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

Why Peoples’ International? Democracy and Socialism - 2006 August 20

 

Why Peoples’ International?

Democracy and Socialism

We are for democratic socialism. Socialism as a concept implies democracy. Then why do we have to talk about the two concepts separately? Or why do we need to add an adjective “democratic” to go with the word “socialism”? Are there other varieties of socialism that do not embrace democracy? Responses to these questions are complex and need to be understood in the context of social transformation from capitalism to socialism. In the recent past, the world, in particular the former Soviet Union and the Eastern Europe, did undergo many negative experiences where socialism was adjunct of bureaucracy. Whatever way we interpret this phenomenon, it has had a pessimistic reflection on socialism and socialists.

Democracy brings different perceptions to different social groups. To some, democracy means electing a leader and a government for a couple of years in the hope that the elected leader and the government will represent the interests of the majority without discriminating against minorities. Even if people wish to recall such elected leaders and governments, they usually cannot do so until their term expires. On the other hand, some others topple the elected governments and leaders using military force, occupy those countries, install regimes that are supportive of them and call it democracy. For us, democracy is something different. It represents the possibility of collective decision making by people about collective action for the common good of the people.

Democracy and socialism go hand in hand. Democracy cannot be achieved without socialism. That is why we talk about democratic socialism. There are organisations which still call themselves socialists, while having deserted socialism and contribute to the crimes of the capitalist system against the people. Such organisations even do not have democratic organisational structures based on elective principles. Only in democratised organisations, all members can decide questions on political campaigns and determine the line of tactics of the organisation. That is why we need to reclaim the idea of democracy among socialists to enable collective decision making about collective action for the common good of the people. To achieve this objective, we need to promote grassroots level participation in the process of collective decision making concerning common good.

Freedom of discussion and unity of action is our theme. Our appeal is to develop a socialist movement based on an organisation democratic and centralised, with universal and full freedom to criticise, while not disturbing ‘the unity of action’ decided by the organisation. Such a movement needs to ensure discussions in the press, meetings and committees. At the same time, when a line of action is decided after ‘broadest and freest’ discussions, no criticisms should be made when organisation faces a crunch time. Only a congress can decide otherwise.

Let us work towards building such an organisation.

We should extend our hand in strengthening the current peace process - 28 July 2002

 

We should extend our hand in strengthening the current peace process

We, the Friends for Peace in Sri Lanka, wish to thank the organisers of Pongu Thamil for inviting us to this function and giving us the opportunity to deliver a peace message.

The current peace process in Sri Lanka is going through a critical phase.  Just over five months have passed since the signing of the cease-fire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. The overwhelming majority of the people of Sri Lanka have welcomed the ongoing cease-fire and the cessation of hostilities.  We have no doubt that these improvements have also been welcome by the majority of the expatriate community in their long quest for peace.

The peace process may not have fulfilled the expectations of all the sides involved in the conflict.  Some may not be entirely happy with the modalities and the slow pace of the process.  But in reality, it is not easy to reach agreements without any shortcomings, in particular in a complex and prolonged conflict such as ours. Also, there has been strong mistrust between the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, many unresolved issues and obstructions. So we cannot expect simple and quick solutions to current problems in Sri Lanka. In spite of difficulties and complexities, the major positive sign that has emerged out of the critical events of the last few weeks is that the parties to the conflict are willing to resolve issues and problems through consultation and dialogue. Therefore, at this juncture, the duty and responsibility of all peace loving people should be to extend their constructive and critical support to strengthen the peace process, irrespective of their political convictions and ethnic affiliations.

We have no doubt that the expatriate communities in the bottom of their heart wish peace, stability and prosperity for Sri Lanka.  Even those who publicly and privately advocate a military solution to the conflict would finally expect to achieve a peace in the manner they want.  However, durable peace can be achieved only through tolerance and coexistence, within a framework of respect, dignity, fairness and justice towards everybody.  Tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation are important ingredients in peace building and conflict resolution.

In the modern world, plurality, diversity and cohabitation are the norms of the day.  Exceptions to these norms have led to the continuation of conflicts.  We of the expatriate community need to accept these facts of life.

It is the need of the hour for all of us to try to dispel the mistrust and suspicions that exist among our communities. This is not an easy task, because some of us still have ill-feelings and bitter memories of the past. Yet, we should not get trapped into a process of isolationism.  In fact, isolationism encourages mistrust and suspicion.  So, what can we do to dispel and erase our negative perceptions? Here is where we need to get into the shoes of the other side and see the problem through a different angle.  If we understand what is wrong then it will be comparatively easy to find a solution.  This is not possible, unless we develop meaningful and constructive dialogue with the other side. With the recent improvements in the ground situation in Sri Lanka, the expatriates should have the courage to engage in effective communication towards building better understanding and reconciliation. As Nelson Mandela said in his autobiography, talking with the enemy is the best way to resolve conflicts and uncertainties.

A lasting solution to the current conflict in Sri Lanka is a one that recognises and safeguards the rights of all communities. Having said that, we need to respect and recognise the right of the people in the war torn areas, the people of the north-east of Sri Lanka, to determine their political destiny.  It is the people of Sri Lanka who have to take that decision, not the expatriate communities and definitely not the other countries. The most constructive support we, expatriates, can offer to our brothers and sisters back in Sri Lanka is to get rid of our emotionally charged appeals and to extend our hand in strengthening the current peace process. If we can make an effort to promote the peace process in a united and non-sectarian manner, certainly, we could build a much stronger support base in Australia.