Editorial 1: Reality check on Sri Lanka’s Tamil question
Introduction
President Dissanayake’s recent visit to India garnered significant attention in Sri Lanka. From the ceremonial red carpet welcome extended by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the detailed joint statement, the trip was widely covered in the local media.
This was not just another state visit—it marked Dissanayake’s first international engagement since assuming office in September after his National People’s Power (NPP) party secured a sweeping two-thirds majority in November’s general elections.
Dissanayake, a leftist leader from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), represents a party historically critical of India’s perceived “interventionist” role in Sri Lanka. His rise signals a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, one that has sparked both curiosity and caution.
Changing Dynamics in India-Sri Lanka Relations
Both nations have undergone profound changes. Sri Lanka’s political transformation, embodied by the JVP-led NPP’s unprecedented rise, has redefined the island’s governance. The NPP’s success in the Tamil-majority north and east and the multi-ethnic hill country marks a new chapter in Sri Lankan politics.
India’s priorities, meanwhile, have shifted. New Delhi is increasingly focused on countering Chinese influence in the region, which has altered its approach to Sri Lanka’s long-standing national question—the unresolved Tamil political aspirations and post-war reconciliation efforts.
A Reality Check: The Joint Statement
The joint statement issued on December 16, 2024, titled “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future,” spans political, economic, and strategic cooperation. Yet, glaring omissions reflect the evolving Indian stance:
- No reference to Tamil aspirations or a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
- No mention of post-war reconciliation or accountability.
- The only “power sharing” highlighted was a proposal for a high-capacity electricity grid interconnection between the two nations.
While Prime Minister Modi expressed hope that Sri Lanka would fulfill Tamil aspirations and conduct long-overdue Provincial Council elections, he avoided referencing the contentious 13th Amendment. President Dissanayake, on the other hand, emphasized democracy’s essence as the coexistence of diverse communities and political views, steering clear of specifics.
The NPP’s Approach and Tamil Question
The NPP’s electoral manifesto promised Provincial Council elections and a new Constitution based on public consultation. However, it remains reluctant to embrace the “13th Amendment,” perceived by the Sinhala-Buddhist majority as an “Indian imposition.”
Political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda observed that the NPP avoids both the Indian-backed “devolution discourse” and the liberal peacebuilding narrative of reconciliation championed by global rights groups. Instead, the party appears to pursue an alternative, though undefined, framework for inter-ethnic peace.
Challenges Facing Sri Lanka’s Tamil Polity
The Tamil political leadership is at a crossroads. The NPP’s electoral sweep across the Tamil-majority regions underscores the electorate’s disillusionment with traditional Tamil parties.
For decades, these parties relied on international actors—India, Western powers, and the Tamil diaspora—to champion their cause. However, this approach has yielded little tangible progress. The Tamil polity must now pivot towards rebuilding credibility by genuinely engaging with the people it represents.
Unresolved Struggles
Fifteen years after the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the Tamil community continues to face unresolved issues:
- Seeking answers about forcibly disappeared loved ones.
- Reclaiming land held by the military.
- Rebuilding shattered livelihoods.
- Advocating for a meaningful role in post-war reconstruction.
While the government speaks of fostering national unity and a unified “Sri Lankan identity,” these aspirations must be evaluated against concrete actions addressing war-time accountability, political agency, and equitable development.
A Moment of Opportunity
The NPP-led government, with its legislative mandate and popular support, has a historic opportunity to reimagine a political solution rooted in Sri Lanka’s post-war realities. By addressing Tamil concerns within a broader framework of national integration, it can lay the foundation for lasting peace and reconciliation.
However, without clear policies, the Tamil question risks remaining unresolved—a persistent reminder of Sri Lanka’s unhealed wounds.
