Comments on: Reconciliation: A Sinhala “middle-class” point of view

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:56:07 +0000

The comments made show that many want peace and view matters broadly. But the narrow minded who only see the story from their end still display their inability to see how the pictures looks to others, and show hatred. We must not forget that the few can make misery for the majority…. it happened in the past… the peace loving must stay active and engaged… to prevent it happening again. I congrajulate this column, and the peave loving souls who have cared to write in. JAI to you….. may you shine and help herald in the Sathyuga which is closer at hand than before.

By: P.K.Rajan

P.K.Rajan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:28:40 +0000

Ron,
I agree. i do not intent to demean your sentiments.But peace, freedom, choise, self respect are inseparable. These are not guaranteed by LTTE. But absence of these is a guaranty for another LTTE in the near future. LTTE and diaspora are not causes.They are products.

By: ron

ron — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:34:28 +0000

I don t think the Tamils on the ground have any problem with accepting help from the sinhalese. In fact it is being accepted right now. Perhaps the Tamil diapora should put their money where their mouth is and also contribute towards helping the displaced!

By: P.K.Rajan

P.K.Rajan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:27:51 +0000

“…in several parts of Sri Lanka and especially Colombo, Tamils live in peace with the other ethnic groups…”

If the way in which they live in colombo is your idea of ‘living in peace’ there is no wonder they refuse your assistance. Haven’t you heard about a term called ” Self respect” ?

By: ron

ron — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:18:28 +0000

To PK Rajan

I think you missed my point which was that in several parts of Sri Lanka and especially Colombo, Tamils live in peace with the other ethnic groups. It seems that the eelamists would not want that in the North and East though. I have read countless blogs where Tamils (admittedly those living abroad) say they do not want any assistence for the IDPs from the sinhalese! If that’s not a racist point what is?

By: P.K.Rajan

P.K.Rajan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:42:13 +0000

#107, Kumar,
I agree the estimates vary. I too presume the estimate do not consider all people speaking Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Urudu as Tamils. Unfair you may say. I agree.
But is it not a fact and something which Srilankan Tamils, Tamil Muslims as well as Sinhalese should think off. These people (Especially Telugu and Kannada speaking sections) who are among us whose mother tongue is not Tamil but barring minor irritants are living as a single ethinic lot today. Forget Vaiko. Periar who in my opinion is rightly considered as father of Tamilians is a from Kannada speaking family. Well those people should be credited handsomely. But is there not an inherent accomodation in Tamil Psyche too?
If we have to remember history a large population of the Telugu and Kannada speaking mass came along the Vijayanagar Empire who won the disintegrated Tamil Cholas. They are part of victors! We are part of the Vanquished. But does this historical fact make any sense to day?

Not every thing is good in India. We are not an ideal example. But is there any other worthwhile example of Multi National, Multi Racial, Multi Linguistic, Multi Religious and fairly democratic society? If we can live with this much of diversity, with some accomodation Tamils and Sinhalese can do better than us. Idealism you may say. But being with little bit idealism is more practical then being a total Zombie.

By: Kumar

Kumar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:29:29 +0000

#105, Rajan,

“Some estimates say Tamils may be about 35 % only.”

konjam adhikamAga UththittInga. The population of Chennai is approximately 7.5 million. Of this, people from other states would not exceed 2.5 million ( a very liberal estimate). I think you are not considering all the telugu speaking tamils like vaiko, vijayakanth etc and muslims. If you subtract them another 2.5 million will go. Then perhaps your estimate is correct.

By: P.K.Rajan

P.K.Rajan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:42:17 +0000

# Continuation of 105,
Also many Indians ( i heard from friends unproportionately Tamils!) are working in China !

By: P.K.Rajan

P.K.Rajan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:37:15 +0000

#104 – Ron,
Are you really unable to differentiate between people migrating from one area to another and a govt sponsored attempt to change the demography?
For your information, Here in Chennai we Tamils are a minority . Some estimates say Tamils may be about 35 % only. But this is not strange in India. Percentage of Tamils in Bangalore may be more than percentage of Tamils in Chennai. Maharastrians are minority in Mumbai, Punjabis may be more in numbers than Hindi speaking UP people in Delhi…
If Srilanka become atleast as Federal and as inclusive as India (They call Quasi Federal here..) , iam sure Colombo, Trinco etc will be like Chennai or Bangalore.. Probably you may not even have motivation to take a job in Chennai or Bangalore. But you could if you want. Afterall many Chinese guys are working now in IT sector in Bangalore.

By: ron

ron — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:49:21 +0000

In support of comment by WONDERING

You brought up an interesting point regarding who would be allowed to live in Tamil Eelam. What happens to children of mixed marriages where they bear a Sinhalese name? Or could all people who wish to learn Tamil live there?
if so, the enterprising sinhalese may wish to move there, learn Tamil, and get into a good technical college in Madras. Eventually getting jobs in the IT sector in India. This may help to solve unemployment of graduates.

By: Senadhi

Senadhi — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:54:24 +0000

Re # 96 Deepee

You are correct. about 50% of the students who enter the uni from rural areas have attended tution classes in colombo suburbs. They do A/L for the 1st time in their respective areas and before sitting for the 2nd time they come to colombo and go to the best tution classes. so they get selected to the uni with less effort.
another few manage to apply for A/L’s from a rural area while studying in colombo schools. bribery and corruption prevails in education system as well.

By: R Maran

R Maran — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:05:45 +0000

Hi Tamara,

I sincerely appreciate your comments. I am sure they come from your heart.

It is very hard for you to understand what Tamils going through in Sri Lanka unless you are in their shoes. I appreciate your effort to understand our grievances.

Killing of civilians whether Tamils, Sinhalese, or Muslims not accepted for whatever the reasons. I feel your pain when you talked about killing of Sinhala civilians. I hope that you will fee our pain as well. We lost more than 200,000 Tamils; most of them are ordinary people just like you and me. More than 30,000 Tamils killed in the last six months.

Don�t judge us by looking at middle class Colombo Tamils. Everything looks fine on the surface. They live in fear every day. One of my close relative married to Sinhala lady, he is in his late 60s. He had changed his name to Sinhala name. Why?

I never supported VP. I always wanted to see VP dead. But, trust me; it is the invincible image of LTTE brought GOSL to negotiating table. Now, LTTE gone, there are signs from GOSL intending to enslave the whole Tamils in N&E.

Comments 6- Rose.
I share the same view.

R Maran