"Times New Roman";color:#222222">By Easwaran Rutnam
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"Times New Roman";color:maroon">With the idea of a South African style Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) being proposed for Sri Lanka, the Tamil Diaspora is keen to see how far such a process will go – if implemented. The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has been very active on the Sri Lankan issue and has even had talks with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa regarding Sri Lanka on many occasions. In an interview with The Sunday Leader, Suren Surendiran, Spokesperson for the GTF, shared the views of his organisation on a TRC in Sri Lanka.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: President Mahinda Rajapaksa had recently said the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is keen to learn about the TRC process of South Africa. How does the Tamil Diaspora see the TRC process and the interest shown by Sri Lanka?
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> What we need to consider is at what point in time the President has expressed his interest in the TRC process in South Africa. It is coming at a time when international pressure mounting. Let’s not forget the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed two consecutive resolutions calling for the Government to address the issue of accountability and resolve the Tamil National question through genuine political negotiations with the Tamil representatives. Not just the Tamil Diaspora but any seasoned observer of Sri Lankan politics, including leaders and diplomats around the world, will inevitably view this with skepticism.
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color:#222222">I do not see any reason as to why the Tamil Diaspora should see it any differently, unless the Government demonstrates its commitment not just in words but also in deeds. We firmly believe that any reconciliation should begin with real accountability for what happened during the end of the war by independently investigating both parties through an international mechanism and establish the truth, serve justice, conduct genuine and sincere political negotiations with the elected Tamil representatives for a permanent political settlement through constitutional amendments and, only then, one must talk about reconciliation and healing.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: When looking at the LLRC process, would you say the TRC is more effective if implemented with the right environment in place?
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A:
"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> I am not going speculate on something that is being floated vaguely. For the Tamil community, to take anything seriously after many decades of oppression by successive Sinhala governments – lies and deception by successive leaders and opposition leaders without exception – there must be the international community’s undertaking that they will oversee any process, be it accountability, investigation, serving of justice, political negotiations, resolution implementation or truth and reconciliation. It is not just about implementing in the right environment, it is also about implementing these in the right sequence. The Global Tamil Forum has been having close ties with the ANC in South Africa.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: Would the GTF feel a TRC process with South African direct involvement will see Sri Lanka move forward?
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A:
"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> There must be an international undertaking. No other country in the world can make Sri Lanka move forward. Only Sri Lanka can make that decision and act on it. That requires honesty and the political will on the part of Sri Lanka to treat Tamils as equals – not as second class citizens. This requires Sri Lanka to challenge the Sinhalese supremacy within the Sinhalese population. It requires willingness, on the part of Sri Lanka, to protect witnesses of war crimes, regardless of whether they are Tamils or Sinhalese. It requires willingness, on the part of Sri Lanka, to change its constitution. Only Sri Lanka can answer, but the rest of the world, including South Africa, can assist.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: The Government has often maintained that the final process on addressing the issues over the war should be a domestic one. Will the GTF ever be satisfied with a local process?
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> History has proven that GoSL is not capable addressing these issues through a local process. We have always maintained this position but were willing to give GoSL an opportunity to prove us wrong. I think it is fair to say that it is not just the GTF but the entire world now believes an independent international investigation is a must and they will robustly engage Sri Lanka to ensure that this happens.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: How can the GTF help Sri Lanka resolve the issues at hand?
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">A:
color:#222222"> GTF has very clear policy on the issues faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka. We have on several occasions articulated our position at various forums including on media both internationally and locally including The Sunday Leader. We work very closely with the TNA who are the elected representatives of Tamils and several other political and non political organisations within and outside Sri Lanka. Our position has always remained the same.
color:#222222">The GTF believes the following 15-points will help restore post-war normalcy:
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color:#222222">1. People should be made to feel free to speak and feel safe to raise their children without fear.
color:#222222">2. Bring an end to army occupation of the North and East.
color:#222222">3. Revoke the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
color:#222222">4. Reveal names of persons held without proper legal process and for them to have access to legal counsel, their families and humanitarian agencies.
color:#222222">5. Charge them under the laws of the land or release them forthwith.
color:#222222">6. Stop Government sponsored ‘land grab’ and systematic Sinhalese colonisation of Tamil land.
color:#222222">7. For people to have their lands and homes back and be resettled where they originally lived.
color:#222222">8. Structured and well-funded rehabilitation and resettlement programmes to be implemented without too much Government interference or corruption.
color:#222222">9. Reconstruction programmes to be implemented in the war affected areas.
color:#222222">10. We want the disparity in development between the regions of the island to be minimised, basic priorities of all people (e.g. education, health, employment etc.) to be treated as priorities and dealt without corruption.
color:#222222">11. We want justice for all the wrongs that were done to our people in the name of the war against terrorism.
color:#222222">12. Probe allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity against both parties to the armed conflict by an independent international body.
color:#222222">13. Credible and genuine political process to be initiated with international sponsorship, unlike the ones that the Rajapaksa regime introduces when pressure mounts (e.g. the APRC, negotiations with the TNA and the Parliamentary Select Committee etc.) to seek a durable political settlement to resolve the long standing and genuine grievances of the Tamil people and all people.
color:#222222">14. We want all of the above to be a part of the process that will lay the foundations for a long lasting reconciliation process that will enable people to live side by side as friendly neighbours.
15. Above all, we do not want the Sinhalese people to feel that they are outcasts for the colossal mistakes and wrongdoings of a few in the government and the military.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: Is there room, as some say, to place the past behind and move forward?
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A:
"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> Of course, when the past is fully and comprehensively addressed, justice is served so that the victims can move forward.
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222">Q: As we move into the fifth year since the end of the war, what lessons does the GTF think one has learned or can learn from post war Sri Lanka?
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"Times New Roman";color:#222222"> Looking for amnesty for the aggressors without addressing accountability in full – for breaches of laws of the land and international laws and serving justice to the victims for crimes committed – will not bring sustainable long term reconciliation. A peaceful Sri Lanka can be established when the above is addressed, an acceptable political solution is negotiated and implemented with the international community’s help. We will remain hopeful.
