National reconciliation and the presidential debate
After the horrendous terrorist attacks of April 21, the issue of national security has come to the forefront in the current discussions around the presidential election scheduled for next month. Those who emphasize that national security must be given priority over everything else, often ignore the fact that sustainable national security can best be achieved through national reconciliation, resulting in a contented society.
It would not be far wrong to say that, only a society based on equality and non discrimination, that can act as a barrier to any attempt to undermine national security.
After the end of the armed conflict in 2009, little or no attempt was made to heal the wounds of war suffered by the people, and to bring the communities together
It was only after the January 8, 2015, presidential election, that specific and concrete initiatives were taken by the Government to address such issues, with civil society too, engaging in such activities
The Office for National Unity (ONUR), the Office for Missing Persons (OMP), the Ministry of National Integration, the Secretariat for Reconciliation Mechanisms ( SCRM) and the Human Rights Commission (HRC) have played a significant part in such efforts. Despite the efforts of extreme elements to undermine such efforts, reconciliation has been pursued, albeit, at a slower pace than one would have liked.
It was the results of the reconciliation efforts that kept the nation together, despite the dastardly April 21, 2019 attacks on Christian places of worship and hotels. Although the Christians were the primary victims, they conducted themselves with great patience and restraint, and it was only extremists from other communities who sought to take advantage of the situation.
After next month’s presidential election, the country will have to make a renewed effort to put the past behind and rebuild the country, through a process of strengthening relations between the communities.
In this context, the two main presidential candidates, Sajith Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapakse , will be watched closely. Their past records and their current pronouncements will be monitored to understand their approach to the whole question of national unity and nation building
Although Mr. Rajapaksa has been on the campaign trail for the past two months, there is little information in the public domain, with regard to his approach to national reconciliation, or the concerns of the minorities. His main argument seems to be that false propaganda has been spread about him and not to believe such untrue stories.
Although he has addressed groups such as businessmen, lawyers, disabled soldiers, Montessori teachers, trishaw drivers etc, there has yet been no gathering of either of the minority communities as yet, where he could directly have addressed the concerns of the two communities.
Although a late starter on the campaign, Sajith Premadasa addressed the Muslim community at a large gathering at the Hotel Ramada last week, where he explained his approach to the minorities. He stated that the leader of the State must be a uniting factor, where the President will be the leader of all and not of one segment of society only. "He must protect everyone," said Minister Premadasa.
He went on to state that action would be taken against extremism and terrorism, and assured that any new Laws would not be implemented in a discriminatory manner. He scoffed at his opponents, whose friendly faces he claimed are a sham. They may seemingly be in favour of reconciliation but, in reality, their aims are destructive.
In a significant remark, the UNPs presidential candidate stated he will use true Buddhist principles to govern the country, without fostering hatred among communities. He stated he would endeavour to create a united Sri Lanka, devoid of differences and divisions. He assured there will be no second class citizens under a Government led by him.
Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who preceded him, spoke of the contribution the Muslims had made from the time of the Sinhala kings, and the role played by Muslim leaders such as T. B. Jayah, Sir Razik Fareed and Dr. Badiuddin Mahmud, in the Independence struggle.
Sajith Premdasa is fortunate that his main backers have spoken up on issues facing the Muslim community in the recent past. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe, at a meeting at Paragahadeniya a few weeks back, spoke of how the Sinhala kings had trusted the Muslims and l ocated them at Paragahadeniya, in order to protect the access to Kandy from the invading Portuguese. Addressing a meeting of the business community recently, Minister Malik Samarawickreme faulted business leaders for not speaking up against the boycott of Muslim businesses led by extremist groups.
On the other hand, Mr. Premadasa’s rival, Mr. Rajapaksa, is greatly handicapped in this area. His track record with regard to his dealing with the minorities, hardly inspires confidence. Under his watch, Bodu Bala Sena ( BBS) began to spread its message of hate against the Muslims, culminating in the incidents at Alutgama and Grandpass. It is the outcome of this hate campaign initiated by the BBS since 2012, that the Muslims are facing now
Former ministers in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government, S.B. Dissanayake and Vasudeva Nanayakkara have, on different occasions, fairly and squarely blamed GR of alienating the Muslims from the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime and thereby, causing their defeat in January 2015. Both Dissanayake and Nanayakkara accused Rajapaksa of nurturing, protecting and giving cover to the BBS.
Adding insult to injury, Mr. Rajapaksa's closest supporters make statements that will have the effect of further alienating the Muslims. One of them has openly stated that, if the Muslims want their businesses to be patronised by Sinhala Buddhists, they would have to support and elect Mr. Rajapaksa as the President. Another of his supporters claims that it is a universally accepted fact that no country in the world can progress without the blessings of the majority community, implying that only a majoritarian State can develop the country and that, it is such a policy that a Government headed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa will implement.
With organisations such as the BBS, Sinhala Ravaya, Ravana Balaya and others of their ilk, stridently campaigning in support of his candidature, it will be a formidable task for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to win the confidence of the minorities.
(javidyusuf@gmail.com)