The Tamil issue in Sri lanka could be solved only with a change in the mindset of the ethnic Tamils in the Island nation, especially those in the north and east provinces, according to the BJP.
“The problem between the Tamils and the Sinhala in Sri lanka is not at all an ethnic issue. It has arisen out of mistrust and an artificial linguistic distinction between the Tamils and the Sinhalas. What the Tamils should do is to get over from their chauvinistic mindset and feel that they are Sri lankans first and Tamils second. They should elect the parties which deliver for the entire nation. If they continue to be enslaved by the thoughts that they are only Tamils, they would become irrelevant in Sri lanka,” said Dr Subramanian Swamy, chairman, Strategic Affairs Committee of the BJP.
Delivering the valedictory address at of the conclave ‘Defence Seminar 2014’ organised by the Sri lanka Army at Colombo on Wednesday, Swamy pointed out the Sri lankan Government under President Rajapaksa was more than willing to hold the elections to the Northern Provincial Council in spite of the fact that he was sure about a defeat for his own party. “There was no election for more than quarter of a century. But Rajapaksa walked the extra mile and held the elections. Most of the promises made in the 13th amendment of the Constitution has been implemented by the Sri lankan Government,” Swamy pointed out.
The BJP leader said he fully agreed with the stance of the Rajapaksa Government that the power of police and revenue could not be devolved ito the provincial council. The country has got over from a three-decade-long civil war and the Government wiped out the most ruthless terrorist organisation (lTTE) in the world . It will take time for the wounds to heal and till then the Provincial Govern-ment has to wait,” he said.