Why the TGTE Needs to Revive Trust in the Diaspora
Ruben Nagesparan Chandrakumar, BS
The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, a pivotal and transformational organization that gives a political voice to the Eelam nation and its diaspora, is at a key juncture in its lifespan. When the organization was initially formed in 2010, the support of the diaspora was evident in its turnout for the elections. However, as over a decade has passed, the trust and support of the organization have decreased substantially. There are multiple reasons for this decline; within this piece, four causes will be examined: the lack of effective communication, the lack of visible success in attaining justice, the lack of honesty in addressing the LTTE’s past, and the ignorance of the diaspora.
The first is the lack of effective communication channels to artfully articulate the reasons behind the formation of the TGTE and the rationale behind supporting it. Whereas more developed countries have privately-owned media corporations and state-owned media companies to convey the messages of political entities to the populace, the diaspora of Eelam lacks both. If the TGTE wants to remedy this issue, there should be a concerted effort to campaign for the organization and its objectives to both the diaspora and the international community. Such an effort would entail a series of interviews, talks, recorded meetings with international actors, and investment in Eelam-based media entities. Additionally, with the ease of translation offered by new tools of artificial intelligence, the media could be translated into every language of the diaspora.
Furthermore, the potential posed by social media should be capitalized on. Given the tremendous success of Tamil influencers and the significance of their reach, the TGTE would be wise to open communication up and see how these influencers could be persuaded through sound arguments to support them. The power to counter the traditional media narrative of the Eelam Question is latent within social media. As has been made evident with the Israel-Palestine conflict that arose in October of 2023, the widespread information influx of the conflict on social media has resulted in a media war that is arguably as pertinent.
The second reason why the TGTE has lost trust is its lack of success in achieving progress toward its cause. This has been compounded by the apparent impunity of the Government of Sri Lanka. Both causes have led to a nihilistic approach in supporting the organization. The lack of visible victories on the TGTE’s record has poisoned the once hopeful outlook that many had toward it. While there have been numerous court cases that proved certain aspects of the struggle to be valid, the lack of a clear win has plagued the support. Additionally, when observing the continuation of the militarization and Sinhalization of Eelam, the effectiveness and power of the TGTE have lost their luster to many. Without demonstrating strength and consolidating soft power to the greatest degree, the diaspora will continue to turn away and lose interest. In recent years, the overwhelming support in Canada for the recognition and justice of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka has proved a key opportunity that the TGTE has not yet seized. Despite the recognition by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the Tamil genocide, only brief statements were made to continue this conversation and struggle. Though Canada is abundant with Tamil rights groups, the TGTE offers the greatest historical support and legitimacy; thus, its inability to turn this obvious opening into a powerful act that cements its authority has disappointed many.
The third is the inability to speak honestly about the duality of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, addressing the wrongs that were committed and giving solace to the victims of their heinous actions. Despite the fine line that political leaders must walk when addressing the international community, the leaders of the TGTE have failed to acknowledge the many wrongs that the LTTE was guilty of. Whether these actions are proven in a court of law is rather irrelevant. Thousands of individuals—including Muslim Tamils, the Sinhalese, and the Eelam Tamil people—painfully remember the Tigers. The human rights organizations that provide credibility to the argument of discrimination, war crimes, and genocide by the Government of Sri Lanka must be seen as having the same legitimacy in recording the crimes of the LTTE. In fact, it is through this sincere acknowledgment that an international tribunal can find its appeal to all the victims of the war. The genuine recognition of the LTTE’s faults would anger many; however, it would augment its credibility and trust among the nation, the diaspora, the international community, and the good-faith actors within the Government of Sri Lanka.
The fourth reason why this trust has declined is the ignorance of the diaspora and the youth of the historical and political reality of Tamil life in Sri Lanka. The war, to many, signified the end of the conflict. However, those who have historical context understand that the political struggle for justice and independence predated the armed struggle and must continue after it has ended. The fight for equality can be traced back at least seventy years, far before the LTTE was formed and rose to power. Many Tamils of the diaspora are unaware of the persistence of the Sixth Amendment, the dangers of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the failed implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment, and the continued colonization of historically Tamil lands. Without clear and plain communication about these issues, the ambitions of the TGTE will be treated as nothing more than a hopeless fantasy. Similarly, the historical education of the youth is discomfortingly abysmal; many of those under the age of twenty-five are completely unaware of the TGTE’s existence—let alone its purpose.
The TGTE has many factors working against it within the complex landscape of international politics. Without placing an emphasis on the key issues that hamstring its power and the consistent backing of the diaspora, the objectives of the organization will be that much harder to attain. If the dream of Eelam is to be manifest, the TGTE is poised to play a fundamental role. Thus, the members and leaders are faced with the necessity of appealing to its strengths, demonstrating decisive victories, and communicating with its populace forthrightly to earn the greatest amount of trust possible.