Goodwill gesture

The Manel Mal Movement which has been in the forefront of espousing the cause of our soldiers on the battle front is to organise a train journey to the Wanni this month in a gesture of appreciation of the sacrifices made by the troops.

It will also take aid and relief items to the civilians displaced by the conflict. The journey will be in the form of a ‘Brotherhood Train’ which will travel from Matara to Medawachchiya carrying the message of solidarity to the Security Forces and love to the internally displaced who had suffered at the hands of LTTE terrorists, according to convenor of the Manel Mal Movement S.L. Gunasekera. At the outset we should all appreciate and acknowledge the keen interest and dedication of persons of the calibre of Gunasekera towards the welfare of the soldiers and for bringing their plight and difficulties into the public domain.

His concern for the welfare of the Security Forces dates back to the time when he was a Parliamentarian (1989-94).

One recalls the many fierce duels he engaged with then Deputy Defence Minister Ranjan Wijeratne pertaining to the welfare of the soldiers. One is also aware of the deep concern shown by the late Deputy Speaker Gamini Fonseka for the ordinary soldier, often relating accounts of the privations and hardships endured by them in their bunkers, to Parliament.

These men visited the operational areas and saw the ordeal of the soldier and brought them to the authorities’ attention. Why we highlight these instances are because today only a handful of individuals or civil society groups show any concern or keenness to ascertain the conditions under which our Forces operate.

There are reports today of troops undergoing immense hardship due to the monsoonal rains. Recent TV footage showed how troops were wading through the muddy waterways and treacherous marshland in their battle gear. There were also reports of a large number of troops been afflicted with dengue and Chikungunya.

This is but a sample of the many ordeals undergone by members of Armed Forces who are waging a battle to prevent the dismemberment of the country.

However, there is no evidence to show that a majority of the population quite understand and appreciate these sacrifices made by our fighting men. Life goes on in it’s merry way in other parts of the country. Already the businesses, hotels and commercial establishments are gearing up for the Christmas bashes.

The dances, musical shows and other gala events are in full swing going by the society pages in newspapers. Very little is being done to empathise with our men on the battle front. There are also sponsored events to raise funds for projects connected with soldier welfare by certain organisations. But one cannot be rid of the feeling that these are but token gestures which can hardly help empathise with our soldiers.

Most of these events are cosmetic exercises meant to promote the sponsor. A majority of them merely make donations and contributions towards soldier welfare to salve their conscience. But not many would like to witness and share in the hardships of our gallant men in the battle front.

Besides a majority of us carry on with callous regard to the sacrifices of our Forces. We are absorbed in cricket matches and carnivals around us while our men of the battle field are laying down their lives, maimed or injured.

From time to time we read of some contributions or other in the name of the Security Forces made in the glare of publicity by rich donors and corporate giants. But one wonders if these alone would suffice to gratify our troops when some of our actions and attitudes fail to empathise with their sacrifices.

This, while demoralising the fighting forces could also have a demotivating effect. Therefore, there is a need for all to come to a true appraisal of the sacrifices made by our fighting men and make empathy that would be felt by these valiant men in a tangible way.

What is needed is an attitudinal change on our part. Lest we be accused of being killjoys, this is not to say that things be brought to a standstill in other parts of the country.

This, while disrupting the smooth social order could also have a harmful effect on other spheres particularly the economy, which would ideally suit LTTE designs. However, somewhere in the corner of our minds there should be an awareness that a segment of our brethren are laying down their lives so that we may live comfortably.

It is this same attitude that is called for regarding those hapless villagers too who had borne the brunt of terrorism all these years. It is their presence as a buffer that has anaesthetised us to the horrors of war.

Therefore, it is time that more members of civil society come out of their shell and take an active interest in the welfare of our battle field heroes that go beyond disbursing material largesse.