Territorially, Tamil Nadu is the closest Indian State to Sri Lanka. If not geography, at least history — especially contemporary history — should have impelled the people and political class of the island nation to keenly follow the upcoming elections on the other side of Palk Strait.
But, “politicians here are not concerned,” says Rajitha Senaratne, the spokesperson of the Sri Lankan Cabinet who is considered to be close to President Maithripala Sirisena.
No problems, no interest
Asked why the interest has come down so much, Dr. Senaratne, who was a Minister in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cabinet, says: “When [former President Mahinda] Rajapaksa was in power, there were problems [with Tamil Nadu]. Now, there are no problems.”
Vickramabahu Karunarathne, general secretary of the Nava Sama Samaj Party and a veteran Left leader, feels that politicians in Tamil Nadu are not taken seriously in Sri Lanka. “Both the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party [UNP] have neglected Tamil Nadu as their leaders believe they can get things done only through [New] Delhi [Central government].”
T.N. politics no factor anymore
Ahilan Kadirgamar, a Jaffna-based political economist, is of the view that in the past the principal parties were concerned about Tamil Nadu politics as events there could impact Colombo’s relationship with New Delhi. This, he feels, is not that big a factor anymore.
However, Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara — a prominent face of the pro-Rajapaksa camp — has an interesting take on the question. He says that the end of the 26-year-long civil war, and Tamil National Alliance chief R. Sampanthan’s decision to work with leaders of the main Sinhala parties in arriving at an understanding on the Tamil question are among the reasons behind the “diminishing level of interest.”
‘We look at the Centre’
Mayantha Dissanayake, the 42-year-old UNP legislator from Kandy and son of Gamini Dissanayake (one of the biggest advocates of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord) explains that, in general, political parties in the country pay more attention to parliamentary elections in India. “Not only foreign policies, we also like to observe economic policies of the Indian government.”
S. Thavarajah, Leader of Opposition in the Northern Provincial Council, says that there is a feeling in the North that the Tamil question was only used for political propaganda in the Indian State. He, however, adds the trend of “diminishing interest” on Tamil Nadu began in the late 1980s.
Mum is the word
Emphasising that Tamils in Sri Lanka are maintaining silence over the Tamil Nadu elections, K. Yoheshwaran, TNA MP from Batticaloa in the East, however, says the people would be happy if those who can help them getting a just settlement win the elections.
Mr. Kadirgamar, however, adds that the elections in Tamil Nadu are being followed by those keen to know if the next State government will shift its position on the fishermen’s issue.
‘Vaiko, Seeman not that powerful’
Asked about proponents of Tamil Eelam such as Vaiko of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Seeman of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, who still talk of Tamil Eelam, Dr. Senaratne comes up with a counter question: “What is their standing in Tamil Nadu?”
E. Saravanapavan, TNA MP of Jaffna, says these leaders do raise their voice when some issues crop but everyone here knows they are not that powerful.
Palani Thigamabaram, Cabinet Minister and himself a hill-country Tamil, feels that even while it is for the Sri Lankan government to protect the interests of minorities, the Indian government should also see to it that fringe elements there are kept under check as otherwise Sinhala extreme forces will only derive maximum benefit politically here.
