Federal Fear & Fearlessness: Courageous, Compassionate & Caring Constitution
“Let us remember as we struggle, we must have love, compassion and understanding goodwill for those against we struggle” ~ Martin Luther King
Our leaders are reluctantly recruiting open mindset and empathy to promote a common wavelength of courage to share political power. We all wish they could persuade each other to propel a caring constitution.
Several scholars have published many books and articles on devolution of powers in Sri Lanka. We have marvelled on many models of devolution in the world. We have endured ourselves to produce several proposals. In our deliberations and debates we had ebb and flow on quotas of powers to Tamil speaking people. In spite of all these swirling exercises we haven’t given up the hope of devolving powers to ensure equality among all communities.
If we accept to build decent democratic nation then politics of recognition with devolution of powers to different communities become paramount to guarantee their existence, growth and wellbeing. Devolution of powers is an evolving subject even in many developed countries. It doesn’t matter what form of devolution one wish for, even in a country with reasonable responsive democracy, you can only move in any direction depending on your negotiating and persuasive abilities with your resources. One can not overlook the fact that collective consciousness of responsibility to upheld genuine democracy is also a necessary prerequisite for devolution of powers.
I hope you all agree that when one ask a tamil speaking person “themalatha?” that have a dignity devaluing tone in our country. From that moment fear of discrimination engulf that person. If our moral and ethical consciousness willing to abdicate this tone and determined to live by human decency then a new constitution to guarantee justice, equality and freedom to all its citizens could be the correct beginning. We all could enthusiastically participate in this effort with hope and optimism.
Background
Ancient history has been quoted against devolution of political powers in Sri Lanka. Our colonial history since 1505 to 1948 and their manipulation of native population to exploit this nation have twisted our relationship and memories. Our past history can also be interpreted as we had devolution of governance in our island for many centuries.
British were expecting a peaceful transfer of powers. But in the backdrop of rising communism, emergence of powerful Malayan communist party and left labour movement in Ceylon have made our colonial masters to heighten the ethnic tension and promote ethnic rivalry to destroy the hope of communist ascendency in their strategic hot spot in South Asia. Removal of citizenship and voting rights to upcountry Tamils were part of this agenda. Interplay of colonialism, capitalism and imperialism deluded our morality, rational thinking and unity. Our elite class continued their ethnic discriminatory politics to hold on to power and minimise mass protest against exploitation.
During cold war period in early 70s with establishment of naval base in Diego Garcia and changing dynamics in Indian Ocean culminated in explosion of ethnic war in Srilanka with Indian assistance and USSR endorsement. End of cold war and signing of nuclear disarmament treaties between USA and USSR brought dividends to Sri Lanka as Indo-Lanka agreement. Nevertheless
Internationalisation of ethnic conflict combined with our Ignorance and arrogance made it an easy process for interested parties to promote continuation of the war. After 9/11, global security deterioration and improved relationship between US and India gave a peace another chance in our country. But LTTE’s reluctance for a peaceful settlement with international negotiation, war with LTTE was brought to an end.
Today our geographic location, culture and terrain could be viewed as valuable resources for security measures in the region. Any instability could be an excuse for foreign powers to intervene. Our history highlights the imminent danger looming over our nation. World largest military hardwires could land on our shores and soil in near future. As a country upholds Buddhist principles of rejecting violence and living with compassion, if we could strive to live by those principles, we can preserve peace and tranquillity.
