Anandasangaree's hour -Dayan Jayatilleka

Anandasangaree's hour

A New York Times journalist e-mailed me the other day with a question, "does the Sri Lankan government have a plan for devolution?" It was a question to which I must confess, I had no answer, and therefore had to direct to my old friend, former Georgetown alumni, and spokesperson for the joint Tamil delegation at the crucial closing session of the 1985 Thimpu talks, Kethesh Loganathan, who is currently the deputy head of the Peace Secretariat. Frankly, I don't know whether he had an answer, or whether anyone does for that matter.

This is the Achilles heel of the democratic Sri Lankan state; the weakest link in the Sri Lankan case. It has to be rectified, and here's how: President Rajapakse should appoint the TULF leader Mr Anandasangaree as special representative, assisted by SCOPP's Kethesh Loganathan, to hammer out a devolution deal in consultation with the non-Tiger Tamil parties, the politicians of Tamil Nadu (known to Mr Sangaree), and New Delhi (where he will be welcome), as well as the Sri Lankan parties in Parliament.

Mr. Anandasangaree belongs to the old Federal Party tradition, and therefore has longstanding Tamil nationalist credentials. He is also a veteran parliamentarian, and is untainted by association with any kind of violence, unlike the other non-Tiger Tamil groups. He has good relations with the JVP and JHU, who would shoot down his devolution proposals at the cost of exposing themselves as extremists.

Mr. Anandasangaree's relations with the Tamil Nadu politicians can bring them on board or neutralise them, thereby pre-empting Prabhakaran's use of them post-election, and also relieving the pressure they are likely to bring to bear on New Delhi, against Colombo. Anandasangaree can dialogue easily with the UNP leadership. He can also convince the world community about the merits and adequacy of the devolution package.

He is a model of a moderate representative of any ethnic community anywhere in the world, and must surely be given the chance to serve his people and country in this dark hour. His time to play a role in history has come, if only we give him the chance.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/

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