Over the last several months there have been many speculations about the wide spread atrocities perpetrated in the northern parts of Sri Lanka (SL). Many international governments attribute these atrocities to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) unwilling to investigate the carnage carried out by the SL government. The defence secretary of the SL government when queried argues that such bloodshed is inevitable. The imperative issue in the present standoff between the SL government and the LTTE is, as to which side the affected Tamil general public should bow.

In the context of Tamil national resurgence it is the LTTE that has been consistently raising voices. Although, in the pre 1983 era many players did raise their voice, all such non-violent tones were suppressed by the oppressing SL army and other government sponsored gangsters. Unfortunately, many of the early crimes committed by the SL government against the non-violent Tamil activists did not reach the international arena due the limitations in the communication facilities. Consequently, those non-violent voices can now be heard all over the world. It is the Tamils who fled SL due to the various atrocities committed by the SL army and their allies that have turned into the millions of the strong Tamil Diaspora. These same voices were heard in the northern parts of Sri Lanka since independence to 1983, but was of no avail. After 1983, all such voices were shut up by force and not through reconciliation. Presently, Tamils living in the northern parts of SL will not dare talk against the government. They are simply voiceless populace virtually living in an open prison. 

On the other hand, the SL government is cleverly spearheading its propaganda as to liberating the Tamils from the iron grips of the LTTE. Nevertheless, in spite of whatever wrong doing by the LTTE, for the Tamils, a known devil is more accommodative than an unknown angel (pretending to be). Yes, whether the LTTE is forcefully keeping the civilians or otherwise, the Tamils are more comfortable with the LTTE for the simple reason that they too are Tamils. How can the international community expect the Tamils to be secure in the hands of a government that says the country belongs to Sinhala Buddhists? Or how can one expect the Tamils to take refuge with the army, whose commander himself says that the minority Tamils should kneel down to the aspirations of the majority Sinhalese?

In fact, turning the histories pages will reveal that Tamils have more abhorrence towards the Sinhalese than adoration. The divide between the two communities is centuries old and cannot be reversed hurriedly. Hence, it is right time the international community realises these facts and make appropriate moves to safeguard the Tamils from the atrocities of the SL government.

International Community, will you surrender your dignity and pride? Then why do you expect the Tamils to do so?

By Thamilmaravan

The writer is a Tamil scholar who has lived, mingled and dined with the majority Sinhalese since childhood and has experienced the atrocities of both the SL government and the LTTE.