By Philip Fernando in Los Angeles

Let us hope that the visiting UN Commissioner Navinathan Pillai would not get inundated with the rabble and the self-serving!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Dr. Pillai pleaseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ see for yourself that Sri Lanka can assertively claim a commonality of interests prevailing among all communities as a conduit for healthy give-and take after centuries of living together side by side in thick and thin. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ No one would relinquish their stake-hold on a platter. Neither would they want interference in their right to adjudicate their internal affairs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Please inhale a good doze ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prevalentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ambianceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and not get bogged down in the rhetoric. The notion that an incurable conflict proneness or feeling of being besieged do not dominate the conversion among most of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s diverse ethno-religious-groups.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  YouƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ would soon know that Northern PC elections are in full swing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It would indeed be more productive to interpret specific issues to find solutions rather than endlessly debating abstract generalities. The Rajapaksa government at the Centre may or may not respond with open arms to a TNA government in the North. She should however, not dwell on the erroneous assumption that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Ethno-religious affinityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ within each group ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢is driven by primeval bonding among the kith and kin sharing a common history, culture etc.that habitually leads to conflict.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The policy preference of each group-Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim as regards food, clothing and shelterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚or basic needs, right to work, assemble and free speech remain the same–minor differences apart.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There is an intense rivalry among the political parties vying to gain ascendance. Some call it a fractured political landscape.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is found in many places in the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚the US in particular has a divided government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Sense of unityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Certain unifying urges cut across the ethno-religious divide periodically turning into stressful episodes. These are found in most countries and should not be taken as the delineating norm. Neither are linguistic differences and geographical boundaries the defining pattern like in the past. Those transacting business with the government today are finding things at a fairly efficient level.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Shortcomings prevail her and there.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Overall, it is smoother operation todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚the best in many years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Sri Lankans now enjoy accessibility as regards fundamental governance at a secure levelƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚education, healthcare, electricity, water and transportation amenities have widened exponentially during the last decade. Poverty levels have been sliced down sharply while per capita income of the country had put Sri Lanka into the middle income group category and things are on an upward spiral.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

No second class citizens

The development agenda while being intense is on over-driveƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚the outlays poured into transportation infra-structure, for example, has covered virtually every province of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Development is inclusive. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Equal opportunity is within the grasp of most with the drive towards success.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I saw this trend in the Jaffna district during my visit there.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The notion of being a second class citizen i quite obscure.

The cultural effervescence with a bubbly music, drama and fine arts sectors are emerging quite fast.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Talk shows and drama series keep the nation at the edge of the seats many a night as TV programs broadcast them on multiple channels. Media competition for ratings and readership are at an unprecedented level.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The access to internet, cell phone and the like have reached peaks levels.

The resurgence of North and East

Most importantly, the Commissioner should be able to gauge the potent ideology of coming together of those with different ethno-religious affinities now gaining ground. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The performance of the Sri Lanka state has been notably praise-worthy for keeping the solidifying fiber of society in tact amidst some disturbances springing up from time to time.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In most instances, the culprits were disgruntled folks bent on making mischief during run-of-the-mill grievance protests. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The problem solving aptitude of the President has received all-round recognition.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  One harsh critic reluctantly agreed that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-we have a Teflon PresidentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚people never point the finger at him even when he make mistakes.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ The ultimate success of unity rally would depend on the capability and dedication of the commandant.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The country seemed assured of that.

At the end of the day, it is important how the UN Commissioner views these things and what memories she takes away.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The oft quoted sources of discontent in any country relates to a variety of factors such as denial of cultural identity, political discrimination, repression, or economic deprivation. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It could be stated with a great deal of certainty that Sri Lankan leaders have shown great sensitivity towards resolving any form of discontent mentioned above. The dismal failure of the militaristic approach to conflict resolution areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ etchedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ well in their collective memories.

An effort to build a viable administrative platform in the North is on. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It may be embryonic but relates to reconstruction and rehabilitation. There is an urgency to avoid confrontational politics as regards the military governor and the presence of the army. There is a readiness to empathetically and resolutely mediate between the needs of the people in the North and the political powers in Colombo.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Commissioner, the ball is in your court!