Exodus from the ‘Miracle of Asia’
Sri Lankans are fleeing the land of their birth by the hundreds each week even to countries that do not hold out much prospects for them. The bulk comprises the poorest of the poor. Refugees who on selling their meagre possessions – their plots of land, homes and jewellery – take enormous risks with their lives in stormy seas in search of a better life. This exodus commenced during the conflict with the LTTE and it could be justified to a certain extent at that time because of the violence that erupted threatened all. But now the so called ‘War’ has ceased to be but the outflow of refugees not only continues but appears to be increasing.
Any government that cares for its people should be gravely concerned about the continuing exodus of its people. The Rajapaksa regime is attempting to stop those fleeing by deploying its naval craft but this is like attempting to stop an outflow from a massive reservoir by plugging a leak with one’s finger. Detection of the Sri Lankan refugees attempting to get away is good but is no solution. The numbers will undoubtedly multiply unless and until the causes for the drain are identified and remedied.
The reasons are many and unless these forces are identified and defused, they will converge into a mighty stream flowing out.
The Rajapaksa regime, well and good, has won the ‘War’ but is there peace? Are the Tamils who were caught up in the ’War’ but had little or nothing to do with it now satisfied with the prevalent living conditions? Do they feel they are citizens with the same status and rights as those of the Sinhalese? Can they be assured that their children could have a bright future in this country? Is this a country where Law and Order prevails and justice can be assured for one and all?
These are questions that leaders of this country are bound to ask, inquire and find solutions to if they are to bring about a united Sri Lanka which they wax on quite often. But after three years of peace has there been even a semblance of what can be expected? Tamils are answering these questions physically by taking off in ramshackle boats into stormy seas irrespective of the terrible dangers that they will confront. Their desperation is such that the amount paid to human smugglers taking them to countries such as Australia and Canada vary from US$ 25,000 to US$ 50,000 per person according to some human rights organisations.
Had the Rajapaksa government moved immediately after the defeat of the LTTE to have a dialogue with Tamil leaders in an attempt to resolve the problem, the situation may have been different today. Instead they went on to celebrate their victory and put a Rajapaksa stamp on it by even sacking the army commander who led the armed forces! True, Tamil leaders too were reluctant to come forward and remained behind licking their wounds. But in such a situation it should have been the victor that took the leadership and showed magnanimity to the defeated.
For three years we have had a sorry exhibition of demagoguery. Pledges and claims which Rajapaksa and his siblings knew were not true were told to their supporters who also knew they were not true but cheered on their leaders for obvious gains. This mutual exhibition of demagoguery still goes on but for how long can it continue? The truism of Abraham Lincoln: You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time but not all the people all the time is coming true for Mahinda Rajapaksa. New Delhi has now got weary of his game of Snakes and Ladders with the 13th Amendment. Even the Indian media which get red carpet treatment at Temple Trees has realised it.
The Hindu says that although Mahinda Rajapaksa had said that elections to the Northern Provincial Council would be held only in September 2013 because the government needs time to update 30-year-old electoral rolls, the delay [in holding the elections this year] is ‘intriguing’. The Hindu adds: Three other elections have been held since the defeat of the LTTE in 2009 – presidential elections in January 2010; parliamentary elections in April 2010 and elections to local bodies in 2011. Northern Province voters participated in all three elections. ‘The old voters list was apparently not a problem then,’ notes The Hindu and says that the TNA which roundly won the local bodies elections suspects that it might sweep the provincial council elections too, if held.
While the refugee exodus is mainly Tamil, there are Sinhalese as well as Muslims who are seeking asylum. This may be due to harsh economic conditions despite false claims made by the government over its economic triumphs. Even though there may have been an economic growth of over 6 percent of the GDP it does not mean that all is hunky dory with the rest of the country other than the Western Province. Reports indicate that the peasantry is living in abject poverty and even the fishermen are sunk after the fuel hike. It has been said by reputed economists that a high GDP does not necessarily mean prosperity across the board as witnessed in India where the Naxalite terrorist movement is now threatening the Union of India.
An even greater contributory cause to asylum seekers is the breakdown of Law and Order throughout the country. Last week in Mannar fishermen attacked the Mannar Magistrates’ Court, an unparalleled incident in this country. Rapes, homicides, armed robberies and abductions appear to be increasing in intensity although police statisticians interpret it differently. University academics are on strike demanding higher pay while the people’s representatives are enjoying the good life. The nexus between ruling party politicians, crime and political goons is becoming increasingly evident. Armed soldiers continue to be a regular feature in Jaffna despite protests by politicians and the public.
More and more are likely to join the exodus from the ‘Miracle of Asia.’
Not surprising considering that we have the most disgraceful family in power. These people are a disgrace & shame to humanity–good budddhists they are not.
There are many harshed condition in India out 1.3 billion people of country 800 Millions living less than TWO $ DOLLAR PER DAY;Intervention and Doran attack of US Army In Pakisatan large number Civilian had been displace and become refugges and millions of People Pasiktin are challing harsed condition of US aggression.
Afgastan since 2001 of US and NATO aggression against People of Afgan lost hunderd thouands of civilian life and displace millions of civilians in The country.Millions of refugees in Afgastain.
The conditions are more harsed Than SRI LANKA>
Indian internal supressing of people living conditions are WROSE THAN SRI LANKA.
Pakistin and Afgastain of due to the USA aggression worse than Sri Lanka.
But no way seek asylum in Australia,
Sri lankan case is LTTE HUMAN SMUGGLE RING operating behind of so-called human smglling to Australia.
Austraian vested interest -group are BEHIND ONGOING HUMAN SMUGGLEING inside Sri Lanka.The main leading politial of Tamils are behind and. funding in Colombo city to promoted Tamil for Austraila.
May be they should instead, start a newspaper, try make up a few scandals and corruption and then meet the president and demand a diplomatic post or threaten him of more revelations.
That will stop the exodus and every one will be happy.
Fonny.
We left many many years ago to live in prosperity, peace and in a first world wealthy country where we have everything we want and need and live in comfort. We have freedom to express our opinions, free from rape, murder and corruption. I feel sorry for the people who are dying from poverty everyday in SL.
SL is and will always be a third world under developed country because it is run by uneducated corrupt fools who are not fit to run a piggery.
More like the toilet of Asia
Do people dare talk as to why they are leaving the country? It is sheer terror and knowledge that they will not be able to live peacefully.
THE U.S.A IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT CAN PUT AN INSTANT STOP
TO THE SUFFERING OF THE ORDINARY LAW ABIDING LANKAN PEOPLE.
ALL THE U.S.A. HAS TO DO IS LAUNCH A TOMAHAWRK CRUISE
MISSILE FROM ONE OF THEIR NUCLEAR SUBMARINES, AS DONE
AT THE START OF THE IRAQ WAR, THE U.S.A. MUST FIRE THIS MISSILE
INTO THE SRI LANKAT PARLIAMENT ON THE ANNUAL BUDGET DAY
WHEN ALL THE POLITICAL CRIMINALS WHO RULE THIS DIRTY BANANA
REPUBLIC ARE PRESENT INSIDE PARLIAMENT. THEN IN ONE SHOT
SRI LANKA WILL BE RID OF ALL THE BLOODY CRIMINALS WHO ARE
ROBBING & DISTROYING THIS COUNTRY.
These are bogus refugees leaving Sri Lanka for greener pastures. UK during the last two months deported nearly 1000 bogus refugees back to Sri Lanka. The Navy Commander who had a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner last week said , that is the only way to stop bogus refugees leaving for Australia. Human smuggling is a business and the LTTE rump is funding them.
P.A.Samaraweera,
Australia
Bogus refugees? Why the hek do you think people are running away? Why the hell are you living in Australia? Bloody hypocrite!!!!!!!!!! If the Miracle of Asia is sooooooo wonderful, then why don’t you go back there?
During the last two months UK deported more than 1000 bogus refugees. And now Australia is doing the same thing. They have already deported the first two.
Refugee smuggling by the LTTE rump is a business. The LTTE funding the NGO’s.
P.A.Samaraweera
Good idea mate. Then follow it with more to Temple trees and all the homes owned by these nasty dogs in the Parliament.
Great logic. And look at what Iraq is today. The daily killings may be more that what Saddam killed for a month.
So unless we are ready for it, don’t even think of America. The solution has to be from ourselves. There are two ways: first is to strengthen the opposition. But with the current opposition leaders, there is no chance of that happening. The other alternative is for Tamil people to honestly support the government to the point that the government has to do good for them. This, if done with honest heats will be the most concrete solution.
cedric dear boy – an absolutely splendid idea. hilary are you reading?
why the answers clearly in the political arena and the voters who send them. society need to know their fellowmen not next door but across the nation the aspirations and wishes not me self or I. yes all emigrants from the country of birth are living in luxury but many go thru hardship to get established but most live in near peaceful surrondings and generosity if fellow humans in a land not of his birth
Thousands of women from the poorest of the poor familes, go to serve as slaves of the cruel,rapacious masters/mistresses of middle east countries,each month,knowing well that some will never get paid,some will return with injuries,some with pregnancies,some in coffins & some, never.
This is the indicater of the state of this nation, touted as the Miracle of Asia where only politicians,their progeny & sycophants prosper.
There is no other nation which sends its nationals to be tortured abroad.
Others try to escape to other countries and are called “refugees”.
Not only tamils but also singalese and muslims who want any kind of peace, have to flee….
Wher do we goßßß
P A Samaraweera, who let you into Australia? It is too beautiful and civilised for you. You should go back to where you came from.
The exodus will continue till there is truth, justice and war criminals are punished.
Was there any progress on LLRC reecommendations? Nothing. Was devoltion done? No. The land of IDP’s were grabbed by GOSL.
UPR must punish SL for any lies put in the report and signed by the president and dishonouring the UNHRC.
Was there any progress on LLRC reecommendations? Nothing. Was devoltion done? No. The land of IDP’s were grabbed by GOSL.
UPR must punish SL for any lies put in the report and signed by the president and dishonouring the UNHRC.
No matter what, the Government is very happy about Tamil exodus. It’s another way of getting rid of them. Initially by creating communal riots,then by war,indiscriminate shelling ,bombing,confining them as IDP’s in camps,keeping them in prisons without any charges, murdering them in prisons, and now indirectly forcing them to flee the country. Nice job and continuing. India, USA & the whole world is watching the fun
and help this regime to do more of that. What a wonderful world we live in today..!