A terrorism free Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fervent hope of a terror free Sri Lanka in the foreseeable future, as per sentiments he expressed to a group of Sri Lankans in New York, is bound to strike a nostalgic chord in many Sri Lankans domiciled overseas who want to see a return to peace of their battered Motherland.

This yearning is frequently being expressed in numerous letters by overseas Lankans who hark back to the times when the country enjoyed serendipitous tranquillity, devoid of rancour and bitterness among its communities. It is perhaps this nostalgia that formed the basis of the President’s sentiments.

Addressing a group of Sri Lankans at the New York Buddhist Viharaya President Rajapaksa held out hope for a country free of terrorism very soon with the military already at the doorstep of the LTTE’s citadel in the Wanni.

“Very soon I hope all Sri Lankans living overseas will be able to return to a country that has been completely rid of the scourge of terrorism,” the President told the gathering in New York.

His sentiments would no doubt have kindled the expectations of many Lankans spread across the length and breadth of the globe, who though living comfortable lives in their adopted countries nevertheless harbour a longing for their Motherland. They could be persuaded to return with the return to total peace.

While there were economic migrations to begin with it is the ethnic strife in later years that drove a bulk of the Sri Lankans to seek their destiny in other countries. Not only Tamils but a large number of Sinhala families too joined in the exodus due chiefly to the unsettled conditions that did not offer a conducive environment to better their prospects.

An entire generation was thus lost to the country that included the best of our talents. What is more we may continue to experience this brain drain if the conflict gets prolonged.

But judging from these email letters and other contributions from Lankans overseas it is plain that their hearts are still with their Motherland and they harbour hopes of one day returning to their roots, if peace is achieved.

Many of these Lankans still have properties at home that are looked after and maintained by relatives or friends. They are waiting for the right climate of peace and tranquillity, to come back.

This the President has promised in no uncertain terms. His call goes out to all Lankans who have left our shores due to compelling reasons ignited by the ethnic problem. He has reiterated that he was no warmonger.

He told the Lankans in New York whether they are from Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu or Batticaloa, to him they are children of one mother and his mission was to defeat terrorism and unite the country where they could live in amity, peace, concord and harmony.

This is the atmosphere that prevailed in the immediate post independent Sri Lanka where the different communities lived as brothers and sisters respecting each other’s religious and cultural diversities but united in a single fabric of a Lankan society.

These bonds could be restored with the building of trust and creating a conducive climate for the return of all Sri Lankans.

Some of these Lankans could help in the rebuilding process investing in business ventures and other projects. A rich pool of investments could be garnered from the vast Lankan diaspora and reduce the Government’s dependence on external resources for its ambitious development projects.

More than anything it could signal the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lanka where all its citizens contribute to the national veal in an atmosphere of unity, peace and contentment.

This is not the first Presidential overture to Lankans living abroad. Soon after assuming office President Rajapaksa invited Sri Lankan professionals and experts in various fields who had left our shores for greener pastures to avail of their skills in the development projects undertaken by the Government.

This is because the President always looked for things local and indigenous that have proved as effective if not better than the imported article and had stood the test of time.

The prospect of peace offered by President Rajapaksa we hope will induce such persons to once again consider his invitation and make their contribution to rebuild a new Sri Lanka and take it to a new era in the post conflict phase.