Grasping opportunities to deliver the best

A moment to cherish and then a point to ponder. The New Year got off to an auspicious start with the military marching into the LTTE’s administrative capital. The fall of Kilinochchi after a decade of rebel rule is a significant development in the drive towards a military end, and the swift and effective capture caught many by surprise. There have been constant developments since then on the battlefront, and that vastly overshadowed the two incidents in Colombo that same week. Still, there remains an underlying sense of caution over terror reprisals in the South and both the public and authorities remain vigilant. What’s noteworthy is how the incremental change on the battlefront has changed the hearts and opinions of some of the moderates, and some strong sentiments have been expressed which again caught others by surprise.

Budding aspirations
In a no-war scenario, the Government is moving quickly to return normalcy to the newly liberated areas, and envisages holding elections to bring back democratic rule. That democracy should begin in the form of free and fair elections devoid of violence and gun-totting candidates. We would need to set some fine examples. The benefits of peace in the form of development must reach the populace at soonest. Some discussion is taking place of what would become of those rebels who have made it to Colombo with various missions in mind. Would they let their guns lie silent, or might they choose to soldier their cause? This would be a pertinent point to consider as far as “mopping up operations” goes. And of course the all important permanent political solution that is acceptable and applicable to all. We must remind ourselves that certain compromises and realities must be met to find a lasting solution, so to put this misery of three-plus decades behind us once and for all. We wait for these moments.

Opportune optimism
So here we are yet again and perhaps more firmly at a point of time where opportunity knocks to correct the misgivings and misdeeds of nearly three generations on both sides. There are those who would think it unfit to brand people and personalities as responsible for the mess that we live in – but perhaps its best we face facts and accept what our history put forth. This is the time to look back and learn, and do what’s best for the country as a whole. It’s time we don’t fall for the selfish and radical demands of a decadent few, and act as mature leaders with a vision for a better future. Let’s formulate a vision for Sri Lanka that is all-encompassing and empowering. Opportunity has come once again, and we wait for these actions.

Assuming that all goes well, a most interesting point would be as to what becomes of the elusive LTTE leader. The Army Commander stated earlier this year that Prabhakaran would be caught alive. Then in Canada, his sister claims that Prabhakaran would never be caught and that “her brother always finishes whatever he begins”. As the days go by, the leader’s options seem limited, and so we shall wait to see what fate has in store.

Democracy redefined
Then on a less optimistic note, we read of the violent attacks on the MTV/MBC complex. Whatever be the perspective, such actions will be viewed as a huge blow to the country’s democratic framework. It is an attack on democracy, an attack on media freedom and the right for information. There are various views being bandied as to whom and how and what led to the attack on the station. Whilst we should not proceed to blindly level accusations and perhaps discuss them openly, given the very obvious situation, the fact remains that the country’s democratic fundamentals have come under attack and that reflects badly in the eyes of the world and our own people.

It’s not merely a matter of media freedom under attack. We’re faced with a situation where groups of twenty or so fully-armed men are able to drive about in unmarked vans for days and storm into a facility, wreak havoc and get off scott free. It’s another very serious example of a complete breakdown in law and order, or the gross abuse of power to achieve an ugly end. Despite the call for a full investigation to bring the culprits to justice, there hangs a cloud of doubt over what real results this may yield. It’s likely to be yet another famous example of reacting to something that went seriously wrong. We need to expunge this culture of violence, revenge and discrimination. We need to eradicate the notion that power gives one license to unleash terror. Certainly not the impression we’d want to give to a newly liberated populace to whom we promise democracy and equal rights. Now is the time to be setting examples and stop making fools of ourselves.

History lessons
The 2000s are probably the worst period in world history since the 1930s and 40s, where every aspect of global function has experienced a breakdown. There was 9/11, and since then wars have been fought, natural disasters that killed thousands, epidemics and now global recession. Much of the man-made disasters have been the result of complacency. The human race had become comfortable and difficult over the last two decades where it took many things for granted. That includes people, power, business and even nations. Having been pushed into the extreme, perhaps the failures of the decade would jolt us back to reality. The 2010s are likely to be a period of rebuilding, reconsolidating and growth, much like the 1950s. It would be a time where we would probably have learned from the mistakes of the last decade and a time where certain superpowers will cease to be, and new ones emerge. And thus we would progress until we become cushy again.

Sri Lanka approaches a vital juncture in its history and that at a time where it could be poised to take advantage of global economics – or the lack of it – and emerge a significant force on the regional stage. However, it’s all about grasping opportunity and employing the best to deliver the best. Sadly, history would suggest that we haven’t faired too well in that aspect. History has been good to us, and presented us with numerous chances – all of which we seem to have shunned. So as we sit at the threshold of another, we hope that prudence will prevail.