Time For Tamil Politicians To Think Of Suffering Jaffna Muslims

By Latheef Farook –February 13, 2016

Latheef Farook

Despite criticism at the slow pace of fulfilling election promises, tribute should be paid to President Maithripala Sirisena for allowing the singing of the Tamil version of national anthem during the island’s 68th Independence Day celebrations. Addressing the ceremony to mark the event he called on all citizens to work collectively in harmony, friendship and brotherhood to face the decades ahead.

This was a welcome gesture especially at a time when desperate racist political forces led by defeated president Mahinda Rajapaksa making every possible effort to regain power by exploiting such a move by rousing anti Tamil feelings.

In fact only a year and half ago one could not even dream of such a move in the highly corrupt, communalized and criminalized political environment under Rajapaksa regime.
Calling for unity and brotherhood during his address to the nation President Sirisena said that, “almost every government which came to power gave priority to develop physical resources to build the economy. However had they concentrated on building unity, reconciliation and friendship, terrorism that affected the country for 26 years could have been avoided”.

National anthem of the country “Namo Namo Maatha” was adopted in 1952 .It was translated into Tamil by M. Nallathamby, a famous Tamil poet. The words were changed from “Namo, Namo Maatha” to “Sri Lanka Maatha “in 1961.

Tamils in general expressed their emotions freely on the singing of national anthem in Tamil. Tamil National Alliance and Opposition leader R. Sampanthan and Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran were in tears. Columnist D.B.S Jeyaraj said he was in tears on seeing school children singing national anthem in Tamil language.

After watching the National Day ceremonies Chief Minister Wigneswaran drove straight to Sri Naga Vihara in Jaffna and offered lotus flowers to Lord Buddha and lit oil lamps. He said there that if the Sinhalese took one step the Tamils were ready to take ten.

President Sirisena, by allowing the singing of the Tamil version of the National anthem, has set in motion the path towards the long and arduous journey to reconciliation.   Read More