The role of Sinhala literature in the era of the ethnic conflict

4 October 2013 05:40 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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“Pluralism is the easiest instrument by which to achieve peace”

In the foreword of the Tamil book “Sinhala Literature in the era of Ethnic war in Sri Lanka: A Pluralistic Review (1983-2007)” written by M.C. Rasmin the writer has come to this conclusion: “Looking back at the history of Sri Lanka it is clear to us that the brutal war which lasted for more than 30 years has left our country wounded. In the post war scenario all of us are trying to move on with our lives while shutting the doors of the past.”

Under such circumstances Rasmin has written this well-researched Tamil book which is a comprehensive study of Sinhala literature during the war. This study reviews poetry, short stories, novels and songs and concludes how the idea of recognition of ethnic diversity, collective and national identity, sense of pluralism and social integration are being constructed by the Sinhala authors towards an active reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

" I discovered that many works of literature published in Sinhala during the era of conflict were deeply discussing the worst aspects of the war in Sri Lanka, dealing with different concepts such as peace, harmony, social integration, empathy and reconciliation "

During the launch of “Sinhala Literature in the era of the Ethnic war in Sri Lanka: A Pluralistic Review (1983-2007)” by M.C. Rasmin stated, “I discovered that many works of literature published in Sinhala during the era of conflict were deeply discussing the worst aspects of the war in Sri Lanka, dealing with different concepts such as peace, harmony, social integration, empathy and reconciliation. Sinhala authors through their literature have gone deeper and exposed the unique dimensions of the negative impacts of the ethnically driven war over the Tamil Speaking community which were sometimes unseen by Tamil authors. In addition, many pieces of Sinhala literature fearlessly stand for the rights of the minorities with full entitlement of human dignity. When the voice of the media and other sources were suppressed, Sinhala authors raised their sense of their creativity calling for reconciliation and disarmament. Many of them opposed armed violence in Sri Lanka and invited people to come together unitedly, to meet a common goal. However, unfortunately there is no deep study done in either Sinhala or Tamil for people to understand this. Sinhala Literature is very much active in calling for peace, healing towards reconciliation by dealing with the idea of pluralism.”

" I also encountered the fact that some of the literature was fuelling the conflict further while enlarging the emotional gap between Sinhalese and Tamils by
encouraging anti-minority sentiments and supporting the armed conflict "

Rasmin further added that though there have been such literary creations, it is also a fact that there are Sinhala literature creations that has added fuel to the brightly burning fire too. “I also encountered the fact that some of the literature was fuelling the conflict further while enlarging the emotional gap between Sinhalese and Tamils by encouraging anti-minority sentiments and supporting the armed conflict. Some of the Sinhala writers struggled and challenged within themselves without being able to come away from Sinhala nationalistic attachments when they voiced for peace and reconciliation. By learning Sinhala literature I discovered a common challenge that is the timely need of addressing the poverty of knowledge around the diversity of our own neighbours. However, our timely need is to realise the emotional disconnection before we make physical connections through our development. There is no point in bridging North and South without realising the need of treating the wounds of the people. I am of the impression that we are yet to understand the big issue of the poverty of knowledge that exist around the diversity of our own neighbours. That is why we took 30 years to go through the contribution of Sinhalese literature and vice versa,” Rasmin said.

" When the voice of the media and other sources were suppressed, Sinhala authors raised their sense of their creativity calling for reconciliation and disarmament "

“Sinhala literature in the era of ethnic war in Sri Lanka: A pluralistic review – (1983-2007)” is comprised of nine different chapters. The first chapter reviews the roots of ethnic war in Sri Lanka having a historical, social, economic and political perspective in it. The second chapter is about the linguistic and literary relationship between both Sinhala and Tamil languages and literature and it also reviews how both Tamil and Sinhala languages have influenced one another, developed from similar roots, accommodated different literary models from one another, and also how the literature from Sinhala to Tamil and vice-versa were being translated transforming the diversity of the lives of Sri Lankans. The third and fourth chapters analyses Sinhala songs released after 1983 ethnic riots till 2007 and the other chapters respectively review poetry, short-stories, novels, anti-minority sentiments and Buddhist dominant ideology. The final chapter is dedicated for an overall conclusion on the research.
In the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) it is stated that special attention must be given to translations and publications of major literary works from Tamil into Sinhala, and similarly Sinhala liteary work into Tamil. And it is also said in the LLRC that dissemination of such publications particularly among school children and youth would be of critical importance to foster a greater sense of understanding and sensitivity towards each others cultures, The book “Sinhala Literature in the era of Ethnic war in Sri Lanka: A Pluralistic Review (1983-2007)” is a good example of this.

Minister of National Languages and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara who was the Chief Guest at the event addressing the gathering at the book launch said this book was an example of the Tamil people’s struggle, sorrow and fate through the eyes of the Sinhala people.

Meanwhile Senior Lecture S. Yogaraja of the Eastern University speaking at this occasion said just as some Tamil literary creations have been one-sided while arousing racist feelings, some Sinhala songs and other literary creations have also aroused racism in society. Yogaraja also stated that the Sinhala writers had failed to understand the problems of the Muslim citizens and therefore literary creations concerning the issues of Muslim people had not been properly portrayed. Yogaraja commenting further also pointed out that one of the shortcomings of this book was that Rasmin had not focused on how the Sri Lankan youth looked at the ethnic conflict.

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Comments - 1

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 04 October 2013 08:06 AM

In short...is their any sinhalese who has the balls to make a true movie of the 1983 riots? No, nobody, because if they are truely magnanimous the movie will be made and screened about an event that was the foundation for the 30 year war. Whatever rubbish Vasudeva, Jayashika and Rashmin say, we are simply a racist majority.

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The role of Sinhala literature in the era of the ethnic conflict

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