Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

21  May 2017

Eelam Tamil Nadu Armed Corpse

ANZAC & ETNAC

On 25 April we celebrate ANZAC day, the significance of which is explained by the officials as follows:

[When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. When Britain declared war in August 1914 Australia was automatically placed on the side of the Commonwealth. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign. Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of Australian and New Zealand forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy. What became known as the “Anzac legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.]

Considering that the LTTE were a minority group within minority Tamils in Sri Lanka, technically speaking they could easily have been defeated by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Like the 8000 plus soldiers who died in the war against Turkey, the level soldiers who died in the Sri Lankan war was far above that which could be projected as per the ‘seen’ power of numbers. Until therefore the Sri Lankan Government asks itself as to WHY that was the case, the problem will remain and grow itself in the Sri Lankan Government’s mind and the minds of those who rely on the government to find the solutions. In any case, celebrating a victory on that basis is to fool oneself.

The Sunday Observer Editorial under the Subject Heading ‘ One War Many Memories’  

states as follows:

[Last Friday, President Maithripala Sirisena, in his speech at the Remembrance Ceremony of the Armed Forces, emphasized both, the need for a nation’s military strength as well as the need that is expressly symbolised by the remembrance of this particular war – the need for inter-ethnic reconciliation after a war over inter-ethnic problems.

The ethics and political professionalism of a governmental leadership that directed the armed forces in the final years of this war may be questioned. After all, the Rajapaksa regime – while thriving on massive corruption partly benefiting from armaments – adopted a crude, simplistic strategy of ultra-nationalist ethnic mobilization that focused on the military defeat of the insurgency without any political management of the motivations of those Sri Lankan citizens active in the insurgency or who supported it. The resultant defeat of an insurgency fought by and supported by a section of the citizenry, while certainly being a heroic success for the Sri Lankan armed forces, is more a challenge to the nation as a whole rather than simply a ‘victory’.

That is why Remembrance Day is one of remembering the human sacrifice and bravery rather than a celebration of a victory.]

This ‘enlightenment’ does not appear to have come from admitting to the injustice meted out to Tamils – including the LTTE over whom Armed Soldiers who deviated from the laws of disciplinary action as internals and/or war as externals – did not have any authority to attack.

To know why something that affected us happened we need to seek and find the source of our motivation. ANZAC purpose is highlighted as follows:

[in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world]

The Battle of Vanni happened at that time at that place due to the desire of the Government to ‘show’ victory. The soldiers died so Politicians could get a name. Not many would have been motivated by the grand aim of ‘protecting the nation’ from an enemy. To the extent they did – they were fighting against LTTE to protect the Sinhala Nation and not to Defend Sri Lanka in Common. Whether we like it or not – as per the law, LTTE are Sri Lankans. As per their Truth – LTTE fought also to empower those who resourced them – primarily Indian Politicians. Mr. Modi  as per his Natural makeup – assumed that position and hence the recent declarations here in Sri Lanka.

Recently, an American Academic of Lankan origin – asked during discussion: on Reconciliation and in response to a Sinhala National presenting her side and me the Tamil side  :

 [With such opposite viewpoints, one is entitled to ask where is the common  ground for the much vaunted Reconciliation between Tamils and Sinhala (and Muslims)?  

Are all these "unity and peace" do-gooders living in a delusionary and hallucinatory world?

Isn't Reconciliation a mirage, a distraction, and a waste of time and resources, as Sri Lanka totters on the brink of bankruptcy?]

I responded as follows:

 ‘Yes, the differences are irreconcilable. But those who have benefits from making those promises – do not want to accept that reality. It’s like Budgets with no reference to Actuals’

The American asked:

[But whose fault is that? Tamils' fault, fair and square.

Why aren't rich Colombo Tamils and rich Tamil diaspora not investing in Jaffna? Do they only go to Jaffna for a  "good time"?  Then write scathing reports about Tamil neglect by the Center?

This constant moaning and groaning has to stop. Sri Lanka is tottering on the brink of sovereign bankruptcy, and it is now in everybody's interest and future to stop the bickering.  Unite, they must, to save the country. The alternative evokes a vision from Hell!

How many Tamil MPs are dual citizens? With Swiss bank accounts like MP Geetha? Geetha ought to face a firing squad for blatant hypocrisy and double standards.

Don't bank on Reconciliation, Mr Prime Minister.  Get real!  Enough of this game of smoke-and-mirrors played out by the previous rogues' gallery of Mahinda Rajapakse.]

To the above response was annexed the Colombo Page article ‘Northern economy must be developed for Sri Lanka's growth – PM’

My response was:

[That is Jaffna. We are law unto ourselves.  Those who want to invest in Jaffna take on that risk – that the Jaffna man would take the benefits if the game is brought down to lower level. They are ‘free’ of the Central Government’s influence over them. The Tigers wrote the last chapter of that. One who comes to Jaffna largely for economic purposes is likely to be disappointed or even feel cheated. One who comes for that Independence – will be rewarded. The source of that are the intellectuals like Prof. Satha’s ancestors to whom Jaffna was also home]

They say that we get the behavior we reward. Once the Activity / Game is brought down to the direct level – we often fail to pass them through laws/plans/budgets. If we do not consciously ‘think’ and feel ‘free’ we end up showing our Truth. Where one does not have influence over minds of those whom s/he is managing, that Truth would guide the manager in good order. The Truth about Jaffna is that there aren’t enough managers because majority are driven by outcomes they think they are entitled to. The targets outlined by the Prime Minister are listed as follows:

Special focus to develop economy of North and East 

1,000 state sector jobs to Jaffna grads 

Expressway system to be developed in the North with Indian assistance

Tourism Task Force to visit Jaffna to explore new opportunities 

Read with focus the essence of the above message is to announce the entry of Indian investors in Northern Sri Lanka.  State sector jobs carry the risk of heavy idleness due to serious lack of order in State enterprises in Northern Sri Lanka. Jaffna needs investment in serving ‘outsiders’ including those from Colombo as per the standards of the higher side – especially when it is the Customer. This has been part of my ‘service’ here in Jaffna town. I reward those who connect to my mind more quickly than other service providers. So, having a good time is ok – so long as the higher standards that the Diaspora has to provide in Western Nations are shared here in Jaffna. Indians discarded by their government will pollute Jaffna – the example being IPKF – Indian Peace Keeping Force. We do not want another Indian Politician getting killed due to collusion between armed Tamils and Sinhalese.

Our parallel of ANZAC is ETNAC Eelam Tamil Nadu Armed Corps. When I honored Australian soldiers on ANZAC day – I honored also Tamils who suffered and paved the way for Peace for their heirs. Those who died in May 2009 – in Vanni contributed to Independence – some through Conscious purpose and others like the ANZAC legends, by becoming  the victims of lack of that Independence.