Article 27: (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
There have been countless events where the Sri-Lankan Government has denied the right for Tamils to enjoy and practice their own culture, religion and language. From the occupation of Tamileelam, the bombing of Tamil temples, the burning of the Jaffna Library thereby destroying Tamil historical data, the re-vamping of Tamil areas, the re-naming of Tamil areas, and the disenfranchisement of Tamils, the Sri-Lankan state has actively been trying to destroy the Tamil culture.
Many Sri-Lankan Prime Ministers and Presidents have run on a platform where they advocated for Sri-Lanka to be a Sinhala-Buddhist nation. Sinhalese- Chauvinism has led to a program where the Tamil culture and Tamil people are being attacked. Even earlier this year, a plan to widen a road was initiated despite being aware that 27 Hindu temples that serve great historical significance would be destroyed (Tamilnet, February 2010). The colonization of Tamil lands by Sinhalese people has resulted in Sinhalese monuments, temples, and people replacing Tamil historical monuments and temples.
The destruction of the Jaffna Library was not only the burning of paper, but it was a state-sponsored attempt at destroying the history of the Tamil culture, Tamil advancement, literature and knowledge.
The Tamils right to protection of their material, and their right to participate in their community and enjoy their arts has been stripped away by a government who has no compassion or understanding of the Tamil people, culture, and values. Destroying cultural monuments, and historical buildings denies Tamils a right to practice their culture and enjoy the arts of their people.
Credits:
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=31152
http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=31131
Tags: Speak Out
