Sri Lankans should divert their intelligence and industry to build peace than to encourage violent conflict.

By Prof. Bertram Bastiampillai

Sri Lanka has been confronted by political discord. First it was between the majority rulers, Sinhalese, and the hill country Tamils- Indian descendants, since the 1820’s. Then in 1956, Sinhalese was declared the official language of the country, ignoring Tamil speaking people, inclusive of a large number of Muslims from the North and the East and elsewhere, together with the Eurasiens, popularly known as Burghers and Malay’s, again the Tamil speaking portion of the populous. Naturally the consequences were the agitation of the Tamils, in the North and East and the Sinhalese response to this lead to anti Tamil riots.

Sri Lanka was never a nation in the true sense of the word. People did not get integrated to build a nation, but remained separate and distinctive within Sri Lanka. There never developed a cohesive nationalism against even foreign rule among local inhabitants. British imperial rule did not unify the people of Sri Lanka to combat colonialism, as that which occurred in India. Our demand for freedom on the contrary was based on petitions and Prayers to British overlord, submitted by principally and largely the Sinhalese elites, with a negligible number of Tamil associates. These Tamils were also elitists, divorced from the common people in the North and East. Later these Tamil elitists together with a Tamil liberal leader, Ponnambalam Arunachalam, resigned from the Chairmanship of the Ceylon National Congress, which was turning out to be ever more Pro- Sinhalese, and a Buddhist renaissance raged.

Attempts to sort out differences between Sinhalese and Tamils failed many times. In 1957 an agreement between Premier, SWRD Bandaranaike and the Tamil leader of Federal party, S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, had to be annulled at the insistence of intolerant Sinhalese headed by Buddhist monks. Similarly, another agreement between Premier Dudley Senanayake and S.J.V. Chelvanayakam was never introduced in 1966. Then again, when India mediated in the Sri Lankan perennial problem which was intractable, a settlement was announced through the 13th amendment to the constitution. But the settlement was soon watered down as Premier and later President, R. Premadasa and some of his colleagues in the United National Party who were opposed to being liberal and fair to Tamils.

Earlier, District Development Councils of the 1980’s and later the Provincial Council system of the late 1980’s proved futile and provided no satisfactory solution to Tamil expectations which by now had become mild and rationally accommodative. But linguistic nationalism and the resurgence of Buddhist demands thwarted the granting of even limited concessions to Tamils. Today the North-East remains still without a Provincial Council ironically within Sinhalese areas.

If there is a will to solve the Tamil problem one can think of examples as that of accommodation of demands in Catalunya, Spain, or in Aland, Finland and its Executive Council under the Autonomy Act. The Act is the basis of Aland’s autonomy enacted by Finland’s Parliament and accepted by island. This act permits Aland’s Parliament to enact laws on education and culture, health and medical services, promotion of industry, internal communications, local District administration and local police services while the Finish government retains the postal, customs and monetary matters, courts of justice, and the penal code, most aspects of civil law and foreign administration. But Aland has an elected representative in the Finland Parliament to safeguard Aland’s interests.

Aland’s Parliament of 30 members is elected every four years by secret proportional ballot and the minimum voting age is eighteen years. Political groups in Aland are independent. Finland collects taxes, customs, dues, and charges in Aland as in Finland. Outlays of Aland are borne through allocation in the state budget placed at their disposal by Aland’s Parliament. Aland Island receives similar benefits as other areas of Finland with special concern for the isolation of Aland. Likewise, in Sri Lanka the North and East too can receive special consideration for neglected development or damage caused by skirmishes. Economic action in Aland is freer inside owing to self government.

Yet, there is supervision of laws of Aland’s Parliament by Finland’s President. The President vetoes actions beyond Aland’s legislative competence. Aland’s delegation, half appointed by Finland and the other half by Aland’s Parliament,which supervises it to ensure that Aland does not exceed it economic and administrative limits. Aland’s Executive Council is also the government of Aland, which drafts and puts into effect matters regarding autonomy. This Executive Council is appointed by the Aland Parliament on parliamentary principles after discussion between the political groups. This is to secure that the Executive Council takes actions desired by the majority. The government is permitted to assist it and the Executive Council has an administrative machinary comprising of a Central Board with six departments. Aland’s government executes administration activities in all spheres under the autonomy devolved upon Aland authorities instead of Finish State. Various ministries, a cabinet and administration Boards such as Housing and Education Boards carry on their work in Aland.

Originally Aland belonged to Sweden but occasionally with an autonomous administration. During the 1808 -1809 war, Sweden was forced to surrender Finland and Aland to Russia. When the Russian empire disintegrated in l9l7 Aland planned to reunite with Sweden. But Finland did not wish to comply with Aland’s wish but agreed to allow Aland some autonomy in decision making by an act of the Finnish Parliament in 1920. Although Alanders did not welcome this, the League of Nations decided that Finland should be sovereign over Aland in 1921. Finland agreed to comply with Aland’s wishes but enacted an Autonomy Act and in 1922 the first election to Aland‘s Parliament was conducted. The right to own and hold real estate has been restricted to land for the Alander’s within the isle. Aland is demilitarized and no armed forces and no fortifications can exit in Aland. It is also nuclear power free.

Apart from Aland there are many other autonomous regions, which offer examples that Sri Lanka can follow instead of continuing with the Sinhalese- Tamil conflict and constant bickering and belligerence. Then alone will this beautiful Island enjoy peace and stability. Sri Lankans should divert their intelligence and industry to build peace than to encourage violent conflict.

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