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by Lynn Ockersz

"All communities of the land need to unite in this our hour of need and work towards the common progress of Sri Lanka. We must realise the importance of progressing jointly and this ideal should be shared by all - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Indian - Origin Tamils. We are all part of one big family".

Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera

This was stated by Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Secretary, Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabawa, a leading Buddhist prelate and a voice of wisdom and reason in the current political crisis facing Sri Lanka. He also explained in an interview given to the 'Daily News' that fear and uncertainty are gripping sections of our minority communities at present. It is up to the State and the larger society to defuse this sense of uncertainty in them and to extend to them the hand of friendship and acceptance.

The Prelate explained that the rights of the minorities need to be upheld and their self-respect ensured. The majority community should work towards the building of mutual confidence among all communities.

The interview:

Q: What is your assessment of the situation facing Sri Lanka at present?

A: There is tremendous fear and a sense of uncertainty in the minds of the public about the future. The current political instability is also responsible for the rising crime wave in the country, which has greatly compounded our problems. When there is no firm governing control over the country, law and order breaks down, as is happening today. The political leadership of both parties must work judiciously and cooperatively to resolve the country's problems - this is expected by the people.

Some in Sri Lanka have also reacted impulsively and irrationally to the LTTE's recent ISGA proposals. These proposals, on the contrary, should be discussed methodically with cool rationality and their pros and cons carefully weighed. Reacting impulsively is our fault - this only helps the LTTE.

Q: What do you suggest must be done to end the current political crisis in the country?

A: The major political parties, the UNP and the PA, must work consensually and cooperatively on resolving urgent issues. This doesn't mean that politicians should change parties and shift loyalties. This is totally uncalled for. For instance, during World War II, Britain's major parties worked unitedly towards the national interest but maintained their separate identities. There is an urgent need for our major parties to also form stable policies in areas of crucial national interest and to follow them consistently, regardless of which party governs the country.

Some of these areas are, Defence, External Affairs, Education and the Economy. The policy on these areas shouldn't change from government to government or even when portfolios change hands during the tenure of a single government, as happens now. National policies should be evolved on these areas of concern and these policies should be pursued consistently to avoid instability in policy formulation and implementation.

India's policy on Defence, for instance, does not change with the change of governments. The developed countries too don't vacillate on these matters, unlike us. We too need to follow this rational course.

Good governance is impossible without a sound administrative machinery. The latter should be upgraded and improved and shouldn't be interfered with. Politicians usually blame the public administrators for problems facing the country. This should not be so. The buck should not be passed on to the administrators by the politicians for the faulty running of the country.

The major political parties in the country, the UNP, the PA and the JVP, must refrain from slanderously insulting each other and speaking badly about each other in high emotional fashion. These parties must talk to each other with utmost cordiality and restraint - this is important for the pursuit of a rational dialogue among them. The mass media too should report these matters with equal restraint and rationality.

Usually, the mass media tend to sensationalise and exaggerate problems among these major parties. This enhances the enmity among these parties and aggravates the sense of uncertainty in the country.

In fact, political leaders must dialogue more closely with the mass media to ensure that the latter are kept informed about developments in the country. If not issues tend to be sensationalized and misrepresented in the media. This is a responsibility of the President, the Prime Minister, Government and the Opposition. These discussions between leading political actors and journalists should be conducted on at least a monthly basis.

It is very important that political leaders, thus, clarify issues with the media and keep the latter informed about the factual situation in the country. On the other hand, mishandling of current issues in the media, on account of ignorance, could only aggravate tensions in the country. People could easily be misled by an irresponsible media which is bent on sensationalising events rather than analysing them rationally.

Q: Any particular suggestions on how the ethnic conflict should be handled from now on?

A: The LTTE has turned to dialogue - this must be greatly appreciated. By entering talks, the LTTE has raised hopes of a negotiated settlement. Prabhakaran, who was at one time a shadowy figure, operating secretly, is now virtually out in the open and a public figure.

This is a victory for Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe. This opportunity should be made use of by both major political parties of the South to negotiate an end to the conflict. The President and the Prime Minister should dialogue with each other towards advancing this end. The UNP and the PA are considered ruling parties in view of the authority wielded by the President. They should work jointly, therefore, to resolve the problem.

A Ministry of National Reconciliation needs to be established to ensure peace and reconciliation among our communities. This must be made a major Ministry in view of the fact that peace is primary. Without peace no progress is possible. Therefore, this Ministry is a must and the subject of National Reconciliation cannot be lumped with other subjects and be handled like just any other area of interest. It should be handled separately and given priority.

The national media need to wholeheartedly back peace and national reconciliation. A climate for national reconciliation should be created in the country by the media. Unfortunately, sections of the mass media are focusing on crime and sensationalism which could only rouse the baser passions of the people. In such an environment it is difficult to foster a peace culture.

Heed must be paid by the authorities to all voices emerging from Southern Sri Lanka. They must be responded to intelligently. Both major political parties must work towards this. The general opinion in the South is that their concerns have not been addressed by the authorities. This feeling must be defused.

However, public opinion should guard against taking on an extremist complexion. The "Majjima Patipada" or the Middle Path preached by the Buddha should be followed while resolving these problems. We must strive to bring all to this line of thinking. It must be remembered that ultra-nationalism could rouse people to commit the worst crimes. Hitler's Germany is a case in point. These sentiments should be rejected by all.

However, national reconciliation and peace cannot be achieved by only the rulers. While it should be appreciated that the authorities are dialoguing with the clergy on these issues, all sections of society should contribute towards bringing peace.

STONE 'N' STRING

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