Change we must believe in
This
week there is change everywhere. Most of it even defied conventional
wisdom, international media hype, pollster results and wilful
expectation. The ruthless LTTE terrorists are defeated and there is a
sea-change in the mindsets of all Sri Lankans in wanting to rebuild and
re-ignite a new national consciousness that will not allow reason for
such turmoil and suffering ever again. The President's gesture of
worshipping the soil of our Motherland upon his arrival at the airport
from the G-11 Summit in Jordan, Sunday last was indeed symbolic and
worthy of deep reflection. It was symbolic in conveying a message to all
Sri Lankans that we must love and care for our country before all else
and be an essential precursor to taking on a solid process of rebuilding
and/or change management.
In neighbouring India, General Elections have brought about a change
defeating regionalism with a strong focus on social and economic reform
through a centrist thrust. Defying analysts' predictions, 62 percent of
India's 712 million eligible voters brought back incumbent Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to power. This was a fete repeated after
nearly four decades of India's electoral history. India's youth also
heeded the call of young Rahul Gandhi, that they must be determining
their own future by actively joining the political process. Nearly 80
percent of the youth who sought office through the Congress party have
been returned as law makers. In the state of Tamil Nadu, extremist and
overt supporters of the LTTE and those calling for a separate state in
Sri Lanka, stood defeated at the polls.
In Kuwait, male domination of its politics of over half a century has
ended with four women being elected to its Parliament in a historic
first.
Earlier, we saw US President Obama, taking a definitive stand on the
need for recognition of the Palestinian State by Israel, as a
prerequisite for attaining lasting peace in the Middle-east. There is
now definite hope that the US will be an active participant in the
climate change mitigating agenda, which it resisted for far too long,
when the new protocols are determined in Copenhagen in December this
year. We also saw the US Secretary of State and the British Foreign
Minister commenting on the IMF loan to Sri Lanka, linking it to the
events on the Northern front, which indeed will not be applicable now.
In the context of ending terrorism in Sri Lanka, the change that
comes about poses many challenges. Already, the President, his special
advisor and the one tasked with the rebuilding efforts of both East and
North, Basil Rajapaksa and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr. Palitha
Kohona have called on all citizens of Sri Lanka and Tamil citizens in
particular in Sri Lanka or abroad to be active and mainstream
participants in the process of rebuilding and redevelopment of these
areas. He also extended a call to the international donor community, who
can play a vital role in this effort. They have all recognized the
enormity of the task ahead and focussed on the need for ensuring the
preservation of the dignity and rights of Tamil citizens. Emphasised is
the empathy and understanding that must be at the very core of all
efforts, whereby alleviating any fears of reprisal and building of trust
will be facilitated. It is also heartening to note the call from Wimal
Weerawansa of the National Freedom Front, seeking stakeholdership of the
Tamil Diaspora in rebuilding a unified Sri Lanka.
Like in everything else, all was not perfect in the initiatives
undertaken. But the objectives were clearly defined and a strong focus
was maintained at all times. The management of the tasks were done
superbly allowing each assigned responsibility to carry out the job
without interference and hindrance.
The resources needed were found and disruptions were minimised. The
local media played a huge role in building and maintaining the morale of
the forces in the front and some even took it to surrealistic heights.
While the farmers and other rural folk of Sri Lanka, the man on the
street and a better part of the middle class are elated and are ready to
take heed of these initiatives, there are still those sceptics among us
that question the bona-fides of the intentions and cast webs of doubt
about the future efforts at rebuilding of trust, the economy and the
nation. While we 'Waited for Godot' for too long, when Godot has
arrived, we question if he indeed came.
What is absolutely necessary at this time is to put aside these
doubts and scepticism and contribute proactively in whatever and
however, way we can to ensure that they work and work well. There is no
need today to stay divided on political party or other ideological
divides. A task that was thought to be impossible has been taken care of
by a strong leadership working tirelessly at it. We all know that the
odds were against these leaders most of the time. There were active
attempts at sabotage with powerful international lobbies and vested
interests roosting the day. The fact remains that what was defeated was
a terrorist outfit and not a representative group of the Tamil people.
What has been achieved this far is more than commendable. What is
left to be achieved in terms of national reconciliation and development
is without doubt an even greater challenge. We as citizens of Sri Lanka
must focus on taking on this challenge placing inquiring trust and
confidence in our leadership. What we must do is to lend our shoulder to
the process of change, to the best of our ability; for Our nation, for
my Sri Lanka.
**********************
Over two and half
decades of LTTE terrorism has now ended. It was a painful
tale of suffering and struggle where many lives of young Sri
Lankan heroes in the Armed Forces, civic leaders, innocent
citizens and those misguided by the terrorists used as
fighting cadres, were lost.
A single minded and well focussed effort
of the political and military leadership backed by the
people's will to end terrorism was indeed its most critical
success factor. Unlike in the past, there was no giving in
to the 'noise' (as we know in communication) from the once
dominant international community. It was realised that they
were either ill-informed or prejudiced with tales of
'liberation fighters' or 'separatists' in calling a group of
terrorists, who chose to kill indiscriminately to achieve
objectives, that could have been achieved through decent and
dignified talk and discussion.
People of all walks of life, except for a
few who made a business of the war and/or the 'peace
efforts' in the past, were sick and tired of the instability
and uncertainty that was created all around. That
instability and uncertainty should now be over and nation
Sri Lanka should be able to rise above all to realise her
fullest potential.
The opportunity created in defeating
terrorism, is a beginning beyond the sighs of relief and
rejoicing. It is time now, when all Sri Lankans must join
into rebuild solid trust among each other and provide a
sense of dignity and hope of a better future to all people
of this nation, regardless of race, cast, creed or political
affinity.
We need to understand the overlying
aspirations of all and establish solid conceptual models to
work with, in the future. As was discussed in last week's
column, Buddhist principles and way of life offer us a
strong base to rebuild any lost trust through the genuine
exposition of the virtues of Karuna (Compassion), Mettha
(Loving Kindness), Muditha (Sympathetic joy) and Upekkha
(Equanimity).
In the midst of global issues of
increasing poverty, incidence of endemics, unprecedented
global warming, financial crisis, changing population
dynamics and growing incidence of conflicts, it is time
indeed that we looked back at basics.
The basics of solid human values, building
relationships based on caring, trust and mutual respect,
hard work and ethical practices, bringing back discipline on
the roads, seats of learning and other public pursuits,
creating enabling environments for the disabled and the
elderly and rehabilitation of those affected by the
conflict.
We indeed must have faith and a deep
belief in the capacity and ability of all of us to change
and change for the better. |
*********************
Useful Web Addresses:
Official website of the Sri Lankan Government - www.gov.lk
Official news website for Sri Lanka - www.news.lk
Newspapers of Sri Lanka on line -
www.onlinenewspapers.com/srilanka.htm
Website of the Secretariat for coordinating Peace in Sri Lanka -
http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/
Revival of the Eastern Province - www.neweast.lk/
Asian Development Bank Sri Lanka initiatives including
the North and the East - www.adb.org/Srilanka/default.asp
Northern Provincial Council - www.np.gov.lk/
********************
|