Though this forum is meant to comment on Dr Naranedran’s article, often it deviates into very personal opinions between individuals. I was surprised to see that you have had some higher education in USA and still shamefully defending that there is no discrimination for Tamils in Sri Lanka while the whole world knows the truth. As some others pointed out to you in this forum most of your leaders acknowledged it and accepted it. I am not sure whether it’s a waste of my time to make you to understand some basic knowledge.

You said, “I too have lived in the US and do you know I was not given a particular job on campus because I was a foreigner!” Well, you have to be a permanent resident or at times have to be US citizen to get those jobs. That’s the regulation. The difference in Mother Lanka, minority Tamils (Srilankan citizens) are discriminated in hiring, promotions, scholarships over the majority race. For you information, I have got through my O/L Sinhalese language (can read, write and speak well as good as many ordinary Sinhalese)

Please read the article at this same site:
Linguistic discrimination against the Tamils
By Kumar Rupesinghe

http://tamilweek.com/news-features/archives/536

You also mentioned about French Canadians. I am sorry, the Provincial Govt of Quebec has the power that’ is far above all other Provinces in Canada that includes certain level of Immigration and naturalization rights closer to the central government.

As I said the Tamil speaking people cannot trust the Leaders of SLG, because we have only Sinhalese leaders. Sadly we couldn’t produce any national leader.

Look at all our past & present leaders….. they even cannot speak Tamil or not willing to learn Tamil.

So call multi linguistic former President Mrs Kumaranathunge (Who can speak eight languages) cannot speak Tamil. Why? is it diffcult to learn Tamil?

The Reason is very simple; the government of Sri Lanka never accepts Tamil speaking people are part of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan.

Still it is not late, let us respect all Sri Lankan as equal sons and daughters of our motherland. Respect others and what ever language they speak, recognize them as equal citizen with good heart.

You guys are totally clueless. Read the history of Quebec properly before posting anything anymore.

Mr. Ruwan, as far as the election is concerned, it is by the NE people and not by the NE tamils. It show how pre-judgmental you are by stating NE as Tamils.

When it come to elections, all those who lived from 1950′s or before are considered the people of NE and not those colonized by SLG.

If a Quebecer who can vote in Quebec but work in Ottawa, still considered a resident of Quebec.

As I told earlier, no Sinhalese of open mind like the idea of Referendum as it will clearly lead to the seperation.

You can see every time there is a problem it was Tamil Nadu that came to the aid of Sri Lankan Tamils, why ? to fight for the so called tamil nation.

If you look at the situation India will always want a presence in Sri Lanka no matter what and Pakistan is about to do so.

Soon the ethnic issue will fall to the background as there will be a bigger game to play for GOSL.

I would like say BIG NO……..
But in reality I cannot
Let us put it as missed opportunities,

Did we create any Prime Minister from Tamil Community?
Did we create any Prime Minister from Tamil Community?

We only had an Opposition leader, but we put him out by “Diplomatic manner”

We were about to create a Tamil Prime Minister but again we denied this role by “Diplomatic manner”

The so called Tamils leaders are made by the incumbent governments were only for eye wash.

We never allow any Tamil to take up in any political role also depriving them in Administers role as well by introducing Sinhala only.

The young Tamils never got a right democratic leader, only we created a leader who believes in bullets not ballets.

Before 1983, Tamils were scolded as “PARA TAMALA” in public. We have seen regular riots against Tamils till 1983.

At least from now onwards let us respect all Sri Lankan as equal sons and daughters of our motherland. Respect others and accept fellow Sri Lankans as equal citizen

Does any leader have the guts to do that with good faith and heart?

Who will vote a referundum under such circumstances ? You do not know that we are talking in terms of ~ 6 % population of the total population in the country or even less. In colombo south you find more tamils than in the north so one can ask for a referumdum in Colombo south ?

Why should we have a referendum only for the NE? How about tamils living in the south. What about all the Muslims and the Sinhalese and other communities that where ethnically cleansed by the LTTE ? Don’t they have a say about the NE? Even we should have a say as the whole country is ours. I like to know where you live?

Any meaningful resolution to the conflict must look into devolution of power in a wider context. The Sinalese people too must be given substantive devolved powers to work upword from the grassroot.

Any future revision of the Sri Lankan constitution must have a accommodative process. Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims must play their role and must feel their inclusive role in the Sri Lankan society. They must be part of the formulation of a consensus constitution. The present constitution is adapted exclusively for the Sinhalese, which has brought upon the missery all the communities in Sri Lanka are facing.