Sri Lanka’s next biggest challenge:

Healing the wounds of war

Professor Mahinda Werake

“While providing material assistance to the IDPs the development of infrastructure and the economy in the North and East are essential and of primary importance, healing the psychological scars of the war is equally important. Most IDPs have lived under the tyranny of the LTTE and had been subjected to mind control and brainwashing by its extremist ideology. They have not enjoyed freedom and were deprived of their democratic rights for a long time”

The prospects for post-war Sri Lanka are both promising and challenging. While the end of the military confrontation between the Government Forces and the LTTE has indeed provided an excellent opportunity to build a promising future for Sri Lanka, it also poses serious challenges to both the Government and the people.

A healed country for the future generation. Picture by Rukmal Gamage

Healing the wounds of war and bring the country back to normality takes a great deal of expenditure, patience, time and a massive effort. Sri Lanka is now facing that enormous challenge.

President Rajapaksa in his statement to the Parliament on May 19 made it clear that the war against the LTTE was never a war against the Tamil people and the Government’s victory was a victory for all Sri Lankans. He also stated that there would not be a minority problem in Sri Lanka in future because both minorities and the majority would be treated equally and would be provided with equal opportunities.

New vision

He reiterated the same sentiments during his address to the Nation at the Victory Parade held on June 3. However, considering the past experiences, it is a formidable task for him and the Government alone to make those ideals a reality. In order to make the President’s words a reality, the support and cooperation of all Sri Lankans, particularly the Sinhalese is needed. We have to be magnanimous in victory and consider the military defeat of the LTTE as a relief to all communities in Sri Lanka and move towards a better future for all.

It is time for the three “R”s, i.e. reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, to take effect without delay. In that context, it is the duty of the international community to extend a helping hand without restrictions to resettle the hundreds and thousands of IDPs living in temporary shelters, back in their homes. It is the need of the hour and help is urgently needed.

Even though the Government is doing its best under trying circumstances with the support of some foreign countries and agencies, more assistance from the international community as well as the Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim Sri Lankans domiciled abroad is essential to relieve the suffering of these innocent people. In that context, humanitarian assistance particularly from the Tamil Diaspora for resettlement of their brethren in the IDP centres should be most welcome.

While providing material assistance to the IDPs the development of infrastructure and the economy in the North and East are essential and of primary importance, healing the psychological scars of the war is equally important. Most IDPs have lived under the tyranny of the LTTE and had been subjected to mind control and brainwashing by its extremist ideology. They have not enjoyed freedom and were deprived of their democratic rights for a long time.

At a loss

Thus for most IDPs, while the defeat of the LTTE would be a blessing, they may be at a loss as to what they should do now and how to organize themselves to lead a new life.

In that regard, in addition to providing them with food, lodging and medical facilities, psychological counselling and therapy should be made available to them. It is true that such facilities are limited in Sri Lanka; however, maximum use of the country’s existing resources as well as help from outside may be required. It has been reported that the Education Department is launching a program of psycho-social intervention for students in the IDP centres. That is good news for the children traumatized by the war and particularly important for child soldiers who were recruited by the LTTE. Such assistance should be provided to adults as well.

Trauma of war

The trauma of war in addition to living under the tyranny of a dictatorship for a prolonged period, would have taken a severe toll in the minds of the IDPs. Thus, treating them with proper care and sensitivity is essential to their well-being as well as to the future of Sri Lanka. It may not only the Tamil IDPs who would need psychological counselling, even others (both Sinhalese and Tamils) who lived in fear of the LTTE death squads (particularly those who lived in the areas bordering. LTTE controlled territory) may need help.

In healing the wounds of war, granting an amnesty to former LTTE cadres (except those who can be charged under the law for committing crimes) and rehabilitating them is also very important. In that regard, the rehabilitation of JVP cadres after the 1972 uprising may provide a precedent, for, most of those rehabilitated went on to lead normal and successful lives.

In Sri Lanka, both Sinhalese and Tamils have lived together for many centuries. They have similar cultural beliefs and practices. They both have a rich cultural heritage. Their two main religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, have many similarities. As we know, Prince Siddhartha was born as a hindu and later found his own religion.

Lord Vishnu, who is venerated by Sinhalese Buddhists as one of the guardian deities of Sri Lanka is a Hindu god. Both Sinhalese Buddhists and Hindus worship God Skanda at Kataragama and at many other Hindu kovils such as Munneswaram. There are many Christians among both Sinhalese and Tamil communities. Many customs of Sinhalese and Tamils are similar. They both celebrate the Sri Lankan New Year together. There are many Tamil influences in the Sinhala language.

Late Professor Peter Silva of the Sinhala Department at the Peradeniya University wrote a Ph.D dissertation on that. Thus, Sinhalese and Tamils have to learn to view such similarities in a positive light, and learn to live in harmony with each other. In that context, it is counterproductive to go back into history and highlight differences and conflicts in the past.

It is also important for the Tamils in Sri Lanka to understand the emotional attachment of the Sinhalese to Sri Lanka. It is because while Tamils in Sri Lanka can identify with the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, the Sinhalese have no identification with any country other than Sri Lanka. Also, the Sinhalese cannot forget the vast contribution made by the Tamils to the national economy of Sri Lanka, particularly in the estate sector.

We should remember that even during the 1983 ethnic riots, which was carried out by thugs with the support of some chauvinistic politicians, we know (I know from my own personal experience) that many Sinhalese helped to save the lives of the Tamils.

Later, during the post 1983 LTTE inspired violence, many Tamils from the North and East sought refuge in the South and have lived with the Sinhalese in peace and harmony. As a matter of fact, currently there are more Tamils living in South than North. During the tsunami, Sinhalese people and soldiers helped the Tamils and Muslims in the North and East who were affected by the disaster without any hesitation.

Even when the LTTE attempted to provoke the Sinhalese through their suicide bombings and other forms of violence, the Sinhalese did not retaliate against the Tamil minority. Thus, there is no real animosity between the Tamils and the Sinhalese communities in general.

Creating harmony

In that context, in addition to promoting teaching of English (particularly spoken English) as a link language among the different communities in Sri Lanka, and the proposal made by present National Reconciliation and Integration Minister Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan, that Sinhalese children should be taught Tamil and Tamil children should learn Sinhala and should be seriously pursued by the Education Department, Muralitharan who himself was a leader of the LTTE has set the tone for reconciliation by joining mainstream politics and becoming one of SLFP’s Vice-presidents. Hopefully, those Tamil political leaders who wait in the sidelines and support separatist agendas would also give up such ideas and join mainstream politics and agree to work within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Reconciliation

It would go a long way towards reconciliation between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. For obvious geopolitical reasons, it is not possible for India tolerate an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka and without India’s help and support, no separate state for Tamils can come into existence in Sri Lanka. As we know, India is already facing serious separatist problems of its own that threatens its territorial integrity and it understands that a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka would fuel the flames of Tamil separatism in South India.

Accordingly, India has repeatedly made it clear that any solution to the Tamil problem in Sri Lanka should be found without infringing Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Consequently, it is important for Sri Lankan Tamil politicians to understand the reality that there is no future for separatist politics in Sri Lanka and respond positively to overtures of the Sri Lankan.

Government for a reasonable settlement that accommodates the grievances of the Tamil speaking people within a united Sri Lanka.

There are two other areas that need the attention of the Government if we are to heal the wounds of war. The first is the restoration of democracy in Sri Lanka.

Primarily as a result of the separatist war unleashed by the LTTE and the JVP uprising in 1988-89, the Government was compelled to rule under emergency laws which led to the suppression of certain democratic rights of the people. However, with the victory over the LTTE, it may not be necessary now to carry on with such policies for too long and restoration of democracy can take place.

For the full function of democracy the Government needs to take strong measures to restore law and order so that the people could live their lives without fear and intimidation which is an important democratic right that would also help the country move towards peace and stability. Militarization of the society and the breakdown of law and order is a direct consequence of the war and rebellion. Now, with the conclusion of the war and unrest, once again it is possible for the police to use all their resources towards law enforcement.

The second is economic development. The country is faced with serious economic problems of which one of the most important is the inequality of development among regions.

Since most of Sri Lanka’s development is concentrated in the Western Province, future economic development needs to focus on other areas as well. In that regard, the Government’s emphasis on infrastructure development and the commitment to develop the agriculture sector is timely and appropriate.

Creating opportunities

As we know, economic development is crucial to a country’s long-term stability and peace and much needs to be done to stimulate the Sri Lankan economy which would create opportunities for all communities.

Finally, it is critical that a political solution which addresses the grievances of the Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka and fulfills their aspirations is found within a reasonable time frame. President Rajapaksa has made it known that he will ask for a mandate from the people at the forthcoming Presidential Election for the political solution that he would propose.

He has declared that there is no room for racism in Sri Lanka and has committed to a home grown solution. The President has indicated that he is looking for an all inclusive solution and not one that has any inclination for separatism in the future.

It is hope that the recently formed Presidential Committee on Development and Reconciliation would contribute towards that goal. In a rare show of unity, it met recently with the participation of most of the political parties in the country including the TNA.

The APRC also has been working for a long time to find a compromising formula acceptable to the majority of the political parties. Whatever the mechanism is, it should ultimately lead to self-governance within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. Doubtlessly, cooperation between the Government and the Opposition is essential for the success of any such endeavour. Many would agree that the main reason for the failure of all past attempts to find an acceptable solution to the grievances Tamil speaking minority was the lack of such cooperation and political bickering between them.

An agreement between the Government and Opposition on the issue would certainly pave the way for healing the wounds of war and preventing disputes between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil speaking minorities occurring in the future.

Equal treatment

It is their prime duty and responsibility. Since this as a national problem, it needs the cooperation of all parties concerned and can be achieved only by discarding both Sinhalese and Tamil extremism. In the meantime, it is the duty of the Government to treat all its citizens which includes, Sinhalese Tamils, Muslims and others with equality, dignity and self respect.

However, while the Government could pass legislation and enforce the law towards the attainment of that goal, it is also incumbent upon the people of Sri Lanka to practice tolerance and in fact celebrate the cultural diversity that exists within the country so that all Sri Lankans irrespective of their language, race or religion, could live in harmony as children of Mother Lanka. Because Sri Lanka belongs to all and it is the homeland of all communities who live in it.