The Tamil Vote and the Sinhalese Perspective

People in the South have no business or moral standing to advise Tamils on how to vote in elections. Many in the South may feel that Tamils do not consider themselves Sri Lankan first. For Sinhalese, it is easy to feel Sri Lankan first, as there is no distinction between being Sinhala and being Sri Lankan—the country’s identity, policies, and priorities align exclusively with your own.

In a multi-ethnic country, the country's government should act as a neutral mediator, striving to protect the interests of all communities by building consensus. Unfortunately, since 1956, successive governments in Sri Lanka have positioned themselves solely as protectors of Sinhala Buddhist interests, often at the expense of other ethnicities.

It is not that Tamils do not want to be Sri Lankans first; rather, they have been made to feel Tamil first because the Sri Lankan state has consistently failed to represent, listen to, or protect them. Therefore, the issue isn't that Tamils seek different treatment; it's that they have been treated differently for decades, undermining their sense of belonging within the Sri Lankan identity. 

Don’t ask Tamils to embrace Sri Lankan mainstream politics; instead, challenge your political system to demonstrate through actions that Tamils are also Sri Lankans. When that happens, perceptions will change. Tamil people are not ready to vote based on empty promises, as that is all we have seen from Southern politicians since the 1957 Banda-Selva Pact. 

No Tamils in Singapore identify as Tamil first; they consider themselves Singaporeans. So don’t come to us to tell us how to vote; instead, reflect on how you can ensure that you elect leaders who will truly bring Tamils into the mainstream.