Allegations on Human Rights violations and war crimes set out in Joint UNHRC Resolution are considered only an strategy adopted by contenders of those allegations to achieve their own objectives. UNHRC, US and her allies in the west, India, Tamil Diaspora, those who sympathise course of action carried out by LTTE in this country and local politicians who agitate for separatism are the main contenders of those allegations.
The ulterior motive of each of them as observed based on their behavioural trend in the past in local as well as international politics could be identified in brief as follows.
US and allied forces in the West have commonly used allegations on Human Right Violations a an strategy to interfere in internal matters of countries which they have identified as crucial in the process of consolidating of their global power supremacy. This is the strategy they have been followed in case of Iraq, Libya, Syria and many more developing countries in the recent past all over the world.
The political ambition of India over these allegations seems similar to that of the ambition of US and allied forces above referred to. Control of foreign policy and internal affairs of Sri Lanka to suit her agenda for consolidating of power supremacy over the Region, seems her objective expected to be achieved supporting above allegations.
The Prime objective of Tamil Diaspora in this episode is nothing but to realize as much as possible their aspiration on separatism. The local Tamil politicians who agitate for autonomous self-government for Tamil minority based on separatism and racism in local politics in this country too fall in line with Tamil Diaspora in this process.
All contenders above referred to are keen on achieving their ulterior motives using Human Rights Violations and war crimes as a an strategy. All of them were aware that their aspirations cannot be realized as far as the Rajapaksa Regime is in power. In that context ousting of Rajapakse Regime and fixing up new government which is favourable and friendly to them had become their common objective.
These contenders have teamed up with local political forces which came forward against Rajapaksa Regime at the last Presidential and General Elections. In the process of teaming up there would have been some understanding among them obviously to support each other for the realization of their aspirations. Sri Lanka Government in the process of teaming up has voluntarily assumed the role of co-sponsor to the Joint UNHRC Resolution along with US, in order to reciprocate the support so rendered by the contenders to oust Rajapaksa Regime.
Being co-sponsor to the Joint UNHRC Resolution the Government was compelled to endorse if not accepted almost all allegations and proposals set out in the Resolution, which includes alleged Human Right violations, war crimes, reconciliation process and resolution of ethnic conflict of this country based on the methodology proposed in the Resolution.
It is appropriate at this stage to point out that Sri Lanka Government, being co-sponsor to the Resolution has not only endorsed the allegations and proposals set out therein but also assumed the role of complainant as well as respondent over alleged Human Right violations and war crimes, which have caused a serious conflict of interest within the Government itself with regard to the implementation of UNHRC proposals.
The critics who appreciate the role of co-sponsorship have pointed out that Government has tactfully achieved active support of UNHRC and international community to sort out long standing ethnic conflict of this country being co-sponsor to the Resolution. The critics who oppose co-sponsorship are of view that it has opened gates for international community to intervene in internal affairs of this country which could cause a threat to her integrity and sovereignty. It may be noted that it is impossible to settle any conflict successfully without active participation and support of all stake holders of the conflict concerned.
Whatever it may be, there is a marked difference between Rajapaksa Regime and the present Government over the methodology adopted for resolution of alleged Human Right violations, war crimes and ethnic conflict of this country.
The approach adopted by Rajapaksa Regime on above matter was based on “competing and avoiding techniques” which means one party seeks to satisfy its own interest regardless of the impact of same on other parties to the conflict and while recognizing that a conflict exists, trying to withdraw from it or suppress it including ignore the conflict and avoiding others with whom disagree.
Contrary to the above, Maithree Government has adopted over this issue “collaborating, accommodating and compromising” techniques which means one party seeks to appease other party by self sacrificing to some extent, self reservation about the issue in order for amicable settlement. Views of all parties to the conflict should be accommodated and each party to the conflict is willing to give up something for an amicable settlement. The second approach above referred to adopted by Maithree Government is considered the most effective principle globally accepted by authorities concerned over conflict resolution.
However, in this process Mithree Government has accommodated the views of the contenders of alleged Human Right Violations and war crimes and proposals made by them in the joint UNHRC Resolution which includes UNHRC, US, India, Tamil Diaspora and local Tamil politicians who agitate for separatism as well. There is no clue whatsoever to the effect that Government has accommodated and collaborated the views of the general masses of this country on this issue.
Government should not take for granted that the views of the majority of the masses of this country are compatible and in congruence with that of the ulterior motives of the contenders of above allegations, US, India, Tamil Diaspora and local Tamil politicians who agitate for autonomous State based on separatism and racism on the pretext of fighting for the Human Rights of the Tamil Community of this country.
Further to the above it may be noted that Tamil Diaspora and local Tamil politicians who encourage separatism and racism do not represent genuine views of the General masses of Tamil community on this issue.
The views of the majority of general masses of this country over alleged Human Right violations, war crimes and ethnics conflict as I have observed based on a random sample survey could be summarised as follows.
The masses of both community (Sinhala and Tamil) do not seriously think or believe that there is an ethnic conflict among themselves. This presumption is confirmed due to the fact how peacefully these two communities co-exist themselves in various provinces of this country more particularly in Colombo city. They are of view that so-called ethnic conflict has been fictitiously created by politicians who promote separatism and racism on the pretext of fighting for Human rights for their survival in local politics. These politicians were least bothered about actual problems that exist in Tamil community such as poverty, unemployment, hazardous health status, socio-cultural and socio-economic problems etc. Instead their entire political vision is focused on separatism. For an instance Chief Minister of Northern Province seems more interested in passing resolutions repeatedly for promoting of an autonomous State based on separatism and racism instead of co-operating and making joint effort with central government for socio-economic development of the masses in that community.
Instead of encouraging Tamil community to identify themselves as Sri Lankans this Chief Minister has gone out of track to promote racism by forming a separate council for Northern Province Tamils based on racism. The majority of the masses of both communities (Sinhala and Tamils) are of view that alleged Human Right Violations, War Crimes and ethnic conflict could be settled amicably within the existing constitutional and legal frame work of this country, with the concurrence of the contenders of those allegations. This proposition has been disclosed by President at several public meetings repeatedly. Finally the majority of the masses are of view that autonomous separate State within the State of Sri Lanka as suggested by Chief Minister of Northern Province in his recently passed resolution could spoil the reconciliation effort launched by present Government which is considered sine-quo-non of resolution mechanism. The majority of the masses are of view this conflict should be sorted out democratically by way of reconciliation. This means expectations and aspirations of minority Tamil Community should be reconciled with that of the expectations and aspirations of majority Sinhalese. It does not mean in any case one party could dictate terms over other party annoying possible consensus to be emerged between both parties. However no solution is possible without consensus of the majority. In that context Government should make every effort to reconcile the views of the majority of the masses of this country over ethnic conflict with that of the views of the contenders which includes Tamil Diaspora, Tamil politicians UNHRC, US and international community.
I am of view this is the only way for ever lasting solution for above allegations.
The writer is a graduate from University of Ceylon and a retired Executive Director – HRM & HRD-BOI.
