It happened 16 years ago, in July 1983. Tamils were assaulted, killed or maimed for just being Tamils. Their property was destroyed. Hundreds of thousands who managed to save their lives became refugees in their own country. Some 400,000 fled to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. No wonder it was aptly called ‘Black July’.

It started as an immediate response to the killing of 13 soldiers in Jaffna by the LTTE. Yet it was not a spontaneous reaction. It was a culmination of a campaign of hate conducted on both sides of the ethnic divide. The media as well as the State have a share of responsibility in their failure to avoid this holocaust.

Further, it became evident that powerful ministers in the Government at the time were behind arson, murder and other crimes. In a sense, the criminals had state patronage. It was a shame.

After keeping mum for several days President J. R. Jayewardene in his address to the nation tried to justify mob action. The infamous Sixth Amendment to the Constitution was passed amidst the flames. By throwing out moderate Tamil leaders from Parliament the Sixth Amendment legitimized the armed struggle in the North.

The mass exodus into South India paved the way for Indian intervention. The ethnic crisis which was an internal affair of Sri Lanka became an international issue overnight.

Further, the ‘Black July’ gave an impetus to the armed struggle in the North that grew into a full-scale war for separation. The war still goes on sowing destruction and waste in colossal proportions.

The scars of ‘Black July’ still remain. The shame earned cannot be wiped off. The continuation of the war carries with it the danger of a Kosovo style foreign intervention, at least theoretically.

Hence, it is all the more important that a peaceful solution should be sought to the ethnic problem and the war be terminated as soon as possible. Opportunities should be made available to all communities, including tamils to live in peace and harmony as equal citizens with equal opportunities to develop their own cultures and traditions. That is the only way the wounds of ‘Black July’ could be healed, its shame wiped off and its recurrence prevented.

It is unfortunate that even during this anniversary of ‘Black July’ major political parties had not realised the urgency of a peaceful solution to the national problem. They are at loggerheads and each other’s throat on issues of lesser significance. The UNP, in particular, seems to be impatient to come to power. They are conducting themselves in a most opportunistic manner. For example, they have not taken a decision to end the Executive Presidency, if they come to power. Yet they are ready to go on unlawful demonstrations calling for its abolition. Perhaps, as one commentator said July is a month which drives them mad. It was in July 1980 that they dismissed thousands of workers and even sent some to the grave. Then came ‘Black July’ 1983. And now we are witnessing their insane antics in July 1999. An end to this madness, before the end of the millennium would benefit the country.

Courtesy: Sunday Observer,25 July, 1999