Tuesday, 4 February 2014 00:01
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SIXTY-six years since formally gaining independence is a point to ponder on the successes and failures of nation building. There are of course many positives. Undoubtedly the living standards of all our citizens are far better than at the time of independence in 1948. There are far more economic opportunities and more chances for social mobility.
But has Sri Lanka as a nation matured and built on the foundations laid on that 4 February 66 years ago, when D.S. Senanayake hoisted the Lion flag along with the hopes and aspirations of nine million of his countrymen?
At the time Ceylon gained independence this country had already tasted some aspects of democracy. In 1931 with the universal franchise every adult over the age of 21 was granted the right to vote. By the time the British Empire had decided to sever its hold over this island, Sri Lankan leaders should in theory have been able to usher in a new era of pluralistic democratic governance. Every tool necessary to achieve this vision was in place. Sri Lanka was heir to educated leaders, literate electorate, democratic institutions in the form of Parliament, an independent Judiciary and an efficient public service and together all of these elements should have been sufficient to create the solid foundations of a vibrant democracy.
But among these promising signs were other, ominous ones. By 1948, Sri Lankan politics was already a milieu of race, religion, caste and creed based power struggles. And in spite of all the promise that 4 February 1948 held, in spite of the stature of the political leadership of the time, Sri Lanka was doomed to make fundamental mistakes that prevented the newly-independent nation from marching forward towards the bright future that lay before us in a united way.
The struggles of those early days hurled the nation towards a bitter, brutal and protracted civil conflict and for 30 years Sri Lanka was at war with herself, experiencing bloodshed and terror that this country had never known before. Five years ago, that conflict ended and President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief, promised the people that there would be no such thing as a minority community in Sri Lanka ever again. There was hope then, on 18 May 2009, as there was on that bright 4 February morning of 1948. Hope that finally Sri Lanka would leave behind the wounds and tragedy of the past and race forward to reach its potential; finally reunited, finally at peace.
But sixty-six years later, it is still pertinent to wonder: Have we learned our lesson? More than three-quarters of a century later, has Sri Lanka and her political leadership been able to transcend these petty differences of race and religion that hold us back? Sixty-six years after we shed the shackles of colonial rule, are we truly a liberated people?
To mark Independence Day this year, the Government has organised a series of inter-faith ceremonies to commemorate the birth of the Sri Lankan nation. The decision is commendable in an age when far too often, the persecution of minorities and the attacks against religious places of worship have gone unchecked. Freedom cannot be limited to one segment of Sri Lanka’s people. It must transcend ethnic and religious boundaries, boundaries of caste and class until every one of her citizens can experience all the freedoms and rights the constitution bestows upon the Sri Lankan people.
It is important to seize this moment, as we should have perhaps the last, to find a way to build bridges and promote trust and understanding across all communities and all religions. Building a Sri Lankan identity in this crucial post-war phase should be the priority of every politician and soldier, priest and layman. Then and only then, will Sri Lanka’s liberation come full circle.
