A symbol for unity

SYMBOLS are important for a country because they give citizens a sense of belonging. When governments ignore these important symbols or restrain them to one ethnic group, it can be the start of long years of strife. When the opposite happens, like the singing of the National Anthem in Tamil at the Independence Day ceremony, it can be a symbol for healing. 

The Tamil version of Sri Lanka’s National Anthem has a long history, but it was never formally acknowledged at the main Independence Day celebrations since 1949, when the unofficial versions of both the Sinhala and Tamil anthems were sung. The long process of formalising the versions led to the “Sinhala Only” policies of the mid-1950s and since then the Tamil anthem was relegated to functions in the north and east while the rest of the country sang the Sinhala version. 

This uneasy co-existence met further resistance during the previous Government led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The alleged Cabinet decision to scrap the Tamil translation caused much furore in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Government denied allegations that the Tamil translation of the anthem was to be abolished. 

The Presidential Secretariat had stated that there was no basis to the media report and follow up reports which intimated the Tamil version had been banned. Nevertheless an unofficial ban on the Tamil version came into being as fearful public officials in Tamil-speaking areas stopped using the Tamil version or blocked attempts to use it. The Sri Lankan Army forcefully stopped any use of the Tamil version and taught school children to sing only the Sinhala version.

Interestingly, the attempt to give the Tamil National Anthem equal status also happened quietly and had its roots at a Cabinet meeting. The lively discussion at the Cabinet meeting last week was suspended by President Maithripala Sirisena, who continued evaluating the move with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe behind the scenes. In the backdrop the usual narrow-minded Opposition banded together their sad and pointless arguments but the Government leaders stuck to their guns and won the hearts of all moderates and minorities.

Some may dismiss the event as a symbol and demand more concrete steps from the Government, but in this long journey the gestures have to be appreciated as much as the endeavours. Each creates a link between the chasm that has been dug deep between the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims over many decades. Assimilating 25% of the population and allowing them to reconnect with their Motherland in the language of their choice is indeed a courageous effort that deserves much applause.

As the Government readies for the arrival of UN Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today, on what is expected to be a landmark tour where future measures for reconciliation are likely to be thrashed out, the journey for true reconciliation has been given one more crucial stepping stone.