Chief minister seeks stronger provincial council system
By Arthur WamananThe political leaders responsible for the killings of Tamil people in the 1990s should apologise for their acts, Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan said.
Chandrakanthan made these remarks while giving evidence at the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies on October 20.
Chandrakanthan joined the LTTE in 1991 and broke away from the organisation with Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman in 2004.
Muralitharan formed the party Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in which Chandrakanthan was considered his deputy.
Muralitharan formed the party Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in which Chandrakanthan was considered his deputy.
The name of the party was later changed to Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal.
Chandrakanthan, in his evidence stated, he had witnessed several acts of violence by the military in the early 90s, which led him to join the LTTE.
He said he had on several occasions witnessed the killings, abductions of several innocent people in the 90s.
“I have seen several bodies scattered on the roadsides,” he told the commission.
Chandrakanthan, in his evidence stated, he had witnessed several acts of violence by the military in the early 90s, which led him to join the LTTE.
He said he had on several occasions witnessed the killings, abductions of several innocent people in the 90s.
“I have seen several bodies scattered on the roadsides,” he told the commission.
Failed pacts
Chandrakanthan blamed former President J R Jayewardene for the snowballing of the ethnic conflict.
According to Chandrakanthan, the Banda-Chelva pact, which was based on regional council system, was opposed by Jayewardene who was at the opposition.
“He (Jayewardene) feared that the Tamils would be given a separate state and staged a walk from Galle Face, opposing the pact. This resulted in the pact being thrown away,” Chandrakanthan said.
He also said that the Dudley-Chelva pact was signed later on the basis of District Development Council system.
“Even though it was implemented, the councils did not have much administrative powers,” Chandrakanthan added.
Chandrakanthan blamed former President J R Jayewardene for the snowballing of the ethnic conflict.
According to Chandrakanthan, the Banda-Chelva pact, which was based on regional council system, was opposed by Jayewardene who was at the opposition.
“He (Jayewardene) feared that the Tamils would be given a separate state and staged a walk from Galle Face, opposing the pact. This resulted in the pact being thrown away,” Chandrakanthan said.
He also said that the Dudley-Chelva pact was signed later on the basis of District Development Council system.
“Even though it was implemented, the councils did not have much administrative powers,” Chandrakanthan added.
Chandrakanthan pointed out that the Tamils, at that time, never demanded for a separate state.
According to Chandrakanthan, the youth decided to take up arms, as the Tamil political leaders did not have the ability to address the problem.
During this time, several groups such as LTTE, PLOTE and TELO opted for armed struggle.
Chandrakanthan added the emergence of armed struggle resulted in clashes within the groups, in which the LTTE finally survived.
Chandrakanthan said Jayewardene was forced to accept a solution based on the provinciail council system.
“All this destruction would not have taken place if he had not opposed the Banda-Chelva pact,” Chandrakanthan said.
According to Chandrakanthan, the youth decided to take up arms, as the Tamil political leaders did not have the ability to address the problem.
During this time, several groups such as LTTE, PLOTE and TELO opted for armed struggle.
Chandrakanthan added the emergence of armed struggle resulted in clashes within the groups, in which the LTTE finally survived.
Chandrakanthan said Jayewardene was forced to accept a solution based on the provinciail council system.
“All this destruction would not have taken place if he had not opposed the Banda-Chelva pact,” Chandrakanthan said.
Giving further evidence, he pointed out that former President Ranasinghe Premadasa also approached the ethnic problem in an antagonistic manner. Chandrakanthan alleged that while indirectly supporting the provincial council system, Premadasa had also provided arms to the LTTE.
“And in 1990, when the war broke out, Premadasa sent his army to fight the weapons he had given the LTTE,” Chandrakanthan said.
“And in 1990, when the war broke out, Premadasa sent his army to fight the weapons he had given the LTTE,” Chandrakanthan said.
“There were several killings and abductions in 1990. Around 174 people who were suspected to have links with the LTTE were taken by the military. Their whereabouts are unknown. During this period, I thought that a separate state was the only solution to the ethnic problem.”
Chandrakanthan said the regime at that time had tried to create problems within the Tamil and Muslim communities.
Chandrakanthan said the regime at that time had tried to create problems within the Tamil and Muslim communities.
“The security force personnel would sometimes identify himself as a Muslim. The Tamils thought that he was a Muslim home guard. The tensions between the two communities therefore increased.”
Chandrakanthan also briefed the commission on the period leading up to the split within the LTTE.
He stated that there were differences of opinion on various issues during the 2002 ceasefire agreement. This eventually led to the split within the LTTE.
He said clashes erupted between the LTTE and the breakaway faction. He said the clashes resulted in the killing of many of those who had broken away from the Tigers.
Chandrakanthan also briefed the commission on the period leading up to the split within the LTTE.
He stated that there were differences of opinion on various issues during the 2002 ceasefire agreement. This eventually led to the split within the LTTE.
He said clashes erupted between the LTTE and the breakaway faction. He said the clashes resulted in the killing of many of those who had broken away from the Tigers.
Futile battle
According to Chandrakanthan, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran did not realise the trend of the world and was preparing for another battle.
“President Rajapaksa invited the LTTE for talks. It did not happen and it resulted in the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement. We decided to work with the government against the LTTE.”
The chief minister said the provincial council system should be strengthened and implemented.
The commission questioned the chief minister on law and order problems in the East despite the absence of the LTTE.
According to Chandrakanthan, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran did not realise the trend of the world and was preparing for another battle.
“President Rajapaksa invited the LTTE for talks. It did not happen and it resulted in the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement. We decided to work with the government against the LTTE.”
The chief minister said the provincial council system should be strengthened and implemented.
The commission questioned the chief minister on law and order problems in the East despite the absence of the LTTE.
Chandrakanthan, in response, said that there have been such problems since 2002 to 2008.
“For example, there was a situation where in one family, one would be an LTTE supporter and the other would be a supporter of the TMVP. Therefore, there were problems as a result of this. These matters have been dealt legally,” he said.
“For example, there was a situation where in one family, one would be an LTTE supporter and the other would be a supporter of the TMVP. Therefore, there were problems as a result of this. These matters have been dealt legally,” he said.
The commission also brought up the killing of 600 policemen in 1990 and asked whether Chandrakanthan would apologise to the families of the policemen for the act.
Chandrakanthan said the killing took place in 1990 and he joined a year later.
“The police stations were rounded up on June 11, 1990. I was in school at that time. I heard from the people that the policemen were killed within two to three weeks,” he said.
“I would apologise to them for being in the LTTE. But, it would be appropriate if you could invite Karuna Amman and ask him to apologise to the family members, as he was our commander at that time.”
Chandrakanthan said the killing took place in 1990 and he joined a year later.
“The police stations were rounded up on June 11, 1990. I was in school at that time. I heard from the people that the policemen were killed within two to three weeks,” he said.
“I would apologise to them for being in the LTTE. But, it would be appropriate if you could invite Karuna Amman and ask him to apologise to the family members, as he was our commander at that time.”
Sampur families
In addition, Chandrakanthan also said there were around 6,000 people who were displaced from Sampur.
He said the President had personally spoken to him about the matter during a recent meeting.
When asked by the commission whether he would undertake the responsibility to resettle those people, Chandrakanthan stated that there were difficulties in resettling the people in their own places.
Chandrakanthan explained that the government was developing Sampur as an economic hub and therefore impossible to resettle the people. The government has plans of constructing a thermal power plant in Sampur.
Chandrakanthan said the displaced people insisted that they be resettled in their own places and not in any other places, which commission described as their right.
In addition, Chandrakanthan also said there were around 6,000 people who were displaced from Sampur.
He said the President had personally spoken to him about the matter during a recent meeting.
When asked by the commission whether he would undertake the responsibility to resettle those people, Chandrakanthan stated that there were difficulties in resettling the people in their own places.
Chandrakanthan explained that the government was developing Sampur as an economic hub and therefore impossible to resettle the people. The government has plans of constructing a thermal power plant in Sampur.
Chandrakanthan said the displaced people insisted that they be resettled in their own places and not in any other places, which commission described as their right.
“I personally told them that I would find them alternate lands within the same DS division. But, they insist that they want to go back to their own villages. I can make arrangements for their resettlement if they are willing to be resettled in another place. But, if they want their lands back, then the decision has to be taken by the President.”
The commission also brought up issues pertaining to the ownership of lands and the difficulties faced by people in getting back the lands after their return.
The commission also brought up issues pertaining to the ownership of lands and the difficulties faced by people in getting back the lands after their return.
Chandrakanthan stated that the people would have no problem in getting their lands back, if they produced the necessary legal documents.
He added that in several instances, he had personally intervened and solved land issues in the east.
“The people who were displaced can get back their original lands, if they have the necessary legal documents. There is no problem in getting their lands back if they possess the relevant documents.”
He added that in several instances, he had personally intervened and solved land issues in the east.
“The people who were displaced can get back their original lands, if they have the necessary legal documents. There is no problem in getting their lands back if they possess the relevant documents.”
Speeches in Tamil
Foundation for Co-Existence chairman Dr Kumar Rupesinghe, meanwhile, told the commission there were forces outside the country hell-bent on Tamil Eelam. “A small group with weapons could create havoc in the country.”
He said the majority in the country did not know about the official language.
He said people should be encouraged to learn Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Rupesinghe cited the best example was President Mahinda Rajapaksa learning Tamil and giving speeches in the language.
Foundation for Co-Existence chairman Dr Kumar Rupesinghe, meanwhile, told the commission there were forces outside the country hell-bent on Tamil Eelam. “A small group with weapons could create havoc in the country.”
He said the majority in the country did not know about the official language.
He said people should be encouraged to learn Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Rupesinghe cited the best example was President Mahinda Rajapaksa learning Tamil and giving speeches in the language.
He said the people should be taught the languages in a manner that they would enjoy and added that the Foundation for Co-Existence was looking into possible methods of teaching the languages to the people.
In addition, he said there were issues in Tamil people lodging complaints in their mother tongue in the North and East. “The police have tried to address this issue,” he said.
Dr Rupesinghe also cited an example where in India, a female policewoman had placed a complaint form on a website for the convenience of the public.
He said that a similar measure would be very useful in Sri Lanka and added that it would work here if it worked in a larger country like India.
In addition, he said there were issues in Tamil people lodging complaints in their mother tongue in the North and East. “The police have tried to address this issue,” he said.
Dr Rupesinghe also cited an example where in India, a female policewoman had placed a complaint form on a website for the convenience of the public.
He said that a similar measure would be very useful in Sri Lanka and added that it would work here if it worked in a larger country like India.
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