THE QUESTION OF FEDERALISM 

Dr. Jehan Perera reviews the electoral strategies of Tamil political parties

Fifteen years after the end of the armed conflict, the lack of development in the north and east is starkly visible compared to other regions. This is not so evident in the main cities where Tamil diaspora money has revitalised the economy; but in rural areas that remain abysmally poor and lacking infrastructure development, the situation is dire.

In the run-up to the presidential election, the difference between the Tamil majority in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and the rest of the country, has manifested itself in yet another way. The discussions focussed on fielding a common Tamil candidate for the forthcoming election rather than supporting the three main candidates.

This debate highlighted the Tamil community’s distrust of the national electoral process, and the fact that their concerns were often ignored by government leaders who prioritised the ethnic majority.

Much of the Tamil intelligentsia in the north and east expressed more interest in whether to support a common Tamil candidate rather than any of the main national contenders. They understood that a Tamil candidate, appealing primarily to voters in the Tamil majority north and east, wouldn’t win the presidency.

However, they hoped this would convey to both national and international audiences that Tamil aspirations for a political solution based on federalism are still alive.

Despite promises to implement fully the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A), which aims to devolve power to the provin­cial councils, these commitments remain unfulfilled even after 37 years since 13A was ratified.

Consequently, many Tamils feel excluded from policy formulation and decision-making processes, and this is prompting demands for a self-governed region based on federal principles.

The proposal for a common Tamil candidate also aims to address the current divisions on the Tamil political landscape since alliances and internal disputes have fragmented leadership and policy decisions.

This fragmentation prompted civil society leaders to mobilise numerous associations and groups to find a unifying candidate. The initiative faced challenges however, and there’s been no consensus on who the common candidate should be or what the campaign platform should entail.

In the end, pragmatism prevailed. There was a realisation that a common Tamil candidate would have meant Tamil voters in the north and east would forgo the chance to vote for one of the mainstream candidates likely to win the presidency.

An alternative strategy for Tamil civil society involves lobbying the main candidates to include the former’s priorities in their manifestos, and secure cross party support for these issues post-election.

After Sri Lanka gained independence from British colonial rule, the Tamil polity sought a federal governance system to allow Tamil speaking people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to legislate for their regions.

This was in response to a series of electoral defeats where the ethnic Sinhalese secured a permanent numerical majority in parliament, which undermined the rights of Tamils and Muslims.

At this crucial moment, both the government and Tamil leadership need to navigate these challenges without the rancour and bitterness of the past. They need to emphasise their commitment to inclusivity, stability and long-term development, and ensure that the voices of all Sri Lankans are heard and respected.

This approach would not only strengthen democratic governance but also foster an environment that’s conducive to both domestic harmony and foreign investment.

The upcoming presidential election has been notable for the absence of nationalist or racist rhetoric from the main candidates.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake have commendable records on inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations; and during respective election campaigns, they engaged with northern and eastern populations to demonstrate their commitment to welfare and development.

In 1997, the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga and former opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe signed an agreement – which was facilitated by the UK’s Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dr. Liam Fox – to support peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

This agreement ensured that the opposition would not undermine the government’s efforts to resolve the ‘ethnic conflict.’

The current political context – which was shaped by the economic crisis, the aragalaya movement’s call for systemic change, and the good fortune of fielding three candidates who eschew racism and narrow ethnic nationalism – presents a renewed opportunity for lasting reform.

The current political context … presents a renewed opportunity for lasting reform