Kosova and the dream of Tamil Eelam

nfhNrhthTk; jkpoPof; fdTk;

- FUN\j;jpud; -

cyf tiuglj;jpy; nfhNrhNth (Kosovo) vd;w xU Gjpa ehl;il mnkhpf;fh jiyikapyhd Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; cUthf;fpAs;sd. Kd;dhs; Af;Nfh];rpyhthf;fpa ehl;bd; xU rk\;bf; Fbaurhd nrHgpahtpd; (Serbia) xU khfhzkhf ,Ue;j nfhNrhNthitj; Jz;lhbajpd; %yk; ,e;jg; Gjpa ehL cUthfpAs;sJ. nfhNrhthtpy; my;Ngdpa K];yPk;fNs ngUk;ghd;ikapduhf tho;fpd;wdH. ,tHfs; gy tUlq;fSf;F Kd;dH mUfpYs;s my;NgdpahtpypUe;J mfjpfshf te;J FbNawpatHfshtH.

,Ue;j NghjpYk; ,tHfs; Kd;ida A+Nfh ehl;Lld; ,Ue;jNghJk; rhp jw;NghJ NrHgpa ehl;bd; xU gFjpahf ,Ue;jNghJk; rhp ghuJ}ukhd ,dg; ghugl;rk; vjw;Fk; cs;shdtHfs; my;y. mg;gbapUe;Jk; Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; Vd; xU gphptpidia nfhNrhNth my;NgdpaHfs; kPJ jpzpj;jhHfs; vd;w Nfs;tp vOfpd;wJ. ,uz;lhk; cyfAj;jj;jpd; NghJ `pl;yhpd; ehrpg;gilfsplkpUe;J njw;F INuhg;gh KOtijAk; Nrhtpaj; nrQ;Nridapd; cjtpAld; me;je;j ehLfspypUe;j fk;A+dp];l; fl;rpfs; tpLjiy nra;jd. mjd; mbg;gilapy; fpof;F N[Hkdp nrf;Nfh];rpNyhthf;fpah> &Nkdpah> Nghye;J> `q;Nfhp> gy;Nfhpah> Af;Nfh];Nyhthf;fpah> my;Ngdpah Mfpa ehLfspy; Nrh\ypr muRfs; mike;jd. ,jpy; md;tH N`h\h jiyikapypUe;j my;Ngdpah> fk;A+dpr rpj;jhe;j gpstpd;NghJ rPdhTld; epw;f> khH\y; bl;Nlh jiyikjhq;fpa ANfh];Nyhthf;fpah rPdhTlDk; epw;fhky; Nrhtpaj; A+dpaDlDk; epw;fhky; Rje;jpukhd xU ghijiaf; filg;gpbj;jjJ. Nrhtpaj; gpujkH epfpl;lh FUN\tpd; gaKWj;jy;fisg; nghUl;gLj;jhky; mJ jdp topNa gazpj;jJ. mJ khj;jpuky;yhky; mnkhpf;fh Nrhtpaj; ngU ty;yuRfSf;F vjpuhf %d;whtJ mzpnahd;iw cUthf;FKfkhf bl;Nlh 1961k; Mz;by; A+Nfh jiyefH ngy;fpNwl;by; khehL xd;iwf; $l;bdhH. ,e;j khehl;by; ,e;jpag; gpujkH ItHfyhy; NeU> vfpg;jpa mjpgH gkhy; ehrH ,yq;ifg; gpujkH rpwpkhNth gz;lhuehaf;fh cl;gl 12 ehLfspd; jiytHfs; fye;J nfhz;L gpw;fhyj;jpy; cyfpd; gpujhd rf;jpahf tsHe;j $l;Lr;Nruh ,af;fj;ij Muk;gpj;Jitj;jdH.

$l;Lr;Nruh ,af;fj;ij ,UngUk; ty;yuRf;fSk; tpUk;gtpy;iyahapDk; Vuhskhd cyf ehLfs; mjpy; mq;fk; tfpj;jjhy; mij epuhfhpf;fTk; Kbatpy;iy. mnkhpf;fhitg; nghWj;jtiu bl;Nlhtpd; A+Nfh];Nyhthf;fpah Vida fpof;F INuhg;gpa ehLfisg;Nghd;W Nrhtpaj; mzpapy; epw;fhjJ mg;Nghijf;F ngUk; MWjyhd tplakhf ,Ue;jJ. Mdhy; rHtNjr Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfspd; rjp #o;r;rpfs; fhuzkhf kpfhapy; nfhHgnrt; jiyikapy; Nrhtpaj; A+dpadpy; vjpHg;Gul;rp g+uzj;Jtk; ngw;W mq;Fk; Vida fpof;F INuhg;gpa ehLfspYk; Nrh\ypr muRfs; tPo;r;rpaile;jJk; Vfhjpgj;jpak; gfpuq;fkhf ntspNa te;J fpof;F INuhg;gh KOtJk; jdJ ifthpiriaf; fhl;lj; njhlq;fpaJ. Nrhtpaj; a+dpadpd; gyj;ij rpijf;Fk; nghUl;L mjd; gy FbauRf;fs; Vfhjpgj;jpa cjtpAld; rpW rpW jdpehLfshf;fg;gl;ld. Nrf;Nfh];Nyhthf;fpah ,uz;lhfg; gphpf;fg;gl;lJ. A+f;Nfh];Nyhthf;fpah gy ehLfshf rpjwbf;fg;gl;lJ. mNjtifapy; Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; NgHypd; Rtiuj; jfHj;J NIHkdpia xd;whf;fpdH.

Vfhjpgj;jpathjpfs; Nrhtpaj; a+dpaid cilj;j NghjpYk; u\;af; FbauR Idhjpgjp tpshbkpH Gl;bd; jiyikapy; jd;id kWrPuikj;J kPz;Lk; murpay;> nghUshjhu> ,uhZt hPjpahf gyk; ngwj; njhlq;fpaJ. mnjNghy; nrhNyhNghlhd; kpNyhNrhtpr; jiyikapy; a+NfhrpNyhthf;fpahTk; gykhf epd;wJld; u\;ahTld; el;ghfTk; nray;gl;lJ. Mdhy; Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; kpNyhrtpr; Vida ,dq;fs; kPJ kdpj chpikia kPwp elf;fpwhH vd;W nrhy;yp mtuJ ehl;bd; kPJ 1999y; Nel;Nlh (NATO) gilfspd; %yk; 22 ehl;fs; tpkhdf;Fz;LtPr;R elhj;jp me;ehl;ilr; RLfhlhf;fpaJld; kpNyhNrhtpr;irAk; ifJ nra;J Aj;jf; Fw;wthspahf rHtNjr ePjpkd;wj;jpy; tprhuizf;Fs;shf;fp> rpiwapy; itj;Nj nfhd;nwhopj;jdH.

1991y; a+f;Nfhrpyhthf;fpahit cilj;J FNuh\pah> ];nyhthf;fpah vd;gtw;iw cUthf;fpa Vfhjpgj;jpathjpfs; gpd;dH ngh];dpah> N`HrpNfhtpdh vd;gtw;iw cUthf;fpdH. ,g;NghJ nfhNrhthitAk; cUthf;fpAs;sdH. gy ehLfspy; I.eh %yk; jkJ Mf;fpukpg;G Nehf;fq;fis epiwNtw;wptUk; Vfhjpgj;jpathjpfs; nfhNrhth tplaj;jpy; me;jg; gpuhe;jpak; NrHgpahtpd; gphpf;f Kbahj xU gFjp vd;w I.eh tpd; 1244tJ jPHkhdj;ijAk; J}f;fp vwpe;Jtpl;Lr; nray;gl;Ls;sdH.mnkhpf;fh jiyikapyhd Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; nfhNrhNth vd;w ehl;il jpl;lkpl;L cUthf;fpajpw;F Kf;fpa fhuzq;fs; cz;L. murpay; hPjpahfg; ghHj;jhy; NrHgpah mnkhpf;fhTf;F vjpuhf u\;ahtld; epw;fpd;wJ. vdNt NrHgpahit cilj;J gytPdg;gLj;JtJ mnkhpf;fhTf;F mtrpak;. mj;Jld; NrHgpah mike;jpUf;Fk; ghy;fd; gpuNjrj;jpy; f];gpad; gFjpapy; vz;nza; gLf;iffs; cl;gl Vuhskhd fdptoq;fs; cz;L. mtw;iw nfhs;isabg;gjdhy; mg;gpuNjrj;ij jkJ fl;Lg;ghl;Lf;Fs; nfhz;L tUtJ mtrpak; vd mnkhpf;fh vz;ZfpwJ. Vw;nfdNt INuhg;ghtpNyNa kpfg;nghpa ,uhZtf; Nfe;jpukhd ‘BONDSTEEL’ vd;gij mnkhpf;fh nfhNrhthtpy; rl;ltpNuhjkhf epWtpAs;sJ. mj;Jld; mnkhpf;fj; jsgjpahy; ,af;fg;gLk; Nel;Nlh ,uhZtf; $l;likg;gpy; 16>000 NghHtPuHfSk; mq;Fs;sdH. mnkupf;f Nrhtpaj; gdpg;NghH KbTw;w fhyj;jpy; mnkupf;fh jiyikapyhd Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; Vida ehLfspd; cs;tptfhuq;fspy; jiyapLk; Nehf;fj;Jld;> ‘,dNkhjy;fs; eilngWk;NghJ kdpjhgpkhd Kiwapy; jiyaplyhk;’ vd;w nfhs;ifia tFj;jJld;> 1990fs; Kjy; mt;thNw nray;gl;Lk; tUfpd;wd. mnkupf;fhtpd; Kd;dhs; ntspAwTr; nrayH klypd; My;g;iul; (,tH xU my;NgdpaH vd;gJk; Fwpg;gplj;jf;fJ) ‘ehLfspd; ,iwahz;ik vd;gJ 19k; E}w;whz;Lr; rpj;jhe;jk;’ vdf; Fwpg;gpl;Ls;shH. ,e;jj; JLf;Fj;jdkhd $w;W 1995y; ,e;NjhNd\pahtpd; ghz;Lq;efupy; rPdhTk; ,e;jpahTk;> ehLfSf;fpilNaahd rkj;Jt cwTf;fhf tFj;j gQ;rrPyf; nfhs;iff;F vjpuhdjhFk;. nfhNrhNth ghuhSkd;wj;jpd; jd;dpr;irahd Rje;jpug; gpufldj;ij mq;fPfhpg;gJ Nghy mnkhpf;fhTk; mjd; NerehLfshd gpupl;ld;> gpuhd;];> NIHkdp vd;gdTk;> rkhjhdg;NghHitapy; cyfk; KOtJk; mnkhpf;fhtpd; jiyaPl;Lf;nfhs;iff;F Nrtfk; nra;Ak; NehHNtAk; mq;fPfhpj;jhYk; cyfpd; Kf;fpa ehLfshd u\;ah> rPdh> ,e;jpah> fdlh> ag;ghd; cl;gl ngUk;ghd;ikahd cyf ehLfs; nfhNrhNthit mq;fPfhpf;ftpy;iy.

kw;WnkhU Kf;fpa tplak; ahnjdpy; gyE}W Mz;Lfshf maHyhe;J kf;fspd; RaepHza cupikg;Nghuhl;lj;ij epuhfupj;J tUk; gpupj;jhdpa murpd; J}JtHjhd; Rje;jpug; gpufldk; nra;j nfhNrhNthTf;F Kjypy; tp[ak; nra;j ntspehl;L ,uh[je;jpup MthhH. mnkhpf;fh jiyikapyhd ehLfspd; ,e;j jtwhd nraw;ghL cyf ehLfSf;fpilapyhd cwTfSf;F xU gyj;j mbahf ,Ug;gJld;> ghy;fd; ehLfSf;fpilNa Aj;jj;ijj; J}z;b tpLtjhfTk; ,Uf;fpd;wJ. ,jpy; kpf Ntbf;ifahd xU tplak; ahnjdpy; ngUk;ghyhd cyf ehLfshy; mq;fPfhpf;fg;glhj nfhNrhNth Rje;jpug;gpufldj;ij> ,g;NghJk; gpw;Nghf;fhd tplaq;fisNa jiyapy; J}f;fp itj;J $j;jhbg; gof;fg;gl;Ltpl;l ,yq;ifj; jkpo; gpw;Nghf;F rf;jpfs;> Gypfspd; jiyikapy; tuNtw;W Muthuk; nra;jpUg;gJjhd;. mJkl;Lkd;wp nfhNrhNthtpd; Rje;jpuj;jpw;F cjtpaJ Nghy jkpo;

Kd;ida jkpo; jiyikfSk; nra;jJjhd;. 1961k; Mz;L rj;jpahf;fpufj;jpd; NghJ NrHj;j epjp vq;Nf vd;W nghJkf;fs; Nfs;tp vOg;gpaNghJ me;j epjp mnkhpf;fhTf;F MAjq;fs; thq;f mDg;gg;gl;bUe;jjhf m.mkpHjypq;fk; nrhy;ypj; jg;gpf; nfhz;lJ ,d;iwa jiyKiwapdUf;Fj; njhpahky; ,Uf;fyhk;. mNjNghy; tz;iz Mde;jd; vd;gtH jkpo;f; $l;lzp Nkilfspy; gok; gOj;jhy; ntsthy; tUk; vd;W NgrpaJk; gyUf;F epidtpUf;Fk;. mJ kl;Lky;yhky; 1971y; njd;dhrpahtpy; ghf;fp];jhd; gphpf;fg;gl;L gq;fshNj\; vd;w ehL cUthdNghJ mNj ghzpapy; ,yq;ifapy; jkpoHfSf;nfd;W xU jdpehl;il ,e;jpah cUthf;fpj; jug;Nghfpd;wJ vd jkpouRf; fl;rpapdH gl;b njhl;bnaq;Fk; gpur;rhuk; nra;jJk;> aho;g;ghzk; Kw;wntspapy; nghJf;$l;lk; $l;b jkpouRj; jiytH v];.N[.tp nry;tehafj;Jf;F kyHf; fPhPlk; #l;b mJtiu ‘’ vd ehkk; #l;lg;gl;bUe;j mtUf;F ' cyfk; KOtjpYk; ,Ue;J MAjq;fs; nfhz;L te;J Ftpj;Jk; ,d;dKk; jkpoHfSf;nfd;W xU ehL cUthftpy;iy vd rpe;jpf;Fk; msTf;F ve;j xU Gj;jprhypAk; ,Ug;gjhfTk; njhpatpy;iy. md;iwa mnkhpf;f Nrhtpaj; gdpg;NghH epytpa #o;epiyapy; Nrhtpaj; a+dpadpd; mzpapy; neUq;fpa el;Gehlhf ,Ue;j ,e;jpuh fhe;jp jiyik jhq;fpa ,e;jpah> jdJ vjphp ehlhd ghf;fp];j;jhidg; gpsTgLj;jp gytPdg; gLj;Jtjw;fhf jdJ gilfis mDg;gp fpof;Fg; ghf;fp];j;jhidg; gphpj;J gq;fshNj\; vd;w jdpehl;il cUthf;fpaJ. mt;thW nra;tjw;F trjpahf mike;j ,d;ndhU #oy; g+Nfhs uPjpahf Nkw;Fg; ghfp];jhDk; fpof;Fg; ghf;fp];j;jhDk; ,ilNa Mapuf;fzf;fhd iky;fs; ,ilntspapy; gphpe;j ,Ue;jJk; mit ,uz;Lk; ,e;jpahTld; vy;iyiaf; nfhz;bUe;jJk; MFk;. ,e;jpah gq;fshNj\; vd;w ehl;il cUthf;Ftjw;F VJthf mike;j murpay; uPjpahd fhuzj;ijNah> mjw;F tha;g;ghf mike;j Gtpapay; fhuzj;ijNah gw;wpr; rpe;jpf;fhky; jkpouRf; fl;rp Nkjhtpfs; kdg;ghy; Fbj;jij ntWk; eifr;Ritahfj; jhd; Nehf;f KbAk;. Vnddpy; ghfp];jhdpy; nra;jijg;Nghd;W xU gphptpidiar; nra;Akstpw;F ,yq;ifAld; ,e;jpahTf;F nghpa gifik VJk; ,Uf;ftpy;iy. mijtpl Kf;fpakhd tplak; ,yq;ifapy; 25 ,yl;rk; jkpoHfSf;F xU jdpehl;il ,e;jpah cUthf;fpf; nfhLj;jhy; mJ jkpo; ehl;by; VwgLj;Jk; jhf;fj;ijg; gw;wpAk; ,e;jpah rpe;jpj;jJ. ,yq;ifiag; gpupj;J. jdf;F tlf;Nf ghf;fp];j;jhd; Nghd;W njw;fpy; rPwPyq;fh vd;w epue;ju gifik ehl;ilAk; cUthf;f ,e;jpah tpUk;gtpy;iy. MdhYk; ,e;jpa ,yq;if xg;ge;jj;jpd; %yk; uhIPt; fhe;jp ,yq;ifapy; epfo;j;jpa murpay; jiyaPL ,dg;gpur;rpid tplaj;jpy; If;fpa ,yq;ifapy; jkpoHfSf;F xUtpj rhjfkhd tha;g;ig Vw;gLj;jpaJ. Mdhy; Gypfspd; mjpfhu ntwpiag; ghtpj;j Nkw;fj;Nja Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfs; mijg; Gypfs; %yk; Fog;gpaJld; ,e;jpahTld; Aj;jk; Ghpaitj;J ,yq;ifapy; rfyjiAk; Fog;gpabj;jd. MdhYk; me;j Nkw;fj;Nja rf;jpfshy; $l ,yq;ifapy; xU gphptpidia Cf;Ftpf;f Kbatpy;iy. ,d;iwa epiyikNah NkYk; tpj;jpahrkhdJ. ,e;jpa ,yq;if cUthd 1987y; ,Ue;j gdpg;NghH #o;epiy ,d;W ,y;iy. ,d;iwa cyfkakhf;fj;jpd; fPo; ehLfs; xd;Wld; xd;W gpd;dpf;fplf;fpd;wd. ,e;jpahtpYk; ,yq;ifapYk; ,Uf;fpd;w ,d;iwa muRfs; mnkhpf;fh jiyikapyhd Nkw;Fyf Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfSf;F vjpuhdit my;y. vdNt ,yq;ifiag; gphpj;J gytPdg;gLj;j Ntz;ba NjitNah my;yJ ,yq;ifapy; jkPoPo muR xd;iw cUthf;fp ,e;jpahtpd; njd; gFjpfspy; gphptpid vz;zq;fis cUthf;fp me;j ehl;ilr; rPHFiyf;Fk; vz;zNkh Vfhjpgj;jpa rf;jpfSf;F ,d;iwa #o;epiyapy; ,y;iy. vdNt ,d;iwa ,yq;ifr; #o;epiyia nfhNrhNth #o;epiyAld; xg;gpl;L GypfSk; mtHfsJ tpRthrpfSk; FJ}fypg;gjpy; ve;jtpj mHj;jKk; ,y;iy. mnkhpf;fh Nghd;w rHtNjr ty;yhjpf;f rf;jpfSk; rhp> ,e;jpah Nghd;w gpuhe;jpa ty;yhjpf;f rf;jpfSk; rhp jkJ murpay; Njitfs;> eyd;fs; fUjpNa ehLfisg; gphpf;fpd;wd my;yJ xd;wpizf;fpd;wd. ,Jjhd; fle;jfhy tuyhW. ,ij tpsq;fpf;nfhs;shjtiu kdg;ghy; Fbg;gijj; jtpu NtW topapy;iy.

37 tUlq;fSf;F Kd;dH gq;fshNj\; cUthdijg; ghHj;J jkpouRf; fl;rp kdg;ghy; Fbj;jJ. ,g;nghOJ mjd; GdHnId;kq;fshd Gypfs; nfhNrhNth cUthdijg; ghHj;J kdg;ghy; Fbf;fpd;wdH. mt;tsTjhd;. md;iwa jkpopdj;jiyikapd; topfhl;lypy; jkJ ghpzhkj; Nja;it vz;zpnaz;zp ‘tPuj; jkpopdk;’ kPz;Lk; rpyfhyk; fdTyfpy; tho;tJ kl;Lky;y Gy;yupj;J Gy;yupj;J ,Wjpapy; nry;yhpj;Jg; Ngha; epw;fNtz;baJjhd;.

ed;wp: vjpnuhyp, khrp 2008

the cataract of bias

Being quite an internet-holic I have been doing many google searches for Diaspora generated literature during the past couple of weeks as an attempt towards identifying an issue to stimulate a healthy and productive discussion on SahaSamvada. Firstly what struck me was the appalling lack of accessible, ‘neutral’ literature on the role of the Tamil Diaspora and the ethnic conflict, despite the ‘internationalness’ of the Sri Lankan Diaspora. Nevertheless, I stumbled across a paper written by Manivillie Kanagasabapathy of the Carleton University in Canada titled ‘Articulating the Oppressed and Imagined Homeland: Discourses of Violence as a way of Homogenizing Sri Lankan Tamil Diasporic Identity in Canada’*. This paper had been submitted at a Conference in Germany, in 2004 (Apologies for using an out of date paper for this brief analysis. The real purpose is to stimulate a discussion. Furthermore, the article highlights some important aspects of the Diaspora phenomenon, which is highly topical). Here the author states that the purpose of the essay ‘is to examine the way that discourses of violence can create a homogenous diasporic cultural identity in the Tamil Canadian diasporic context. ….discussion will show the way that Sri Lankan Tamil culture is maintained in Canada through the narration of sites of oppression’ and uses two illustrations to argue her point, namely the World Tamil Movement protest held in Ottawa in 2001 and the film ‘In the name of the Buddha’. I must mention here that the broader framework within which the facts are set in, is on the elements of culture, which the author identifies as values, symbolic objects, roles, occasions, stories and persona. The first thought that comes to my mind is the author’s use of merely two illustrations to base her arguments in examining an aspect that is complex and far reaching. The other is that her portrayal of the violence in Sri Lanka is very limited and narrow. She talks of the Ottawa protest in very personal terms and makes a commonly made mistake of homogenising the view that all Tamil people are united in their perception of the ethnic conflict, and in terms of their perceptions of the major parties to the conflict, through the presumption that all of the Canadian Tamil Diaspora is united in this belief.

She portrays a clear bias when she states that ‘People in the protest felt justified and empowered because they are participating in the creation of a narrative that is emphasising the “wrongness” of the current Sri Lankan political system’. How can one criticise just one party to the conflict and stay blind to the atrocities of the other faction and hope to ‘emphasise the wrongness of the current Sri Lankan system’? All warring parties are part of the Sri Lankan political system. It is this lack of neutrality that portrays the Sri Lankan Diaspora in a lop-sided and hypocritical manner. It is this aspect that needs change.

In terms of the author’s second example, 'In the name of the Buddha', she again with bias states the connection between the film, through its visual images, with the Tamil community mainly the Tamil Diaspora, in connecting to a ‘fragmented narrative of their homeland and history that is being offered to them’. I must add here that I have not been able to see this film in order to present a more accurate and personal view but reading several reviews and reportage available on it, it is quite clear that a bias is definitely seen in the film, ‘questions have been asked about what the film leaves out - most notably atrocities committed by the Tamil Tigers, whose murderous response to Tamil persecution is largely glossed over’ (Trouble in paradise, The Guardian, May 9 2003)

So what is it that we have here? Why cannot we denounce and criticise all acts of violence on a neutral footing? Why is it that we resort in pervasively justifying this bias by actually turning a blind eye to it? By being silent? How do we heal this cataract?

SahaSamvada

*www.transforma-online.de/deutsch/transforma2004/papers/kanagasabapathy.hstm

clarification

rfrk;thjh ,yq;ifapy; elf;Fk; midj;J td;KiwfisAk; vjph;g;gNjhL ,dg;gpur;rpidf;F murpay; hPjpahfNt jPh;itf;fhz KbAk; vd;gjpy; ek;gpf;if nfhz;Nl mikf;fg;gl;l fye;Jiuahly; jskhFk;. MfNt ve;jj;jug;gpduhYk; Nkw;nfhs;sg;gLk; td;Kiwia tpkh;rdj;jpw;Fs;shf;FtNjhL mJ njhlh;gpy; Kd;itf;fg;gLk; rkepiy tpkh;rd fUj;Jf;fis tuNtw;Fk;.

Mf;fKs;s ePz;l fye;Jiuahly; xd;wpd; Njitapd; ,ilntsp ePz;Lnfhz;Nl nry;fpd;wJ. MNuhf;fpakhd MoKs;s fUj;jhly;fis Kd;itj;J ehk; ,dg;gpur;rpidf;fhd murpay; jPH;T Kiwf;F xj;Jiog;G toq;Fk; fUj;jhliy Kd; itj;jhy; mJ xU rpwg;ghd tplakhFk;.

Mf;fKs;s fUj;Jf;fSf;F Kf;fpatj;Jtk; nfhLg;NghNknahopa fUj;Jj; njhptpg;gthpd; Ms; milahsk; mth; njhlh;gpyhd rhh;G murpay; vd;git vkf;F Njitaw;w xd;whFk;.

rfrk;thjh

buried in a shallow grave

Q&A: Shobasakthi
Rrishi Raote / New Delhi March 30, 2008

'The war destroyed my village... My parents live in India as refugees. My siblings live in Europe as refugees.' So says Shobasakthi, born Anthony Jesuthasan, once a teenage soldier for the LTTE and now in his late 30s an exile and writer resident in France. His novel describes a life similar to his own, that of a teenage soldier, the eponymous Gorilla, son of Gorilla, who falls foul of the Tigers and is forced into exile. Shobasakthi has a Tamil blog titled Satiyakadatasi or 'Speaking the truth in the face of power'. Both the book and this interview (conducted by RRISHI RAOTE) were translated by Anushiya Sivanarayanan.

What is exile life like?
My needs are very simple... Periodically I work at whatever is available in restaurants or supermarkets. I have no connection now with the LTTE or any other Tamil militant organisation. As far as they are concerned, I am a major political enemy of theirs or a traitor. Along with other Leftist friends, I am involved in propaganda work against the war in Sri Lanka and the human rights atrocities of both the Sri Lankan government and the Tigers. Most importantly, we are involved in anti-caste and anti-Hindutva activities within the Sri Lankan and Indian diaspora communities.

Indians living abroad are often more overtly nationalistic. Is this true of Tamil Sri Lankans abroad as well?
Yes. They portray themselves as hardened nationalists. When people struggle with sustaining their cultural identity markers, they discover nationalism. But remember, Tamil culture itself is a caste-driven culture. It is also a male-ordered culture. Their nationalism is born out of their love for this reactionary culture.
At the same time, Sri Lankan Tamils in exile are the primary source of funding for the Tigers. Therefore, the Tiger-based organisations use all forms of media outlets to promote intense feelings of Tamil nationalism within the diaspora communities.

How has the movement held the imagination of Tamils for so long?
The violent oppressive measures of the racist Sri Lankan government upon Tamils force the Tamil public to tolerate the Tigers. The Tamil people in general believe that the Sri Lankan government's anti-Tamil violence justifies the existence of the Tigers. But if an individual or an organisation attempts to provide an alternative political movement outside of what might be called the two sides of the same coin, the Tigers immediately bury them in a shallow grave, or chase them out of the country.

What prompted you to start writing? When and where do you find the time and space to write?
I was born in a poor village. I went to school only up to the 10th grade and then joined the Movement. In my early years, I had no opportunity to read literature or study political writings. All that I remember was being surrounded by flat statements of political propaganda and militant calls for nationalism. In my 25th year, after I had reached France, I was attracted by a Trotskyite group called the Revolutionary Communist Organization. I spent four years with this group. It was then that my friends in the party introduced me to literature; I was able to discuss literature and politics with them. It must have been that environment that motivated me to write.
Where do I get the time to write? Well, I go to work only after setting aside time for my reading and writing. If my schedule doesn't work out, then I don't go to work.

What are you writing next?
There is an in-between time period between living in one's own country and living as a refugee in a new land called the migratory period. During that time, our stories are scattered over the streets of Thailand, the mafia-run camps of Russia, the seas of Italy, the rivers of Poland, the snow drifts of western Europe, and the airports and immigration holding cells of Europe. I am writing a novel on this.

Courtesy: Business Standard, April 19, 2008

a dialogue.. (Tamil)

xU ciuahlYf;F

me;epa tho;tpy;> ,q;Nf ,Uf;Fk; ehDk;! gpuhd;rpy; ,Uf;Fk; ePAk;! Rtp]py; ,Uf;Fk; mtDk;> mtSk;! fdlhtpypUf;Fk; mth;fSk;! yz;ld; mT];Nuypah> mnkhpf;fhtpypUf;Fk; mitaSk;! Ntw;W ,dj;NjhL> Ntw;W fyhr;rhuj;NjhL Ntw;W nkhopNahL Ntw;W fUj;NjhL Ntw;whNdhL nrhe;j ehl;by; ,Uf;f Kbahky;> ntspehl;by; vy;yh Ntw;NwhLk; thOfpw ehq;fs; Mq;fhq;Nf rpy ciuahly;fis elhj;jpf;nfhz;L ,Uf;fpNwhk;. NkYk; ciuahly;fis cUthf;f Ntz;ba NjitapUf;fpwJ.

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,yq;ifapd; ,dr;rpf;fy; njhlh;ghd khw;Wg;ghh;it gy;ypdj;jd;ik mjpfhug;gutyhf;fy; njhlh;ghd nraw;ghl;Lila fUj;J, jkpo; jiyikfs; njhlh;ghf jkpo; kf;fspd; Rje;jpukhd murpay; vz;zg;ghL, murpd; gaq;futhj mopg;Gf;fhd Aj;jk; kw;Wk; jkpoh;fs;> K];yPk;fspd; ,d milahsk; njhlh;ghd fUj;J, jkpo; - K];yPk; kf;fspd; ey;YwT kw;Wk; mij rPh;Fiyf;Fk; murpay; K];yPk; jiyik njhlh;ghf tlf;fpypUe;J ,lk;ngah;e;j K];yPk;fspd; epiyg;ghL, ,d;iwa MAjNghuhl;lj;Njhlhd jkpo; rhjp murpay;> ,lJrhhp jkpo; murpay; FOf;fspd; Njrpa murpay; rpe;jid, jp];] tpjhuz kw;Wk; kfpe;j uh[gf;]tpd; ,dg;gpur;rpidf;fhd murpay; jpHTg;ghij, kdpjNeakhd nray;> ehl;bd; ngauhy;> ,dj;jpd; ngauhy;> nkhopapd; ngauhy;> kjj;jpd; ngauhy; elf;Fk; td;Kiwfs; njhlh;gpy; kdpjhgpkhdKs;s vq;fspd; vz;zq;fspy; njd;gLgtw;iw Kd;itj;J ePz;l fye;Jiuahly; xd;iw elhj;j ,j;jsk; topaikf;Fk; vdTk; kw;Wk; vkJ fUj;Jf;F vkJ epiyg;ghl;Lf;F vkJ Ntz;LNfhSf;F vkJ Ntjidf;F vkJ Nfhgj;Jf;F vkJ fz;ldj;Jf;F vdf;fUjp ,jp;y; ehk; xU MNuhf;fpakhd J}uNehf;Fila mwpit tsh;f;fyhk; vd;W ek;GfpNwhk;.

,j;jskhdJ midj;J td;KiwfSf;Fk;> muh[fj;Jf;Fk; vjpuhdjhfTk;> kdpjNeaj;ij fl;btsh;f;Fk; fUj;Jf;fis tsh;f;Fk; jskhf mikAk; vd vz;ZfpNwhk;.

cq;fs; Mf;fq;fis Mq;fpyk;, rpq;fsk; my;yJ jkpopy;, sahasamvada.forum@gmail.com vd;w kpd; mQ;rYf;F mDg;Gtjd; %yKk; Nehubahf fUj;Jf;fis ,t;ntg;jsj;jpy; vOJtjd; %yKk; ,k;Kaw;rpapy; fye;Jf;nfhs;Sq;fs;.

rfrk;thjh FO

why?

An effort to a discourse between Sri Lankan Diaspora and citizen Sri Lankans, especially amongst the youth, begins here. there are numerous blogs discussing the ethnic conflict and its various aspects, but SahaSamvada will attempt to focus on the link between the Diaspora and the ethnic conflict. it is time we recognise the strength behind the Diaspora, its potential as a 'change agent'...it is obvious that the parties to the conflict, the puppeteers, pull and push the masses to achieve their egocentric goals. We have also seen how the diaspora works in fueling the ethnic conflict.

An alternative insight into the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, pluralism, a pro-active thought process on the devolution of power, the independent opinion about Tamil leadership from the Tamil people, the Government’s war against terrorism, opinion in relation to the Tamil and Muslim ethnic identities, Tamil-Muslim relations and attempts by Muslim political leadership at destroying existent relations, the situation of Muslims expelled from the North, the caste politics that is part of the armed conflict, the national political thought process of Tamil leftist political groups, the Tissa Vitharana and Mahinda Rajapakse political solutions to the ethnic conflict, humanitarian efforts, victimisation of innocent people, the violence that is taking place in the name of language, religion and race are some of the issues that we as humane people could commence a deep discussion on through this forum. Furthermore, we hope that this platform would enable us to voice our frustrations, anger and criticism and as a result contribute in the creation of a healthy and progressive knowledge process. Let's see how, we, as progressive Sri Lankans and progressive Sri Lankan Diaspora can bring about a change in this attitude.

Please send in your views, comments to sahasamvada.forum@gmail.com in Sinhala, Tamil or English and help commence this dialogue for change.

The SahaSamvada Team