Samagiya ( English) Volume 4 Number 1

EDITORIAL VOL 4 NUM 1 : APRIL 2018

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O matter what we believe; No matter whom we follow; no matter where we come from; No matter how for long we have inhabited this land; No matter what we do; No matter how rich our history is; We must live in harmony and ensure the safety of every living being on this land. We must practice zero tolerance for extremism and violence.

The most important issue is how strong we are in living together while respecting each other’s diversity. Rhetoric will not play any substantive role in nation-building if we do not do the groundwork to enhance harmony among all communities and ensure the safety of every citizen living on this land.

It is truly sad that at this period of social transition we as a nation-state are at a crossroad where the beast of extremism and racism have yet again become active, to fulfill the thirst to take the lives of the innocent while tarnishing the dignity of the nation.

There is no doubt extremism and racism will destroy the soul of the nation in no time. It will achieve nothing except producing nightmares. It will spread fear as the tool of social control.

These are parasites, which will occupy the arbour of the nation to dismantle the duramen of unity and coexistence of our society. Our duramen is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nation state which has given us the strength to conquer the common enemy together. As one of our features in this newsletter mentioned, this ambition and precedent were proven during the freedom struggle and appreciated by many parties. Unity within diversity was our most important weapon to conquer the common enemy.

Let’s work together to bury extremism and racism, the curse, which has destroyed our nation for decades. Our past history taught us the cost of this extremism and racism. It has taught us how a small group of people can pull a nation into darkness. That was the reason why one of the most attractive and dignified nations at one time, has now sunk into an abyss. It’s time for all to speak out and get together to act wisely rather than keeping silent lips and murmuring hearts.

The recent mob attacks in Digana and elsewhere indicated the danger yet to come. Thanks to those many understanding people who rushed to solve one of most deadly conflicts on time.

But, why are we tending to repeat the past mistakes over and over again, despite the fact that the majority of people, as individuals, reject extremism and racism? How has it been possible for a small group of people to light the fire and burn social unity with the flame of extremism and racism resulting in the elimination of good reputation of the country?

In her speech made when she was the President and now playing a pivotal role as the Chairperson of the (ONUR), to heal the deep-rooted wounds of the nation due to the conflict, Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga observed the core notions of this problem twenty years ago: “We must, with all humility examine our failures. We have failed in the essential task of the nation-building. We have meandered and faltered along with the path, whilst our neighbours in Asia and many other countries have forged, united and strong nations in which peoples of various communities of race, religion and languages, live in harmony.

The search for the causes and apportioning of blame for this situation may be assigned to the historians,” she has identified in her speech delivered on the 50th Independence Day celebration in 1998.

“Let us, those of us, who have taken on the responsibility to guide and govern the Nation, whatever our political party or affiliations may be, march towards the future in unison, putting behind us mean desires for petty, personal and political gain.

The nation’s need today is so great and urgent that it permits space only for the largesse of heart and mind, which will in the national interest supersede all that is irrelevant and small,” she urged.

This is what we believe. Development without reconciliation is nothing, but an illusion.

Reconciliation without the truth will lead us nowhere. Continued dialogue, making space for all to interact with each other will strengthen the foundation of unity and social co-existence, where reconciliation will blossom. Such a strong foundation will build up a strong nation

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SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

SAMAGIYA IS THE OFFICIAL NEWS BULLETIN OF THE OFFICE FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION (ONUR) ONUR, set up with the commitment to achieve national unity and reconciliation, was a key feature of the January 2015 Presidential campaign. To give effect to this commitment, the Government of Sri Lanka established the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR). The resolution was moved by the Prime Minister; approved by the Cabinet; Established under the President; chaired by Former President Kumaratunga.

Vision To create a strong, stable, progressive, inclusive and peace-loving nation where all Sri Lankans co-exist in harmony and unity, while diversity and national identity is respected and celebrated with a guarantee of equal opportunity in economic, social, cultural and political spheres for every citizen.

Mission Promote and provide for a society that respects fundamental rights, freedom, rule of law, equality and diversity; treat and respect all citizens with dignity and non-discrimination irrespective of ethnicity, religion, language, caste, age, gender, sexual orientation, birthplace, political opinion.

CONTACT US

OFFICE FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION (ONUR) 6TH FLOOR, NO 21, JANADIPATHI MAWATHA COLOMBO 1, SRI LANKA TEL: +94112343501, FAX: +94114354518 WWW.ONUR.GOV.LK

SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us Twitter at www.twitter.com/ONURgovLK Like us Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONURgovLK Watch us YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/ UCvqxA-vf_p-8So0xn2RwTog ] Front Cover Photo: Female School students representing every ethnic group joining the Sahodara Pasal, organised by the ONUR in 2017 (ONUR Photo) Back Cover Photo: A scene from the Her. Him. The Other ( Thundenek), a film that seeks to captured the agony of post-war in Sri Lanka, premiered recently.

EVENT

ranging from, but not limited to, education, livelihoods, employment and justice.

- Aspiring to re-establish the good relationship between the State and the citizenry through a range of measures including strengthening of civil administration and return of property and lands to rightful owners; promoting media freedom; generating livelihood opportunities; and protecting the rights and interests of missing and disappeared persons and their relatives;

Honourable Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena, Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation( ONUR), Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Director General of ONUR, M.S.Jayasinghe, Directors of HER, HIM, THE OTHER ( THUNDENEK), other State officers, experts, artists and other distinguished guests were present at the event [ONUR Photo]

NATIONAL POLICY ON RECONCILIATION AND CO-EXISTENCE IN SRI LANKA LAUNCHED

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he ONUR recognized the need for a state policy on Reconciliation. It took the decision to draft the state policy for the first time in Sri Lanka. It was launched on February 27, 2018, at a national event graced by His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena, Honourable Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, Chairperson of the ONUR Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as well as distinguished guests and foreign dignitaries.

A film, Her, Him, The Other ( Thundenk), produced by ONUR with reconciliation as a theme was also premiered at this event at the Regal Cinema in Colombo. This film was directed by three cinematics, Ashoka Handagama, Prasanna Vithanage and Vimukthi Jayasundara.

The uniqueness of the event is that it is the first time three celebrated film directors made one film together in Sri Lanka. These three directors are committed to national unity and peace. They have directed this movie at the invitation of the Chairperson of the ONUR, Madam Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Main Points of the National Policy on Reconciliation and Co-existence is as follows: - Concerned by the suffering, damage and detriment caused to the lives, dignity and security of all citizens of Sri Lanka due to the

This National Policy on Reconciliation and Coexistence is founded on the imperatives of Democracy, Good Governance, Human Rights including the right to language and cultural heritage, Rule of Law, National Unity through building an inclusive society. protracted armed conflict; - Acknowledging that since the conflict ended there remains a breakdown of trust, intolerance and prejudice between and within communities; - Mindful of the fact that at the heart of the problem is the lack of an acceptable arrangement of shared political authority satisfactory to all communities as well as the lack of equal access to opportunity

- Undertake efforts to fortify national coexistence by strengthening the Sri Lankan identity; recognise diversity and cultural pluralism through policy, law, education and practice towards respecting the rights of persons to language and cultural heritage to foster a stronger sense of togetherness of all Sri Lankans through dialogue, arbitration and activities to prevent recurrence of marginalization and conflicts; As language law has obtained constitutional status and a national trilingual policy has been approved by the government and that language policy implementation is the prelude to national coexistence and reconciliation; It is resolved to implement the language policy and law extensively throughout the country in the State, private sector and among the citizenry The policy has determined to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all citizens equally, including civil and political rights on the one hand and economic, social and cultural rights on the other, while continuing to combat impunity and uphold the rule of law, has affirmed that a process of healing has to take place in a holistic manner both individually for victims of conflict and violence, and collectively at the level of communities and societies that have suffered; Considers it important to develop a national narrative of the past that resonates with all communities in Sri Lanka; and is committed to creating an inclusive society, Calling for a whole-of-government effort and a multi-stakeholder process that combines a twopronged approach, namely preventive through ensuring non-recurrence of past events, and through futuristic initiatives for reconciliation; This National Policy on Reconciliation and Coexistence is founded on the imperatives of Democracy, Good Governance, Human Rights including the right to language and cultural heritage, Rule of Law, National Unity through building an inclusive society.

SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

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ESSAY

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HE word reconcile comes from the mid-14th century French reconciler derived from the Latin word meaning “to bring together again; regain; win over again, to make friendly or to restore friendly relations”.

WHAT IS

What is Reconciliation? Reconciliation is required in circumstances where conflicts exist or have existed. Reconciliation takes place when the parties in conflict are brought together with the objective of resolving those issues that cause the conflict. It may happen between individuals or, more importantly, between communities living within a society and thereby Reconciliation could be achieved within the society as a whole.

Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga Chairperson of ONUR

Reconciliation between feuding communities in a Nation is a process that is achieved over time. It cannot be imposed by the State or by any other authority, can be promoted or facilitated by the State or any other persons in authority. It requires a multi-faceted, multi-pronged approach which deals with the diverse aspects of the root causes of the conflict – Reconciliation must be preceded primarily by programmes and actions to build confidence between conflicting parties, as well as willingness to understand and forgive, at least to some extent, by the victims. The perpetrators, on their parts, must be willing to engage in the difficult exercise of understanding the suffering of victims or the other party commonly known as “the enemy”.

RECONCILIATION?

The State must have the political will to engage in an honest process of Reconciliation. Hence, this requires numerous actions by the State.

Firstly, a pluralist State with a democratic government which practices good governance; this implies that all fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual are guaranteed through the Constitution.

The Constitution should guarantee to all – equality and nondiscrimination such as equal opportunities for the education and employment, the right to safeguard and promote language, religion and culture of each different community and so on.

In a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural State such as Sri Lanka, which has experienced intense communal strife, it is essential for the State to adopt secular practices, even if the majority religion needs to be accorded special place.

It is also important to ensure that the main Institutions of the Executive, such as the Public Service and Police remain independent, as well as the Judiciary. To guarantee this, Sri Lanka has adopted a policy of setting up independent Commissions accountable only to the Parliament for: Human Rights, The Judiciary, Public Service, The Police, and Bribery & Corruption.

I reiterate that in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and cultural nation, Reconciliation requires a pluralist, secular and democratic State; without such a State it will not be possible to achieve Reconciliation.

We in Sri Lanka have lived through a 25-years long armed conflict which pitted the State in a bitter civil war against rebel groups from the Northern and Eastern Provinces – a war that gave rise to one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist groups. This has caused a considerable amount of hatred, anger and distrust between the diverse communities.

The war is over. We have won the war but we have not won peace yet.

The Government that brought an end to the war failed to adopt a policy of Reconciliation.

I feel it is pertinent, at this juncture, to look at the case of Sri Lanka. I shall focus on the possible causes of these problems and the options we have for its resolution The ethnic problem of Sri Lanka has led to political conflict, violence and terrorism. Problems began to arise among three major

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communities that had lived in harmony and peace for many centuries.

In 1948, the leaders of all communities living in Sri Lanka fought side by side on a common platform for Independence. With the emergence of independent Sri Lanka after nearly five centuries, the various communities awakened to the existence of their rights – ethnic, linguistic and religious – individually and collectively. Similarly to other newly independent nations, the majority community of Sri Lanka established itself within the political power structures, claiming their rights in economic, social and cultural spheres, setting up laws, institutions as well as practices to guarantee their privileges to the exclusion of the “other” that are the minorities. The ruling elite, comprised mainly of the majority community, arrogated an unequal share of opportunities to itself while excluding the others.

In many other countries, “identity” became a major platform for demands of the minority communities. People felt that discrimination was occurring due to their specific identity, which was different from that of the ruling majority.

Perceptions of discrimination and non-recognition of rights of different groups have led to conflict all over the world. Poverty and deprivation, the non-recognition of ethnicity, language and religious rights are all cited as causes for the conflicts.

We must adopt a holistic view of the conflict, their genesis and causes. In recent times, scholars hold that the main cause of dissent and violent conflict is the existence of inequalities among different groups and communities living in a country. Inequality, deprivation and discrimination should be looked at not only in economic terms but also measured in social, cultural and political terms.

Perceived injustice engenders violent or terroristic responses from the victims of that injustice.

Frustration and despair caused by continued social marginalization, economic deprivation and political defeat have been known to result in violence. It was said that “young hope betrayed, transforms itself into bombs”. Leon Trotsky described the two emotions central to terrorism as despair and vengeance.

It has also been affirmed that poverty, injustice and inequality and their relationship to conflict may be measured by the difference in opportunities for the excluded. The denial of rights to the excluded of certain groups with a common identity, becomes the bedrock of dissent and violent conflict.

Governments have often actively engaged in discriminatory policies against minority groups. History is replete with examples of governments employing, as a tool of management, the concept of the “other”, represented as the “enemy”. For a large part of human history, the “enemy” has helped entrenched weak rulers and governments in power. Governments whip up hatred against the “other” by maintaining the myth of the dichotomy between “us” and “them”. This requires the oppression of the other and the denial of their rights. Such exclusion takes place not only through outright hostility but also neglecting minority groups.

Differences among diverse communities living within a country have been exacerbated by the rulers, to their advantages. They tend to conjure up “an enemy” from peoples who belong to different other communities.

In Sri Lanka, extremist Sinhalese groups as well as the LTTE, have engaged actively in promoting this concept. I affirm that in Sri Lanka, the constant economic, social, cultural deprivation of the Northern and Eastern regions are clearly related to violent conflicts we have witnessed. Low levels of development of infrastructure, relatively little opportunity to access quality education and employment, political marginalization with minimal opportunity to participate in decision-making processes in the political and administrative superstructures, are undoubtedly the root causes that gave rise to the violent conflict.

The consistent rejection by the State of the demands of Tamil movements for the language parity, led to increased demands for power sharing through

Federalism, and finally the demand for a separate State.

It is important to reiterate that numerous studies of many countries have ascertained that when all communities living within a State are guaranteed equal opportunities – in the socio-economic and political spheres, and their separate identities are respected and given free expression, they will become a productive, vibrant part of the State, celebrating the richness of its diversity, while political stability, prosperity and peace prevails in such societies.

These are Cohesive, Shared or Inclusive Societies.

It is a society where the political, governmental and societal structures are designed to allow equitable distribution of and equal access to the benefits of development and prosperity for all, irrespective of the community to which they belong. The Constitution of the State, its political structures such as Parliament and other elected bodies, its government and administrative structures will all have to be constructed in such a manner as to accommodate free and active participation of All, in political and governmental processes, in other words political power-sharing, as well as the guarantee of equal rights to all.

Sustainable development, prosperity and peace necessarily imply that the “other” be brought in and included fully and honestly, as full and equal partners of the processes of the government.

To end poverty, hunger and inequality in a durable manner, we need inclusive and sustainable development and an inclusive society. Without these, conflict and destruction will ensue.

Stewart and Brown in an Oxford University study affirm that horizontal inequalities occurring between specific groups cause deep resentment, resulting in violent struggles. They hold that violence in multi-religious and multi-ethnic Nations is not caused by the presence of diversity or “clash of civilizations” as propounded by Huntingdon, but is due to the exclusion of the less powerful groups from an equal share of the benefits.

The marginalized groups then mobilize around their group identity – be it religious, ethnic, linguistic, ideological.

The most potent source of the violent conflict today is identity.

I could cite examples of many countries where fundamental rights are guaranteed and benefits of development, as well as political power, are shared equitably, resulting in the creation of inclusive and shared societies.

These countries have successfully resolved conflicts by adopting policies of inclusivity.

The experience of these countries is proof enough that peace ensues when benefits of the development and political power are equally shared, effectively building inclusive Nations.

The challenge of the 21st Century for many Nations remains the enterprise of erecting pluralist, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural States. This requires that we manage the existing diversity within our Nations, directing the richness of this diversity towards positive changes in order to build Free, Democratic and Prosperous Societies. We need to accept and celebrate diversity, not to reject it. The combined efforts and skills of peoples of different communities can only enrich our Societies, cannot damage.

Leaders and citizens must recognize the value of the Diversity, rejoice in its richness, limitless potential and strive to build unity in Diversity.

This is the only effective recipe, I am aware of, for lasting Peace.

[Excerpts adopted from the speech delivered at the 29th LAWASIA Conference – Golden Jubilee Conference, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by former President of Sri Lanka Madame Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, as the Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR)] SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

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A SYMBOL OF TRUE COEXISTENCE IN ANAMADUWA

adding that he never thought he would be able to rebuild his business.

However, as a symbol of the true coexistence and camaraderie the Anamaduwa New United Traders’ Association with its president, Dayan Abeyratne decided to rebuild Madeena Mudalali’s gutted eatery within the 24 hours and reopen the restaurant to the public.

According to Abeyratne, it was just a handful of extremists that had taken part in destroying the only Muslim owned shop in Anamaduwa.

“We have no communal or racial divides within our association” he said, adding that Rahim had always lent a helping hand to those in need in the area.

“We wanted to prove we are able to coexist and we wanted to set an example” Abeyratne said, explaining that this was why many gathered to restore the shop within a day of the mob violence.

More than 100 volunteers participated in the restoration work and by 4 pm, the same day, the work was nearing completion.

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OHAMED Rahim, or ‘Madeena Mudalali’ to the people of Anamaduwa, was the only Muslim to run an eatery in the area since 1990. In a wave of anti-Muslim violence sweeping the Kandy District, several isolated incidents in other regions of the country were also reported.

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In the early hours of 11 March 2018, Rahim’s restaurant was set ablaze by a mob, in what looked like an attempt to spread the wave of violence into the Puttalam District.

The loss of the shop deeply affected Mohamed Rahim leaving him helpless and distraught. “My eatery which I started 28 years ago was lost in one night” he said emotionally,

At the reopening of the eatery at 7 in the evening, the members of the Buddhist clergy, Muslim religious leaders and local politicians were unanimous in commending the timely intervention of the people of Anamaduwa, who had shown the world that the Sinhala majority as a whole was not opposed to ethnic and religious harmony. Madeena Hotel is now back in business and restored to its former glory in Anamaduwa. Rahim’s nephew Mohammed Anush said, the majority of the people in the area had displayed their real human kindness.

LET US NOT ALLOW EXTREMISTS TO TURN US BACK FROM OUR DESIRED GOAL

WE WILL NEVER BE HESITATED TO TAKE ACTIONS AGAINST BARBARIC ACTIVITIES

FOLLOWING MESSAGE ISSUED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT MADAME CHANDRIKA BANDARANAIKE KUMARATUNGA, CHAIRPERSON OF ONUR

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e deplore the recent incidents of violence in Ampara and Kandy districts recently. We believe that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that immediate action is instituted against all those who are responsible for the incidents.

Our country has gone through much sufferings due to provocative actions by some individuals to further their own political interests. We are fully aware of the immense harm caused to our country and its citizens by such acts.

We must learn lessons from the past and do all that is required to prevent a recurrence of those tragic times. We have begun to move forward along with a new path of national unity and reconciliation, recognizing and celebrating the pluralism of our multi-ethic and multi-cultural nation.

Let us not allow a small group of extremists to turn us back from our desired goal!

EXCERPTS OF THE REMARKS BY HON PRIME MINISTER RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE AT THE PARLIAMENT ON 6TH MARCH 2018

s a Government we strongly deplore the ethnic aggressions. There is no possibility to accept these kinds of activities as a responsible government. As a country that fought a thirty years of war we know the importance of peace, unity and the freedom.

A few who crave for the power are planning to mess up the social knitting through various harmful practices. Racism is their trump card and their objective is to be in power even creating the fear and terror in the minds of ordinary people.

It is obvious that disseminating defective, erroneous information, especially via social networks is one of their well-organized practices.

A group of extremists announced via social media throughout the last 09 months that Sinhalese have been threatened by the Muslims and to prove that they have showed forged data and statistics, some Muslim organizations have also responded. These teams and groups have been cultivating racism for a long time and it has created a strain. The majority of this country is Sinhala Buddhists and we defend that heritage as native Sinhala Buddhists. No threat or harm has been committed against that heritage or the rights neither we let it be.

There are other ethnicities and religions living in this country as Sri Lankans. All those ethnicities and religions have the right to enjoy their own culture and observe their own religion without bothering others. That is the Sri Lankan concept followed since Sir D.S. Senanayake. We follow the same and hence we are alarmed and express our sympathies on the damage caused on the mosques. Our Government will never be hesitated to take strong legal measures against these barbaric activities.

WE WILL TAKE STERN ACTIONS AGAINST PERPETRATORS EXCERPTS OF THE SPECIAL STATEMENT ISSUED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA AT THE PARLIAMENT ON 6TH MARCH 2018

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rom the past, our country has experienced internal as well as external struggles.

However, ours is a country where Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and all other communities have lived with peace, unity and harmony together. If we look at the decade of 1940, we know how we Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim people worked together like brethren to free our country from the grip of colonial masters. It was really unfortunate that peace and unity among ethnic groups deteriorated, leaving the country in a situation of protracted war that brought about many crisis.

You all know that we are a government that is dedicated to bring national harmony and reconciliation. During the last few days, losses of lives and destruction of property in the areas of Ampara and Kandy, have given rise to a situation where the normalcy of everyday lives of the people in the country is affected.

I express my profound condolences to the families of the deceased and to those who lost their properties. I strongly condemn all criminal activities. I have instructed the Police to take stern legal actions against those people, groups or organizations related in any way to these incidents.

I want to mention here that the government is dedicated to take all actions necessary to strengthen national reconciliation, peace, trust and friendship among ethnic groups, taking cognizance of situations like this. All respectfully request all Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious leaders to advice regional political leadership to promote and foster peace, harmony as well as restoration of concord and amity whenever tensions arise in their areas SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

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INAUGURATION OF WIRULIYA SHAKTHI

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nitial discussions on the project which the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation has proposed to be founded by the name of “Wiruliya Shakthi” for the wives of war heroes who were killed owing to the war were held concentrating on Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Galle Districts. Discussions were held at Kurunegala on December 22nd 2017, Anuradhapura on 27th December 2017 and Galle on 10th January 10. The aim of this project is to search for successful answers through group activities by highlighting among the women themselves the psychological, social and other common problems that these womenfolk face. Chief of Women’s Resources Centre Mrs. Sumitha Perera and the staff, Deputy Director, Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Mrs. Sanduni Ariyarawansa and its Assistant Director Wasantha Pushpakumara participated at these discussions.

Chain of unity and peace; school students are joining a Sahodara Pasal programme organised by ONUR ( ONUR Photo)

SAHODARA PASAL PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF NATIONAL COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

N TENTH EDITION OF SAHODARA PASAL SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN KURUNEGALA

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he tenth edition of Sahodara Pasal was successfully completed in Thummalasooriya, Kurunegala, recently. The five-day residential programme was organized by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) and the Department of Education, Uva Province.

More than 150 students of various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds from over 30 different schools in Uva, North Western and Eastern Provinces attended the programme. Teacher representatives from each school also participated in simultaneous sessions designed to sensitize and empower them on how to use education as a tool to foster National Unity and Reconciliation.

During the Sahodara Pasal programme, students are brought together, shuffled into diverse teams and enabled to participate in experiential learning, guest lectures, entertainment, sports, cultural performances and many activities that bring them together in teams.

Sahodara Pasal is one of the first steps of the long journey for these students being the messengers of peace, coexistence and reconciliation in their own communities.

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ot only for school students but all students and teachers are also to benefit the Sahodara Pasal, educational programme initiated by Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. The first programme was conducted from 10th December to 14th December 2017 at the Teachers College of Education, Peradeniya.

In this workshop 60 Tamil students from Sri Pada College of Education, Hatton, 60 Muslim students from the Muslin Teachers College, Dharga Town, Aluthgama and 60 Sinhalese students from Teachers College, Peradeniya including 30 lecturers participated.

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President, Chairperson of the Office

for National Unity and Reconciliation who graced the occasion at this concluding ceremony stated that as a result of this programme which was started along with the Ministry of Education, it was capable of achieving unity, peace and brotherhood in the country as well as reconciliation to a very high level and it would also be a great scaffolding for a country’s reconciliation.

Both male and female students who participated at this workshop stated that it made possible for them to acquire through this programme novel experiences about special attributes and extraordinary mannerisms of different communities who live in Sri Lanka that belong to various cultures.

UN APPRECIATES THE GOVERNMENT EFFORTS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION

Mr.

Pablo de Greiff, United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence of conflicts stated that in the world, moving forward after ending armed conflict, Sri Lanka takes a very high position in creating unity and reconciliation among every citizen. In circumstances where it is extremely significant including installation of reconciliation and peace he states he sees a lot of positive changes that have taken place in various branches by

now to what prevailed in 2015 in which the Sri Lankan Government has achieved an extraordinary success.

It is also a matter to be pleased, he said, that a Secretariat for Reconciliation as well as technical teams which come forward to support it have been established.

The report on the visit by Mr. Greiff in October 2017 on a tour of Sri Lanka is tabled to be presented to the World Human Rights Council in September 2018.

A farmer is spreading paddy seeds on ground for drying in sunny daytime in a village in North Province. [ONUR Photo]

MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE NE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

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conomic programmes of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation under the two provinces of North and East are being activated in a more accelerated manner. Under this, the Strategic Livelihood Development Programmes, restoration of small irrigation and drinking water projects, 475 development projects of infra-structure facilities in the health and education fields and other infra-structure facilities in the 8 Districts of Northern and Eastern parts have been completed within the year 2017. The total amount of funds expended in this regard is 1050 million Rupees. Under all these projects people numbering over five hundred thousand persons have been benefitted.

At the same time, all these projects were indispensable development projects of essential and foremost requirements of the people of North and East provinces and a great motivation they have been to raise the living standards of people who live in these areas by completing these projects. Similarly under the Economic Co-operation Programme for activities of these projects in the year 2017, its Deputy Director Mr. Somasiri Ekanayake of the unit stated a sum of Rupees 1500 million is expected to be expended in 2018.

NATIONAL THAIPONGAL CELEBRATION HELD AT ST ANTHONY'S NATIONAL SCHOOL

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he annual Thaipongal festival organised by the ONUR under the program of Inter-cultural celebrations at school level held on 29th January at St. Anthony's National School in Wattala. Nearly 2,000 Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic and Muslim students representing their schools in the district participated. The Chief Guest of the event was the Chairperson of the ONUR, former President Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.Understanding the Thaipongal practices regarding the purpose of the program students participated in group activities such as Pongal rice, traditional rituals and various cultural items. All religious ceremonies were held at the beginning of the ceremony and the keynote address was delivered by Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero, Chairman of Walpola Rahula institute.

LIVELIHOOD SUPPORTS FOR EX-COMBATANTS IN PALAI, NORTHERN PROVINCE with the officials of Divisional Secretariat, Palai including Ms. Malathi, Assistant Director (Planning).

One of the beneficiaries was Mr. Gnanaselvan Sugeetharan, a former member of the Tamil Tigers. He was rehabilitated through the government rehabilitation programme and successfully completed the course in 2011.

ONUR has provided Rs. 150,000.00 to construct a cattle shed.

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n Year 2017, ONUR has granted Rs.4.8 million financial support to 48 ex-combatants in Palai Divisional Secretariat, Northern Province.

The project beneficiaries were selected by Palai Divisional Secretariat and their business plan preparation has implemented by the Industrial Development Board (IDB).

During the field visit, the ONUR has an opportunity to visit two beneficiary sites

Meanwhile, Mr. Rahulan, ex-combatant lives in Palai DSD, ONUR granted Rs. 150,000.00 for purchasing a cement block making machine. Now he is engaged in business and is generating additional employment opportunities where he employs two more youths in his village. In a brief interview with staff members of the ONUR who visited his home recently, he said that he starts his day at around 3.30am. Since, cement blocks have a good demand in the area he could earn more than Rs. 200,000.00 monthly.

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Sri Lanka at 70

PATH TO RECONCILIATION

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t this very special juncture, we as a nation are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of our independence. According to recorded history, Sri Lanka gained independence by overcoming three foreign invaders since 1505. Hundreds of years of resistance included a series of resistances in which thousands of patriots sacrificed their lives for their higher values. Therefore, Sri Lanka then Ceylon produced one of the best examples of how by being together one could conquer enemies and work towards enhancing harmony and coexistence while respecting the identity of every ethnicity in one nation.

Sir Charles Jeffries, in his account on Ceylon ‘The Path to Independence’ published in 1963, described the beauty of unity among the people in the country as follows; “All that is known of the Ceylonese peoples justifies the belief that the difficulties and dangers can, and the confidence that they will be overcoming, and that Ceylon, which has so often created precedents and signposted the path for others to follow, will give the world an example of how men and women of differing origins, creeds and cultures, may yet, in charity, live together” (Page-141). This is the true and unique identity that we as the nation have been maintaining and enjoying for years. Unfortunately, within a few years since independence, our proud nation has fallen into the abyss. As a result, the use of violence has become the main tool of social control; unity among the differences has become disunity for the separation; the fine idea of working together to enrich the nation has turned into vicious divisions among communities; social order has turned into a corrupted and mismanaged social disorder. The blood of unaccountable lives was absorbed by the soil while hope for development and dreams for achieving shining pearl in the Indian Ocean turned into a teardrop-shaped Island of grief, agony, despair, discomfort, and gloom.

After years of socio-political resistance, the new political arena established in January 2015, where every community came together to establish a new and beautiful administration of unity, dawned. This facilitated the opening of local, regional and international pathways towards the preservation our basic foundation for political cohabitation. The style of administration was completely different from what the country had in the past. Therefore, the challenges before the ruling administration were much more complex and diverse than ever before. Most important and immediate question to address was - how to consolidate the will of the people to heal the victims of prolonged brutality. How to heal the deep-rooted pain that remains in each community to achieve inclusive peace and harmony? Reconciliation among all communities became one of the first priorities of the government as visionary leadership well understood that development without genuine unity among the communities will lead us towards the backwards.

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) came into effect in this context under the chairperson of the Former President of Sri Lanka, Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Our News Bulletin

From Sanhinda to Samagiya

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e are pleased to introduce you to the newly formatted regular news bulletin after renaming it as the Samagiya (Unity), the official news bulletin of ONUR.

We at the editorial team have redesigned the news bulletin in order to expand the discourse and network of national unity and reconciliation. We would like to invite our readers to get involved with us and be a part of this essential journey, as fellow travelers towards the humanity.

In this news bulletin, we have compiled the basic outlines of works so far completed by the ONUR to enhance national unity

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SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

and reconciliation. From healing psychological wounds, keeping education as the most important element for reconciliation, to aiding convalescence, improving the livelihood of those who suffered from decades-long conflict, are well placed in the objectives and programs of the ONUR. A long journey is ahead of all of us. Let’s keep our dark history of disunity, discord, severance, and disorder as the thing in the past. Let’s move towards peace and harmony to ensure all of our lives are lived with the dignity and liberty. Let the world learn from the beauty of national unity and coexistence of our nation. Let’s build our nation together.

FILM REVIEW

Storyline

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hree Sri Lankan filmmakers renowned for their internationally acclaimed films based on the Sri Lankan civil war, join in to make one film to express their views on post-war reality.

The war between Tamil militants and government forces of Sri Lanka lasted for three decades.

Thousands from parties, combatants and civilians died due to the battle.

The government forces crushed Tamil militants in May 2009. It’s time to assess each other’s conscience.

He (an ex-militant videographer for the LTTE) travels from the North in search of HER (a young widow of a government army soldier) in the South to find relief from the pain that disturbed his conscience.

Having been raised in a religion that has faith in reincarnation, he (a Sinhala language teacher) tries to deceive his own conscience by refusing to believe the re-birth of a Tamil militant into a Sinhala family witnessed by HIM with his own eyes. One’s hero is THE OTHER’s traitor.

But a mother will lose a son in a war.

A scene from the Her. Him. The Other ( Thundenek), a film attempted to captured the agony of post-war in Sri Lanka, premiered recently.

The latest movie that addresses the repercussions of the 30 year conflict and the post-war reality - by Shannon Jayawardena

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he latest Sinhala movie directed by Asoka Handagama, Prasanna Vithanage and Vimukthi Jayasundara ‘Thundenek’ or ‘Her, Him, The other’ premiered on 19 February at the Tharanganee Film Hall, touching on the drastic repercussions of the Sri Lanka’s 30 year ethnic conflict.

The movie is divided into three short stories: ‘Her’ written and directed by Prasanna Vithanage, ‘Him’ written and directed by Vimukthi Jayasundara and ‘the Other’ written and directed

by Asoka Handagama. All three are based on true stories that took place during the Sinhala-Tamil civil war.

The inspiration for the film arose in April 2016 in Jaffna by some aspiring young filmmakers with the aim of highlighting the violent outcry and traumatic effects of war which influenced the entire nation.

Parents burdened with heavy hearts at the loss of their children, loyal wives dutifully waiting for their husbands to return, sisters longing for the presence and affection of their brothers and

children patiently waiting for their parents loving embrace, the constant fear of terrorist acts such as suicide bombings in public places are just some of the examples for the crosses carried by so many people during those terrible years of terrorism and war. Almost everyone in the country lost someone they were close to, loved or cared about over the course of those 30 years. This is especially true for those people who lived in the northern part of the country.

The first story features a Tamil videographer who recorded the happenings of the war only to discover a picture of a beautiful young woman and an unfinished note in the wallet of a deceased Sinhalese soldier and the story that unfolds thereafter.

It is a striking film of how even faded dreams can be painted bright again if one has courage and a positive attitude.

The second narrative ‘Him’ takes place around the happenings of a Sinhalese teacher who travels to Jaffna to teach the mother language of Sinhala to

Tamil children. This is a tale of how we all belong to one family despite race, culture or any ethnical background with the moral of faith and fate.

Finally, ‘The other’ is short film that shows the suffering of a mother who loses her child and the lifelong hope she carries to get at least a glimpse of him or by some miracle, embrace her son once again. The message of this story is that despite the suffering and pain caused by the war, hope still remains and people can still show love and compassion.

The movie ‘Her, Him, The other’ therefore truly emphasises on some of the deeper sentiments by depicting the consequences of the war and its sad aftermath. The lives lost, the broken families, the broken hearts, the pain and suffering endured by so many people. And yet, despite it all, we are still a nation of freedom, filled with hope for a way forward to build a better and brighter future.

(The writer works for the Daily FT, a Colombo based daily newspaper, where this piece first appeared)

SAMAGIYA | VOLUME 04 NUMBER 01 | APRIL 2018

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