Twelfth Deshamanya Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda Memorial Oration:

Challenges faced after humanitarian operation

by Mahinda SAMARASINGHE

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to deliver the 12th Deshamanya Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda Memorial Oration. I sincerely thank the members of the late Professor Kodagoda’s family, the trustees of the Nandadasa Kodagoda Memorial Trust and the Board of Management for this signal honour which they have bestowed upon me by their kind invitation.

by Mahinda Samarasinghe

As Sri Lanka strides towards a new era with the defeat of terrorism, we must draw inspiration from the lives of great sons of the soil and, to my mind, Professor Kodagoda is one such exemplar. He was a man of many parts scholar, academician, healer, intellectual, literary genius, social activist and, above all, a kind, caring human being. All of his pursuits were characterized by a common thread: dedication to the task at hand and a tireless search for excellence. He exemplified the marrying of Western knowledge with national consciousness and creativity.

As we embark on a nationally driven search for a home-grown solution to the outstanding problems of the day, we must adopt such an approach. Professor Kodagoda was never unduly wary of adopting and adapting technical solutions and other experiences in the wider world to resolve essentially local issues. However, his efforts to address national situations were based on a unique perspective of an individual whose personal philosophy was firmly rooted in local social, cultural and moral traditions. It is a similar intellectual openness informed by national consciousness - putting the nation’s interest before everything else - that must guide our every effort. His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa identified this challenge before our nation as one of the most significant of those that we face. We can and must meet this challenge and overcome it. Future generations of Sri Lankans expect no less of us.

After decades of being shrouded by the pall of terrorism, the Sri Lankan polity’s fears have today been dispelled. With the recent successful conclusion of the humanitarian operation, hope for a brighter tomorrow has been kindled in hearts of all Sri Lankans. If this expectation is to be sustained and brought to fruition in time to come, there are a myriad challenges that we are called upon to face in the short and longer term.

The delivery of humanitarian assistance, the process of clearing of mines and other hazards, the protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and catering to their physical needs, the rehabilitation of combatants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and their reintegration into civilian life, the strengthening of the relationship among communities, the resuscitation of the democracy and the reestablishment of good governance, the search for a suitable political solution, development and the restoration of infrastructure, caring for disabled veterans and the families of those who lost their lives are just some of the principal challenges that we are called upon to meet.

One of the main short term challenges we face is the provision of humanitarian supplies and services in a systematic manner. Today there are approximately 280,000 IDPs in 4 Districts who are being housed in temporary accommodation in welfare camps. Their wants include food, clothing, medicines and the provision of water and sanitation which compels the Government to undertake a daily expenditure of several million Rupees. It is not our policy to rely on international cooperation alone in caring for these persons. It is of critical importance that the assistance given and facilities provided these persons by the Government is carried out in an orderly and organized manner.

While catering to the general needs of the IDPs, the needs of displaced children, women, the disabled and the elderly demands special attention. Of these children some have lost both parents and others have lost one of their parents. Ensuring the full flowering of their childhood, educating them and enabling their eventual integration into society is a task of some magnitude. Similarly a significant group of persons among the IDPs are those aged 60 and above. Protecting these persons, attending to their medical needs and providing adequate psycho-social support is a responsibility we are called upon to bear.

Furthermore, several pregnant and lactating mothers are also within the ranks of the displaced persons. Attending to their nutritional needs and the alleviation of their mental stresses and strains also requires our special focus. Several of these persons with special needs have already been released from the welfare centres. The Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition has made a special effort to treat and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Several medical professionals from overseas have complemented the Government’s efforts in this endeavour. The Ministry of Healthcare has provided statistical data which categorically refutes the exaggerated reports of mortality rates carried in some western media. The Government is committed to and is constantly engaged in efforts to provide a healthier environment in the welfare centres through improved sanitation and the provision of clean water to IDPs.

The Government does not intend housing these persons in relief villages and welfare centres for an extended length of time. It is our expectation that a majority of these displaced Sri Lankans will be returned to their original homes by the end of 2009. This is an onerous task with many potential pitfalls. The removal of mines buried under the surface is chief among the challenges. We have received reports to the effect that the LTTE was responsible for mining sizeable tracts of land in the theatre of conflict. The necessity for de-mining will cause delays not only in resettlement but also to development initiatives.

The Sri Lanka Army is at the forefront of the massive de-mining effort and has demonstrated commitment towards overcoming this challenge. There are several other de-mining agencies also working in the affected areas. Prior to IDPs being resettled, it is also necessary to uncover and decommission armaments and ammunition which have been concealed underground by the LTTE in order to provide for better safety and security in the areas of return. This process of resettlement of IDPs is a formidable challenge that the Government is faced with. A UN Clearance Certificate must be obtained as a precondition to resettlement. As in the Eastern Province, we hope to inform the IDPs as to conditions in areas of return and thereby ensure that return is voluntary. The restoration of water, electricity, roads and irrigation services in the areas of return is also essential. Similarly the resumption of these persons’ livelihoods needs to be assured. It is to promote speedy development of the Province that the Government has launched the “Wadakkin Wasantham” (Northern Spring) program. In addition, the Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province is functioning in this connection under the chairmanship of Senior Presidential Advisor, the Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP.

For 30 years, we were denied the opportunity of initiating development projects for the benefit of people of the areas unlawfully occupied by the LTTE. The consequential imbalances in regional development are to be addressed by the Wadakkin Wasantham Program in order to ensure that people of the North are able to enjoy facilities on par with others in the rest of the country.

Protection of IDPs and the guaranteeing of their safety and security is a principal responsibility of the Government. It is important that, due to the particular vulnerability of minors, women and especially girl children who are among the IDPs, special measures must be taken to prevent them from harassment or exploitation. Action has been initiated to establish a network of community service centres on the basis of one for every 5,000 IDPs in order to better provide for their welfare and to ensure their protection. My Ministry has also sought to secure the contribution of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to this exercise and the Commission will work to ensure its success.

In order to ensure a more secure future for the people of the Northern Province and for them to enjoy a higher quality of life, attention must be paid to enhancing their economic advancement. The potential for agricultural development in the region is immense. Prior to the conflict, the contribution made by those areas to the national economy was substantial. Those conditions should be restored. The necessary tools and implements to facilitate a return to agricultural pursuits must be made available. In restoring livelihoods, the Government will also place greater emphasis on small scale enterprises. The development of small industries, fisheries and agri-business has already received some attention.

Significant investment is required in this regard if long term productivity and sustainability is to be ensured. While it will directly be of economic benefit to the people of the North, it will also help the nation withstand exogenous shocks caused by phenomena such as the global economic crisis.

The safeguarding of the IDPs’ socio-cultural diversity and ensuring that diversity is not a cause for future conflict is also something that the Government is focusing attention on. There are many valuable historical lessons in this regard that we should be mindful of. The process of return should be carried out in a manner that does not give rise to conflict and also promotes peaceful co-existence in a pluralistic social setting. In accordance with this principle 122 persons belonging to 12 families and a further 3320 persons belonging to 893 families have been resettled in Pantharaveli, Punuchchikulam, Marunthamadu, Sinnakulachchi and Kolamkulam within the Musali Divisional Secretary’s Division in the Mannar District.

Deshamanya Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda

Several Muslim persons who were evicted from the north by the LTTE in 1990 still live in IDP camps in Puttalam.

My Ministry has taken an initiative to study the situation of protracted displacement with a view to focusing attention on the need to resettle these long-term IDPs.

As efforts are made to rebuild physical infrastructure damaged by the conflict, due attention must be paid to alleviate the psychological trauma suffered by those who were caught up in the conflict. These people have endured conflict for many years. Some children have not even had the benefit of education as they had to undergo the harsh experience of being forcibly thrust onto the battlefield. These persons have had to suffer great mental stress. We need to foster attitudinal change amongst these persons. Those who were caught up in the conflict should be given adequate space to overcome their past experience and their state of mind and mental resolve must be strengthened. Counselling services must be provided that are in accordance with their traditions and customs. His Excellency the President has given leadership to this process of national reconciliation with the involvement of all political parties and this is an initiative which will bring us closer to achieving a durable peace.

Ex-combatants including LTTE members must be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. This endeavour must be founded on the principle that these rehabilitees will not re-engage in new conflict. Large numbers of child soldiers were deployed by the LTTE during the conflict. Similarly, many women were directly employed in armed conflict. They must be freed from the misconceptions they labour under. They should be transformed into persons with new hope for a better future and their contribution to a social, cultural and economic renewal for the nation must be secured. Adequate investment must be made in training and guiding these persons. Though this is a daunting task, it is a critical one that must be achieved.

Rehabilitation is not only intended for the ex-combatants mentioned earlier. The country has lost a significant part of its youthful human resources through disability and other conflict-related harm. These disabled veterans, in particular, must be rehabilitated and their psychological needs must be catered for. Their welfare and that of their families must be ensured. It is our responsibility to ensure that this pool of talent is co-opted into our national economic development programmes.

Attracting the participation of expatriate Sri Lankans in this socio-economic revival is of great importance.

In particular, the Tamil Diaspora should be engaged and they must be encouraged to invest in the future of their fellows. Public and private entrepreneurship should be mobilized to make sound investment decisions and obtain optimal returns.

Although six decades have passed since Sri Lanka gained independence, we have found it challenging to devise state structures which suit and fulfil the needs of the Sri Lankan polity. We require an institutional structure that enables representation of pluralistic political, cultural, ethnic, historical and religious interests.

We must develop a system which permits communities the space to foster and project their unique identities within a single cohesive Sri Lankan identity. We need to build a society that nurtures the realization of human potential through exploitation of each individual’s intellectual and spiritual capacity. Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda was one such individual who embodied and added lustre to a Sri Lankan identity and whose life exemplified true national consciousness.

Our society is, at present, deeply divided along ethnic, religious, linguistic and political lines.

History teaches us that, during the independence struggle, all ethnic groups united and worked as one to gain freedom from British colonial rule. For instance eminent leaders such as Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Ponnambalam Arunachalam and Siddi Lebbe served the Sri Lankan (then Ceylonese) people with no consideration of ethnic background. For instance Ponnambalam Arunachalam, a great Tamil leader, with the approbation and support of the Sinhalese electorate, secured public office.

However the era of peaceful and harmonious co-existence between all communities has, in the past few decades, become reduced to little more than a memory. All these past ties must necessarily be reforged anew. Without doing so, the achievement of our developmental goals becomes nearly impossible. Just as several other developed nations achieved economic development through fostering national unity, Sri Lanka must meet this challenge and overcome it. The reasonable needs and requests of the Tamil people must be resolved through the political process. Our eventual expectation is that all Sri Lankans will truly feel equal to their fellow citizens and that equality will be safeguarded.

It is extremely important that we secure and bring about a qualitative development of our foreign policy. The past few months saw frequent demonstrations by expatriate Tamils living in Western capitals as the security forces neared and secured their military objectives. The negative implications of this pressure for Sri Lanka was countered and successfully overcome in a principled manner before several international fora. We possessed the capabilities and the strength of purpose to meet every challenge head on and win the day. We did not hesitate to forthrightly place the facts before our interlocutors. A foreign policy that fully serves the needs of the Sri Lankan nation is a sine qua non for the future.

Such a policy will prove rewarding in the long-term. We must constructively and closely engage with other nations and international organizations in a manner that fully protects our independence and sovereignty.

The next challenge that faces us, similar to the one that we successfully met in the Eastern Province after the military victory in 2007, is the reestablishment of democracy in the North. In the recent past the people of those areas were subject to a separate system of police, courts and administrative structures imposed on them by the LTTE. They had to endure and survive enormous pressures during this era. It is vital that, in the future, we engender trust in a democratic framework and amongst the people and familiarize them with modes of popular governance. Elected political representatives should be entrusted with the responsibilities of running an administration in the Northern Province. IDPs from those areas will also be enabled to exercise the franchise as these institutions should be representative of their interests and aspirations as well. Additionally, trust in the rule of law and structures to ensure good governance must be encouraged.

Administrative structures must be strengthened in order that the people of the North are able to attend to their needs in a manner similar to others in the rest of the country. The operationalisation of generally acceptable and universally respected modalities in this regard has been acknowledged as a challenge that His Excellency the President’s Government has taken on. Each community will, in this effort, have to eschew narrow parochial thinking and make some sacrifices for the common good. Thereby, the military victory gained during the humanitarian operation will be made more productive and meaningful and will be of eventual benefit to us all. In this manner a stable peace in Sri Lanka can be assured.

My Ministry has, in support of these initiatives, undertaken the preparation of a National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Furthermore to enable smoother resettlement and normalization, we have put in place a range of Confidence Building and Stabilization Measures which are being implemented. We have also devised a conceptual policy framework for the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants which, we expect, will be operationalised by the relevant Government focal points.

In sum, the conclusion of the humanitarian operation has placed before us a number of challenges which are as great in magnitude as they are of critical importance. All Sri Lankans have this tremendous responsibility devolved upon them. Informed by the lessons of history and strengthened by renewed hope for a better future, we must unite and collectively decide to triumph over these challenges. If we do so, with courage and strength of purpose, the tasks before us will not prove too difficult.

It is essential that the gains derived from the victory on the battlefield must be secured and transformed into a lasting peace. We must nurture and protect Sri Lanka’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural diversity. It is through the nurturing of that diversity that we can, working in unison, inspire in our people the confidence necessary to forge a true Sri Lankan identity.

(Speech delivered by Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights at the 12th Memorial Ceremony of Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda)