“Dialogue, Dialogue and dialogue alone can solve the problem”

An Exclusive Interview with Indian Guru His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +
“Dialogue, Dialogue and dialogue alone can solve the problem; Definitely, not force or war. In the larger interest of the humanity, people will have to come closer and resolve this issue amicably with a spirit of give and take, before more lives are lost. Everyone knows about the causes of the conflict. Lack of vision, short sightedness, and vote bank politics are at the very root of the issue.”
________________________________

by Nilantha Ilangamuwa with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

(April 20, Oslo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Firstly, I would like to thank you for accepting our request for an interview. Your role is noteworthy as your status and role is important for the emancipation of eternal peace in human minds as a spiritual guru.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Could you please let us know of your thoughts on many conflicts within communities the present world is facing?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Stress and tension is the cause of most conflicts. Lack of understanding and communication is another reason. Getting stuck in narrow identities and overlooking the basic human brother hood has caused many an ethnic, ideological as well as religious wars.

Sri Lanka Guardian: You attended a secretly organized peace conference in Norway recently. You had participated as a Chief Guest? Who organized it? Why iota of publicity was not given prior to the conference? Why selected crowd was invited without engaging persons from wide ranging opinion? What was achieved from this peace conference?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Oslo conference was organised by the Art of Living itself. The conference was open to all and there were no secrecy shrouding it. All the concerned parties were specifically invited.

We do not go for unnecessary publicity. At the same time we do not keep secrecy either. All the details were available on the internet. Any one who was interested was NOT denied entry. I always believe that people of diverse view points make any conference more fruitful and educational.

Conferences start a process. The outcome will be visible at a later stage. You can not judge the outcome rightaway. One has to wait and watch.

Sri Lanka Guardian: As a spiritual Guru, what are your thoughts on bringing an end to the conflict in Sri Lanka? In your opinion what are the real causes of this conflict?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Dialogue, Dialogue and dialogue alone can solve the problem; Definitely, not force or war. In the larger interest of the humanity, people will have to come closer and resolve this issue amicably with a spirit of give and take, before more lives are lost. Everyone knows about the causes of the conflict. Lack of vision, short sightedness, and vote bank politics are at the very root of the issue.

Sri Lanka Guardian: There were attempts to resolve this conflict many times in the past. What is hindering a resolution?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Instead of going for a post mortem on the past, we have resolved to look into the future. A postmortem will needlessly cause more heart burns.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Do politicians in Sri Lanka lack an in-depth vision and understanding of the problem?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You can not say that. There are very good and sensible politicians there too.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Norway officials say, India should play a leading role in bring peace in Sri Lanka. Norway was the facilitator of peace in Sri Lanka until recently and why are they trying to pass the responsibility to India? Is it due to pressure from India?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I would not attribute it to any pressure from India.
India is one of the major regional powers and being socially, culturally and spiritually linked to Sri Lanka, she can not shy away from this. Not only Norway but other countries too are of the opinion that India should play a vital role.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Can India find a sustainable solution to the crisis in the Island nation, having failed its past attempts?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In matters like this one should never give up till one achieves success. When people do not give up war for decades and centuries, why should peace makers give up? How can they do it?

Sri Lanka Guardian: Would you accept a role as a peace broker like Eric Solheim, if Sri Lanka invites you to undertake?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: We are already doing it. Irrespective of an invitation from any side or not, we will continue to do our job.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Is there any justification for a Kosovo type solution in Sri Lanka? If yes, does it mean a separate state for the Tamils?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In talks you can not have a fixed notion or idea. As mediators we are open to all ideas. We neither impose nor keep any fixed ideas in our minds.

Sri Lanka Guardian: Please let me know of your thoughts on the present Indian policy on Sri Lanka?

H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I can not speak on behalf of the Indian Government. I am not in touch with the policy makers at all. Nor have they contacted us. We work as a humanitarian organization, totally independent of the Government of India.
- Sri Lanka Guardian