Resplendent example of unity

Nothing could have been more pleasing to the eye of those championing unity and peace in this country than the sight of rehabilitated LTTE cadres singing Vesak Bakthi Gee and well known Tamil songs in the presence of the Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa and other dignitaries recently. This was a resplendent moment for national unity. It proved that some progress is being made in the direction of nation-making, which, we daresay, has been a neglected but all-important project in post-independence Sri Lanka.

Although the feeling is not as widespread as it should be, Sri Lanka is at an important cross-roads in its post-independence history. LTTE terror, which dogged this country at its heels in the bloodiest fashion, is now at an end and the moment has arrived for Sri Lanka to pick up the pieces and emerge a strong and vibrant nation. One important lesson the country ought to learn from its past is that it should renounce all forms of extremism and narrow allegiances. We need to go forward as a single, united country.

However, this unity which we aspire to cannot be wished into existence. A united nation is premised on equality among a country’s citizenry, in all its possible dimensions. Provided the latter condition is met fully, it is doubtful whether we could have enduring stability within the country. When a country’s people enjoy equality of condition and opportunity, it could be said that a united nation has been brought into existence. This is the vital aim the state needs to work towards.

In this march into a brave new future, substance could prove more important than symbols but symbols too are a vital ingredient in the processes that are contemplated for national rejuvenation. For example, Sri Lanka needs laws which would prohibit the use of racist slogans and other divisive public practices, but situations should be freely resorted to which would symbolize national oneness and unity. One such example was the Bakthi Gee presentation by the rehabilitated LTTE cadres. The event was profoundly symbolic of a desire by the singers to be part of the Sri Lankan family.

While the laws just alluded to and their implementation would constitute the substance of the nation-building process, events such as the Bakthi Gee recital could symbolize this state and people-driven thrust to unity. These symbolic gestures of unity and fraternity must proliferate in this country for the acceleration of the nation-building process. It is President Mahinda Rasjapaksa’s wish to have a Sri Lanka which is not segmented by divisions and parochial and sectarian loyalties. Respecting one another’s cultural traditions and tongues, for instance, would solidify the nation-building effort.

The substantive and symbolic measures which we have here briefly underlined constitute a considerable proportion of the home-grown solution advocated by President Rajapaksa and his administration. They are measures that spring from the Sri Lankan’s native ability to resolve conflicts of national importance. They could also be the proof that Sri Lanka is in no need of external support and guidance in these matters. It must be remembered that even the LLRC report is a product of the Lankan genius for conflict resolution.

It is of some significance to recollect that the people at the so-called grass roots could be at an opposite pole, in terms of thinking on current issues, from some of those politicians who take it on themselves to comment on the conditions faced by the ordinary people. For instance, when the Indian Parliamentary delegation visited the welfare camps in the North, they were told by the inhabitants of the camps that they were quite contented with their lot. They said that they had complete freedom to even travel to Colombo if they wished to but lacked sufficient finances to do so. Barring this issue, they were at liberty to travel all over the country if they so desired.

These observations proved that some of the rumours in circulation about the Lankan IDPs just are not true. Many of their hearts and minds are with the state in its normalization efforts but fault-finding and jaundiced politicians project a different picture to the world. The state and its agencies need to put the record straight while engaging the grass roots people in nation-making.