By Sarath Wijesinghe

There is absolute peace in Sri Lanka

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There is absolute peace in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Britain is now at greater risk from mob attacks ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ than Sri Lanka. According to a research and reality the threat of terrorism in UK and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ USA is much more than that of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Peace is a basic requirement for stability, investment, tourist promotion and image building for a nation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There is no incident of terrorism ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ anywhere in Sri Lanka ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ since the eradication of terror regime from the Sri Lankan soil two years ago.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is a record and it is hoped that this peace will be stable and maintained until Sri Lanka achieves the target of becoming the Wonder of Asia economically and reaching to be a heaven for peace.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ UN Charter

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Peace in Sri Lanka was dawned with a long struggle of over 30 years of blood shed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Blood shed during the aftermath of World War 11 ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has been anƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  eye opener of initiation and the introduction of the UN Charter, which is the main human rights document on which the United Nations World Body is formed replacing the league of nations established in 1919.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Main eye opener for the attempts for world peace have been due to blood bath and the massive destruction ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as a result of bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This massacre was followed by over 250,000ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  citizens in addition maiming and making hundreds of thousands of citizens permanently disabled cancer and connected patients.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Destruction of property during the Second World War has been so enormous and the death toll has risen to millions that the civilized world had to take some concrete steps to prevent such disasters in future.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The opportunity bestowed was grasped by the international community headed by the Western countries constituted the United Nations organizations ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ based on Western values 66 years ago.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE and Front Organizations

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka was unfortunate to witness the blood shed and war orchestrated by the most ruthless and feared terrorist outfit which the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa successfully eradicated to the amazement of the western countries that considered unwinnable war.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The war against peoples of Sri Lanka was conducted by the LTTE , managed by NGOs , politicians and mainly funded by Tamil Diaspora backed by some western countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Aftermath of the destruction everything has disowned by the participants leaving innocent Sri Lanka to face the misery of darkness.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ War is bitter and unpleasant

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ War is the opposite of peace.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  War is bitter, unpleasant but inevitable in the complicated human society.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The result of war is disastrous.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka has been throughout a peaceful , peace loving country especially after reactivation and embracing Buddhism which brought to Sri Lanka from India by Arahat Mahinda and Sangamitta, the beloved son and daughter of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ King Asoka who conquered ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the entire India having massacred large number of human beings.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  At the end of the victory King has been a very unhappy person due to death toll and the destruction. After having made friendship with a junior Buddhist monk he embraced Buddhism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The initial step he took was to impart his realization to his close friend Devanampiyattissa, the King of Sri Lanka to whom he sent his beloved son and daughter as emissaries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Peace dividends

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Despite the destruction of the national wealth and loss of hundreds of thousands of lives by taking the country 30 years backwards and tarnishing the image of the nation still Sri Lanka has gained momentum towards development economically and politically.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Today Sri Lanka is enjoying the peace dividends by improving economy, tourism, investment and converting the nation to the most sought for destinations for tourism and investment. What is most needed for investment and tourism atmosphere is stability and security of a country. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In Sri Lanka security is guaranteed with the able hands of the head of the security apparatus, the Defence Secretary and stability is guaranteed by the leadership of the President Rajapaksa who has full control over the executive and the legislature.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is well known and accepted that ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful nations with excellent environment, blessed with nature full of greenery and archaeological sites running to over 250,000 which is a record in any standard.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Liberated North and East is beautiful with fine beaches and virgin land for agriculture and development. The work force is educated and able, IT knowledge is 45% with a target of reaching 75%.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ English is spoken as a link language and a national language as well there is absolute ethnic harmony where a majority of ethnic minorities inter mingle and live with the majority community.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is noteworthy to mention that in Colombo theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ capital of Sri Lanka, the majority community is Tamil which is only 24% of the entire population whereas the Sinhala population in Colombo is in the third place though the percentage of the entire population of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 74%.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is a classic example of friendship and tolerance coupled with ethnic integration and harmony which is a requirement for investment, tourism and image building of a nation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Stock Market

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The stock market is rising, investments are pouring and what is now needed is to maintain peace, stability and security.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The only and the main obstruction for this process is the remnants of LTTE Front Organizations backed by some NGOs and invisible forces making attempts to regime changes in the guise of human rights and allegations of unequal treatment on certain groups.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Diaspora

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Diaspora of a nation is their wealth and strength.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The definition based on Collins Dictionary of Diaspora is people originally belonging to one nation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  IN the present context different definitions should be given as Sri Lankans spread worldwide for various reasons for employment, family reunion in the guise of asylum seekers and also as permanent settlers in other nations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Sri Lankan work force spread worldwide is remitting large sums back to the country which is the main source ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  income of the nation. Employees are temporarily out of the motherland for a definite purpose.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There are others who are settled partially or permanently in other countries which is known as Diaspora which is a word originated from French Language.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A part of the misguided Diaspora has sometime back has shaken ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Sri Lankan political landscape through its financial and ideological support to the military struggle of misguided group of people who waged a war against democratically elected governments for 30 years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Invitation to Diaspora

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Most of the Sri Lankans abroad belong to Diaspora have not visited the country for long periods.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is time that they visit the country and witness themselves the freedom the brethrens enjoyed the developments that are taking place and the current trends on developments, equality, infrastructure, road structure, industries, education, health sector and also modern infrastructure developments in par with the developments in the world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It must be noted that in Sri Lanka there is a health service offered free which is of highest standard.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The education is free from kindergarten to university rising Sri Lanka to one of the most educated nations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Nowhere in the world citizens enjoy these two basic rights.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Definitely not even in the West, UK, USA, Europe or even in the Asian countries. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Education is not free in other countries of the world as there are direct and indirect payments by way of grants, loans and direct and unseen payments. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tamils and Muslims are communities engaged in business and land owners in Colombo, the capital.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There is no iota of protest or ill feelings by the majority on this situation because they live in harmony with perfect ethnic integration.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The judiciary is independent and there is a powerful Human Rights Commission and the NGOsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  are powerful to safeguard the human rights.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Visitors to North and East

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ These are realities that our own Diaspora was not aware of.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Currently after the liberation of North and East from the LTTE the influx of visitors to North and East from South has reached 500,000 persons per month.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The recent elections have shown that the people in the North and East have expressed their democratic rights to elect the local bodies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There will be more and more elections in future as they are now free to take political decisions on their own.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Peace Process

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ To maintain peace and stability the peace process should continue.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The peace process must give rise to constitutional arrangements which should be based on the thinking, aspirations, ideologies of the peoples of the nation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It should be local, indigenous and emerge from the people, not from politicians who live in the capital on ivory towers considering politics as a pastime and kind of strength and power.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Most politicians in the North and the East are leading lawyers, professionals and businessmen who are absentee politicians – that is to say that they are politicians who live in the capital not on the ground.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They do not know the thinking, aspirations and needs of the people.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are selfish and self-serving.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The politicians in the past have made number of historical mistakes of espousing divisions among ethnic groups.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The three ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims live in harmony for thousands of years sharing the land, culture with the ideologies of three great religions namely Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim and Christianity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Historical Mistakes

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Historical mistakes have been made previously by obstructing peace process suggested in good faith.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  As a result the nation bled and destruction of human lives has set in. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The leaders then groomed young LTTEers calling them ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-BOYSƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Unfortunately the leaders were gunned down by the very same boys they groomed and hundreds and thousands of citizens were killed by the misguided boys who orchestrated the terror regime.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We are in the cross roads of the historic era where the peace has dawned and the country is prospering despite the drawbacks in the world. The economy, political situation and the security situation in the UK is on the balance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Europe is in trouble economically with problems in Greece, Italy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Norway is paying a large price for associating and espousing terror groups who has influenced some members of the small nations famous for peace.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Middle East is in flames.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Afghanistan and Pakistan are being destabilized by the West.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Today it is only the Asians who are at peace and heading for prosperity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  China and IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  leading them asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  emerging superpowers.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is the era for South Asia, India and China

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In this context , ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ atmosphere and situation it is time for the Sri Lankan Diaspora worldwide to rethink and readjust their future strategy aiming at Sri Lanka to be their permanent destination for investment, settle down for good and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prosperity for them and the nation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The main requirement for this arduous exercise is peace, stability, understanding and trust.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore we invite the Diaspora worldwide to Sri Lanka for a better life and a future for themselves and their kith and kin.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This will lead to a peaceful , prosperous and developed Sri Lanka and also a stepping stone for Sri Lanka to be ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Wonder of Asia.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (This writer is the Sri Lankan Ambassador in the UAE and an -Attorney-at-Law & Solicitor)