Briefing by Sri Lanka High Commissioner

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
20 September 2000
BRIEFING BY SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSIONER

Relevant Documents:
Sri Lanka at a Glance [e-mail [email protected] if required]

SUMMARY
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Mr Gamini S Munasinghe, gave an overview of the history of Sri Lanka to explain the current conflicts between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. This has culminated in the current President proposing an extensive devolution of power to the provinces to appease the ethnic conflict through extensive constitutional amendments. This will be voted on in the general election to be held on 10 October 2000. The amendments would amount to a massive decentralisation of power; this may be necessary, however, since funds that are needed for development are now being used for defence.

MINUTES
The conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka is an old one. It has manifested itself in conflicts over which language would dominate and other areas. Tamils have agitated for a separate state.

The current president, Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge, has acknowledged and legitimised Tamil grievances. It was thought this would be political suicide, but she won a surprising 62% majority. She is now proposing an extensive devolution of power to the provinces to appease the ethnic conflict. Except for defence, foreign affairs, and matters relating to security, all other matters relating to education, health, social services, land and agriculture etc have been vested to the regional councils. This is with a view to allow the regional governments elected by the people to run their own affairs. This will be voted on in the general election to be held on 10 October 2000.

Discussion
Ms Mohamed (ANC): In general elections, how are the Tamil Tigers?

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Mr Munasinghe: No Tamil party came forward to contest the 1994 elections.

Dr Geldenhuys (NNP): What is the attitude of Tamils in Jafna to the federal proposal?

Mr Munasinghe: The Tamil Tigers don't seem to have a political agenda other than demanding a separate state. International third party mediation was officially refused but, unofficially, Norwegians have been facilitating for the past 12 months with good progress.

A Member commented that the Committee had already had a briefing from a South African Tamil Tiger support group and that the Committee should know that the group has no government sanction. He noted that although South Africa also has a new Constitution no one should think South Africa supports the division of Sri Lanka. The South African government recognises the integrity of all states and supports nothing that goes against government policy.

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Mr Munasinghe added that the proposed amendments to the Constitution would mean the 9 Sri Lankan provinces would have more power than any state in India. This amounts to a massive but perhaps necessary decentralisation since funds that should be going to development are currently going to defence.

The Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Mr Ebrahim, suggested that Sri Lankans may be able to learn from how South Africans have solved their own problems and reiterated that South Africa respects the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, as well as that of all countries.