Letters to the Editor
View(s):Let individual courage swell into collective courage, harmony and change
Discourses so far have probed and blamed the government’s lack of action before the Easter bombings and the lack of action, again, during the recent spate of menacing communal violence. Others have discussed that the fear which has surfaced is an old one, triggered by new events. There are conspiracy theories and counter theories about who is behind these planned and efficiently executed attacks on a select community. Social media has been used to incite and inflame these various theories as well as promote hate speech and violence.
But what about each one of us? What are we doing?
We may think we are not bigoted but every time we unnecessarily name someone’s ethnicity or make a snide comment about a particular community, we are bigoted.
We look the other way or are silent about injustice, discrimination and prejudice.
Everyday, everyone of us washes our hands off difficult choices.
In our country today, steeped in intolerance and trammelled by fear, we desperately need the individual courage to make difficult choices, instead of walking away. We need the courage to preserve justice, the courage to fight for what is right, the courage to make a difference.
Each of us, therefore, needs to look inwards, into our own selves and our own actions.
Each one of us, always has a choice for each action we take. We always have the choice of taking action that is good instead of evil; right instead of wrong; just instead of unjust, of legal instead of illegal. Each one of us can empathise instead of stigmatise. Each of us has the power to give another strength in place of doubt; courage in place of fear; hope in place of despair; fellowship in the face of bigotry; humility in place of power; honesty in place of deceit; love in place of hatred; and peace instead of hostility and conflict.
During the Vesak weekend, my sister-in-law sent me some positive Facebook posts that showed that all of the above is possible, as tiny pockets of communal cohesion were forged, planting seeds of hope that will grow in the future.
Each one of us can change. Soon there will be several of us who do change. Eventually, several people’s courage will swell into collective courage, collective harmony and collective change.
To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi ‘Be the change that you want to see (in our country).
Dr Sriyanie Miththapala Via email
Through all this sorrow, I saw the true Lankan spirit rise
As I sit down to pen my thoughts on May 21, sadness and grief take me back to that day, which began as a normal day for all Sri Lankans. Worldwide Easter is for Christians and Catholics a joyous festival to celebrate the Risen Christ, who came among all human beings to wash away our sins and liberate us. As it would have been around the world in Sri Lanka too, it was a very happy morning in every Christian and Catholic household as we prepared to attend Easter Sunday Service.
My family and I were also attending Easter service at a church in Colombo, and as we exited the church we were very much surprised to see scores of police officers walk in through the gates. On inquiry we were appraised by our Vicar about the bombings of churches and hotels and everyone was told to go home as quickly as possible. I will never forget that moment when my mind was confused, saddened and in utter turmoil trying to figure out what had just happened. Did this really happen in my country? A country known to have been victorious as defeating terrorism, which caused mayhem for 30 long years. A country which had opened its doors to tourists from around the world, been listed as one of the best tourist destinations in the world. A country which was gearing up to celebrate victory over terror for 10 long years.
Our drive back home was in shock and disbelief; we have been used to hearing stories of religious places being attacked around the world, and terrorist attacks on pedestrians and innocent people. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that our beautiful island nation would be targeted too. I came home, started praying and cried out to the Lord, asking him again and again “Why Lord, why did you let this happen? What did all those innocent people who were worshipping you, do, to deserve such a fate.” As always He alone knows the answer, to questions such as these and so many others which many of us ask on a daily basis.
Everything changed in my country after this day; we were taken back to the days which we all had forgotten, the days when terror reigned. Roads were crawling with armed guards, checkpoints were set up almost everywhere; homes, offices, vehicles, schools, every place possible was searched by the security forces. Curfew was imposed back again, which most of our children hadn’t even heard about, let alone knew what it meant. Breaking news was back and everyone only watched news on TV confined to their homes, fearing what would happen next. We cooked whatever we had, and ate for the sake of eating just for survival, not even tasting what we ate. Our lives were turned upside down within minutes, and Easter Sunday is never going to be the same again in Sri Lanka.
Through all this sorrow and heartache, I saw the true Sri Lankan spirit rise, as people came together forgetting about religion and caste to help those affected in every possible way they could. That’s us, and that’s what makes us unique. Sri Lankans are known for their beautiful smiles, helping spirit, and never tiring hospitality. As we gradually come out of our shell, and try our best to continue our lives as normally as possible let us not forget our true Sri Lankan identity which is “One country, one nation”. Let us come together to defeat any act of terrorism and show the world that anything can be achieved by unity and strength, which is the unique birthright of you and me.
Lakshmi David Via email