Keep extremists on a tight leash

Moderate opinion in this country could derive some relief from the knowledge that an action plan is taking shape for the systematic implementation of the LLRC recommendations. The public was kept guessing as to what the outcome was of the presentation of the LLRC report to the state authorities but now we have it on the authority of Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Fernando that the agencies of the state are putting their heads together in bringing out an implementable plan on the recommendations, many of which, we believe, merit the urgent attention of the authorities.

It is of the first importance that there is no ambiguity in state circles on these issues. The LLRC was established for a clear purpose and the perception should not gain ground that the authorities are blowing hot and cold on the LLRC recommendations. These and kindred issues need to be cleared up because even perceived foot-dragging could prove counter-productive.

The recent tensions at Dambulla were a clear proof of this. The event proved that there is more than just a clutch of extremists waiting to stoke and exploit tensions among communities. The polity must ensure that the opportunities to trigger disaffection among the communities are not offered on a platter to hungrily lurking hard liners.

While the normalization process must be persisted with, there needs to be a coming together of hearts and minds from all local sections which are desirous of establishing enduring peace and harmony. Since the silent majority is also the moral majority, a coming together of such opinion is vitally important. Among other things, this would help in isolating the extremists who are in the minority in the local polity. This important majority should make its voice clearly heard in the policy-making and decision-making processes and thereby translate its numerical strength into a formidable force for positive change.

There is a very unfortunate tendency for unscrupulous politicians from all sections to exploit times of tension for the projection of their selves in public and to translate existing and exacerbating tensions into substantial popular support and, eventually, votes.

This fatal tendency has cost this country very dearly and the trend was very much to the fore in July 1983, when the worst riots of a communal kind erupted in this country. Needless to say, Sri Lanka is yet to recover fully from this terrible trauma which brought upon it a plethora of divisive problems.

‘It would be a crime to seek political gain at the expense of national reconciliation’, says Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha and these sentiments need to be subscribed to by the majority of our politicians and state functionaries. Inasmuch as none has gained from the hell- fires of 1983 and their aftermath, none would gain by tensions of the like that erupted in Dambulla. The reasonable sections in our midst need to speak as one man against attempts to convert tensions among social groups into political gain.

The state is clear on the point that national reconciliation should be speeded-up and that peace among communities must prevail. The state is duty-bound to ensure that the prevailing social stability is in no way undermined. It should think of legislative and other measures to ensure that no bankrupt elements have recourse to the ‘communal card.’

Besides, we notice that the tendency on the part of some sections to keep the Dambulla issue alive by taking to the streets has not ceased. Such practices too could be pregnant with perils and we call on the authorities to do all that is legitimate to ensure that these divisive tendencies are defused.

The Lankan polity and public need to understand, in no uncertain terms, that this country is a home for all its communities and social groups.

This principle could not in any way be questioned. ‘Unity in Diversity’ is our motto and it is on this premise that this country would forge ahead. Any attempts to violate this postulate would be tantamount to hurtling this country in the direction of division and discord.