Build a truly multi-ethnic nation
If the Rajapaksa regime is sincerely committed to the vision of building a new Sri Lanka from the blood and ashes of the war, then it must be a truly mult-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation where we see lasting unity in diversity. Like the human body or a flower garden, the beauty lies in the diversity where different communities work in different ways but with one common vision.
Regrettably at this year’s victory parade on May 27, though the main speakers proclaimed that the event united Sri Lanka as a Nation many observers and analysts noted that the scenes of May 2009 were not seen in the streets of Colombo. No crackers as such and certainly no kiributh.
Yet thankfully any division over the victory parade was not based on ethnic lines. Even some from the majority community both the Sinhala people and Buddhists did not appreciate the manner in which victory day was celebrated, especially the heavy expenses at a time when millions of people are struggling to live. Several are the reasons. This event coming soon after this year’s special week-long Vesak celebrations which coincided with the 2600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha – caused much inconvenience for the people. We saw traffic jams and the waste of expensive fuel on the roads. Public sector institutions and schools in the city were closed that day causing delays in urgent work.
Above all the Victory Day focused mainly on the war won by the security forces whereas those on the other side of the divide – the victims of the war are still suffering in the Wanni. Another negative factor was that the man who led the war and was once described by government leaders as the best army commander in the world is languishing in the Welikada Jail and is being hauled to courts regularly though his health condition is known to be serious.
Those in the Wanni are wounded and hurting and they need help. Most analysts believe that if these people are not looked after in the Wanni, the Tamil Diaspora will continue to plague the Government of Sri Lanka. Independent analysts also say the government has to offer a genuine peace package. It must also not forget hundreds of thousands of people from minority communities are still in the country and are not part of the Diaspora. Therefore if the Rajapaksa regime is sincerely committed to nation-building the country must take on board all people especially the hurt and wounded minorities. This calls for a paradigm shift from the euphoria of May 2009 and the celebrations in May 2010 and 2011. Otherwise there will be questions as to whether Sri Lanka is a united multi racial nation.
Such a state of affairs would not be good for sustainable economic development. Sadly some of the big development projects so far have been personal or family centered. Development does not appear to be for the whole country. Religious leaders have to come in to monitor nation-building and economic development.
Magnanimity in victory is essential for it to bear fruit and open the doors for a just and lasting peace.
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