Prominent Tamil civil society activist, Shanthi Satchithanandam,
discussing her views on Pirapakaran's role in the Tamil National struggle,
says: "Pirapaharan is the single most dedicated leader who gave voice and
form to the demands put forward by Tamil political leaders of the 50s, 60s
and 70s," in an interview to Vikalpa, a citizen journalism initiative in Sri
Lanka built on the effort pioneered by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a
Colombo-based think-tank.
When asked to comment on Pirapaharan's role in the Tamil National
Struggle, Ms Satchithanandam says that although Pirapaharan is seen as the
main protoganist, he did not initiate the struggle; the demands have already
been articulated by Tamil leaders long before Pirapaharan came into the
scene.
"Afterwards also his role becomes significant in the context of various
international forces such as India and United States coming into play, which
made groups here difficult to take a neutral position and to focus single
mindedly on their goals. Lot of the groups went off the mark. They became
agents of some agenda or the other. But as far as Tamil people are concerned
we see Pirapaharan as a person who is single-mindedly committed to the
cause, and he has pursued this no matter what. And for that he will be
respected always," she adds.
Asked to comment on the belief of the Sinhala people and the Sri Lanka
Government that if Pirapaharan is defeated or assassinated the war will come
to an end, Ms Satchithanandam says:
"Pirapaharan is not an obstacle to solving the ethnic crisis. As ordinary
Tamil people we are asking the Government and the South to put forward a
solution that we can accept; a solution that has been formed as a consensus
document. But up to now there has never been any consensus.
Whatever the ruling party proposes, the opposition opposes. They never
got together to offer anything to the Tamil people; whole heartedly,
together, that we can accept.
Even now the position within the parliament is that they need two-thirds
majority to pass any solution. In the hypothetical case if Pirpaharan is
defeated, this does not solve the Tamil problem. What is the South thinking
about? They can push anything down the throats of the Tamil people? I don't
think so. We need a just and equitable solution to our problems."
