Forging a Lankan identity towards national unity

Lionel WIJESIRI

At a recent ceremony where 2000 housing deeds were distributed to those who had paid up their NHDA loans, President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested all Sri Lankans, whether they are from South, North, East or West to rise against the situation that has arisen in Geneva. He added, "It is the paramount duty of Opposition political parties to rise with the people to protect the country putting aside religious, ethnic and political differences".

Personally I regret that even after 64 years of independence we could not instill a greater sense of nationalism among our people. The result is that in this critical moment in our history, we cannot reach a national consensus to be united to rise against a foreign intervention. It does not help matters when some groups of people blatantly reject the concept of uniting all Sri Lankans, making disparaging comments about the government and spreading malicious rumours designed to sow the seeds of disharmony and strife.

As Sri Lankans we have much to be proud of, and thankful for. We share a rich cultural heritage, a peaceful existence, and a stable political and economic climate. But more importantly, we live in a beautiful land, endowed with a wealth of remarkable natural wonders that has become the source of awe, admiration and inspiration of people from all over the world. This land is truly blessed.

It is imperative that we do not take our blessings for granted. It is vital that we play an essential role as custodians of this land not only for the benefit of present generation, but also for our children and future generation. It is time for us to take action. This is not the job for one person or organization. We all have to take equal responsibility as Sri Lankans, in an equal and united Sri Lanka.

We should all first and foremost see ourselves as Sri Lankans. After all, we - regardless of our ethnicity, religion and social status - are all born in Sri Lanka! If we truly wish to progress and become a fully developed nation by 2020, we must first set aside our differences and suspicions and work together as one. We need to shake off our communal mentality because it does not serve the greater good of our country. We still have a long way to go in instilling civic consciousness among Sri Lankans.

A useful starting point for discussion is identifying the modern Sri Lankan identity in the context of a globalized world and an entertainment saturated society.

Globalization

The forces of globalization and the entertainment industry have the tendency of homogenizing Sri Lankan culture. Whether we like it or not, Western influences and pop culture has had a far-reaching impact on our young generation. Today, for example, in the eyes of our youth, entertainment celebrities are more popular compared to national leaders and law makers.

However, the forces of globalization and entertainment do not completely remove our Sri Lankan roots and identities. Our Sri Lankan identity is a unique blend between a rich Asian heritage and strong Western influence. While we strive to maintain our own values such as respect for elders, tolerance, communal spirit and strong religious emphasis, we also reach out to the outside world and embrace the larger global culture.

Sri Lankans embrace and celebrate the cultural diversities of the various races living in this country. We have a colourful kaleidoscope of languages, dialects, food, arts and way of life. Cultural diversity is not a threat but a unifying force of Sri Lankan society. It is the social glue that keeps us together.

Having said this, I hasten to add that race, language and religion are still sensitive issues in Sri Lanka. This is understandable because these issues involve basic factors of identity and affiliation. However, as Sri Lankans, we need to grapple with these issues in an open and sensible manner, and strive to forge a common future for all of us.

Integration approach

In Sri Lanka, we do not subscribe to the 'melting pot' approach as in the US where all the various traditions and cultures are 'melted' and meshed together to form a new American identity. Ours is more of what some call the 'salad bowl approach'. The various ingredients in a salad pot are mixed together but do not lose their individual characteristics. However, by being mixed together, the sum total becomes a new and better entity.

This is what sociologists' term as the 'integration approach' juxtaposed to the 'assimilation approach'. With this approach, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are integrated into a common society but the various races still preserve their distinctive cultural identities as an integral part of the Sri Lankan national mosaic.

At present, our national landscape is still very much segmented along racial lines and this reinforces ethnic identities as opposed to a Sri Lankan identity.

Our economic policies do not yet fully distribute equal assistance to all races although the process has started. After 64 years of independence, race cannot and should not be used as a criterion for the extension of economic benefits. Meritocracy is still not in wide practice. The participation of non-Sinhalese in administrative service still leaves much to be desired. Thus, it is fair comment to say that it is still 'work-in-progress' in respect of our journey towards creating a 'Unite Sri Lanka'.

Truth

Moving forward, how can we achieve the aims of creating a 'United Sri Lanka'? I believe it is fundamentally important for there to be openness, frankness and sincerity as we discuss inter-communal issues. The underpinning concept is that of truth-telling, where we are able to speak the truth to each other in an objective and rationale manner. Today, there is definitely greater freedom of speech and discussion. This is a positive development as a mature, intelligent and knowledge-based generation would want a safe environment where honest views can be articulated within parameters.

The constitution is our social contract, the Charter of the nation so to speak. It is the blueprint for our pluralistic society. There should be the freedom to engage in a discussion on issues of paramount constitutional importance. Unless we can speak truthfully to each other, we cannot create a united and authentic Sri Lanka. What we can achieve is perhaps a superficial and external form of peaceful co-existence that can easily be undermined by prejudices, suspicions and underlying tensions.

I say all this with one important caveat: freedom of speech must be exercised with great responsibility. Freedom of speech does not give us a right to hurt each other and to incite feelings of racial hatred and discord. It is to be used to tell the truth. But the truth must be built up with respect, or else the 'truth' will be repulsive to the listener.

Dream

All of us share the Sri Lankan dream. We cannot change the past but the future is ours to make. As Sri Lankans, we need to grow out from our narrow communal concerns, and share and work together on a broader national agenda. Instead of harping on issues of racial marginalization, we need to strive together to ensure that Sri Lanka is not marginalized in the midst of the competitive global race for economic development. Instead of arguing on distributing the economic pie, we need to help each other to enlarge the pie for our common good. A growing economy will have a positive impact on enhancing the stability of a pluralistic society like ours.

All of us have a common stake in this country. At the end of the day, it is the choices we make as Sri Lankans that count.

We must have faith in a common future together. After all, we are all in the same 'salad pot' called Sri Lanka.

A million dreams and hopes are all meshed together in this big pot. Whether our dreams and hopes will turn into reality depends in a large part on whether we are willing to work together as a society. Together, we can build a better and more united Sri Lanka, and make this a beautiful place where we can all live, work, play and laugh together as equals on this land.