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Southern Sri Lanka also feeling effects of conflict
Written by: Amjad Mohamed-Saleem
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As I sat down to think about writing this blog post, I felt reluctant to touch on the security situation in Sri Lanka - as you might have expected - because I felt enough seemed to have been said about it already. I reflected on a conversation I'd had with an old friend of mine who called from the United States to find out "whether I was ok?", since she'd heard the situation in Sri Lanka was really bad. For a moment I lost track of what she meant, and assumed she was talking about how badly Sri Lanka had played on the first day of the cricket test against England. Then I realised she was talking about the recent spate of bomb attacks and the deteriorating security situation. As what were once unusual occurrences become part of everyday life, the sad fact is that you become increasingly desensitised. Sure, there are more police and soldiers on the streets of Colombo, more checkpoints, more stop-and-searches. But it hasn't really done much to dent people's enthusiasm to shop or eat out - two of the favourite pastimes in this city. Whether it's the incredible resilience of people who have seen the highs and lows of this 24-year-old conflict, or whether it's apathy or weariness, one thing is for certain: people will not alter their behaviour. "Why should I change?" asks Thushan, a manager who works in one of the most security-conscious parts of Colombo - the fort, close to Colombo Port, the President's Office and the World Trade Centre. "I can't change my routine. It means that those intent on disruption have won. It takes me longer to get to work because of the security risk, but that's the price we pay." Of course, those living in the north and east of the country may well feel they've gotten the raw end of the deal, with increased security concerns preventing their free movement. There are no clear explanations for situations like this. But it's obvious the losers are the civilians - not only in Colombo, the north and the east, but also in other parts of the country. People often say the south and the west of Sri Lanka are unconcerned with the conflict. Yet, indirectly, low public spending and a lack of investment also mean the south (mainly) suffers from malnutrition and extreme poverty. Vital resources are diverted for the defence budget or to support re-election campaigns. In my travels around Sri Lanka, I've been amazed at how many times I've come across direct contradictions to the assumption that Sri Lanka - except in the north and east - is a middle-income country. It is this misnomer, mainly applied by donor governments and development agencies, that means Sri Lanka will continue to receive skewed funding for a long time to come. In the meantime, Murali - perhaps one of the greatest cricket players in the world - has taken his world record 709th test wicket, and Sri Lanka has romped home to defeat England in Kandy (ironically the last stand of King Vikrama Raja Singhan against British colonial rulers). For a brief period, the whole country will have united to rejoice at this achievement in that quirky and unique Sri Lankan manner (at least when it comes to cricket). Murali and the cricket team to some extent represent what the rest of Sri Lanka can be: united across all ethnicities and religions, and judged and rewarded on merit, diplomacy and what you deliver on the field, not who you are or what ethnic group you represent.
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6 responses to “Southern Sri Lanka also feeling effects of conflict”
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Amjad Mohamed-Saleem is a freelance writer and consultant on development issues. He was formerly the country director of Muslim Aid in Sri Lanka where he was involved in post tsunami and conflict reconstruction work from 2005 - 2009.
He also ran the Bangladesh operations from 2006 - 2008. Amjad considers himself a global citizen, having Sri Lankan parents, being born in Nigeria, educated in Ethiopia and residing in the UK.
12 Dec 2007 15:20:58 GMT
As an aid worker working in the eastern part of the country I am soooo pleased to see someone writing about the effects of the war in the south of the country. However, (and the other shoe falls), I cannot agree that malnutrition and extreme poverty are mainly focused in the south because of the war. The Northern part of the country suffers and historically has suffered as a result of restricted movement. I would say that the civilians there suffer mainly. I will not get into the intimidation, harassment and restrictions on the movements of civilians since it, at least for those living in the east and north, is as commonplace as shopping, eating and cricket scores are in the south...it does not make this acceptable but the resilience of people is incredible to watch.
Civilians in the NE part of the country do have a raw deal. Regardless of which ethnicity they belong to. Good to have the southern perspective though...thanks.13 Dec 2007 10:41:37 GMT
This clearly showes that the Southern Sri Lanka does NOT feeling effects of conflict:
"I reflected on a conversation I'd had with an old friend of mine who called from the United States to find out 'whether I was ok?'...For a moment I lost track of what she meant, and assumed she was talking about how badly Sri Lanka had played on the first day of the cricket test against England. Then I realised..." And it's not going to be like this as long as the racists rule (btw it has always been the racists who ruled Sri Lanka and it always will be): "...united across all ethnicities and religions, and judged and rewarded on merit, diplomacy and what you deliver on the field, not who you are or what ethnic group you represent." The reason why Murali (an Indian Tamil) is treated diffently from other Tamils is that the Sinhalese earn money on this guy.15 Dec 2007 12:40:36 GMT
It's unfair that Shakti tries to brand people of south as racists when colombos mayor is an ethnic muslem and his vice is an ethnic tamil. I don't think sinhalese support Murali for money. I think this is narrow minded tamil mentality that takes us nowhere in an multi cultural country like sri lanka. Haven't you seen how many successful tamils are living and working in the capital? Do the sinhala's ask their ethnicity when they go to a jewellery shop or to the doctor ? I don't thins so. The fact is everyone is a Mahattaya when rich, and everyone is none when poor. this is the rule of the todays world not only sri lanka.
We must fighte our enemy who is within ourselves first, that is ego and selfishness then get hand in hand as equals(JUST LIKE CRICKETERS), then fight together for the development, and economic freedom. Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims are friends brothers and relatives. Nothing else. thanks and good luck tu sri lanka15 Dec 2007 12:41:25 GMT
Murali is a living example that the Sri lankans dont discriminate against tamils. he was born tamil,and groomed by sinhalese coaches from school days. what the LTTE supporters want to tell the world,and the real situation is different. Buddhism teaches love,to even love you enemies. But too much love has allowed these rebels to carry out suicide attacks on innocent civilians. Mr.shakthi dont let your expat parents brainwash you,go see for yourself.the LTTE is the curse for tamils.their thugs torture us and get into gang fights here in Europe,tarnishing the image of tamils.prabakaran shud quit the violence and take the path of democracy,like other parties like PLOTE and EPDP.
19 Dec 2007 11:03:51 GMT
Samantha: ***Do the sinhala's ask their ethnicity when they go to a jewellery shop or to the doctor ? I don't thins so.***
Tamils have always been looked upon with suspect by the Singala Government for being what they are - Tamils! Recently 2500 Tamils have been arrested and detained in one single corden and search operation. Amnesty International claimed that some of those arrested may have been sujected to torture. Is that how you treat your brothers and sisters at home? And that was just one among many other crimes that the Sri Lankan Government carries out against Tamil minority population. What concerns the North and East things are much worser since that area is ruled by your military!19 Dec 2007 11:04:21 GMT
Ethnic conflict in SriLanka is one of the difficult and longest civil fight in world. SriLankan security forces are over 95% Sinhala Buddist. There are used by the sriLankan government to kill, displace Tamil villagers from their villages. As a result of this brutality millions of tamil civilians IDP in SriLanka. Millions more are living as refugees in India and in many other countries around the world. Many Tamils and muslims worked hard to build this country are denied their basic rights. Very often they are rounded up and areseted without any charges and put in jails. Every day many are disappearing and shot dead, in many parts of this Island nation. International society must take up the human rights violations in srilanka.