Achieving Positive Peace in Sri Lanka

Six years. It doesn't seem like that long ago, but some memories are vague. And that's how long it has been since Sri Lanka eradicated terrorism from the country and ended a gruelling war of nearly 30 years. 

I still remember, though rather vaguely, the moment the news was announced. We were at the BMICH, rehearsing for that night's performance at the Colour's Night of the University of Colombo. The news arrived when we took a break and was waiting for the rehearsal of the Latin dance item to be over for us to do a sound check on stage. I guess more than anything I remember how I felt and the sigh of relief we collectively let out when we got the news. I still remember us all screaming with excitement when one of the choristers broke the news! 

Thereafter the 'war ending' became our slogan for the next few months whenever there were slight disagreements within the university choir. Someone or the other was bound to say, 'calm down, the war is over.' And that inevitably had us feeling lighter in spirit. 

Sri Lanka has come a long way in the six years since 2009. But deep down, I know as someone who has, albeit briefly, studied on 'peace', that the country has more to do to cultivate 'positive peace' in the country. Johan Galtung, the father of peace studies, introduced two definitions on peace, positive and negative. 

Definitions

Negative peace is the absence of violence. In order to create negative peace, we must look for ways to reduce and eliminate violence. A cease-fire would be an example of an action for negative peace.

Positive peace is the presence of social justice and equality, and the absence of structural or indirect violence. It is characterized by the presence of harmonious social relations and the “integration of human society” (Galtung, 1964). In order to further understand positive peace, it is important to understand structural violence. 

We all understand that Sri Lanka has achieved the former - negative peace - but has not, or is yet to fully achieve positive peace which sees the restoration of relationships, the creation of social systems that serve the needs of the whole population and the constructive resolution of conflict. We need to identify and address the root causes that really led to all these problems in the first place. People may criticise me for all they want, but we all know deep down in our hearts that none of these small problems that keep arising will be laid to rest until we really address the root causes. 

Imagine a tree with a trunk and lots of branches above the ground, and also lots of roots running deep underground. The top portion of the tree i.e. the tree trunk and its branches symbolise negative peace. Therefore, when we address the issues on the surface, we manage to attain a certain level of peaceful living that is calm. Peace can be defined as 'freedom from disturbance; tranquillity' or 'a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended'. But like in any practical situation, we all know we have to address the issues that really cause the problem, symbolised by the deep roots of the tree below the surface. It is what cannot be seen that causes distress. And therein lays the problem.

But once addressed and properly put to rest, the deep rooted issues will never arise again. It will also enhance the quality of the relationships right across the Sri Lankan society. Therefore as a Sri Lankan I feel we all need to pull our socks up and get the ball rolling on achieving positive peace. Because, without which, we will never be able to properly live in a peaceful environment. True, we don’t have bombs going off every now and then, but think about it, is this really how you want to live your life? Is this the way you want your children and the generation after that to view the country? Is this the Sri Lanka you want to leave behind?