: Ever since the conclusion of the civil war in 2009, political parties in Tamil Nadu had remained unrelenting in their hardened perception of the Sri Lankan government, led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, so much so that barely any dialogue was possible on crucial issues involving mutual interest.
Mr. Rajapaksa was the face of a majoritarian regime that was accused of using the military to suppress the rights of the minority Tamil population. For the last six years, every political party in Tamil Nadu had pressed for international action against the regime, in general, and Mr. Rajapaksa, in particular, for the alleged “war crimes” committed during the final stages of the war.
This meant that dialogue on vital issues such as those of the fishermen remained stalemated. The Union governments, led by the UPA, too came under tremendous pressure on positions to take in international forums on the Rajapaksa regime, further intensifying the suspicion on both sides. Even sporting ties between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka were affected.
While the antagonism against Mr. Rajapaksa would continue to prevail, many feel an opportunity has opened up to improve upon with a larger dialogue. But whether political parties here tone down their position on the new Sri Lankan government would depend on the signals Maithripala Sirisena sends in the initial few months of his reign.
Former professor of South and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Madras, V. Suriyanarayanan, said the competitive politics of the AIADMK and the DMK has determined the manner in which Tamil Nadu had dealt with Sri Lanka in the recent decades. For long, rhetoric had trumped reality.
Nevertheless, he said there should be a realisation that the change in Sri Lanka has been ushered in by a popular, democratic uprising through the ballot box. Thus, what has been installed is a credible government.
“To start with, Mr. Sirisena should focus on the northern provincial development in coordination with the Tamil National Alliance. The military Governor there should be replaced with a civilian in consultation with the Chief Minister. There should be commitment to devolution of powers under the 13{+t}{+h}Amendment with clauses ensuring a unified Sri Lanka,” he said.
Assistant professor at the Madras Christian College, Ashik Bonofer, said much would depend on the position the new Sri Lankan regime takes at the UNHRC meet in March.
“With a new government in place, the UNHRC-appointed commission will again seek access for its probe into the alleged war crimes. How Mr. Sirisena deals with the issue may determine the response of the political parties here. They could view this as the litmus test of Mr. Sirisena’s commitment to minority rights,” he said.
Also, experts said that with Mr. Rajapaksa now out of the picture, Tamil Nadu should ensure further momentum in arriving at a solution to the fishermen crisis, which involves the Tamil community on both sides.
“Sirisena should focus on the northern provincial development in coordination with the Tamil National Alliance’’
