UNRESOLVED ISSUES LOOM IN THE FACE OF PC POLLS
For Rukmanidevi, 54, of Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee, the political rhetoric of the parties contesting the September 8 Provincial Council Elections has little meaning. Life is a hard battle for her and her 70-year-old husband. Hers is a traditional fishing family. But, dwindling catches have brought economic misery to her household.
“Earlier, along with my husband I used to fish prawns in the lagoon. But this has been earmarked for a salt project by a private investor. I cannot fish there anymore. My husband cannot earn much from deep fishing either. I do not have political aspirations. I just want a house to live in and a stable source of income. That is what I expect from anyone seeking political office at the upcoming elections,” Rukmanidevi told Daily Mirror.
For most Tamil people in the interior areas of the Eastern Province, lack of basic facilities and livelihood opportunities, unemployment and high cost of living appear to be the prime concerns. Their immediate concerns are not achieving political goals described by political figures in jargons such as internal self determination or an exclusive homeland for Tamils.
But, in contrast to discussing ways and means to address such grievances, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), during its campaign for the September 8 Provincial Council elections in the east was reviving political sentiments using rhetoric with divisive connotations.
The re-merger of the north and the east, self determination and the US –sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka are among the topics being discussed by TNA local figures in the run up to the election. But, these matters appear to be the furthest from the minds of ordinary Tamil people who are now trying to rebuild their lives in the post war period. But, for ordinary Tamil people, these are not matters of concern. The TNA leadership scoffs at development work, even calling it a ploy to trap Tamil people.
Almost all Tamil civilians whom Daily Mirror interacted with during a recent a visit to the east said the end of war was a source of consolation for them. Exclusive land areas depending on their ethnic origins are not something being sought after by them.
“Now, we can move freely. There is no fear. During the war time, we could not walk out after dusk fell. If somebody fell sick, he or she had to be taken to a hospital with the aid of light from a Kerosene oil lamp. That too was done after informing the nearest military camp,” Nithyabawan, 25, said.
He said, “Now, I can see an influx of tourists from the south. We welcome people to people interaction. Also, the road system is now well-developed. These are positive trends in the post war context.”
The construction of main roads and bridges, the implementation of major hotel projects, the restoration of electricity lines and the launch of water projects are some of the visible developmental activities in the east.
Despite the phenomenal improvement in infrastructure, adequate livelihood and employment have not been generated for people yet. Some analysts say it is too early for that to happen, in a post war scenario.
Against this backdrop, people expect from those who seek political office at the eastern provincial council to look into their grassroots level needs instead of continuing to use political rhetoric.
Contestants of the election are busy with canvassing votes, during the tail end of their campaign trail visiting every length and breadth of the districts in the province, and holding pocket meetings. Political offices with cut-outs and posters of respective candidates are seen at important spots in the province.
Despite the candidates campaigning in full swing, people attend to their routine work- harvesting agricultural produce, clearing fishing nets and mending boats, or herding livestock. The blistering heat has not deterred them from carrying out any of these works.
In the east, Trincomalee is a district with people from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities living more or less in equal proportions. Therefore, the TNA and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the two parties formed on ethnic identities, campaign separately in the areas predominantly occupied by their respective communities till midnight.
In Sinhala and Muslim majority areas of the district, there are pocket meetings and rallies. But, in the Tamil villages, there are mostly pocket meetings attended by senior citizens of the community.
Most ordinary people have a vague or nuanced opinion on the Provincial Council system though the Tamil and Muslim political parties have made it a major topic for discussion in the run up to the election.
“As far as our basic needs are addressed, we are not bothered. We want to live with equal rights,” M. Roshan, 33, from Salapayaru, Trincomalee said. Saraswathi, a Jaffna university gradu
ate, said the communities should learn each other’s languages-Tamil and Sinhala for better understanding and interaction.
“Most Tamils want to befriend Sinhalese people coming to the area on picnics or pilgrimages. But, the language is the problem. It is better to learn each other’s languages to foster ties,” she said.
Guruge Wimalasena, Trincomalee district Private Bus Operators Association Chairman said the Provincial Council system was nothing but a white elephant. Mr. Wimalasena who introduced himself as a strong supporter of the ruling UPFA said the development work was being done by the central government through the co-ordination of line ministries.
“Therefore, I see the Provincial Council System as a waste of public money. The Treasury has to spend a lot of money for their maintenance on an annual basis. As a bus operator, I have to pay Rs.100, 000 for a route permit, to the provincial transport authorities. Earlier, it was much less,” he told Daily Mirror.
As a traditional supporter of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the largest party in the ruling coalition, he said he was concerned about what he thought ‘sidelining of party seniors to make way for newcomers and grabbing economic opportunities by outsiders in Trincomalee in the postwar period.
“We lived in Trincomalee during the war time. We were like a human shield that protected the area from terrorism. After the war was over, there were many outsiders grabbing economic opportunities, casting aside us. The authorities concerned should have considered us,” he said.
People of Trincomalee will consider these issues when they turn up to vote on September 8. Unresolved land issues confront the people of all the communities. Unemployment, high cost of living, lack of market facilities of agricultural produce and the absence of livelihood opportunities are the common concerns of all. Yet, the parties based on ethnic identities whip up emotions, and even try to revive separatist sentiments. Obviously, they want to get people carried away by such sentiments for political expediency.
Pix by Samantha Perera