
Historic day
July 23rd of 1983 is a historic day in the political history
of Sri Lanka. On that day another pogrom was let loose on the
Tamil people in the south. Hundreds of Tamils were killed
and property worth millions of rupees belonging to Tamils
was destroyed.
 There is ample evidence that the government was behind this
pogrom. In particular Tamils held as political prisoners in
the Welikade jail were murdered in two separate incidents
exposing the government’s role in the murders. Thousands of Tamils affected by the pogrom were shipped to
the north in ships. International community started to
notice the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. At the same time
major changes occurred in the political and military
situation that existed at the time of the pogrom. Many Tamil youths joined the freedom movements that were in
existence at that time. Armed struggle was intensified. But
did all of these youth contributed to the freedom struggle?
Or did they carry out the armed struggle effectively? Movements died and some forgot their goal and acted to suit
the goals of the oppressor because they were not guided
properly. As a result hundreds of youth lost their way and
acted against the original goal for which they took up arms.
In other words they had to live as traitors. The blame for
this must fall on the leadership of these movements. The LTTE leadership, on the other hand, against many
challenges took the armed struggle forward. In this struggle
for Tamil rights thousands of fighters became martyrs. The
struggle has reached a milestone as a result of their
sacrifice and dedication. In particular a large part of the Tamil homeland has been
brought under LTTE control and a government has been
functioning there and it is being developed continuously.
Law, bank and many other institutions are being formed and
are functioning. Whether one likes it or not people had to accept that such a
government is functioning in the parts of Tamil homeland
liberated by the LTTE. From the chief judge of Sri Lanka to
many international organizations had to accept that an
unrecognised government is functioning in the areas
controlled by the LTTE. The Sinhala leaders who took actions with the belief that
the Tamil struggle can be crushed with an iron hand have not
only realised that this is not possible but are also fearful
that if the war breaks out again then an independent Tamil
state will be formed. Those who let loose pogrom after pogrom on the Tamil people
are now unable to do so as they please because they know
that there will be serious consequences if another pogrom is
let loose on Tamils. Thus it was the pogrom let loose on 23rd July 1983 that has
resulted in the international community’s, realisation
that there needs to be a solution to the Tamil problem and
understanding that there is justice behind the Tamil
struggle.
24 July 2005
|