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| Sunday, 28 July 2002 |
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Panacea for peace: Japanese expert spells out the best formula by Vimukthi Fernando To achieve the goal of lasting peace, what Sri Lanka needs is a special section such as a Ministry for Peace Affairs, which can promote an awareness of the need for focus on the peace issue and secure commitment to the peace oriented values from the different projects that might come up in the future, says an expert from Japan conducting a study of Sri Lanka's peace process towards ending the civil war.
The study, a collaboration between the Hitotsubashi University of Japan, University of Colombo and the National Peace Council and funded by the Centre for the Study of Global Issues in Japan is headed by Professor Yoshiko Ashiwa, from the Hitotsubashi University of Japan. According to Prof. Ashiwa, the essential formula for viable peace includes, admitting the country's faults, commitment to the cause of peace and reconciliation, the depoliticisation of differences and grassroots level communication between all three communities. On the part of the government and the LTTE, most important are the transparency and detailed discussions of even the smallest issues, is her opinion. With her experience and expertise in the field of cultural anthropology, Prof. Ashiwa is no stranger to Sri Lanka. Petite with a sparkling smile she had been in and out of Sri Lanka since 1981, and has travelled the width and breadth of the country. She speaks perfect Sinhala. It was in the Sri Lankan villages that she found information for her thesis on the transformation of societies and the process of making a national culture, says Prof. Ashiwa. And now, she is happy to help in the efforts to bring peace and harmony to this teardrop isle. According to Prof. Ashiwa, at the moment the opportunity is ripe for Sri Lanka to regain her pride through peace; by becoming a model country for peace and reconciliation as both the government and the LTTE are on a serious course of peace. The LTTE's intention to change from a militant group to a political party and the government's intentions of bringing in economic development and their response towards peace are "very positive signs of peace", says Prof. Ashiwa. The freedom people enjoy with their daily lives been brought closer to normalcy is a significant step towards the success of the process. However, in the process of peace and reconciliation "neither side, Sinhalese, nor Tamils, nor Muslims should have a sense of victory. 'Triumphanism' should be avoided", she says. The next three to five years are going to be crucial for Sri Lanka to cure the wounds of war. Speedy reconciliation is of much importance, she states, taking a lesson from her own country. For Japan, reconciliation came very late. "Instead of dealing with the past faults we went into economic development and prosperity. We didn't accept our faults and sidelined it completely. Therefore, the reconciliation process was very hard." Promotion of mutual understanding plays a vital part in the process. Imperatives for reconciliation are good communications between the communities. Insertion of peace studies and multiple language skills in the school curriculum will bring in long term benefits, she opines. Professor Ashiwa and her team conducted the initial study in Matara, Badulla and Trincomalee recently. People at the grassroots and those who come in contact with them in their day-to-day lives were the target group which focused on people's consciousness for peace and future expectations. "We see a huge communication gap between communities. Though there are a lot of common aspects in both Sinhala and Tamil cultures, they cannot appreciate them because of the language barrier. Most have not experienced the reality of daily life of another community. There is a measure of mistrust and both communities are so much afraid, because they don't know enough of the other community's thinking. And their own thinking is coloured with past experiences", says Prof. Ashiwa. According to Prof. Ashiwa, "Sri Lanka is a mosaic and fragmented country at the moment, because all the differences, all the distinctions of society have been politicised. Unless these differences are depoliticised through cultural policy and an understanding of the cultures are created, it would be difficult to build a peaceful and harmonious society." Peace and reconciliation could only be gained through understanding and sympathy, she opines. The civil war had affected both communities, destroyed lives and property and caused immeasurable pain. A change of attitude could only be brought about through 'putting yourself in another person's shoes' says Prof. Ashiwa. "Both communities should try to feel each other's pain; try to imagine how you would feel if you are a Tamil, or if you are a Sinhalese", she stresses. Another step towards building harmony is the recognition of the commonalities of cultures and bringing them under well-balanced and well-considered leadership under one umbrella ministry which is able to set up cultural policy. She also advocates the building of one monument to honour all those who died at war, from all walks of life regardless of the differences. This could replace the many monuments scattered throughout the country, she said citing the memorial wall at Japan's Okinawa Island as an example."Peace for Sri Lanka, is not just the absence of war. But, that is what we have just now, and it is the minimum of requirement. Peace is the harmonious cohabitation of diversities with well balanced cultural policies for different ethnic groups", says Prof. Ashiwa. In a peaceful society everything, even economic activities should be based on peace oriented value systems in all cultures. In this aspect Sri Lanka will have to be careful in the development activities as well, she pointed out. "Sometimes though the country could become very enthusiastic, global capital intrusion might harm the people's consciousness of peace. If it brings competition amongst ethnic groups it will ruin what Sri Lanka is trying to build at this crucial moment. Sri Lanka need not become another Singapore. It should find its own system of development. However, it is necessary that it should be well balanced and cover the whole country" she said. Speaking about Sri Lanka's relations with Japan she said that there is
a warm understanding between the people of both countries. However, the
Japanese were questioning why this country was under siege for the past 20
years. Now that there is hope for peace, Japan will be a willing helper.
However, Japan had learned its lessons from World War II, not to intrude
into the affairs of other countries. But, if requested, Japan would be
happy to join Sri Lanka in her efforts in developing the country.
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