Consensus among Sinhalese
essential for a solution
By Satheesan Kumaaran
In regard to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, Sinhala politicians,
community leaders, businessmen, NGOs, as well as Buddhist monks, need
to arrive at a national consensus. The battle between the government
and the LTTE has raged for more than three decades, taken the lives
of over 80,000 and driven the country into a mire of economic and political
disaster. All signs are that it may never return to normalcy. A lot
of work and a bi-partisan approach are called for if any improvement
of the situation is to be expected.
In the recent past, with the escalation of Tamil Tigers' retaliatory
guerrilla attacks against the Sri Lankan armed forces within the Tamil-dominated
North and the resulting in heavy casualties, the Sinhalese in the south
have begun to feel the consequences and the impact of the conflict.
They are being condemned by many peace-lovers because of the disrespect
for the value of human life.
The prospect of true peace is nearly totally shattered now in the island
nation because of the regular clashes between the government forces
and the LTTE. Irrespective of religion, nationality or creed, people
have become utterly helpless. The obstinate and arrogant attitude of
the government that the ethnic crisis could be tackled militarily, instead
of through negotiations, worsens the situation day by day.
Instead of spending their time and energy on empty talk, it would do
well for politicians to invest their time and energy in creating a peaceful
atmosphere and building relations that would gradually instill confidence
among the ethnic communities. Irresponsible words of politicians in
Colombo will only add fuel to the flames of destruction engulfing Sri
Lanka politically, economically, militarily, culturally and socially,
rather than educate communities on the importance of co-existence. Both
sides blame each other for violating the truce agreement, creating a
sense of fear and apprehension amongst themselves. President Mahinda
Rajapaksa's government has led the country to a catastrophe exacerbated
by the abrogation of the ceasefire agreement in January 2008. Now, both
parties are in direct military confrontation resulting in heavy civilians
casualties on both sides.
Sri Lankans need to take a leaf out of the books of other civilized
countries, such as those in Europe, Australasia and North America who
are dedicating their time, energy and other resources to the development
of their countries to keep pace with the changing world. These countries
have turned their attention to finding ways and means of saving themselves
from global warming and in developing technologies to protect themselves
and coming generations from natural disasters. As an island country,
isolated in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka should be particularly interested
in this phenomenon, but sadly enough, being engrossed in the obsession
of fighting with each other, no one in Sri Lanka seems to be taking
the real threats seriously.
India, where the average literacy rate is much less than Sri Lanka,
is surpassing Sri Lanka in science and technology. China, even with
the ideology of communism, has become a major economic player in the
international arena. Advances that Japan and Singapore have made in
almost every sphere are out of reach for Sri Lanka. Ironically, Singapore
once aspired to become a Sri Lanka in the late 1940s, when Sri Lanka
produced great intellectuals; the people were politically and economically
conscious, and excelled in many spheres. But, that has all changed and,
as a result, Sri Lanka has lost out on being a popular destination of
outsourcing by industrialised countries and in the area of information
technology. Brain drain on a rapid scale is making Sri Lanka poorer
by the day. It is tragic that the economy has come to be propped up
by remittances from blue collar workers-maids and domestics slaving
in West Asia and some European countries.
During the past 50 years, the older generations of Sri Lankans have
produced new generations with totally different perspectives and perceptions
of the other ethnic communities and this has stood in the way of understanding
and appreciation of each other.
Instead of looking outwards, studying and acquiring knowledge of western
philosophies and scientific knowledge, young Sri Lankans are only allowed
to look inwards, focusing on their own Theravada Buddhist philosophy,
ignoring the works of others and shutting out any fresh air and light
of knowledge from external sources.
Home made systems and remedies will not always work. Sri Lankan young
people are often brain-washed into believing that any system representing
European imperialist legacies should not be touched. The only exception
seems to be cricket, which they have embraced.
In contrast, Indians are receptive to new knowledge. Schools in India
are more or less westernized. India is keeping their states united by
offering them political rights through a system of quasi-federalism.
One could argue, on the other hand, that Sri Lanka is declining and
heading towards disaster. All politicians have their share of responsibility
for this because Sri Lankan politicians have been interested only in
their own political and/or financial agendas. They are capitalising
on and exacerbating ethnic tensions and the resultant animosity to gain
mileage. People in Sri Lanka, by and large, do not realise that what
Sri Lankan politicians really want is to create a society of voiceless
citizens remote-controlled by a bunch of politicians.
The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka between the Sinhalese and Tamil-speaking
has been a creation by the Sinhala leaders. Sons and daughters are perishing
in the battlegrounds after being forced to join the armed forces to
make a living and support their families. The real casualty figures
are hidden from the public. Although military and political bigwigs
deny these reports, it has been happening not only in very recent times
but also in the past. But, the truth cannot be concealed so easily.
Will Sri Lanka be able to adopt liberal-thinking and achieve near normalcy
and progression rather than destruction? The answer is a cautious yes
and no. Integrity based on the foundation of respect is essential. Yes,
if those in power and influence change their attitudes. This is a big
task in the current culture that they are used to. Buddhist monks should
perform their legitimate functions in disseminating the message of peace
and co-existence among the communities. Community leaders should offer
proper and responsible leadership. NGOs should create awareness among
the different communities. Politicians need to sink their differences
in the national interest. Political consensus must be reached to offer
autonomy for all the minorities in the island and to reach out to them.
Each community has unique demands and those demands should be met through
peaceful means and through discussion. Tell the truth to the people
and let freedom of speech and the media freedom prevail. A national
consensus can only be achieved when the Sinhalese embrace the minorities
and win their hearts and minds. This can only be done through fulfilling
the demands of each of these communities.
(The author can be reached at e-mail: satheessan_kumaaran@yahoo.com)
Source: The Midweek Review (The Island - February 20, 2008)
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