Bridge of encouragement

The need to create a state of reconciliation and transformation in our society:

Clarence Welikala

Barriers are being removed and bridges to rebuild society should be in place to fulfill 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.

The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is positively the defeat of the most ruthless terrorist organization 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?

Naturally, the task will be ‘time consuming’ to say the least, as proposals have to be drafted and finalised before submission on a ministerial basis from which a final and worthy rebuilding plan will be required to be formulated for approval and implementation with the least possible delay, and taking into cognizance the top priority of the displaced. The magnitude of civilians displaced is sizeable.

These persons have to be catered to from a humanitarian point of view, and their needs assessed and addressed accordingly as they are almost reliant on aid.

Notwithstanding, among the displaced,-many are sick, malnourished or suffering from battlefield wounds and require sustenance both via food and medical assistance.

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 guerrillas 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.

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.

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 island wide, 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 free men to their beloved country which is the secret of our military discipline: and it is the principle 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.

(The writer is Security Consultant and Former Senior Manager Unilever (Ceylon) Limited)