May 2009
The war has ended! It took twenty-six years – a whole generation – sapped of its lifeblood in every aspect. Whenever I speak of my country to foreign friends, I sarcastically introduce myself as a child of the war. It is all my generation has known, and that is nothing to be proud of. And now as I hear the mixture of euphoric celebration of those who have known personally the hateful results of militaristic egoism drunk with power on the one hand, and the cautious and calculating ‘diplomacy’ of the many who opine on behalf of a disguised political correctness, as a Sri Lankan who has loved her country – all of it, at all times – I feel like doing nothing else but hiding in a corner and crying…
Crying for 80,000 or more lives lost over two and half decades of my country’s men, women and children; crying for my whole generation that has known little else but the judicious cries of war and hatred; crying for an entire population bearing both the physical and emotional scars that have marked them out forever vulnerable to insecurity, to prejudice, to paranoia and cynicism. And crying also for the many deterrents to forging towards a peaceful and united country and sadistic obstacles put forth by voices who preach unforgiveness, pride in all the wrong causes and those who misdirect the future of Sri Lanka, manipulatively pledging to fight to the end in the name of disunity - because they cannot forget and will not let anyone else either. At the risk of accusations for pontificating, I have come to understand that we humans are too flawed and too fallen and needy of mercy ourselves to take vengeance into our own hands. And vengeance is the reserved right of God alone, because vengeance in the hands of men and women emotionally and attitudinally scarred and wounded can only spread hatred, never justice.
Ah, but many preach, forgiveness and mercy are for the weak and conspiratorial ways in which the powers that be dominate over the powerless. And so, many corners of the world have made it their personal movement to ally with the ‘downtrodden’ and ‘racially subjugated’ peoples of Sri Lanka and, in their half-baked knowledge of Sri Lanka’s personal tragedy, bite the bait of influential propagandists who ‘sell’ their version of Sri Lanka’s reality. It is extremely important that the world lends a helping hand to mending what is broken, but not assisting to damage what is already left fragile.
War can never be justified. The murder of a human being can never be taken for granted. But global interference that only seeks to take the country back to the deadlock it was in for years, to repeat realities that my generation has lived through for the next generation of children is not only wrong, it is an abomination. Sri Lanka needs friends who will help the country rebuild; allies that will help create a more just and equitable society for all its ethnic communities; and guidance in creating a secure environment for an integrated society. What my country does not need at this critical juncture are sentiments that in any way hinder the work of economic and social development of people who need it the most and those who preach a gospel of further division and isolation between ethnic communities.
I have not let my ethnicity bar me from traveling the length and breadth of my country in the height of war. I admit, I have had many advantages as a social worker that many of my generation and my ethnicity have not had. But the point is, what would one do if the opportunity were available? Would one use it to familiarize oneself and learn as much about others as one can, or would one give in to fear of stories about the other and build and fortify imaginary walls of hatred and prejudice? The choice was mine years ago and the choice is presented today to all Sri Lankans, barring ethnicity (and barring location of current residence). It is not one the Government can make for you. It is not one an organization or religious doctrine or even ethnic credo can make for one. It is personal, and the choice can only be made by the individual. The next generation’s hope depends on each individual choice made. Are we going to be ‘connectors’ or ‘dividers’? To simplify – ‘connectors’ build, ‘dividers’ destroy.
I see there is much to be done. I see there is work to be undertaken by all Sri Lankans towards the creation of an integrated, safe and peace-loving and peace-honouring society. There is so much to achieve in terms of building an economy and way of life that rises above ethnic cohesiveness and individualistic gain. For years, my generation has been told to just ‘look after yourself and your own’ or ‘there’s no hope for this country, do what you can for yourself and get out while you can.’ But time for individualism just ran out. Like any nation that comes of age after a bloody war, the only way forward is one in which each serves the other and engages in a collective effort for the good of all.
But, don’t forget, the predominant gurus of our times have preached that sentiments of collectivism and goodness for all are archaic norms and putty sentimentality. Drown out the voices of naysayers! It can be done. It must be done. Besides, building our country back better than it was before is the only path we have left. I often wondered if our economy could survive (note: survive, not thrive) in the midst of one of the worst recessions in almost a century, with one of the bloodiest wars fought sapping billions of rupees from the national income and all national revenue sources, straddled under nepotism, corruption and over thirty percent inflation (!!) and yet rise above the ‘failed state’ many of the wolves in sheep’s clothing about us have secretly hoped it would be, what can possibly be impossible for us now?
Just think - what can’t Sri Lanka achieve in the absence of war, when all her people actually have motivation to strive ahead and work hard and prosper? I believe the impossible is at hand. But it is imperative that we Sri Lankans be cautious of our own attitudes and respect the sentiments of all. It is not advisable or right to be bullish and obnoxious, for that will achieve precious little. Instead be diplomatic and open to the ideas of different stakeholders and yet mindful of a common goal - the development of Sri Lanka as one nation and (here’s a concept reintroduced into our vocabulary – let’s learn it well) – one people.
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