| by Victor
Cherubim
( October 30,
2012, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) A follow up current visit by an interparty,
young parliamentarian (under 40) delegation from Sri Lanka from Government
(SLFP), Opposition (UNP) and a representative from TNA was facilitated by the
Royal Commonwealth Society, International Alert and One Text Initiative, after
their earlier exploratory visit to UK in December 2011. The findings of their
first visit formed the basis of a Joint report recently circulated to their
fellow M.P’s and the Government on the UK Tamil diaspora interest in Sri Lanka.
Though the MP’s feel it is a slow process, the dialogue has commenced.
 |
"Although years have gone and the dead cannot be brought back, if some recommendations aimed at securing greater confidence building among the diaspora are considered, it will be a way forward"
The meeting was
organised by Tamil Information Centre, London as previous. The delegation met a
cross section of the diaspora in Kingston, a suburb of London on 27 October
2012. There were more women than men at the meeting, reflecting a widespread
concern for women victims of war and unresolved issues back home. It was an
organised, on-confrontation gathering without official hard-line diaspora
organisation representation. Tamil organisations, such as GTF, BTF,
Transnational Government in exile and others were conspicuous by their absence.
It was anybody’s guess whether they were invited or wanted to participate or
have been marginalised.
This experiment
in interpersonal relationship development among young lawmakers and diaspora was
considered by them and by various interacting bodies both in Sri Lanka and in
UK, an overdue exercise to begin “bridge-building”, an understanding among the
young MP’s, peoples of Sri Lanka and the local community in UK, particularly in
London. Whilst there was much media hype in Sri Lanka, for this meeting with
MP’s, possibly in view of a reciprocal invitation for selected Tamil diaspora as
guests of the Government soon.
It appears there is a gathering momentum for
these so called “cultural confrontations,” as it was the second get-together
within recent days among second generation Sinhala and Tamil youth, the latter
promoted at the Royal Commonwealth Society venue, and which was well attended.
What was
achieved during the first visit of MP’s, was only an awareness of the sentiment
expressed by the diaspora for the sorrow, hardship, suffering and the
inadequacy of attention given to the plight of the Tamil and Muslim communities
and the resulting displacement in the North and East. There is unease if these
overtures will be sustained and materialise with tangible results.
The real issue
in the minds of the diaspora has been and continues to be, the unaccountable
bereavement of a very large number, in the region of over 40,000 Tamils of all
ages at Mullivaaykal and the almost unaccountable number of their relatives
languishing either in prisons or in unknown detention centres around the country,
of whom little is known or heard of. Even of the little known 810 detainees,
the prison authorities confirm only 635 are in their custody and among the
unknown number of child soldiers, only 594 of this number is accountable and
have been restored to their parents. There is a knawing discrepancy between
reality and perception.
Although years
have gone and the dead cannot be brought back, if some recommendations aimed at
securing greater confidence building among the diaspora are considered, it will
be a way forward.
Joint
Report recommendations
Among the
recommendations suggested by the all party young MP’s to the Government are:
1.
A Ministry/Department to be created to
handle and co-ordinate diaspora affairs.
2.
Secure sufficient and adequate
circulation of positive measures taken by Government
for
accountability issues such as detainees, position of child soldiers, and assign
a day of
national
remembrance.
3.
Preservation of Tamil cultural identity
with introduction of local administration with adequate powers to keep the
heritage intact within.
4.
The overwhelming military presence is
reduced without jeopardising national security.
5.
More conducive environment for diaspora
investment.
Aspirations
and Achievement
The aspiration
of these interparty young Parliamentarians is to take stock of the situation
after the war, as an opportunity and as a challenge. To engage with the
diaspora is accordingly worthwhile, as the next generation has to learn and to
share.
The achievement
up to the present is a Joint Report of recommendations which is being
circulated among their constituencies and around government and oppositioin, as
a knowledge bank, which could produce more engagement.
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