OPINION — In December 2023, a group of senior Buddhist monks from different Nikayas (called Sangha for Better Sri Lanka or “SBSL”) and members of the Global Tamil Forum (“GTF”) visited Sri Lanka for several engagements. According to the GTF, this visit was a continuation of their fruitful dialogue in Nagarkot, Nepal, in April 2023, where both parties agreed to the “Himalaya Declaration” to facilitate their engagement and advocacy efforts among different communities in Sri Lanka. They officially launched the “National Conversation” initiative during their visit and handed it over to many religious, political, and community leaders. These meetings were a platform to discuss the initiative and its aims.
The London, England-based GTF press release of December 20, 2023 states the following:
“From the outset, we recognized the importance of the political process to achieve the envisioned outcomes. Hence, the Delegation met with the President, the Leader of the Opposition, all leaders of the national political parties, including SLPP Party Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, key political leaders representing Tamil, Upcountry Tamil, and Tamil-speaking Muslim communities, and past Presidents and former Speaker of Parliament involved in reconciliation efforts…”
The initiative for peacebuilding focused mainly on religious leaders to promote interreligious understanding and harmony. This effort was spearheaded by engaging with the Mahanayaka Theros from all four Buddhist chapters, the Nallai Atheenam, the Archbishop (Cardinal) of the Archdiocese of Colombo, the Bishop of Jaffna, the Bishop of Colombo representing the National Christian Council, and the leaders of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama.
Alternatively, the term “Mahavamsa Mindset” pertains to a particular historical and cultural viewpoint linked to the Mahavamsa, an ancient chronicle of Sri Lanka that provides an account of the island’s early history. The Mahavamsa is a vital text in Sri Lankan Buddhist literature and has significantly impacted the country’s cultural and historical awareness.
The Mahavamsa is a historical text highlighting Buddhism’s significance in Sri Lanka. It presents the island as a sacred place where Buddhism is destined to prosper. This portrayal has been employed to promote the notion of Buddhist nationalism and to assert the identity of Sinhala Buddhists.
The Mahavamsa presents a historical narrative emphasizing the conflict between the Sinhala Buddhist majority and other communities, particularly the Tamils. This narrative has fueled historical grievances and tensions among different ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka.
The Mahavamsa is often used to support territorial claims and portray certain areas as historically significant for the Sinhala Buddhist community. This has implications for land ownership and ethnic relations. The Mahavamsa has influenced Sri Lankan culture and religion, shaping perceptions of history and heritage.
The Mahavamsa is a text that is highly regarded as both a historical and religious document. However, there are those who criticize it for its biased narrative and the potential to incite ethnic and religious conflict. These critics argue that when interpreting history, it is important to approach it with a more inclusive and nuanced perspective.
It is important to understand that the “Mahavamsa Mindset” concept is not universally accepted or homogeneous. Different individuals and groups may have varying interpretations and responses to the Mahavamsa. Furthermore, discussions surrounding the Mahavamsa and its effects are frequently linked to more extensive debates on identity, nationalism, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Historical narratives can be difficult to understand and interpret and may change as societal perspectives and priorities evolve. To understand the issues related to the Mahavamsa and its impact on modern Sri Lankan society, it is recommended to explore scholarly works, historical analyses, and different viewpoints.
Examining Sri Lanka’s progress in post-war reconciliation efforts is crucial in this context. Sri Lanka has gone through phases of political instability and allegations of corruption, with military involvement in politics, particularly during and after the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Contrariwise, a Kleptocracy is a form of government where those in power exploit their positions to embezzle and steal resources for personal gain. Corruption and a lack of transparency are typically associated with kleptocratic systems.
On the other hand, Stratocracy is a form of government where military officials have significant influence or control over political decision-making. In a stratocracy, the military often plays a central role in governing the country.
There were long-standing concerns and allegations of corruption in Sri Lanka. Kleptocracy is a term that generally describes a government characterized by corruption and embezzlement of state funds by those in power. Sri Lanka has faced allegations of corruption at various levels of government. These allegations have involved issues such as misuse of public funds, bribery, and irregularities in government contracts. The political environment in Sri Lanka has been marked by instability, changes in government, and accusations of corruption against political figures. Different political parties have been implicated in corruption scandals.
Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organization, publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Sri Lanka has not ranked very high on this index in recent years, indicating perceived corruption. Corruption can significantly affect a country’s political stability, economic development, and public trust in institutions. Addressing corruption has been a concern for those advocating for good governance in Sri Lanka. Various investigations and legal actions have been taken against individuals accused of corruption. However, the effectiveness of these efforts and the judiciary’s perceived independence in dealing with corruption issues have been subject to debate.
Sri Lanka has a fragile democratic system, where the President is the head of state, and the Parliament is responsible for legislative functions. However, during and after the civil war against the LTTE, the military played a significant role in politics, and this has led to concerns about the country’s governance. The military operates above the law and shows contempt for the judicial process. It has been involved in various aspects of governance and post-war reconstruction efforts. Currently, there is a pending war crimes investigation that is sponsored by Western nations, particularly the United States. The investigation aims to investigate crimes committed by high-ranking Sri Lankan officials who are either heading the country’s military, running for office or politicians evading war crimes charges. However, the Sri Lankan authorities have consistently denied and refused to cooperate with any war crimes investigation.
This endless foot-dragging and obstructionism of the Sri Lankan regime when it came to the war crimes investigation by the UNHRC validates the argument for military intervention in the Sri Lankan political landscape, especially in the aftermath of the civil war.
The support and encouragement from key stakeholders in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan diaspora, and the international community have shown confidence to pursue the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ enthusiastically and determined. However, it remains to be seen how this endeavor will unfold, particularly as Sri Lanka moves from a kleptocracy towards a stratocracy. Given the status quo, a project of this scale and significance will not be implemented in Sri Lanka without the active participation of the military and the support of the country’s intelligence apparatus.
Featured image: Sri Lanka Guardian
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