Sunday Times 2
Inferiority-complex fallout of Lanka’s majority
View(s):Over the past several decades attempts have been made to consider the geopolitical status of Sri Lanka alongside Tamil Nadu, which would result in the independence and sovereignty of this island nation reduced to zero.
We recall the fallout envisaged of bringing together the then populous state of Tamil Nadu 75 million to Sri Lanka’s 15 million or so by a visiting academic of New York (in the1980s): It creates an inferiority complex among the majority of the Sri Lankan community. (75 percent Sinhalese to 12 percent Tamil).
Whether the Sinhalese like being called a people suffering an inferiority complex or not, the fact that there were 75 million people across the narrow Palk Strait not only sympathetic to the political demand for a federal state by Tamils here but also having blood, religious and cultural ties with the Tamils of Sri Lanka, was one of the main objections to federalism by the Sinhalese and resulted in the locking of horns which have not yet been disengaged.
Islands in the shadows of giant continental neighbours or even those sharing common borders or in proximity to powerful neighbours with expansionist visions are concerned not only about their religious, racial and cultural identities but also about their sovereignty, existence and the democratic rights of the people.
The Taiwanese concern about being independent of China, which declares Taiwan to be a part of China, has been discussed in our columns and needs no repetition.
The concern shown by Japan — justified or not — over the alleged expansionist strategies of China in the East China Sea and its commitment to an Indo-Pacific strategy together with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad comprising India, Japan, Australia and the United States illustrates the reactions of world powers to the uncertain dynamics in the post-Cold War era.
What should concern the smaller South Asian nations, as we pointed out in our previous commentaries, is that this security arrangement may result in a carte blanche being given to India over the South Asian nations on how these countries should be ruled.
India under Narendra Modi has not only visions about becoming a world power but appears to be labouring under a delusion that it is now a world power. Next week, the Indian premier will be wined and dined at the White House by American President Joe Biden. That does not mean that the American president stamps Modi being the leader of a world power, as some Indophiles would imagine. Even our former President J.R. Jayewardene was accorded a grand welcome at the White House by President Ronald Reagan with Frank Sinatra belting out his favourite ‘My Way’ on JRJ’s request.
What should concern South Asian nations is not only the rantings of Modi against Indian minorities but also the visions and delusions of his leadership of India as a world power. Two weeks ago in our commentary, we referred to comments of Modi’s Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar, who is the mouthpiece of his boss, speaking about Prime Minister Modi’s visions of ‘an extended neighbourhood’. This is an issue which Sri Lanka has to maintain extreme vigilance lest it becomes a vassal state of the Indian Union.
Jaishankar said the ‘extended neighbourhood’ involves the islands in the Indian Ocean, Gulf countries and nations of South East Asia. The Gulf countries dripping in oil wealth appear to be looking out to extend their neighbourhood rather than be a part of the still impoverished India. The countries of South East Asia together comprise the world’s fastest economically growing countries bonded together by RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), the big Asian trade pact, including China which India refused to join probably because it involves direct foreign investments coming into India.
Thus, only the Indian Ocean Islands and also South Asian countries remain as the Indian target. South Asia is a target because Jaishankar says: We are trying to expand what should be our neighbourhood. Effusing altruism he says: What we are trying to do is for a bigger, influential and ambitious India. We are trying to expand what should be our neighbourhood. If you are the biggest in the neighbourhood then it is in our interest that our neighbours share our prosperity and happiness. It was at this point he claimed that India had done more for Sri Lanka than the IMF.
While Indian munificence during Lanka’s acute financial crisis is much appreciated, it has to be realised that these are loans that the people of this country have to pay back and Indian investments here involve vital national security interests such as the ownership of harbours, construction of strategic airports plus implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Lanka constitution which we also had to accept during an acute political and terrorism crisis. The Modi government has called upon its full implementation.
Meanwhile, what is the response of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry to the Sword of Damocles hanging over Lanka’s sovereignty and independence?
We seem to be all Ga-Ga about it.
Our diplomats seem to have changed from the traditional practice of, ‘Lying abroad for one’s country’. Instead, those attached to Beijing and New Delhi seem to have gone into reverse gear: Lying about how great their host countries are to our own country. Virtual kowtowing and obsequious ‘namastes’ seem to be the order of the day. Investments in Lanka by even the mercurial Gautam Adani, whose position fell from the richest man in the world to the 24th position in Forbes List following allegations made by a US short selling activist firm Hindenburg, is passe despite Indian state organisations expressing concern about this conglomerate.
Some in the younger generation are also keen in grouping of India and Lanka closer. Recently there was an article by an economist promoting the construction of a new Hanuman Bridge across the Palk Strait for direct entry into Lanka. It would promote trade between the two countries, it was claimed.
Certainly Indian goods would flow into Sri Lanka but what would Lanka export to India? What exactly has happened to the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement over the years? The proposed road would certainly speed up delivery of Indian eggs to Sri Lanka. Ask all about it from Lanka’s poultry farmers. And a future Indian Peacekeeping Force would no longer need Russian built C-30s with French Mirage jets giving cover to drop dhall and bread over Jaffna.
The original Hanuman Bridge was built by Hanuman himself carrying rocks from the Himalayan range and throwing it into the Palk Strait to enable Rama to rescue Seetha from the Lanka king who had abducted Seetha. There are plenty of Lanka Seethas now available who would welcome Indian Ramas but Indian mothers-in-law would demand thumping dowries. Sri Lankans fathers are now bankrupt.
Perhaps Jaishankar could help with some Indian financial assistance.
(The writer is a former editor of The Sunday Island, The Island and consultant editor of the Sunday Leader.
He could be contacted at
gamma.weerakoon@gmail.com)