The visit of a group of young British Sri Lankans to the island helped strengthen links with their parents’ homeland and raise hopes of a lasting and meaningful peace in a war-torn country
One of the most extraordinary features of the Commonwealth is the millions of individuals and families who have crossed continents to seek a new life in another Commonwealth country; some fleeing conflict, others seeking greater economic opportunity and those simply motivated by a spirit of adventure.
There is a generation of young people who identify with more than one Commonwealth country and are keen to make a contribution to both their own nation and the homelands of their parents and grandparents. The need for such a contribution is arguably greatest in countries scarred by conflict and division.
With this in mind the Royal Commonwealth Society, in partnership with independent peace-building organisation International Alert, took a group of eight young British Sri Lankans, on a fact-finding visit to Sri Lanka to learn about peace, reconciliation and development on the island and to see at first hand the important role young people are playing in that effort. It was hoped that this pilot project on ‘diaspora engagement’, while bringing together young Britons from both the Tamil and Sinhala communities and building bridges between them and Sri Lanka, would also foster the sharing of experience between two important Commonwealth states.
As one of the organisers of the trip, for me, this project was far more than just a work obligation. My parents left Sri Lanka after the civil war began in 1983 and although I have never lived in the country I have visited many times – always as a tourist, and usually only to the capital city Colombo, where my grandparents still live. While I am interested in Sri Lankan politics, history and culture, I have consciously avoided focusing on Sri Lanka in my academic studies and my career, finding the idea fraught with emotional difficulty. But the opportunity to meet fellow British Sri Lankans and engage positively in the country’s post-conflict future was too good to refuse.
Accompanied by two British MPs, we set out in late January for a busy week of meetings, workshops and visits across the island. In Colombo we met with political leaders – two Cabinet ministers and representative from three opposition parties – who provided us with perspectives on the socio-economic situation in Sri Lanka and told us their conclusions on issues of peace and reconciliation. We were also able to interact with a delegation of impressive youth activists, have lunch with the leaders of international humanitarian agencies and attend an eye-opening theatre performance focusing on unemployment.
Outside Colombo, we travelled to the hill country to see an initiative by Care International engaging the young people from the desperately deprived Indian Tamil community. We also met inspiring Sinhala youth leaders in Anuradhapura and made an unforgettable visit to a village outside Vavuniya, guided by local leaders of the charity Sewalanka Foundation, which is doing valuable work in disadvantaged rural communities.
As a British Sri Lankan, it was fantastic to share this visit with a diverse group of Sinhala and Tamil individuals, all of whom found the experience illuminating and touching. Several people we met commented that they had never heard of a ‘Sri Lankan’ diaspora group, only Sinhala or Tamil. But we were a pan-Sri Lankan group, with a joint interest in examining the issues that face all Sri Lankans and sharing our findings, upon our return, with other diaspora members.
There is much work to be done in Sri Lanka, politically, socially and economically. While the war may be over, the island is still not the paradise its physical beauty suggests. To claim heritage from two Commonwealth countries is a privilege, but it is also comes with a duty – to help those who suffered during the devastating war years and who need our assistance more than ever in this critical post-conflict period. But I am optimistic about the potential of the next generation of Sri Lankans and British Sri Lankans to make an effective and meaningful contribution to our wonderful country.
