SLFP Proposals off to a False Start?

The obstinacy of the Rajapaksa regime baffles me. On one hand the President remarks that innocent Tamils must be absorbed into the process of governance and on the other, his government displays blatant incompetence with regard to setting the foundations for a free and just society. The cornerstone for such a society within a multi-ethnic, multi-religious polity such as that of Sri Lanka must be based on the principles of social justice and social equity. This must be harnassed on the basis of racial, linguistic and religious parity.

In Sri Lanka's deeply fragmented history, it is no secret that 1956 was a watershed year in terms of linguistic discrimination in favour of the majority. The Constitution of 1972 further enhanced majoritarian supremacy, this time in terms of religion.

A free and just society must be based on the separation of church and state. Thus the latest proposals of the SLFP continue to uphold the 1972 framework of the quasi-religious state, through the stated intention to once again place Buddhism as 'the foremost religion.' The fact that these proposals were made at a May Day rally that coincided with Vesak, the holiest day of the Buddhist calander smacks of majoritarianism and populist politics, trends that have undoubedly become hallmarks of the Sri Lankan political order.

Realisation must dawn on the conservatives within the Sinhala Buddhist community that one's beliefs and practice can well be upheld on the basis of equality. After all, Buddhism is the doctrine of one of the noblest teachers of all time, the Buddha, who's teachings uphold the principle of equality. Thus secularism is not at odds with the teachings of the Buddha.

Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict has often been referred to as 'secular nationalist' in nature. Thus the notion of it being a religious conflict has been vehemently rejected. It is time that we question the roots of this conflict once again and learn to call a spade a spade. Certainly the LTTE are not religiously motived; indeed their goal is secular nationalist in orientation. However it is time that we examine the other side of the coin and critique the wielding of political power by the elite, under the guise of Buddhism. Clearly, religion has been used by power-hungry politicans as a cloak of legitimacy to draw popular support in the name of Buddhism, thus furthering their own political aspirations. Claims by zealots have lent further credence to this phenominon - have we not heard for instance claims justifying the war in terms of Buddhism, more specifically the doctrine of the Dhamma war to safeguard a 'Dharmadweepa,' a repository for the Buddhist faith?

As for a military solution, it is clear that there is no one-track solution to this conflict. The LTTE must be neutralised, while the genuine aspirations of the Tamil community must be met in ensuring equity and social amity.

If the benchmark of success is the practicality of proposals as a workable starting point, let alone as a lasting solution, in the case of the latest framework, majoritarianism has once again triumphed over pluralism. Thus the SLFP's May 1 proposals can be deemed a failure from day one. While the Opposition UNP has criticised the SLFP's idea of a solution to this conflict, it is interesting to see what the UNP will come up with for themselves. Talk is cheap - make your stance known to the people. Give them a real choice.