Their stories need to be heard at least now
The young author with her book. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
Voices of Peace, the first book by Sri Lankan researcher and author Sarah Kabir, was launched this week at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo. The event was well-attended by a distinguished audience of academics and activists.
The book has the aim of bringing the conversation of post-conflict reconciliation to the fore. It was born out of the fact that, nearly a decade after the end of the 30-year civil war, there are voices still unheard and stories yet untold.
While there have been many discourses and publications on the topic before, Voices of Peace, with its unique format of storytelling, attempts to blur the lines of division by offering accounts from both sides of the conflict- humanising the very real struggles of both. Having spoken extensively, and not just interviewed, over 60 agents of the war, Sarah has chosen the stories of 20: ten former LTTE cadres, and ten ex-Sri Lankan military personnel. Their accounts are accompanied by compelling images captured by photographer Munira Mutaher.
Introducing the publication, Sarah emphasised that “Voices of Peace encourages every reader to not just talk about these stories, but to listen.” She asserted that the work was more a tool to influence policy on peace-building than mere reading material. She stressed, “I urge you all to empathise with the storytellers, to internalise their message, and to act on it.”
The main aim with which she embarked on this undertaking however she says, was to shift ownership of the peace building process to those on the frontline. But also, on a more personal note, it helped relieve these veterans of the burden of bearing their untold stories. The balanced narratives through which these stories are told have readers empathising with each individual, irrespective of one’s political inclination.
The launch was attended by a panel of speakers moderated by Executive Director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jehan Perera. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Aaranya Rajasingam and Saliya Pieris (PC) each offered their views on the themes of peace and national reconciliation in a post-conflict Sri Lanka.
Dr. Jehan Perera lauded Sarah’s initiative. “In a divided society there is a need for an appeal to the heart. Sarah Kabir does that through capturing detailed stories of those whose lives have been torn by the war. It is harder to negate an individual’s story that has been brought alive. Her book points to the need for a Truth Commission in Sri Lanka like there was in South Africa.”
“Voices of Peace attempts to bring us to the difficult task of understanding our past through the life stories and unique perspectives of twenty combatants. What it leaves you with is the burning desire to hear more,” Aaranya Rajasingam, Women’s Rights and Peace Activist said.
Sarah Kabir has a B.Sc. in Social Policy from the University of Bristol, and an M.Sc. in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics. After her Masters, her focus has been primarily on peace building and development work.
Voices of Peace was over two years in the making, involving extensive research, compilation, and production. While currently the book is available in English, Sarah hopes to reach a wider readership translating it to Sinhala and Tamil.
Voices of Peace is available at leading bookstores. To place orders please contact 0773515262.