Wiggy calls for change of heart among leaders, questions continuing high defence spending

By Saman Indrajith

Thamizh Makkal Thesiya Kootani (TMTK) Jaffna District MP C. V. Wigneswaran, speaking in Parliament, yesterday, demanded to know from the government how and why the defence expenditure of the budgets kept on increasing even though the war was over more than a decade ago.

Participating in the second reading debate on budget 2021, MP Wigneswaran said: “War is over but our Defence expenses are going up. Why? Is the government expecting another war, and if so with whom? The Tamils or the Indians or the Western countries? Whom is our government afraid of? Why are we arranging for war time security needs rather than post-war security needs?

“The Sinhalese are getting ready for war because you suspect the Tamils. Is it not suspicion, fear and hatred that drive you to arm yourself the modern armaments at great cost? As a result have we not swelled up our national debt? A debt prejudicial to you and us!

“Why don’t you think of mending your fences with the Tamil speaking and obtain the goodwill of lakhs and lakhs of Tamils driven away by you and living abroad? What stands between reconciliation and prosperity is your hesitation to take correct decisions.

“If the defence budget is reduced more money could be allocated for debt repayment, thereby ensuring macroeconomic stability. Are you not cutting your nose to spite your face? Are you not procuring armaments, artillery, armour and infantry because you are suspicious of sections of your own citizenry who reacted to your prejudicial discriminatory unilateral activities of the past?

“As Buddhists don’t you realise that you are traversing on a karmic suicidal path? Buddhism says our actions today fashions our life tomorrow. If we think outside the box, so to say, today, and act accordingly our path tomorrow might lead us to prosperity and contentment.

“It was King Ashoka who realised the futility of war, violence and vindictiveness. On that realisation he changed course. The time has come for a change. With a two-thirds majority in Parliament you could bring peace, reconciliation and prosperity or death, damage and destruction. The choice is yours!

 “The need of the hour therefore is a change of heart among Sinhalese leaders. A change of heart on your part would bring bout positive results. You must take us into your confidence. Eleven years after the war ended, the war affected northern and eastern provinces lag behind the rest of the country economically. So, it is time you granted self-government to the North and East and allow us and our diaspora to help you and us economically. Let us together move this country towards peace and prosperity.”