Ethnic Triumphalism as a Bounded Foe of Ethnic Integration (Case Study of Sri Lanka)

Abstract

Post war Sri Lanka continues to face a huge challenge of ethnic integration since, end of a civil war by military means does not necessarily mean the end of the conflict. This divided society can only build its shared future out of its divided past by having a well guided reconciliation process since, reconciliation is an approach which consolidates peace, breaks the cycle of violence by preventing the possibilities of the use of the past as the seed of renewed conflict. Further ethnic integration via reconciliation should be a holistic approach which should go beyond the ethno- religious boundaries in a multi ethnic society like Sri Lanka. Theravada Buddhism the main religion of Sri Lanka, has a negative view towards violence. Accommodative nature of Buddhism also provides a vast space for ethnic integration by bridging the ethnic demarcation lines. Hence, Cambodia provides a promising initiative for using Buddhism as a tool of post conflict peace building. Nevertheless religion may not be productive in peace building among the ethnicities, when politicized or manipulated as a tool of nationalism. Study finds that in the post-war context Sinhala- Buddhist ideology is the principal and determining goal of a government. When seeking a ruling ideology previous president, griped the Sinhala-Buddhist supremacism. Yet, neglecting the reconciliation triumphalism was well promoted. ‗Non violence‘ and ‗Empathy‘ which are the true essence of Buddhism were undermined by the arrival of fundamentalism. For instance, in post war Sri Lanka Bodu Bala Sena has emerged as a tool of Sinhala-Buddhist triumphalism by claiming as a counter - force of Islamic fundamentalism. Hence religious fundamentalism makes serious damages in the social and ethnic fabric of the country leaving reconciliation as a hostage of triumphalism. This leaves a huge challenge for the new government to utilizing of state mechanisms and social movements for the proper implementation of reconciliation process for ensuring post war ethnic integration.