Monday, June 24, 2013

Let us unite to seek a lasting peace

By Renton de Alwis

Today's post I wrote with a heavy heart. I am in my sick bed away from it all , but following what is happening around me. with an iPad in hand. Mine is not a deep analysis of the issues before us, be it the recent happenings during the cricket matches in England and Wales, the ensuing debate on the 13th amendment, calls made for a fresh constitution abolishing the Executive Presidency, actions of the BBS or those of the state of the economy. It is an appeal from a concerned citizen for I believe that we need more than ever a strong reflection on the basics that form our nation's psyche and its fabric. 

As someone who had the responsibility to promote the image of this country during the worst of times, I would like to urge all my Sri Lankan brethren not to be complacent with the thought that we as a nation has achieved it all. Being boastful does not help us solve any problems. What the LTTE diaspora is doing needs to be addressed with swift action by us on a united front. Our drawing divide lines and attacking our own, is not going to solve any issue or help our motherland win a lasting peace.

The danger signs are on. We need to place dignity, freedom and opportunities for all our citizens regardless of race, religion or creed above all else. We need to be true Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam. Not be swayed by emotional rhetoric but be guided by the essential wisdom of all of the Dhamma.

We need to think Sri Lankan, not because we are a wonder yet, but because we have the potential to be. We must first accept the mistakes we have made and resolve to look ahead of them with action on the ground. In doing so, we must ensure that we get our basics right.

We must not get lost in the detail and miss out on the essence of the whole. We need to be selfless for the sake of our Motherland. We need to realize where we went wrong. Where and how we are going wrong. We need first to reflect on where we are and seek to understand. Tell the world our truth. Our truth which is that, we want peace and do not wish harm to anyone. The truth that we need to be happy as a people. The truth that we were once a people that were happy and coexisted celebrating the unity we saw in our diversity. The truth that divisive and selfish elements stole that happiness from us. Not in the form of complaint. But in the form of rational reasoning.

We know our  politics and the constitution that guides it is flawed. We know that, for we voted on several occasions for it to be revamped. Each time we swayed away from making that happen. It is true we won a bloody war on terror and that took so much sacrifice, brevity and resolve. We must appreciate that, but must not let its burden lay heavy on our backs. We need the same sacrifice, brevity and resolve now,  to win the peace.

Please take off your coloured glasses with with you view each issue. Have a clear vision. A vision for one Sri Lanka. A vision for one nation. A vision for one people.

This need be through solid action on the ground. Not through nice sounding but emply words in speeches made for the media or to satisfy short term needs.

When we get this right,  no LTTE diaspora or any other such will be able to defame us. The world, our friends and foe, they all will hear us. They will listen to us. Help us along the way. We must not be reactive or be in defence only when we are attacked.

We must be proactive, be swift in resolving our issues and present them to others as the truth. Our truth. The truth that we want to be one nation. Celebrate the unity in our diversity. We want to be ahead of forces that are destructive, not merely by responding to them but by proving that we are a nation that honour the rule of law, human dignity and democratic freedom.

Let us unite in thought and in solid action that is right.

We have no choice for divided we fall!

No comments:

Post a Comment