage the debate. Sambanthan under- sons some of which are genuine of the TNA began with this deci- weeks ago, President Mahinda stands that want to take revenge from the Sri sion the ‘second operation’ for sep- We should watch the unfolding Hicorp drama Rajapaksa said that he had decided Lankan government led by arate Tamil Eelam. Sambanthan with an open mind because the government's to advance the presidential elec- Gajendrakumar Mahinda Rajapaksa for defeating understands that Gajendrakumar tion for two reasons. The first rea- Ponnambalam’s politics allegations have yet to be substantiated fully and the LTTE in the military front. A Ponnambalam’s politics of election son was that he had fulfilled his Fonseka's version of the story is not known. But, of election boycott would significant section of Tamil popu- boycott would be effective only main promise in the election mani- be effective only when a lation believes that the LTTE when a strong militarised political since the government says it is confident that it festo, namely, uniting Sri Lanka by would be sooner or later would entity exists; but in a situation in could prove the charges and challenges the defeating LTTE comprehensively strong militarized politi- establish Tamil Eelam in within which that organisation was deci- Opposition to defend Fonseka, it behoves the in military front. The second rea- cal entity exists; but in a the territorial boundaries of Sri mated, politics of boycott would be son he gave was interesting. UNF and the JVP to rise to the occasion and try situation in which that Lanka. It was not surprising that ineffective. What is most suitable President observed that in 2005, he to clear their common candidate's name. For, organization was deci- the military build-up and for exclusive Tamil nationalist had been elected only by Sothern resources of the LTTE, its ruthless project is to create chaos and insta- Fonseka is campaigning on an anti-corruption Sinhala voters and that fact did not mated, politics of boycott treatment of opponents and the bility that would provide a breed- and anti-nepotism platform and he must be like give him full legitimacy to rule the would be ineffective. commitment of it cadres con- ing space for the second round of entire country. Now that the war What is most suitable for Caesar's wife––above suspicion! The govern- tributed immensely to generate separatist politics. Hence, in my was over, he wanted to be a ment has targeted the main pillar of Fonseka's exclusive Tamil national- that kind of belief. Sambanthan view, this decision is an outcome of President of the people in the ist project is to create wing of the TNA has recognised multiple positions that are closely campaign and any move by the Opposition, Northern and Eastern Provinces the extreme anxiety that created in integrated with one single goal, which may be described as an attempt to avoid as well. chaos and instability that Tamil mind by the defeat of the i.e., a formation of a separate the Hicorp issue, will damage Fonseka’s image This is a commendable objec- would provide a breeding LTTE and wants it to be converted Tamil Eelam. tive. Nonetheless, President irreparably. space for the second once again into extreme Tamil Should Tamils fall once again Rajapaksa and his government After all, the JVP put up a fight in Parliament round of separatist poli- exclusionist politics before it evap- into this trap? Or should they start failed to take necessary political orates into thin air. In order to cre- negotiating to begin with the full for Fonseka last week, when the government steps to make Sri Lanka a more tics. Hence, in my view, ate a space for such politics, most implementation of the 13th tabled some documents on the alleged Hicorp accommodative polity and society. this decision is an out- important thing at this moment is Amendment and to expand on the His approach is developmentalist “ deal. The JVP is not short of seasoned debaters come of multiple posi- to destabilise the country by mak- basis of it their rights? Are Tamils and assimilationist. This was of the calibre of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, tions that are closely inte- ing a political change and such going to take once again the disas- demonstrated by his refusal to destabilisation would even have trous path shown by exclusive Vijitha Hearath, Tilvin Silva, Sunil Handunnetti implement the 13th Amendment to grated with one single repercussions on the Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism or are they et al who appear in TV debates almost daily. The the Constitution fully. Hence one goal, i.e., a formation of military establishment.

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