Appeal to Presidents/Prime Ministers of Member nations of European 
Union to support Tamil Eelam Government in Exile
Hon’ble Mr. Gordon Brown. 12.03.2010
Prime Minister of Great Britain
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
And
Hon’ble David Miliband
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street
LONDON SW1A 2AH
Respected Prime Minister
Respected Secretary of State
We from India on humanitarian grounds would be expressing our solidarity with Tamils of Eelam living across the continents in various countries including Britain. Britain has special responsibility to resolve the Tamil question because it once ruled India and Ceylon and we now see a ray of hope in your utterances that reveal your sympathies too are towards Tamils of Eelam crushed by a genocidal war.
We would like you to revisit January 1994 in your memory lane: A Year that led to the dissolution of three multinational federations namely Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia also gave birth to nineteen new states. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan , Macedonia, Moldova , Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Ukraine ,Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia [ Serbia and Montenegro ]. Three states namely Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania regained their independence. Chechnya in Russia and Kosovo in Serbia were engaged in struggle for independence.
European nations granted conditional recognition to these states. Therefore a precedent exists. When Tamil Eelam was struggling for independence Tamil Diaspora living in almost all of the European nations was in streets urging these nations to step in to redeem Tamils of Eelam from a genocidal war. Necessary alarm bells have been sounded and European nations which had established norms to recognize new nation states, could have applied their collective mind and proven their political will by extending the precedent to Tamil Eelam. But alas! That historical opportunity was lost by the saviors of civilized democracy whereas freedom aspiring people of Tamil Eelam failed to win recognition for their homeland nation.
In December 1991 EC Council of Ministers chose to recognize Yugoslav and [Soviet] Republics seeking independence. It was a conditional recognition. What are those conditions? Let me quote in verbatim:
“The European Community and its member states confirm their attachment to the principles of Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, in particular the principle of self determination. They affirm their readiness to recognize, subject to the normal standards of international law, those states which following the historic changes in the region, have constituted themselves on a democratic basis, have accepted the international obligations and have committed themselves in good faith to a peaceful process and to negotiations. Therefore, they adopt a common position on the process of recognition of these new states, which requires:
► respect for the provisions of the Charter of United Nations and the commitment subscribed to the Final act of Helsinki and in the Charter of Paris, especially with regard to rule of law, democracy and human rights.
► guarantees for the rights of ethnic and national groups and minorities in accordance with the commitments subscribed in the framework of CSCE
► respect the inviolability of all frontiers which can only be changed by peaceful means and by common agreements
► acceptance of all relevant commitments with regard to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation as well as to security and regional stability.
► commitment to settle by agreement, including where appropriate recourse to arbitration, all questions concerning state succession and regional disputes.
Let me remind you humbly the above quoted, Declaration on Guidelines on the Recognition of new states in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union and the Declaration on Yugoslavia: Extraordinary EPC Ministerial meeting [Brussels} / EPC Press Releases P 128 & 129 of 1991 dated 16th December 1991. Further the Congress of Berlin 1878 had spelt safeguards for minorities in the post First World War Settlements. These documents would have given the parameters to grant recognition for Tamil Eelam and Tamils in forefront of freedom struggle would have declared independence and sought recognition as laid in these precedents, but they lacked the initiative.
Let me also remind the precedent laid by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the Second World War when he endorsed the setting up of Free French Government in Exile headed by Charles De Gaulle in British soil. Now that Tamil Eelam is under occupation by forces of aggression recognition of Tamil Eelam Government after establishing it within Srilanka would not be possible today, though it could be justified. As immediate step Britain which once granted independence to Srilanka without resolving the ethnic question, due to historical compulsions of the post-Second World War conditions, could allow the setting up of Tamil Eelam Government in Exile. Such Government must pledge to the parameters laid down as mentioned in earlier paragraphs and collective recognition of that Tamil Eelam Government in Exile must emanate from Member Nations of European Community. Britain must take the lead to mobilize support for such initiative.
Perhaps India factor and Europe’s nobility to uphold Indian geo-political interests would have made European community speechless at the height of civil war in Srilanka. But now in the aftermath of the so-called ghost of terrorism laid to rest, when in country after country Tamils of Eelam through democratic process by way of referendums are expressing in favour of Independent Tamil Eelam, it is high time for European Union to recall the precedent laid and conditions spelt for recognition of states in last decade of last century in Europe. India too houses the Tibetan Government in Exile and it would not be an untouchable proposal if a democratic Government of Tamil Eelam attains independence.
To enlighten European Union and to awaken the Indian Union it would be our duty as responsible political party in India to recall the events that led to the birth of Bangladesh before placing you our pleas for Tamil Eelam. International law had not prohibited the creation of new states by way of secession, the Singapore [1965], Bangladesh [1971] and Eritrea [1993] precedents reveal. But here we wish to lay emphasis on Bangladesh secession since India was supportive of that secession.
Let me quote from the International Commission of Jurists, “The events in East Pakistan 1971’ [Geneva ICJ, 1972 page 69] “If one of the constituent peoples of a State is denied equal rights and is discriminated against, it is submitted that their full right of self determination will revive” It must be noted that self determination here meant the right to independence. India’s use of force in violation of jus cogens was mitigated by humanitarian concerns caused by the Pakistan’s campaign of violence against Bangladeshi people. We want to stress that India forgot its own precedent, forgot its own defense as reported in the Security Council debate [UN Doc S/PV 1606 dated 4 th December 1972] with regard to its justification for intervention in Bangladesh. Much grave crimes against humanity had been unleashed in a genocidal war against Tamils of Eelam. Yet India failed to follow its own Bangladesh precedent, may be due to hatred for the group that led the freedom struggle. Now that the much despised group had been eliminated, still Tamils of Eelam are not getting any justice under the Neo-Nazi Leadership of Srilanka President Mahinda Rajapakshe; time for introspection by India had arrived.
The Dublin Report of the People’s Tribunal which comes as annexure is one more recent indictment against the Rajapakshe Government. Hence we urge the nations of European Union collectively to recognize the right of self determination of Tamils of Eelam, and allow the setting up of a Government in Exile in their soil with their recognition.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 49 , PART II ,Article 2 States: 1. Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
We are ready to prove that on each count Srilanka had miserably failed, wantonly violated the provision, ever since it got independence. Tamils of Eelam were never for independence nor for total dependence but were for interdependence, and all democratic demands endorsed by Eelam Tamils in elections and voiced through their elected Parliamentarians were never fulfilled in past and in present too, even after claiming victory there seems to be no magnanimity or maturity to meet an international obligation to Tamil minorities, who first sought federalism and when failed to attain waged a civil war, and having lost the war Tamils are treated like slaves in their own soil. It is here we appeal to your conscience to consider other options for Tamils of Eelam.
Srilanka: Ground Reality
As long as article 2 of Srilankan Constitution says “the Republic of Srilanka is a unitary state” there is no room for federalism and all talk about political solution leads only to dead end. This article blocks political devolution. It is needless to say that political devolution means creation of states with sovereign legislative power on subjects allocated or earmarked for that provincial administration.
Then the other dangerous provision from the Tamils stand point is article 76 which states “Parliament shall not abdicate or in any manner alienate its legislative power and shall not set up any authority with legislative power”. If there is no political devolution or political decentralization, what the Government of Srilanka plans to offer on platter to Tamils is nothing but slavery.
Whoever headed or heads the Srilankan Government, they were never for resolving the conflict satisfying the legitimate demands of the Eelam Tamils. This has to be borne in mind. The past must be evaluated before accepting at face value the verbal gymnastics of Srilankan President Mr.Mahinda Rajapakshe.
Minimum Demands that were never met:
The following would have satisfied legitimate demands of Eelam Tamils, if Srilankan Government had offered before launching the current genocidal war against Eelam Tamils.
A] Repeal of the Article 2 of Srilankan Constitution to pave way for the introduction of federal form of governance, or for a con-federal system of government
B] Repeal of Article 76 to allow political devolution
C] Amending the Article 18 to declare that “the official languages of Srilanka shall be Sinhala and Tamil, enforceable throughout the country without any restrictions.
D] Amending Article 9 to delete “the foremost place” granted to Buddhism and to declare Srilanka a secular state.
These could be termed as minimum demands that could have satiated the Tamils of Eelam before current genocidal war. These were the demands voiced from much before British left Ceylon, and were the theme of many broken pacts and failed promises, in which Srilankan Governments remains the unique country that adopted ethnic cleansing through genocide successfully, while the conscience keepers of this world must rise up to the occasion even though belatedly to support Tamil Eelam Government in Exile.
India too fails: The Indo-Srilankan Agreement of July 1987 paved way for the temporary merger of Northern and Eastern provinces into a unified North-Eastern Province. This merger was to be endorsed by a referendum before the end of 1988. One Provincial Council was set up in North-Eastern Province as well as 7 other provinces. In order to implement this accord Mr.Rajiv Gandhi sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the first week of August 1987. The pressure brought by Mr.Rajiv Gandhi also made LTTE agree to cessation of hostilities. LTTE also started handing over weapons to IPKF. So far everything went well. Then how this accord was sabotaged and who torpedoed it? A general amnesty was granted under the accord to “political and other prisoners now held in custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and other Emergency laws, and to combatants, as well as those persons accused, charged and or convicted under these laws.”
Government of Srilanka, known for treachery which current breed of politicians may have erased from memory withheld amnesty to 1250 Tamil political prisoners. This was done by twisting the amnesty clause to say that it applied only to NEP and not offences committed outside North Eastern Province. LTTE retaliated by suspending surrender of arms.
Now, to trust Mr.Rajapakshe that after eliminating terrorism, he has a peace formula under his red towel, which he will wave along with olive branch, would amount to total ignorance of the history of betrayals, for which many Sinhalese rulers till now are held accountable before the conscience of the world.
Racial Riots in 1883 hit Christians in 1902 Dalits, in 1915 Muslims, in 1930 Malayalees, then Plantation Tamils and from 1983 Eelam Tamils:
Nazism is not dead, and just because it thrives in a tiny island, it need not be condoned or ignored. The problem with Sinhalese is not Tamil-phobia. They are against everybody. The seeds of hatred are ingrained in their brains. A scholar Kumari Jayewardene, a Sinhalese herself, had chronicled the history of clashes and communal unrest in Srilanka. The starting point of Tamil Sinhala ethnic clashes are considered to be 1983. But hundred years before that, in 1883 the Sinhalese turned their ire against Catholics. The Buddhist religious firebrand Anagarika Dharmapala criticizes the British for their religion.
“When the ancestors of the present holders of our beloved land were running naked in the forests of Britain with their bodies painted and later on when their ancestors had gone under the imperial rule of Rome and some of them were being sold as slaves in the market place of Rome, our ancestors were already enjoying the fruits of glorious and peaceful civilization. Buddhism was the religion of the state in Ceylon like the Church in England in the British isles” proclaims Anagarika Dharmapala, forgetting what the sacred book of the Sinhalese, known as Mahavamsam says about the first originator of the Sinhalese race.
Born to parents who are cross breed between a Lion and a Princess that too born to a brother and sister incest couple, the unruly Vijayan driven by his father with such credentials, landed in Srilanka and married local women, i.e. Tamil, even a Pandyan princess. Then how come Sinhalese can claim racial superiority or purity. Like Anglo Indians, they are half Tamil, half foreign. So assuming they are racially superior, the Sinhalese called Christians barbarians and launched attacks in 1883. Then in 1915, Sinhalese wanted to drive away the North Indian and South Indian Muslims.
“The Mohammedans, an alien people, who in the early part of the nineteenth century were common traders, by Shylockan methods became prosperous like the Jews. The alien South Indian Mohammedan comes to Ceylon, sees the neglected illiterate villagers without any experience in trade, without any knowledge of any kind of technical industry and isolated from whole of Asia on account of his language, religion and race, and the result the Mohammedan thrives and the son of the soil goes to the wall……..What the German is to the British that the Mohammedan is to the Sinhalese by religion, race and language. He traces his origin to Arabia” incited the same Anagarika Dharmapala. Violent attacks, arson, looting were unleashed against the Muslim traders in 1915.
Readers of both the quotes from a Sinhala firebrand who planted seeds of hatred between communities and who is one among those who ignited communal clashes must take note of a contradiction in his statement. While speaking about British in 1883 he claims Sinhalese were enjoying the fruits of glorious and peaceful civilization. But in 1915, he admits that Sinhalese have no experience in trade and are without any kind of knowledge. Then how could they be the architects of the glorious and peaceful civilization. And that civilization must be of the Tamils, who can establish the fact with historical and archaeological evidences right up to Indus valley.
In between 1883 and 1915, other unfortunate riots hit the dalits from India, who had gone to Ceylon as plantation labour. The arrogant Sinhalese refused to drink tea plucked by untouchables. Later in 1930 the Sinhalese turned their ire against the 30,000 Malayalees, who had gone to Ceylon from Travancore-Cochin state. A trade union leader A.E.Kunasesinghe launched the racial fire against them by his fiery speeches.
Between 1871-1881 when coffee, tea plantations came up in large numbers in Ceylon, lots of Tamils from India went there seeking work. They constituted nearly 10 % of the then population of Ceylon. Donoughmore Commission constituted before independence said out of these roughly 50 percent labour were permanently residing in Ceylon. Jackson Report of 1928 said they were around 60 percent. The Soulbury Commission of 1946 stated 80 percent of these labour were permanent residents of Ceylon.
Donoughmore Commission had recommended that for all those who had lived for 5 years and above citizenship rights must be conferred. Ceylonese Government did not accept that recommendation, thus the crisis started. In 1940 both India and Ceylon discussed this issue. Again in 1941 September there was a bi party conference between India and Ceylon. The agreed joint declaration which emanated in this meeting was not implemented.
The irony is that in 1942 Ceylonese Government itself had written to Indian Government requesting India to permit labour to come and work in its rubber plantations. In the first General Elections of 1947 plantation labour had voting rights. They backed the Ceylon Indian Congress and elected 7 members to Parliament. They were the deciding factor in another 20 Parliamentary constituencies.
D.S.Senanayaka, first Prime Minister of Ceylon amended the 8 th article of the Citizenship Act and disenfranchised plantation Tamils called as Malayaga Tamils. He passed in Parliament the amendment by the year 1949 and removed people of Indian origin from the voters list. That is how the voting rights of plantation Tamils who chose 7 Members to Parliament were deprived from them. Then Indian origin people were asked to apply for citizenship. 8, 25,000 people applied for citizenship. Only to 1, 00,000 people Ceylonese citizenship was granted. To resolve this deadlock at London both Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Ceylon Prime Minister Dudley Senanaiyaka talked but could not resolve. In 1954 a pact was signed between Jawaharlal Nehru and Sir John Kotewala, Ceylon Premier. It was never implemented. By 1964, Srilankan Prime Minster Srimavo Bandaranaike and Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri signed a pact, wherein Srilanka agreed to give citizenship to 3, 00,000 persons. India admitted to take back 5,25,000 persons.
“All American people were once migrants from Europe. Yet no European country foolishly signed a pact with America to take back its citizens. Even after signing such a pact India had left more than 2, 00.000 people of Indian origin in Srilanka.
Sinhala Racism in Parliament:
Mr.D.M.Chandrapala, Sinhalese Buddhist Member of Parliament from Kundasale spoke the following words in Srilankan Parliament on July 1981. “Now Sir… what should we do to this so called leader of the Tamils? If I were given the power, I would tie him to the nearest concrete post in this building and horses whip him till I rise to his wits. Thereafter let anybody do anything he likes, throw him into the Beire [lake] or into the sea, because he will be so mutilated that I do not think there will be life in him. That is war.”
Can anyone in civilized world in any of the democracies of the world, could have heard such a speech. That speech too is against democratically elected Tamil leaders demanding federalism and not independent state at that juncture. There was no terrorist in Parliament yet if Sinhala Parliamentarian spits such venom, how could Tamils live within unitary Srilanka,
Mr.G.V.Punchinilame M.P from Ratnapura spoke in Srilankan Parliament in July 1981. “Since yesterday morning, we have heard in this Honorable House about the various types of punishment that should be meted out to them {Tamil Parliamentary Members}. The M.P from Panadura Dr.Neville Fernando said there was a punishment during the time of Sinhalese kings, namely, two areca nut posts are erected, these two posts are then drawn toward each other with a rope, then tie each of the feet of the offender to each post and then cut the rope which will result in tearing apart the body. These people should also be punished in the same way.
…………..some Members suggested that they should be put to death on the stake, some other Members said that their passports should be confiscated, still other Members said they should be made to stand at the Galle Face Green and shot at. The people of this country want and this government is prepared to inflict these punishments on these people.”
If in Srilankan Parliament such barbarian punishments are sought against duly elected Tamil Members of Parliament even in 1981 much before the birth of militant movements, how can Tamils live under unitary Srilankan state? It is time to read the speech of the cunning fox Mr.J.R.Jayawardane, President of Srilanka, which appeared in Daily Telegraph of 11th July 1983. “I am not worried about the opinion of the Tamil people…… now we cannot think of them, not about their lives or their opinion….. the more you put pressure on the North, the happier the Sinhala people will be here… Really if I starve the Tamils out, the Sinhala people will be happy.” Mr.Mahinda Rajapakshe used starvation as weapon to make Tamils slaves and even now he handles that same weapon, a weapon much sought by Srilankan President of 1983 is still in use till 2010.
TAMIL MASSACRES: ROLE OF SINHALESE LEADERS
Ceylon’s First Prime Minister D.S.Senanaike while addressing the new Sinhalese settlers in Tamil areas of Padaviya spoke: “Today you are brought here and given a plot of land. You have been uprooted from your village. You are like a piece of driftwood in the Ocean, but remember that one day the whole country will look up to you. The final battles for the Sinhala people will be fought on the plains of Padaviya .You are the men who will carry this island’s destiny on your shoulders.” So as he wanted after decades of colonizing Tamil homeland current successor to him, Mr.Mahinda Rajapakshe had eliminated physically using chemical weapons of destruction unnumbered thousands of Tamils and is hastening complete take over by Government sponsored colonization, while uprooted Tamils are languishing in concentration camps, watched helplessly by UN and world nations.
Soon after the racial riots of 1983 Oxford educated Sinhala Minister Gamini Dissanayake spoke: “Who attacked you? Sinhalese… Who saved you? Sinhalese. It is we who attacked and protected you. They are bringing an army from India. It will take 14 hours to come from India. In 14 minutes the blood of every Tamil in the country can be sacrifice to the land by us. Yes this in 1983. In 2009 Mr.Mahinda Rajapakshe inflicted a blood bath, may be he offered Tamil blood as sacrifice to his soil.
With due thanks to North East Secretariat on Human Rights of Srilanka we are listing out Tamil massacres since independence of Ceylon, to justify our argument that only Tamil Eelam will end this genocide.
1. Inginiyakala massacre [05.06.1956],
2. 1958 pogrom,
3. Tamil research conference massacre ‐10.01.1974,
4. 1977 communal pogrom
5. 1981 communal pogrom
6. Burning of the Jaffna library ‐01.06.1981
7. 1983 communal pogrom
8. Thirunelveli massacre ‐ 24 25.07.1983
9. Sampalthoddam massacre ‐ 1984
10. Chunnakam Police station massacre ‐08.01.1984
11. Chunnakam market massacre ‐ 28.03.1984
12. Mathawachchi – Rampawa ‐ September 1984
13. Point Pedro – Thikkam massacre ‐ 16.09.1984
14. Othiyamalai massacre ‐ 01.12.1984
15. Kumulamunai massacre ‐ 02.12.1984
16. Cheddikulam massacre ‐ 02.12.1984
17. Manalaru massacre ‐ 03.12.1984
18. Blood soaked Mannar ‐ 04.12.1984
19. Kokkilai‐Kokkuthoduvai massacre ‐ 15.12.1984
20. Vankalai church massacre ‐ 06.01.1986
21. Mulliyavalai massacre ‐ 16.01.1985
22. Vaddakandal massacre ‐ 30.01.1985 .
23. Puthukkidiyiruppu Iyankovilady massacre 21.04.1985
24. Trincomalee massacres in 1985
25. Valvai‐85 massacre 10.05.1985
26. Kumuthini Boat massacre 15.05.1985
27. Kiliveddi massacre 1985
28. Thiriyai massacre ‐ 08.06.1985
29. Sampaltivu ‐ 04 to 09.08.1985
30. Veeramunai massacre ‐ 20.06.1990
31. Nilaveli massacre 16.09.1985
32. Piramanthanaru massacre ‐ 02.10.1985
33. Kanthalai‐85 massacre ‐ 09.11.1985
34. Muthur Kadatkaraichenai ‐ 08, 09, 10.11.1985
35. Periyapullumalai massacre in 1986
36. Kilinochchi Railway Station massacre ‐ 25.01.1986
37. Udumbankulam massacre ‐ 19.02.1985
38. Vayaloor massacre ‐ 24.08.1985
39. Eeddimurinchan massacre ‐ 19, 20.03.1986
40. Anandapuram shelling ‐ 04.06.1986
41. Kanthalai‐86 massacre ‐ 04, 05.06. 1986
42. Mandaithivu sea massacre ‐ 10.06.1986
43. Seruvila massacre ‐ 12.06.1986
44. Thambalakamam massacres ‐ 1985, 1986
45. Paranthan farmer’s massacre ‐ 28.06.1986
46. Peruveli refugee camp massacre ‐ 15.07.1986
47. Thanduvan bus massacre ‐ 17.07.1986
48. Mutur Manalchenai massacre ‐ 18.07. 1986
49. Adampan massacre ‐ 12.10.1986
50. Periyapandivrichchan massacre ‐ 15.10.1986
51. Kokkadichcholai‐87 massacre ‐ 28.01.1987
52. Paddithidal massacre ‐ 26.04.1987
53. Thonithiddamadu massacre ‐ 27.05.1987
54. Alvai temple shelling ‐ 29.05.1987
55. Eastern University massacre ‐ 23.05.1990
56. Sammanthurai massacre ‐ 10.06.1990
57. Xavierpuram massacre ‐ 07.08.1990
58. Siththandy massacre ‐ 20, 27.07.1990
59. Paranthan junction massacre ‐ 24.07.1990
60. Poththuvil massacre ‐ 30.07.1990
61. Tiraikerny massacre ‐ 06.08.1990
62. Kalmunai massacre ‐ 11.08.1990
63. Thuranilavani massacre ‐ 12.08.1990
64. Eravur hospital massacre ‐ 12.08.1990
65. Koraveli massacre 14.08.1990
66. Nelliyadi market bombing ‐ 29.08.1990
67. Eravur massacre ‐ 10.10.1990
68. Saththurukkondan massacre ‐ 09.09.1990
69. Natpiddymunai massacre ‐ 10.09.1990
70. Vantharamullai‐90 massacre ‐ 05, 23,09,1990
71. Mandaithivu disappearances ‐ 23.08.1990, 25.09.1990
72. Oddisuddan bombing ‐ 27.11.1990
73. Puthukkudiyiruppu junction bombing
74. Vankalai massacre ‐ 17.02.1991
75. Vaddakkachchi bombing ‐ 28.02.1991
76. Vantharumoolai ‐ 09.06.1991
77. Kokkadichcholai‐91 massacre ‐ 12.06.1991
78. Pullumalai massacre ‐ 1983‐1990
79. Kinniyadi massacre ‐ 12.07.1991
80. Akkarayan hospital massacre ‐ 15.07.1997
81. Uruthrapuram bombing ‐ 04.02.1991
82. Karapolla‐Muthgalla massacre ‐ 29.04.1992
83. Vattrapalai shelling ‐ 18.05.1992
84. Thellipalai temple bombing ‐ 30.05.1992
85. Mailanthai massacre ‐ 09.08.1992
86. Kilali massacre ‐1992, 1993
87. Maaththalan bombing ‐ 18.09.1993
88. Chavakachcheri‐Sangaththanai bombing ‐ 28.09.1993
89. Kokuvil temple massacre & bombing ‐ 29.09.1993
90. Kurunagar church bombing ‐ 13.11.1993
91. Chundikulam‐94 massacre ‐ 18.02.1994
92. Navali church massacre ‐ 09.07.1995
93. Nagarkovil bombing ‐ 22.05.1995
94. Chemmani mass graves in 1996
95. Kilinochchi town massacre ‐ 1996‐1998
96. Kumarapuram massacre ‐ 11.02.1996
97. Nachchikuda strafing ‐ 16.03.1996
98. Thambirai market bombing ‐ 17.05.1996
99. Mallavi bombing ‐ 24.07.1996
100. Pannankandy massacre ‐ 05.07.1997
101. Kaithady Krishanthi massacre ‐ 07.09.1996
102. Vavunikulam massacre ‐ 26‐09‐1996, 15‐08‐1997
103. Konavil bombing ‐ 27.09.1996
104. Mullivaikal bombing ‐ 13.05.1997
105. Mankulam shelling ‐ 08.06.1997
106. Thampalakamam massacre ‐ 01.02.1998
107. Old Vaddakachchi bombing ‐ 26.03.1998
108. Suthanthirapuram massacre ‐ 10.06.1998
109. Visuvamadhu shelling ‐ 25.11.1998
110. Chundikulam‐98 bombing 02.12.1998
111. Manthuvil bombing ‐ 15.09.1999
112. Palinagar bombing and shelling ‐ 03.09.1999
113. Madhu church massacre ‐ 20.11.1999
114. Bindunuwewa massacre
115. Mirusuvil massacre ‐ 19.12.2000
The North East Secretariat for Human Rights had documented updating up to 2008 which is in the book :Massacres of Tamils 1956-2008 - (Paperback Rs. 400, Hard Bound Rs. 500), which is an attempt to document 61 years of Tamil Massacres in Sri Lanka. This book painstakingly records massacres that occurred since 1956 – 2008 from first hand information. We would urge upon Britain and nations of the European Union to take note of continuing genocide. If all war crimes of 2009 could be compiled it will excel and exceed Adolph Hitler’s genocide in statistics.
Naked Facts about broken Pacts:
Having traced the thorny issues now let us look at the various peace proposals which Srilanka aborted in the past.
1. The Bhandaranaike-Chelvanayagam Pact of 1957 signed between Srilankan Prime Minister SWRD Bhandaranaike and Federal Party leader SVJ Chelvanayagam reached in July 1957 was abrogated in May 1958.
2. The Senanaike-Chelvanayagam Pact of 1965 was not implemented even though the pact led to a coalition between Federal Party.
3. Federal Party’s model constitution of 1972, submitted to the Constituent Assembly to create a Federal Republic of Ceylon was rejected by the steering committee of the Constituent Assembly.
4. Dr.Neelam Tiruchelvam’s report to the Presidential Commission on Development Councils in 1979 also was sent to cold storage.
5. Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Initiative of 1983 resulted in bilateral talks between India and Srilanka, as well as between India and TULF, yielded Annexure C proposals due to the efforts of India’s emissary G.Parthasarathy, which was also thrown into dustbin by Srilankan President Mr.J.R.Jayawardane.
6. Draft Bill for Provincial Councils which was endorsed by the All Party Conference in 1984 met the same fate under President J.R.Jayawardane’s governance.
7. Thimpu Talks in 1985: TULF and LTTE, TELO, PLOTE, EROS and EPRLF participated in Thimpu talks initiated by Government of India. In that conference all the Tamil parties submitted four cardinal principles as conditions for accepting conflict resolution. A] Recognition of the Tamils of Srilanka as a distinct nationality. B] Recognition of an identified Tamil homeland and guarantee for its territorial integrity. C] Recognition of the inalienable right of self determination of the Tamil nation. D] Recognition of the right to full citizenship and other fundamental rights to all Tamils of Srilanka. All Party Conference proposals formed the basis of Srilankan side. Though talks were aborted a Draft Framework evolved which should have been placed before Cabinet for approval before it could be adopted. But President J.R.Jayawardane did not do that, and it met its end.
8. TULF presented new proposals to Indian Prime Minister Mr.Rajiv Gandhi in December 1985.The Government of Srilanka submitted its views on that proposals in January 1986. In nutshell the Srilankan Government rejected TULF proposals.
9. Indian Minister Chidambaram Proposals: Srilankan Government discussed with the delegation headed by Mr.P.Chidambaram and in May 1986 sent its own proposals to Government of India. Then the Government of Srilanka formulated the Draft Amendment to the constitution of Srilanka to provide legal frame work to Chidambaram proposals.
10. Government of India prepared a working paper on the discussions held at Bangalore on 18th November 1986 between Indian Prime Minister Mr.Rajiv Gandhi and Srilankan President Mr.J.R.Jayawardane. The Government of Srilanka submitted its observations on the working paper on 20th November 1986. Then on December 19th of 1986 talks took place between two Indian Ministers and Srilankan President. All such exercises led to the India-Srilanka Accord of July 1987 known as Rajiv Gandhi-Jayewardene accord.
11. The fate of that Indo-Srilankan accord puts Srilankan Government in dock for breaking this accord.
12. Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Srilanka was effected in November 1987, and first time provincial councils were set up.
13. The Democratic People’s Alliance led by SLFP in its election manifesto for 1988 Presidential and Parliamentary elections offered promises to resolve the ethnic problem, but that alliance failed to capture power, so promises remained promises.
14. Tamil political parties ACTC, DPLF, ENDLF, EPRLF and TELO submitted proposals to the drafting committee for the All Party Conference of 1990.
15. Srilankan Minister Thondaman’s Proposals: This attracted the LTTE which invited Mr.Thondaman to visit Jaffna to further discuss the proposals but Sinhalese opposition especially by a newly floated Sinhalese Defense Organization paralyzed the proposals.
16. Liberal Party proposals to the Committee on Constitutional Reform in 1992 to resolve the ethnic conflict.
17. UNP Presidential candidate for the November 1994 elections Mr.Gamini Dissanayake presented his Vision for the 21st century, but since Mr.Gamini Dissanayake was assassinated in October 1994; his own political party UNP buried the proposals along with him.
18. The up-country Tamils, people of Indian origin, branded as stateless people, submitted their proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reforms in December 1994. The Up country People’s Front sought separate autonomous territory for up-country Tamils. This has nothing to do with the North Eastern Province seeking traditional homeland of Eelam Tamils, the original indigenous people of Srilanka. Up country Tamils are not in anyway branded as terrorists, in fact their parties had been part of ruling coalitions till date. The unfortunate people of India made as stateless overnight thoughtlessly by signing a pact also failed to get justice.
19. Basic Ideas of Chandrika Kumaratunga made in 1995 when she promised peace at all costs before winning Parliamentary elections but changed her tune to peace but not at all cost, after she won Presidential election.
20. Without elaborating the recent sugar coated words after winning the War and also Presidential Elections of 2010 till date Mahinda Rajapakshe had neither given thought to resolving Tamils issue nor are prepared to permit their resettlement but are keen only to hide the war crimes by bullying tactics.
SO WHAT NEXT: ………ARBITRATION COMMISSION
Is the West contemplating for Alto/Adige/ South Tyrol model of special status? Autonomy arrangements were negotiated for the Alto/Adige/South Tyrol area of northern Italy in the aftermath of Second World War. “The territory had been ceded by Austria to Italy after the First World War but because of large German speaking population there it has to be a seat of unrest and source of tension between the countries for years to come. As early as 1946 Italy had pledged to grant autonomy to the area but Austria objected that Italy was attempting to dilute the majority German presence first by amalgamating the largely Italian province of Trentino and the predominantly German province of Bolzano to create a single region [Trentino-Alto Adige] and later by promoting influx of Italian speakers from other parts of the country. Frustrated by what it viewed as obstructionism on Italy’s part, the Austrian Government took its case to UN General Assembly, which on 31 October 1960 unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Italy and Austria to seek bi lateral solution or failing that to seek recourse to other peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration…
There are similarities between Sinhala colonization of Tamil lands, and since bi-lateral talks over half a century had failed, Britain in view of the legacy of conflict it left when hurriedly independence was granted to Srilanka, must seek appointment of Arbitration Commission to resolve the dispute, other wise recognize the Tamil Eelam Government in Exile, which it should recognize and allow to be set up in its soil. Only a nincompoop will believe that bi-laterally Tamils and Srilanka can resolve their problems. If this word bi-lateral and no arbitrator is logical, reasonable and resolves disputes, in Court rooms across globe without Judges the petitioner and respondent can resolve the crisis. India has failed, and it should not stand in the way of European Union initiative, if it emanates towards formation of Arbitration Commission to resolve Tamil Eelam conflict.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Part 1 (Article 1) recognizes the right of all peoples to self-determination, including the right to “freely determine their political status”, [8] pursue their economic, social and cultural goals, and manage and dispose of their own resources. It recognizes a negative right of a people not to be deprived of its means of subsistence, [9] and imposes an obligation on those parties still responsible for non-self governing and trust territories (colonies) to encourage and respect their self-determination.
In accordance with this Germany, became the first Nation state among the European Community to advocate the recognition of Slovenia and Croatia. Germany too behaved like India in those days supporting the unity of Yugoslavia, as India now supports the unity of Srilanka. On 19th June 1991 Germany voted in favor of a statement by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe upholding the unity and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. “Even after Slovenia and Croatia made unilateral declaration of Independence, Germany supported the Western European Union declaration of June 27 that expressed regret at the recent unilateral decisions of the two republics and urged all political authorities to resume dialogue with a view to secure the unity of the state.
India sponsored Chief Minister of North and East Provinces of Srilanka Mr.Varadaraja Perumal before he fled Srilanka had unilaterally declared independence.
India gave him political asylum which continues more than two decades till date. India unlike Germany did not resent the unilateral declaration of independence. Like Germany it too pleads for upholding the unity of Srilanka. But at a summit of the European community heads of State on 29 th June, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl declared that “The unity of Yugoslavia cannot be maintained with force of arms.” Yes those same words have to be repeated with regard to Srilanka. Then British Foreign Minister Douglas Hurd stated that integrity of Yugoslavia should not be accomplished by use of force.
Time has come for Hon’ble British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Minister Miliband to have a rethink on their policy towards Tamil Eelam. And this appeal seeks their intervention. They should take into account the democratic expression of people of Tamil Eelam expressed through referendums in various countries. There is no terrorism at sight. If through peaceful means people of Srilanka uprooted from there due to ethnic strife express support for Tamil Eelam, Britian must take steps to allow the establishment of Tamil Eelam Government in Exile as first step making it compulsory for Srilanka to negotiate with that Government for accepting the self determination of Tamils of Eelam.
BRITAIN: REFERENDUM FOR TAMIL EELAM
Tamil Net, Monday, 01 February 2010, 01:09 GMT reports that 99.33 percent British Tamils aspire Tamil Eelam. In an unprecedented turnout that brought 64,692 Eelam Tamils to vote in the referendum held last weekend in UK, 64,256 (99.33%) Tamils endorsed the formation of independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in the contiguous north and east of the island of Sri Lanka. 185 (0.29%) voted against and 251 (0.39%) votes were spoilt. Polling took place in sixty-five booths across London and in major towns and cities throughout UK. Barry Gardner, MP Brent North Siobhan Mc Donagh, MP [Mitcham and Morden ]Professor Bryan Woodruff, Chairman of the overseeing body of the referendum Labour party activist and trade unionist Mike Griffiths were present.
The referendum was initiated by an independent group of British Tamils, who formed a body called Tamil National Council (TNC) a few months ago for this purpose. All main stakeholders of Eelam Tamil nationalism in UK, Tamil Youth Organization (TYO), British Tamils Forum (BTF), Tamil Eelam Activists and the Country Working Group - UK for the formation of Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) joined in making the endeavor a success.
“British-based Tamils have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the creation of an independent sovereign state in Sri Lanka, days after the man credited with crushing the Tamil Tiger’s 26-year rebellion won a second term as the island’s president,” reported leading British newspaper Guardian on Monday. Meanwhile, BBC reported that an overwhelming majority among the Tamil Diaspora in UK has endorsed the call for a separate country for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. “The results of last week’s poll demonstrate the gulf between Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. Despite a resounding victory across much of the country Rajapaksa lost in areas hit hard by war and where Tamils are in the majority,” the newspaper said. BBC, in its report said that people have been discussing the results in restaurants and community centers in London suburbs where Sri Lankan Tamils form considerable communities, such as East Ham and Wembley. On Sunday, Times Online carried an article by Stuart Cosgrove, saying Tamils are the undisputed world champions of Diaspora politics, who defy a new world order on the epic stage of global politics.
GERMANY
Tamil Net, Sunday, 24 January 2010, 23:00 GMT reported Overwhelming turnout of voters in Germany, 99.2 percent of voters said yes to Tamil Eelam in an impressive turn out of more than 90% of eligible Eelam Tamil voters for the referendum in Germany on Sunday. International Human Rights Association in Bremen conducted the referendum on the question of forming an independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. 23,089 voters participated in the poll in 110 centers across the country and 22,904 of them said yes. 136 voters said no and 49 votes were invalid.
NORWAY
[Tamil Net, Monday, 11 May 2009, 10:51 GMT] reported that in a secret ballot of universal suffrage, conducted by a Norwegian media simultaneously in 14 centers in the length and breath of the country among Eelam Tamils, 98.95 percent of the voters said that they aspire for the formation of an independent and sovereign Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. The voter turn out was a high 89.8 percent in the capital city of Oslo and an average 80 percent for the country, Strop biweekly that conducted the ballot said. The ballot gains significance not only in democratically and concretely revealing what the Tamils want, but also in telling that the so-called Oslo Declaration that speaks about internal self-determination is not up to their expectations, Tamil circles said. A couple of days before the ballot, Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim advocated a federal solution to the crisis.
DENMARK
[Tamil Net, Friday, 26 February 2010, 20:06 GMT] Denmark went for Tamil referendum and Eelam Tamils in Denmark cast their ballot in 32 centers across the country in a referendum on the question of independent and sovereign Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. The referendum conducted by a professional institute TNS Gallup, specialized in sociological and public opinion research services, deploying electronic system for confidential voting, said Dr. Remmon Washington, the spokesperson of the Denmark Tamils Forum formation committee, which has initiated the poll. The total number of eligible Eelam Tamil voters in Denmark is estimated to be ranging around 6,500.
RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION
These referendums are an indication affirming the Tamils of Eelam are for the right of Self-determination and the world cannot deny that right only to Tamil people of Eelam.
“All peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Essentially, the right to self-determination is the right of a people to determine its own destiny. In particular, the principle allows a people to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, cultural and social development. Exercise of this right can result in a variety of different outcomes ranging from political independence through to full integration within a state. The importance lies in the right of choice, so that the outcome of a people’s choice should not affect the existence of the right to make a choice. In practice, however, the possible outcome of an exercise of self-determination will often determine the attitude of governments towards the actual claim by a people or nation. Thus, while claims to cultural autonomy may be more readily recognized by states, claims to independence are more likely to be rejected by them. Nevertheless, the right to self-determination is recognized in international law as a right of process (not of outcome) belonging to peoples and not to states or governments.” As put by UNPO.
UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION.
You may be pondering on various options to resolve Tamil Eelam issue. Please keep the geopolitical interests at bay. With open heart please recall how Western nations acted in similar circumstances. Britain had faced Irish problem. Canada had met Quebec issue. India too faces Kashmir question. Why not Britain and Canada look for comparisons between their past problems and present problem of Tamil Eelam.? India has a special constitutional provision for Kashmir i.e. article 370, why India fails to understand that for sixty years Srilanka is not even willing to emulate Indian constitutional provision for Tamil Eelam?
Self-determination in International Law
The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations. Earlier it was explicitly embraced by US President Woodrow Wilson, by Lenin and others, and became the guiding principle for the reconstruction of Europe following World War I. The principle was incorporated into the 1941 Atlantic Charter and the Dumbarton Oaks proposals which evolved into the United Nations Charter. Its inclusion in the UN Charter marks the universal recognition of the principle as fundamental to the maintenance of friendly relations and peace among states. It is recognized as a right of all peoples in the first article common to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which both entered into force in 1976. 1 Paragraph 1 of this Article provides:
All peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
The right to self-determination of peoples is recognized in many other international and regional instruments, including
►the Declaration of Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States adopted b the UN General Assembly in 1970,
► 2, the Helsinki Final Act adopted by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in 1975,
►3, the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights of 1981,
► 4, the CSCE Charter of Paris for a New Europe adopted in 1990,
► 5, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993.
►6, It has been affirmed by the International Court of Justice in the Namibia case
►7, the Western Sahara case
► 8, and the East Timor case
►9, in which its erga omnes character was confirmed. Furthermore, the scope and content of the right to self-determination has been elaborated upon by the UN Human Rights Committee
►10, and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
►11 and numerous leading international jurists. That the right to self-determination is part of so called hard law has been affirmed also by the International Meeting of Experts for the Elucidation of the Concepts of Rights of Peoples brought together by UNESCO from 1985 to 1991,
► 12, it came to the conclusion that (1) peoples’ rights are recognized in international law; (2) the list of such rights is not very clear, but also that (3) hard law does in any event include the right to self-determination and the right to existence, in the sense of the Genocide Convention.
“The inclusion of the right to self-determination in the International Covenants on Human Rights and in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, referred to above, emphasizes that self-determination is an integral part of human rights law which has a universal application. At the same time, it is recognized that compliance with the right of self-determination is a fundamental condition for the enjoyment of other human rights and fundamental freedoms, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural.”
“The concept of self-determination is a very powerful one. As Wolfgang Danspeckgruber put it: “No other concept is as powerful, visceral, emotional, unruly, as steep in creating aspirations and hopes as self-determination.” It evokes emotions, expectations and fears which often lead to conflict and bloodshed. Some experts argued that the title holders should be or are limited in international law. Others believed in the need to limit the possible outcome for all or categories of title holders. Ultimately, the best approach is to view the right to self-determination in its broad sense, as a process providing a wide range of possible outcomes dependent on the situations, needs, interests and conditions of concerned parties. The principle and fundamental right to self-determination of all peoples is firmly established in international law.”
Hence under International Law, Tamils have this right, if you include Tamils in human race. If Tamils are living human beings on Earth, they can have this right by virtue of their existence. Srilankan President Rajapakshe who committed genocide by killing 50000 Tamils in War must continue to kill every Tamil in Eelam and all in Tamil Diaspora and every Tamil of Tamilnadu before he can proclaim to the Member Nations of the United Nations, that since he has erased the existence of all Tamils on Earth, the right to self determination cannot be claimed by dead souls. Only living humans have such right, he must thunder before the world. Until such thing happens, as leaders of democracies and civilized world, we hope all leaders of member nations of United Nations will not snatch the right to self determination from the hands of Tamils of Eelam.
UN General Assembly adopts the Declaration in September 2007
With an overwhelming majority of 143 votes in favour, only 4 negative votes cast (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States) and 11 abstentions, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. The Declaration has been negotiated through more than 20 years between nation-states and Indigenous Peoples. Les Malezer, Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus, welcomed the adoption of the Declaration in a statement to the General Assembly: “The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which set the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect.” Tamils are indigenous people of Srilanka. As told by the sacred book of Sinhalese Mahavamsam, the first Sinhalese king set his foot on Ceylon where Tamils lived much before his advent.
UNPO members :Abkhazia , Aboriginals of Australia ,Afrikaner ,Ahwazi ,Assyria ,Balochistan ,Batwa ,Burma ,Buryatia ,Cabinda ,Chechen Republic of Ichkeria ,Chin Chittagong Hill Tracts ,Circassia ,Cordillera ,Crimean Tatars ,East Turkestan ,Gilgit Baltistan ,Greek Minority in Albania , Hmong ,Hungarian Minority in Romania ,Inkeri ,Inner Mongolia, Iranian Kurdistan ,Iraqi Kurdistan ,Iraqi Turkmen ,Kalahui Hawaii ,Karenni State ,Khmer Krom ,Kosova ,Maasai ,Mapuche, Mon ,Montagnards – Degar, Nagalim ,Ogaden , Ogoni , Oromo ,Rehoboth Basters ,Sanjak ,Scania ,Sindh ,Somaliland ,South Moluccas ,Southern Azerbaijan,Southern Cameroons ,Taiwan ,Tibet ,Tsimshian ,Tuva ,Udmurt ,Vhavenda ,West Balochistan ,Zanzibar .
TAMILS OF EELAM must be included in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. Tamils are most civilized among the indigenous people possessing a classical language, which had a hoary past.
In an article that appeared in the International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Deputy Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India Mr. R.Balakrishnan’s research paper titled Tamil: A Toponymical Probe had given a long list of place names that bear the “Tam” prefixes. In a state wise alphabetical list of Tam prefixed place names in India, he states that in Andhra Pradesh [29], Arunachal Pradesh [11], Assam [38], Bihar [53], Gujarat [5), Goa [1], Haryana [3], Himachal Pradesh [34], Karnataka [24], Maharastra [120], Meghalaya [5], Manipur [14], Madya Pradesh [60], Nagaland [4], Orissa [84], Punjab [4], Rajasthan [26], Tamil Nadu [10], Uttar Pradesh [64], West Bengal [24] with a grand total of 612 places names resembling Tamil and Tamil influences do occur.
“In the Godda District of Bihar there is a village named Tamilgoda. In that District alone there are 12 place names, which end goda Tamilgoda is one of them. In the Puri District of Orissa a place name called Tamilikudi draws our immediate attention. There is no need to establish the Dravidian etymology of the suffix kudi. Tamilikudi is not an isolate case of occurrence as there are 37 place names with kudi suffix within the administrative boundary of Orissa. “In the process of locating Tamil related place names the entire list of India was scrutinized and I found a name called Tamia in Chindwara District of Madya Pradesh. Having come across Tamilgoda and Tamilkudi is not surprising to me. However when this name was noticed in the surprising company of such typical Tamil place names Palani, Tekadi, Theni, Bodi and many other geographical names that are in currency in the Madurai region of Tamilnadu and its adjoining upcountry neighbor Idukki, its significance and implications could be understood,” says Balakrishnan. Throughout India Tamils lived, spread, and ruled, it is history. The Indus Valley Civilization places Tamils in high pedestal.
If I could present facts quoting the Father of Indian Constitution Dr.B.R.Ambedkar it would establish the Tamil as mother tongue of Nagas, who are Dravidians. Nagalim is admitted as member in the UNPO. Now the Nagas may speak different dialect but they were Tamils in pre historic period. Let us look at the conclusions Dr.B.R.Ambedkar had reached in his scientific enquiry.
“It is clear that the Nagas and Dravidians are one and the same people. Even with much proof, people may not be found ready to accept this thesis. The chief difficulty in the way of accepting it lies in the designation of the people of South India by the name Dravidian. It is natural for them to ask why the term Dravidian has come to be restricted to the people of South India if they are really Nagas. Critics are bound to ask: If the Dravidians and Nagas are the same people, why the name Nagas not used to designate people of South India also. This is no doubt a puzzle. But it is a puzzle which is not beyond solution. It can be solved if certain facts are borne in mind. The first thing to be borne in mind is the situation regarding language. Today the language of Southern India differs from that of the people of North India.”
“The second thing to be borne into mind is that the word Dravida is not an original word. It is the Sanskrit zed form of the word Tamil. The original word Tamil when imported into Sanskrit became Damita and later on Damila became Dravida. The word Dravida is the name of the language of the people and does not denote the race of the people.” “The third thing to remember is that Tamil or Dravida was not merely the language of South India but before the Aryans came it was the language of the whole of India and was spoken from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. In fact it was the language of the Nagas throughout India.” “The next thing to note is the contact between Aryan and the Nagas and the effect it produced on Nagas and their language. Strange as it may appear the effect of this contact on the Nagas of North India was quite different from the effect it produced on the Nagas of South India. The Nagas in North India gave up Tamil which was their mother tongue and adopted Sanskrit in its place. The Nagas in South India retained Tamil as their mother tongue and did not adopt the Sanskrit language of the Aryans.”
If this difference is borne in mind it will help to explain why the name Dravida came to be applied only for the people of South India. The necessity for the application of the name Dravida to the Nagas of North India had ceased because they had ceased to speak the Dravida Language. The special application of the use of the word Dravida for the people of South India must not therefore obscure the fact that the Nagas and Dravidas are one and the same people. They are only two different names for the same people. Nagas was a racial or cultural name and Dravida was their linguistic name” concluded Dr.B.R.Ambedkar.
Similarly there is no race on Earth called Sinhalese. Race itself is a myth, culture oriented, proven in our days when all humans have common genes. Yet under the illusion they are Aryans, a barbaric tribe claimed separate status for them, in spite of their own mythology tracing their root to a marriage between a Lion and Human Princess. The superiority complex leads Sinhalese to work overtime to ethnic cleansing, hence genocide in Srilanka starts from 1956 itself. The failure of the British to resolve many issues before granting independence to Ceylon had left Tamils at receiving end of genocide. Hence, Dravida Peravai urges Great Britain to play an active role in view of its association with India and Ceylon and its moral duty to clear the garbage accumulated in civilized governance of Ceylon.
The Indian sub continent was ruled by Tamils, their Empires disintegrated, deluge and other natural calamities struck at the Tamil land. Later in British period on their eve of departure there were 11 Presidencies and 562 princely states, which when the winds of nationalism blew over Indian sub constituent were welded together as Indian Union under a Constitution of India. The problems left over by colonialism, be it border dispute with China or Kashmir still bleeds India. Same problems galore haunt Ceylon. As head of Commonwealth too Britain has locus standi to intervene to correct past mistakes.
Let me recollect a tiny problem between India and Bangladesh which got its independence with India’s help. “The rulers of two princely states of Kooch Bihar and Rangpur within the Old Bengal Presidency during British rule in India lost their territories to each other playing the gambling by cards. There are till date 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladesh enclaves within India, as a result of this gamble by 2 princely states.’ Yet no one had the moral courage to resolve even this issue which every government keeps in cold storage. Hence it would not be prudent for all Member Nations of UN or of Commonwealth or of European Union to pin hopes on India alone to redeem Tamils of Eelam from slavery and to recognize their right to self determination.
TAMIL EELAM GOVERNMENT IN EXILE MUST BE RECOGNIZED BY GOVERNMENT OF BRITAIN AND ALLOWED TO FUNCTION FROM BRITISH SOIL.
TAMILS OF EELAM MUST ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH REFERENDUMS IN THE COUNTRIES THEY LIVE NOW, AND SUCH REPRESENTATIVES MUST CONSTITUTE THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL EELAM IN EXILE.
ALL TAMILS WITHIN SRILANKA MUST BE SUPORTED TO FORM A TAMIL EELAM IN THAT SOIL. TOWARDS THAT GOAL WORLD GOVERNMENTS MUST BACK TAMIL EELAM GOVERNMENT IN EXILE.
BRITAIN AND EUROPEAN UNION CAN TAKE THE FIRST INITIATIVE…..
With Regards
Yours fraternally
N.Nandhivarman
General Secretary Dravida Peravai [Indian political party]
