OD e NT eT SCRE) oa) LUA ase Ce a Aa svi M. DE SILVA im Hal | ui Cera RU TU RAIA Led rH 2 l i ty Pols wad) eo) ee TAT. VIE: Tie ya IL Gea ents sea in bua. Mica aA CM eet PRETO RU RUBRUM TISARANEE GUNASEKARANow Available Second Enlarged Edition “SRI LANKA: THE DEVOLUTION DEBATE”’ ICES, 1996, 255p. Articles: + Introduction by Regi Siriwardena * Towards Effective Devolution, by G. L. Peiris * Some Thoughts on the Devolution Package, by Lakshman Marasinghe * Devolution and Power Sharing, The Means to Peace and Development, by Bertram Bastiampillai * Devolution of Power, The Problems and Challenges by Neelan Tiruchelvam * Towards A Compromise Solution, by Sumanasiri Liyanage * Breakthrough in Sri Lanka, by S. Guhan * Control of State Land — The Devolution Debate, by Sunil Bastian + The Structure and Content of Education: Policy Choices and Problems of Implementation in the Context of Devolution Proposals, by Sasanka Perera Appendices: * President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s Address to the Nation, August 3, 1995 * Text of Government's Devolution Proposals of August 3, 1995 * Text of Government's Devolution Proposals of January 16, 1996 ¢ A Commentary on the Devolution Proposals of the Government January 16. 1996, by G. L. Peiris ¢ The Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact © The Senanayake-Chelvanayakam Pact * Annexure C Text of the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of July 29, 1987 The Interim Report of the Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee, 1992 * Excerpts from Gamini Dissanayake's “Vision for the 21st Century « Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution (1987) Price: Rs. 250 U.S. $15.00 for SAARC countries (Airshipment) U.S. $20.00 for other countries (Airshipment) All orders to: ICES, 2 Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka. Telephone 685085 /698048; Fax 696618Hi WILL THE P.A. IMPLODE OR EXPLODE? Mervyn de Silva T, hero was a flicker of © ight atine endothe tunnel last © ff week when Colombo's posher clubs were swept by “relable reports” (and rumours) of a Chandi - Rlani summit. But no, The violence in Negombo and the distupton of tha Church service wracked all hopes of a seficus PA-U.NP. effort to agree ‘on a negotiated political settiament of Sri_Lanka's harrowing _thirleen-year separatist insurgency, I happened at St Mary's Negombo, A United National Perly celebrating Its 50th anniversary saw its supporters assauted and the Church Service at St. Mary's rudely disrupted by ‘@ gang of thugs deseribad as aupporters cf @ wellknown local pollician, The Vicar-Geneial of the Colombo diocese has condemned the thuggery,the Sunday Times reported, He had eviderily identified the ring-leader es “a petty PA poltician”, wale Prime Minister Sima Bandanake did not mince words when she addiessed a meeting of ministers. “Faced with — mounting diffcullies on every front and loshg IIs popularity every passing week, tha PA was resoring to violence” observed the Oppastion leader Mr. Ranil Wickrema- Singhe at a mooting of the U.N.P’s patliameniary group. Two years in offee, tho “grand coalition” that won the parliamentary pols Just two years ago, has lost is gri. Tha PA, which had struggled hard to passthe50% mark atihe mid-Augustpols i 1994, rolios on the smaller parties — Tami, Musim, D.U.NLF, the Leftist LSSP.-C.P.,andiheCW.C.(planiation labour) end other assorted groups — for a stable majority. Parliament. In the absence of @ common ideclogical outlook and firm leatlership, the P.A. leadership cannot cope with the problems that keep ling up each passing _ month ‘one of its mejor pols pledges, 5 gone wih the wind. In desperation, seme P.A. poliiciane are lashing out wildly, adding to poor President Kumaratunga'smeunting pilaf problems, The immediate beneficiary is the LTTE. when ater tsmassive bow ioheavilyforified Mullakivucamp, has re-opened. the “eastern front’, also militarily a more formidable chailenge 10 the armed fetces, the reine and the State, than the northem province This is ‘an othnic conflict, prima‘ly. The north is nearly 100% Tami; the East 's mixed, ‘explosively son view of the communal ompostion — the Tamils the largest group But not a majority, the Sinhalose only 25%, and the Musims just over a third. "Our Bosnia"ishow many a participant ai_Golombo's busy seminar _ circuit dasciibes. the challonge tho Easiem province represents, TIME FACTOR The prophet of the space age, Arhur G. Clarke has proposed thet Sti Lankaput the cock back by half an hour to cape with the new challenges ct global electronic communications, But President Chandrika Kunaraiunga has a problem that peads more urgent attention. Tine: running out for the "Peoplas Allance’ (PA) Things fall apart says every leader-witer and columnist quotieg W.8. Yeats. Yes, sirong divisive forces ere at Work in our conilict=tom society but itis the governing coalition which is tearing itself apan. And It insists on doing so n Dulblc — on the frontpage of the rational Newspapers, particularly on Sundays. The reason is plain enough, Firs, tho diverse interests of the constiuent Dares, and on some occasions, their eolegical differences eg the res dual Marxism-Leninism (Trolstyism?) of Comrade Vasu of the LSS. Second, andmmore crucially, hemcunting pressure from the organisations and the interest groups thal lieiped the P.A to defeat ihe U.NP. in August 1994) which in tum helged Candidate Chandika Kumara- tunga to win a record 62% vote some Wocks later, thanks most of al, to the VPM. factor (vaasi paththela horya) cr ‘be smart voter, join the winring Sdo, ‘Thus the swving. The P.A. victory wes as much a negative (ant-UIN.P.) ewing as a pro-P-A, Vote. Buta flesh face and an attractive personality hebedbythe V.P H. factor made the result look a magnificent Tunaway victory. We deceived ourselves by exaggerating the victory and glonitying the winner, wheninfact ine elecioratewas quite ‘red of the ULNP. and looked for change, @ new face, Once the U.N.P. was defeated, two groups locked forward to change: ( national minorities, the Tamils in parte cular (i) the wage-eamor and the lowermiddectass salevied, The Tamils prayed for the resolution of the ethnic ‘conic. A desperate President JR, having failed to rasoVve the problem miitanly, trapped the wellintenoned, if neive, Faliv Gandhl nto sending tne |PKF. (IR. was ready tofight tha LTTE. to tha last Indian). Obsessed with “soversigrty’ President Premadasahslpedthel. 7 T.E. to get the PF. out. = Vol. 19 No. 10 September 15, 1936 Price Rs. 15.00 Published fortnightly by Lanks Guarcian Publishing Co. Lid. No, 245, Union Place Cclembo -2. Ediior in Chiott Mervyn de Silva Eulitor. Dayan Jayatileka Telephone: 447534 Piinted by Ananda Prose 8215, Sir Painajothi Saravanemuste Mawatha, Colombo 13, Telophone: 435075, CONTENTS Mervyn de Silva 1 Tisarance Gunasckara 3 HEL. Seneviratne 5 Kumar Rupeslaghe iG KM. de sitva 12 Pulsara Liyanage 15 Dilip S. Samarasinghe 19 Rey.DrS.J.Emmanuel 23But Promadaca is dead and tho P.A. is two years od. The wiy J. Jayawardene’s broad-and-Circusce' tick doesn't work any more. Not after two years, end certainty not with an SLLP. 50 totaly and visby ceperdent on so many thor partes for a slable parliamentary majority. The P. A’s only advantage i thal the U.NP. certainly under Ranil Wickremesinghe, much younger than any of his predacassors, is No great hurry to celeat the P.A. in Patlament. Let the P.A, break-up on iis ‘vin linpiode not explode. Besides, the situation is quite different. In1R's time, goods were available freely, joos were ‘going a-begging, and inflation was nat so oppiessiveas now, Thal of courseis Prof Pieriss nightmare, though the final dec’sion on economic matters is in tho hands of the President (Minister) and her top adviser, the Cenirel Bank governor. Prot. Pieris gives excalent lectures in Parliament whle Governo- AS. Jayawardene, in consultation with the President end the IMF-World Bank takes the decisons. Of course itis the ‘amilar INE toute. Watch the US doliar on a steady clmb as against he S.L rupee, ‘And that leaves Prot, Pieris, who has to face Pattiament, crying about coating defence spending and supplementary fstimatos. As living costs rise, the trace Unions get restive, and most of the unions (tho C.W.C. of Mr. Thondaman is an exception) are run by the Leflist parties, alies in the Peoples Alisnce. The Speeches made by Comrade Vasudeva Nanayalkara, prompt some dpomats to ‘ask whether he is an Opposition or P.A. MPL DEFENCE SPENDING ‘After Mullativu (locsely termed the PAs Dian Bien Phu) the army cals the shots. And the frst demand is mere men and matatial; cnce agan. money. The PA’s great hope of a negolisted setllament and 2 steady reduction in rrilary spending has been abandoned Its new posture has alienated ine Tam partie that gove it a eafo majority in tho House, Aer two years, these parties Including the respectably pariamontarist ‘TL.U.LF,, demand settlement... meaning DEVOLUTION, a package of proposals. ‘And Prof, Peers § ready, But President Chandrika and her Defence Minister, General Relwalts, the hero ol OPERATION RIVIRESA, is nervous to take any slep thal would provoke the Nahanayekes. For the Mahanayakes “devolution” means “division”, the rightmare of History — coparata Sinhala and Tamil kingdoms. The P-A, and the President aro to0 nervous to move on Devolution. Oniy Prof. Piens is keen ‘and probably the Foreign Minisior who! sensitive to the opinion of the ODPL commurity, the donors. Again, economics: ‘The more influential donors know that itrequircs P.A.- UIN.P. cooperaton. But the conots cannot persuade tne U.N.P 10 help produce a bipariiean davolution package. Thats only possbieifresident Kumaraiunga closes one fron! —har war against the UINP and ils leader. No ‘governing pay in teday's Sri Lanka can Conduct @ two-front war, Some Sunday [papers suggested that a Chandrika-Ranil “mnini-summit” was on the agenda and mecaiors were at work But the PA will fall {11 persists in war-wer, javr-jaw with an Opposition that is too strong to be crushed, and in fact is gelting more confidant, thanks largely fo the PA's mistakes and “non-governance”. ASHRAFF FACTOR The “unit is the ‘esue. And here, the Muslims, cettainly ofthe eastern province ‘and their demand for a separate unit, is the crucial question. The once dormant Muslim commurity has sean a political awaxening of its new generation — the impact of the gobal-regonal_ Islan revival, The emergence of the S.L.MC. Js the outcome, Mr. Ashraf is mora important than most ministers in the Kumaratunge cabinet, One sure sion ofthe impact of the Islamic revival is the SLLM.C'S current poltics, in the Eastern provinoa most ofall, A more ciriking sign Deputy Meda Minisier Alavi Moulanas. threat to load a demonstration tothe U'S, Embassy to piotest avast the U.S. missile ettacks agains! iraq. “The PA headed by Presider: Kumaratunga will ever approve this dastardly act. As long as there are l2aderslike Libye’=Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq's Saddam Hussen, ro terrotising force can bring the Muslims ‘0 their kneas.” Howdo the Tamilparticsrespondtothe Muslin demand fora separate unit inthe eastern province? “The unit of devolution isacilicalissue that needs io beresolved if an enduring pollical solution is to be foune", Dr, Neelan Tiuchelvam (TULF MP) fold the Lanke Guardian. “The P.A, In its August proposels outined en approach to [he question which envisages the re-demarcation of existing provincial boundaries” The debate goes on while the ciisis deepens, lo reveal a P.A. leadership thal is fact losing its grip on national poles. Politeal dynastios have become a South Aslan phanemenon. A legal bate betveen Anuta Bandaransike (UNP), the only son of Mr. and Mrs, Bandaranzike, bon SLFP Prime Ministers, and General Faaiwalle js the most sirking symbol of 2 ‘sociaty and poltical system in deep criss,AVERTING THE PRIVATISATION WAR: A CENTRIST COMPROMISE FORMULA Tisaranee Gunasekara tis imponant io bear inmind thatthe PA regime coos ict have a popular mandate to implement —ts_—_current privatisation programme, This act canrot be ignored because there is clear ‘evidence that a majority of Sri Lankans ‘are opposed to the privatisation of state assels. According fo an cpnon fol conducted jointly by the Mitcfsky Injerational of New York and the Research International (Pvt) Lid.. 73% of the populace disapprove of the privatisation of state instiutfons while nly 21% support such a privatisation Frogramme, The breakdown is given in the chart below Another interesting point ie that “disepprovel of privalisalion seems to Increase with education since 792% of te AIL educated people disapprove of privatisation of state insitutions” while among those with no schooling, the Cisapproval rate is a siignly low 51%. Mo, Gunasckara, ff the Boosone Rot Direderoft racy We Baler 1 ir sorvenlly & Premedasa Centre ‘Therefore the PA regime's privatisation effortis an attempt to forcibly implement an extremaly unpopular programme for which tha government fas no electoral mandate, In olher words, itis highiy undemocratic, Any attempt to bulkdoze ahead with the privatisation programme disregarding these popular sentimenis will only serve to exacerbate the pelitical ‘and econortic crisis. The only solution is to restructure the privatisation Programme in such a way that it is capableof neutralising or winningover ‘a majority of the populace. This cannot tbe done through the kind of manipulative advertising campaign launched by the Public Enterprises Reform Commission Institution to Approve Disapprove Not enough Slate Banks | 142 80.0 58 Ports | 186 80.0 57 (PERO), (Ineidentaly, it should net forgotton that the PERC is far rem boing a democrat instiuon — its not even accountable to the Parliament and the Supreme Gout ruls¢ that soma ofits provisens are unconstiuitonal), What js nocescary ie a privatication pro- oramme with a ditference — whch wil direc, jnmmediately and visibly benefit tho majrty ef tho etizony, by helsing to eradicate povery, hunger. iiieracy. homelessness, manutiton and olh socials through contibuting to the erection ofa strong socal wetfae net ‘What should be the basic policy matrix of sucha programme? 1. Ienifying the state enterprises which can be privatised without causing a negative impact on the interests of he nalion, the development process and the welfare of the citizens a) No profit making stale enierprises should be privatsed. b) Stale enterprises of strategic national importance andlor natural monopolies should no! be piivatsed. This would incude the plantations, tho state Banks, lectncty and water services, ‘allways, ports & AlrLanka. Instead, efiots must be made to improve ‘alr eticiency, (This aspect will be dealt with late) 2. Ensure thet the condliors of sale maximises the banefits to the country and the citizenry n general and the employees of those enterprises in particular, a) asalepricewhich accurately reflects ie value of he enterprise) a limit on upward price revisions of products at least for 2 certain ime period ©) aban onthe creation of monopolies d) aban on employe reirenchment «) a writan commitment to safeguard the mighis currently enjoyed by employes. 3, Appoint a Commiitos co-chaired by a representative of the Mnisity of Finance or PERC and the Minister of Labour & Vocational Training (or his nominee) io oversee the prvatsation process. This committee should be ‘accountable to the ctizens via the Parllamient and should contain atleast one member tepresenting the Parliamentary opposition. 4, All. government enterprises which are being privatised should be convened into pubic limited lablity companies. 5. A certain percontage of shares (6%-10%) should be distibuted atrong all the employees of the enterprise free of charge, thereby turning the employees into share= holders with ful voting rights. 6. Make provisions for the appointment cf a Worker Diractor to the now Board of Directors. This director will be chosen by the employee shareholders from among thir number, through 2 secret hallo, for a period of one yeer, with the sight of recall, Any decision conceming the employees (such as wages, working conditions, etc.) should have to be approved by this worker director, This method can minimise industrial disputes and go a long way towards achioving industrial peace based on genuine consensus and Increasing worker productivity endeficiency. This is necossary because profitability and proviging the consumer a better senice should be two of the most important objectives of privatisation. The reaisation that keeping one's Work force nappy is necessary both for profitability end increasing the quality ‘of predicts is greater than aver today —whichiswny Employee Surveys are becoming the vogue in developed counties“... As companies place more emphasis on proving quality products and services — not just cheap onas — they have realised that unhappy workers are more likely 10 chum out shoddy goods. it is that inkage that has elpvated employee satisfaction feedings to the point ‘where many companies nowuce them as an clement In reviewing the performance of alltheir manager, ight Up to the chief executive”. (Erk Epsos = Intemational Herald Tnbune). ae fon the tuth and 1688, t Is but one at mie. strategy, which differont heted | in “themsolves the role of econo- _inguisiters,_ ‘threalening recaleltrant Third World — ES (01 _ for financial eee which ley require a clean bill of | they bellove fo be | si_resistanco, __fesistance to external — iF — Scan sige be the palh = This practice was iniiated ky the ISS Iniemational Services System, the world's largest clearing company. "The Copenhagen based ISS which started surveying lisemployeesin Scandinavia two yoars ago and crsdite the practices with helping to raise productivity, plans toexpand its monthly polis worldwide (Ibid). in fact, some analysts see this as a method o! Increasing employes commitment and productivity in a context of ‘shrinking willingness by employers to offer regular raises or even jeb s‘abilty’. (Ibid). US Secratary of Labour, the wellknown eccnomist Robert Reich, has been hammering home these points lately. 7. A pattamentary subcommittee headed by the Minster of Labour & Veeational Training should be appointed to oversee the functioning, of all privatised state enterprises fora period not less than 5 years. Ths commitiee will act 2s.a watch dog in the pubic ard employee. interests and wil ensure thal the rights of the eonsumer/atizons and employoos are safeguarded. In the event of @ dispute beiwesn the employses and the new owner or any consumer/ctizen complaints, the committee wil play the role of the arbiter 8. Atleast 50%o! the revenue generated by the privatisation should be spent in a way that Immediately, dirsctly and Visibly benefits the ctizens — parliculaily on education (inciuding vvocational!raining) health andpoverty alleviation. The detals concerning these allocations shoud be rade available to the public through the Pariament. Such ‘secial transparency’ and social accoun- tebilty wilicreateasolid masssuppor base for pivatication. And What About Stato Entorprisos? The other exss of this effort atreforming ‘and. restucturing Public Entemrises should be a programme to improve the efficency of tha stratagie ontorpiisos which willremainin the handsof the state. International experience from Bismark’s Germary to the East Asian NICs clearly prove that I properly cuidedidirected and managed, public entorprises can spur (Cons on pave 14)THE WW HAT, HY AND HOW OF DEVELOPMENT H.L. Seneviratne thought the best thing could dowithin the tewrinutes allocated to me is to talk about © development in a very general ‘way but having in mind the problems and prospects of Si Lanka, Development i gonerally understood ‘5 somethingin the sohere of economics, ‘and thore ie no doubt that there is some truth In that. But economic development is only one aspect, | would say an linportant aspect, ofthetotaldeveopment of a. sccialy. Whon sociologists talk ‘about development tis that total concept that thoy have in mind. In fast while no ‘one in his sense would call a poverty stricken cociely a developed society, it's possible to imagine a developed society whose economic assels are relatively modest. The index of development, | ce {0 suggest, is not a matter of quantity but a matier of process. By that 1 mean the process known as sel-generation What do we mean by selt-ceneration? Bythatwemean the capacity orthe ability ‘Society has tolaunch itself into a certain trajectory and keop moving on a more or less unending voyage. It in the words | use, you notice the imagery of an object lopelled into the atmosphere, ke a satolito or = epace chip, you have Quessed rightly whet / have nmin. lam Comparing tho development process 10 tatof an abjecttaking oft fromthe ground andspeeding forwardenclesslybymeans of én unrelenting momentum. This is not 80 farfatched, or new, orexotic an image 8 t may appear. Because, economists have fer quile some time used the term Prot. Senevitatne is wit the Decatmen! cf Anthropology, Universiy of Virginia | this yoar at the inauguration of | the Diploma course in Applied | Sociology at the Daparimont | 9f Sociology, University of Colosabo, a "take of to describe the dynamic process that sparks tho engine of an economy. Some thepris's have considered ‘economic self-genevation to be central io the general process of total social self generation, but we have no reason to think so. Economic sel-generation is made possible ultimately through a process by which a sccialy learns to produce more wealth than i consumas so that there is always an adequate surplus of wealth that cay be re-invesied. The average economist is satisfiod by the mere recogni of the availabilty of re-invastisle wesltasboththecause and the index of self generation, In a {otal ecnception of development, that is not enough. We have to ask the question as to why some societies aro able to produce mors weelth than they consume, and some fail to do so. The mere presence of factors ike capital, labor and entrepreneurship is not enought procuce that surplus. We have examples, like Argentina, where these classical factors of production have ‘existed but the development process has faied 10 take off. Tho calalyet of development ulimately es not In the factors cf production themsslves. but strong motvaton and a culture of hard work. These two ere related. A culture of hard woik is the instittionalization of motivation, That is to say motivation is historically arior toa culture of hard werk, and once a culture of hard work comes intoexistence, thecomesan autonomous phenomenon, When that happens, a society has launched itsolf inlo the se-generalive process of cevelopment. Whatisa culture of hard work? Aa dee! culture of hard work means the intemalisation, by all nosrmel members of @ sccie¥y. of the idea that work is very important, that itis almost a sacred duty, itis @ commtment, anditis notto be taken light. Above all, individuals in an ideal ciiture of nard work, have the unshakable feeling deep inside them thal ihe wages they eam are deserved, and legitimate, Indeed, one could go a step further and say thatwhat matters i tho work and not the wage. You keep workingwith absolute indifference to what you eain, That ia, there is the notion of duty, ether because you feel a sense of dadication to the work liselt, or some other cause that is higher then yourself. The most important point is that the idea of gain for onaselistctally absent. When you work forahighercause ‘Out ofa sense of duty towards that cause, ‘or because work itself is @ duty, you ensure the coming into being af 2 certain kind of personality, without whom the Process of development cannot take Place. Of the cluster features that would haracterize that personality, lat me Fst four: honesty, responsibly, eficency, and disepine, So far, we talked about the question of hata culture of hard werks, Letus nowask the question of how a culture of hard work is brought about. The answerto that is already there in the idea of the sense of duty to Work forahghercause. Let me give you two exampies to ilustrate the idea of work constituting a sense of duty toa higher cause. The firstie a vary well known example and is spelled out in one of the most famous books n the field of the social sciences. Thisis Max Webar's book, The Protesiant Ethic and he Spit of Capitalism In hat book Weberrelatesthe tise of tie capitalist sprit lolhe asceticism that grew out of the Reformation. That is, pepe woiked endlessly with total docication for a spiritual purpose, with no enjoyment ofthe irults oftheir iebor. My second example is the culture of work in Japan. Each Japanese worker is totally dodicated to the business or institution for whic she or he works, bocauso all these companios or institutions ultimately function forthe glory of Jepan and its amperor, There 6 a pervasive lectng of pairiotsm that Jaan rust strive to be the best in the word While Japanese industries compete wth each ather at one level they co-operate ‘at another lovel. If]2n incusty is under threal, otherirdustries ry to sypportitang boring tbaekto aconcrric health, Workers feel they are part of the industry and workors' suggestions for improving the industty are accepted Dy tne management. There are no decertions. People work for the same company ‘or ‘generations. Leaving one's company for better prospecis in another is irwned ‘upon by society and there are iniormal ‘sanctions against it There are nosirixes. ‘That remnds me of an incident. One morning my eo-rasident at the Lodgo, a visting Japanese professor, was reading the newepapor and suddenly startod laughing. He waslaughinguncontrolably. asked him why. His laughter was such that he couldn't put his words togethar to tellmewhy.Finallyhe managedie telime, iil laughing, ‘Daciors are on sire!’ and relumed 1 laughing again. It suddenly dawned upon me how rdculous it would befor aperson‘rom a sociely where tere is a culturo of work, to hear that docters, fall people, are on strike. | have givan enough of @ sketch on developrrent to understand wha! its ‘opposite is like, We don't have ta look far. Underdevelopment, or more correctly non-davolopment is all around us. Wo have, as a general ule in our society, an ingivicual whose charactaristc features are the opposite of those of the indviduel in 2 society wih a culture of werk. Instead of honesty wwe have dishonesty; iresporsbilly instead of reapensibilty. Inefficency instead of efficiency; and indiseppine instead of discipline, So far, | talked about henoety, responsibilty, eticiency and discipline in relation to work. But in a total concept of development we must consider these, as not limted to one's work place, but ‘generalized to all activities. This is what I meant by intemalization of these as values and norms taba held by all normal members of a culture. To put this differently, devalopmant is matter intemal to the individual Kis a matter of mental atitude, When we have an individual of ths type with these mental etttudes, we have development. The complexof ideas that constitue this mental attitude ‘sno lessthana religion. Wecancallita secular ‘eligion. itis only if we can practice that secular religion thet we can have davalopment Such a society is often dream of by social reformers, vistonartes and great leaders moved by compascon and saddened by the miserable plight of the ‘majonty of their folow ctizens, Espocially inthe absence ot great mativeting social forces, such men becamebeacone o' ight and are able to awaken the masses of people to realise their plight, and to do something about it Typically, such leaders exhort their fellow citizens 10 culivate precisely the qualities wa have listed, honesty, responsibilty, efficiency, and discipine. In cur country we had a creat visionary of tnis type who had the potential, through his own exiracrcinary Gifts and exemplary dedicaton, to wake Up and inspire the sleeping masses to cilivate some of these qualities, and 10 move them to revolution, nol 2 revolution of blood, but a ‘evolution wehin themselves. This visionary was Anagarika Dharmapala. A proper evaluation of Dharmapale’s work's yel to be made, but from the pont of view our present tepe, It \s possible 10 say the ‘oliowing: Dharmapele unfortunately had one side (of hs thinking undoing the richness, imaginaton and ceativity ofthe otherside Gf histhinking, Tabe specif hedreamed Gf a utopia of honest, disciplined citizens, but uniortunaiely it was dominated, it rot exclusively popuisied by one athno-religious group, the Sinhala Budchisis. And unfortunately also, t was this bad side of Dharmapala that fr ‘riumohed, and the good side hes been forgetten. | hope a program lke the ane we are inauguialing today will help fe-discaver the good side af this great Paalot, which Is not far to seek. Its no more than striving to be honest, disciplined, efficient and resporsble, not ‘only in our jobs, but in all our day to day behavior. ‘A special tespensibilty ies onthe =! if we are to successfully leunch ourseives Into development. By vitue of thet talents and training, the elites, which include all of us here, have the Knowledge and perception to understand the prcblom; and by virtue of their eminent positons they have the capability of influencing colleagues and suoordinates to cultivate ‘and nurture the values we have listed above as indispensable for a devetoning society. A very special responsibility lies on the political elite. in fact in societios like ours where the stato ic cominant, and Jocal and voluntary Cofganizations are weak, the problem ‘of development becomes in very the problem of biggest diawbacks in Sri Lanka that our politcal Ieadersip is lacking n the dedication and the patriotism necessary to do anything beyond coming up with gimmickstowin thenextelection. Rational aciion towards development is easiest fo” the poliical leadership to take, but that eadership is 100 busy gambeng for power. Gamblers are anxious to win, and that anxiety dives them, not to seek rational answers, but to seek supematural ad in the formot vows, astrology. pintcnanings and Bodhipujas. Our poitcians are so ridden with anxiety that parkament is ‘opened and closed, projects siried, wars ‘waged, all according fo auspicious ima The Venerable Walpole Rahula wrote a book thiry years ago condemning these pfimitive beliefs. That book, tiled Satyorlaya, or the Dawn of Truth, is naw avaliable ina recent reprint is briliant book that should be reag by everyone interested in development Snce | mentioned the obsession of polticians ‘wih astrology and auspiciousness, let me ‘eanclude by quotingin Engish translation a Pal verse from a Buddhist text that Bhikkenu Rahula quotes in that book: “The ‘fool who worships astrology neglects Fis work, Auspiciousness for doing the work is doing the work What have the stars got to do with i?TOWARDS AN EXPANDED FRAMEWORK FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Kumar Rupesinghe ow cana stato-besod crcanisatio playameaningtl TD ote in the intemal conicis of its momber states? The UN is criticised 2s an unwieldy and increasingly flawed instrument for solving these issies The agenda has been further aiterec by NGOS wha ere now tekng over a large number of roloc that wore Previously the preserve of the UN, paticulerly in the field of humenterian action, developmart programmes.and he montcring of hurnan fights. Even the areas o! peacemaking, preventive diplomacy and earfle! rosclution, wish were the prerogatives and dorrain of the Secury Counal ar the poitical ace of ihe UN setretatet,havebeen opened up with new actors euch as small states, srrinant persons and NGOs — developing anc creating mechanisms to addrase these issues. The inleraiional systen today is much moro than a sysiom of states, With veriaty ct transnational aciors trom business corporations, academia, non: ‘governmental agencies, civic groups and religous organisations, it's an ‘evor-oxpanding reiwork which cuts across the state sysiem. The communi- cations revolution has enabled grealer commiurication world-wide, and with Tegard to peace bulding and future securly, there is a growing network of Gtizen based groups which are wilirg to shoulder muci of the responsiciy, However the extandad involvement of the non-governmental sector shoud not undermine tho importance of the moral authoriy of the UN 2s a global organisation, ard its wide technical capacityand expertsa, The factisthat the problems which faca the world today, The wires is Secretary General of International Alert require solutions which cannot ke mel ky the UN alone. The United Nations can often provide the strategic frameworks for preventive ciplomagy. At the very least, a better form cf partnership is needed at every level between UN bodies, governments, NGGs and ragional organisations. Drug trafficking and inter= national terrorism demonstrate the willingness of governments in every part of the world io collaborate with each other in preventive action, Tho noed is for this Cohesion to move onto additional areas of concern, A ctructured raspones to crises should be developed, whereby a division of labour, based ontediferentcompatalive compotancies of crganisationsisinitiatod, The am Is to ensure an increased Coherence in the activites initiated by each organisation. The UN is a suitabie forum to advosate just such chalenges. Indoed it i well placed to co-ordinate ‘number of intiatives so that comple mentary sireteyes can be developsd, It can build the framework under which a Wide’ range of other actors — errinent perscns, NGOs, regional orgarisations— intervene in tha cause af peace Early Warning The early waming of conflict situations is seen 25 a necessary element in Conflict provention. The failure of conic management in recent years has deen due in part to the tardiness of the actions employed. Protracted social cenflicts have @ determinable cycie and each phaeo of the conflict offers an opportunity for a particular kind of intervention. In most cases however, intervention comes during tho stago when the contlicthas escalatec and the paries have entered a phase of ation, when the spiral of violence andcounter-violanca has already begun. An early waming system is cne inetrument to prevent the confict from reaching tis critical stage. When iensions and crises develop, the fvformation whic is available is ‘ragmontod, somatmes Inaccurate, and this highlights the central problem of early warning. Warnings may be gven by anumber of organisations but ‘they do not possess the ablity to torce the worlds attention on these countries at risk In April 1994 for examola, whon many of the world’s joumnaisis were ‘congregating in South Afroa for tha elections, the wamings which were coming from Rwanda were effectively ignored Esrly Warning centres The establishment cf one.or two official centres for early warning and praventve iplomacy which would produce teguar and authoritative toports, warnings and recommendations would be of great valus. These centies would be able receiva reports from NGOs and other agences. Specific public ard private recommendations couldbe madetoallihe citlerent aciors of the intsmational comunity Including the UN, paficular national governments end NGOs. In Europe, the initalive at the European Parlament to establish an early waming observatory has raceivad suppor, However, few practical steps have been taken, as recent study shows, In examining the early warring and preventive actions of a number of inter-governmenial organisations, the lack of effectiveness and cohesion in their operations wes revealed, No well-developed early wering systomehave yet been developed, although many organisations such as the OSCE, ‘ASEAN, ECOWAS, and QUA are aware cf the need for stich a system'® The lack of effective eary weming jn tho past has, in part, boon duo to the inefficiencies of centralised gover- mental systems, whose response to an impending emiergsncy is time-consuming and wil often be delayed untl the crisis has struck. Bureauctacies in the donor counirias ara not geared to the needs of therecpients, and asdecisonmakersare ‘only indirect inked to the victims, there ig litle accountablity regarding the elficiercy and elfeciveness of the response" ‘Amongst members ofthe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop- tment, the need for division oflabourand co-operation between donors and ‘embassies within the region of confct as pat cf en cary warming system is increasingy acknowledged. tisarqued thal with regular communication between these partes, the confict stuation could bbe diagnosed, and a ‘common base of Information’ could be agieed upon wich ‘would than be used to formulato a coortinated strategy which woud be reoognised by outside governments, ‘while boing sensttve to the noeds of the various factions involved in the dispute ‘The UN fas also become more active in the area of eary warning and rapic response, Under the direction of the UN Department of Humanitarian Afiairs (DHA) tho Reliof Web® project has been launched, the purpose of which is 10 provide updated, orine global information for confict proveniion, preparedness and rapid resporse for the humanitarian communty, so that relevent actors, particularly regions of conflict or disaster can make more effective use of information in developing complementery strategies for prevention and relief aciviies. Subject to folowing certain procedures regarding the colection and ‘exchange ofinformation, all orgarications are welcome tojoin. Since sovereign governments do not take kindly to being informed that their country is on the brink of disaster, inleroovernmental systems lone, are someiat imitedin bulldingacapacityfor arly warming, So, their efforts need tobe complemented by the ctizen based, and NGO systems, but here, @ number of practical issue must be taken into considerations. Firsily, many NGOs and Inlemational cherie ave linted by their mandates. For oxampla, the ICRC hacits ‘own iniommation gathering system, Dut cannol share this operiy withother NGOs, nor can it act on data provided by others: Secondly, every organisation has its own prioites. So Amnesty’s focus on Nigeria ata particular time for example, may nat bear relevance to Oxtam’'s programme which may be focused on India at that same time, It is therefore necessary to develop a means through which al the organisations workingin a specificregion can co-ordinaia thait efforts and work towards a common agenda, The crealion of an early waming clearing house which could collect and disseminate regulareary waming data to a notwork of early action agencies is a possibilty today. With access to Information databases word wide end a range of web stes cn the Intorrot, tho clearing house could synthesise the information gathered and offer a range of standardised reports on eubjects euch as countries al war, potential conflicts, minotiles at isk, and thematic Issues such as aime proliferation. The cleairg house couldalso act asa referral cystem, pointing to recognised experts ard information brokers who could provice more in-depth analysis. ‘The search for @ very effective early waming sysiom is not an and in isoll. A highly efficient early warming system will bbe useless it's 1esulls in effecive action. It must be tied to a structured multsectored response. Furthermore, early warning Is act just the function of network and the dletrbution of mandates, butalso the empowerment ofactors within the regions of conflict The early aétion network should also comprise human rights organisations, humanitarian agencies, development agencias, governments, regional and Global inter-governmental organisations ‘such as the OAU, EU, and UN, the corporate sector and the academic community amongst others. The am Would be to ensure that a diverse set of organisations have access to regular and rellable information about ongoing and polential conficts, upon which they could determine a co-ordinated plan of early preventive action™ ‘Muli-track solutions to conflict. Mult-tack diplomacy, detined as the application of peacemaking from diferent vantage points within a muli-centred network.™ reflects ihe diferent levelsanc variety of factors which need to be addressed. It highights the combination of ements whicn can work together successiully 10 bring together 2 conjunciureo' forces, therebycreating he Ingredients for a successful peace process. It has recently boon described as a “web of inlerconnecied parts (actidites, —indivicuals, _ipsitutions, communities) that operate together, whether awkwardy or gracefully, for a common goal: a wold at peace."* The design of the mutlrack approach is based on the icea that all effors can be complementary to each other and art of a larger iramework of initiatives, ‘The involvement of a varialy of actors at cifierent levels of a conflict is intended to bring greater accountabilty and adherence to human fights and humanitarian laws by all ses. For example, while NGOs may monkor human rights ablises at the grassroots fevels, economic institutions such as the IMF er Werld Bank could press for a peacelul settlement, and national civic ‘groups could form peace coaitions 10 bring pressure on the government and rabels to negotiate. Multi-track initatives envisage a compieensive, mutually reinforcing network with diverse actors inanening at different love's of the problem. tis clear hatthe world of contict ja multilayered end diferent types of acion mus! be used to adcress these diferent dimensions, Different ‘orgenisatione and groups, intervening at appropriate levels can be used so that there is a dvison of labour based on the ‘comparatve advantages of aach group, It is argued that official diplomacy and Unofficial ‘second track’ approaches should be complemented by a range ofa a eS A multitrack solutions Oficial diplomatic Manoeuvres are olten citcumscnbed oy poltical intoresis, @ lack of trust ‘oncaming the intentions of the radiator, Shortferm domestic considerations, ang an unwilingnass toadcress the depthand complexty of social and economic problems that are caused by intemal Conflicts. Second track approcches, such the Norwegian inyolvementin the Midcle East, may stand greater chance of success, if tis intended to complament Official negotiations, but cannot focus on all the other areas of concern which have aifecied the causes and duration of the Conflict. Non-govemmental or unctficial dplomacy may be effective in creating dialogue, bul doasnothavethenecassary resources or poitical leverage to bring ‘about change. Yet the combined force of these approaches can addtess the fundemenlal issues, end stil ping the necessary poltical momentum. 1. Tools and Approachos Within preventive diplomacy, matisrack diplomacy is gradually being developed through @ senes o! parallel slages®. On one level the development and analysis of thecretical approachas to peace building and preventive action are siltaking place”. Studies are aiso being Lnderteken in bulding parinerehine wih Intemational end local groups so that information about conflict prevention is shared and extended. The next phaco Incorporates the develooment of regional working groups in the analysis of cantict scenarios by responding with practical iniiaties® The inal stage is the eslabishment of 2 response mechanism that can respond during the early stages of the confici situation, contathing violence ard making us2 ol new opporiuniies to create peace initiatives with the help of NGOs, other insttions and local crizens. A distinction can be made betvreen the tools used in tho various stages of conflict, particularly during the pre negoliation and negotiation phase, when the challengeis to firsty bring the viaring parties to the table, and introduce accountability. Amnesty international and, Human Rights Wetch conduct intensive ‘manitering of human righ's abuses, and have bean actively involved in holding on-state actors accountable. Local clizen groups can also create a framework to bring accountability amongst warring partes. The creation of peace zones and peace corridors in the Philippines did affect the actions of the fighters, as communities jeined tegather o ban fighting in the zones.” The objective shouldbe tocreate opportunities for dialogue. Most of tho classical fterature on Contlct resolution deals with negotiations and how 1o achieve successt.| outcomes on winwin solutions during the Negotiations process itself. In intemal conlicts however, the major problem is how to bring the parties to the table, AS argued earlior, asymmetrical conflicts have a ite of their own, and oftan tha porties may vian! to prolong te war. Thus there is a need for more experioncs sharing ard the develonment cf new instruments through which the parties can be persuaded to come forward, Waiting for a hurting stalemate may be too costly ‘and may prolong the war. Usted belowis only selectiono! some of the methods and tools which can be Useful in the expansion of muli-track diplomacy, Some are ried and tested ‘approaches, however, olen an ‘organisation will only use one method. For muttitrack dipiomacy to be affective it important that a more integrative, ‘'mulistol’ approach ie ueed. In other words a menu of options could bo eveloped providing a range ot activities which could be tallred to the needs of ‘each situation. © Peace Missions-tact-finding missions to contlict area and oltzens’ mssions to better define the problems. + Special Envoys — a group of experienced and credible emissares sent to speak to all pares in the contlict ‘exploring negotialon routes. By Involving respected international emissaries, moe attention is given to the area of conflict ‘and more people, both at a Iccal and an international level show interest in Paricizating in the resolution process. = Peace Monitors-peace/human rights groups monitoring the satey of civilians, and. offering recommendaticns for improvements. The develapment of a code of conduct for the acherenos to human rights and humanitarian lawis one slep towards inireducing ceountabilty Special ‘peace brigades’ can be formed to monitor ceasefies, secure the sately ‘of peace corridors, and accompany human nights lawyers, acing as a etterent against attacks. '* Problem-solving — informal dis- cussions wih and between disputants, or those close fo them, te encourage alternative routes to conflict resolution, ‘These workshops can De conducied over @ period of time, giving each group a chance to express thor emotions and voice their fears in a non-adversarial setting, Furthermore, the methods usaa in problem solving workshops should be Integrated into a wider public and politcal sphere, Training Workshops — tho objective Is transfer mediation and reconcifation skills end to encourage disputants, and chars affected by the confic, to consider altemative routes to conflict resolution Each workshop can be dasigned iofitthe needs of tho participants, sting fromthe: renegotiation phase. Using these ‘workshops itwould be possible to develop lecal, regicnal and national planiforms for Contict prevention and resolution. = Capacity-building — technical and logistical assictance for meciation efforts to the relevant actors and communities. This is lirked to the above, butalso re'ers tothe provision of material goods suich as Computers, books, and general office equipment. Training in the use of computers and administraiive maiters is also important. + Peace Conterence or Peace Task Force — ctizen based peace groups or national peace conferences, bringing ‘ogether diferent sectors of society and encouraging them to formulate a peace agenda By establishing = forum for discussion, diferent working groups get tho opportunity to exchenge ideas end develop a commen agenda and agreed plan of action+ Peace Initatives — community based initiatives such 65 peacezones'and'days cf peace’ which faciltate the provision of focd supplies to ceriain areas and sitengihen confidence buiding in divided ‘societice, Theso jritiaives aim to alvanise local communties and vilaaes Into taxing a more active role. It is also ameansof boisteringpsople'sconfidence ina time when mest feel despair and no hope for change. + Linking Differences —informal setting where cisputants can have a chance to Understand opposing viows. To avoid tha ‘embarrassment of aficiel conirontationan informal gathering could be arranged through a neutral thitd pany, where disputants have the chance to speak ‘openly without fear of reialation fromtheir ‘Wn supporters or the enemy, itis part of the ‘humanising process, in wich disputants are encouregad to cispel sterectypicalimages of each other,so that they can once again talk as ordinary people relating to each other, not es seldiers and enemies, = beaming from Comparative Experiences — experienced peace: makers can visi conlict area and share their knowledge with local actors. By exploring the Issues of conflict in an Objective way, they can offer concrete ‘examples cf ways in which particular problems have been resolved in past conflicts. = Economic Assistance or Poltical Packages — economic incentives which Grew attenion o tho advantagas of economic co-operation between regions Cf confict, By highlighting the advantagas of tecenoliation, such as nyesimentand ic nto the country, epportunities for work ‘and development, dsputants can be encouraged to enterinio peace talks and discuss a more balancod poitical and ‘economic power-sharing base. = Human Rights Standard-seting — campaigns the stressing the importanes fof adhering to intemalional human rights standards, and tne need for a framework for international standards on issues relevant to internal conflicts. Amnesty Injemnational and Human Rights Watch fare amongs! the largest organisations monitoring human rights abuses Word:wide. By publicising their findings thay do put pressure on governments 10 change their treatment of palitcal piisoners and inform the international Community of the extent of abuse that fxists. So they can be an enormous Impact on tne public's perception of a ppariicular stato, and thus also influence fereign and economic potcy towerds those states" ‘© Contct Resolution insttution-building = identifying and working local and atonal partners and heipng them to bul links with international organsations land networks. The purpose would bs 10 make conflict resolution practice an inherent aspact of other civie groups. ‘Additicnaly a network of conflict resolulion practitioners would strengthen the practical end conceptual. Gevelep- menis, as new ideas coud be explored and tosted on a world-wele basis. = Police and Millay Training — retaining the miltary and law eniorcement agencies to complement ‘and support peace procosces. Ofton the police and miltary areone and ihe same. ‘The purpose here would be first make distinctions between domestic policing methcds and the rcle of armed soldiers in peace time, and to assist in tho demobilisation and renabiliation of oldies into civil society. © Computer Networking for Early Waming ard Pozco — ostablishing computer networks between conic areas and a wilerinternational audience, 50 that information ean be exchanged about the conditions of conflict, and the potential of escalation, In the former Yagoclavia, an e-mail network was used by cians (0 relay messages between isolated areas end to spel propaganda that was being broadcast by the govemments involved. © Moblising the media for confit resolilfon — training the mec to report evens responsibly, and encouraging journafeis to focus on the peacebuilding initiatives and postive elements within the ‘conflict process, By in‘orming the medis ‘of on-going peace effortsand projects, the focus could be taken aay from just isaster and despair, to show thet peace {s possible and thatlocal people are wiling and able to rrake & difference. images of + Thee impact may net be immediate, bu parsctont proseure on the govoramant does br fit staring retugees or gun-ioling mitias creates an imbalanced porcoption of ‘many developing countnes. Finally, itis impariant to recognise the benefis and drawbacks of neutrel ‘outsiders in the mediation process. Whila the outsider-neutral medel of third-party mediation fas proved invaluable in eselving many conflict stuatiors, it has also demonstated serious flaws and clearly i¢ not applicable in all circumstances. in a broader context, ils increasingly apparent that in dealing with ‘spaciic conficts or emerging conficts it S necessary to incorporate the insiderpartial apptoach into. the development of comprehensive peace processes, and often a combination of bothis the most advantageous. Examples ‘of prominent local individuals exering a strong influence on peace processes include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gualemala’s Archbichop Quezada Torufuand Senalo: Boboy Taracainthe Philippines. ‘The neutral outsider cannot by necessity stay In the couniry for along tima, they must often come and go. The ‘commited insider,on the other hand ‘must live with the conflict, stay with the ccontlic! and has day to day inierveniton with the conflict process, Such aople are offen weleknown members of ‘communities who, because of their roles ‘asleaders, have accassto the leadership of theirpariculer county, aswellas within ‘and outside their regions. Furthermore, these people are generally recognised by the grassroots as well. Their positions are not basad on poltical or miltary power, nor are they trying to secure it. Their posttionic unique alsointhe fact that they {end to have pre-existing bonds which cut ‘across conflict lines. Drawing on the benafisfthelruniqueposition alongwith the high degree of mobiity they usually enjoy, midéle-range leaders can hamess all of these advantages to the benefit of the conflicting communities. 2, Cltizen-based diplomacy Citizen based peacemaking is the process of establishing peace Gonstituencles within conflict areas, to create a common middle ground for dialogue. It is a necessary and vital ingrediant of peace building offorts for it {ves the people directly atfected by, and Involved in tne conilict the opportunity to\oice thor concoms, fears and giievances. Peace processes which impose solulicns on the popuiaticn, without sufficient consultation of thait needs are like'yto unravel ataleter stave, ‘Thusitisimperative that people are givan the chance to reconcile the'r diferences and partake in the resolution precess, Within each country there Is a huge reserve of skille andoxporionce whichcan be tapped in pre: and post-conflict Situations. Liston below are just some ‘exampies of citizen based ciplomacy, ‘= In Somaliland tribal eldors have used traditonal kirship networks to resolve ‘conflicts. In lsraelthe PEACE NOW group, havebeenan effective voice o! Isracliand Palestinian people. Through the youth division they have made attempts at bridging the gaps between the two sides making each aware of the others bistery and cullue: During the 1980s in the Philippines, rural villages, schools and Universities took a stand against the army and rebel foreas. Different sectors of society — the agranan community, the fisherfolk, the urban poor — participated in the National Peace Canferance presenting thelr concems and calls for social and eccnamia reform" + Ecumenical diplomacy: Religious organisations canbe effective tall lavels ff society. While the work of local church and religious leaders eancomplemanttha SS at 2 grassfoots level, Teligios establishments such 25 the Quakers or the Cathoic church ean bring proseure and invluence on a wider spectrum. In Mozambique for example, the Italin-based Catholic lay ‘community of San’ Eciio played apivatal role in bringing the warring parles fogether. In Nicaragua in 1088 the ‘Moravian Church and Protestant leaders facilitated thonogotiatons, InSouth Africa too, the church played a kay role in ladcressing people's fears and anxieties and encouraging them fo takea pezcaful route toward reconciliation. * Social diplomacy. Women's move- ments have immense potential for establishing pezca-building networks, in many parts of the world women already play @ key role in rehabilitating refugece: and providing food and shelter. In Inda and parts of Airica although women play amajorreie in ne economy. theirpotential ‘deinpoltiesis stil overooked. In Burundi programmes ars underwey to mobilise ‘existing networks of women’s grouns ard fo inirocuce the concepis of contlict resolution and preventive action. By increasing the participation of wornen in peace making or conilct prevention, t ie possible toreach much wider grassco's base. Furthermore local women's movements can link with regional and intemational organisations to create a platform on which their concams can be expressed and addressed. * A focus on youth groups is also important as often it's young men who are the fis! casualties of war. By forming youth groups focused on the ncod for preventive action, It may be possible 10 create an anti-violence constituency amongst the young. Peer pressure ta oin a robs! army or io inete violznce Gould then decrease. Furthermore, by establishng these netvierks now, future: Wars could be more effectively avoided + Community diplomacy through social moyemantsisa broader formofihecitizen diplomacy described above. The wark of the Community Relations Council (CRC) in Northern ireland has been noted. In Cambodia Buddhist monks startedpeace marches, in Siotra Leone villages declared areas of neutral territory, and in isolated parts of Bosnia, Chrsien end Muslim women exchanged their children overnight es a means of protest. These are all small acts of protest but symbolic of a deeper sense of frustration end despair about war. Thay are effective in that sactors of a society in conflict are in practice denouncing tho poliical rnetoric {and acting for themselves. © Creative diplomacy. through artists ‘and personales from the werld of entertainment such as the Briisn-based "Comic Relief" charity, Using igh protle personalities with access to the madia, it is possible to highlight the plight of war victims, and raise funds for projects. Ia ‘addtion since entertainers nave mass audionce appeal, theyccar bean effective means of injorming the general public about conflictissues and the principles of preventive diplomacy. In shor, muttitrack diplomacy advocates the involvement of every Positive force within and outside the Confict aren in the resolutjon process. it is a msans of including local communites and groups who ordinanly feel excluded from the peace process, ‘The objective is an attempt to address confit when t Is stil at its formation phase, and not stall until muti-bilion dolar emergency relief operations are neeied, ‘These operations provide governments with an excuse to: avoid discussing the ‘opportunities thet existed in the earler stages 3. The Facilliating Role of NGOs The UN charter has precipitated the development of human rights mechanisms ard NGOs whic) have become feature of Intemational affairs in tho post wer period. Theirdeve.ooment has progressed wih a creativity and ‘commitment fo social causes, which ha ctten proved io be more affective that hei slower, oficial counterparts. In pariicular, evelopmantandhumaritaran NGOs are ina continuous process ofre-tninkingand revising their mandatoc ‘o eddross the effects of war. NGOs and other agencios can build |ssue-specific coaitions anc national and regional piatforms to advanee preventive action, Werkingin co-ordination with GOs and governmerts, NGOs can alsoprovide the time commitment and low profile Needed to build relationships wih the partias and encourage progress to negotiafons. Since they can de categorised as ‘unofficial crganisations! they have the advantage of bulddng trust ‘and confidence between the wo sides ‘and using their resources to work towards egetiation, In other words, with no Strategic or politcal metivations. NGOs can intate dialogue with the conicting parties at times when thor is a ‘complete breakdown of communication Furthermore, with the ably to provide ong term commimenis to social programmes and development projecis, NGOs can act as catalysts nurturing the insiitutons oj the stale such as the judiciary, poice, and civilservico, and alzo vlan populations. Allematve forms of _ciplemacy undertaken by NGOs have been particularly affective in South Atica, E| Salvador and Northern ireland but have rarely recaived public attention. South Atrica’s transition was a negotiated revolution where at every level cf scciety, siructures for the peaceful resolution of deputes were eslablisited, The National Peace Accord bult local and national (Cont on page 24)andaranaike always main tained ie, belore indaporcianes and after — that the provineal coundis and ine concept of regional autonomy those councils embcdied were ideally sulted 'o bring the islands varicus ethnic groups fogether in a constructive association for the common good. Gnee he became Prime Minisier ho was at last able 10 introduce his provincial counci's scheme. But he did so under unpropttious circumstances, as an atlempt to placaie an aggrieved Federal Parly in the wake of the controversies on the Official ‘Languege Act, and at atime when many among the Sinhaloco suspected any feducilon of the auhority of the central Qoveriment to be an unwarranted Concession to Tamnilpressurefora federal state. These Sinhalese cilics beleved that this was the first stop on the path io estabishing a separale Tamil stata, The draft bill published on 17 May 1957 was 2 confusing document which envisaged the establishment of regional councils based on the existing district boundaries rather than on the provinces. By 1955 the revenue distict had replacedthe province as the largesi untof administiation. There were twenty two such districts as against the nine provincesinherited fiomthedays of British rule. Much of tho ambiguity in the Regional Councils Bill of May 1957 arose trom is ‘being the lineal doscandent of a bill outined jut not actually formulated in detail by tha Exacutive Commitee of Local Admiristration in the days of the ‘secondSiate Council n 1940. Aswehave ‘sen the motion approved by the Site Council on that occasion called them provircialcounclewhen inactualfactthey ‘were confined to revenue distics. In the daft bill of July 1957, there was mo precision in the terripology used but that ‘Waspartly becausa the lerm province was carefully omitted. But section 2(1)(a) ‘empowered the Minister to “ceslare the whole or ary pat of an Administrative distict to be a Region’, This concept of a “region” introduced a new element of confusion because, in the draft bill, a “region” was sometimes larger and ‘sometimes smaller than a province. Indeed this corcert of a “region” was inireduced for the first timo to tho national debate on dayolution of power through the craft bill of May 1957 thusnot ‘only causing confusion but also rousing suspicionsintheminds hatte part of a deliberate atiomot to undermine the unllary structure of the county. The second featura of tho drat bil, again x) es a 4 5) -“C PA ¢ ¥ ds Silva Hie Beastie | _Dicscarf th tneationl Dentresnt ine Seadies FOES) something that flowed directly from the State Council debate of 1940, was the docision that members of the regional ‘counicls would be elected by local bodes jn each such regon fiom emong ther members, There would be no direct élections fo these regional councils This draft bill proved to be a major turing point in the history of Bandaransike's administration, It served to alienate him roma powerfulend very articulate section of Buddhist aciivists whose support for Him in the election campaign of 1956 had been invaluable fino! inciepancable in ensuring his viciory. Secondly, it offered ne defeated UNP a convenient point of ‘opposition to Bandavanaike, and one that JR Jayewardena eagerly seized in a bid to embarrass him wih his most powedul source of poltical suopot — the ‘Sinhala-Only’ enthusiasts. Thirdly, tho eventual failure 10 introduce it disappointed the Tamls who, as we shall see, were persuaded jo support — with modifications introduced In response to theicrequests—as partofapackacedeal designed to bring about some settlement bbeiwiesn the two estranged ethriegroups. Indeed the failure to implement It eroded the Prime Minister's cradibilty asa leader and eventually contibuted powertully to undermining the strength of his adminsiration, Sardaranzike's response tothe agiation oftho Tamilleadershypwas more flexible than that of the extvemisis in the Coaltion heledwho could thinkofiitledise bul confrontation and felentess pressure on them and rigid adherence to ‘Sinhala-Only’ as the guicing principle of any leaislaten on language policy. When the forms of the sotlement reached with the Federal Perly, me Bandara- nalke-Chelvanayakam pac were publsiied on 26 July 1957 it was immediately evident that a far-reaching modification of the Official Language Act would be required because the Tamil language vias to be given the status of an official language for administrative Purposes in the Norther and Eastem Provinecs. Alco the agrearnont wont well beyond language policy. indeed the proposal to amend the draft Regional Councils billto accommodate someof the demands ofthe Federal Party became |ust as controversial, if not more so, than the modifications ‘in language policy envisaged in it Thidly, there was the proposal to place limits on the seitlament Of Sinhalose peasant “eclonists" in ltmgation schemes in the Nortnern and Easter Provinces so that the irdigenous Tamis could maintain their majority position in thoso aroas, and four the Question of Sf Lanka ctizenship ‘or peopledf Indian descont, and the revision Of the Citizenship Act of 1245 was to receive the early consideration of the government ‘Themomentihe terms ofthe seitiement Were made public there was a storm of protests, chiolly from the language loyalists In Bandaranaike's own camp. The crucial factor in the opposttion from the ‘Siahala-Only fundamentalists wtnin the SLEP was Bendaranaiko's readinace to fecognize Tamil as an officlallanguage for administrative purposes in the Nocthern and Eastern Provinces. This concession, they argued, vitaied the 'Sinhala-Only policy on which the Consiituent parties of the governing Mahajana Ekselh Peramuna (MEP) Coalfion and their allies had campeigned and won what ceally was the Overwhelming endorsement of the electoral. That the UNP iisel held much the same views on this aspect of the pact that Bandaranaike nagoliated with S J V Chelvanayakam, theleaderofthe Federal Party, gave tho language fundamerteliste iin the MEP no great sais‘action. Indead it greatly embarrassed them, The UNP also shared with them a stiong oppostion to the changes made in the Regional Councils Bil. The UNF’s misgivings were really focussed on the clauses relaling ta pedsantcolmnization,” especaly thefact that settiemant of s newly opened inigalion schetres in the Eastem Province would have to stop. in addition, under the terms of thisyeement — the Bandaranaike-Chelva- nayakam pact as ii care to be called — the draft Regional Councils Bil was tobe amended so that, inier alfa, he Nerthern Province was to form one regional area, while the Easiem Province Was to 68 Cividad into two or more regionel araae, This provision compoundedihe contusion caused by inirocuicing the concept of a “region,” and by reviving the use of the province as the principal unt of a administrtion and ths only two years after the revenue distncis, twenty {ao in all st that lime, had been formally eslablishied.s the largestunis of egional administration. lf the division of the Easter Provinceiniotwo ormore regions Was a concession ta demographic foalitios, and could have been jusified on that bass, tne clauses in the agreement in which provision was madoto permitiwe ‘oF more “regions” to amalgamaie even beyond provincial Eoundarios soomed ‘even mote ominous to hase who viewed the agreement as an unprincipled sellout tothe pressure ofthe FP:a“egion" could vide tse in’o two orpresumably more regione,” subject 10 ratification of such decision by Parliament, end collaboration for spacific programmes of common interes! between Iwo orcirect elections to these councils was considered, AS we have seen the original drat envisaged only indirect elections ‘The moment the tormsotthessttement between Bandarenaike and the Federal Parly were made publie there was an outburst of protests fiom the de-hard language loyalistsin Bandaranaika's own ‘camp, And the UNP looking for a means Of staging a politcal comeback were provided wih an ideal opportunity to embartass the Prime Ninisier on a poliicaly sensitive iesue, as well as to demenstiate their commitment to a ‘Sinhala-Only’ policy to an. electoraie skeptical of their motives, ‘Sinhala-Only’ Ideologues argued thal the concessions torecogrise Tami as an oficial languace Vileted the 'Sinhala-Only' Act Ths pinion the UNP shared, Thsir coneemns extended to otter main points In the settement, is. modiications of the Regional Councils Bil and the presumed threat to nelt colonization in the Northam and Easter Provinces, K.M. de Silva In retrospect it would seem thet the ‘Bandaranaike-CheWanayekam pact was doomed from the moment its contents were revealed, Confronted with mounting ‘opposition to the Prime Minister played for time. A march to Kandy by the UNE. led by JR Jayewaidene on 2 and 9 October 1957, in protest against the pact, made litle impression on the courtry and one at all cn the goverment which succeeded in. stopping it before it proceeded very fa", However, having easily avercome the UNP'S ‘pelitcal Led bya group of bhikkhus who performed a satyagraha on the lawn of the Prime Minister's private residence in Colombo ‘on 9 April 1958, the extremists in his own party compelled him to abrogate the pact — he tore it up in a dramatic gesture—a full. eight months after the UNP's protest. march had fizzled out®, initiative, the government succumbed to pressure from within ils own tanks, 2s on the occasion when its language bill was first introduced in Apri 1956". Led by a group of Bhikkius who performed a Salyagraha on the lawn of the Prime Minter private residence in Colorbo on§ April 1958, tha extremists in his own party compelled nin to abrogate the pact —he tore t up ina dramatic gosture — 2 ful eighi months after the UNP’s protest march had fizzled out*® Once again tho tensions geneiated, the pressures and ‘counter-pressures, eruptedin "race" riots in May 1958. Later inthe year —in August — Bandarenaike secured parlamantary ‘epproval for tie Tail Language (Special Provisions) Act No. 28 of 1958 The Regonel Courcis Bil was atandoned, along with the pact with whieh it came to be associated, Ce eee In 1826, the Denougnmore Com- mission had recommended the creation, of @ second tier of government between the central authorities and the Iccal goverment bodies. Thatittook 52 years Delore such a systam could intraduced — in the form of the Disirict Development Councils of 980-1 —is explained in part byinerta. This was especially true in ina 1940s, but later on there was 2 caision induced bya suspicion that any relaxation of centralization cauld culminata in the dismemberment of the Sri Lankan polly. ‘The devolution of power to regional units had teen accepted in principle by the State Council in 1940, without cissert ‘not unanimously. But legislation requiled, for this purpose was nat introduced in tha 1940s. By the mid-1950s the consensus that had existed in regerd to this had evaporeted, and instead the creation of regional bodias hac became one of the most controversall issues in Sri Lankan poles because ofits associalionwith tho demanes of the Federal Parly and its sUccessor the Tamil Urited Liberation Front. Two atiemats to establish such ouncis failed hopelessly the frst ime in 4957-8, and on the second occasion in 1958. The creation of a second tier of government succeeded only in 1980. Even so there has naver been a Consensus between the two principal Falional pollical partes cn the €olablishment of such a second tier of Goverment, and even less a alicnal consensus feaching out bayond and above the parly leaderships. Bandarenaike's failure to establish his Provincial Councils is an exceleni case study on why it has been so dificutt 1 reach such a consensus. Notes 22. COBY/EDI, minttes by GE J Gent ane athore on the proposal to dismiss Bendaranake, $7 Apnl 1941. Also in the sam file are tho minutes by Sr Sidroy Abranairs and Sir George Bushe on te theme ol "Powers fo dismss a Minister 19.22 Apri 1051 23. James. Manor, The Expecient Ltopiar Bandaranake ard Ceylon, opcit, p 183, Gilg Govener Sir Anéfew Caicocot's "Things Ceyonate,” 1 Nay ard 23 Ape 1941 in COsw/e64/4, 24. 1M do Siva ard Howard Wiggins, J R slayowardene of Sn Lanka, A Poltca Biography Vl, London and Horo, pp 583, or the facoo of te UN's arc to ancy. Thematche's managed to cove/jst 1Bofthe72 miles o thar purey, 25, bid, pp 48-50. 26. it, ps.(Cer. rom page.) economic growthindustralisation as muchas private enterprises. For example, it was pubic enterprises which provided the initial spur for South Korea's Fighiy successful automobile indusiry and ste! Industry. South Korea's state owned toa! producing enterprise FOSCO began 10 provide techrical assistance to steel plants in the USA in 1987 and the Word ‘Bank, which inthe early 705 tured dawn, a joan requestor POSCO onthe grounds that South Korea had no comparative advantage in sieel, barely two decade later. desorbed thie stato owned enterprise as “arguably the world's most ffficlent producer of steel”. (Korea: Managing the Indosirial Transition Vol 1-1987-Word Bank, Washingion DO). Accerding to indapth studies of a numberof state owned enterprisesin Asia “though the overall perforrnance of the publie enterprises sector as @ wholoisnot that good, there are some enterprises in aimost all the countries, developed and developing, that have beon very effective ‘and efficent in the attainment of their odjectives. A) Public enterprises can be quite sccessiul end sometimes their performance can be more or less shrilartothat ofthe private enterprises functoning in a similar contex. B) They can be innovative in technology as wall as product impiovernent. (©) With regard to price and quality, thoy can be competiive in international mackeis, These studies chow that thore is no inherent reason why the perforrance of public enterpiises fn attaining thelr major goals has tobe pear, provided cartain koy ecision mactanisms are institutiona- lised’. (Bayond Adjustment: The Asian Experience — edited by Paul Streeten — ‘8 publication of tha IMF and the Indian Gounell for Research on Intemational Economie Relations), Several stggestions have been put forward (based on the above mentioned studies) to improve the performance of puolcentarpiises. * ro} Improving the managemant — quailty of top inctituionalize the _ selection process (of the top management) so thal purely pollical and bureaucraic influences are minimized: the process needs tobe depoliiicized and debureau- cratized. a) (®) the existing top management team should deliberately groom its successors 19 ensure continuity and siabilly of enterprises functioning. @) Provide mochanisms for a creative dialogue between the govemment and enterprise management on the fop management tasks thoy share! (ibid) This should include the setting up of a "central body thathas tne experise and competence to view the public enterprise system as 2 whole in tho context of the national davelopmant objectives and strategy... (for example) the Republic of Korea ‘established in 1983, the Govemmant Invested Enterprses Evaluation Committee, crated by the Deputy Prime Minister at tho Economic Planning Board and also a Nanagement Evaluation Task Force. (3) The Pubic sector shoud have Instiutonalised machinery for poject identfisetion and formulation as well a for project appraisal, evaluation and selection for financing (because) the falls of many public enterprises te perform will due largaly io (he) poor formulation end evaluation of prcjecis” (Ibi). Economie Monotheism and the Now Inquisitors Econorricsis rot a religion, sil ass a monotheism. Thoretors, i eannat ofar us ‘any panaceas. The faci that econorric neodberalsn has become dominant teday dops rei meaaihatitisinfalible and ‘omniscient; thatithas a moropoly onthe truth and correctness. Itis but one path one stvetegy, which different countries have adhered toat different poin'softime, With i& share of successes and fallures However, the Bretton Wood twirs have laken upon themselves the (ole of economies Inquisitors, threatening all recalcitrant Third World nations deviate fon the ‘correct line’ vith auto-da-fos. As a result many policy makers (often because of the dire need for financial support for which theyrequire ‘@ ean bill of health from the IFIs) take what they beliave to be the path of least resistance, strivng to implement the neo-liberal structural adjustment Programmes in. tolo, from rampant privatisation to slashing subsidies. The recent bread riots in Jordan shoud serve ‘asa sharp reminder that thispath of least resistance to external —IFi— prassuras can also be the path of most resistance Internally and therefore the most costly one — poliically, socielly and ecoromically ‘There can ba litle doubt that the PA regime is going in ths same drecticn Recent converts to the dogma of economic neo-liparalicm, the PA top leadtershipis conducting itself ikea bur of zealots determined to press.ahead with their rampant privatisation cum slash tho subsicies programme, deat and bind to ‘opposition and danger, ‘The CEB sirike was but en indicator of the betties which are looming, ifthe PA persisis in implementing lis neo-liberal ‘agenda — battles which will cost the ‘country, the economy and the ctizens deally. A prvalisation programme which is indiscriminate and confrontationist woud only serve to alenale the majority of the cliizone. The resulting exacerbation of the political crisis will effectively discourage not just foreign investors but local investors as well, thoreby further worsening tho economic crisis. Therefore, if the government disregards the danger signal symbolisedby he CEB stike andpresses ahead with its current privatisation offensive, & will create a vicious (and a violent) cycle which will threaten not just ‘economic developmentandihewellbeng, of ctizens, but the democratic system as well =te rebels born of made? In the case of Vivienne | Goonewardene, snvironment = and circumstances onlynelped to bring cut those quaies that were innate in her. an intolerence of what she perceived as wrong cr unjust. Vivie'stiisiplaymate was Roslyn, Close to her in age, Roslyn was the daughter Of the domestic help of the Goonellleka household. Onodaythetwo toddiore, toth dressed in white, set out fora walk in the vast garden which surroundedthe house. A grazing cow, recently calved, mistaking the two ftte irs for hor calf, altarpted to muzzle them. Seeing this and fearing possible harm to tho childron, Rosiyr’e Motherrantotneitrescue, Shehadto font the beast to free the children. In the struggle with the cow, Rasyn’s moiher Vivie: British Empire, these years witnessed the awakening of the people to assert themeolves in diverse forme — as feligous groups, natonalists, ethnic ‘communities and even to form a labour movement.’ Vivie's matemal grand- father, Don Jacolyne Rupesinghe Goonewardene, better known as Boralugoda Ralahamy, wes involved in the Budhist revival ofthe period and was ‘one of those incarcerated in the context Of the anii-Muslim rots of 1915, into this, family Vivie was bom on the 13th, of ‘September ofthe following year. Her frst home was in Tissamaharaina (a remote ‘uthistorical vilage in the dry zone) since Dr, Gooneillke was stationed there at thattime. Evennow,inhar80t1 year, Vivia proudy prociaims that she | was concelved in Tissamaharama, though born in Colomba. As 2 physician in the The Early Years Pulsara Liyanagé died. Roslyn made her home with the Goonetilakes. At the age of fie (or there abouts) Vivie heard her mother feorimand Rosiyn, whoretorted thatifshe Was punished she'd urrp into the well Vivie prompily wrote to Roslyn's father asking him to take his daugiter hore mmediatsly because her life was in danger. Accompanied by ‘elallves, Rosin's father arrived at tho Gocnatlleke'sin Gampanainhaste. Vive recalls his as the only occasion her fathor cened her Roslyn remained with the Goonatilekes' til sho married ‘This spinted litle gl1 Was the ektest of ive children born to Dr. Don Alanson Gocnetileke and his wite Emily Angeline Gocnewerdens. Dr. Goonatileke narned his fist bor, Violet Vivienne, after the Fronci nurse whohelpedte bring the ite itl into the world. With thase intials she became ‘Vivie'to all, fr alltime. 1916 was a good year to te bom in, The first decade of the 20th century in Ceylon was a poricdoi poltical,socialand econcmic turmot, Stil a colony of the [ September sei marks | 80th birthday of Uiiesss “Goonewardene, Sri Lanka's best Known woman leftist. — Her biography is being _ written by Pulsera Liyanage, _Senlor Lecturer in Western “Classics at the University | of Kelaniya and a former _politicalprisoner. We feature serviee of the Crown, (as puble service was then known), Dr. Gooretileke was transferable and sarved in diverse parts of the island. Therefore in oder to give their children a sound aducation, the arenis decded toplacethemin boarding ‘school. Vivienna,andlaterhersisterTulin, were boarded et Musaeus Colege Cclembo where they also had thoir educalion up to te Cambridge Matriculation Sxemination, Excopt forthe brief period when the fater was stationed at Gampaha, school vacations end holidays were spent at the ‘maternal grandparents’ at Boralugeda Dr. Goonaillicke had instiucted tne schoo) to pormit their grandmother or their uncle Flobert Gunanardene to remove them from the boarding schodl. (Vivienne was later to put this arrangementto very good Use!) The close association with the grandmether was important and influential inthe ives ofboth Vivienne and Tulin. Their grandmother, known as Gunasekara Hamine of Siyane Korale was a much loved and respecied woman 0 Boralugode. OF the landed gentry and | gieat wealth, she however did not confine herself to the walauwwa; but personaly saw tothe weliare ofthe village land the well-being of the vilagers. With the lack of hospitals and midwives, (Gunesekara Harrine filed the lacuna and assisted al the birth of every single chid In the area and provided postnaial care and advice to the mothers. Vivie acknovilecges this examala of her ‘grandmothers along with the Ofienvation of their school —with imbibing in Tulin and herself a song sense ofservice tothe people. While Vivie devoted her life to Loft polties Tulin joined tho c-opsralive movement. Astrong believer in the moveront, the latter remains a commited and acilve, and pethaps also one of islongest serving, members At Gampana the prysiclans' residence was quite close to the hospital. In factthe hosplla’s mortuary was [st up the road. Mamories of chidhood recall visits to the hospital, the sick, the relatives of the departed and the pain of others. Between Boralugoda and Gampahe a litle child's Conscience is avekened ioan awareness Of the Iving conditions and the sutfaring Of ordinary peop, the poor, the less fortunate; those who were cifferent from herimmediaiefemily adits environment, Her father’s dadication to his calling and his selfiess service to the sick, impressed her She respected him and loved him for that, ‘The Quality of Courage Holdays at Boralugoda wera a treat for the children; one filed with pleasant memones of advanture, daring and fun, Thoir playground was over 100 acres of land and the possivilties springing trom theimaginations of children were endless. ‘Abaih meant a long walk over @ paddy field and across a river to @ pond. Their guide and chaperone was the best a child Could nope for none other then Aunt Caroline — Cero forshor—whowas less than ten years Vives elder and her favourite aunt, How so? “She was very naughy” replies Vivie wih smile anda twinklein her eyes. On tha way othe bath ‘Aunt Caro taught them to swim. This was in the river and her teaching aids were dried eoconuts, The ru's were tied to their Chesisand the chicken wereaskedo cat ‘and swim and Caro wculd siowly remove the nuts, Down would go the children. ‘Carowas always there iorescuethemand they had to ty again with the coconuis, Small wonder, with such a persevering teacher, hersiar pupl is a good swimmer — good enough fo save her puppy trom ‘drewing in the coa. A knowladgs to swim was not the only attibute bequottied to Vivie by Aunt Caroline, if there is any Gredence to the (clk belief thet running under the belly of an elenhantmakes you Courageous, Aunt Caro should takeabowr forthat single quality Vivieismmostfamous for — her courage. Belioving in the folk tale, of at least wanting her charges to, the young chaperone Would indice the litle childien to run under the belies of the elephants who had been brought for theirdally baths. This too she wouldinsist the chilcran do mary timas. Every time hermather came oknowof hisescapade Carowould receiveacaninaforher efiors In teaching the young to be courageous. Not that the grandmother did not fancy courage in her grandchildren, butthal sie feared the exctement of the ticked elepnanl, and ls vey probable after-effects on a litle chid temortalty. ‘The presence of the mahout westhe only delence ct al tnosa involvedin the spor. Caning notwithstanding, the lessons Woudibe repeated. Is this what she attributed her couraga to? A quiet smile replies the query and. names the owner of the elephants, none ‘other than her arancfather and his fail, {or instiling that paricular quality in a young, impressionable and receptive child. "Grandfather was a sort of a chief or headman in the vilage and es suchhe was also the chef aruiler of cisputes in the vilage. He nevergaveway to cheating andilying and dishonesty: This spirited little girl was the eldest of the five children born to Dr. Don Allenson Goonetilleke and his wife Emily Angeline Goonewardene. Dr. Goonatilleke named his first born Violet Vivienne, after the French nurse who helped to bring the little girlinto the world. With these initials she became ‘Vivie' to all, for all Atterthe many sporsaiong the wayne children would go to the pond for their bath. There the chaperone would perform her duty and sae tolt that the instructions. were sircty adhered to — the chidren Were not permitted to get into the pend: they had fo stay out of the pond and periom their bath, This cone, Aunt Caro would taketheclean and well — exarciced children safely home, Toihe cesualiisieneralthedalyforums at Vivie's dining table. it was perplexing to hoar of the many pranks sho got up Oat school and also be informed tnat she was appointed the head git of that very sate scliool, Musaeus Colege, in 1833. When asked in private exactly why sha was epnointed to that post in schoo}, she fookssiartled, truely suprised fot atte annoyedatwhatmustseem toherastupd ‘question. But then sne smilas broadiy and repies, “because | was a very good sludent. | was good in my studies, in drama, in spot” Going through the materiel caretully one also finds out that many of the more talked about acts of defiance she got up to Were precisely as the head-gid of the schooll One must hasten to edd that she fad vey commendable and logical reasons to explain each of those acts. Inespeciive of the worthiness o! the deed. she always teok her inevilable punishment, even though it proved to be anon delerrert. The First Political Action One such was the selling of the Suriye flower Instead of the poppy on the {1th ‘of November 1934. The proceeds trom the sala of the poppy flower on Hemembrance Day (ocelly. was to be for tho wolfare of the Coylonase war voletans, instvad ofthis the Briish rulers sant most of the money back 'o England leaving @ meagre proportion to the local veterans. Dissatsiied with this arrangement the Ex-servicernen's Assocalion along wih the Manist dominated Youth Leagues decidedonthe Incigencus surya tower to nval tne imperialists’ poppy. On Remomberance Day, instead 0! tie poppy, was sold tie suriya flower and the funds of the sale Used for local purposes, Young Lettists inciuding the Bntish-born Coreen Wickremasinghe spoarhoaced tho ‘Surlyamal Campaign which heraidad tie ‘eniry of tho Manes into national polities. ‘On Remomberanse Day young Vivienne Goonetileke sold the suriva flower in hor school to students and teachers, She recalls that it was a 100% success with studenis and only about hai of that with the older generation, the teachers. Vive however did net stop her campaign with the sale of the cura flower. She wantiurther. Sne alsoinduced the students to place their boxes of Instruments atop the blaccboards and at 11.00 aim. totopple these toobiterate the sound of the gun saluie, The students Tasponded. The sound of falling boxes of instruments with the blackboards mekng ‘a deafening sound throughout the school ‘was musicin Vives ears. The culpritwas found out to be none otner tnan the hoad-gi of the echcol, who was duly punished ai assembly. This, at the ace of 18 wes har frst act againstimperialism. Siarting with this cho remains a staunch ani-imperalist, be na Imperiatss the Brtish or the Americans and the alfecied stale S:iLarka or Cube, Now at the age of 79 she continues to speak out against imporalism ond soidarize with affected nations and peoples. Getting invovved in this manner in the suriyamal campaion was also Vivie's frstconscious poltical action: culmination of sorts of several years of radicalization of the conscience in an envionment enriched with politcal discussion, tha acivity of uncle Philip end Robert, and her ‘OWN Voracious reading. The two uncies played ther part too In providing their Young and inteligent niece wih poltical literature. Ono of tho memorable books given ta her by uncle Philip was Lenin; ‘On Women. Simpifiec'tookson Marxism were to fallow. This was also the year in which tha island was hit by the most virulent epidemic of malaria. The burgeoning Lait Movement plunged into workin the worst affected areas: nursing the scx, feeding them, ete. The — Ex-Servicemen's Association donated the funds they had colected in the suryamal campaign to these youth who were helping the sick Young Vivienne wasinvolvedinadiferent way. The residence of Dr. Gconaiileke was conver‘ed into 2 virual hospital. The long'L’ shaped verandah was completely Given over to the sick. While the father medicated, mother and daughtor nuread thesick. "We kepticepacks ontheirneads to get the fever down and covared thir bodies with thick blarkets, Alot ofthe sick father keot in our home were litle chidien.” The sallentfeature cf his whole experience 10 Vivie Was thet the most affected were also the pocrost even from arrang tie poor. Crisis At Home Amidst all of this, the youthful student had arrived ata crisis in her own ite, She who had hitherto carbatted, albot veibally, the conservatism of the olde: generation, now faced the whcle weight Of tin her father’s refusal to consider his daugnter proceeding in higher studies That eho was intaligernt and clever he aready knew, bul me burden of conventional nomns also bere heavily ‘upon him. Young women of good family ‘and Wealth, with a secondary education, had then to be given in mariage to @ young man of similar background and good education, Higher education was carlainyy a cis-quaification tor a woman if the above were to be hor aspirations, much a man of his times, Dr. Goonaiilske believed ‘his. Vivienne nag aready pased tre — Cambridge Nairiculation Examination atthe age of 16 ‘and while sti residing at the boarding school at Musaeus Colege and ‘encouraged by Marjorie Davicson, her teacher and the caughter of tne Director of Educaton, hed sat for the Univer- silys Scholarship Examination, Or. Gooreilieke was ignorant of most of this activiy. Uncle Robert's authority io remove the children fromschoalhadbeen usedby uncleand niece loattend lasses and {0 sit for the exammation. Vivienne had oven been awarded an exhibiton at the schoa'ship examination. With @ scholarship to study for English Honours at the University College Colombo, she faced the father's conssivatsm. Har father’s friends Perinpanayagam, V. Coomarasamy end J. N. Arumugam, ‘came to her roscuo: They reasoned with him, not an grounds of mademity but on social justice: she has won a scholarship to pursue English Honours and as such if'she does not go, thal placement is lost even to another student, which was a Waste, they said. They want on ‘otellhim that he wil come under etiicism by the people for aricn man's dauchier wasting a placement at the universiy sinco now it Could nct be awarded to another, THs ‘argument workecl and enabled the young women to embark upon a University education, This, at the age of 18 was her first act against imperialism, Starting with this sho remains a staunch anti-imperialistbethe imperialists the British or the Americans and the affected state Sri Lanka or Cuba. Nowat the age of 79 she continues to speak out against imperialism and solidarize with affected nations and peoples. At University tco she was boardad at the women’s hostel on Queers Road, Having loved the theate and especially acting and having hitherto been confined toschoolproductions, Viviereveledinthe Possibilties now opentoherat University. She met Prot, Ludowyor* and expressed her wish to join the Dram Soc (as the Drama Society was known), The Proiessor sald ‘most certainly’ but the father said, ‘definitely not. No, was. Even without the Dram Sos Vivienne's We at Unversity proved to be quite dramatic, For instance there were Sydney Soyse and ‘ingle’ Dissanayake’, colleagues st University, both of whom wooed her andbott of whom she retected, Sychey Saysa was helped by his pet leopard cub. One day as she sal readng bythe window nherroomacreature gave ‘2 low growl behind her shoulder. She fooked out in alam and there was the young man who gave a bow and iniroducedhirrselt, “Sydney Soysa, tyvcu please” Romance ard studies wore not ali there was to University life, There Wes Doltics 100. In 1936 the Duke of Goucester visited Coylon, Professor Mams was Keen that the studenis meet hin. The studerts, however demonstiaied against the Duke's Proposed visit. This was an eventful period in poliicstoo, The LSSP had been fomied in 1935. They led antifascist demonstrations against Franco, in Colomto, and Vivie joined these demonstrations along wih other University Students. All of this, the fomance and the poitics, was too much for the father. Wilh only the first years’ examination being completed, the young, scholar wes brought home with a firm negative corceming her University ‘eduction. This time the father Kept his, foot down. Her lecturers. at University pleaded wih the father tolat hie daughter atiend the University since they considered it a shame to disrupt the education of such an intelligent young student. Among these delegations from University to plead her cause wes also a Buddhist Bikkhu, ner lecturer in Pall. All these appeals fell on deaf ears, Yet, undaunted Vivienne decided an an External deg‘oa. Uncla Robert again ‘came to Ner rescue to sove ihe problem ‘of registration and examination too, Since sie could not allend leclures or lasses of any sort, she had to abandon her love for an English Honours course. Instead she registered for 2 General Degree in Arts. Her poronnial love cf feacing masked any hint of preparation for a University oxaminaton from her father. He never suspected the frequent wisits of Hany Jayavardenc* to oe anything but what he was told they were all about — to discuss the many bocks Vivie so fervently read, In realty Harry Vayewaidene was helping Vivie with her Econorries paper. About the camo time ‘end unknown to the ‘alher, sne also atiendad political rallios and mectings organized by the LSSP_wners Philp ‘spoke. As alvrays, Uncle Robert was hor ‘accompice in this too. Notes 1. KM De Siva A History ofS Lanka OUP Dabs 1881 pp. «22-416 2 Profolkngish st CoylonUnivaniy Coleg tse Univesly of Govan. In addtin to bang & teacher and sonar was alo‘ ahr and rmanct th haste They later wont on to become senior poice fcr wt reputation for oughnass. 4. OF Paculka, ind of te fem,SSS a TY CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AFRICA; The Cases of Rwanda and Burundi he recent miliary coup in Burundi which reught ‘nto power Piette Buyoya, & former = Tus lesdleris an indiestion of the dangerous situation building up in Genta Atica, The new leader took powar afar making a pledge thal he would slop the inler-sthie iting and hal. the expulsion to neighbouring Rwanda of Hutu refugees, ‘The military cou carne in the wake ct an incident where Tutsi derronstrators pelted President Sylveste Ntbanturganya with slones and cow dung whon he eae to pay his respect to Tuts! victins of a Hutu gang, The President, 2 Hutu, fled fo the Amorcan Embessy, paving the way for a miltery takeover. The poilcal changos in Burundirosomble inmany ways, he deteriorating stuation in Ruarda in 1894, Politeal sciontists and Joumalisis have in recent years described Such events as “Tribaliom'. The is a convenient way to classily the numerous contlcts that have arisen sinco tho end of the Gold War, Apart from Fiwanca and more recently Burundi, cthor examples of “Trbalism' are he Somaiian and Bosnian confit. In many ways both Rwanda and Burundi have the same problem and it therefore folows that they stould be examined {ogether. Both have @ Huumajoriy of about 80% and a Tutsi minorty of about 18%, The animosity between mess wo “ethnic” ‘groups has resuited in some of tha worst "vibal" violence ov the African Continent since both counties gained indopendonee from Belgumin he early 1950's ward, sincelts dvi warin 1964istoday fa devastated country which needs 10 be rebuilt zimost from soratch, Burund) on the ther hand ie execrioncing escalating civil stife between the Hutu and Tuls! Communities, Atemptstohattthe tloodshed are being examined at a regional and in‘ornational love at precent Tniernaitonal Relations Executive at Aly Lenka Ltd and « visiting __lectufer in Intemational Relations the BOIS Hs se a gracunte of Baier University and boids @ Manor's Doge! Gor Colao "University's Scho of Internation sod Palle Siti: ‘Tounderstandihe complexissuesrolaing to tho conflicts in both counties, this paper will analyse historical ceveloomenis in wanda and then in Surund Colonial Rule in Rvranda A study of Ruanda's pre-colonial history would conflim that there were no reasons to expect the bloodbath which took place In 1984, in fact all seoms 10 indieaie tral condtions of site ware ereated by colonial powers who wantzc 10 expict diferences between the various ethnic ‘groups. Aivanda its very wellthestereotypa of the ‘dvide-ard-nle" policy ucvally attributed io colonial rule, “Tribaism” therefore was not home grown phenomen ih Rwanda — it was inspired by colonial pay. This becomes very clear since in pre-colonal timoe, the country consiating of Fenda and Burundi was inhabited by a majority of Hutu cultvators and = Minority of Tulsi herdsmen who had igplacod the Twas, a ‘ace releted to ‘the Pyomies. Language was not a barior singe both commurities spoke Kinyarwanda, a tongue they adopted in the 7h Contury, itcan theretore be established thatbatoro the arrival of the white man, Rwanda-Bunndiwas acaste-basad scciaty Whete a cetiain degree of Interdependence exsled betwaon the two communties. The Hutu culivators were of artu crigin ana ina Tuts’ herdsmen traced their ancosiry to the Hemi races. The countiy was a feudel Dilip S. Samarasinghe monarchy ruled by the Mwamy (King) who ‘wes Tuts Perhaps tis wasaulgnaly wnat fostered in the Tutsis their baiel that thoy had a righi to rue the lend. Tribal consciousness realy appeareduith the arrival of the frst Europeans, In 1690, ‘The Germans ventured info Rwanda from GermanEast Afica (present-day Tanzania}, ‘They took control of the land but chose to rule it through the Mwerni. In 130sihey mede the taritory a protectorate under tha overall rule of Geran East Africa, This egilimized the posiion of the Mwami as an agent cf German colonial rule, The Germans aiso idenitiad tha Tuisis as a ‘Compradare" class to help administer ther new taitoy “The choice seemediogical, sincethe local aristocracy consisted of Tutcis and the Germans assumed, rgnty, that they were the overlorde of tho Hutus. But what they did ‘was legtimze the situation and even increaso the gap betwosn tho tw communties. German “race-oxpert further established that the very tal, often siraightnosed end somelimes fairer= skinnod Tutsis were distant reletives of the whtte peoples of Europe and consequertly tho legitimate rulers of the land, Sothoy sentrrany young Tutsistemission schools and the caste of herdsmen and feucial orcs became 3 caste of administiaiors. The interdependence batwacn the two communtios was replaced by a siluaton wnere the Tuiss were mush batter prepared than the Hutue to meot the Cchallengeso' the 2011 Gentury, Undoubtedly Imbalawerenasc would have emargedatthis siage wih Tutsis fesing a sense of baing in contiol and Hutus fooing left out Aller the defeat of Germany in the Fist Werld War, Rwanda was given to Belgium in4919tobe ruedundera LeaqueotNatons mandaie In 1925, tho leinioy was LniateraiyincorperatedinioBelgian Conon,2) aa Belgian rule over Rwanda jolowed the German policy rslyingona Tuts oligarchy. The insitution ol the Tulsi Mwami was rotained, Ae years passed the inegalites between the two communities futher crew, Colonial Manipulation and the Independence of Rwanda While tribaliem may have been the Belgians’ policy of administrating Rwenda, tribal war was the colonial power’s parting gift. When throughout ‘Aica|cadorseuch asNkhrimeh Lumumba ‘and Kenyatta spoke of independence, colonial powers sought to leave behind problems which they could exploit in the fuluro. The Tutel leadership. therefore believed that thelr time had come to rule Rwanda alone, This proved tobe fateful mistake. It was at this stage that the Belgians wore to “discover” the existence of the Hutu majority. The Belgians were to tell them that independence really means ‘majority rule. So the Hutus were prepared for independence by the creation of epresentative Councils. These opened the {gatos of tho politcal sysiem to the majorty Community which was eager to old power. But the main purpose of this move was tosubvor the insituton which the Germans ‘and Belgianshad bull up overtre years, the feudal monarchy of the Mwami, Tho ‘monarchy was tenpled in 1959 by the Hutus With benind the esenosBolgian cuspot. The fist massacres of Tusis ook olace in 1959, during the last years of Belcien rule. The community which had served successive ‘colonial masters with loyalty was tossed on the bonfire o! independence. “Tribals” manifestoditsa again in 1952 when Fwancagaineditsindependence. The ‘even! was marred by ant-Tuts!ro'sin which thousands were reported killed. This led to the fight of thousands of Tutsis to Uganda Where as eatly as 1999, they formed a ‘uertila feece aiming to reluin to power in Awanca, Their raids no Awenda were vsually unsuccessiul and triggered frocious Feprisals against Tutsi cemeining in wanda tn tha 1860s and 1970's between 10,000 and 30,000 Tuisis are beleved to have been kd in such attacks. ‘The Rwandan Tragedy ‘The sitzafon changed radically when the Ucanda-basod Tutsis formed the Rwandan Patriste Frent (APF) in 1980. In Gciober 3990, the Front made a series of unsuecessful forays. into Rwanda, was repidly doleated ard ratroatod back into Uganda, Bu these altacks succeeded in erecting a fealirg oF insecunly among the couniny’s Hutu rulers who realised that thoy had not heard the ist of the RPF. This is perhaps what prompted the regime of President venal Habyarimana to seek to implement 4 “final solulon” to the Tutsi problem. ‘Communal haired was fostered by virulent ani-Tuts) broudeesis on Aacio des Milos Colines, a station sel up with this purpose in rind, At the same time, the Rwandan ‘Army began training as many as 30,000 to ‘50,000 Hutus as miitamen. These were to bathe “stormtroopers’ ofthe proposed final solution. sternal factorsaso playedapartin these desparate moves to old on to power. The increasing isolated Habyarimana regime Wes under sireng pressure from the A study of Rwanda's pre-solonial history would confirm that there were no reasons to expect the bloodbath which took place in 1994, (Organization of Arian Unity (OAU) andthe: UN to engage ina power sharing deal with the FPF. Dolals of thoso wore includod in the Arusha Accord which was 19 be implemented with tho help of the Unted Nations Misson for Fiwanda (UNAMIR). “The terrible massacre oftha Tutsisin 1994 was terior a last dich aliempt by extremist Hutistopre-emet the international effert, The kilings were tiggered off when fan alterat carving President Habyarmana Of Rwanda and Presicent Nlanarrira of ‘Burund’ waa enot down by a surface-to-air missile baliaved to have been fred by the RPE. This was the spar which igrited the ‘whole county, The 270 Bue Helmets of LUNAMIR were unable to do anything and it {cOk four Waeks for I o increase to 5.500 peccekeepers, But this did not halt the ‘general extermination of the Tutsis of wanda, I is now estimated that about 1 milion Tulsis may have died curing the even's of 1904, at the hands of Rwandan troops and machete-wislding Hula miltemen. 7 scale of the loss of human lives and of the destruction of popery cariinpartbe blamed fon the inacton of the international community International inaction DDuring the erisis of 1984, the international Community was conspicuous by its lack of action, The UN seemed unwiling to become Involved in an intemal conflict since this ddeviaied (rom Is tauifone! role of keeping waring armies apart and of enforcing ‘ceasefites between independert States, ‘The USA on the ather hand chose not to become involvedin themessy tribal war-The US administration acied according to President Clinton's “Direotve on Referming Mutiateral Feace Operations,” which ‘trossed nen-intervantion in earficts where US National Security wes not cirecly Involved. Itis neadless to say that Rwanda with no oil eserves nor ary historical link to the USA would in any way warrant the attention of the Pentagon's stategic planners, Furthermore, the US was sil smarting from the biter lesson it leamed in Somalia, where @ humanitarien cperation ogeneratedinto a stooting war with Somal ‘warlords. The prospect of gating bogged ‘cown in an open — enced peacekeeping ‘operation in Awarda offorod no altaction to the Clinton Adminisration. ‘The viciory of the RFF was therefore ‘greeted interationally wih « sigh of rollet since the pogrome initiated by the miitas had come to'an end, But ths ouphoria soon ided wnen hundreds of nousends of Huu ‘cxnationalized" the problomby jcolng to Zaire. By settng themselves et Goma Rilugee Camp, tho Hutus had given tho reluctant world bodies a huranilanan proélem of gigantic proportions. In fact tha problem had now been reversed with Hutus becoming Rwenda’s new victims. The only intewvention of significance wes the twomontn long French miliary inlewveniion in Juno 1904 lin Wester Rwanda. Known as "Operation Turquoise,” the exercise allowod flesing Hutus i escape underFrenchmiliaryorotectiono Zaire. Tre motveso' this econ are urclear, but ance had replaced Belgium as theleadina backer fl uta dominated admirisyrations sinco tho tend of colonial rue. ‘Albough the war in Rwanda is over and the RPF nave sought to ease tensions byEE appointing Hutus as both Presideat and Prime Minister, many probleme lay ahoad, Hulus believe that tese measures are largely cosmetic and point to the feet fat ‘most ofthe cabinet ate miroiity Tutss, They also do not bsliove that they would bbe spered by the Tutsis, in spite of pledoes by the RPF thai only those responsbie for crimes would face prosecution. It Is thetetore Ikely that the currant stuation is just another phase of a long drawn conflict where there is no middle (ground, Hutis are reported to be arming themselves at Goma and have alrasdy began hitanchrun, atlacks on the RFF in Avianca. More significantly, Hutu guerilas ave become patticipants In he ongong confictin Rwanda's neighbour, Burning ‘The Burundian Mirror Ih many ways Burundi is an accurate scription of what Fwanca may have locked like had the Tuts's not lost power. In Burunei a dominant Tuts) oligarchy nas held [power but has since 1993, located a Hutu President. But this position of dominence Is being challenged by Hutu paitealioreesand by he destatlzing stuation inneighbauring wanda ‘The tecent mittary coup which brought te power Pieire Buyoya may be a last-ditch aitempl to defuse a confict whera the death tall has sen crematicaly. Otners sea t as anattempt by Tuts vestedintarostoto remain In te driving seat, Aliiougn they are only 44% of the popilation of Burundi (the remaining 85% Deing Hutu) the Tutsis are 195% of tho cadrse of the culing pany, 88% of al _megstrates, 88% of university Jacturers, 14 out of 19 cabinet minisiers anc 20 out of 22 ambassadors. Tusis therefore dominate Burund's public life out they have to face demandsby the Huiumalosty to play a biggor rclo. These demancs have olten been backed by violent acon, {can theretora be ssid that the current siuation in Burundi mirors thal o| Rwanda in 1959, when the Tulsi Monareny was overthrown. But in Burund, the Tutsis have fought backtomeintainthe'rdemiance and have suppressed severely any altacks aganst thet kinsmen, ‘The escalation of the ev war in Burundi has therelore led to internalional e'fers 10 set up.a power-sharing mechanism between ‘he two communities. The main elfor. was the meeting held in June 1906 at Nwanga in Tanzeniachairedby JulusNyerere, atthe inal siage, the conference ottainod a ‘commitment by the Zairean autheriies to Prevent theircountry bing usec forguertlia aitacks into Burundi But the inative 1s not purely an Atrcan ne headed hy Tanzania's elder statesmen, Itis backed by the USA Wesiam European States in addition 10 Afican powers. Ite purpose isto stop the camage which costs ‘Burundi 10,000 lives evary month, in thor ‘words, the iniemnatonal community does rot want ancther Rwanda and therefore dd ite very best o pressurize the reluctant recime in Bujumbura ‘This reluctance is Understandebie when ‘one considars the fate that befell the Tutsis (of Rwanda. Itis therefore not surprising that Bunund’e Tuts's show file enthusiasm in Wing up control of the Amy, the gerdarmore, sccurty senoes and ‘administraton, Foct-dragang wasttherefore tho tactic of Prime Minister Antcine Nduwayo. atthe Tanzanian talks, INthe taks were heat all, twas because Burund: wae slaved of Amercan and European ad, The UPRONA (Unite pourle Progtoe National) regime bacly needed funds osustainthe warandits Treasury only hadresorvestilinext December. hittherelore realpalitkratierthana genuine commiment ‘opower shaving hatbroughi the Buruncien authorities to the talks. In addtion, the conflict has become ‘ntemationalizod with Rwandan Hutus ‘based in Goma joining the fight on the sice of tho Burundian Hutus, This in tum hes led 1o close collaboration between tha Tutsi dorrinated army of Burund end the FPF in Fiwanda. What is now feared is that the conflict in Burundi Is just the second phase of the Rwandan bloocsath Athis stage its dticul to assess the real ‘meaning of tha 25 July Coup which brought Pierte Buyoya to power, Gertzinly the new prosidont has ingicated that he would not ‘Support the ceployment of the US-unded land backed Afican Peacckesping Force drawn from Tanzania, Uganda, Zerbabw> ‘and otter Arian Sieles. The scheme was @ new siep whereby tha US would engage in peacekeeping wihout gating uirecty involved ast didn Somalia, While the Buyoya regime has indicated thet Burundis problems cenonly teresolved by Buruncians themselves, it is fairto cay that the international inilaive had become bogged down nits fnalstages both the Tutsi Jed UPRONA and the Hutu dominated FRODEBU (Front pour la democratic au Burund) had been tracing insults at Mwarga, FRODEBU’s rofueal to condemn the action ct _macnete-wielding Hutu irreguiars in rocent atiacks on Tutsis wes blamed for he deadlock. Dvisions within the poltical alte of the ‘country were aise apparent when bon Burundis Hutu Presdent and Tuts! Prive Mnistor wanted to contrel the Alrican Malt-National Force. Tha miltary coup. thorofore came at atime when the county's politcal rulers appeared to be lasing cortrel of tho situation. It appeared to be the only ‘solution fo end a conflict which had alreacly ost 150,009 lives, Conclusions Both Burundi and Rwanda are unfortunate examples of instances whare a mieguided and selt-serving colonial policy can lead to a human tragedy of monumental proportions, Fivande, for ceasons examined earter is the worst aifecied of the two with over a milion of ts population dead and hundreds of thousands living in rolugco camps. It Is a county where virtually all Infrastructures have boon destroyed and where the intellectual and professional class has boon annhilated. Its aifficult {0 Imagine such a country returning to normalcy. Perhaps a good description of ‘the situation is to say that Rwanda in the 1990’. ic what Cambodia was in the late 1970's. The only answer forthat uvoainate ato is liko in the case of Cambodia, the Implementation ot a massive iniematonal roliofofort. ‘he situation In Burundi is sit tud and the recent miltay coup by the Tusidominated ary could nave two possible outcomas. Ether it could servo as @ means to retain Tuts dominance ot Fopeluly it may be an intemal mochaniem to end ihe violence in the county, Bibliography 4. Horsman, Mand Marchal, A Ate the Nation Sale, Clizans Troalsm ard me New Dsorcer (Harper Colins, Londen 1995), 2 Cotke, J: Leaders ot followers (Foregn Policy Wirter 1085-95). 3 Dasteshe, A: The Third Gorocice (Foreign Policy 1983), 4. Chitin, J-P: Burundi — tha obscesion wih CGonocide (Current Hstony Mey 193). 5. Several atces in the “Intemational Harald Tilbune,**Le Mende," “Newsw aes," Tine, “he EconomistA Selection of the Finest International Brands. mAPeY ou eke Ulaggis Huccies maxwell House PRUNES rE DENTAL CARE Ardmona ar? ae anes PERSONAL CARE Li — URPAK BUTTER [ SAN REMO BOUNTY SOUPS AND PASTA a Foops TOMATO PRODUCTS TOBLERONE, DAIRY PRODUCTS TEN CHOCOLATES INSTANT NOODLES WELIA SEREI HAR cage @ Sole Ay (CANNED MEATS erp £833, Sitinave Bandaranalke Mawatho, P.O. Box 1970, Colombo 14 ‘Tok, $22871-2, §22830, 522032, 522934, 522155, 522375. Telex: 21418 Tasstea CE, 21991 Solpro CE, 23426 Seltec CE, Cablo: Tasstaa. Telefax: (941) 22913, Quality and Variety within your reach, Available al all Supermarkets & leading groceriesaf a milion ctizens of Si Lanka, bborn and bred onthat God-given secrodsol ofthevalina Peninsula, which they loved as ther motheiend, Cultivated end brought forth fri forthe whole island for many gonovatione — this homeland adomed wih bbeauifl houses and gardens and culivatons — all ruts of the labors of generations of Tamils — had to be abandoned in ona: ‘ight to.en Army advancing to conquer anc cevastate thal sacred cly of Jaffna and hoist a Lion Flag on i Generalicns of Tamis cannot fergst this shameful and impevialistic act ofthe Si Lankan Goverrerent ‘Thowsands of senior ctzens who have served the Governrrent by their cedleated services ‘or many decades, were on the read lieraly shivering ard starving for daye ‘il thoy found another shelter. Mothers with their bables in hard arying for food were ooking un to the cark cloucs for rel, Boys and girs. wha have ‘boen hard hit for decacos Sy unlust diseriminaione with regard {other stucles, who were IRerally bumring bots of cost keresene fo study hard and assure some sucess fo: thelr future, ware ‘now humiliated-and chased away from ineirmothorland — 19 carry ‘nol their books, but ihe old and the sick on thelr beycles 10 safer paces. With regard to the ratum of the dispinced people to the Jatina Ponirsula, it must be said in all fainass, thal a people havinglived fr atout sk months under trying conditions of feod, clating and Shelter, naturaly grabbed the frst chancoto ratum 6 thelr hero, ‘even if they tad beea badly damaged and iobbed. They were not Funaing into the arns of their lovers, But inio thelr natural habitat ‘yen fit had bcon raped by the prosence cf snaimy of ozeupetion, ‘And est stands tocay, tis ho Army thetis given thisnen enviable task of wining the hears and minds of 2 warweary people fanguishing cn the borders of existence. A few smiles and soma ‘ies words in Ternil from a Sinhela army may sound sweel and enticing for a few days, And vice versa, a grateful response from the Tamil residents for sparing their lives rom their weapons may be satisfying to the weary sclcier. But tis sudden relations3i9 Created by force of events and hidcen egenda cannct last, Asaldier isacombatant And 2 SriLankan aldiornasbeen eelected, reine and commissioned to be an anicTaril combatant. He cannot overnight become the angel o! Peacoin the wartom arees. When. tha very schitects and agonts ef wer whofer decades havabombed andkiledanddestioyed and instiledonly fatalnortorintotmeneerts ‘and minds of the Tami people turn overnight ints smitng fiands ‘and banavelent donors of gifts itis but sound common sense 10 false sispicions about their hidden nitentons, Gan a military that was recruited, trained commissioned to fight ‘and kill turn out to bo peacesrakere? And this oxplane leary the meening the Government is giving to its declared intention cf the “Wer lot Peace’ t's nota preparatory phase belare a raltical Settement nor a miltary Way of imposing on the heads of an unwilling people a pollical scluion prepared, clscussed end defined by the wil of the majority. I-is a pure milary solution in ‘whieh the fighting fs eueponded and the army takes over the (ovarnence of he people. We asked for our rights and a peaceful nvronmert (olive end the govemment generously affare us an option Between military ection and miltary governance! Fromthe Capital ofenothee peace-loving continent, let me meke an appeal on benalf of my peopla for Peace, Not as a polticel leader, but as a relicicus leader from amang the people caught in the war and thirsting for Peace, in the name of a pecple Held ‘ncommunicado for many Years from tha rest ofthe world, in he ‘nama of a psople etrugging fo survive and reciet a genocidal Rev. Dr. S. J. Emmanuel extinction — witholt sufclert food, medicine, transpor, Communication, inthe name cl the thousands of youth vio Nave Sacifices ther lives fora noble cause a freedom and chonity ttn and juctica, in the name ef futuro generations of al Si Lankans, | appeal beth to ihe Si Lanka Government as well as io the d facto leacership of na Tamils. | also appeal oll the cther potical partis in Sri Lanka —ba thoy Sinhala or Tarai — 41) notto play police with the ives of a people 2) to hait irevediately tls senseless "war for peace” 3) tollitthe economic ban lo the Noth 4) to ift all media censorship and allow jeumalsts and other injeresied people to vst the war-iorn araes and 10 be open tothe tah of historical and contextual realities 5) to create miltary conditions conducve lo peece-taks 5) to retum as soon as possible io the negollating table 7) to invte the assistance of come natural but friendly ‘goveinments or governmental organisations 10 Hep in tne Beccaaks. {1am siandng here as aman of Ged in service to a sutforng mankind. | have hopo in the goechoes of God and of men. From amidst the deafening sounds of tnousends of bombs and shells faling on our sol and consuming scared lives, ery out with Moeos of oid, “Let my peoalo ge from this slavery to frecdom" : ‘manuel, is the Viear General of the |- Dloooséofdatfaa and Rector of &t Francis Xavier Major Sessruiy it athe: He lias been the atvsser tate Asan Bishops Conference for the past vearsandis the founder Director of tho Dentro for Better Society in Jalfaa, Waiting—29 Letter From Tintern Abbey \Wnere the Wye woodland wanders back thas stepres gently Cast seed on wiady days lke this (Or shone with ran down slopes That witnessed the old unhurried years this Abbey rose, Instone quarried from Inv tknber Hew from au Sprouitiag tento everyone that el Inthese honey smelling woods, voles tell Ofprayerand pageants past The same slopes sai ‘ime reversing hard cream fate ain Theprosess we have seen Fought out with the lercer tide of Hie Jungle Duck at home, But here wht bogs realty is pol Times process 4s the hoary ralsniof this greal Abbey lis ealmassired eoncepton By ascetic moriks (uot Kings commanding mmalttades in taith) the firma faith ofa bane of wandering Clsterelans ‘aping stone to ar atastere vston That let them eeselute til he task was done. Now ve far strangers straying here Read past nd present, pulse and bone Touch in trance this sunt stone Awhile ereepingtdoub aseaie us Ts this, ereven eu werld, real? U. Harunatitake(Conte. kom page 11) mecnaniss to resolve cisputes, and a Wealth of NGOs were instrumental in developing 4 grassocts peace cconsituency. At the higher level, eminent persons and church leaders helped to faciitate negotiators when the discussons became __ deadlocked Through the work of the Carter Cenire, the former President has also been involved in a number pecce initiatives, including negotiatons in Haiti in 1994, Bosnia and the Great Lakes Region. ‘An Umbrella of Concern It fs the argument of this paper hat muli-irack eoluions to ccnilist are the most credbe and practical avenues avaiable. A siructured approach should promote complementarity of action, based on the comparative advantages of ‘ha widest circle of organisations. citzens and alliances as possible. A multitrack approach therefore achieves both a national and an faterational division of labour using nat cnly NGOs, tho UN, regional orgarisations, and indepencent govemments, but also a rotwork of Businesses, the Church, and citizen. ‘The strategic aim in the coming years mustibe to create an umbrella of concem which involves the particpaton of the whole international community Whenever thare 's this umbralia of concer, We greater the lkellhood of teducing tension and resolving differences. Already a series of overlapping exganisations such as the EU, OSCE, NATO and the High Commissioner for Minoriies are focused on addressing Eurepoan socurty issues In the future. Wih NATO memberstip ‘expanding to Inclide Eastern European slates, and the ecntinuad evolution ofthe EU end the WEU (Westen European Union), there isnosingleinstiutiors which has @ monopoly on security matters. The ‘objective now, Is 10 develop a system based on bilateral, subregional anc regional levels. Within these struc- ures te question of sovereionty, Ronintervention in domestic affairs, seli-determination and integrity of the stale are being examined Democratisation and respact for a serias ‘ofadoptedprinciples andnomsinrelation te the domestic arena; the 1994 code of Conduct between siates; and arms control and arms reductionsin the region, are additional issues which are being integrated and developed within the common securly frameviore?, This willingness to co-operate neads to be extended (0 othe’ regional forums. The greater the burden is sharedby the ‘community, the greater thera is a chance of resolution. In Cambodia, for example, the agreement betweon China, Japan, Austral, France, Britain and the United Slates lo work under a common framawerk was cf immense sonficance. In Mozambique, in ackdtion to the Sant Egidocommunity, he tsliangovernmant, the Vatican, the Eriish-based company Lontho, the UN and the Amorican government were involved in reaching a peace agieement. The success was due to the influence thatal the actors bore in Keeping the peace process on two simultaneous and _ complementary negotiating streams. The conflicts in Burundi and Sierra Loone also show tho influence of third partes. The Burundi NGO networks that exist in Europe and the United States have heen effective in keeping Burundi in on the foreign atfairs ‘agenda, while in the country isel, local peace intietives are being supported by NGOs, humanitarian aid is boing provided, end small scale development projects ere underway, ‘The greater the concern that ciforont levels of the intematonal community show, the more it proves. beneficial. Additionally, the more there is burden sharing between governments, human fighis groups, regional organisations and the UN, the greater the degee of accouniablity ofthe parieste the confict. Conclusion ‘The range and diversity of mandates amongstinier-goveinmental andregional orgarisations, NGOs andgrassrootscivic groups will necessarily Involve difie ‘anes in opinion, resources, flexibiity, knowiedge, commiment, competence, location end availabilty. Yet when dificulties arise in the peace process — as they necessarily do — itis precisely the alliance and synergy between these diferent “pariners” which can play a critical role in sustaining the momentum for peace. A co-ordinated multi-track approach in preventive diplomacy aims io transom the handing of “conflict sysiems" from a reactive one to a proventive one, This is @ new form of diplomacy, involvinga sirategieshiitirom purelystale controlled diplomacy towards 2 greater division of labour between governments, NGOs and other organisations. Peace in intornal confict can only come through a process which Involves ine vary people who wore at war with each other. Preventive diplomacy does rot provide quick responses to spiralling tragecies; it isamatterofiong-lermapproachrequiring sustained financial, technical and personnel support. The objective is to ‘lminate the oycle of violence in internal disputes, Notes: 16 Siccama, JG (ed) 1996 Confc: prevoron ard Ea warring ithe Postca Practice cf International Organisatons CGingendael Report 48. UA Bucharan-Shith, S Davies - Fanine Early Warring ard Responso “The Missing Link rtermathate Technology Publications, Uk 1985, 20, Jacqueline Daron Confict Pravenfonand Go-ercination fh tho le of Devalopmant (o-epetation “OECD Pepa, Berin 1898. 21, AdlefWeb ~ Project Description - DHA FelietWeb, Genave cine 1286, 22. Rupesingha - Teaching the elephant to dfance: aaveloping anew agenda atthe UN "095. 28. Rupesingha The Roi of rtemational Alt fh Advancing Eary Wering and. Cary Ati, May 1886. Refuge Journal lfericoring} 24, Rupssingha = Teaching the elephant to dence, 25. Louise Olamond and Jon Mcoonais ~ ‘Mul-rack Dipomecy: a systenss approech fo poace, (Grd ectine) Kumarian Prose sex, 28, See M. Lund - Preventing and Miuasng Violent Conflicts: 4 Gus for Pracilners. USRID, Creative Asseciates main Ine 1996, 27. esha camegieCorporsicn’s Cormssion (on Preventirg Deadly Confcis. 28, H. Alia, T, Gurr, R. Ruposingho - Contct ‘and Early’ Waning Systems, Ad lal parc Programme - Chicago 1335, 28. Soo H. Hondarson, A. Kay ~ The Glebal Commission Fund forthe United Natone Ivorraton on Conlist Resauron (iganisatonsina Proposa’ tone UNSC for Antiipatoy Fisk-Mitgaton, Peacesulléng Contngarts (AFM-PC) May 1908, 90, €4 Garcia ~ Paricbeihe Approaches © ‘Poacemaking the Phiipaines-UNU, 1293, a1 (bd p75. 2, See Chapier7. SIPRI Yesibook 1998MU eur st | RCL ur att) Ue Teta Lr sy 24 CT Ae) eae 1 ra Bae nig P. atization will in no way dilute oF reduce the Powers and rights of your union. British Airways was privatized in 1987 and the unions in to protect worker Interests just a5 before. Some of the worlds largest, most Powerful and vocal unions exist in the private sector. For ‘example, the United Auto Workers (UAW) represent over 100,000 workers at the ¢ ee biggest American car companies, nore of which are state owned. Infect, there is ererylteihood tha werking conditions will actually improve in privatized companies since there will be substantial investments made to upgrade facilities and traning You can (00k forward to representing a considerably more prosperous union Itis important to realize privatization is 2 means to an en. It 1 means to mprove our living standards, foster technological progress, creste employment and take our nation into a more prosperous tomorrow. In order to achieve these aims, pivatzstion has to be executed in the appropriate manner That is the task of the Pal erprise Reform Commission (PERC). ks mandate is to rrake privatization +k for Sri Lankans today and for generations to come. Every privatization is a carefully consideree derision tha takes into account the interests of sectors of so the consumers, the general public, the st Suppliers,as well as the country’s overall economic vision. Pi Y PERCS mission is to see that privatization works. In doing s0, your inte cs are always being well looked With privatization everybody has a stake. PERC WATCHFUL IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST PUBLIC ENTERPRISE REFORM COMMISSION 201, of Coin Mant, ' Foes 261i6INTEREST FREE CREDIT? CONVENIENT REPAYMENT TERMS: LOWEST JOINING FEE? Yes. All and many more benefits are yours with the CEYBANK VISA CARD. Contact the Centre Manager, CEYBANK CARD CENTRE, Bank of Ceylon No, 4, BANK OF CEYLON MAWATHA, COLOMBO - 1. BE WISE. CARD - WISE BANK OF CEYLON ‘Bankers to the Nation TELEPHONE: 447823 — Ex. 4180 & 4185