Speaking at the announcement of a common Tamil candidate to contest in Sri Lanka’s upcoming presidential elections, political analyst Nilanthan outlined the rationale behind such a move, stating that it was to unite Tamils across the island.
Read more of his remarks, translated into English, below.
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A concept spoken about for 10, even 15 years, is materialising today. Common Tamil candidate. A common Tamil candidate means a common Tamil stance. A common Tamil stance means a stance on Tamil nationalism. A stance on Tamil nationalism means protecting and nurturing the unity of our homeland. A candidate hailing from the east has been put forward today as the common Tamil candidate on this basis, or protecting the unity of the Tamil homeland.
Tamils stand today scattered into various groups. The candidate from the Eastern Tamil homeland is a symbol, with the goal of uniting Tamils in strength. This common Tamil candidate is a symbol. It doesn't signify an individual. It is a principle. Tamils have always voted for a principle. They have voted for principles over the past century. They have also voted out their leaders who deviated from their principles. So, Tamils will always vote on principle. If they are killed in their masses they will [still] vote on principles. The concept of a common Tamil candidate has been presented today to unite the Tamil people who haven't realised their strength. This candidate, as far as Tamils are concerned, is one to unite them as one. To the outside world he will be one who highlights the still burning issue of Tamils' national problem. The Tamil national question still prevails. It hasn't been resolved even after 15 years from the end of the armed struggle. A solution is required. Regional and global powers who intervened have so far failed to solve the Tamils' problems. On this basis he will espouse a solution to the national question. He will unite the Tamil people into a nation. There are many examples over the past century to show that Tamils will unite as a nation. It is on this basis that the concept of a common Tamil candidate has turned into reality.
The common Tamil candidate will unite the Tamils as one. I said at the outset, when the memorandum for this was signed, that this body will be an open house. This body has been created to welcome parties and powers that are on the outside. Tamil national entities can still join this body. Because a common Tamil stance is a common Tamil national stance. The common Tamil candidate's success depends on creating a wave of votes. Most surges in Tamils' votes over time have been around Tamil nationalism. So, if we are to create a wave, a surge of Tamil votes, then we need to welcome all Tamil nationalist entities who are yet to be part of this. Tamil unity has to be built on a wide base. When Tamils voice as one what their identity is, and what their wishes are, to the outside world, that will carry a lot of weight. That call will have strength. This common Tamil candidate is being put forward as a symbol of that Tamil strength. Our people have been scattered over the past fifteen years. We have to unite them around this candidate.
You, the media, have to support us in uniting our people. This is the time of social media. This is plain to see by looking at what is happening in Bangladesh and Kenya. Media has a major role in uniting a nation. This candidate is a symbol to unite our people. This is a symbol of Tamil unity. Using this unity, we will espouse as one our issues to the world. This body has been created for everyone who cares about Tamil nationalism. Through this the Tamil people will have influence. This power to influence will lead to the ability to negotiate. It will then tell the whole world and Sri Lanka that our national problems have not been resolved and that they need to be resolved.
We are gathered in Thanthai Selva auditorium. It is in this auditorium we signed the memorandum of understanding. Thathai Selva's bust is behind me. He was a Protestant Christian. Yet he united the mainly Hindu Tamils. We didn't address him as 'thanthai’ (father) because of his faith. We honoured him as our father because we saw him as the father of our nation. He was called the 'Gandhi of Eelam'. Our people stood behind him because of his principles, transcending faiths. Our people cannot be divided by faith, caste, regionalism or whatever else. But unfortunately we have been scattered over the past fifteen years. We have to unite them once more. Our people will show once more they cannot be divided. It is for that a candidate from the Eastern Tamil Homelands is being put forward here.
A common Tamil candidate means a common Tamil stance. A common Tamil stance means a stance on Tamil nationalism..
