A notable 'Yes' to reconciliation

An encouraging commitment to reconciliation - this is how we need to view President Mahinda Rajapaksa's observation that no matter what eventually happens in Geneva, he and his administration are for speedily resolving the issues faced by the Tamil community. He explained that improving the material and other conditions of the Tamil people is high on his priority list. These are very encouraging sentiments from the viewpoint of those who want to see this country progressing and thriving.

If we are to base ourselves on the premise that justice and fair play to all is an essential condition for internal stability and contentment, then, the provision of well being equitably emerges as the foremost task for the state. The President's above pronouncement is proof that he has understood this challenge and is fully cognizant of what needs to be done to meet it. In fact, our body-politic would do well to realize that one of the predominant paths to reconciliation among social groups is equity and even-handed justice.

The conflict in Sri Lanka arose out of concrete social conditions. It was perceived by some sections in the North-East that they were being treated unjustly by the state. Whether such perceptions had a firm grounding in reality, is not of principal pertinence. The fact is that the perception existed and as long as it existed it was only a matter of time before the perception degenerated into discontent and revolt.

Well, the revolt which aggravated into unalloyed terror and bloodshed of the most heinous kind and which sapped the energies of this country for decades has now been quashed, but the number one task facing the rulers and the ruled of this country is to ensure that this hard-won deliverance from brute force and violence is transformed into national reconciliation and harmony.

Reconciliation and forgiveness are virtues that are deeply embedded in the local culture and would not require extra effort on the part of our communities to practice and sustain, but when accompanied with socio-economic equity they would prove more enduring and lasting among us. In fact, when one is in a reconciliatory frame of mind or is prone to forgiveness, one would wish the best for one's 'neighbour' and would ensure that he or she enjoys the material and other resources one is blessed with.

This is the link between socio-economic equity or equality and reconciliation. This is the reason why it could be argued that the President is in a highly reconciliatory frame of mind when he attaches utmost importance to the accelerated development of the North-East. This magnanimity, if put into practice diligently, would ensure that disgruntlement would not re-emerge in any section of local society because at least relative equity would be enjoyed by the people.

It could be seen that a firm commitment to socio-economic equity and an ability to translate this commitment into equal material development over the length and breadth of Sri Lanka would be the best answer to this country's critics. We are not duty or conscience-bound to follow the dictates of any foreign power but accelerated and equal growth in this country would take the wind out of any hostile measures which have been initiated against Sri Lanka. This is one of the most effective ways of resoundingly rebuffing those forces which are seeking to undermine Sri Lanka's sovereignty and progress.

It needs to be constantly remembered that personal and collective empowerment is an essential characteristic of development. This, the state would need to guarantee if anything substantial is to come out of the accelerated development drive in this country. While infrastructure and other forms of material advancement are to be warmly welcomed, the state should ensure that the people are sufficiently empowered and sustained if reconciliation and forgiveness are to be facilitated and made to reign in this country.