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Tigers and Elections in Sri Lanka
Friday, 14 March 2008 - 9:48 PM SL Time
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As Sri Lanka`s civil war approaches its 25th year, the government is trying to move its military offensive into a new phase: elections. Municipal polls in the majority-Tamil eastern province Monday were far from perfect, but symbolically, they represented a big step forward. The question now is whether the government can keep the momentum going and hold freer and fairer provincial elections next month.
As recently as a few months ago, an election in the eastern coastal city of Batticaloa looked impossible. The area was long overrun by the terrorist Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam -- a group best known for its use of roadside bombs and child soldiers. In 2004, the local Tiger general, Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, known as Karuna, defected to the government. The region became a battleground between the Tigers and the Karuna faction.
Karuna now sits in a British jail after pleading guilty to immigration-document fraud late last year. But his political party, the Tamil People`s Liberation Party (TMVP), remains armed and appears to be loosely allied with the government now. The run-up to the election saw frequent reports of voter and candidate intimidation two major opposition parties boycotted the election, citing security fears. Little wonder the TMVP won eight of the nine district councils President Mahinda Rajapakse`s People`s Alliance won one.
Part of the problem is that Mr. Rajapakse isn`t necessarily willing to address the legitimate grievances of Tamils. His coalition rode to office in 2005 on a wave of Sinhalese nationalism and has since done little to reach across the aisle to moderate Tamil parties. In January, the government formally abandoned peace talks and concentrated on an all-out offensive against the Tigers in their northern stronghold.
Still, showing democratic progress in a pacified east would bolster that effort. To that end, Mr. Rajapakse trumpeted Monday`s election as `peaceful` and a harbinger of `success in the historic march to strengthen and widen democracy in our country.` That`s overstating things. Thanks to the opposition boycott, the government`s support of TMVP and the group`s own arms, the winners were a shoo-in. Government forces could have done more to guarantee the safety of voters.
Events over the next few weeks will show how serious Mr. Rajapakse really is about bringing democracy to Tamil areas. Province-wide elections in the eastern province could take place as early as mid-April. But the government has been dragging its feet on key non-electoral reforms. Mr. Rajapakse has failed to appoint a full complement of members to the Constitutional Council that oversees important independent bodies -- such as the Human Rights Commission and the National Police Commission -- and the courts. If the government really wanted to show its commitment to resolving the conflict, it could allow the All-Party Representative Committee, a multi-party negotiation forum, to finalize its work on a devolution plan for newly democratic Tamil areas that would transfer more power from Colombo to local control.
Blame for the violence lies squarely with the terrorists, and Mr. Rajapakse has already made a dangerous gamble by aligning himself with one of their factions in Batticaloa`s local elections. Now he needs to move ahead with other political reforms. Whatever the virtues of his military offensive, it will work only if he can offer a political solution to the legitimate grievances of the Tamil civilians left in the terrorists` wake. Batticaloa is just the beginning of that long process.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120544598759634847.html?mod=rss_opinion_main
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Dewey
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 14 Mar 2008 16:07:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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Well done MR. We hope this is a new begining to the eastern province.
Let the winds of democracy and freedom sweep through the Nothern srilanka from scenic eastern coast to fishing communities of the western coast sweaping through the vanni heartland destroying the terrorism for good.
Edited By - Dewey - 14 Mar 2008 16:11:29 GMT |
sansare
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 14 Mar 2008 16:25:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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Batticaloa is just the beginning of that long process.
Yes,..it must be started.
Then will find the way,...step by step. |
Thambi
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 14 Mar 2008 16:27:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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United States stands by HR Report: U.S. Embassy tells Colombo
TamilNet, Friday, 14 March 2008, 15:16 GMT
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo, on Friday, issued a press statement saying that the U.S. Government was standing by its State Department issued 2007 Report on Human Rights Practices in Sri Lanka. The U.S. statement comes, following reports Friday that Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Rohita Bogollagama, had called on U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake, registering his protest to the Human Rights report issued by the U.S. State Department. |
Thambi
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14 Mar 2008 16:28:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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Colombo irked by US Rights report
TamilNet, Friday, 14 March 2008, 14:53 GMT
The 2007 Country Report of Human Rights Practices in Sri Lanka released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the U.S. State Department has created shockwaves within the Rajapakse Government according to Media reports in Colombo Friday. Sri Lanka s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama had called on the US Ambassador in Colombo, Robert O Blake, to register Sri Lanka s serious concerns on the report, Colombo media reported. |
ShanA
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14 Mar 2008 16:33:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is what I don't understand. Why anybody opposes TMVP joining democratic process? It is true that they have arms and they openly admit it having them and said they are willing to give them up. In fact they are not the only Tamil group to carry arms (non LTTE).
When UNP, IC and all the NGO and INGO talk about LTTE and having talks with them, do they ask LTTE to give up arms. NO. So they expect LTTE to enter politics still holding arms and when TMVP voluntarily enters politics, they call them with all kinds of names. I can expect that from IC and from NGO and INGO but but from not from UNP. They have to be happy that another militant group entered politics just like JVP, EPDP and others. I've no idea what UNP leadership is thinking....
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chinthanaya
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 14 Mar 2008 16:37:37 GMT Report for Abuse
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Part of the problem is that Mr. Rajapakse isn't necessarily willing to address the legitimate grievances of Tamils. His coalition rode to office in 2005 on a wave of Sinhalese nationalism and has since done little to reach across the aisle to moderate Tamil parties.
Mr. Rajapakse has already made a dangerous gamble by aligning himself with one of their factions in Batticaloa's local elections.
MR and Co's Democrazy.
Edited By - chinthanaya - 14 Mar 2008 16:43:21 GM |
sansare
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14 Mar 2008 16:37:55 GMT Report for Abuse
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You are correct Shan.
Many are not welcoming TMVP. But, they are doing a very hard try to enter to normal politics.
May be since having arms, most of them survived. If not, will LTTE give them a free run in EAST..?
With the time, I hope they will drop all guns.
That time will start from now.
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Voodoo
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14 Mar 2008 16:38:03 GMT Report for Abuse
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LTTE down fall inevitable.
Thank You International community and the couragious GOSL and it forces as well.
Thank You Karuna and Pillaiyan.
thank You all peace loving Tamils and Muslims of Srilanka.
Thank You USA,China,Pakistan ,ME and other smaller nations in the world who love democracy.
Thank You all the Peace lovers of Srilanka.
Thank You India if they deserve it.
Thank You Thamul Nadu anti Tiger forces.
Thank You Vanni anti LTTE forces.
Thank You RED CROSS for counting bodies for LTTErs but You deserve a thank You by birth.
Thank You GOSL for providing supplies to Vanni people regardless of ruthlers killers deadly challengers to block it.
So Bruce Fein lets get ready for the next election in Vanni.
Please get paid before it happens or before You pay LTTE for that.
Jayawewa.MR Chintanaya.
Ha ha Power of Chintanaya is harder than LTTE bullet.
Jayawewa Uthumaneni.MODERN DUTUGEMUNU.
Edited By - Voodoo - 14 Mar 2008 16:40:04 GMT |
MaKaSo
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14 Mar 2008 16:42:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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Batticaloa is just the beginning of that long process
Need to start from somewhere.
US is still struggling to defeat terrorist and to bring democracy in Iraq.
without much resources, SL army has confined ruthless terrorists into a jungle and paved the way to an election.
GoSL should find some ways for Tamil diapora, specially tiger supporters to vote in the provincial election :):)
may be gosl can introduce postal voting system for overseas tiger supporters.
Edited By - MaKaSo - 14 Mar 2008 16:44:50 GMT |
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