The Great Divide

by Soma Jey, Australia, May 4, 2007

It is more and more convincing of a great divide existing between the Tamils and the Sinhalese, in all aspects of life and that too particularly at this juncture. A recent survey conducted by the Sri Lankan Centre for Policy Alternatives highlights that about 60% of the Sinhala population wishes a military solution, just the way as the present government is pursuing now, on this protracted issue. This is a great tragedy and means more suffering for the oppressed people. How long can these people endure this agony after three decades of war? Many thousands are refugees in their own land, without medicine, food, shelter, security or dignity and have become “Wandering Jews.” What does the future hold for them?

The International Community, except for one or two, have become mere spectators - cum - commentators with no genuine interest to assist the two protagonists to find an amicable and honorable solution.  It is very difficult to solve any issues in a just and fair manner when the arbitrator has his own agenda and does not comprehend the full picture. This has been the case in the past. What do we do??

In the recent past, on the advice of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), the US, France, Britain and Australia, apprehended innocent Tamil residents in their respective countries alleging collection of funds to support “terrorist” purposes. All these events paint a rather bleak picture of the foreign governments' role in yielding to propaganda machines.  These foreign governments know the terrible crimes committed by the armed services of the GOSL, but keep silent in order to safeguard their own interests, with occasional “sitting on the fence” comments. UNHCR and other organizations have highlighted that there exists more than 600,000 internally displaced Tamil civilians languishing with no proper food, medicine or the basics of life. Who will provide them the necessities???

The Tamils, having suffered humiliation and suffered immeasurably over the last six decades, have reinforced their resolve. At no other time than now, their justification for an Independent State has become warranted. The Eelam Tamils all over have become polarized in their mindset that separation is the only way to live with PEACE, SECURITY & DIGNITY.

The future for Tamils is nothing less than an Independent Eelam.  Diaspora Tamils must continue their unrelenting support for this just cause and to give humanitarian assistance in spite of all obstacles, to the oppressed people, just like in other parts of the world.

Maybe in the distance future, when the dust of hatred has settled and is washed away, the Tamils will stretch their hand of goodwill across the Great Divide, to the Sinhalese.

“Make your life ever useful to the others and an instrument to eliminate misery in them” – Lord Gautama Buddha