Sons of Lanka Wake-up, Save Mother LANKA -AN APPEAL TO ALL SRILANKANS
May 6th, 2019By Dr. Ranjith Hettiarachi
Undoubtedly, all Srilankans are shocked and devastated by the unprecedented, widespread acts of terrorism on the EASTER Sunday (April 21, 2019), inflicted on Srilanka, it’s population, the catholic community and the tourists in particular. Srilankans, both within and outside Srilanka are much grieved by the death toll and those seriously injured.
Freed of terrorism for nearly a decade, Srilanka had surged ahead with tourism and development in general, becoming one of the topmost attractions to tourists and visitors worldwide. For reasons known and unknown, Srilanka has now become a target of viciously inflicted terrorism, though the exact underlying reasons for the current attacks are only now surfacing through relentless investigations. .
We have known many countries across the globe, who have been subject to terrorism, ultimately gaining freedom from the coils of this terrorist menace and achieving stability, progress and development. Srilanka though unlucky to be subjected to terrorism repeatedly within the last few decades, has shown the capacity to recover and surge ahead. Only a few years ago it was nominated by the New York Times as the most attractive tourist destination in the world. 300 % growth in tourism was evident in the 6 years after terrorism ceased in 2009.
Most Srilankans seem exasperated after Easter Sunday’s bombings, many resigning themselves to a period of rapid deterioration economically for many years. Srilankans, tourists and visitors who enjoyed the freedom of travel, accommodation and the resorts are certain to see a decline in standards in the years ahead. Needless to say that immediate and timely remedial measures would slow down and /or prevent the possible down-slide in the economy and in the living standards. Responsible Srilankans both within and outside the country need to contemplate and map out a scheme and implement all urgent measures towards an urgent recovery, without leaving such matters purely in the hands of incompetent Lawmakers in Parliament and POLITICIANS in general, who have mismanaged much of the affairs of the country leading towards a state of utter disorder and chaos.
Even though what happened on Easter Sunday and, what could ensue in the years immediately ahead are likely to be damaging to the well-being of the country, all Srilankans need to summon the required guts, grit and the courage to face up to the disastrous impact on the country, and contribute in every possible way to steer the country towards a state of well-being free of deadly violence. . How could this then be achieved ?
Paths to recovery of the economy
The FIRST step would be the need for a solid commitment on the part of expatriate Srilankans towards their country of birth, even though most of them are residents / citizens in their countries of adoption. To most of us our country of birth provided our education, learning, training and the experience, that paved the way for our well-being and advancement in the countries of adoption. No doubt, most of us achieved and progressed much higher and further, with the subsequent learning and training made available to us in the countries of adoption, by virtue of the levels of expertise we held on arrival in these countries. Yet, our allegiance to our country of birth cannot be disregarded or undermined, regardless of the period of residence overseas.
The Second step would be to convey our condolences to the Srilankan victims, Catholic/Christian devotees, members of our security forces and families of the tourists who have lost their lives due to the vicious bomb attacks. No doubt all Srilankans are deeply grieved by the loss and injuries sustained by the several hundreds of victims.
The THIRD, but more difficult step is the creation of a large-scale, influential and ‘Resurrect Sri Lanka’ lobby including Sri-lankans and other well wishers, within and outside the country, that would enhance and promote the furthering of all possible measures to ensure the welfare/well-being of Srilanka. This is easier said than done. The expatriate Srilankan lobby that sought negotiations with Srilankan Policy-makers in connection with the recent Constitutional Amendments did not seem to have been favourably received by the said Policymakers, and hence their success seemed questionable. However, considering the large numbers of Srilankans who have expressed various views on-line and the social media in response to the Easter Sunday Disaster, we could assume that most of them would be willing to play a greater pro- active role within a Srilanka revival Lobby. All Expatriate service organisations should be invited warmly to play a major role in helping Srilanka, in this hour of crisis.
For a Srilankan lobby to be effective, it must be able to command a membership of at least 100,000 persons. We can confidently say that we are assured of a 100,000 or more strong lobby of competent, committed persons, within and outside the country. The major challenge we face is the creation of an infra-structure secretariat, required to co-ordinate, manage and liaise with others, first within the lobby and, secondly with Srilanka’s Policymakers.
OSLONU
We need to take our minds back to the establishment of the first-ever World-wide ‘Overseas Sri Lankans’ Organisation for National Unity’ (OSLONU) in Melbourne in July 1983 in the wake of the civil unrest caused by the ambush and killing of 13 Army soldiers while on patrol in Thirunelvely in Jaffna by the LTTE on July 23, 1983. OSLONU was formed using the good offices and active participation of persons of the calibre of the late World Court Judge Christie Weeramantry, Mr. H.L.D. Mahindapala, Mr Senaka Weeraratna and the writer Dr. Ranjith Hettiarachi. The management of affairs amongst member groups in Australia, New Zealand, Toronto, London, etc, became formidable with the concurrent increase in activities of the Tamil expatriate dis – information and terrorism network.
The question needs to be raised as to whether the creation of a Srilankan Lobby is feasible, appropriate and practical with a view to supporting Srilanka to get over its bad periods, since there are no other dependable sources Srilanka can look up to.
The FOURTH step is how exactly an INDIVIDUAL Srilankan could contribute towards the well-being of the country, when it is going through a bad period. Based on the available statistics that Srilankans are the second largest expatriate population in the world (3 million), and that they remit in excess of a 5 billion US dollars per year to Srilanka, if they have the capacity to continue doing so, Srilanka’s foreign exchange earnings would be substantial. Acknowledging a clear loss of earnings from tourism for an unforeseen period, all expatriate Srilankans could make up for some part of the loss by at least making an annual visit to the country. A Srilankan Lobby earlier referred to could promote expatriate travel back to the country on a large scale.
The FIFTH step is to pool all well directed efforts to raise the living standards of the locally resident Srilankan population and contribute to their well-being within the country.
The SIXTH Step is the replacement of a pre – existing degenerate Political Structure. This is an indispensable priority and challenge for Citizens of Srilanka. Well- wishers need to consider their own balanced, realistic and realisable options/alternatives. Maintenance of an elaborately set-up National Security system seems paramount at all times. There cannot be any lapses or excuses for such lapses by uncaring rulers, solely pre-occupied with their own political and material advancement, hook or by crook.
CONCLUSIONS
All well-wishers of Srilanka need to step-in and play a pro – active role in the rescue of the country reeling under a savage blow by terrorists. While it is natural to make recriminations and retaliatory threats, in the initial phase of such crisis due to shock, anger and despair, all sensible Srilankans eventually must roll up their sleeves to work together for the common cause of salvaging the country.
The various steps listed above are only some of those one could envisage at this early stage, but there would be many others that can be envisioned by our intelligentsia. Some of them may seem theoretical, but by strength of sheer commitment to the country, the most relevant and practical measures can be implemented, seeking both immediate and long term benefits for the country including an early recovery.
Finally, Let us all be Reminded not to become victims of our own TOLERANCE.
RANJITH HETTIARACHI – MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA..
May 03, 2019








