| by Victor Cherubim
( March 3, 2013, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Cross Party M.P’s from Sri Lanka are in London for the third time in less than one year to relate to Diaspora. On this occasion, meetings with sections of all communities, Tamils, Muslim and Sinhala have been separately organised, at various venues for interaction. A cross section of young MP’s, all elected to Sri Lanka Parliament after 2010 state a willingness “to come with an open mind” to relate to the diaspora, perhaps, to take back a new understanding of some of the issues that have rankled the diaspora, both in the past and present.
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We hope to and will do the things that remain undone, but a fear psychology on both sides may be preventing us from moving forward. The intensiveness of certain actions, celebration, say of victory parades, religious tolerances, which have been raised, will in time, be addressed.
An Eight Point Common Report, the basis of this understanding, (with one abstention) has been tendered by the group after their previous visit, to their respective leaders in Parliament. Their report as stated,has also been circulated among their constituencies. However, they appear pragmatic of how far their views reflect public opinion.
Whilst the thoughts on the minds of the expatriate community in UK, is where and what progress has been made since. The thoughts on the minds of the young MP’s appear to be, whether a noticeable change in perception and expectation of the Sri Lankans living abroad, is in the making.
Though issues have not disappeared and the process has not changed, there is impatience on the timing of change. An unease that so far, there is little to show for the dialogue, other than being courteous, yet curt. It is felt that “too little, too late” is being done, as events in Sri Lanka and the world, are overtaking ways of approach to ameliorate past circumstances.
The immediate contact with the five young, approachable Sri Lankan MP’s (5),two from Government SLFP party, two from the Opposition UNP and one representing the Muslims and one spokesperson for TNA, were open and friendly.
At least, three issues were highlighted at this meeting Sunday evening 2 March 2013, facilitated by Tamil Information Centre near Kingston, Surrey. It appeared that the Tamil diaspora in particular wanted more to air their persistent themes of “Protection, Accountability and Relationship,” issues of Tamils in Sri Lanka.” This was juxtaposed with the express views of the cross party MP’s who narrated a well worn path of “Development prospects, Infrastructure, Rehabilitation and Resettlement”, which though soothing, fell short of expectation of reconciliation. An airing rather than a hearing thus appeared to have been facilitated.
The opinion was that fact finding on both sides of the divide have to be supplemented with a plan of action – a genuine effort at reconciliation. But development did not equate with the reality of a new relationship with all communities, Tamils and Sinhalese, Muslims and Sinhalese and Tamils and Muslims. Although the mines had been more or less cleared, resettlement was in process; installations of electricity and water were now available in the North, the thorny issues of lands not handed over to rightful owners, level of protection of women and children, insensitive military presence, fear of excessive Police and security powers, among others have yet to be addressed. In a nutshell, ways of relating with the people of the North is stumbling progress at reconciliation.
The SLFP MP’s were of the opinion that the first step towards reconciliation is dialogue. Things still remain not done. We would like to attempt to do more and more had to be done.
We hope to and will do the things that remain undone, but a fear psychology on both sides may be preventing us from moving forward. The intensiveness of certain actions, celebration, say of victory parades, religious tolerances, which have been raised, will in time, be addressed. Day of National Remembrance of all communities has been recommended.
The UNP MP’s articulated the importance of implementation process of their report; the working together of the 8 young MP’s in the team is a way forward. The number of young MP’s in Parliament too has increased, who are of a different mindset, who understand that cross party collaboration is important. Bitterness will beget bitterness, although we may not forget what has gone on, neither can it be replaced, but we cannot but move forward.
A Member of the UNP stated that the main stumbling block to progress is the present Constitution of Sri Lanka. It may be changed, “torn to pieces and torn and put in the dustbin of history”.
The Muslim member elucidated the difficulties experienced by all communities, not necessarily Muslims. While the TNA member did reserve his comments on the UNP member’s claim for working in joint collaboration with the TNA.
What came out, “the genie in the bottle” can never be put back in. The past cannot be forgotten. But issues which are now is in the public domain may only be brought back for resolution in Sri Lanka, if not today but at least in the immediate future, at the will of the diaspora in dialogue with the people of Sri Lanka.
 Cross Party M.P’s from Sri Lanka are in London for the third tim...){kind=link}