Following the middle path

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

TODAY is Vesak, a celebration coupled with the ‘Sambuddhatva Jayanthi,’ that makes the message of tolerance and the middle path all the more important. After the two days of faith-centred celebrations, the country is geared for another completely different kind of festivity – the two year anniversary of defeating terrorism.

The Government has organised a massive celebration of might on 19 May, complete with marching soldiers, bands and lumbering weapons. It is a statement of strength, but one wonders if that is the right message that should be sent to the people and by extension the rest of the world. The fact that Sri Lanka has invested massively in defence is no secret. Even after the war, successive budgets have increased rather than decreased defence expenditure and the entire Shangri-la hotel investment funds of a whopping US$ 150 million is being funnelled into the new Defence Ministry headquarters in Battaramulla.

These aside, the recent release of the UN report and India seeking to devolve police and land powers to the north and east as well as a host of other diplomatic and political landmines that the Government has had to face on charges of accountability have left many wondering if Stalin or Hitler type massive military demonstrations are the best method to showcase reconciliation. The fact that it falls in the middle of the Vesak week does not help matters. At this point it is imperative that the Government decides what kind of message is taken out into the world – one of tolerance and reconciliation? Or might and suppression?

Showing muscle does not always solve problems and, as the Buddha has preached, tolerance, understanding, patience and faith are the hallmarks of justice. Spending massive amounts of public money on celebrating the ‘Sambuddhatva Jayanthi’ and then on military demonstrations is a contrasting policy to say the least. What does the Government really believe in?

As the Buddha has emphasised, it is not celebration for show that counts, but genuine following of the Dharma. At this crucial point it is time for all Sri Lankans to take a step back and ask if they are doing the right thing as preached by not only the Buddha but also their conscience. If a celebration must be held, would it not be better to focus on the reconciliation between communities rather than focus on the brutal suppression of another set of humans, even if they were terrorists?

Many of our soldiers lost their lives and limbs in the battle, as did many innocent Tamil people. Official estimates put the number of soldiers who lost limbs at over 10,000. There are still many newly-resettled people who need help and providing for them would make more steps towards gaining peace than military parades. The genuineness of such a move would bring communities closer together and give more credibility to the Government.

Many people simply want to put the war behind them and move on. However, this can only be done through concentrated action that reaches the people in a meaningful way. The Government has to deal with the issues highlighted in the UN report to inspire confidence in the people and meet demands of accountability responsibly.