A recent document signed by 14 teachers from Jaffna University raises concerns that Ahilan Kadirgamar is once again influencing Tamil voters, urging them to support Sinhala leaders who, after securing votes, historically failed to honor their commitments to Tamil political rights. It’s suspected that some signatories might not fully grasp the implications of their endorsement.
Before delving into Ahilan Kadirgamar’s actions, it’s crucial to consider his activities in the United States during the Tamil freedom struggle in 2000, where he consistently acted against Tamil interests—despite bearing the Tamil name, similar to his uncle Lakshman Kadirgamar.
In the early 2000s, Ahilan possessed Sri Lankan documents accusing the Tamil freedom movement of forcibly recruiting underage children. He used these documents strategically to undermine the movement. He approached U.S. officials, notably the Assistant Secretary for India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and there are claims that these documents were instrumental in facilitating arms deals with Sri Lanka, including turning a blind eye to dangerous weapon shipments from China and Pakistan.
Ahilan worked with Jo Becker from the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. Jo aimed to highlight the importance of children’s rights. a human rights issue. Representing Sri Lanka human rights concerns, particularly regarding the alleged child soldier conscription, Ahilan served as Becker’s translator. In hindsight, Becker regretted her involvement, realizing that her campaign, influenced by Ahilan and lacking a balanced perspective on both Tamil and Sinhala sides, may have exacerbated the suffering of Tamils under Rajapaksa’s regime.
Becker later reached out to the Tamil diaspora, promoting her book, but expressed remorse for her earlier stance that unfairly targeted Tamils for the ethnic conflict.
After the war ended, Ahilan Kadirkamar was sent to speak with several radio stations in the US. During his appearances, he urged Tamils to stop using the term “genocide,” claiming it was a form of racism. He later collaborated with Asia Society in New York, where he criticized the Tamil freedom struggle.
Additionally, Ahilan acted as a spokesperson for Jaffna fishermen facing challenges from Indian trawlers. He discussed the conflict between Tamil fishermen from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, seemingly with the intent to deepen divisions between these groups—an outcome that would benefit the Colombo government’s agenda of Tamil oppression.
These so-called educators from Jaffna University, who claim to be concerned about issues plaguing the South, such as corruption, unemployment, economic hardship, poverty, and the growing problems of drugs and violence, seem to lack genuine concern for Tamil issues.
If they are truly worried about these problems, they should be focusing on solutions to help Sinhala Sri Lanka out of its current crisis. Instead, they equate the call for Tamil political rights with racism, demonstrating a manipulative and self-serving attitude focused on preserving their jobs and pensions.
For centuries, Tamils lived as a dominant force, not as slaves. However, the Portuguese invasion changed this dynamic, and some Tamils were forced into slavery under the invaders. A few even betrayed their own people by assisting the Portuguese in identifying and killing Tamil patriots, while others converted their religion to gain favor as loyal subjects. Today, it seems that 14 teachers from Jaffna University are following a similar path, prioritizing their own survival and ego by blindly siding with the Sinhalese, much like Sumanthiran and Sampathan.
Some people see this as a trend that goes against Tamil patriotism. To them, there is no difference between this and what Douglas, Karuna, and Pillayan did.
These educators seem indifferent to the suffering of Tamil mothers who have lost their children or the survival of Tamil culture in their homeland. It is deeply concerning that such individuals are shaping the minds of the younger generation with distorted information.
Jaffna University teachers urged Tamils not to vote for a Tamil candidate.Ahead of the presidential election, Jaffna University teachers have issued a statement urging the Tamil community to make informed voting choices. They highlight the severe economic crisis, rising poverty, unemployment, and the challenges faced by farmers, fishermen, and public sector workers. Despite these hardships, they claim that key politicians responsible for the crisis remain in power. The call for a ‘System Change’ resonates strongly in South Lanka, where citizens seek meaningful reforms. However, Tamils must approach this election with caution, as the candidates’ pledges for unity may be nothing more than empty promises.
As the economy in Sri Lanka grows, these teachers should be aware that it’s likely to be accompanied by increased aggression and oppression. As the Colombo government continues to thrive, Tamils in their homeland are likely to experience increased persecution.
The submissive behavior of 14 Jaffna University teachers is seen as weakening the Tamil community, which in turn emboldens some Sinhalese to promote racist sentiments in areas like Colombo, Trincomalee, and the East, where they have settled.
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora News
October 02, 2024
