Senaka Weeraratna

If Norway is truly interested in serving the people of Sri Lanka rather than clandestinely  

helping sectarian interests leading to fragmentation and balkanization of the country on a platform of ‘ Divide and Rule’ , as was done in the past, it must shift its role from that of a ‘peace mediator’ toward pursuing colonial reparations from fellow European nations. In other words, it must begin to address the long – term historical grievances of the people of Sri Lanka that suffered heavily during the colonial era i.e., the darkest chapter in Ceylon’s history ( 1505 – 1948). 

Norway must take unequivocal steps to obtain reparations from the three colonial western countries namely Portugal, Netherlands and Britain for the crimes against humanity they inflicted particularly on the Buddhist Sinhalese during a period of 443 years (1505 – 1948) of colonial rule.  Systemic Repression of Buddhism was the common distinguishing feature of Western colonial rule. All colonial powers were unreservedly united on this score.

Norway must unhesitatingly obtain for Sri Lanka from Portugal, Netherlands, and Britain the following requested items and actions: 

• Formal Apology and Recognition: A public apology and formal recognition from the governments of Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain for the destruction of “man-made as well as natural foundations of life” in Ceylon between 1505 and 1948.
• Repatriation of Cultural Artifacts: The return of sacred objects, artifacts, and cultural treasures looted or removed from Sri Lanka during the colonial period.

        * Restitution for Religious Destruction: Specific restitution or compensation for the systematic destruction of hundreds of Buddhist temples, and Buddhist educational institutions (pirivenas) between 1505 and 1658 by the Portuguese

   * Economic Compensation: Financial compensation for the long-term economic consequences of colonialism, which included the exploitation of land, resources, and the imposition of punitive taxes especially on the Buddhist Sinhalese.

·      * Restoration of Land and Rights: Action to reverse or compensate for the displacement and marginalization of local populations mainly Kandyan Sinhalese peasantry caused by colonial land policies, particularly in the Kandyan regions. [1, 2, 3, 5, 7]

·     *  Reparations Committee – Help establish a Reparations Committee to function as the pivot of this endeavour to pursue compensation from Western nations.

·   * A Proportion of Museum Revenue: Requests that colonial powers provide a portion of the revenue earned from exhibiting looted Sri Lankan ( Sinhalese made ) artifacts in European museums. .

·  It is worthy of note that the Campaigns for Reparations and Apology in former Western colonies in Black Africa, Caribbean and even India (in Asia) are led by lawyers drawn from law schools and the legal profession in the respective countries.  Their protest literature and law school conversations reflect a fighting spirit to confront the ‘ bad guys’ from foreign countries who invaded and destroyed the foundation of their civilizations and religions. They are fighting for Restitutio in integrum (often rendered as restitutio ad integrum) which is a Latin legal phrase meaning “restoration to original condition”.  It is an admirable fight for Justice.

·  In Sri Lanka we are taught Human Rights ad nauseam without any reference to the suffering of our people during the colonial era (1505 – 1948) and our collective right to restitutio ad integrum. A failing of leadership in the past in legal educational institutions on this score since the grant of independence in 1948 is not a viable excuse for not starting the demand for compensation afresh today. 

·  “Where there is no vision, the people perish”.  It emphasizes that having a clear, purposeful direction is essential for progress in educational institutions. 

·  “To him that will, ways are not wanting,”

·  Senaka Weeraratna