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!
