FROM TRIUMPHALISM TO COMMEMORATION A paradigm shift; Need of the Hour
Demolition of ruthless terrorism is in no uncertain terms a great victory for the nation. Championing of Triumphalism by a section of the community—is a self-inflicted tragic defeat. Apart from the 1200 IPKF men, the rest of the tens of thousands who laid their lives in the 30-year war were our own brethren. Over 90 percent of them died due to armed action by both sides. A‘military show of strength’ invariably conveys a wrong message not only to theTamils but to a section of the ‘majority’as well; it appears that remnants of triumphalism exercised by the previous regime yet haunts. Do we need to commemorate the dead with such petty extravaganza? Let’s find answers to this pertinent question before the next May 19.
‘It is better to control yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours; it cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell’.—The Buddha
The misconception or misbelief that a particular community is superior to, and should conquer over the others is identified as ‘triumphalism’.Aparadigm shift in the general perspective of people’s thinking in relation to issues on race and religion will have to be achieved.
The ‘National Flag’giving prominence to a particular community and allocating only a fourth of it to two other communities itself is a gross discrimination. While the Sinhalese are hoodwinked to believe they are a superior lot; the people belonging to minority races are forced to acquire a sense of inferiority as second class citizens. An animal brandishing a sword within a frame decorated with‘Bo leaves’ for protection is a disgrace to the ‘Sinhala Buddhists’ and also a violation of principles of the Dhamma disclosed by the Buddha. The sword denotes nothing but destructive power exercised against fellow beings. The famous folklore maxim, “yuddeta netikaduwa koskotannada?” [what use is of a sword other than for war]. ARESINHALESEPEOPLE WARMONGERS?
It is high time we appoint a team of experts to design a new National flag sans any ethno-religious based colours, idols, symbols or stripes. In the case of national bird or national flower, it is just one bird and one flower, selected purely on one basic criterion of its uniqueness or indigenous nature. If you are to impose the same criteria as in the flag; in the case of the national bird, one would end up by creating a monster or a mythical creature like the three-headed ‘Cerberus’depicting the three main ethnic groups or a mysterious dragon if all other ‘minority’communities like Malays, Burghers, Chetties etc, are to be considered as well. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous and stupid? Why divide? We need to be identified as one nation, one people living in harmony under one common banner; a banner which does not discriminate any ethnic group by small and big allocation of space and symbols for specific identification.
The war victory with all the pomp and pageantry that goes with it was celebrated by the previous government for five consecutive years. However, under growing disapproval among civil society, the motto was changed from ‘War victory’to ‘Peace victory’in 2014. In spite of the change of the Maxims and mottos, the fact remains that still we indulged in triumphalism. “MYVICTORYISSOMEONE ELSE’SDEFEAT”
A triumphalist develops a sense of confidence, pride, security or virtue trusting in superiority: Celebration of any kind of victory; quite naturally, would hurt the wounded party or the defeated opponents, especially, within a plural society like ours.
What is unacceptable is that we disallow people within the war-affected areas to commemorate their loved ones who died in the battle. The political settlement to the national question that has been dragging on for decades will drag on further with fewer hopes; consequentially it affects the harmonious relationships among different ethnic groups, especially, in a secular State like ours.
The JVP is free to commemorate its annualApril ‘Viru Samaru Day’they call their men, including those who indulged in murder and others who were involved in clashes with security forces and created utter chaos covering the entire island as heroes. Why these double standards? Like the Northern terrorists, they went on a killing spree in 1988/89; murdering academics, politicians, artistes and Buddhist monks and all those who disobeyed their orders. If so, the minorities should have an equal right and the freedom to grieve, mourn or commemorate the death of their treasured ones as well. Any attempt to block commemorative events of a section of the people on an arbitrary basis during the anniversary periods would yield negative effects. Subjecting the people of Jaffna to such authoritarian processes, while we in the South parade with military shows will have negative effects on the reconciliation process. The previous regime used excessive military presence in the region to create a fear psychosis and suppress any commemoration events. The present government have taken positive steps to prevent such brutality, though they went to Courts to get a legal cover banning such activity; suppression it seems, remains to be the name of the game even under the Yahapalanaya.
‘Victory breeds enmity; the vanquished one dwells in sorrow; the composed person lives happily, disregarding both victory and defeat’. -Verse 201: Dhammapada.
COSTOFPASTCELEBRATIONS
Unnecessary spending of time and money on commemorative programmes of ‘paying tribute’involving public funds and government officers in mid-May was a regular feature from 2010 up to last year. In addition to the main national event with military parades, celebrations were extended to Ministries, Departments and Provincial level consuming State resources. These funds could be diverted to fund welfare programmes of war heroes and families of deceased soldiers.
The last hero’s day speech by LTTE leader, V. Prabhakaran was an indication of acceptance of defeat. He lamented requesting international support. Before that Tamils in the North suffered as never before in the history.All the opportunities offered by Heads of States starting from J. R. Jayewardene, Premadasa, Chandrika Bandaranaike, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and finally, Mahinda Rajapaksa for a peacefullynegotiated solution were disregarded by the warmonger himself, who was determined to defeat the government forces at a fullyfledged war and capture power.
Terrorism which encased Sri Lanka for 30 years was determinedly defeated in 2009. Tamils and Muslims living in the Northern and Eastern provinces suffered mostly from the effects of the 30-year war. The all-party Tamil convention held in 1976 at Vadukkodai saw the emergence of an umbrella organization-styled Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and more importantly, the passing of Famous Vadukkodai Resolution calling for a separate Tamil State combining the two provinces. The idea of a separate State or Eelam resulted in the mushrooming of militant groups like EROS, EPRLF, EPDP, TELO, PLOTE and the ruthless LTTE, with the E; denoting Eelam in each case.