By J.B. Müller
Today, we can all sing the words of our beautiful National Anthem with full-bodied feeling, putting all our enthusiasm and pride into the lyrics. Whilst we sing it and afterwards reflect not only on the hopes and aspirations it engenders but also on the tests and ordeals we have weathered since 1948., the greatest of which has been the 33-year old bloody conflict with the world’s most malign terrorist group. When we reflect upon our accomplishment in destroying this manifestation of extreme evil that was in our midst until a short while ago, we must also go back and objectively examine the causes that produced this malevolent irruption. There, we would find the reasons and the reactions. In an objective reassessment we should resolve not to allow history to repeat itself. If we don’t the words uttered by President Rajapakse would be turned into mere platitudinous slogans—empty rhetoric without substance. It is we who would give his words and commitment the substance it needs to turn those words into living reality.
All citizens irrespective of ethnic origin, language spoken, religion followed, social or economic status, colour or any other factor should enjoy the same rights and responsibilities throughout the sovereign territory of Sri Lanka—not only on paper, but in fact. It is here that a marked attitudinal change must now begin to occur and this is the area where enlightened people have a great deal of work to do. The secular authority should summon the leading clergy of all religions and advise them to advise their followers that religious affiliation (or the lack of it) should not be used to discriminate against others not of one’s persuasion.
This would erase a great deal of animosity and residual bitterness. Likewise, the heads of various cultural organizations that epitomize our cultural pluralism should also be advised in no uncertain terms that the era of cultural majoritarianism is now over. No single entity is superior or inferior to another. Our unique multiculturalism should be likened to a beautiful garden where flowers of different varieties and hues bloom—a mosaic of colours.
In order to clean-up the political Augean stables, political parties or groups using ethnic, religious, or ethno-religious labels should be banned by law. Political groups utilizing the words Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Muslim (or Islamic), Sinhala, Tamil, Moor, Malay, Burgher or any ethnic or religious designation should not be permitted legal recognition. Such groups breed division and dissension and encourage repugnant complexes that alienate other segments of the population. Communalism’s roots lie in these groups that seek to either dominate or to separate.
Implications of our National Anthem
The words of our National Anthem are expressive of our deepest feelings of love for our blessed Motherland:
"Mother Lanka we worship Thee!
"Plenteous in prosperity, Thou,
"Beauteous in grace and love,
"Laden with corn and luscious fruit
"And fragrant flowers of radiant hue,
"Giver of life and all good things,
"Our land of joy and victory,
"Receive our grateful praise sublime,
"Lanka! We worship Thee."
"Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth,
"Thou art our strength and inward faith,
"Our light divine and sentient being,
"Breath of life and liberation.
"Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.
"Inspire us for ever.
"In wisdom and strength renewed,
"Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended,
"In love enfolded, a mighty nation
"Marching onward, all as One,
"Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom."
We would march forward as ONE to achieve the fullest possible freedom as equals—free from the shackles of poverty, disease, helplessness and hopelessness.
Bands of Steel, Ancient Accomplishments
The bands of steel that bound North with South and East with West should be reconstructed and extended as soon as possible. The "Yal Devi" should speed again from the port of Kankesanturai to the new port of Hambantota; the "Ruhunu Kumari" must run from Hambantota to Kankesanturai. With the free movement of passengers and freight old connections would be renewed and new connections forged as once was the case before sectarian politics ‘sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind’ in blood and tears.
It would also be good for us to think about how the great hydraulic civilization throughout the Dry Zone was raised up and extended without any foreign aid whatsoever. King Parakrama Bahu the Great did not go, begging bowl in hand, to any ancient version of the World Bank or Asian Development Bank for loans. The People—united and strong—accomplished all the marvels by themselves with strong leadership. That’s the kind of leadership that President Rajapakse has and is displaying right now!
If we just look at the greatest irrigation work executed under the leadership of this King—the spectacular Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama—we learn with some astonishment that its surface area is 87 sq. kms., the bund is 12.3 kilometres long, 15 metres high, and that it holds 134 million cubic metres of water. It irrigates over 7,365 hectares [18,200 acres] of rice fields. It was built without concrete and steel and without the benefit of modern machinery or technology and has lasted over 850 years. That’s what the People were capable of then and, if so, why not now?
The recent great victory over terrorism was due to courageous leadership, the determination to overcome all impediments, the resolve not to give into pressure from any quarter—and, to WIN. Likewise, we can overcome any problem (and we have a cauldron of them) and we can become a great and proud Nation genuinely respected by the Community of Nations.
A part of the victory parade after winning the ‘unwinnable’ war
against separatist terrorism in the North-east of the Island
We should now move from criticizing and carping to positive, proactive actions on behalf of our beloved Motherland—free at last from a horrible past. We should stop being mere spectators and become active participants in rebuilding and restructuring our Motherland. Let’s do it!
The key to this is UNITY and the inspiration is to be found in "Namo, Namo Matha, Sri Lanka Matha." Sing it with joy; carry-out its exhortations with delight!
The Island
