The charges of genocide and human rights violations against the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in Sri Lanka should be taken seriously. The media as well as the international community should strongly condemn such horrific acts, exerting pressure on the Sri Lankan government. In fact, the Sri Lankan Tamil issue has not been properly handled by successive governments in the country. So far, Colombo has been a silent spectator to the real concerns, and the basic rights of Tamil civilians. Sri Lankan history clearly reveals that in 1815, the British brought in Tamil labour from the southern parts of India to work on tea, coffee and coconut plantations in what was then known as Ceylon. So, naturally, these migrants have the right to live in peace and harmony. Then, in 1949, Tamil plantation workers were disenfranchised. An eye for an eye cannot be a solution to any problem. The 25-year-old ethnic issue could be better settled through sovereignty and freedom for the Tamils. A strong political solution is the best option rather than military action. It may be recalled that a large number of civilians had fled from the war zone and migrated as refugees to southern India. Such an exodus may lead to a big humanitarian crisis. The Indian government should continue voicing its concerns for the Sri Lankan Tamils till the whole ethnic issue is amicably settled.
P Senthil Saravana Durai Mumbai
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