I really don't like to talk about war in general: it's an ugly, murky "fact of life" that we all have to deal with, all driven by the selfish desires of madmen and people who seek to sow discord between human beings for all the wrong reasons you can think of, whether it be "racial differences" or simply because "these" people are somewhat "trying" to "kill" you, because "they" pose some "clear, present and imminent danger" to you and others. Of course, it can get more complicated than that as people compete for resources, power, and anything that can be of advantage to them.
But in many cases, there is what we call "ethnic strife". Why the heck should there be ethnic strife? Could it be based on some family feud that evolved into a conflict between tribes that are supposedly of different ethnicities? I mean, why do we human beings have to invent such labels and use them to justify our own selfish political aims? The case seems to be like that for the lush island nation of Sri Lanka. Once known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka houses one of the greenest jungles on Earth, one of the best tea exporting markets and loads of tourist destinations. But apparently, tea time wasn't on the agenda of the island's inhabitants for the past few years. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the conflict is something that should be ignored. The world is rife with conflict, and I'm trying to open my eyes beyond the television screen.
Okay, okay. I admit: I learned it from watching the news... and from a Sri Lankan friend of mine who was discussing this issue with me. The news tends to be biased most of the time, so I don't really have a clear picture of what's going on. However, my friend gave me some background info and a point of view that was really valuable to writing this post. Basically, it all boils down to a conflict between a faction known as the Tamil Tigers and the Sinhalese-dominated government. As expected, the Sinhalese-dominated government declared the Tigers as a "terrorist, separatist" faction, and the Tigers throw the accusations right back, further claiming that the government is furthermore "racist" and violating Tamil rights in the country. That argument seems to hold water, as the Sinhalese are a majority in Sri Lanka itself (1; yes, I know it's a rightwing pro-government website, but even they agree with this point).
From the way I see it, both sides bring up valid points about the "other's" cons, and both sides are indeed at fault. While watching the news, I was presented with both Sinhalese and Tamil perspectives, and the people differed only in their opinions from what I have seen. Otherwise, it is apparent that both sides are at fault, not to favor one side over the other as it would be political of me, and you know how much I absolutely hate politics in and of itself... not that I wouldn't comment on the affairs that go on.
Of course, to understand the events of today, one must consider the events of the past (2). This is difficult, since looking towards peace involves in some part forgetting the past. What I find sickening, though, is that the conflict is largely rooted in colonialism and racist nationalism. When the British colonized Sri Lanka back in the late 1700's, they apparently gave preference to the Tamil population as they were a good source of "income": they were producers of tea and have been exploited as exporters of tea... hence, "Divide and Conquer". But after Sinhalese nationalism grew and kicked British colonialism back to India, the Tamils living there were targets of such racism, in that these same Tamils were stripped of their citizenship. They became aliens in their own land. Sure, the Sinhalese have right to this land as well, but to cut them off seemed all too monstrous for the most part.
But that was just the beginning. Tamil literature and media was banned, along with Tamil rights to education. That lead to the Tamil separatist movements, most notably the Tamil Tigers. While their forefathers were targets of pillaging and murder, the Tamil Tigers were determined to get that message across by lighting a fire. Unfortunately, the Sinhalese-dominated government tried to put it out with a hammer by fighting back with brute force, leaving many Tamils, both innocent and Tiger, dead. What's also sad, however, is that this conflict produced an almost immoral Tamil Tiger force that was depriving Tamil households of their children, and were as bad as those they were fighting against. They've also seemed to lose sympathy by pulling out of all negotiations with the government.
Pertaining to present events, things aren't looking too bright. Recently, the government expelled several thousand Tamil residents in the capital as part of some "security crackdown", but recalled them after much criticism from the world community. I'm not as much sure as the fact that this conflict has displaced thousands of people if not just from the government's actions (3). The thing is, the government is ascertaining that they're not the ones losing this battle, while the LTTE claims that it hasn't really lost as much as has been claimed; this is part of psyops: don't let "the enemy" "know" that you're losing this battle. But either way, we can't really tell. No one is a victor in war, because there are losses on both sides, no matter how you compare them (4).
Honestly, as an outside observer, I have no detailed knowledge on this conflict, but from what I've seen, both the government and the LTTE are at fault. The government has been responsible largely for the events that have lead to the Civil War, but the LTTE is responsible for aggravating the situation if not just starting it altogether. I also personally find the distinctions between Sinhalese and Tamil as divisive as day and night, as this conflict has produced much grudge and hatred; I've heard from my friend, for instance, that some Sinhalese have preconceived notions and thus problems in "dealing with" Tamils, and the same applies vice-versa. I don't get it, really. They're both Sri Lankan, and they should just unite and form one country. The LTTE and the government should be held accountable for their actions and a court should try all those accused of promulgating this war.
Do you think the Tamil Tigers are right in their aggressive acts, or is the Sri Lankan government also right in their martializing of the northern Tamil provinces which also house civilians? When are people going to learn that war is not the answer?
Salaam, from Saracen
But in many cases, there is what we call "ethnic strife". Why the heck should there be ethnic strife? Could it be based on some family feud that evolved into a conflict between tribes that are supposedly of different ethnicities? I mean, why do we human beings have to invent such labels and use them to justify our own selfish political aims? The case seems to be like that for the lush island nation of Sri Lanka. Once known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka houses one of the greenest jungles on Earth, one of the best tea exporting markets and loads of tourist destinations. But apparently, tea time wasn't on the agenda of the island's inhabitants for the past few years. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the conflict is something that should be ignored. The world is rife with conflict, and I'm trying to open my eyes beyond the television screen.
Okay, okay. I admit: I learned it from watching the news... and from a Sri Lankan friend of mine who was discussing this issue with me. The news tends to be biased most of the time, so I don't really have a clear picture of what's going on. However, my friend gave me some background info and a point of view that was really valuable to writing this post. Basically, it all boils down to a conflict between a faction known as the Tamil Tigers and the Sinhalese-dominated government. As expected, the Sinhalese-dominated government declared the Tigers as a "terrorist, separatist" faction, and the Tigers throw the accusations right back, further claiming that the government is furthermore "racist" and violating Tamil rights in the country. That argument seems to hold water, as the Sinhalese are a majority in Sri Lanka itself (1; yes, I know it's a rightwing pro-government website, but even they agree with this point).
From the way I see it, both sides bring up valid points about the "other's" cons, and both sides are indeed at fault. While watching the news, I was presented with both Sinhalese and Tamil perspectives, and the people differed only in their opinions from what I have seen. Otherwise, it is apparent that both sides are at fault, not to favor one side over the other as it would be political of me, and you know how much I absolutely hate politics in and of itself... not that I wouldn't comment on the affairs that go on.
Of course, to understand the events of today, one must consider the events of the past (2). This is difficult, since looking towards peace involves in some part forgetting the past. What I find sickening, though, is that the conflict is largely rooted in colonialism and racist nationalism. When the British colonized Sri Lanka back in the late 1700's, they apparently gave preference to the Tamil population as they were a good source of "income": they were producers of tea and have been exploited as exporters of tea... hence, "Divide and Conquer". But after Sinhalese nationalism grew and kicked British colonialism back to India, the Tamils living there were targets of such racism, in that these same Tamils were stripped of their citizenship. They became aliens in their own land. Sure, the Sinhalese have right to this land as well, but to cut them off seemed all too monstrous for the most part.
But that was just the beginning. Tamil literature and media was banned, along with Tamil rights to education. That lead to the Tamil separatist movements, most notably the Tamil Tigers. While their forefathers were targets of pillaging and murder, the Tamil Tigers were determined to get that message across by lighting a fire. Unfortunately, the Sinhalese-dominated government tried to put it out with a hammer by fighting back with brute force, leaving many Tamils, both innocent and Tiger, dead. What's also sad, however, is that this conflict produced an almost immoral Tamil Tiger force that was depriving Tamil households of their children, and were as bad as those they were fighting against. They've also seemed to lose sympathy by pulling out of all negotiations with the government.
Pertaining to present events, things aren't looking too bright. Recently, the government expelled several thousand Tamil residents in the capital as part of some "security crackdown", but recalled them after much criticism from the world community. I'm not as much sure as the fact that this conflict has displaced thousands of people if not just from the government's actions (3). The thing is, the government is ascertaining that they're not the ones losing this battle, while the LTTE claims that it hasn't really lost as much as has been claimed; this is part of psyops: don't let "the enemy" "know" that you're losing this battle. But either way, we can't really tell. No one is a victor in war, because there are losses on both sides, no matter how you compare them (4).
Honestly, as an outside observer, I have no detailed knowledge on this conflict, but from what I've seen, both the government and the LTTE are at fault. The government has been responsible largely for the events that have lead to the Civil War, but the LTTE is responsible for aggravating the situation if not just starting it altogether. I also personally find the distinctions between Sinhalese and Tamil as divisive as day and night, as this conflict has produced much grudge and hatred; I've heard from my friend, for instance, that some Sinhalese have preconceived notions and thus problems in "dealing with" Tamils, and the same applies vice-versa. I don't get it, really. They're both Sri Lankan, and they should just unite and form one country. The LTTE and the government should be held accountable for their actions and a court should try all those accused of promulgating this war.
Do you think the Tamil Tigers are right in their aggressive acts, or is the Sri Lankan government also right in their martializing of the northern Tamil provinces which also house civilians? When are people going to learn that war is not the answer?
Salaam, from Saracen
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