The Hindu : Front Page : Colombo assures India of political package for Tamils

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Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009
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Colombo assures India of political package for Tamils

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: India has received assurances from Sri Lanka about moves to ensure the political accommodation of its Tamil-origin citizens in the national mainstream, according to reliable sources. Although immediate relief followed by rehabilitation of civilians tops the Indian agenda, New Delhi is also pushing Colombo to begin the political reconciliation process at the earliest.

India realises that Tamils there need a political system in which they can feel comfortable. Quick-fix elections would amount to “changing of the hat” and is unlikely to work as is the case in the Eastern Province, where a conflict seems to be developing between the two main Tamil figures. India is also pinning its hopes on the vibrant Tamil-origin civil society which has worked through the conflict.

“We have long-term national interest in Sri Lanka. Playing political games won’t help. There is life after May 13 [election in Tamil Nadu],” said the sources, while pointing out that Sri Lanka’s top leadership would implement the Constitution’s ‘Thirteenth Amendment plus.’

This could include moving some items from the concurrent to the provincial list and the setting up of a second chamber of federal representatives.

“We will keep pushing. There must be an attempt after 23 years of wars but the path won’t be easy. There has been Sinhala chauvinism and alteration in civil-military relations. Things won’t suddenly flip back to normal,” they added.

In the immediate term, India will soon be sending 50,000 additional family packs as part of the Rs.100-crore grant announced by the Centre on Monday. These family packets last for three weeks and comprise enough food items, shelter, and medicines for a nuclear family. They will be in addition to the 40,000 family packets sent last week.

India also has a de-mining team in place in view of the heavily mined territory and is planning to send more personnel. It is also in the process of shifting its temporary hospital from the coast to inland. The capacity of the 100-bed hospital with a complement of 62 doctors will also be expanded.

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