The New Orientalists

Western Non-Governmental Organisations in Sri Lanka:

In his seminal work, Oriengalis, Edward Said posits that Western discourse about the East galvanizes the divide between the two geo-political entities rather than objectively describing or analysing it. `As a consequence elements of the East that are discussed in Orientalist texts invariably situate the West on intellectually and morally superior ground in relation to the East, thereby providing justification for the domination of the East by Western powers. `Although the West now claims to have progressed beyond such Orientalist myopia, this paper argue otherwise, citing the case of western non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Sri Lanka.

The concept of Dualism between knower and known in Orientalist discourse (Ron Inden 1986: 401-446) has never been more apparent than since the advent of western NGOs. `With access to cutting edge research technology, advanced methods for disseminating information, and ample funding, West-based organizations like Human Rights Watch, the International Crisis Group, or Relief International to name a few, have managed to become the authority on Eastern regional disputes.

Local intellectuals - often with the same degrees from the same Western academic institutions - who attempt to expose misinformation and propaganda, or present arguments to the contrary risk incurring the wrath of the international society and are labelled as racists or nationalist extremists.

Though the likes of J.S. Mills and other leading Orientalist intellectuals of the Victorian era may have receded into the annals of history, their narrow-minded perspectives have been reincarnated in the form of modern-day western NGOs.

Operating in desperate situations in poverty-stricken or war-ravaged countries in the East, western NGOs are eagerly courted for the publicity and funding they can bring to a cause; at the same time, they are increasingly reviled for rendering local democratically elected institutions impotent to manage internal problems.

Using Sri Lanka as a case study, this essay attempts to illustrate how western NGOs, as the present-day Orientalists, perpetuate the image of the East as a weak entity, reliant on the stronger west to solve its internal crises.

The institution of the western NGO renders the East dependent - yet again - on the West for shaping its identity. Sri Lanka and the western NGOs therefore present a 21st century example of the power-player binary that is characteristic of modernity.

The unrest in Sri Lanka has created a war economy that is generating a lucrative market for western NGOs.

Not only does continued instability in Sri Lanka prolong their operations thereby extending the life of the organization, but it also gives these foreign elements an invaluable opportunity to dictate terms to the administration of a sovereign nation.

The question arises then, as to whether western NGOs authorised by a local government to operate on sovereign soil should work to sustain the administration that allows for their presence in the country, or should they weaken it?

Should NGOs work in conjunction with the native government on matters that are, ultimately, related to state welfare? Or should they work on their own to fulfill their mandates and their objectives, without coordinating with the state?

The keyword here is NGO autonomy, which is obviously a very important issue; but as a non-governmental organisation subject to even lesser standards of transparency and accountability, how does one determine between the self-sustaining actions pursued by the foreign-funded organisation and those actions it may take in the interest of the local people?

If a mission fails, NGOs can blame the host government. If a nation fails, can NGOs be blamed?

This paper would like to present a challenge to the two-dimensional nature of modernity to propose that the western NGO may have met its matching the case of Sri Lanka in the country’s unwillingness to blindly obey the dictates of the West.

The case of Sri Lanka is unique in that it is a functioning democracy with regular elections and a leadership that is held accountable to its citizens. Sri Lanka is an active member of the United Nations and maintains full diplomatic relations with all states.

It is not involved in any international disputes; it is not a rogue state with oppressive military rule; and neither is it a despotic dictatorship.

With an impressive total population literacy rate of 90.7% and ample natural resources, it has the potential to become a substantial economic player in the Asia-Pacific region. The on-going struggle against terrorism continues to be the major obstacle to Sri Lanka realizing its true social-economic potential.

Have Western NGOs met their match then, in the case of Sri Lanka? Are the western criticisms of the Sri Lankan government an NGO-generated backlash as a result of these frustrated western elements not being able to get their way? Is tiny Sri Lanka an example of the East fighting back?

An East that is determined to reclaim its legacy, demanding that the West be respectful of Sri Lanka’s wish to be responsible for its own destiny? This essay is an attempt to answer the above questions with a resounding “affirmative”.

After briefly analysing the history of the conflict in Sri Lanka, this paper 1) examines the role of western NGOs in shaping international opinion of the conflict in Sri Lanka; 2) explores factors that contribute to the growing resentment towards NGOs; and 3) assess the result of NGO involvement in conflict resolution (i.e. has the involvement of Western NGOs made a substantial impact on the problem of tackling terrorism in Sri Lanka? Or has the ever-growing number of foreign NGOs exacerbated an already delicate situation?)

Synopsis of a long-winded situation

In order to better understand the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is necessary to discuss the country’s history (albeit in a rather cursory manner) and explore the multiple factors that contribute to the ethnic conflict.

This will serve to provide the necessary framework within which to analyse the current state of affairs as well as understand the impact of Western NGO activity on the country.

To be Continued

The writer received her Bachelors degree (summa cum laude) in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, with a minor in Spanish.

After graduation she worked for the County of Santa Cruz, California for two years before proceeding to pursue a masters degree in International Affairs at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.

Fluent in Sinhalese, English, and Spanish, her areas of academic interest include terrorism, human rights, and conflict resolution.