A week ago, a National Party (NPP) won 21 out of 22 election districts in Sri Lanka. The 21 includes four of the five districts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. A mainstream national party, not one based on communal lines, has won the people's confidence in the North and East. These provinces are traditionally considered the homelands of Tamils, an ethnic community I belong to. Such a victory for a National Party has never occurred since Independence in 1948. How so? Here's my two cents worth.
Jaffna Bus Stand
First, some statistics: Nationally, 68.93% of registered voters voted in this election. This is regarded as a low turnout for Sri Lanka, while it is comparable to or better than the voter participation in other democracies. Many reasons are given – voters expected NPP to win, i.e., they knew the outcome or because the election was held on a weekday. However, in the Jaffna District, the percentage of people who voted was less than the national turnout, and it was 60.37%. It is almost about 10% less than the national statistic. The 40% of the voters have already rejected ALL candidates who contested the elections. There was no shortage of candidates – there were 43 candidates for each seat in the Parliament. They probably felt (1) Voting makes no difference, (2) No one deserves my vote, or (3) my grievances are so strong I can't bring myself to vote for a National Party.
Landscape along the Coast
The common reason provided by observers for the NPP's victory is that the Tamils were not united. Tamils have been contesting under a united banner for the past 50 years, which included 30 years of the Civil War that ended 15 years ago. The common and the ONLY goal of the United Front was to obtain Tamil Nationalism by forming a Federal System of Governance within Sri Lanka.
Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple
In this election, the United Front (TULF, TNA, etc.) was split into five groups, and two of the traditional parties, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), won a seat each. Three of the remaining four seats from Jaffna District went to the NPP, and the fourth went to an Independent Candidate.
How did the NPP convince Jaffna Voters, who never trusted a National Party? The NPP offered a clear manifesto: First, address the economic (inflation) and Governance (waste and corruption) issues that ALL Sri Lankans face. The second is to increase Tamil Management/Leadership in Government Agencies and Factories in the North and East, including a promise to increase Tamil Police Officers in the North and East. The voters realized this deed would allow the local population to engage with government officials without dealing with communication issues. The third is to make Provincial Councils active by holding elections soon. This one, combined with the second one, goes a long way in meeting the requirements of the Federal System demanded by the United Front parties. And finally, the NPP has offered to repeal constitutionally sanctioned discrimination among Sri Lankans.
Yet, the votes received by the NPP are less than the votes cast against them (to other parties) in this election. Why so? The opposition to NPP was split in many ways. The expectation is that Tamils should be united. I find this an unrealistic expectation. People have different aspirations and requirements. Nationalism is one of them, but not the only ONE. A total of 8800 candidates contested 196 seats Nationally in the last election, an average of 45 people per seat. In Jaffna district, there were 43 candidates per seat, just as the rest of the Country, where Nationalism was not an issue. People think differently, and their needs and expectations are different.
For some, Nationalism is important, but for many, just a peaceful life, the ability to afford quality food, education, and healthcare for their family is more important. We need to recall that the causes of the Nationalistic Movement in the North and East were a lack of economic and educational opportunities in the 1970s. Consecutive National Governments wanted to develop Sinhala Districts by depriving opportunities for Tamils. Had they resorted to developing the Sinhala districts WITHOUT depriving the Tamil districts, the leading cause for resentment among the communities may not have developed.
The NPP is now offering to treat all Sri Lankans the same, and the voters have placed their trust in them, ignoring their politicians who also played the race card to get votes. However, ITAK and ACTC vow to pursue Tamil Nationalism in opposition. Together, they received 28% of the votes, while 72% went to other candidates. I hope they understand the aspirations of Jaffna voters and play a constructive role – a good opposition is vital in any democracy.
Pooneriyn Bridge, Site of fierce Battles
A unique result is the election of an Independent Candidate from the Jaffna District. He will be the only independent candidate among 225. His platform eliminates corruption and improves Governance, especially in Jaffna's healthcare system. This should receive a perfect reception within the NPP. Good luck to him.
This week's voting pattern of the people in the north, where the National Peoples' Power (NPP) secured three seats, surprised and raised many eyebrows in diaspora circles. Several business people and groups among the diaspora were actively involved in this election by financing candidates and parties. Some businessmen were financing Tamil Parties to satisfy their Nationalistic intentions and National Parties to improve their business opportunities. They even financed campaigns against specific candidates within the party they endorsed. Such is the level of discontent in my community.
Foreign financing of elections is usually prohibited in the West, but not so (and impossible to implement) in developing countries like Sri Lanka. I believe we, the diaspora, left Sri Lanka for many reasons, and we should leave Sri Lankan politics, too. There are a few calls from Jaffna requesting the diaspora to stop insulting Jaffna Voters, stay out of politics, and stop sending funds to bad elements within the diaspora. We should use our money to help improve the day-to-day lives of those who have paid a severe price during the Civil War – to get their children housed, fed, and educated. I think many would agree with me. Interestingly, some individuals in the diaspora are accused of collecting funds in the name of developing North and East but personally benefitting.
The NPP justifiably takes pride in winning handsomely in the North and the East. It will retain its popularity in the North and the East if it can implement the four steps of reconciliation they have articulated in their manifesto. They are requesting time to show what they can deliver – and we should give them the time they need.