Help to build a united nation

Sri Lanka once emulated as a model of productivity and prosperity by Singapore, is now struggling to extricate herself from the wreckage of a 30 year old civil war. Progress has been recently stifled by the ultimate defeat of those who took up the sword to ultimately perish by the sword. This is no surprise. Self-interested parties still press on with the struggle to resurrect the ghosts of the past. The end result of terrorism has been the shattering of hopes and dreams of thousands of Sri Lankan youth, in exchange of their lives for a worthless sacrifice.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was known as the most vicious terrorist group in the world. Among the thousands of Sinhalese who fled Sri Lanka from the LTTE, I am one who has felt the agony of the uncertainty of my daughter's life during a suicide attack committed by the LTTE, next to her school in Colombo.

Those who now suffer in silence are the displaced people of the north, the brothers and sisters of an international network of at times coerced Diaspora cushioned in globally strategically powerful positions and holding the fate in their palms. This Diaspora are capable of proposing alternate political solutions, but instead chose to fuel a war. It is indeed a tragedy to see infants carrying Tiger flags, a shocking reminder of generation after generation who will carry bitterness and hatred if something is not done soon. The security of a nation stands threatened, when terrorism is fostered directly or indirectly. A monster is bred and turns upon unexpected targets. This is a call for New Zealand to take a stance against the collective power of terrorism.

The Sinhalese, on the other hand, are a global minority, Sri Lanka being the one and only place they could call their own, Successive governments, as characteristic of the actors of Asian political theatres, have out powered each other in a spate of corruption and mistakes. The cretinous manner in which the official languages were implemented, without due consideration of its full impact in a multicultural society, inaction in squashing the roots of terrorism in the late 70s and further inaction to apprehend miscreants who attacked the Tamil civilians during the riots in 1983, are a few instances when one after the other, these governments have let down the Sri Lankan nation. There are chronicles to be written to describe all this in full. Neither a recapture of the past, nor a narration of history with its scathing wounds is the intention. All this is now history indeed.

The pages have turned, and the present is full of opportunity for Sri Lanka to rise as a unified nation. Due to lack of resources and infrastructure, specially in rural areas around the country, discrepancies have always existed among the rich and the poor, the urban and the rural. It is in the best interest of the diaspora and other Sri Lankans domiciled abroad to assist Sri Lanka in achieving a better balance of productivity and development across the nation.

There is no point in repeatedly looking over the shoulder or adding fuel to the simmering coals and hotspots which exist internationally. The voice of the likes of Keith Locke achieves this very end. What does he know of Sri Lanka?. The Thesavalamai law allows the Tamil constituents in Sri Lanka to sell their land only to Tamils. This is customary law which still exists.

There is also no point in bearing flags of victory and leaping for joy when human lives have been lost. A return to sobriety and dignity is urgently needed by all Sri Lankans.

There is an international call for access to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) centres even though such access has been misused in the past, in attempts to resuscitate terrorism. The Sri Lankan Government is no doubt adopting a precautionary approach, which is the very principle embedded in New Zealand's legislation.

It is understandable that a developing nation cannot provide comforts to 300,000 displaced people. It takes time to resettle and screen any potential remnants of terrorist links. This is no doubt a responsibility the Sri Lankan Government owes its citizens.

One of the first moves made by the Government was to repair and establish the Yal Devi a passenger service carrying passengers and goods between Jaffna and the South, destroyed by the LTTE. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will heed a call of good intent, no doubt. Independent offers of assistance and reporting will be beneficial for Sri Lanka. Grievances need to be heard without fear of reprisal and fairness to every citizen ensured.

The international community must now be advised of the positive moves made to foster good will, eliminate the root causes of strife and to provide relief to the IDPs. The latter is the priority. There are independent groups brushing aside barriers to provide aid and assistance. This is a call upon the international Sri Lankan community to seek compromise and to unite in efforts to help Sri Lanka, for united we stand, and divided we fall. Any party who thinks otherwise, please stay away from Sri Lankan affairs, and please hold your comments. We do not need your futile aggression. We invite attempts by well meaning and concerned parties to help build peace, and to develop Sri Lanka.

Dr B.M. Dias Wanigasekera New Zealand