From Trumpets to Dust: Confronting the Forgotten Challenges of the East

The trumpets have faded and the dust has settled on the battlefields of the east. It is now time for contemplation, a time for serious reflection on issues of real national interest. For all the hype and celebrations on its re-capture, it remains to be seen what administrative mechanisms will be installed for governance of the region. This is not the first time that power has been devolved to the province.

It must be recalled that the administration of Annamalai Vardaraja Perumal from the end of 1988 to 1990 was a failure, perhaps from day one. At the time, the newly elected President Premadasa seemed intent to go it alone. He was confident of his ability to side-track Perumal's EPRLF, through negotiations with the LTTE. The late President's intent was the expeditious withdrawal of Indian troops from Sri Lanka. Negotiations with the Tigers failed and the rest is documented history but the overall attitude of Colombo towards the Perumal administration must once again be recalled at this crucial juncture for the east, if a repetition of history is to be averted. Premadasa's intent to sidestep his Chief Minister in the East rendered the Provincial Council a dud administration, effectively a body on paper.

If Sri Lanka is to be serious on exploring any realistic power-sharing arrangements, Colombo must demonstrate through its own actions, that it is willing to share power with the periphery and thus devolve some real power to these extended arms of government. The Karuna element in present day politics will make it crucial that this sharing mechanism is correctly installed through an effective framework for representative governance. In other words, any abandoning of renegade cadres from the east will result in a Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) in the region, this time being waged by breakaway LTTE elements as opposed to the Tigers themselves. Further, the involvement of these splinter groups (internecine violence being a major point of contention), will be crucial in any effort to maintain effective control of the captured territory. Perhaps, in this regard, the latest move to absorb Tamils into the national Police Force for deployment within this area, is a sensible option and as has been recently highlighted in sections of the media, may well present cadres from the Karuna faction with equal opportunity to apply (Daily Mirror, July 31, 2007). Called correct by the Government, as reported in recent media reports (Ibid), the introduction of Tamil speaking police personnel to Tamil speaking areas will not only improve tolerance of the Sri Lanka Police in the region, but will also tremendously improve public relations with not just the police force, but also Colombo. This aspect has been essential and although overdue, the steps taken must be welcomed. However close attention must also be paid to the demographics of the region to be governed, with special attention being paid to eastern Muslims. Their lack of representation at peace talks in the past must be rectified with this fresh opportunity, if lessons of the past are to be learnt from and the birth pangs for further separatist thought are to be prevented. Accordingly, a demographically representative structure must be introduced for any governing body that is to be set up in the region. Needless to say, power-sharing success in the east, if achieved, will only strengthen Colombo's case for success of a similar move for the north, which in effect, will weaken the secessionist claim for Eelam.

In this regard, it would perhaps be in the present interest to work within the parameters of the northeast de-merger for a stipulated initial period and as was suggested under the Parthasarathy proposals of the 1980s, to necessitate a referendum within a further stipulated time-frame, to determine future recourse. This time however, Colombo should execute such proposals and refrain from its trademark dilatory tactics.

It is now up to President Rajapaksa to prove his metal, abandon his nationalist rhetoric and get to work with his government on a responsible and effective structure of governance for the east. Harping on 'historic' victories will surely massage a few egos but that apart, will do little good.