Diaspora Diaries

By. H. Herath
Sri Lanka Guardian’s New York Correspondent

(February 23, New York, Sri Lanka Guardian) As an immigrant, or "Sri Lankan - American", it's interesting to observe the complexities within the Diaspora in relation to the political and societal situations back home. Though they have established their lives here, my parents, and many others of their generation are still tied to Sri Lanka in their hearts and minds. I know this to be true, as do the other children whom I grew up with in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We all know that a newsflash of current happenings in Sri Lanka will automatically warrant an increase of the TV’s volume, that internet websites are habitually browsed for updates, and phone calls are often made between the families here and the families back home. However strong their connections were to the happenings in Sri Lanka, any feelings or frustration regarding to the strife on this island were rarely displayed to us kids. Rather, we were informed of the any events in an educated fashion; we were always given a full history and synopsis of the situation. Perhaps, it was the objective of all the uncles and aunties to teach us to be rational and tolerant in our dealings with societal issues.

Growing up outside of Sri Lanka has certainly given me, and many others, opportunities that could not have been found if our families stayed on the island. We have been fortunate enough to live freely, travel freely, and think freely without threat of violence or bloodshed. The lives we lead are no mirror image to the ones we would have if our families stayed in our mother country. I begin to wonder whether the people of my generation, myself included, are detached from the events occurring in our homeland. We are all aware that recent military victories may put an end to the civil war; and, thus, 25 years of fighting may cease. So, I bring out the question: What is our role? Do we simply toss a sympathetic glance towards the people involved; do we blindly throw our support behind whichever faction matches our ethnic identity; or, do we find a way to look past the lines of language, ethnicity, and religion, and utilize the lessons we have learned.

The answers to these questions are neither simple nor straightforward. Many of have spent our entire lives abroad; and some have never stepped foot on Sri Lankan soil. Yet, if anyone were to spend time perusing through videos on youtube.com, or reading messages on the walls of Facebook, it is apparent that the ethnic discords of previous generations have shifted to ours; and quite a few have participated in arguments of “who’s killing who” and “You kill me, then I’ll kill you too”. A recent incident at Canada’s York University brought the undercurrents of this tension to the surface. A student-led pro-LTTE demonstration took place on the campus’ grounds. The students, all appeared to be in their late teens and 20s, brandished the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam flags and marched through the university’s locale, and chanted their support for the Tigers and an Eelam; their rally culminated in the torching of the Sri Lankan national flag. Their actions are a discouraging and disappointing reminder that hatred is still prominent, and that memories do not fade. That the deaths of thousands of innocent people are not enough to convince some that peace is the only solution.

Let it be known, that the students who participated in this rally are by no means representative of the Diaspora in Canada. While few still cling to a skewed belief of ethnic division, there are many that hope and work towards peace and unity. The children who were born and raised during these turbulent times of our country are now adults; we have come to realize that the responsibility of rebuilding, not only the country itself, but relations between each other, will rest on our shoulders. We are a generation with knowledge of the past, and all the hope for the future. So as we look towards Sri Lanka’s future with faith that peace and unity will triumph; we must also look within our own communities to bridge any gaps with tolerance and understanding. As for my own community in Minnesota, the kids I grew up with are now adults, and when questioned about the situation in Sri Lanka, they simply said: “Nothing justifies taking the life of another; now is the time for peace and unity”. Indeed.

-Sri Lanka Guardian