By

Udaya P. Gammanpila

The Scottish Government held a referendum on 18 September 2014, to seek public opinion on gaining independence from the United Kingdom. Fifty five per cent of the people voted against independence at that referendum. Inspired by this referendum, Tamil separatists now propose holding a similar referendum in the North and East of Sri Lanka, to determine the declaration of a separate State called Tamil Eelam. Although Sri Lankan media have not paid adequate attention to this move, it has now become a hot topic in international media. Hence, it is pertinent to analyze the relevance of that Scottish referendum in Sri Lanka.

Scotland is a very old country which possesses evidence of human habitats since 12,000 years ago. It emerged as a nation in the 5th century. By the 18th century, it had developed as a commercial, industrial and intellectual hub in Europe. The 18th century was so fateful for Scotland that it disappeared from the world map as a result of the Scottish king becoming the king of England as well. In fact, royal gain was a loss to the nation.

In 1502, King James IV of Scotland married the daughter of King Henry VII of England. As a result, their grandson, King James VI became the solitary heir to the English throne. Although both countries had the same king, there were two independent Parliaments. When Scotland faced an economic crisis in the early part of the 18th century, England forced it to agree to a unified Parliament. Although the Scottish general public rioted against this decision, the United Kingdom was born on 1 May 1707, unifying Scotland with Great Britain, which consisted of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In addition to unification of Parliaments, crowns of both nations were also officially unified. Scottish historian, Robert Burns once wrote, “We are bought and sold for English gold, such a parcel of rogues in a nation,” referring to alleged significant financial benefits received by Scottish parliamentarians from England for agreeing to unification.

Concessions

In order to manage Scottish resistance to the unification, the UK had granted certain concessions to Scotland from time to time. In 1832, the number of Scottish parliamentarians in the Parliament of the United Kingdom was increased. Soon thereafter, a post called ‘State Secretary for Scotland’ was created. However, these measures were not adequate to make the Scottish independence movement silent. As a result of a centuries old struggle, Scotland was able to regain self-rule with its own Parliament in 1999. The referendum referred to above was conducted by the Scottish Government established in 1999.

Inspired by the move of the Scottish Government, Catalonia, which is a State in Spain, has also decided to hold a similar referendum on 19 November. Catalonian Parliament adopted a resolution in 2013 to act for gaining independence based on right to self-determination. Although Catalonia is presently a part of Spain, it has a long history as a sovereign nation. There is evidence to establish that human habitats were there around 20,000 years ago. There have been well established records about a Catalonian nation since the 10th century. Catalonia has been either an independent State or a part of greater empires until it was annexed by the Spanish Empire in 1714. Hence, Catalonia genuinely possesses right to self-determination just like Scotland.

Quebec Province in Canada is also famous for referenda for independence. Although the support for independent Quebec at the referendum held in 1980 was mere 40%, it was increased to 49% in 1995. When Quebec was colonized by France, it was known as ‘New France.’ The rest of Canada was colonized by English rulers and merchants. Although Quebec is the solitary French province in Canada, it is the largest. The English captured New France in 1759 after waging a war for seven long years. It was renamed Quebec in 1763. As a result of a long struggle, Quebec residents now enjoy self-rule.

Right to self-determination means the right possessed by a nation to determine its own destiny independently. This concept was introduced to grant independence to nations, which had become colonies of European powers such as England, France and Spain by the early 19th century. The nations were granted the right to determine whether they want to be independent, dominion or remain as a colony based on this concept.

Unique

People who speak the Scottish language as mother tongue and adopt Scottish culture as a way of life live only in Scotland. If there are Scottish people in another country, they have directly or indirectly migrated from Scotland. Scotland has been in existence for centuries as a nation. The Catalonian case is the same. Its language and culture is unique to Catalonia and it has been in existence as a sovereign nation for centuries.

Sri Lankan Tamils do not possess these characteristics. The Tamil language and culture are not unique to Sri Lanka. Tamils live in more than hundred countries in the world. Tamils in Sri Lanka have migrated from Tamil Nadu in India just like the Tamils in other countries. Everybody unanimously accepts the fact that the Tamil language and culture originated in Tamil Nadu. In fact, Tamil Nadu means, the country of Tamils. Renowned Tamil historians such as S. Pathmanathan and Karthigesu Indrapalan have admitted that the Tamil kingdom was established after 1236 by invading soldiers of Kalinga Magha.
Kalinga Magha was the most brutal invader in Sri Lankan history. He invaded Sri Lanka in 1215. Magha destroyed giant stupas and burnt temples in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. They massacred Buddhist monks after burning scriptures. Women were raped after killing infants. Thousands of Sinhalese were turned to slaves in Magha’s administration. Hence, Sinhalese deserted the Rajarata (North of Sri Lanka) and migrated to the hill country.

Vijayabahu III was able to liberate part of Rajarata from Magha and established Dambadeniya as his capital. His son, Parakramabahu II defeated Kalinga’s forces and liberated the country. However, defeated forces established a tiny kingdom in the Jaffna Peninsula in 1236, which is now known as the Jaffna Kingdom. Sinhala kings did not bother to capture this tiny kingdom considering its close proximity to India and the lack of habitats in Rajarata. However, this kingdom was annexed to the rest of Sri Lanka in 1450 during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI. Although Tamils were able to re-establish the Kingdom, it was captured by the Portuguese by defeating Sangili II.

In the light of above, it is abundantly clear that referenda held in Scotland, Catalonia and Quebec are not relevant to Tamils in Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu of course can match with those nations. Hence, if there is a referendum for an independent Tamil nation, it should be held in Tamil Nadu instead of Sri Lanka. If there is a referendum to establish a Tamil State in Sri Lanka, one should be held in Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Canada, because Sri Lankan Tamils are a migrant community similar to Tamils in those countries.

Courtesy:ceylon Today