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Is there a Sri Lankan identity?
By Aaysha Cader and Renu Warnasuriya
March 17, 1996, Lahore, Pakistan: The atmosphere was electric as the Lankan captain struck the winning runs to complete a victory that would be etched in our minds forever. The ground was invaded by frenzied Sri Lankan fans celebrating a win achieved against all odds. Back in Sri Lanka, the home crowd flowed onto the streets screaming and waving Lankan flags in jubilation, as fireworks lit up the night sky.
The World Cup was ours!
Never had we felt more Sri Lankan.

Cricket is a Sri Lankan way of life. Our country has become synonymous with cricket, and we unite as one to celebrate the heroics of our cricketers; whether in times of war or peace. But is our 'Sri Lankan-ness' limited to a moment of cricketing glory?

As we complete 56 years of independence this February 4th, let us reflect on how 'Sri Lankan' we are, amidst our diversity of race, caste and religion. A national identity arises from the sense of belonging we feel for our country. It builds a sense of patriotism and pride within us because we are Sri Lankan, and are privileged to have those characteristics that we can call our own: Be it the trademark hospitality of our people, the unique blend of our tea, the rich cultural heritage and the 2500-year-old history we boast of, yes, a brilliant performance from our cricket team, or perhaps the cultural, religious and ethnic diversity we have been blessed with. Taking all these binding factors, the crucial question now seems to be: Do we have a Sri Lankan identity?

"A key problem that we have had in this respect is the diversity of our peoples, which we have seen as a weakness and not a strength," says Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives. Although a Sri Lankan national identity is essential, the emergence of separate cultural identities has always been an issue in this country.

As for community identities, he believes that mutual respect and tolerance among the ethnic and religious communities is necessary and diversity should not be used as a basis for division. "There is no such thing as nationalistic pride that segregates," says Dhammavihari Thera of the Narada Centre. "It's only in the last 10-15 years that these vulgarities called ethnicity and communalism came in."

Mowlavi Abdul Nazar, National General Secretary of the all Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama echoes these sentiments. He says, "You must do your duty towards the country but you shouldn't forget your own identity." But in light of the disturbing events in the recent past, there are many who believe that the Sri Lankan identity is at risk of being lost, superseded by communal or religious identities.

Says Prof. Ashley Halpe, former vice-chancellor of the University of Peradeniya: "Our national identity is very poor because sectarian identity is put forward." He emphasizes the need to recognize diversity and to respect the beliefs of others.

Identity issues are arguably the cause for the ethnic conflict in this country in the last two decades. The result: a 'group' identity that supersedes the national identity. This doesn't imply that the ethnic or communal identity should be ignored. We should celebrate and cultivate our cultural diversity but at the same time hold our national identity in esteem. Hindu Vidiyanithi Brahmasri S. Kuhanantha Sarma says, "We should celebrate our diversity by sharing festivals and traditional customs."

Javid Yusuf, former Principal of Zahira College and former ambassador says, "The extent to which you will identify with your country depends on how happy you are with your country, and what it has given you." He believes that the country must give its citizens justice, fairplay and a 'good deal' in order to build that national identity. The tendency not to identify with your nationality happens when you don't feel a bond with your country in that you are unhappy with what it offers you, he adds.

Wendy Holsinger, Principal of the Wendy Whatmore Academy of Speech and Drama believes that one should be proud of the national identity acquired as a result of being born and bred in a country. The feeling has to be completely genuine, she says.

There are many who believe that our country's faulty education system is the cause of the identity crisis Sri Lankans are facing. It begins when children first enter the portals of an educational institute at age 5, and are divided into the 'Sinhala medium' and 'Tamil medium' classes. "This segregation automatically results in a communication barrier," says Chandrani de S. Kulasiri, a teacher with decades of experience.

There is also the question of exclusive schools for children of different religions. Instead of religious and ethnic-based schools, we should promote multi-ethnic and multi-religious schools; otherwise the differences are created.

According to educationist Deshabandu Jezima Ismail, the inculcation of this sense of belonging to Sri Lanka requires in-depth programmes of formal, informal and non-formal education, which should not be confined to the social studies textbook. She says that artificial attempts to build an identity (such as dressing up children in various ethnic costumes and making them parade holding hands) will not succeed, as they are too superficial. She suggests a methodology where interaction and communication take centre-stage. "Children should be taught all three languages from a young age in order to enable inter-communal communication."

"When you're taught of culture and history, you shouldn't be taught it in a way that instigates racism," says newscaster and marketing executive Chevaan Daniel. In Rev. Fr. Glen Fernando's opinion it all depends on the family environment. He emphasises the importance of creating a family background where children have mutual respect for all races and religions. A racial remark made by a parent can be disastrous.

The question of the Lankan identity is just as much an issue overseas as it is here. The founder of an expatriate organisation, the United Lanka Forum, Lalith de Silva, CEO Mobitel and Secretary-General Bakeer Markar Centre For National Unity, says that there are many Sri Lankans who are dedicated to improving their motherland.

Sri Lanka's former cricket vice captain Aravinda de Silva however concedes that there was a point during the war when migrants in certain countries were afraid to be identified as Sri Lankan. A Lankan expatriate who left Sri Lanka after the 1983 riots and now leads a successful life in the west, says that he wishes to return to his motherland. But he adds, "Until we Tamils feel secure to live as equals with other communities, I don't think many of us will return." The problem of ethnic identity superseding the national one is still evident.

"A global identity is a feature that's coming on the whole world, and Sri Lanka is no exception," says theatre personality and lawyer, Mohamed Adamally. His view is that though we have not completely lost our national identity to globalisation, there has been some fading away of the integral parts like codes of conduct and behaviour.

The challenges of globalisation however cannot be faced without a Sri Lankan identity built on a strong sense of belonging to Mother Lanka. The country itself will not have its foundation secure until we believe in our Sri Lankan identity, and embrace all the things that symbolize it.

We don't have to wait for the next time our cricket team wins a match to celebrate being Sri Lankan. We can, and have to do it today. Next time you see the flag being hoisted, feel the pride of a country whose diversity is depicted by the vibrant shades. Next time, sing the national anthem, and embrace the Sri Lankan-ness in it. It's 56 years since independence, and time for us to unite as one, and identify ourselves as 'Sri Lankans'.

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