Wednesday, 4 February 2015 00:00
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Real chances at peace come few and far between. All Sri Lankans would do well to remember how hard and how long it has taken for the nation to reach this point of a chance at true reconciliation as it celebrates Independence Day.
The latest round of celebrations will likely go down in Sri Lanka’s history for its effort at empathy and inclusivity, particularly because a special statement is to be made expressing solidarity and sympathy with all victims of the 26-year long civil war.
The decision is interestingly in line with the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in its 2011 report but was never implemented by the previous regime.
In Chapter 9.285 of the landmark report that has become the basis of international calls for reconciliation and accountability in post-war Sri Lanka, the LLRC recommends a special event be set up apart on National Day to express “solidarity and empathy” with all victims of the conflict.
The LLRC Report also calls for a commitment to be made at the ceremony to “ensure that there should never be such blood-letting in the country again.”
The commissioners said in the observations and recommendations section of their report that such a gesture at what they called a “high political level” will provide an impetus to the national reconciliation effort. In this instance it will likely come from the highest source possible, that of President Maithripala Sirisena.
The public used to the standard triumphalist diet at every national day event, with speeches about international conspirators, perceived political valour and massive shows of military strength will undoubtedly positively anticipate this statement.
In addition, viewers of Independence Day celebrations of years past are likely to be joined by many others, whether they be Sinhala, Burgher, Muslim or Tamil to be part of this historic occasion. Suddenly the tone of Independence Day has changed with more reconciliatory and peaceful overtones than before though if practices are anything to go by there will still be the fair share of military parades and related hoopla.
This is yet another instance of how a comparatively small gesture can go a long way. The previous Government for reasons best known to its leaders never understood the importance of humility and generosity – even if it is by word. Steps that could have been taken easily to establish a common ground that could then be used as a foundation for stronger inroads into ethnic harmony were routinely ignored with the entire country paying the price.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Pre-Independence Day message made it a point to reach out to the Tamil community, reiterating the Government’s pledge to address their grievances in a meaningful manner. Five years have already been lost due to misguided, short-sighted and insecure policies that have deepened divisions not just with the Tamils but also the Muslim community. It is finally time to embark on a journey to heal Sri Lanka.
