by Lt. Col. Palitha Herath
Published on Ceylon Today on 08th October 2024.
The development of any country depends on the national harmony among the diverse ethnicities of that country. Multi-ethnic and multilingual countries need a careful and deep understanding of the diverse nature of every structural difference in communities. Famous Indian poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter of the Bengal Renaissance Rabindranath Tagore said, “The significance which is in unity is an eternal wonder.” ‘Divide and Rule’ is a policy of the colonial masters who controlled the larger portion of the world from the 15th Century to the mid-20th Century. They exploited the opportunities available within society based on the differences of caste, creed, language and religion of the communities. During the colonisation period of Sri Lanka, the British favoured and employed the minority Tamil population in administrative roles which caused a rift with the majority Sinhalese community. The division of the social fabric of Sri Lanka during the same period has elevated many structural social issues in the country yet not been resolved and hindered the sustainable development of the country.
Recognise ethnic diversity
Sri Lanka’s ethnic composition includes the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher population. Sinhalese formed the majority population in the country predominantly Buddhist in religion. Tamils are the second largest population in the country mostly concentrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces of the country. Indian Tamils are the descendants of bonded labourers sent from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka in the 19th Century to work on tea plantations. They are mostly settled in the Central Highlands of the country. The third largest population in the country are the Muslims. The origins of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community can be traced back to the historic trading routes between South and South-east Asia and the Middle East. The settlement of Muslims in the country can be seen in every part of the country. The Burgher population is the minority population in terms of the strength of the country. They are a small Eurasian ethnic group in Sri Lanka descended from Portuguese, Dutch, British and other Europeans who settled in Ceylon. Each ethnic group has its own unique identity, historical experiences and cultural practices. Some of the positive effects of embracing diversity include building relationships, tolerance and understanding the values of each ethnic group. Therefore, all citizens of Sri Lanka need to understand the value of respecting others’ cultures and values for a better future in the country.
Understand historical context
The colonial period of Sri Lanka spans over 443 years from the year 1505 to the year 1948. Their policies favoured certain minority groups over other groups which had long-lasting effects on the social fabric. Arguments on the positive aspects of colonial rule can be seen as the development of the railways, road network, postal services, survey of the country, plantations, Roman Dutch law are widely discussed. However, remnants of the divide and policy rule can still be seen in the deteriorated actions of society. Conflict in the Northern and Eastern part of the country commenced from 1983 and lasted until 2009. Nearly, three decades of long conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese developed mistrust and trauma that needs to be addressed for genuine reconciliation effort within the country. Consolidation of national harmony between different ethnic groups in society is important to meet the future development of the country.
Promote inclusive governance
Political representation of all institutions in the country consists of all ethnic groups corresponding to the strength of the different ethnic groups in the country. It can be identified as a more positive development of society. Proportional representation in governance is more important in a democratic society and it will help to promote transparency and the legitimacy of the actions of the Government. Tamils and Muslims of Sri Lanka have formed a number of political parties, and they have become influential factors in every election in the country. However, developing policies for the country that need to address the governing issues, needs to meet the aspirations of all ethnic groups of the country. The needs of all people must be addressed rather than favouring one group over another group which can result in fragmentation in society. Distinctly, diversity can be one of the greatest strengths and assets for a country. This can be one of the reasons why some other countries such as Canada, and Australia promote ethnic diversity by encouraging immigrants from a wide range of cultures.
Foster dialogue and understanding
Eventually, the mistrust between Tamils and Sinhalese developed as a result of an almost three decades-long conflict. In general, after every national-level election, clear divisions can be seen in the Northern/ Eastern province and the other provinces. Separatism psychology in the mindset of the Tamil nationals needs to be addressed by national level intervention. Therefore, commencing inter-ethnic dialogue between the residents of the war-torn area and the Sinhalese majority will bring a clear dividend to the shareholders of the country. It will also further develop and create platforms for dialogue between different ethnic groups to address grievances, build trust, and find common ground. Educational initiatives such as language training and incorporation of different cultures, histories, and religions in school curricula to promote understanding from a school level is of paramount importance. Driving tenets to foster dialogue and understanding must be learned by all citizens of the country. In this context, educational reforms can play a very vital role in the future. The hope of a new Government resolving ethnic issues can be addressed through comprehensive reforms to the syllabus of language learning and training in the country.
Address economic and social inequalities
Economic and social inequalities create platforms to evolve unrest in any society. It further ignites in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic societies due to the sensitivity of the nature of the problem. Three decades of conflict in the Northern and the Eastern parts of the country were also a fundamental result of the social inequalities that prevailed in the past. Necessary remedial measures have to be taken by any democratic Government to resolve this kind of issue within society. It is also important to implement and develop new programmes that are equitable and address disparities among different ethnic groups. This may include infrastructure, educational opportunities and health sector development of society. Unemployment is a major factor which can be fueled by social unrest in any society. An excessive, persistent unemployment rate can cause serious distress in an economy and even lead to political and social turmoil. Therefore, promoting economic opportunities in underdeveloped provinces will reduce inequalities and foster economic integration among all ethnicities in the country.
Support cultural and religious rights
Diverse cultures and religions bring versatility and dynamism to any society. Sri Lankan culture too consists of Sinhalese, Tamil (Sri Lankan/Indian), Muslim and Burgher cultures and Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian religions. Freedom of all religions in Sri Lanka is protected under Chapter II, Article 9 of the Constitution. Therefore, any citizens in the country can exercise their freedom to follow any religion as of their belief. Therefore, any government should support the preservation of cultural and religious practices of all ethnic groups in the country. This may include funding for different cultural festivals and preservation of religious sites in the country. Further, the government must ensure that all communities in the country have the freedom to practice their religion without discrimination or harassment of one another. Also, religious freedom is widely recognised as a human right around the globe. However, laws in many countries in the world put barriers on the legitimate right to religious freedom, empowering governments to restrict when the beliefs of a group, community or an individual are perceived to resist the government. Its plus point is that Sri Lankan citizens are privileged to enjoy and practice their religion within the country as per their own beliefs without any hindrance.
Encourage reconciliation and healing
Reconciliation in Sri Lanka requires a multi-layered attempt to transform and convert fragmented societies to emerge from conflict situations. Three decades of conflict have caused mistrust among Sinhalese and Tamil ethnicities. Therefore, in rebuilding trust, it must be a genuine effort to settle ideological conflict and should be considered in negotiating power sharing and reconstruction efforts. In this regard, community involvement in the reconciliation process is very vital to understanding the ideological disparities of each ethnic group. However, community dialogues can help address past injustices and foster healing in society. Educational reforms are a major segment and play a very important role in fragmented societies. As an example:
Curriculum development:
Promote trilingual language from school level (Sinhala, Tamil and English)
Introducing Conflict and Peace Studies to the school curriculum
Revise history books and include multiple perspectives
Cultural exchange programmes:
Joint participation in cultural festivals and events
Implement student exchange programmes in different provinces
Promote national identity and unity
Sri Lanka, an island nation with a rich history of cultures, faces the ongoing challenges of fostering a unified national identity while preserving its diverse heritage. The path to achieving national identity and unity requires a comprehensive and sensitive approach that acknowledges the country’s complex history while building bridges towards a shared future. At the heart of promoting national identity lies the crucial role of education. Schools serve as the primary arena where young Sri Lankans from different backgrounds can learn about their shared history and develop mutual understanding. At the grassroot level, community integration initiatives can bring people together in meaningful ways. These personal connections often prove more powerful than any top-down policy in fostering genuine understanding and unity. Implementation of various strategies must be phased and carefully monitored. Beginning with foundational educational and cultural initiatives, progressing to broader economic and political measures, and finally focusing on consolidation and sustainability, the process requires patience and commitment.
Evaluate and adapt
The new dawn of hope for a brighter future in the country is the expectation of all citizens. However, people’s friendly policies and programmes are to be implemented by the new government to meet the demands of all citizens of the country. National harmony is the utmost important factor to steady and smooth development of the country. In contrast, understanding ethnic diversity too plays a very important role in implementing new policies without deterring the mindset of the community. However, to achieve the desired outcome, we need to maintain a regular assessment of the effectiveness of the policies and programmes aimed at fostering national harmony. Further, gathering feedback from various communities to make necessary adjustments also plays a pivotal role in the outcome. Yet, it needs to be flexible and willing to adapt strategies based on evolving circumstances and new insights within the diverse community in the country for greater national harmony in the future.
Link to the original source : Click here
* Lieutenant Colonel Palitha Herath is a Military Research Officer at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on National Security established under the Ministry of Defence. The opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily reflective of the institute or the Ministry of Defence.