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A bridge of encouragement:
The need to create a state of reconciliation and transformation in
our society
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Clarence
Welikala
Security Consultant and Former Senior Manager Unilever (Ceylon)
Limited |
Barriers are being removed and bridges to rebuild society should be
in place to fulfil the trust and confidence of those affected consequent
to the conflict of nearly three decades and, thereby, justifies bringing
about normalcy and unity.
It is a fact that during the past year or so, total war erased the
distinction between civil and military resources, and we witnessed the
complete mobilisation of our nation’s Security Forces and Police
personnel for the purpose of the war effort.
Now that terrorism has been annihilated and peripheral territory
regained, the Government of Sri Lanka should embrace the desire for
unification with sincerity and purpose in order to avoid future
conflicts, which will transform the difficult process of rapid
rehabilitation and reconstruction coupled with implementation of
livelihood into an unprecedented opportunity for prosperity. Also, a
means to accomplish this mission is the necessity to overcome economic
hardships.
Defeat
The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is positively the
defeat of the most ruthless terrorist organisation of the world. There
is certainly no debate on this score. The defeat stems out a victory of
the developed world which, in truism, is a victim of terrorism. By the
acknowledged defeat of terrorism, Sri Lanka’s freedom and the way of
peace is, no doubt, enriched and substantive measures could be taken to
develop our country by consolidating trust among our people.
The political leadership in their quest for recognition should strive
in their endeavours to be true and honest to the nation in general,
maintain an intense feeling of patriotism without allowing their
aspirations to overcome their conscience, belief or conviction to be
subjugated by petty political party differences and/or interests.
To achieve these difficult obligations sheer determination and
dedication towards the just cause is of paramount importance.
With a view to overcoming the formidable challenges of a varied
nature, the agenda of a political solution, alleviation of poverty and
equitable development among all and sundry should be addressed
collectively, sincerely and with aplomb. After all, the grievances
coupled with the aspirations of all communities needs to be addressed in
a positive and dignified manner.
What better time than this, when we are now on a crest of a wave of
success and on the threshold of an even playing field?
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A tribute to our Armed
Forces |
We are a nation of peace: we detest
war - but we trust that right and justice will never lack
leaders to defend their sacred cause. These great principals
have been defended in the theatre of conflict with blood, sweat
and tears and shall (if need be) stand for them again. On these
sure foundations we pray that a brotherhood be built, handed
together in prosperity and adversity. There could be no object
lesson more potent for future tranquillity.
The imperishable renown of our Sri Lanka Army is being
celebrated islandwide, our Sri Lanka Navy is silently at work
maintaining our communication and safeguarding our periphery and
our Sri Lanka Air Force has achieved a wonderful record of
gallantry, accuracy and progress.
Sri Lanka must never be allowed to forget the loyal service
gladly given by these men to their beloved country which is the
secret of our military discipline: and it is the principal on
which our comradeship in arms is based; the well learned lesson
that our country’s very existence depends upon her retaining
command of the sea; our gallant pilots performed the
responsibility meticulously on land and sea, and it is hoped
that our aeroplanes will become bearers of friendship and
merchandise rather than instruments of war and hate. |
Notwithstanding, among the displaced, many are sick, malnourished or
suffering from battlefield wounds and require sustenance both via food
and medical assistance.
Process
A means by which this process could be coped with is by permitting,
unimpeded access by United Nations Agencies and International Non
Governmental Organisations, taking the following into consideration
purely as a prerequisite:
By screening Internally Displaced Persons with a view to
ascertaining/identifying who are guerillas with links with the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and who are not, and
By deciphering what is needed and what is not, as there may be
resources that are lacking.
It is, indeed, fair to state that the sphere of education in the
earlier strife-torn North as well as the East of Sri Lanka is at its
lowest ebb.
Education from the primary stage in the classroom should be without
any racial barriers and in fact, should be Sri Lanka’s priority now than
ever before. In this context, it is an accepted norm that “the most
valuable of all capital is that invested in human beings”! Political
economists may think otherwise i.e. that a nation should take pains to
have its people smart, ingenious and energetic.
To meet this contingency, the State will require millions, if not,
billions of rupees. The investment should be visualised and realised as
training and moulding minds, enlarging their imagination, encouraging
their creativity, strengthening their bodies - largely through the
medium of education.
The premise is that by investing in people at a higher rate than in
machines, land and infrastructure - or for that matter - war, Sri Lanka
will attain a higher return on its financial stability and thereby,
acquire a higher level of national prosperity.
The conventional conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is veritably over. The pros and cons
should be assessed to realise the root cause of the Tamil problem.
Commendation
President Mahinda Rajapaksa without an iota of doubt merits
commendation for his astute leadership and skill in prosecuting the
nearly three decade war against terrorism. His feelings of patriotism
and for freedom, and his ambition for lasting peace has been intense
coupled with his unstinted desire to develop the country by
consolidating trust among all ethnicities.
The President’s stance in bringing divided Sri Lanka together by
uniting them and ensuring equal rights of all citizens irrespective of
their racial and religious differences is noteworthy and worthy of
praise.
In paying the Nation’s tribute to the War Heroes and Security Forces,
he implored the need to forgive, forget and to think of the future and
affirmed that what was won for the country by so much of sacrifice of
life must be protected.
His gesture is a means by which via his message proclaims the need to
celebrate with magnanimity and friendship leaving no room for anyone’s
feeling to be hurt in any manner.
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and the Sri
Lankan Constitution should be respected by all means. The Government of
Sri Lanka is expected to initiate measures that Sri Lankans of all
communities could feel ‘at home’ and lead lives of dignity of their own
free will and thinking.
To achieve these aims, all Sri Lankans should unite in the challenge
ahead of building our beloved Nation. |
