Where We Stand Today - 15 August 1999

 

Where We Stand Today

A summary as to where we stand today in relation to achieving the objectives of the Friends for Peace in Sri Lanka (FPSL).  In general, we have done a lot of swimming against the prevailing currents, and we have moved forward positively in the direction of achieving just peace in Sri Lanka.  The question we have to ask at this moment of stock taking is whether or not we could have done better, and what were the barriers to doing so.  Such assessment will assist the incoming committee in deciding FPSL strategy.

Our objectives as stated in the constitution are:

(a) to create awareness and understanding amongst concerned persons about all facets of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka;

(b) to promote a durable peaceful settlement of the ethnic conflict, recognising the aspirations and the security of all peoples in Sri Lanka;

(c) to promote respect for fundamental rights as defined in the United Nations Charter and with special reference to the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and

(d) to seek the support of as many people and organisations as possible who subscribe to the aforesaid objectives.

Since 1994 we have conducted public lectures, seminars and workshops, regarding various facets of the current conflict in Sri Lanka. Many individuals with different political affiliations and points of view addressed these events. Our endeavour was to build closer relationships between peoples by finding common grounds on the issues affecting Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, and other Sri Lankan communities. We believed that such relationships would help reduce misunderstanding of each other's problems and develop a genuine desire to overcome prejudices than has been exercised previously.

With the commencement of activities during the latter part of 1993 the movement gathered momentum.  However, with more experience and more awareness, we have been able to purify our own ranks.  However, some original participants moved away from our ranks due to intimidatory pressures brought upon them by the extreme groups.  Later on, there was a gradual diminishing of the original momentum.  When our public activities commenced, the extreme elements with the support of extreme chauvinist elements elsewhere carried out an open intimidation and slanderous mud-slinging campaign against us.

However, I wish to note the following shortcomings:

In all our events, the wider community participation appeared marginal.  For this, several reasons may be attributed:

·       Lack of interest in domestic Sri Lankan political issues

·       Lack of wider community and political representation within the committee, and

·       Lack of coordinated publicity for our public events, even within the Sri Lankan expatriate community itself.

Causes:

1.     Compartmentalisation:

2.     Artificial barriers:

3.     Fear of reprisals:

15 August 1999