Recalling his experience of the July riots, Tamil Lawmaker M.A Sumanthiran speaking at a media briefing in Jaffna this weekend says that calling the North-East as the Tamil Homeland is justified, adding that this is the only place where Tamils can feel safe.
“In 1977 when the riots broke out, the government at the time said they could not keep Tamils in the capital and sent Tamils on a plane for free,” he said. “I was one of the first to arrive aboard a ship from Colombo. We didn't have a meal for three days and those days saw the worst violence in Colombo.”
He said that the government sent Tamils to Jaffna by plane and ship, because the government accept that Tamils would be safe in their own lands. “I have said this in many places, even to Sinhalese in the South,” he said. “Some don't understand when we say homeland. So I am giving an example. This is my homeland and the government accept that I will be safe so it sent me to my homeland.”
He added that in both situations, the Sri Lankan government accepted the fact that Tamils should be sent back to the North-East because of the sense of security it afforded. He added that Tamils should strive to establish a structure that can govern them in their own territories. The parliamentarian went on to speak about the economic woes of Sri Lanka adding that the country has become bankrupt and the economy has been ruined. “They’ve destroyed the rural economies and so many talented individuals have left the country to live abroad. It is because of these violence that took place during the three decade armed conflict that all these expenses were incurred.”
