How to Tame the LTTE Diaspora?

(Kumar Moses)

The LTTE Diaspora is spread in the developed world in sizable numbers. Given their huge numbers coupled with hard currency earnings which is many times that of a Sri Lankan resident, their financial clout is much higher than what Sri Lanka can utilise in their country. Our diplomatic missions are funded by the government of Sri Lanka and funds are limited. Compared to our diplomatic missions, Tamil Elamist sections are very resourceful. They use it against our interests very effectively. Assuming there are 350,000 Tamils in Canada and 250,000 in the UK as of today, using their average GDP per capita figures, the Tamil Diaspora in these countries alone add up to US$24 billion! Of course not every one of them may be earning the average but it is a reasonable estimation of their financial clout. In addition there is a massive Tamil Diaspora in many western European countries. US$24 billion is more than half the Sri Lanka’s GDP.

Not all Tamils in the Diaspora are LTTE supporters or sympathisers, but the huge financial clout means even a small percentage of them can amass a large amount of money for anti-Sri Lankan activities. Coercion, threats to marginalise from the Tamil society and other foul means are used to get financial help from frightened peace loving Tamils. Due to their dire need to remain in the Tamil society they are forced to donate.

They have been able to hire university professors, human rights activists, retired deputy solicitor generals, members of the clergy, politicians, etc. for their cause. Sri Lanka on the other hand don’t do that. It is not entirely the fault of our diplomats but obvious financial and resource constraints play a big role in not being able to mount an effective counter attack.

On top of that developed countries always side with the ‘underdog’. As long as the Tamil Diaspora plays the underdog, it will be treated with sympathy and this is what the LTTE remnants need.

Hundreds of Tamil Elamist websites, newspapers, etc. function abroad in comparison to a handful of pro-Sri Lankan websites. To make matters worse, pro-Sri Lankan groups are small in number and depend on the continued dedication of a few hardworking persons.

There is a way to tame the LTTE Diaspora within Sri Lanka’s complete control. By effectively using this tool, the LTTE Diaspora can be prevented from instigating anti-Sri Lankan moves. It has other advantages too like frustrating the separatist campaign no matter who is behind it.

What frightens the LTTE Diaspora most? What do they consider unthinkable? What do they guard as virginity?

They call it colonization. The Tamil only nature of the north is guarded as precious by all LTTE supporters, sympathisers and other Tamil Elamists. For them there is absolutely no way the north can change its Tamil only nature.

This is what we should target, attack and alter. Therefore the best way to tame the LTTE Diaspora is to ‘colonize’ land claimed by the LTTE to be Tamil Elam with people of all races.

A word of clarification is needed about the word ‘colonization’. It is used merely because that is how the LTTE Diaspora call they worst enemy. What needs to happen is to do what they call colonization.

This process of ‘colonization’ has a lasting impact on the Tamil Elam campaign unlike their war crimes campaign. The maximum their hateful war crimes campaign can do is to disrupt Sri Lanka; nothing more. However, if ‘colonization’ is effectively carried out, it can bury what is called Tamil Elam for good. The concept of Tamil Elam can be dismantled beyond recognition. Knowing the effects it can cause to their dreamland, the LTTE Diaspora has no option than to call off their anti-Sri Lankan campaigns or scale them down and surrender at the feet of Sri Lankans. Initially they will intensify their campaigns but as they are convinced of our commitment to the plan, they will have to give up. Their fear of a repetition of what happened in the eastern province in the north will determine their actions.

There is absolutely nothing they can do to stop it by hiding in distant lands. Even foreign governments support the process of development of the under-developed north that benefits people of all races. That will drive the entire LTTE Diaspora into a rage that will display their true racist colours to the world to see.

The speed of ‘colonization’ must follow the threat level. The higher the threat to Sri Lanka, the more intense should be the rate of ‘colonization’.  The speed should be proportionately reduced as the threat reduces but the process must be still carried out at low intensity. Under no circumstances should ‘colonized’ areas be decolonized. It will soon emerge as a bargaining tool to tame and control the LTTE Diaspora without a word being communicated directly.

What if the LTTE Diaspora refuses to back down and continue regardless? There is nothing to lose. Permanent effects of ‘colonization’ will have huge positive economic, political and strategic implications. Agricultural output will increase and economic activity will rapidly improve. Once the Tamil-only nature of the north is dented, Tamil-only political parties will have less clout in the north. Racist politics that cursed the north ever since 1947 with Tamil Congress, Tamil Kachchi, Tamil Front and Tamil Alliance will struggle to save their seats knowing fully well that no right thinking Sinhalese or a Muslim will vote for them. Fuelled by the economic activity, the presence of a multiethnic community and security, more and more people will move into these areas voluntarily further expanding economic activities.

At the heart of this strategy lies a fundamental weakness of the LTTE and Tamil Elamists – the inability to live in a multiethnic society. They can only live in Tamil-only communities. Whether it is Jaffna, Vanni, Batticaloa, Wellawatte, Kotahena, Scarborough, certain areas of London or certain suburbs of Sydney, they tend to live in relative confinement than others. Exploiting this weakness ensures their collapse. The international community supports the process of ethnic integration via the creation of new settlements. Most developed countries are made up of multiethnic communities. Colonization of own land doesn’t violate international law as foreign land is not misappropriated and all the new settlements will be multiethnic.

It is time to match LTTE Diaspora’s aggressive (yet unproductive) strategies with a fatal blow to their dreams, aspirations and fantasies by altering the ethnic composition of the north for good. Unless it happens, the LTTE Diaspora will continue to keep hope about a mythical Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka which has the main ingredient – the Tamil only nature. Punish the LTTE Diaspora’s each and every action with what they fear most – colonization, as they call it and watch how the remaining tigers will become pussycats in no time. The landless getting land and rapid development of the nation are by products. At the end of the day it costs nothing. In fact it creates more economic benefits that it costs to implement it.

It will also be a fitting punishment to certain religious dignitaries who harbour racist views on land which belongs to everyone. Prove to them that they are wrong and there is nothing they can do to impose their wrong views. Once the Tamil-only virginity of the north is seriously violated and destroyed, no Tamil Elamist will find it attractive. 

The LTTE Diaspora is spread in the developed world in sizable numbers. Given their huge numbers coupled with hard currency earnings which is many times that of a Sri Lankan resident, their financial clout is much higher than what Sri Lanka can utilise in their country. Our diplomatic missions are funded by the government of Sri Lanka and funds are limited. Compared to our diplomatic missions, Tamil Elamist sections are very resourceful. They use it against our interests very effectively.

Assuming there are 350,000 Tamils in Canada and 250,000 in the UK as of today, using their average GDP per capita figures, the Tamil Diaspora in these countries alone add up to US$24 billion! Of course not every one of them may be earning the average but it is a reasonable estimation of their financial clout. In addition there is a massive Tamil Diaspora in many western European countries. US$24 billion is more than half the Sri Lanka’s GDP.

Not all Tamils in the Diaspora are LTTE supporters or sympathisers, but the huge financial clout means even a small percentage of them can amass a large amount of money for anti-Sri Lankan activities. Coercion, threats to marginalise from the Tamil society and other foul means are used to get financial help from frightened peace loving Tamils. Due to their dire need to remain in the Tamil society they are forced to donate.

They have been able to hire university professors, human rights activists, retired deputy solicitor generals, members of the clergy, politicians, etc. for their cause. Sri Lanka on the other hand don’t do that. It is not entirely the fault of our diplomats but obvious financial and resource constraints play a big role in not being able to mount an effective counter attack.

On top of that developed countries always side with the ‘underdog’. As long as the Tamil Diaspora plays the underdog, it will be treated with sympathy and this is what the LTTE remnants need.

Hundreds of Tamil Elamist websites, newspapers, etc. function abroad in comparison to a handful of pro-Sri Lankan websites. To make matters worse, pro-Sri Lankan groups are small in number and depend on the continued dedication of a few hardworking persons.

There is a way to tame the LTTE Diaspora within Sri Lanka’s complete control. By effectively using this tool, the LTTE Diaspora can be prevented from instigating anti-Sri Lankan moves. It has other advantages too like frustrating the separatist campaign no matter who is behind it.

What frightens the LTTE Diaspora most? What do they consider unthinkable? What do they guard as virginity?

They call it colonization. The Tamil only nature of the north is guarded as precious by all LTTE supporters, sympathisers and other Tamil Elamists. For them there is absolutely no way the north can change its Tamil only nature.

This is what we should target, attack and alter. Therefore the best way to tame the LTTE Diaspora is to ‘colonize’ land claimed by the LTTE to be Tamil Elam with people of all races.

A word of clarification is needed about the word ‘colonization’. It is used merely because that is how the LTTE Diaspora call they worst enemy. What needs to happen is to do what they call colonization.

This process of ‘colonization’ has a lasting impact on the Tamil Elam campaign unlike their war crimes campaign. The maximum their hateful war crimes campaign can do is to disrupt Sri Lanka; nothing more. However, if ‘colonization’ is effectively carried out, it can bury what is called Tamil Elam for good. The concept of Tamil Elam can be dismantled beyond recognition. Knowing the effects it can cause to their dreamland, the LTTE Diaspora has no option than to call off their anti-Sri Lankan campaigns or scale them down and surrender at the feet of Sri Lankans. Initially they will intensify their campaigns but as they are convinced of our commitment to the plan, they will have to give up. Their fear of a repetition of what happened in the eastern province in the north will determine their actions.

There is absolutely nothing they can do to stop it by hiding in distant lands. Even foreign governments support the process of development of the under-developed north that benefits people of all races. That will drive the entire LTTE Diaspora into a rage that will display their true racist colours to the world to see.

The speed of ‘colonization’ must follow the threat level. The higher the threat to Sri Lanka, the more intense should be the rate of ‘colonization’.  The speed should be proportionately reduced as the threat reduces but the process must be still carried out at low intensity. Under no circumstances should ‘colonized’ areas be decolonized. It will soon emerge as a bargaining tool to tame and control the LTTE Diaspora without a word being communicated directly.

What if the LTTE Diaspora refuses to back down and continue regardless? There is nothing to lose. Permanent effects of ‘colonization’ will have huge positive economic, political and strategic implications. Agricultural output will increase and economic activity will rapidly improve. Once the Tamil-only nature of the north is dented, Tamil-only political parties will have less clout in the north. Racist politics that cursed the north ever since 1947 with Tamil Congress, Tamil Kachchi, Tamil Front and Tamil Alliance will struggle to save their seats knowing fully well that no right thinking Sinhalese or a Muslim will vote for them. Fuelled by the economic activity, the presence of a multiethnic community and security, more and more people will move into these areas voluntarily further expanding economic activities.

At the heart of this strategy lies a fundamental weakness of the LTTE and Tamil Elamists – the inability to live in a multiethnic society. They can only live in Tamil-only communities. Whether it is Jaffna, Vanni, Batticaloa, Wellawatte, Kotahena, Scarborough, certain areas of London or certain suburbs of Sydney, they tend to live in relative confinement than others. Exploiting this weakness ensures their collapse. The international community supports the process of ethnic integration via the creation of new settlements. Most developed countries are made up of multiethnic communities. Colonization of own land doesn’t violate international law as foreign land is not misappropriated and all the new settlements will be multiethnic.

It is time to match LTTE Diaspora’s aggressive (yet unproductive) strategies with a fatal blow to their dreams, aspirations and fantasies by altering the ethnic composition of the north for good. Unless it happens, the LTTE Diaspora will continue to keep hope about a mythical Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka which has the main ingredient – the Tamil only nature. Punish the LTTE Diaspora’s each and every action with what they fear most – colonization, as they call it and watch how the remaining tigers will become pussycats in no time. The landless getting land and rapid development of the nation are by products. At the end of the day it costs nothing. In fact it creates more economic benefits that it costs to implement it.

It will also be a fitting punishment to certain religious dignitaries who harbour racist views on land which belongs to everyone. Prove to them that they are wrong and there is nothing they can do to impose their wrong views. Once the Tamil-only virginity of the north is seriously violated and destroyed, no Tamil Elamist will find it attractive.