Disillusion
The enormous suffering of refugees in the Vanni places the Tamil political parties in a difficult position. While continuing to support the government they are unable to ensure that sufficient food and medicine gets across Thandikulam. On the other hand they are also unable to do anything about the inadequacy of the government peace proposals or expediting the procedure for its acceptance.
TULF leader M Sivasithamparam points out that over an year has elapsed since the publication of the peace package and expresses concern that it is now doomed to suffer the same fate as previous failed peace initiatives. TULF continues to oppose the government in Parliament for extension of Emergency rule. The other Tamil parties are edgy and say they may be forced to do the same. They are also annoyed over government decision to appoint a coordinating committee for the north-east intead of an interim adminstration which would incorporate representatives of the Tamil
parties. Observers say negotiations are underway behind the scenes with Hill Country leader and minister S Thondaman to ensure CWC votes in Parliament in case the other Tamil parties decide to oppose the government. If Mr Thondaman agrees, his grandson Arumugam will be rewarded with a ministerial post.
The Tamil parties have a third problem. They are also unable to convince the UNP to take a clear and definite stand favourable to the minorities. The UNP announced in July that it opposed the change in the unitary state. But there are stirrings within the party. Colombo Mayor and UNP Treasure K Ganeshalingam has declared that the unitary state will not solve the conflict. He has called on the UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe to support the merger of the northen and eastern provinces.
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