Sri Lanka is
in crisis. This is a nation divided—a nation where civil, political
and economic rights are not equally shared. Last week I
returned from a visit to Sri Lanka, where I went to witness
these things for myself and to research a suitable project for
funds raised here after the tsunami to assist victims and their
families in Sri Lanka. I did so at the urging of the 3,000-strong
Tamil community in my electorate of Strathfield, Sydney, New
South Wales. Many came as refugees fleeing the 20-year civil
war in Sri Lanka. They are proudly Australian, exemplary
citizens contributing much to our civic life and community. But
they are also deeply concerned for their homeland, especially
the Tamil minority.
The Tamils are a distinct people with their own
language,
culture, traditions
and
spirituality. Since independence in 1948, power has been vested mainly in the
Singalese—
predominantly Buddhists—who currently comprise about 80 per cent of the
population.
The Tamils—mainly Hindus—comprise the remaining 20 per cent of the population,
along
with much smaller Christian and Muslim communities.
Over time these minorities have progressively seen their rights eroded through
ingrained
discrimination and segregation. As a result, the Tamils and other minorities
have a sense
of oppression and alienation. These are some examples of that discrimination at
work.
Tamils have to get higher marks than Singhalese for entry to the same courses at
universities. In the Civil Service and private enterprise, jobs have been
systematically
allocated to Singhalese over Tamils. In enterprise and commerce the Tamils have
been
systematically cut out of the opportunities afforded to the majority. Several
Catholic
priests informed me about the systematic and endemic abuse of human rights by
the Sri
Lankan Government within the Tamil community. Indeed, one priest gave me a
six-page
list of churches damaged and destroyed by aerial bombing and shelling in the
north of the
island. There were 93 fully damaged, 186 partially damaged and 20 requiring
minor
repair! All these things breed resentment, frustration and hatred.
To make matters worse, the majority-dominated Government has
manipulated and
used
the media to provoke bias against the minorities. Racism and fear is fostered.
It is the
politics of division, exclusion and misrepresentation, with the truth hidden
from the
outside world. I experienced first-hand a concerted campaign to prevent me from
travelling to Tamil Eelam.
Before I left Sydney, the editorial advisor and head
of the
Australian Bureau of the Asian Tribune alleged I was carrying nearly $100,000,00
cash
into Sri Lanka. If true, this would have meant I had broken Australian law as
well as
placing my life in danger. I believe this was a covert effort to try to scare me
from visiting
Sri Lanka. Thankfully I did not fall for this pathetic attempt and I was able to
witness for
myself the suffering of this proud people as well as their determined efforts to
rebuild
their community.
The Tamils are a resilient people. I observed that in a
remarkable three year period the Tamils developed a virtual state within the
north and north-east of Sri Lanka. I visited their
judiciary and court,
school of law, police station, police
academy, medical
and technical colleges and small industries, a
community bank plus a
children's
home
housing 278 children left orphaned by the war and the recent tsunami. The
Tamil
Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) runs a variety of development, relief and
reconstruction
projects as well as assisting several non-government organisations with their
projects. All
this is a tribute to the spirit and resilience of the Tamil people. "
But it is no
substitute for a
final political settlement to this long-lasting dispute. Thankfully, some sort
of end is in
sight with a
cease fire brokered by the Norwegian Government signed in February
2002.
For the first time in a generation, the economy started to flow and people could
travel
about the island, albeit it with some difficulty. It is the beginning of a road
map for lasting
peace, and now the Sri Lankan Government must deliver by giving up its monopoly
of
power. That means a genuine federal structure that guarantees the right of the
Tamil
minority to autonomy so they can protect their culture and enjoy full economic
and
political rights.
Every human has the right to a place they can call home, and to equality of
opportunity,
to social justice, to freedom: one united Sri Lanka based on a federal structure
with equity
and self-determination for the Tamil people. War is destructive and tragic.
There are
casualties on both sides. Acts are committed that should never have happened in
civil
society. The curtain needs to be pulled right back.
The Tamil and other minority
groups
need support. The international community needs to take urgent action, conduct
independent research, visit these areas, engage with the community and see
first-hand
what is happening. That is my prayer and hope for this beautiful country. Then
the
weapons can be put away forever. Then the precious resources of this bountiful
country
can be put into improving the lives of these beautiful people who have suffered
so much
for so long. That is worth the dream. That is worth the effort. That is worth
the struggle. I
commend the plight of the Tamil people to the House.
