(Report of the discussion held at the IPCS Conference Room on 26 September 2006. Mr. V Anandasangaree was the main speaker. The session was chaired by Dhirendra Singh.)

Dipankar Banerjee

Sri Lanka is a very valuable and important neighbour. Peace and stability in the island nation is a vital strategic objective for India, the region and the world. How can India form policies that encourage peace and stability in Sri Lanka?

Dhirendra Singh

Sri Lanka today is a troubled land, where peace and war are on a knife's edge. India and Sri Lanka have a very long history as far as the cultural, political and economic spheres are concerned. There have been waves of migrations, some in the distant and some in the colonial past. Suffice to say, India is interested in a lasting solution and is interested in the integrity, peace and prosperity of Sri Lanka and is looking for voices which will contribute to a lasting solution.

V Anandasangaree

The issue of peace and discord in Sri Lanka is a matter which could take days to discuss in full. Sri Lanka today counts on India for many of its needs-Sri Lanka and India are friends.

The discord in Sri Lanka is a problem which is now fifty years old dating to 1956. After attempts at peace, the 1983 riots were a turning point. This was a major communal riot and the Tamils began to fight for a separate state. At the time, the government conceded to some Tamil demands, concessions which the government considered to be tactical moves that would help bring about a solution. People questioned the integrity of the government. The government was off course not committed and it turns out accepting these concessions were a major tactical blunder.

Today, however, Sri Lanka is close to a solution. The victorious presidential candidate, who polled 47.8% of the vote, supports a federal constitution. Unfortunately, the Tamils have bad luck, and Sri Lanka as a whole is most unfortunate-whenever Sri Lanka gets close to a situation, something disastrous happens. Despite the protestations of the radical party-the JVP-Sri Lanka today is ready for a solution.

Every Sinhalese is moderate, accommodating, and they are fond of the Tamils. The Tamils reciprocate this generosity. Indeed, the Sinhalese, the Muslims, and the Tamils live like brothers as they have for the past 1,500 years. The catch, however, is the LTTE.

The LTTE says that it is trying to bring back the rights of the Tamils but instead it has worked to suppress the rights of everyone. Today, Sri Lankans do not enjoy rights they had 23 years back. The hoodlums are to be blamed. There are so many stories of the Sinhalese actually saving the lives of their ethnic brethren. Unfortunately, despite the love between the Sinhalese, the Muslims, and the Tamils, the LTTE and the hoodlums have destroyed countless lives and billions of dollars of property.

Civil society also needs to talk about the lives lost. Yes, lives have been lost outside the LTTE controlled areas, but no one ever talks about the countless lives lost within those areas controlled by the LTTE. The LTTE is a terrorist group which has attacked airports and the Sri Lankan navy. They take school children and impress them as LTTE fighters.

Sri Lanka must devise a constitution based upon the Indian model, a federal constitution which will bring peace and silence the fighting.

D Siddharthan

Sri Lanka gave up the armed struggle, but 19 years have passed, and the killing has continued and the nation must arm itself. Time and again, Sri Lankans have been told "now there will be peace." Time and again, Sri Lankans surrendered our weapons. The LTTE continued their killings. The SLMM claimed to guarantee safety but could not keep even a single boy safe.

The SLMM is biased-biased toward the LTTE. Sri Lankans still hope for peace and Sri Lankans pray that India once again will become involved and deliver peace to deliver a settlement for a united Sri Lanka. India is more powerful than the President of Sri Lanka. This is the ground reality. Civil society must also continue to discuss how children are being used in the war by the LTTE.

Sritharan

India must do something to bring peace to Sri Lanka. LTTE will not negotiate for peace but many support the peace process. Hundreds have been killed but there should still be devolution and democratic space. India must help Sri Lanka in every aspect, including humanitarian issues.

Discussion

Question: Who is opposed to a federal solution?
Answer: Except for one group that thinks they are powerful, all others support the federal system-the JVP supports a unitary solution.

Question: What specifically can India do for Sri Lanka?
Answer: If a federal constitution is proposed, India can serve as an intermediary and convey this proposal to the LTTE. If the LTTE makes a reasonable response, then their suggestions could be accommodated. India should also bring pressure on local legislatures and the parties in power to give us space.

Comment: Many believe in Sri Lanka's own ability to formulate a federal constitutional system for themselves. The problem is not India and the federal structure for Sri Lanka should not be decided in India or in Tamil politics. If a viable solution is suggested, it will elicit support from the entire country and indeed, the entire world.

Question: What rights have the LTTE eliminated?
Answer: Sri Lankans expect justice and are committed to non-violence. People are denied the right to vote, to hold meetings, and the LTTE rigs elections.

Question: Though there is a need of a political solution, the weakness of the Sri Lankan judiciary is a glaring problem. How can this be resolved?
Answer: There is no problem with the judiciary.

Final Remarks

Dhirendra Singh

What is heartening is to see is that there is always hope for a lasting solution. The impression is that a solution is nearer rather than further away and if the Government of India and its people can play a role in bringing peace, it would be a lasting benefit for the entire region.