Political Solution and Resettlement of displaced Tamils and Sinhalese

Though I normally don't discuss political issues on my blog, I decide to write this article seeing some others articles regarding this problem. Before the war began minority Sinhala community was in the Jaffna and most of them were businessman such as bakers. Even it is stated that Sinhala students entered to the Jaffna university. But situation was changed after 1983 and many incidents were taken place due to unrest groups in Jaffna. After war began between LTTE and Army and one of major strategies used by LTTE was ethnic clearance. As a result of this displaced Sinhalese of jaffna flew to other areas and after escalation of hostilities of 1980's minority Sinhala community was removed. However not only Sinhalese but also Tamils and Muslims were also displaced as a result of war. This was the brief description of incidents taken place with last decades.

Now war is in the history and displaced people are resettled. Though there are many NGO's who speak about Tamil IDP's said nothing about displaced Sinhalese and they now settle down Railyway Station of Jaffna and no body is caring. There are many barriers of their resettlement. One of major barrior of law of Jaffna - "Thesawalam" which gives priority to Jaffna citizens when lands of Jaffna selling or buying. But no such law is enforced any other part of country. Legal System is Jaffna also questionable. Courts conduct their work in Tamil or English and the situation of offices such as Land Registries and other government offices mostly used Tamil language so that if someone don't know Tamil it is very hard to do get their services. Though some displaced Sinhalese have proofs of their lands they don't get any other support of officers. Thus due to many barriers their resettlement process is hold on.

On the other hand Tamils who were suffered from this war must be resettled as well as Sinhalese. Next priority should be given to fulfill their basic needs (foods, houses and etc ) and next infrastructure of conflict area should be rebuild. In that side government is able to achieve progress to some extend but however his tast should be speed up. Thus Tamils must be assured that they are vital part of national reconcilation process. It is a must to ensure equility of law and they must be persuaded that contribution of them is important to the development of country.

Now I wish to focus your attention to topic of political solution. Tamil Attorney George R. Willy who settled down in USA delivered speech and whole speech can be read from this link. The only important thing the speaker repeated is that " Tamils should not be treated as second class people" . However he used several comparisons which make his speech more interesting. The basic theme of his speech was that "political solution" should be implemented immediately. Not only he but also many others emphasize suggestion of "political solution". Situation of then (before war began) and now(year 2010) is completely changed. People who left country in 1980's or 90's cannot say problems of that time is also effected in this era too. If anyone has enough talents he can climb up the ladder and every good example is Former Foriegn Minister Lakshman Kadiragamar who held top ministry one time.

What is a need of hour is not political solution but independency of social regulations. If anyone can get fair solution to their problems through social mechanisms he will never become a second class citizen of country. Unrest of minor communities can be stopped through enforcement of existing regulations. Thus through equility reconcilation can be implemented.

On the other hand though people in Colombo or abroad demand so called " political solution" can they guarantee that of the problems of effected people can be satisfied? If displaced IDP's are in hungry can they satisfy their hungry with political solution? Can they predict the response of people who are really live in war effected area? If poeple in those areas would not accept so called political solution what can be done? We must remeber that we should fulfill only needs of people but not the wishes of people who is hundred kms away from Motherland. Even now nobody is treated as second class people and opportunities are available for any citizen. So finally I would like to state that before any kind of solution it is a must to fulfill the basic needs of effected people otherwise unrest would be remained in their minds whatever political solution is implemented.