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by Afreeha Jawad

Women demonstrate for peace

Remember Susil Sirivardana? Perhaps, this name will ring more than one bell in your ear. Susil's name will always be remembered in the sad enclaves of poverty and oppression. Just after his return home from Oxford, Susil, unlike those of his academic ilk preferred the discomforting wilds of the Vanni to teach the poor their letters. The price he paid for fighting the system's injustices is all part of remembered history - one that befalls every social 'deviant' - a term so easily favoured by the system's stakeholders.

Interacting with the Daily News on how to achieve peace at grass roots level, Mr. Sirivardana saw the need to build a peace culture not only at governing level but at the larger level of masses - a central social concern where peace is brought to the mainstream.

The challenge is to deepen and widen this idea. How do we do it?

Susil Sirivardana: “ forgiveness needed”

Raising of consciousness, mobilization and conscientization of the peace culture - from hearsay and gossip to a level of critical awareness and understanding the deeper reality involved, is important. As it is peace is at the level of rhetoric. For example, people go to Jaffna - this is peace tourism.

"Basically this is a civil society agenda not a governmental one. I'm talking of peace and the whole country - a people based peace," he explained.

The Centre for Society and Religion has what they call a Sama Sevaya where peace workers are trained and sent to dialogue with all levels of society - teachers, farmers, office workers, labourers, shop keepers, schoolchildren and so on. Raising of peace consciousness is under way but a wider and deeper approach is needed.

Pro-peace stakeholders are already building a civil society peace movement - and anti-war mass movement for peace at district level where even if peace talks fail there won't be a situation of getting back to war.

They abjure violence and hope to build organized movements that will command large numbers to strengthen Government's hands.

What is most needed today is apart from physical bridge building and opening of highways is a greater emphasis on social bridge building.

North/South exchange programmes of students, teachers, doctors, engineers, universities - peace camps, get togethers - a concerted effort towards solidarity of peace is the hour's call.

Once back home they could discuss their learning experience with family, friends, neighbours and relations resulting in a cultural interaction.

Also, the new peace agenda could be included in the South's existing movements - womens, poverty alleviation, sports, youth, religious and other movements where peace dissemination and diffusion could be hastened.

Mr. Sirivardana also views re-spiritualizing ourselves through a spirit and practice of forgiveness and reconciliation - the new dimension to existing human relations.

"So far we have been looking at each other highlighting our differences and caricaturing the other negatively," he regretted.

Serious fragmentation and divisiveness have stood in the way of the nation building concept. So, the new platform should no longer see differences but diversity where tolerance and respect will invariably follow.

This experience of enrichment will put an end to hate, domination and contempt for the other. "Journalists, artists, and film makers have much to contribute to this. A real Sri Lankan feeling arising out of a united, cohesive society, is expected out of such an exercise. What Mr. Sirivardana intends is the elimination of a narrow, nationalistic mindset towards a higher level of philosophy enveloping pluralism - a sort of unity in diversity in peace building.

For war victims he recommends a reconciliation process falling in line with the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission where an acceptable settling of accounts is in place instead of making a widow or father hold on to the belief that her husband or son is still alive somewhere.

In the case of the South African Commission it was openly told to the victim that her son or husband was shot whereby, though extremely difficult, that harsh truth was accepted in a forgiving spirit.

The media's role in the peace agenda was also within Mr. Sirivardana's purview.

Meeting those who went up North, asking them whether their attitudes have changed and what they feel like after their visit.

"The media can be a 'go' between the two parties and move towards peace attainment. Peace related activities need to be interpreted in films and interviews," he said.

Mr. Sirivardana also suggests a focal point where people could bring their problems not to forget the various acts omission and commission that will not be taken up by existing negotiating bodies and committees. Minor requirements, such as providing a playground, park or cultural centre may not come within the purview of such bodies but of vital importance to people. Acting as a liaison between people's aspirations and what government has to offer, such focal point is seen by Mr. Sirivardana as a protagonist in the drama of peace attainment.

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