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Extracts of paper presented at the 17th IAVE World Volunteer Conference, November 11-15, 2002, Seoul, Korea on "Volunteering - Reaching Out for Reconciliation"

by Dr. W. M. K. Wijetunga

Sri Lankan history since independence (1948) has been characterized to some extent by confrontational politics by the opposition leading to disruption of civil administration and curtailment of people's fundamental rights. This fractious and apocalyptic opposition has hampered all attempts to create an environment of understanding, justice and fairplay among a fragmented society.

A section of the civilian populace of the North

Once again, with the prospect of peace looming in the horizon, a similar situation is emerging and gathering some momentum and strength, no doubt fermented by the avaricious arms dealers.

Those opposed to the ongoing peace process are using every conceivable pretext and strategy to whip up hysteria among the Sinhalese and the Muslims, against the Tamil. The worst possible scenario could be a repetition of the widespread violence and wilful destruction, which followed the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987. To avoid a recurrence it is up to the government to take early and effective pre-emotive action.

However under such circumstances a huge responsibility lies ahead for the civil society to organize itself as a bulwark for peace, and thereby creating a critical mass of peace-loving, law-abiding and democratically inclined people as a countervailing force, strong enough to defuse the disruptive and subversive elements (Uyangoda 2002, Deshapriya 2002).

Given the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nature of the society, people should initially be encouraged to organize themselves in smaller groups at the grass-roots, and thereafter seek broader coalitions. This has been a proven strategy adopted with considerable success in people's mobilization against apartheid in South Africa, and against recurrent violence in Ireland. (Uyangoda 2002).

Cooperation

In mobilizing people the widest possible cooperation of the religious and community leaders, NGOs, professionals, business community, and most particularly the media should be sought.

At the highest levels people's mobilization will also require visionary leadership which could both inspire and reinforce the peace process while disarming the fractious opposition. It is also being recognized that the women could transcend their role as a silent majority, and occupy a central place in the peace process as 'agents of peace' (Ms 2002; de Mel 2001).

However, it is unfortunate that part of the national media has been most mischievous with their disinformation and misinformation, causing confusion and agitation among those whose emotions can be easily aroused, with dire consequences.

The confidence of all the communities in the peace process also could be undermined by the behaviour of some of the LTTE cadres, perhaps in the most sensitive areas like the Eastern Province, with a delicate balance of the three communities. To diffuse this situation every encouragement should be provided for the emergence of a more active and assertive civil society in such sensitive areas, while engaging the maximum use of already existing entities such as religious and cultural groups (Gunaratne 2002).

Run-up to negotiations

If allowed to have a free run, all those mischievous and apocalyptic elements would completely hijack the peace process, by disrupting and undermining the confidence building efforts of the Government, LTTE the external facilitators and the concerned public. Under those circumstances it is imperative that all people-centered efforts should not be marginalized and treated as of little substance and consequence, but harnessed for maximum effect.

In the run-up to negotiations, there would be many road blocks (as already manifested) and seemingly irreconcilable and intractable positions on some core issues, between the LTTE and the Government, even threatening a complete breakdown of the peace process. To avoid such a situation a number of alternate strategies could be adopted, such as, broadbasing the participation of different stakeholders in the negotiations, and bringing the 'people factor' to mediate and exert pressure on the negotiating parties to stay on track and remain committed to the cause of peace.

Restoring infrastructure

Nearly two decades of armed conflict has left much of the North and some parts of the East in Shambles. The reconstruction of the North and East is a task that should be undertaken by the Government and the international community. But in that process as a stakeholder the civil society also could play its part, as partners and decision makers. Constant consultation with and participation of the civil society, would add value to the reconstruction effort, and assure maximum benefit to the people.

As it would often happen the intended beneficiaries should not be left in the cold during the critical stages of decision-making and plan implementation. Transforming the North-East into a more livable place befitting the vision and the expectations of the people should be a collective and concerted effort of all the stakeholders.

Civil societies outside the North-East also have an important stake in the reconstruction of the North-East. Many Tamils and Muslims live outside the North-East, and have the means and access to resources, both human and physical, which can be mobilized in a worthwhile national effort. Today many thousands of Sri Lankans are making elaborate plans and preparations to visit the North and East.

This human capital could be mobilized in the transfer of much needed physical resources, skills and volunteer support to the North and East. Visitors to the North-East should not be perceived as mere tourists seeking vicarious pleasure in seeing the sufferings of the people, and the horrible devastation of their economy, society and culture. All casual visitors should be put through some psychological and emotional preparation before embarking on such visits.

They should be assisted in making their visits of some material benefit to those in the North and East, with some interactive exposures and practical experiences, such as 'Shramadana' and 'Saukyadana'. There would also be many opportunities for the exchange of useful knowledge and skills, which would assist the long and arduous process of reconstruction and reconciliation. At the institutional level the Rehabilitation Ministry, in association with international agencies, could launch a Peace Corps, open to both local and overseas volunteers.

Reviving economy

Before the outbreak of the violence the North and East, in the former in particular, there was a vibrant economy based on intensive small farm agriculture with lift irrigation, and an abundance of well educated human resources.

The war has left all those in disarray, and in a state of ruin. The people, both in the Government and LTTE controlled areas in the North and East have been reduced to a state of dependence on essential food and other items supplied by the Government. The population in the North has been depleted by war, internal dislocation, and migration overseas, and to other parts of the country.

International assistance, channelled through the Government is excepted to restore the infrastructure necessary for the relocation of the internally dislocated persons as well as any other refugees returning from overseas.

At least some of them would return with useful skills and some financial resources which would assist them to start the rebuilding of their shattered lives, and to revive some agricultural and commercial activity. With the opening of the roads linking the North and East with the rest of the country, and the unhindered movement of people and goods, the wheels of change and recovery would be set in motion. However, to make that happen speedily and in all economic fronts the early and sustained intervention of the civil society and the organized volunteer sector is very crucial.

Already the philanthropic organizations representing commerce and industry, professional bodies, as well as international and national NGOs have stepped into the void to assist the transformation of the economy. Resuscitation of the economy should be given very high priority since it would instill in the people a sense of dignity, self-reliance and self confidence.

In rebuilding the economy there should be many avenues and areas in which the intervention of and interaction with civil society should manifest itself. Some of those activities would include: * Human resource development

* Infra-structure development

* Improved financial services

* Rural credit

* Water management

* Environment management

* Human settlements

* People's mobilization

This would indeed be an excellent opportunity to generate understanding and the healing process among the different communities in the country.

People's participation

The issue of power-sharing between minorities and the majority community has been one of the main causes of ethnic conflict, and it is expected that the peace process would meet some of the aspirations of the people in the North-East. Substantial devolution of political power and the guarantee of land rights in the disputed territory should not only meet the aspirations and the persistent demands of the LTTE and other Tamil political parties, but also the yearning for democracy among the Tamils.

However, the ground realities would suggest that a solution to the political problem could be within closer reach than a guarantee of good government and democratic rights in the North and East. But the pursuit of the latter should not be compromised or completely sacrificed in the more urgent pursuit of peace, at any cost.

The North-East has been under military rule either by the Government or the LTTE for nearly two decades, and as a result the springs of democracy and people's participation in governance have almost dried up, and become a distant dream. The gun culture which has pervaded the North-East may not yield easily or willingly to democratic practices and values, and may not be high priority at the negotiating table, unless and until the people are mobilized to bring unrelenting pressure on the negotiators. Restoring democracy and good governance, without restrictions on people's participation is a goal, which should be supported and sustained, by the civil society organizations in the rest of the country as well as by the international community.

Only if democracy could be restored and made to work will peace have any meaning to the people in the North-East.

Education and health

Some of the worst victims of the war have been education and health in the North-East. However, in the North at least school and university education has been maintained at a reasonable level, while physical infrastructure has been badly damaged and essential facilities are in short supply. On the other hand health services have been maintained at best at a very basic level, except at the Jaffna General Hospital. The situation in the East, specially the Vanni, under LTTE control has suffered much due to neglect, lack of resources, and poor management.

Even before the outbreak of hostilities Vanni has been one of the most under developed parts of the country. With the long spell of LTTE control, the situation has only worsened. And it is widely reported that the essential services such as health, education, transport and finance are woefully inadequate, or almost non-existent.

Malnutrition among children has been acute and well above the national average (68.5% vs. 37.6%).

The trauma of war has caused not only physical damage, but also much mental and emotional damage, among all age groups of the population. Perhaps a disproportionate amount of females, of all ages, and all over the country have been most traumatized, and are in need of long-term counselling, rehabilitation and economic support. The internally displaced are another large segment of the population needing early intervention. Child soldiers, both male and female and numbering thousands are also part of the trauma syndrome, and requiring identification, location, rehabilitation and re-entry into education.

Once the war is over the ranks of the physically maimed and mentally deranged, and in trauma in the North-East will be joined by both Government and LTTE cadres with the trauma of withdrawal syndrome. Many of them could be easily drawn into criminal activities, a familiar phenomenon with many army deserters, who are ending up as convicts and social outcasts.

According to official reports for the entire of the North-East only one solitary professionally qualified psychiatrist is in service. This huge void has to be filled with trained volunteers, and semi-professionals as an immediate measure while the government and the NGOs, both local and foreign take up the challenge of training, and the setting up of other support system. There should be a wealth of experience world-wide in dealing with such situations, and an urgent call should go to the UN agencies and the large foreign missions, in meeting this contingency.

As peace dawns, and the ground situation becomes better known, and realistic assessments are being made, the enormity of the challenge to the Government, LTTE, NGO community, international community, and the civil society, would indeed be overwhelming and mind-boggling.

While the bigger players are putting their own act together, the volunteer sector and the civil society, should start drawing up a massive and well coordinated contingency plan of their own, drawing upon the people's resources, both physical and human, in order to face up to the looming challenge, which no doubt is of unimaginable proportions, and is also one of unprecedented opportunities.

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