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In 2008, Sri Lanka's main hope for peace lies with its people
Written by: Amjad Mohamed-Saleem
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Festive fun has given way to a mix of despair, uncertainty and hope.
PHOTO/MUSLIM AID
There's something rather strange about hearing "Frosty the Snowman" belting out on a loudspeaker when it's 90 degrees outside, or seeing a skinny Santa dancing to the tune of Baila (local Sinhalese music) at one of Colombo's shopping centres. Over Christmas, TV and radio stations played Daniel O'Donnell Christmas classics or Boney M's "Mary's Boy Child". Hotels were festooned with elaborate decorations; some of the largest resembling Santa's grotto. One of the most romantic festive images was the lights glimmering in the trees beside the majestic Galle fort as the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Christmas is quite a big deal in Sri Lanka - a strange paradox considering that Christians account for only around 8 percent of the population. Everyone seems to enjoy shopping and putting up decorations. The question is whether this is a sign of the deadly clutches of globalisation or something else. For a country that's sometimes classified as racist, the privileges afforded to the main minority communities (Muslim and Christian) speak well of historical tolerance and acceptance. You only have to look at the various places of worship and public holidays given for different religions, not to mention traditional attempts by the establishment to engage and include minorities. But somewhere along the line, this tolerance has been skewed and abused. COMING TOGETHER Reflecting back on 2007, I remember a December seminar in Colombo entitled "The Aceh Story: Insights". Here representatives from Indonesia - members of the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), academics and Aceh Monitoring Mission personnel - shared their experiences of the Aceh peace process with members of Sri Lankan civil society, in the hope of deriving lessons that could be applied here. It was the first time in a long while that grassroots groups representing all the island's religions and ethnic configurations had came together under one roof with the aim of building peace. Buddhist monks from the south sat side by side with Tamil social activists from the north and Muslim farmers from the east. They argued and deliberated for two days to identify some action points for moving forward on a path of peace, respect and understanding. One monk told me at the end: "We have to work together and support each other in order to make this a reality. No one can afford to give up this responsibility and miss this opportunity." Looking back at 2007 and forward to 2008 - the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence - there are undoubtedly mixed feelings. For some there is despair, and for others hope. But for the majority, there is uncertainty. Uncertainty because there are many factors clouding the prospects for a prosperous Sri Lanka: the rising cost of living; deteriorating security; increased corruption; and the growing arrogance of politicians who seem to feel they're beyond the remit of the law. In one recent incident, a minister tried to show his might at a national TV station by attacking the news director for not broadcasting his speech. There's despair because, despite all the New Year messages of peace, 2008 started with a political assassination, a bomb attack and the straw that broke the camel's back - the annulment of the ceasefire, which could lead to untold suffering. But there is still hope if you consider the people at the grassroots, like those at the Aceh seminar. They've been on the receiving end of the conflict. Yet they're increasingly waking up to the failures of leadership in addressing pressing issues, not to mention the corruption, abuse of power and lies. And they are becoming aware of their duties. It is not the elite in Colombo, nor those who claim to represent the people, nor those living safely 'in exile' out of the country who must shoulder the responsibility. It is the grassroots movement that needs to work for peace. These true people's representatives must push for the respect and understanding of differences and diversity that could move Sri Lanka out of the ideological cesspit and political stalemate of the last 30 years. Those who are genuinely interested in the welfare of others and can work on the basis of a unified community need to raise their game. SUPPORTING THE GRASSROOTS Therein lies the challenge for many of us in the humanitarian community. Instead of preaching from the moral high ground or adopting naive political positions, it's high time we got more involved with the grassroots. Why don't we find out what Sri Lankans think rather than assume we know what they want? The Aceh seminar taught me that, for most Sri Lankans, peace is about greater economic empowerment, better health care and education for their children. It's also about understanding and accepting culture and diversity, alongside equality and freedom of expression. How do we translate this into practical action? Should we support more inter-cultural programmes to bring communities together by solving waste problems, or boosting alternative energy or microfinance? Is it about organising sports matches for youth and then channelling their energy into community projects? Or is it simply about establishing a platform for people to share ideas and work out how to put them into practice? What's clear is that Sri Lanka needs some answers pretty quickly. You could describe the situation as a rubber-band effect, in which the country has been stretched about as far as it can go, and the only options are to snap or go back to the middle. Either way, 2008 has to be a turning point, with Sri Lanka's people taking measures to sort out their own problem. The future is no longer "out there", but in their hands. They've been bitten on too many occasions, and it's high time they bit back.
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10 responses to “In 2008, Sri Lanka's main hope for peace lies with its people”
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Amjad Mohamed-Saleem classifies himself as a 'global citizen' - born in Nigeria, educated in Ethiopia and Britain, and now based in Sri Lanka. Following careers in engineering and management consultancy, he joined British relief and development agency Muslim Aid in April 2005. He was posted to Sri Lanka to work on reconstruction after the Indian Ocean tsunami and is now country director. He also oversees Muslim Aid's Bangladesh operation and coordinates its international disaster response unit. On the rare occasions when he's not globetrotting or on the road in Sri Lanka, Amjad enjoys books, music, socialising and going to the gym.
09 Jan 2008 10:00:39 GMT
The people of Sri Lanka are under the propaganda of a government that tells them a military solution is possible. An euphoria of triumph over denial of rights to the minorities is being instilled.
Amjad Mohamed-Saleem talks of steps in the right direction, for people to be free of such misconceptions. Thank you09 Jan 2008 10:02:50 GMT
very nice article. Hope that now we have got rid of an unfair agreement, monitored by unfair people, we could restore the democracy in the north too. We hope our leaders have the courage and the blessings to do that. We are sinhalas tamils muslims. It means we are Sri Lankans. Just like in the south we live with our tamil neighbours, we beg our tamil friends of the north to consider us as co-citizens of the same country, suffering from the same illnesses like economic hardship/underdevelopment etc. But I feel we are on the right track, there will soon be peace to all the people of sri lanka. Let's get together and work. Believe me sri lanka will be the jewel of the indian ocean just like before the colonialism when tamil kings and sinhala kings were ruling the country with respect to all. Thank you all. a TRUE SRI LANKAN
09 Jan 2008 10:05:25 GMT
2008 will be a tuning point in Srilankan history. A former leading lawyer who was latter a Constitution minister. In his early days as an opposition law maker once predicted Srilanka will be two counties one day. If it fails in it duty in establishing a multi racial rule including all different communities. Sixty years have passed with ethnic conflicts many thousand killed among all communities. All past and present lawmakers had miserably failed in building a free multiracial just society. Most of them were only successful in increasing racial tension corruption and lawlessness in the country. Beside being denied all the fundamental rights and living in a failing state and denied all basic requirements. People are looking forward for the creation of a new state where there will justice and peace.
Sixty long years have passed but there is little progress in building an efficient economy and better life for the people. Only the crime rate has increased to a higher level. The law enforcing agencies and justice department are very badly tarnished. A large amount of the population nearly 20 to 30 % are employed in middle east countries without job security. Though the return from these workers is the top foreign currency earnings. Many of them are victims of all sort of harassment's from their employers. Fearing repercussion from middle east countries Srilanka never listen to complaints from middle east workers. A small country like sri lanka has over one hundred state ministers. These ministers are provided with many additional secretaries. A state house in Colombo and with over one hundred personnel security for each of them.09 Jan 2008 10:05:56 GMT
While I agree with Amjad's comments in the main, the problem he fails to understand, the normal person is subjected to undue harassment by the Government and the LTTE in their respective territories, if they espouse any cause contrary to what is being promoted by the respective sides. The punishment could be as severe as death, which is a huge price to pay for your independence. The only organisation that seems to be doing anything on these lines is Kumar Rupesinghe's www.prayathna.org. I suggest that Amjad directs all concerned citizens to this organisation so they have a collective voice on all current issues.
09 Jan 2008 10:06:24 GMT
This is very true, When we were young our friends were from different cmmunities, but this was never problerm for us. We lived in harmony and when all the fighting started we wonder why they wanted to fight because my naighbour was from another race. We saw beauty in the diversity. It is very correct to say "Enough is enough" It is our turn to make things happen and work towards a peaceful and a happy Sri Lanka.
10 Jan 2008 08:18:23 GMT
Sri Lankan not by Norwegians, Indians or the likes of it, can resolve the problem of Sri Lanka.
The root problem in Sri Lanka is not racism, discrimination, intolerance of the Buddhist majority but lies at the doors of LTTE. LTTE wants a separate homeland well look no further than the Palk Straights, there is a land called Tamil Nadu. If LTTE wants to join the mainstream of the Sri Lanka they must put away their misguided ambition for a separate state or a country and begin to think Sri Lankan, see Sri Lankan, hear Sri Lankan, and feel Sri Lankan. Now LTTE is a hallucinating as a superior race. All this talk of being discriminated is total hypocrisy. If one wants to see discrimination again look no further than the Palk Straight where casteism is alive and well and where Dalits do exists in the 21 st century which why Sri Lanka a is a Buddhist State. Sri Lanka is not perfect neither is the world but to measure Sri Lanka by it's tit for tat attitude against the LTTE is wrong and double standards by all measures. Thank you, Shwe Moe10 Jan 2008 18:49:37 GMT
It is an excellent piece of work. It is true that Amjad is a global citizen but his love for Sri Lanka is overwhelmingly reflected in the article. It reminds me a very popular Afgan saying "Inhast Watanm". Sri Lanka needs a group of patriotic and visionary young leaders. I hope this article will encourage Sri Lankan youths to work for restoring hope.
Thanks Amjad for such an inspiring blog.11 Jan 2008 12:06:59 GMT
***Believe me sri lanka will be the jewel of the indian ocean just like before the colonialism when tamil kings and sinhala kings were ruling the country with respect to all.***
Just like what's written in the article itself, this thought too is admirable. The country was ruled by kings (Singalese and Tamils) who had respect for each other although they had their differences. And yes, we should have built the country up together and made it "The Jewel of the Indian Ocean". We could have done that easily, but as the history reaveals, it all went wrong and the civil war erupted. And of course, you cant just put the blame on a certain community for all the horrors that led to hundreds of thousands being harrased, tortured, raped, wiped out and massacred in cold blood. But I just think we should stop using the same Joke which we had used during two millennium taht says: "Tamils and Singalese are living in 'peace and harmony'." Maybe things took a U-turn in Colombo, but in the NorthEast it still remains the same. Thanks to all the racists of all communities. We should look forward and seek a solution in which people are left to choose their destiny. You can't just keep people "united" by threatning them.11 Jan 2008 12:08:58 GMT
Basically one should agree with Amjad. 1. After almost sixty years of independance, only recently Nation building ministers were appointed. This shows no nation building bringing all people was ever attempted. 2. Any grass rout org that work with and for people will one day be described as anti- govt and terroristic if that org does not work with the government. In this serene island, TRO, LTTE are good examples. 3.'nor those who claim to represent the people' Amjad writes. Did anyone try to find the truth about this claim? Has Tamils on the north & East been asked who their representatives are, in a free and independant refrendum? Dowen the success of TNA not tell the world whom Tamils have adopted as their representatives? Why shouldn't those living safely 'in exile' out of the country shoulder the responsibility? They left not just for green pastures? But for sftey? They have all the right to say and act for their brethern back home. Most of them want to return anyway! 4. Why has no blogger, NGO, politician ever suggested to have a referendum separately among Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese & other communities to find out their inklings? Is the worl really afraid to find out the Tamils view?
Two soverign nations in one beautiful island is the only way for real peace and frienship in this island.05 Feb 2008 11:24:00 GMT
As the military thrust continues on Tigers, they have resorted to more violence by targeting innocent civilians who are not a part of this war. Brutality of the war has intensified to the extent of murdering children. The country is now on a war footing and this menace can only be exterminated by fully committing to war by all parties concerned. In this process, it is inevitable to find a trade-off between war and business. It is not fully successful to thrive in business while war is going on and one must be sacrificed to achieve the other objective.
Therefore, politicians must find a way to polarise on the goal that they intend to achieve, which is winning the war, and isolate other priorities which are of course secondary to winning the war. However in this process, government must assure the safety of the public at any cost, even by resorting to extreme actions such island wide curfew imposed for a certail period until terrorists are paralized to the extent that they cann't commit atrocities of this magnitude.