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| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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"Gross National Happiness" the yardstick of independence As we celebrate 55 years of Independence, Sri Lanka stands at the threshold of a new dawn.... Or does it? The Sunday Observer met a cross section of opinion makers to find out what they had to say. The freedom struggle 55 years ago, was carried out by the national leaders, Muslim, Tamil, Sinhala, Burgher... alike, sans bars of race or creed, towards a country with equality and peace. However, after 55 years, the nation lies wounded from nearly 20 years of civil war arisen from the misunderstandings between the two main communities. With ceasefire, cessation of hostilities and memorandums of understanding Sri Lanka looks up again at normalcy with peace and prosperity on the horizon. Here's what some prominent personalities had to say about Sri Lanka at this juncture. ********* "It is sad, that after five-and-a-half decades of formal independence, we are still in the process of state building and that we have not laid the foundation to make the 'independence' meaningful" says Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives. Speaking of a new dawn in the country he commented that " We must have the institutions and processes to provide space for all people, to rise to their full potential." Peace takes priority according to Dr. Saravanamuttu for "peace is an absolute necessity for any kind of development of collective prosperity. Laying the foundation for a durable, dignified and democratic peace must be done in 2003. However, it will also be a difficult and challenging year." Implementation of decisions, consolidation of gains, addressing of more difficult questions springing from negotiations are some of the challenges, that Sri Lanka will have to face in its course towards peace and national harmony. Some other unfriendly factors, according to him would be "a war situation in Iraq which would effect employment, tea market and tourism, and economic reforms which may render thousands of people unemployed and might have an adverse impact on public support for the peace process." ******* "2003, is a year with the potential of promoting Sri Lanka's positive aspects throughout the world," says Otara Chandiram, owner of Odel chain of stores. "The world should know that there is no more war in the country. The negative publicity for the country should be counteracted," she says. For those in the retail business, "Peace is an imperative. For, people to spend, they have to be at ease, be in a better state of mind. Confidence builds spending power. 2002, could be said to be a dramatic change from 2001, with marked disturbances throughout the world. The business world saw favourable improvements last year compared with that of the previous year. I trust that this year we would be able to continue with that," she says. ********* 'Gross National Happiness' should be the yardstick of a truly independent and a great nation, simplicity and indigenous effort by people proud of Sri Lankan identity, its building blocks, says Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, President of the Sarvodaya Sramadana Movement. "Though we have been independent for 55 years, we have achieved nothing that a truly independent nation should have achieved" is his lament. Simplicity is his challenge to the country's leaders. "If our politicians and corporate leaders could set an example of simplicity and nonextravagance, that itself is enough for a fresh start for the next 45 years." He sees freedom as resting on two pillars. The freedom from physical want or the satisfaction of basic human needs. And the freedom of life or the upholding of basic human rights and responsibilities. "If these are satisfied, people will attain a higher level of culture, where there is spiritual awakening, higher moral and ethical relationships, respect for each others culture. New creations flourish, crime decreases, conflicts minimised. ****** "Now that the war had stopped, it is time to open our eyes and look at other issues and pressing problems in society. Unemployment, crime, child abuse are some of these. It is time for creativity... theatrewise, for us to do serious creations. Meaningful work, with 'more meat in it'. During a period of war and strife, world over it is only frivolous creations that have come out," says Indu Dharmasena, playwrite and director. To Indu, it seemed a useless war which we had been raging. I never felt there was an ethnic problem, being brought up in a harmonious environment. There are factions who question "peace at what cost?" But I would like to ask them, war at what cost? Is life worth it?" ********* 2002 was totally different compared to 2001, when there was much devastation and destruction. The year brought much relief and relaxation to the nation as a whole and 2003 is a year to build on those positive aspects, says H.L.B. Gomes, Principal, Royal College, Colombo. Speaking from his years of experience as an educationist, Gomes, welcomes the present environment as "conducive" to education. "Education is for life, through life and throughout life. And a healthy environment is a necessity for education, not only in physical terms, but socially and psychologically. It will take a little more time, for the country to get back to normalcy." The long years of war and its adverse effects were felt in the school system also. for "School is part and parcel of the society and mirrors society. If there are problems and indiscipline in the society the school system will reflect same. However, 2003 holds much potential. It is time to get away from the job oriented educational system which promotes competition, the rat race and corruption in society to that of one incorporating virtues and values promoting sharing and caring. ******* It is time not only to have a critical and analytical look at the course we steered but to consolidate and build on the positive gains of the independence, says Jezima Ismail, a prominent educationist. "I am an absolute Sri Lankan. I have never thought of myself as minority, though I belong to the Muslim community. I want to be treated as one of the group, as a Sri Lankan citizen, co-existing with dignity and pride. I hope it is a new era. But the question is whether Sri Lanka is ready for this new dawn... Do communities understand each other?" she asks. The trend towards "questioning as to what each community has gained through peace and the peace negotiations, is disturbing" she says. "There is so much to be done and all need to work towards peace building. Though there is a sense of physical security there are a lot of insecurities of mind, where individuals as well as collective society is concerned. It is time for a collective effort, to promote a Sri Lankan society with a truly multiethnic quality, which would ultimately mean a Sri Lankan identity. No minority majority situation. We have to be equals. ******* Going on the same theme Anura Tennakoon, former Captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket team and current Chief Executive of the Interim Committee of the BCCSL says that "The main criterion, for progress is a practical and workable solution for the co-existence of all communities." It is paramount that an agreement is reached, according to Tennakoon. "If an agreement is reached (in the peace negotiations) I think there is a lot of potential for Sri Lanka...... "Sri Lanka achieved independence without any bloodshed and all communities were able to live in harmony. Subsequently there was misunderstanding between the two main communities which resulted in too many lives wasted and in bloodshed. However, the current peace negotiations have arrested this situation and most of the Sri Lankans pray that it will arrive at a solution where all communities could live in harmony." |
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