!()-3! .UGEGODA 3RI ,ANKA
)CE "REAKERS IN 3RI ,ANKA
(OW $O 'RASSROOTS
7ORKSHOPS 3TOP A #IVIL 7AR
,ISA +IM 4
4HE MORNING COMMUTE TO THE !()-3! OFlCE IN .UGEGODA
WILL WAKE YOU UP FOR THE DAY 7HY NOT TAKE THE DOWN
3TANLEY 4HILAKERATNE -AWATHA ,ET LOUD ENGINES FROM EARLY
MODEL *APANESE CARS SING FOR YOU 4AKE IN THE CAR EXHAUST AND
THE COOL BREEZE THROUGH THE BUS WINDOWS #ONTORT YOUR BODY
AND TRY IN VAIN TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE OTHER HUMANS
PACKED IN WITH YOU 3MILE AND WIGGLE YOUR HEAD AND TRY TO CHAT
WITH THE LADY WHO LIVES DOWN THE ROAD !DMIRE THE WOMEN IN
THEIR CAREFULLY PLEATED SARIS 3EE THE BAREFOOT -IRIHANA SLUM
KIDS ON THE STREET WITH THEIR CLEAN OUTlTS FADED FROM WASHING
-AKE SURE YOUR CLOTHES HAVE BEEN IRONED PROPERLY !DJUST YOUR
SHIRT WITH YOUR FREE HAND PAY THE THREE RUPEE FARE WITH THE
OTHER 9ELL OUT h"AHINAWAv WHEN YOU SEE THE SMALL FRUIT STAND
1UICKLY WIGGLE YOUR HEAD hTHANK YOUv TO THE FARE COLLECTOR
HOP OUT OF THE MOVING BUS AND JOG TO A WALKING PACE ON THE
PAVEMENT
9OULL BE SURPRISED AT HOW HARD IT CAN BE TO lND THE
!()-3! OFlCE 4HERES NOTHING TO SET IT APART FROM THE STATELY
HOUSES ALONG 0ELAWATTA -AWATHA ASIDE FROM A SMALL SIGN THAT
DECLARES ITS NAME AND LOCATION h!()-3! !v .UGEGODA IS
KNOWN AS A RELATIVELY WEALTHY PART OF #OLOMBO AND THIS PART OF
TOWN ALWAYS HOUSES A GOVERNMENT OFlCIAL OR TWO $ONT BE TOO
SHOCKED BY THE -ERCEDES "ENZ OR OTHER POLISHED CARS PARKED HERE
AND THERE 3ECURITY WALLS BLOCK THE BEAUTIFUL HOUSES FROM VIEW
BUT YOU KNOW FROM THE UNIFORMS ON THE SCHOOLCHILDREN AND THE
3RI ,ANKAN PARENTS REPRIMANDING THEM IN %NGLISH THAT YOUVE
ENTERED NEW TERRITORY
)T CAN SEEM ODD THAT !()-3!S OFlCIAL MISSION IS TO BRING
PEACE EDUCATION AND CONmICT RESOLUTION TRAINING TO THE EVERYDAY
PEOPLE OF 3RI ,ANKA 9OU STEP THROUGH THE SECURITY GATE ON THE
lRST DAY AND FEEL LIKE YOUVE ENTERED A DAY SPA 3OOTHING MUSIC
PLAYS FROM THE SPEAKERS OF COMPUTERS RECENTLY CONNECTED TO
HIGHSPEED INTERNET !LL THE WINDOWS ARE mUNG OPEN LETTING
THE BREEZE PLAY WITH LACE CURTAINS h)LL TAKE YOU ON A TOURv SAYS
-ONICA ONE OF THE FOUNDERS AND DIRECTORS 3HE APOLOGIZES FOR
4HE !RT OF #OEXISTENCE%THICS AND #OEXISTENCE 3TUDENT &ELLOWS
THE PLAINNESS OF THE OFlCE BUT YOU CAN ONLY MARVEL AT THE REGAL
ARCHITECTURE OF STURDY CLEAN LINES AND RICH COLORS
9OU SEE !()-3! CAME ABOUT AS A BRAINCHILD OF -ONICA
!LFRED A 4AMIL FEMALE AND +ASSAPA $IYABEDENAGE AND )NDIKA
0USHKUMARA BOTH 3INHALESE MALES UNDERSTANDING THE NEED
TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN UNIVERSITYLEVEL PEACE STUDIES AND
GRASSROOTS PEACE ACTIVITY IN 3RI ,ANKA !()-3! #ENTRE FOR
#ONmICT 2ESOLUTION AND 0EACE PLACES A GREAT EMPHASIS ON
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH VOLUNTEERS AND PEACE WORKERS
FROM AROUND THE GLOBE AND IN UTILIZING lELDWORK TO PROMOTE
RECONCILIATION WORK FROM THE BOTTOMUP
! "RIEF (ISTORY OF THE 3RI ,ANKAN #ONmICT
)T IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT !()-3!S AIMS AS A 3RI ,ANKAN
CONmICT RESOLUTION .'/ ARE NOT LIMITED TO DEALING WITH THE
HISTORICALLY TENSE ETHNORELIGIOUS CONmICT BETWEEN 3INHALESE
AND 4AMILS h#ONmICTv IN 3RI ,ANKA IS NOT LIMITED TO ANIMOSITY
BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS NOR TO A POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE
MAJORITY 3INHALESE GOVERNMENT AND THE ,IBERATION 4IGERS OF
4AMIL %ELAM ,44% A MILITARY GROUP lGHTING FOR A SEPARATE
4AMIL HOMELAND 3RI ,ANKAS CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS HAVE THEIR
ROOTS IN COLONIAL RULE SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES AND CLASHING
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AS WELL AS LAND RIGHTS )T IS THE FUSION OF THE
DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT HAVE ALLOWED VIOLENCE AND FEAR TO AFFECT SO
MANY ASPECTS OF 3RI ,ANKAN LIFE
3RI ,ANKAS LONG HISTORY OF $UTCH 0ORTUGUESE AND
"RITISH COLONIAL OCCUPATION HAS HAD AN UNDENIABLE IMPACT
ON THE SOCIETAL CONmICT )T WAS ULTIMATELY THROUGH THE "RITISH
METHOD OF DIVIDE AND RULE THAT MEMBERS OF THE 4AMIL MINORITY
HIGHLY EDUCATED AND WELL QUALIlED WIELDED A GREAT AMOUNT OF
POLITICAL POWER AND WERE AWARDED A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER
OF GOVERNMENT POSITIONS 4HIS TACTICAL MOVE WAS ROOTED IN
THE ASSUMPTION THAT FRUSTRATION AND ANGER ON THE PART OF THE
DISENFRANCHISED MAJORITY 3INHALESE WOULD RID ANY POSSIBILITY OF
A 4AMIL3INHALESE ALLIANCE TO OUST THE EXPLOITING FOREIGN POWERS
4HIS ASSUMPTION PROVED ACCURATE
/NCE THE "RITISH LEFT IN THE 3INHALESE MAJORITY STARTED
A HIGHLY NATIONALIST CAMPAIGN TO REGAIN PROPORTIONAL POWER
AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIONBY MARGINALIZING THE 4AMIL
POPULATION )N 0RESIDENT 372$ "ANDARANAIKE MADE
3INHALA THE SOLE OFlCIAL LANGUAGE OF 3RI ,ANKA DIRECTLY AGAINST THE
INTEREST OF 4AMILSPEAKERS AND CITIZENS NOT mUENT IN 3INHALA )N
THE #ONSTITUTION MADE "UDDHISM THE OFlCIAL STATE RELIGION
AND STARTED TO LIMIT 4AMIL ADMISSIONS INTO UNIVERSITIES 0ARTS OF
THE 4AMIL POPULATION MOBILIZED DEMANDING GREATER AUTONOMY
FOR 4AMIL COMMUNITIES CONCENTRATED IN THE NORTH AND EAST )N
AN ,44% MASSACRE OF A 3RI ,ANKA !RMY PATROL OPENED THE
GATES TO A LONG AND GRUESOME PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR WHICH INCLUDED
MOB VIOLENCE LOOTING AND SYSTEMATIC KILLING ON BOTH SIDES
4ODAY THE MOSTLY 4AMIL REGIONS IN THE NORTH AND EAST OF
THE ISLAND ARE STILL UNDERDEVELOPED COMPARED TO THE CITIES OF THE
3INHALESEMAJORITY POPULATIONS IN THE SOUTH AND WEST 4HE POWER
BALANCE FAVORS THE 3INHALESE LEAVING MANY 4AMILS FRUSTRATED AT
THEIR SOCIAL POSITION AND LEADING SOME TO SUPPORT THE ,44%
IN lGHTING FOR A HOMELAND WHERE 4AMILS DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE AS
SUBORDINATES
4HE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE ONCEUNIlED ,44% IS
STARTING TO BE CHALLENGED BY THE FORMATION OF THE +ARUNA FACTION
"ASED ON THE EASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND UNDER COMMANDER
6INAYAGAMOORTHY -URALITHARAN THE +ARUNA FACTION BROKE AWAY
FROM THE ,44% IN -ARCH OF 4HEY ARGUED THAT THE ,44%
WAS lGHTING ONLY FOR THE BENElT OF *AFFNA 4AMILS AND 4AMILS
OF THE NORTH WHO ARE KNOWN TO BE MORE SOCIOECONOMICALLY
POWERFUL AND BETTER EDUCATED THAN EASTERN 4AMILS 4HE
EASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND CONTINUES TO LAG BEHIND THE NORTH IN
DEVELOPMENT AID AND .'/ ACTIVITY ! DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER
OF ,44% SUICIDE BOMBERS ARE FROM THE EAST WHILE THE MILITARY
LEADERS ARE FROM THE NORTH 6IOLENT CLASHES HAVE BEEN ERUPTING
WITHIN THE ,44% RESULTING IN A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF DEATHS
ON BOTH SIDES AND GREAT UNCERTAINTY OVER THE FUTURE OF THE 4AMIL
%ELAM MOVEMENT 4HE (ILL #OUNTRY 4AMILS ARE BARELY EVEN
ADDRESSED IN THIS INTRA4AMIL TENSION
4HERE ARE VAST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE h3RI ,ANKAN 4AMILSv
DESCENDANTS OF 3RI ,ANKAS lRST 4AMIL KINGDOMS OF THE TH
CENTURY AND THE h(ILL #OUNTRY 4AMILSv THE DESCENDANTS OF
4AMILS BROUGHT TO THE ISLAND IN THE S BY THE "RITISH TO WORK
THE TEA PLANTATIONS 4HE 3RI ,ANKAN 4AMILS HAVE MOSTLY SETTLED IN
THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY -ANY OF THE (ILL
#OUNTRY 4AMILS OCCUPY THE CENTRAL PROVINCES OF THE ISLAND WHERE
THEY CONTINUE WORKING FOR MENIAL WAGES ON THE TEA PLANTATIONS SET
UP BY THE "RITISH 4HESE 4AMILS ARE DESCENDED FROM IMMIGRANTS
WHO TRACE THEIR ROOTS TO LOWER )NDIAN CASTES A SOCIAL DIVISION WHICH
SOMETIMES MINIMIZES THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE 3INHALESE4AMIL
CONmICT AND ALSO MINIMIZES THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE ,44% DESIRES
TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE (ILL #OUNTRY 4AMILS
4HE WIDELY COVERED 3INHALESE4AMIL CONmICT ALSO FAILS
TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE SUBSTANTIAL -USLIM POPULATION
COMPRISED OF MOSTLY 4AMIL DESCENDANTS OF TH CENTURY !RAB
TRADERS AND MORE RECENT IMMIGRANTS FROM PARTS OF THE -USLIM
-IDDLE %AST AND 3OUTH !SIA
&URTHERMORE THERE ARE SIZEABLE
)T CAN SEEM ODD THAT
#HRISTIAN 3INHALESE AND
#HRISTIAN 4AMIL COMMUNITIES
!()-3!S OFFICIAL
RANGING IN FAITH PRACTICE FROM
$UTCHINmUENCED 0ROTESTANTISM
MISSION IS TO BRING PEACE
TO THE VESTIGES OF 0ORTUGUESE
#ATHOLICISM
EDUCATION AND CONFLICT
5NFORTUNATELY NOT EVEN
RESOLUTION TRAINING TO THE
THE GOVERNING POWER OF THIS
DIVERSE COUNTRY IS ABLE TO
EVERYDAY PEOPLE OF 3RI
PRESENT A UNITED STANCE ON 3RI
,ANKAS POLITICAL SITUATION )N
,ANKA 9OU STEP THROUGH
0RESIDENT #HANDRIKA
"ANDARANAIKE +UMARATUNGA
THE SECURITY GATE ON THE
OF THE 3RI ,ANKA &REEDOM
0ARTY 3,&0 WON BY A FIRST DAY AND FEEL LIKE
VOTE AGAINST HER OPPONENT
2ANIL 7ICKRAMESINGHE OF THE
YOUVE ENTERED A DAY SPA
5NITED .ATIONAL &RONT 5.&
WHO EVENTUALLY BECAME 0RIME
-INISTER !FTER ELECTIONS IN
!PRIL THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED -AHINDA 2AJAPAKSE FROM
HER OWN PARTY TO REPLACE 7ICKRAMESINGE AS 0RIME -INISTER
IN A SYSTEMATIC MOVE TO TAKE POWER AWAY FROM THE MAJORITY
5.& GOVERNMENT 4HE OUSTED 7ICKRAMESINGHE HAS BEEN VOCAL
IN WARNING THAT THE 5.& WILL BE INCREASINGLY RESISTANT TO THE
3,&0S POLICY AGENDA REGARDING THE COUNTRYS ECONOMIC SITUATION
PEACE PROCESS AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION !LL THE
WHILE NEWLYAPPOINTED 2AJAPAKSE HAS BEEN INSISTENT ON FORMING
ALLIANCES WITH THE 5.& TO MOVE AHEAD IN THE PEACE PROCESS WHILE
+UMARATUNGA FAVORS COALITIONS WITH THE HIGHLY NATIONALIST *ANATHA
6IMUKTHI 0ERAMUNA *60
)NTERNATIONAL #ENTER FOR %THICS *USTICE AND 0UBLIC ,IFE 4AKE YET ANOTHER STEP BACK AND ONE CANNOT FORGET THE ROLE
THAT )NDIA PLAYS IN 3RI ,ANKAN POLITICS 4HE 4AMIL POPULATION OF
3RI ,ANKA CAN TRACE THEIR ROOTS TO THE 4AMIL .ADU REGION OF 3OUTH
)NDIA ABOUT KILOMETERS FROM THE ISLAND A PROVINCE THAT HAS
BEEN INVOLVED IN ITS OWN STRUGGLE FOR INCREASED AUTONOMY 4HE
POPULATION OF 4AMIL .ADU IS MORE THAN THE ENTIRE POPULATION
OF 3RI ,ANKA 4HUS MANY ANTI4AMIL(INDU ACTIVISTS CLAIM THAT
GIVING MORE RIGHTS AND POWER TO THE 4AMILS WILL INEVITABLY RESULT
IN (INDUISM AND 4AMIL CULTURE OVERTAKING "UDDHIST 3INHALESE
CULTURE ON THE ISLAND
-ANY 3RI ,ANKANS ALSO BELIEVE THAT )NDIA HAS A VESTED
INTEREST IN KEEPING 3RI ,ANKA IN CONmICT 3RI ,ANKA AS A
DEVELOPING NATION WITH SUBSTANTIAL NATURAL RESOURCES HAS ALWAYS
BEEN AN ECONOMIC THREAT TO )NDIA &URTHERMORE IT IS TRUE THAT
ANY RIGHTS WON BY THE 3RI ,ANKAN 4AMILS MIGHT ENCOURAGE
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS WITHIN 4AMIL .ADU )N IN THE
MIDST OF TENSIONS IN 4AMIL .ADU THE )NDIAN AND 3RI ,ANKAN
GOVERNMENTS AGREED THAT THE 3RI ,ANKAN !RMY WOULD RETREAT
AND AN )NDIAN 0EACE +EEPING &ORCE )0+& WOULD WORK TOWARDS
NEGOTIATING WITH THE ,44% AND RESTORING ORDER IN THE NORTH AND
EAST 4HE 3INHALESE AND -USLIM POPULATIONS ROSE UP AGAINST THE
PROSPECT OF FOREIGN )NDIAN FORCES TRYING TO ASSERT AUTHORITY IN A
3RI ,ANKAN CONmICT
)N RESPONSE TO THE ISLANDS MULTILAYERED TENSIONS THERE HAS
BEEN A SUCCESSFUL SERIES OF PEACE TALKS FACILITATED BY REPRESENTATIVES
FROM .ORWAY MOST RECENTLY RENEWED IN *ANUARY AND STALLED
IN 9ET MANY FEAR THAT A #OLOMBO SUICIDE BOMBING IN
*ULY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SHUT DOWN THE PEACE PROCESS AND
NULLIFY THE CEASElRE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT
AND THE ,44% 7HILE 0RESIDENT +UMARATUNGA HAS SAID THAT THE
GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A hSERIOUS AND SUSTAINED EFFORTv TO ENGAGE IN
PEACE TALKS WITH THE ,44% THE ,44% IS CONTINUING TO RECRUIT CHILD
SOLDIERS IN INCREASING NUMBERS 4HERE ARE ALSO INCREASING INCIDENTS
OF FATAL VIOLENCE IN THE UNIVERSITIES WHERE POLITICALLYCHARGED
STUDENT GROUPS RESORT TO lSTS AND WEAPONS TO SETTLE DISPUTES
4HUS WHEN UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITY OF CONmICT IN 3RI
,ANKA IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT .'/ ACTIVITY CANNOT BE LIMITED TO
WORK DONE IN TENSE 3INHALESE4AMIL BORDER TOWNS )T IS DANGEROUS
TO EQUATE A CONmICT RESOLUTION ORGANIZATIONS VALIDITY TO HOW
MUCH CONNECTION THEY HAVE WITH THE HEADLINEGRABBING ETHNIC
VIOLENCE THAT HAS COME TO DElNE 3RI ,ANKA 4HE ISLANDS LONG
HISTORY OF COLONIALISM IS DIRECTLY PERTINENT TO SOCIOECONOMIC
DISPARITIES AND POLITICAL TENSIONS THAT EXIST TODAY 4HE TENSIONS
BETWEEN GOVERNMENT RULE AND STRUGGLES FOR AUTONOMY AND
BETWEEN ETHNIC SOLIDARITY AND POLITICAL RIFTS ALL PLAY A ROLE IN WHAT
3RI ,ANKA HAS COME TO BE TODAY
!()-3! #ENTER FOR #ONmICT 2ESOLUTION AND 0EACE
)T IS IN ADDRESSING THIS NEED FOR NUANCED CONmICT RESOLUTION
WORK THAT !()-3! SHINES 4HE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH THE
HIGHERUPS OF THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE FOR %DUCATION AS WELL AS
THE RESIDENTS OF THE -IRIHANA SLUMS 7ORKSHOPS ADDRESS TOPICS
FROM MATTERS OF NATIONALISM WITHIN HARDLINE 3INHALESE "UDDHIST
4HE !RT OF #OEXISTENCE%THICS AND #OEXISTENCE 3TUDENT &ELLOWS
NEIGHBORHOODS TO ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IMPACTING THE -USLIM
COMMUNITY
4HE ULTIMATE GOAL OF !()-3! IS TO SET UP "AREFOOT
5NIVERSITY IN ORDER TO MAKE PEACE EDUCATION CERTIlCATION
AVAILABLE FOR ALL PEOPLE !()-3! USES WORKSHOPS TO BRING THE
WORK OF EDUCATORS PEACE PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
AND FACILITATORS TO THE hMASSESv 4HESE WORKSHOPS AIM TO PROMOTE
A CULTURE OF NONVIOLENCE IN THE PERSONAL LIVES OF 3RI ,ANKANS IN
ORDER PROMOTE CHANGE IN SOCIETY )T IS ONLY THROUGH SUCH EFFORTS
THAT ONE CAN SUSTAIN THE PEACE AGREEMENTS THAT ARE CONDUCTED ON
GOVERNMENTAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS
4HE -IRIHANA ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROJECT IS LOCALLY
BASED )T AIMS TO INSTILL POSITIVE LEADERSHIP VALUES IN A GROUP OF
.UGEGODAAREA SLUM CHILDREN AND ULTIMATELY STEER THEM AWAY
FROM THE MILITANT POLITICAL GROUPS THAT FEED ON THE FRUSTRATION OF
YOUTH ENTRENCHED IN POVERTY TO SUSTAIN SOCIETAL DIVISIONS 4HE
PROJECT FACILITATES PROGRAMS DEALING WITH SELFAWARENESS PROBLEM
SOLVING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN ADDITION TO EDUCATIONAL
TOURS AND YOUTH CAREER GUIDANCE
!()-3! ALSO UTILIZES AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF NATIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS TO ENSURE THAT ITS GRASSROOTS WORK IS
WIDEREACHING )T IS COLLABORATING WITH THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE
OF %DUCATION TO CREATE A PEACE PROJECTS RESEARCH SYSTEM FOR !
,EVEL STUDENTS WISHING TO STUDY PEACE PROCESSES TO FULlLL THE
PROJECT COMPONENT OF THEIR EXAMS 3CHOOLS IN (ORANA THE HOME
OF SEVERAL HARDLINE "UDDHIST POLITICIANS AND 2AKWANA AN
ETHNICALLY DIVERSE TOWN IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE (ILL #OUNTRY
HAVE ALREADY BENElTED FROM !()-3!S PEACE PROJECTS WORK 4HE
STAFF HAS ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH LARGER !MERICAN AND %UROPEAN
.'/S ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN -ANGALAGAMA
A TOWN IN A POLITICALLY VOLATILE REGION OF THE EAST COAST AND
+AMBURUPITIYA A -USLIM3INHALESE REGION OF THE SOUTH IN
ADDITION TO CONDUCTING YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
AT SCHOOLS AND IN TOWNS AROUND THE ISLAND
"UT OF COURSE JUST AS DISPARITIES EXIST BETWEEN SOCIOPOLITICAL
REALITIES AND .'/ ACTIVITY A SIMILAR GAP CAN BE PRESENT BETWEEN
AN ORGANIZATIONS MISSION AND ITS ACTUAL CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT
CHANGE $ESPITE !()-3!S GREAT ARRAY OF WORK IT SOMETIMES
BECOMES DIFlCULT FOR VISITORS AND EVEN THE STAFF ITSELF TO MAKE
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS GRASSROOTS GOALS AND THE SOMEWHAT
ELITIST COMFORT THAT SWATHES THE OFlCE LIFESTYLE
! 0ELAWATTA -AWATHA
/N ANY GIVEN DAY THE lVE HOUSECATS GENTLY PAD ACROSS THE
POLISHED WHITE TILE mOOR 3RI ,ANKAN STAFF AND INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEERS EAT LUNCH TOGETHER AT THE DINING TABLE ! 3INHALESE
WOMAN IN WESTERN CLOTHES HERE A 'ERMAN VOLUNTEER IN A SHALWAR
KAMEEZ OVER THERE ! PLATE MAGICALLY APPEARS IN FRONT OF ME AND
EVERYONE PROCEEDS TO GIVE ME PORTIONS OF RICE CURRIES VEGETABLES
OR KIRI BATH FROM THEIR LUNCH PACKETS 7ELCOME THEY SAY AS THEY
SMILE AND LAUGH AND CHAT 4HE WHITE VOLUNTEERS DEMONSTRATE
HOW TO MIX THE FOOD TOGETHER WITH MY lNGERS AND BRING SMALL
BUNCHES OF FOOD TO MY MOUTH
) LOOK AROUND AND SEE NEWSPAPERS IN %NGLISH AND 3INHALA
PILED NEATLY ON A WICKER BOOKSHELF 4OWARDS THE KITCHEN IS A
DISPLAY CASE OF SOUVENIRS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BROUGHT BY THE
MANY INTERNATIONAL VISITORS WHO HAVE WALKED OVER THESE POLISHED
TILES 3YMBOLS OF PEACE FROM )SRAEL #HINA #YPRUS AND "OSTON
-UGS ,AMINATED BILLS +NICKKNACKS STAMPED WITH NAMES OF
FOREIGN CITIES BOTH WEALTHY AND WARTORN
!()-3! HAS DElNITELY COME A LONG WAY FROM WHEN IT WAS
A STARTUP .'/ WITHOUT A HOME h7E DIDNT EVEN HAVE A PLATE TO
EAT ONv SAYS -ONICA AS SHE WARMS UP A CURRY OVER THE STOVE AND
BUSTLES AROUND THE FULLYSTOCKED KITCHEN
!()-3! IS VERY WELL KNOWN NOW AND IS QUITE ESTABLISHED IN
3RI ,ANKAN .'/ CIRCLES +ASSAPA IS OFTEN SO BUSY PARTICIPATING IN
FORUMS THAT WORK CAN PILE UP ON HIS DESK AND REMAIN UNTOUCHED
FOR SEVERAL DAYS (E IS A MAN OF BIG VISIONS NOW %STABLISHING
"AREFOOT 5NIVERSITY 3QUARING AWAY THE PLANS FOR A NATIONWIDE
0EACE 0ROJECTS CURRICULUM -AKING CONTACTS WITH MORE .'/S
ABROAD TO DIVERSIFY THE POOL OF !()-3!S VOLUNTEERS
)N FACT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT +ASSAPAS CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN
TOO FRUITFUL 7ESTERN VOLUNTEERS HAVE BECOME SOMEWHAT OF AN
EVERYDAY ACCESSORY FOR THE STAFF 4HESE VOLUNTEERS COME AND
GO !LTHOUGH STRONG RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT AND KNOWLEDGE IS
EXCHANGED VERY RARELY DO THESE VISITORS MAKE A LONGLASTING
IMPACT THAT CAN BE EASILY SEEN %VERYONE KNOWS THAT THE
VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIALLY VISITORS WHILE THE LOCAL STAFF WILL ALWAYS
BE BASED IN 3RI ,ANKA
!T THE LUNCH TABLE 3INHALA CONVERSATIONS TAKE ROOT ON
ONE END OF THE TABLE WHILE THE VOLUNTEERS START TO CHATTER IN
%NGLISH ON THE OTHER END %VERYONE SCOOPS RICE AND CURRIES FROM
NEIGHBORING PLATES AND LUNCH PACKETS )NDIKAS WIFE HAS PACKED
SOME DELICIOUS JACKFRUIT CURRY SO WE ALL TAKE A LITTLE BIT TO TASTE
9ET AS LIGHT ARMS AND DARK ARMS CROSS ACROSS THE TABLE IT IS RARE
THAT A SINGLE CONVERSATION INCLUDES EVERYONE
4HIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE OF
NO USE AT !()-3! *ACKY THE "RITISH VOLUNTEER FROM 63/
6OLUNTEER 3ERVICES /VERSEAS HAS IMPLEMENTED A MONTHLY
MOVEMENT CHART BY THE PHONES SO THAT ALL STAFF MEMBERS KNOW
WHERE ANYONE IS AT A GIVEN TIME !S THE CAPACITYBUILDING
ADMINISTRATOR SHE HAS MADE MONTHLY STAFF MEETINGS A PART OF
THE OFlCE SCHEDULE AND REGULARLY MEETS WITH ALL STAFF MEMBERS TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONES WORK IS COORDINATED AND PROGRESSING
SMOOTHLY !LL OF THE WESTERN VOLUNTEERS ALSO HELP OUT WITH DAILY
%NGLISH LESSONS TO HELP 3INHALESE STAFF MEMBERS PERFECT THEIR
LANGUAGE SKILLS 7E ALL BRING IN OUR VARYING DEGREES OF EXPERIENCE
WITH CONmICT RESOLUTION WORK IN ADDITION TO OUR OWN OFlCE
SKILLS
4HE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED 2ESOURCE #ENTRE ON THE lRST
mOOR IS IMMACULATELY CATALOGUED ) SHOULD KNOW AS MY 'ERMAN
mATMATES COMPLAIN TO ME THAT THEYVE SPENT HOURS CUTTING OUT
LABELS AND lGURING OUT DECIMAL SYSTEMS ONLY TO HAVE THE BOOKS
LOCKED BEHIND GLASSPANED DOORS OR COLLECT DUST ON THE SHELVES
-Y mATMATES EXPLAIN HOW THEY PLANNED THE LAYOUT OF THE ROOM
TO MAXIMIZE FREE SPACE SUNLIGHT AND CIRCULATION 4HERES EVEN
A SPECIAL CHILDRENS SECTION ON CONmICT RESOLUTION AND A PLAN TO
PURCHASE LITTLE LIFT CUSHIONS SO THAT KIDS MAY READ AT THE TABLE
5NFORTUNATELY THE STAFF SEEM TO BE THE ONLY PEOPLE MAKING USE OF
THIS SPACE 4HERES A PHONE AND COMPUTER IN HERE FOR THOSE WHO
WANT TO TAKE CARE OF ERRANDS IN PRIVACY AND A 466#2 IN CASE
THAT SOME VOLUNTEERS WANT TO COME ON THE WEEKEND TO WATCH A
FEW mICKS .O CHILDREN THOUGH AND NOT EVEN ADULTS FROM OUTSIDE
THE ORGANIZATION
!SK THE NEIGHBORS WHAT WORK IS DONE AT !()-3! AND YOU
PROBABLY WONT RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY ANSWER 4HE SECURITY WALL
THAT BLOCKS AWAY INTRUDERS AND POTENTIAL ROBBERS DOESNT ENTICE
CURIOUS PASSERSBY TO COME IN AND LEARN ABOUT PEACE 4HEN AGAIN
PERHAPS THE STAFF PREFERS IT THIS WAY )T HELPS TO MAINTAIN THE
SANITY LEVEL ONCE *ULY COMES AROUND AND EVERYONE IS DISPERSED
THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND CONDUCTING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS DIALOGUE GROUPS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WORKSHOPS
7ORKSHOP 0REPARATION
!NGIE AND -ONICA LEAD THE PLANNING SESSIONS FOR THE 53 !)$
WORKSHOP IN +AMBURUPITIYA ON ONE OF THESE BUSY DAYS IN EARLY
*ULY 7E ALL GATHER AROUND THE DINING TABLE WHICH TRANSFORMS
ITSELF INTO A PLANNING TABLE EVERY SO OFTEN AND JOKE ABOUT HOW
THE TWO #HRISTIAN 4AMILS WOULD BE FACILITATING A DIALOGUE GROUP
BETWEEN "UDDHIST 3INHALESE AND -USLIM 4AMIL WOMEN /NCE
THE LAUGHTER DIES DOWN -ONICA MAKES A POINT TO MENTION
THAT EVERYONE HAS TO BE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT
THE DIALOGUE GROUP WILL BE FACILITATED IN 3INHALA AND TRANSLATED
INTO 4AMIL )N WHAT WAY WOULD WE BE ABLE TO WORK AROUND
THIS INEQUALITY PRESENTED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING 4HE TALL FAN
CLICKS AWAY AS IT SLOWLY OSCILLATES A BREEZE ACROSS OUR FACES h!NY
SUGGESTIONSv -ONICA PROMPTS
!FTER A BRIEF SILENCE THE CONVERSATION QUICKLY DIGRESSES INTO A
SEMIRANT SESSION ON HOW !()-3!S STAFF IS SO LIMITED 4HERE ARE
NOT NEARLY ENOUGH 4AMIL STAFF MEMBERS /R MEN FOR THAT MATTER
7E HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PRESENTATION OF THE -USLIM COMMUNITY
(OW CAN !()-3! EXPECT TO GROW AS AN .'/ AND ULTIMATELY
BECOME h"AREFOOT 5NIVERSITYv IF WE CANT EVEN GET A PERMANENT
4AMIL TRANSLATOR ON THE STAFF
h7ELL GIRLSv ANNOUNCES !NGIE IMPATIENTLY h4HERES NOTHING
WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOWv 3HE HAS TAKEN OVER THE REIGNS OF
THE PLANNING SESSION DETERMINED TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP
MAPPED OUT WITHOUT WASTING MORE TIME !NGIES MANNER OF
PREPARING IS METHODICAL AND EXACT ONE CAN TELL THAT SHE IS NOT
PLANNING HER lRST WORKSHOP 3HE DRAWS OUT CHARTS AND LISTS ON
THE LARGE SHEETS OF PAPER TAPED TO THE WALL h7E WILL NEED TO
HAVE ICEBREAKERSv %VERYONE AROUND THE TABLE CALLS OUT NAMES OF
FAMILIAR ACTIVITIES )VE COMPLETED DURING FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
AT "RANDEIS AND ON VARIOUS RETREATS 4HIS SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY
STANDARD PROCESS 4HE STRUCTURE ALREADY SEEMS TO BE LAID OUT 7E
BASICALLY JUST NEED TO TAILOR THE ORDER OF ACTIVITIES TO lT THE CURRENT
COMMUNITY IN QUESTION ) START TO WONDER HOW MANY DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY BROUGHT TOGETHER USING THIS
SKELETON !NGIE TURNS AND ASKS ME FOR SUGGESTIONS
)NTERNATIONAL #ENTER FOR %THICS *USTICE AND 0UBLIC ,IFE ) AM SURPRISED 7HO KNEW THAT THE !MERICAN INTERN
MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE HER TWO CENTS ) LOOK AT THE CHARTS
AND LISTS AGAIN BLINDLY 4HEIR PLAN SEEMS FOOLPROOF 4HESE ARE
CONmICT RESOLUTION EXPERTS WERE TALKING ABOUT AFTER ALL )M
JUST AN !MERICAN UNDERGRAD VOLUNTEER "UT ) DO SEE ONE SMALL
AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT h7E SHOULD WRAP UP EACH SESSION WITH
EVERYONE SHARING HOW THEY CAN APPLY THE LESSON TO CHANGE THEIR
SITUATION )T WOULD BE A WAY TO USE EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE
LEARNED THUS FARv 4HE COWORKERS APPROVE !NGIE SMILES ) SIGH
IN RELIEF
)N THE KITCHEN 7ASANTHA ADDS HEAPS OF SUGAR AND MILK
POWDER TO ADD mAVOR TO THE MEDIOCRE TEA 4HE BEST STUFF IS
EXPORTED YOU SEE LEAVING THE NATIVES TO MAKE DO WITH THE
LEFTOVER LEAVES %VEN WORSE THE TEA IS USUALLY MIXED WITH
AGGRESSIVELY MARKETED IMPORTED MILK POWDER WHOSE PREVALENCE
IS DAMAGING THE DOMESTIC DAIRY INDUSTRY $EVELOPING A CAFFEINE
ADDICTION IS INEVITABLE TO ANYONE WHO SPENDS AN EXTENDED PERIOD
OF TIME AT !()-3! 7ASANTHA POURS THE STEAMING CARAMEL
BROWN BEVERAGE INTO MISMATCHED CUPS ON THE TRAY 4HEY MUST BE
BROUGHT TO THE WORKAHOLICS SO THEY MAY lNISH UP THEIR PROPOSALS
IN GOOD TIME BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE WORKSHOP IN +AMBURUPITIYA
LATER TODAY
4HAT AFTERNOON )M LAUGHING LOUDLY AND CHATTING EXCITEDLY
IN +OREAN WITH 3UCHIT THE ORGANIZATIONS DRIVER AS EVERYONE
BRINGS THEIR BAGS DOWNSTAIRS (E HAS BEEN WORKING IN +OREAN
TEXTILES FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HIS +OREAN IS AS GOOD AS MY
PARENTS %NGLISH WAS BY THE TIME ) WAS BORN IN .EW 9ORK )
WONDER HOW HE MANAGES TO GET BY (OW DOES HE PAY THE RENT
(OW DOES HE READ EVERYTHING #AN HE COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH EVERYDAY TASKS ) VEER THE CONVERSATION
AWAY FROM ANYTHING OVERLY EMOTIONAL AND PROCEED INTO AN
INFORMAL CONVERSATION COMPARING IMMIGRANT LIFE 7E DISCUSS
RACISM AND PREJUDICE AGAINST 3RI ,ANKANS IN +OREA TO +OREANS IN
THE 53
)N THE END IT DOESNT REALLY MATTER WHAT WERE DISCUSSING
7ERE TOO MUCH OF A SPECTACLE EITHER WAY FOR EVERYONE AROUND
US THE GIRLS ARE PEERING OVER THE SAFETY RAIL FROM THE SECOND
mOOR BALCONY LISTENING TO ME BABBLE AWAY IN +OREAN AND
3UCHIT FOLLOWING ALONG IN 3INHALAACCENTED +OREAN WITH
SOME %NGLISH THROWN IN 4HEY WHISPER AND GIGGLE AND PROD
US ALONG BUT ) START TO FEEL A LITTLE SICK INSIDE )TS BECAUSE
OF !MERICAS POSITION AS A GLOBAL SUPERPOWER IN ADDITION TO
"RITAINS COLONIAL LEGACY THAT ) CAN GET BY WITH COMMUNICATING
IN %NGLISH AT !()-3! )T IS BECAUSE MY NATIVE COUNTRY HAS
BECOME POWERFUL ENOUGH TO EXPLOIT IMMIGRANTS THAT ) CAN CHAT
AWAY WITH 3UCHIT IN +OREAN
"UT ITS NOW lNALLY TIME TO BE OFF 3UCHIT HAS PULLED INTO
THE DRIVEWAY )TS THE CRACK OF DAWN &RAUKE AND ) PILE INTO THE
VAN WITH !NGIE AND 3UREKA IN THEIR PAJAMA SHALWARS 7E PICK UP
3UBADRA OUR 4AMIL TRANSLATOR WHO IS STAYING WITH A FAMILY SEVERAL
MINUTES AWAY 3HE GREETS US BY EXPLAINING HER NEW HAIRSTYLE (ER
BANGS ARE THE RESULT OF HER HOLDING A PAIR SCISSORS TO HER SCALP
THREATENING TO CUT EVERYTHING OFF WHILE ARGUING WITH HER MOTHER
4HE !RT OF #OEXISTENCE%THICS AND #OEXISTENCE 3TUDENT &ELLOWS
7E ALL SETTLE DOWN AGAIN A LITTLE MORE CRAMPED THAN BEFORE BUT
NONETHELESS READY FOR OUR LONG JOURNEY TO -ATARA 3UBADRA TURNS
TO ME AND ) CAN FEEL HER EYES STARING AT ME AS ) TRY TO FALL ASLEEP
h)TS SO NICE TO MEET YOU ,ISA ) CANT STOP LOOKING AT YOUR SKIN
9OURE SO LUCKY TO BE SO FAIRv 7ONDERFUL
!NGIES LOVE SONG MIX #$ BLASTS OVER THE VANS SOUND SYSTEM
7E PASS THROUGH THE EMPTY STREETS OF #OLOMBO A DETACHED
MOVING ENTITY A LOUD BUBBLE OF MUSIC AND CHATTER NAVIGATING
PAST THE DOGS SLEEPING UNDER LAMPPOSTS AND THE LOCKEDUP
WOODEN STOREFRONTS OF THE CITY
)N +AMBURUPITYA
/UR WORKSHOP IS HELD AT A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY GATHERING CENTER
IN +AMBURUPITIYA BUILT THANKS TO THE WEALTH OF A MAN WHOSE
PSEUDOREGAL PICTURE IS FRAMED AND HANGING NEXT TO THE 3RI
,ANKAN mAG
!()-3! HAS BEEN ASKED TO SUPERVISE DIALOGUE GROUPS
BETWEEN 3INHALESE AND -USLIM WOMEN IN ORDER TO IMPROVE
COMMUNICATION BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND ULTIMATELY DECREASE THE
VIOLENT 3INHALESE-USLIM CLASHES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 7E ARE
WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH 53 !)$ A 53 $EPARTMENT OF
3TATE AGENCY THAT AIDS COUNTRIES IN DEVELOPING THEIR ECONOMIC
POLITICAL AND HEALTH SECTORS !LTHOUGH 53 SENTIMENT IS NOT
EXACTLY WARM DUE TO THIS SUMMERS /PERATION )RAQI &REEDOM THE
WOMEN DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE STRONG OBJECTIONS TO PARTICIPATING IN
A WORKSHOP FUNDED BY THE 53 GOVERNMENT AND COFACILITATED BY
AN !MERICAN UNDERGRAD )T IS PERHAPS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ASPECT OF THIS WORKSHOP THAT HAS THE POWER TO SMOOTH OVER ANY
POLITICAL OBJECTIONS THAT MAY EXIST
)N +AMBURUPITIYA -USLIM NEIGHBORHOODS TEND TO BE
MORE DENSELY INHABITED WHILE THE 3INHALESE HAVE LARGER LAND
ALLOTMENTS !S VARIOUS SECTORS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING WITH THE
HELP OF OUTSIDE .'/S THE ETHNIC TENSIONS FOUND ON OTHER PARTS
OF THE ISLAND HAVE BECOME COMPACTED WITH THE SOCIOECONOMIC
ISSUES 7HEREAS IT WOULD BE MOST hUSEFULv TO CONDUCT DIALOGUE
GROUPS WITH THE MEN OF THE VILLAGE 53 !)$ HAS DECIDED TO USE
AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO CONmICT RESOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT
WORK IN THE SOUTH 4HE WOMEN PARTICIPANTS RANGE IN AGE FROM
NEWLYWEDS TO GRANDMOTHERS
3UREKA GOES OVER THE INTRODUCTIONS WHILE !NGIE JOKES ON THE
SIDE 7HILE THE WOMEN ARE ALL GETTING ACQUAINTED THEIR CHILDREN
DRAW PICTURES TOGETHER ON STRAW MATS TRADING MARKERS AND TELLING
JOKES DESPITE THE ETHNIC AND LANGUAGE BARRIER 4HE ATMOSPHERE IS
QUITE RELAXED AS THE BREEZE WAFTS THROUGH THE OPENAIR GATHERING
PLACE 7E WERE ABLE TO BENElT FROM 53 !)$S GENEROUS FUNDING
TO HIRE A DRIVER AND DRIVE ALL OF THE WOMEN TO THE COMMUNITY
CENTER 3UREKAS CALM AND MOTHERLY NATURE EASES THE WOMEN
INTO THE DIALOGUE GROUP ENVIRONMENT WHILE !NGIES AFFECTIONATE
PERSONALITY LIGHTENS UP THE INTERACTIONS 3UBADRA WEAVES THROUGH
THE GROUP EFFORTLESSLY TRANSLATING BETWEEN 3INHALA AND 4AMIL
SITTING NEXT TO ME DURING HER BREAKS TO TRANSLATE A BIT INTO
%NGLISH
) AM A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT INTRODUCING MY ICEBREAKERS )
FEAR THAT THEY WILL SEEM EXCESSIVELY PERKY AND CHILDISH BUT IT
IS A RELIEF THAT THEY ARE ACCEPTED WHOLEHEARTEDLY BY THE FEMALE
PARTICIPANTS 7E ARE ALL IN A CIRCLE THROWING A BALL AROUND TO OUR
NEW ACQUAINTANCES SHOUTING THEIR NAMES IN ADVANCE )CEBREAKER
NUMBER TWO FOR TEN SECONDS EVERYONE HAS TO SAY HELLO TO AS MANY
PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE 7E BECOME A mURRY OF MOVING BODIES RUSHING
AROUND TO SAY HELLO THEN TO GIVE EACH OTHER HUGS THEN GREETING
EACH OTHER WITH A 3INHALESE hAYUBOWANv AND AFTERWARDS A -USLIM
BOW
4HE PARTICIPANTS FORM A WONDERFUL PATCHWORK 4HE
3INHALESE WOMEN ARE MOSTLY WEARING BUTTONDOWN SHIRTS WITH
LONG SKIRTS THEIR BEAUTIFUL HAIR TIED BACK 4HE -USLIM WOMEN
ALL HAVE INTRICATE FABRIC DRAPED OVER THEIR HAIR 3OME ARE WEARING
FASHIONABLE SHALWAR KAMEEZ SETS OTHERS ARE DONNING MORE
TRADITIONAL ONEPIECE DRESSES 3UREKA !NGIE AND 3UBADRA ALL
HAVE THEIR SARIS PLEATED AND IN PLACE 9ET AS WE MOVE THROUGH
THE ICEBREAKERS THE WOMEN DO NOT SEEM TO CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES 4IED HAIR BECOMES A LITTLE LOOSENED
HEADWRAPS SLIDE OFF WITHOUT READJUSTMENT SARIS LOSE THEIR PLEATS
WITHOUT MUCH CONCERN
7E START AN ACTIVITY WHERE EACH PERSON SELECTS PICTURES FROM
THOSE SCATTERED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM AND EXPLAINS THE WAYS
IN WHICH THE IMAGERY RESONATES WITH THEM /NE OF THE MOTHERS
CHOOSES A PICTURE OF AN INFANT BEING NURSED 3HE EXPLAINS THE
PURE NATURE OF A BABYS LOVE AND HOW THIS IS ONE OF THE lNEST
EMOTIONS A HUMAN CAN EXPERIENCE 4EARS START TO SLOWLY WELL
UP IN HER EYES AND SHE STRUGGLES TO FORMULATE HER WORDS 3HE
STARTS TO SPEAK RAPIDLY WITH PASSION 4HE MOTHER EXPLAINS THAT
HALFWAY THROUGH HER lRST PREGNANCY HER BROTHER PASSED AWAY
3HE WAS UNABLE TO GIVE LOVE TO HER UNBORN CHILD BECAUSE OF THE
OVERWHELMING SENSE OF LOSS 4HE BABY RECEIVED SO MUCH SADNESS
IN HER WOMB AND TOOK IN EVEN MORE THROUGH HER MILK 4ODAY
SHE IS CONVINCED THAT HER SON IS MENTALLY CHALLENGED BECAUSE
OF THE OVERWHELMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS HE ABSORBED FROM HER
4HE PARTICIPANTS NOD SYMPATHETICALLY AND MURMUR COMFORTING
WORDS TO HER 4HE -USLIM AND 3INHALESE MOTHERS AND MOTHERS
INTRAINING ALL CONSOLE AND REASSURE EACH OTHER WITHOUT HAVING
PERFECTLY COMPATIBLE LANGUAGE SKILLS 4HE CHILDREN OFF TO THE
SIDE WEAVE IN AN OUT OF THE CIRCLE OF MOTHERS BRINGING NEWLY
COMPLETED PICTURES OR LOOKING FOR A LAP TO SIT ON /NE CAN START TO
SEE THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS GROUPS ALLFEMALE DYNAMIC WILL BE AN
INCREDIBLE ASSET
)T IS NOW TIME FOR THE STEREOTYPES ACTIVITY 4HE WOMEN
SPLIT INTO ETHNORELIGIOUS AFlNITY GROUPS AND ARE ASKED TO GIVE
PRESENTATIONS ON THEIR RELIGION AND CULTURE 4HIS STRAIGHTFORWARD
TASK INEVITABLY LEADS TO MORE EMOTIONALLY VOLATILE CONVERSATION
4HE -USLIM GROUP IN PARTICULAR IS WORRIED ABOUT HOW
STRAIGHTFORWARD THEIR PRESENTATION CAN BE GIVEN THE HISTORY OF
CONmICT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
4HE TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE -USLIM GROUP STAND
IN FRONT OF THE ROOM TELLING A STORY OF HOW THEIR TEMPLE WAS
ALMOST BURNED TO THE GROUND A FEW MONTHS AGO BECAUSE OF
ONE FAMILYS WRATH !S A RESULT OF PERSONAL CLASHES AN ENTIRE
COMMUNITY WAS PUT IN DANGER !LTHOUGH A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE
THESE WOMEN ASK THE 3INHALESE PARTICIPANTS h7ILL YOU
ALLOW YOUR HUSBANDS TO DO THIS AGAIN 9OUR SONS AND YOUR
NEIGHBORSv
7HEREAS BEFORE THE WOMEN WERE HAPPY TO JUST INTERACT
THROUGH COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES AND FUN ICEBREAKERS THE PARTICIPANTS
ARE NOW WILLING TO CONFRONT PAINFUL EVENTS OF THE PAST AND
EARNESTLY LOOK TOWARDS lXING THEM IN THE FUTURE 4HE GROUP BREAKS
INTO AN INTENSE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TEMPLEBURNING INCIDENT
DISCUSSING THE WAYS IN WHICH SOMETIMES THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER
THEIR HUSBANDS VIOLENT ACTIONS BUT HOW THE MOTHERS ALL HAVE THE
POWER TO DETERMINE HOW THE NEXT GENERATION WILL CHOOSE TO DEAL
WITH CONmICT 4HE WOMEN END THE DAYS ACTIVITIES WITH A GENUINE
EXCHANGE h7HEN YOU SEE ME ON THE STREET WILL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE
MEv h)F ) INVITE YOU TO MY HOUSE WILL YOU COMEv
$URING OUR NIGHTTIME ASSESSMENT MEETINGS BACK AT THE
HOTEL 3UREKA MENTIONS THAT
IN OUR SERIES OF 53 !)$
7HEREAS BEFORE THE
WORKSHOPS FOR 3INHALESE AND
-USLIM WOMEN THIS GROUP IS
WOMEN WERE HAPPY TO
THE MOST SOCIOECONOMICALLY
JUST INTERACT THROUGH
COMFORTABLE #OMPARED TO THE
OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN OUR SERIES
COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
OF 53 !)$ WORKSHOPS THESE
WOMEN HAVE THE MOST POWER
AND FUN ICEBREAKERS
TO IMPLEMENT CHANGE 4HEY
HELP RUN SOME OF THE TOWNS
THE PARTICIPANTS ARE
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES THEY ARE
MARRIED TO MEN WHOSE WORDS
NOW WILLING TO CONFRONT
CARRY A LOT OF WEIGHT IN THE
TOWN !S A RESULT OF THEIR RELATIVE
PAINFUL EVENTS OF THE
WEALTH THE WOMEN KNOW MORE
PAST AND EARNESTLY LOOK
ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE AND
CULTURAL RESTRICTIONS WEIGH
TOWARDS FIXING THEM IN
DOWN ON THEM LESS HEAVILY 4HIS
INFORMATION MAKES ME WONDER
THE FUTURE
IN WHAT WAYS MONEY AND CULTURE
AFFECT WOMENS ABILITY TO BE A
PART OF RECONCILIATION PROCESSES
ACROSS THE GLOBE
4HE !()-3! STAFF WORKERS GATHER AROUND A BEAUTIFUL
DINNER OF SEVERAL CURRIES AND RICE PROVIDED BY THE HOTEL )T IS A
BEAUTIFUL SELECTION PARTLY THANKS TO ME ,AST WEEKS WORKSHOP
FACILITATORS HAD STAYED AT A MORE RUNDOWN HOTEL DOWN THE ROAD
WHERE THE FOOD WAS NOT NEARLY AS DELICIOUS AND WHERE IT WAS
NECESSARY TO HAVE RUNINS WITH ROWDY DRUNKEN MEN IN ORDER TO
LEAVE OR ENTER THE BUILDING (OWEVER AS ) AM AN INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEER AND AS IT IS NECESSARY FOR !()-3! TO KEEP UP GOOD
RELATIONS WITH THEIR FOREIGN .'/ PARTNERS ITS NOTHING BUT THE
BEST WHEN ) AM WITH THEM )TS AN AWKWARD DYNAMIC "UT ) DONT
FEEL MUCH RESENTMENT FROM MY COWORKERS WHO SEEM TO BE
ENJOYING THIS PERK !ND ) AM TOO !S #OLOMBO .'/ WORKERS
WEVE ALL BECOME USED TO A RELATIVE LEVEL OF COMFORT AND LUXURY NO
MATTER WHERE WE GO
)NTERNATIONAL #ENTER FOR %THICS *USTICE AND 0UBLIC ,IFE $EMUWATHA 7ORKSHOP
4HE (ILL #OUNTRY IS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL 7EATHER IN
$EMUWATHA IS EXQUISITE 4HE COOL CLEAN MOUNTAIN AIR MAKES
MY LUNGS WANT TO JUMP FOR JOY AND ) CANT GET OVER THE
INCREDIBLE LANDSCAPE /N THE VAN RIDE TO THE SCHOOL WE PASS
BRIGHT GREEN EXPANSES OF RICE PADDIES WITH SWAYING PALM TREES
IN THE DISTANCE AND BEHIND THEM ARE THESE GREAT MOUNTAIN
LIKE HILLS THAT JUST SOAR INTO THE SKY LINED WITH NEAT ROWS OF
TEA BUSHES THAT JUST REACH INTO THE CLOUDS /N OUR WAY UP THE
MOUNTAIN ONE CAN REALLY SEE A hMOUNTAIN RANGEv OF SORTS 4HESE
HILLS JUST START AND END EVERYWHERE LIKE BIG GREEN CANYONS
CROWDED WITH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL TREESx THEN ONE SUDDENLY
SEES mASHES OF BRIGHT DARK EARTH AND BLACK ROCK AND PARTS OF A
WATERFALL /F COURSE IT REALLY MARS THE LANDSCAPE TO UNDERSTAND
THE IMPACT OF THE QUAINT WHITE SIGNS INDICATING HOW TO GET TO
THE h;4EA= 0LANTATION /VERSEERS "UNGALOWv AND SEEING THE
4AMIL TEA PICKERS CARRYING SACKS VERY COLORFUL AND PICTURESQUE
SACKS OF COURSE lLLED WITH TEA LEAVES FOR WHICH THEY GET PAID
ALMOST NOTHING OVER TO THE BIG TEA PROCESSING FACTORY
-Y mATMATE &RAUKE AND ) MUST BE QUITE A SIGHT THERE IN THE
PRINCIPALS OFlCE IN $EMUWATHA &RAUKE IS IN FULL 3RI ,ANKAN
SARI REGALIA AND ) AM MODELING A BRIGHT PURPLE AND RED SHALWAR
KAMEEZ 3UREKA HAS EMPHASIZED THAT WED NEED TO BE DRESSED IN
A MORE TRADITIONAL WAY IN VISITS TO THE HILL COUNTRY .O WESTERN
CLOTHES 4HE PEOPLE HERE TEND TO BE A LITTLE MORE TRADITIONAL AND
EVEN THE FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS CANNOT ESCAPE THE CLOTHING RULE
4HE PRINCIPAL OF $EMUWATHA 3CHOOL SERVES US CUPS OF #OCA
#OLA AND SEENI SAMBOL BUNS A WELCOME RELIEF FROM ALL THE MILK
TEA WE HAD BEEN CONSUMING UNTIL NOW 3UREKA AND THE PRINCIPAL
OF THE $EMUWATHA SCHOOL DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THE WORKSHOP
REQUEST 4HE PRINCIPAL HAS HEARD ABOUT !()-3!S WORKSHOPS
THROUGH THE LARGER AND BETTEREQUIPPED 2AKWANA 3CHOOL WHICH
-ONICA ATTENDED AS A CHILD
)T TURNS OUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME mAREUPS OF VIOLENCE IN
THE AREA PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 3INHALESE AND 4AMIL YOUTH 4HE
TENSION TAKES ON A SPECIAL LIGHT IN THE 2AKWANA CONTEXT !S A
TOWN LOCATED RIGHT AT THE BASE OF THE (ILL #OUNTRY MANY OF THE
4AMILS ARE DESCENDANTS OF MORE RECENT 4AMIL IMMIGRANTS TO 3RI
,ANKA A COMMUNITY THAT IS OFTEN NOT AS INTENSELY TANGLED IN THE
3INHALESE4AMIL TENSION
4HE PRINCIPAL WANTS TO INSTILL STRONG CONmICT RESOLUTION AND
LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN HIS STUDENTS TO AVOID THE CONmICTS THAT HAVE
BEEN SPROUTING UP IN THE REGION (E WOULD LIKE TO GATHER THE
STUDENT LEADERS OF VARIOUS CLUBS AND KEY POSITIONS WITHIN THE
CLASS BODY ENVIRONMENTAL PATROL PREFECTS SCOUTS ,ITTLE CHILDREN
PEER INTO THE PRINCIPALS HOMELY OFlCE AS THEY WALK BY )T MUST BE
QUITE A SIGHT TO SEE 3UREKA CHATTING AWAY WITH &RAUKE IN HER SARI
,ISA IN HER SHALWAR KAMEEZ SIPPING THEIR #OCA#OLA DELICIOUSLY
NIBBLING AT THE SEENI SAMBOL BUNS POLITELY /UR BACKS ARE
IMMACULATELY STRAIGHT AND OUR EYES ARE ALERT TO THE CONVERSATION
ALTHOUGH THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT IS
GOING ON IS QUESTIONABLE "UT AS ALWAYS WE SMILE AND WIGGLE OUR
HEADS AT THE RIGHT TIME PRETENDING TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON
4HE !RT OF #OEXISTENCE%THICS AND #OEXISTENCE 3TUDENT &ELLOWS
/NE WEEK LATER THERE WE ARE AGAIN SMILING AND WIGGLING
OUR HEADS !BOUT STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT GRADE LEVELS HAVE
GATHERED IN ONE OF THE LARGER CLASSROOMS THE TYPE THAT IS USUALLY
DIVIDED INTO THREE SMALLER CLASSROOMS 4HE $EMUWATHA 3CHOOL IS
BASICALLY A LARGE ONEROOM SCHOOLHOUSE 4HE CHILDREN ARE STILL IN
THEIR UNIFORMS )TS STRIKING HOW SCHOOL UNIFORMS SUCH A LOADED
TOPIC IN THE 53 STILL FAIL TO MASK SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES
AMONG THE STUDENTS 4HE BOYS WHO CANNOT AFFORD NEW SHIRTS
HAVE MODIlED THEIR FATHERS LARGE BUTTONDOWN SHIRTS INTO TSHIRT
UNIFORM LENGTH 3OME OF THE UNIFORMS ARE NOTICEABLY MORE FADED
THAN OTHERS !LTHOUGH EVERYONE HAS TO WEAR DRESS SHOES SOME ARE
NEW AND POLISHED WHILE OTHERS ARE SHYLY EXPOSING SOCKS AND TOES
3OME STUDENTS HAVE DElANTLY SIDESTEPPED THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL
AWKWARDNESS BY OPTING TO WEAR SANDALS
) lND MYSELF IN A CIRCLE ONCE AGAIN CALLING OUT PEOPLES
NAMES BEFORE THROWING A BALL IN THEIR DIRECTION )T IS GREAT FUN AS
EVERYONE KEEPS ON THROWING THE BALLS TO EITHER ME OR &RAUKE AND
WE LAUGH TOGETHER AS ALMOST ALL THE NAMES ARE BUTCHERED $URING
BREAKS THE STUDENTS KEEP ON mOCKING TO US EAGER TO PRACTICE THEIR
%NGLISH AND CONVERSE WITH THESE NEW INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
) TRY TO KEEP THE CONVERSATIONS AS LIVELY AS ) CAN MAKING
EXAGGERATED FACES TO GET SOME WORDS ACROSS USING LOTS OF HAND
MOTIONS LAUGHING A LOT AND JUMPING EXCITEDLY )T SEEMS THAT THE
$EMUWATHA STUDENTS HAVE REALLY WARMED UP TO THE !()-3!
VOLUNTEERS
!NGIE IS THE CLEAR FAVORITE FOR THE MORE OUTGOING STUDENTS
3HE GOES AROUND PINCHING TEASING JOKING AND POKING FUN
!NGIE DOESNT CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT
HER AND IS NOT TOO WORRIED THAT HER SARI IS IMMACULATELY IN PLACE
WHICH HELPS TO PUT THE OTHER STUDENTS AT EASE (IMALI IS TEASING
IN A MORE GENTLE WAY WHILE 3UREKA AS ALWAYS APPEALS TO THE
QUIETER OLDER STUDENTS
/NCE TRUST IS ESTABLISHED THE STUDENTS BREAK INTO GROUPS TO
DISCUSS THE MEANING OF LEADERSHIP "Y HIGHLIGHTING ROLE MODELS
WITH STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
AND FAMILIES THE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO ROOT THE LESSON IN THEIR
REALLIFE EXPERIENCES 4HEY DRAW CHARTS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
STRATEGIES AND LIST TRAITS THAT A LEADER SHOULD HAVE 4HE DRAWINGS
ARE FABULOUS WITH COLORFUL DEMONS LOOKING OVER LISTS OF TRAITS
TO AVOID WHILE STRONG AND PROUD 3RI ,ANKANS BEAM OVER THE
LAUDABLE QUALITIES 4HE FEMALE STUDENTS OF THIS SCHOOL ARE JUST
AS OUTSPOKEN AS THE BOYS %VERYONE OPENLY BUT CONSTRUCTIVELY
REPRIMANDS EACH OTHER FOR MAKING SILLY ASSUMPTIONS AND
INACCURATE STATEMENTS 4HE AMBITIOUS AND DETERMINED NATURE OF
THE STUDENTS IS VERY CLEAR IN ADDITION TO THEIR LISTENING ABILITY
7HILE MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE OUTSPOKEN THEY ARE NOT
OVERBEARING AND THE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO BUILD ON THE BALANCED
DYNAMICS THAT ALREADY EXIST BETWEEN THEM
4HE STUDENTS THEN ALL TAKE PART IN FUN OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF COOPERATIVE SKILLS 4HEY
COMPETE IN A THREELEGGED RACE RUNNING TOWARDS THE CHAIN OF
FACILITATORS THAT SERVES AS THE lNISH LINE !FTERWARDS THEY SPLIT
INTO TWO TEAMS HELPING EACH OTHER MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH
A WEB OF RED YARN THAT HAS BEEN SPUN BETWEEN SOME KING
COCONUT TREES .ATURAL LEADERS EMERGE SHOUTING OUT DIRECTIONS
AND SUPERVISING HOW STUDENTS SHOULD BE LIFTED THROUGH THE
OPENINGS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE EDGES )N THE MIDST OF THE CLOSE
COMPETITION TENSIONS OF COURSE ARISE AS DOES SOME NEGATIVITY
FROM THE LOSING TEAM (OWEVER THE GROUP UNITY IS STRONG ENOUGH
SUCH THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK BEYOND THE COMPETITION RIFT
7E SETTLE DOWN TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW STUDENTS
CAN MAXIMIZE THEIR LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES WITHIN THE CONTEXT
OF THE SCHOOL 7HAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THESE
LEADERS HAVE FACED IN FULlLLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS PREFECTS
SCOUTS AND MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PATROL !S THEY GO
AROUND ONE BOY IN PARTICULAR IS VOCAL ABOUT THE STRESSES THAT
STUDENT LEADERS HAVE TO FACE (E SAYS THAT IT IS DIFlCULT PLAYING
THE MIDDLEMAN BEING CLOSE FRIENDS WITH MANY CLASSMATES BUT
HAVING TO DISCIPLINE THEM IN THE ABSENCE OF THE TEACHER (E FEELS
THAT IT IS UNFAIR FOR TEACHERS TO EXPECT PREFECTS TO DO ALL OF THE
REPRIMANDING AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT OTHER STUDENTS BLAME PREFECTS
FOR EVERYTHING THE TEACHER DOES WRONG (IS EYES START TO TEAR
UP IN FRUSTRATION WHILE TELLING US A STORY ABOUT AN INCIDENT LAST
MONTH !S A PREFECT HE HAD BEEN BLAMED FOR A lGHT THAT BROKE
OUT IN THE CLASSROOM 4HE STUDENTS HAD BEEN FRUSTRATED AT THE
TEACHER BUT HAD TAKEN THEIR ANGER OUT ON EACH OTHER 4HE TEACHER
ALTHOUGH REALIZING THAT HE WAS THE SOURCE OF ANGER CONVENIENTLY
SIDESTEPPED FURTHER TROUBLE BY PUNISHING THE WHOLE CLASS FOR A
MISTAKE MADE DURING THE PREFECTS WATCH EFFECTIVELY TURNING ALL OF
THE CLASSMATES AGAINST THE PREFECT
4HE STUDENTS START AGREEING ENTHUSIASTICALLY SHARING STORIES
OF EVERYDAY CHALLENGES THAT CAN DETER ONE FROM WANTING TO
BECOME A STUDENT LEADER 4HE FACILITATORS CAREFULLY GUIDE THE
DISCUSSION MAKING THE STUDENTS THINK OF SITUATIONS WHERE THE
LEADERS MIGHT HAVE TO OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES ESPECIALLY IN
THE CONTEXT OF CONmICTS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO
SETTLE )T IS INCREDIBLY ENCOURAGING TO SEE HOW THE STUDENTS ARE
ABLE TO SO EFFECTIVELY MAKE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THEIR EXPERIENCES
AND THE TOPIC AT HAND BETWEEN THEIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH LEADERSHIP
CHALLENGES AND THE NECESSITY TO WORK PROACTIVELY AGAINST NEGATIVE
CONFRONTATIONS
"Y THE END OF THE WORKSHOP THE TIES WHICH WERE CREATED
HAVE BECOME VERY STRONG 4HE STUDENTS DECIDE TO HAVE A CAMPlRE
CELEBRATION FOR US ON THE LAST DAY WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A
0OYA $AYˆTHE MONTHLY 3RI ,ANKAN FULLMOON HOLIDAYS WHICH
ARE MATCHED TO IMPORTANT EVENTS IN "UDDHIST HISTORY 7ITH WHAT
SEEMS TO BE LESS THAN ONE DAY OF PREPARATION THE STUDENTS HAVE
PREPARED A FULL LINE UP OF SKITS DANCES AND MUSICAL ACTS 4HE
BOYS SCOUTS IN PARTICULAR HAVE GATHERED ENOUGH WOOD TO CREATE
AN EXPERT CAMPlRE 4HE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY HAS ALSO COME
TO SEE THE SHOW AND TO EVALUATE THE #OLOMBO .'/ WORKERS WHO
ARE NOW IN THEIR MIDST )TS BEAUTIFUL HOW WE CAN ALL CELEBRATE THIS
h"UDDHISTv HOLIDAY WITH ALL SORTS OF ACTS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO
WITH RELIGION OR ETHNICITY
4HE NEXT MORNING IT IS TIME FOR US TO SET OFF TO #OLOMBO
4HE STUDENTS ARE IN TEARS ASKING US ALL TO WRITE DOWN OUR
ADDRESSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION IN THEIR ADDRESS BOOKS 4HE
KIDS COME TO ME WITH PAPER ASKING ME TO WRITE NAMES AND
PHRASES FOR THEM IN +OREAN -Y WRITTEN +OREAN IS FAR FROM
PERFECT BUT ) GLADLY OBLIGE 4HE KIDS MAKE ME PROMISE TO WRITE
TO THEM "UT ) LOOK AT THE VAGUE STREET ADDRESSES AND WONDER HOW
RELIABLE THE MAIL SERVICE IS IN THIS REGION OF 3RI ,ANKA 3O ) MAKE
THEM PROMISE TO WRITE TO ME lRST AND THAT ) WILL DElNITELY REPLY
TO THEM FROM THE 5NITED 3TATES
)N SADNESS AND FRUSTRATION ) START TO WONDER HOW ULTIMATELY
CONSTRUCTIVE !()-3!S WORK IS IF IT NEVER REALLY GETS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS CREATED THROUGH
WORKSHOPS )M SURE THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN A
LOT ABOUT LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND THAT THEY HAVE LEARNED HOW
TO GET ALONG AND THAT LEADERS WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH
ALTERNATE WAYS OF RESOLVING DISPUTES (OWEVER HOW MUCH HAS
!()-3! ACTUALLY DONE BY COMING IN FOR A FEW DAYS GOING
THROUGH A FORMULA OF ICEBREAKERS WHICH LEAD UP TO EMOTIONAL
OUTPOURING JUST TO LEAVE AT THE END
4HE $EMUWATHA PROJECT IN ADDITION TO THE +AMBURUPITIYA
WORKSHOP IS A PART OF !()-3!S CURRENT INITIATIVE OF
IMPLEMENTING AT LEAST ONE WORKSHOP A MONTH TO DEVELOP AND
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITYBASED CAPACITIES AND INITIATIVES FOR PEACE
BUILDING 4HE PROJECTS PURPOSE IS TO CREATE AWARENESS TO TRAIN TO
NETWORK WITH AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE
IN COMMUNITIES COVERING ALL OF THE ISLANDS ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS
GROUPS )N ACCOMPLISHING SUCH A TASK IT IS ONLY NATURAL THAT
LONGLASTING RELATIONSHIPS CANNOT REALLY BE CULTIVATED BETWEEN THE
PARTICIPANTS AND THE !()-3! WORKERS 9ET TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS
APPROACH MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THAT OF A MORE COMMUNITYORIENTED
ORGANIZATION THAT IS ABLE TO AFFECT PEOPLE ALBEIT FEWER PEOPLE IN
THE LONG TERM
!LTHOUGH THIS QUESTION KEEPS NAGGING MY MIND THERE IS
NO TIME TO FULLY PONDER IT OVER AS WE LEAVE THE SCHOOL h,ISA WE
SHALL TAKE YOU TO THE MARKET TO BUY SOME JAGGERY SWEETS FOR YOUR
FAMILYv (IMALI ANNOUNCES 4HE TIMING IS PERFECT ) GIVE MYSELF
A QUICK REALITY CHECK !FTER ALL MY OWN INTERNSHIP IS REACHING ITS
END AND ) WILL BE mYING OFF TO ,ONDON IN TWO DAYS
!()-3! IN 3RI ,ANKA
!S ) SIT HERE IN THE WINTER CHILL THAT IS 7ALTHAM FEELING WORLDS
AWAY FROM THE HOT BUSTLING ENERGY OF #OLOMBO AND THE STRIKING
BEAUTY OF +AMBURUPITIYA AND $EMUWATHA IT IS HARD NOT TO
WONDER WHETHER MY LIFEALTERING EXPERIENCE AT !()-3! ALSO
CHANGED THE LIVES OF ANYONE STILL ON THE ISLAND 7HAT EXACTLY IS
!()-3!S CURRENT ROLE IN THE CONTEXT OF 3RI ,ANKAN CONmICT
RESOLUTION (OW DOES !()-3!S WORK lT INTO WHAT ) HAVE
LEARNED ABOUT COEXISTENCE AND RECONCILIATION
! DRAFT OF !()-3!S BROCHURE STATES h!()-3! IS A NON
POLITICAL NONRELIGIOUS AND NONPROlT MAKING ORGANIZATION
COMMITTED TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR INSIGHTS ATTITUDES
VALUES AND SKILLS IN LIVING PEACEFULLY AND CREATIVELY 7E WORK
TO DEVELOP A PEACEFUL SOCIETY IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ATTAIN
)NTERNATIONAL #ENTER FOR %THICS *USTICE AND 0UBLIC ,IFE THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELYv
!()-3!S WORK CURRENTLY AIMS TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS THROUGH
WIDESPREAD SHORTTERM WORK 7ORKSHOPS AND DIALOGUE GROUPS
EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND WHAT EACH
PERSON CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COMMUNITYS NONVIOLENCE MOVEMENT
)T IS THE HOPE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY
THE WORKSHOPS AND DIALOGUE GROUPS WILL BECOME A NATIONWIDE
FOUNDATION OF PEOPLE COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING A NONVIOLENT WAY
OF LIFE ON THE ISLAND
0ART OF THE DRIVING FORCE OF !()-3!S MISSION IS THE
BELIEF THAT A CONNECTION NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN
THE WORK GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE lELD h7E
BELIEVE THAT ACADEMIC PEACE EDUCATION OFTEN FAILS TO INTERACT
WITH GRASSROOTS PRACTICE AND VICE VERSA 4HERE IS A LACK OF
INTERACTION AND LEARNING BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES 7E AIM
TO lLL THAT GAPv !()-3! HAS HAD SO MANY INTERNATIONAL
VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO ADDING A DEGREE OF PRESTIGE
THEY BECOME IMPORTANT LIAISONS BETWEEN !()-3! AND
VARIOUS PEACENONVIOLENCECONmICT RESOLUTION ORGANIZATIONS
AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE 4HE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE
VOLUNTEERS ULTIMATELY ADD TO !()-3!S RESOURCE POOL OF
WORKSHOP METHODS 4HE BOOKS THE VOLUNTEERS BRING THE
INSIGHTS THEYVE GAINED FROM LESSONS AND DELIBERATIONS IN THE
UNIVERSITY THEIR OWN INTERPRETATIONS OF CONmICT RESOLUTION
METHODSˆTHESE ALL ULTIMATELY COME TO BE OF GREAT USE WHEN
APPLIED TO !()-3!S GRASSROOTSORIENTED WORK
4HUS IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO EXPLORE THE EXTENT TO WHICH
!()-3!S PEACE AND CONmICT RESOLUTION WORK lTS INTO THE
FRAMEWORK OF THE COEXISTENCE AND RECONCILIATION THEORIES THAT )
HAD STUDIED AT "RANDEIS )T IS ADMITTEDLY HARD TO lND THE WAYS
IN WHICH SOME THEORIES ARE APPLICABLE AS !()-3!S SUMMER
WORKSHOPS WERE NOT GEARED SOLELY TOWARDS PARTICIPANTS WHO
HELD DEEPROOTED PAIN OR ANGER TOWARDS SPECIlC ETHNIC GROUPS
&URTHERMORE !()-3! SPENDS A LOT OF TIME ON PREVENTATIVE
MEASURES WORKING WITH hSLUMv CHILDREN BEFORE THEY JOIN HARD
LINE POLITICAL GROUPS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE
POLITICALLY VOLATILE COLLEGE SYSTEM WHILE MOST OF THE MATERIAL
WE STUDIED FOCUSED ON DEALING WITH INTERCOMMUNAL CONmICT THAT
ALREADY EXISTS
.EVERTHELESS THE GENERAL IDEAS BEHIND COEXISTENCE AND
RECONCILIATION METHODOLOGY ARE VERY APPLICABLE TO !()-3!S
WORKSHOP SCENARIOS )N HER PIECE h#REATIVE !PPROACHES TO
2ECONCILIATIONv #YNTHIA #OHEN DElNES COEXISTENCE AS A STATE OF
BEING hWHERE INDIVIDUALS WELCOME COOPERATION UNDERSTANDING
AND INTERDEPENDENCE "ECAUSE INTERGROUP RELATIONS CAN CASCADE
BACKWARD IN THE DIRECTION OF INTOLERANCE AND VIOLENCE SUSTAINABLE
COEXISTENCE REQUIRES ONGOING WORK TO NOURISH THE ATTITUDES
VALUES AND CAPABILITIES PEOPLE NEED TO STRENGTHEN RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION OVER TIMEv 5LTIMATELY ALL OF
!()-3!S ICEBREAKERS AND ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE
OF COOPERATION AND THE CULTIVATION OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
SKILLS 4HE ORGANIZATION PLACES EMPHASIS ON THIS SORT OF GRASSROOTS
WORK BECAUSE IT IS A NECESSARY lRST STEP IN SUSTAINING GOVERNMENT
4HE !RT OF #OEXISTENCE%THICS AND #OEXISTENCE 3TUDENT &ELLOWS
LEVEL PEACE WORK 2EGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE WORKSHOP
PARTICIPANTS ARE TEXTBOOK VICTIMS OF AN ETHNIC CONmICT OR CITIZENS
OF A COUNTRY WITH A LONG HISTORY OF CONmICT THE CULTIVATION OF
THESE VALUABLE COOPERATION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS IS THE
ESSENTIAL lRST STEP TOWARDS CREATING AN ALTERNATIVE TO A CYCLE OF
VIOLENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
#OHEN DElNES RECONCILIATION AS hFORMER ENEMIES
ACKNOWLEDGING EACH OTHERS HUMANITY EMPATHIZING WITH EACH
OTHERS SUFFERING ADDRESSING AND REDRESSING PAST INJUSTICE AND
SOMETIMES EXPRESSING REMORSE GRANTING FORGIVENESS AND OFFERING
REPARATIONS 2ECONCILIATION REPRESENTS A SHIFT IN ATTENTION FROM
BLAMING THE OTHER TO TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTITUDES
AND ACTIONS OF ONES SELF AND ONES OWN COMMUNITYv 4HE
+AMBURUPITIYA WORKSHOP WAS ONE !()-3!LED WORKSHOP
WHERE MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES WERE INVITED TO
SPEAK ON ETHNIC CLASHES "Y CREATING A BOND OF WOMANHOOD AND
ENCOURAGING STRONG COOPERATIVE GROUP DYNAMICS THE PARTICIPANTS
STARTED TO PUT A HUMAN FACE ON A DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUP THAT
HAD BEEN DElNED ONLY BY ITS DIFFERENCE )N THIS WAY !()-3!S
WORKSHOPS ALL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUALS EFFORT
"Y UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYS IN A NATIONAL
CONmICT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY ONE HAS TO THOSE AROUND THEM
!()-3!S WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS ARE ABLE TO EMBODY THE lRST
STEPS TOWARDS RECONCILIATION
)N !BU.IMERS 2ECONCILIATION *USTICE AND #OEXISTENCE
!FRICAN PEACE WORKER (IZKIAS !SSEFA WRITES ON THE POWER OF
PEACE MOVEMENTS ROOTED IN THE EFFORTS OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE
h"Y CREATING A FORUM FOR THE GRASSROOTS WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO
UNDERSTAND THE CONmICTS VISUALIZE ALTERNATIVES AND ARTICULATE
PREFERENCES LEADERSHIP CAN BEGIN TO EMERGE FROM BELOW WHICH
CAN INmUENCE TOP LEADERS VIEWS AND BEHAVIOR !N ACTIVE CIVIL
SOCIETY BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE THAT RETRAINS THE OFlCIAL LEADERSHIPS
COMMITMENT TO PERPETUATING THE CONmICTv !SSEFA "Y
BRINGING PEACE EDUCATION TO LOCAL PEOPLE !()-3! IS ABLE TO
CULTIVATE A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT TO MAKE A NONVIOLENT WAY OF LIFE
A REALITY FOR A COUNTRY RIDDEN BY A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE 4HIS GOAL IS
REALIZED THROUGH A VARIETY OF ITS PROJECTS INCLUDING THE LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP IN $EMUWATHA "Y ALLOWING THE STUDENTS
TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP
IN HANDLING CONmICTS THEY BECOME EQUIPPED TO CULTIVATE THIS
hLEADERSHIP FROM BELOWv FOR THE NEW GENERATION
!S A 3RI ,ANKAN CONmICT RESOLUTION .'/ !()-3!S WORK
IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE IT PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO TAKING
APART THE STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE THAT HAS BECOME A FACT OF EVERYDAY
LIFE ON THE ISLAND !BU.IMER STATES THAT THE lELD OF COEXISTENCE
CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IN THE LONGTERM IF IT REACHES BEYOND
THE TRADITIONAL DElNITIONS OF ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIPS hTHE
COEXISTENCE lELD INCREASINGLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TO BE SUSTAINABLE
ESPECIALLY IN CONTEXTS OF POWER ASYMMETRY COEXISTENCE WORK
CANNOT BE LIMITED TO HELPING ADVERSARIES APPRECIATE THEIR COMMON
HUMANITY THEY MUST ALSO GRAPPLE WITH QUESTIONS OF JUSTICE
INEQUITIES AND HISTORICAL GRIEVANCESv 5LTIMATELY IT WAS MY
SUMMERLONG STRUGGLE TO MAKE !()-3!S MISSION lT IN WITH MY
PRECONCEIVED IDEA OF INTERNATIONAL CONmICT RESOLUTION WORK THAT
TAUGHT ME THE MOST ABOUT COEXISTENCE AND RECONCILIATION IN THE
REAL WORLD
'RASSROOTS ACTIVISM OFTENTIMES IMPLIES THE INVOLVEMENT OF
hCOMMON PEOPLEv AND THE hMASSESv TO PROMOTE CHANGE FROM THE
BOTTOMUP (OWEVER ONE MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW A GRASSROOTS
MODEL CAN SHAPE THE WAY STUDENT A PROCESSES INTERNATIONAL
CONmICT )T IS ONLY BY UNDERSTANDING A COUNTRYS HISTORICAL
POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS OF CONmICT THAT ONE CAN START
TO AFFECT THE DISAGREEMENTS AND HOSTILITIES WHICH HEADLINE OUR
NEWSPAPERS )T IS ONLY WHEN WE TAKE A MORE TEXTURED APPROACH TO
STUDYING AND RESOLVING CONmICTS THAT CHANGE CAN SUSTAIN ITSELF IN
THE LONG TERM
"IBLIOGRAPHY
&ERDINANDS 2UPESINGHE ET AL 4HE 3RI ,ANKAN 0EACE 0ROCESS
AT #ROSSROADS ,ESSONS /PPORTUNITIES AND )DEAS FOR 0RINCIPLED
.EGOTIATIONS #ONmICT 4RANSFORMATION #OLOMBO "ERGHOF 'UNTILLEKE 'ODFREY 0EACE AND 2ECONCILIATION #OLOMBO -ARGA
,OKUG£ #HANDANI )F THE -OON 3MILED .EW $ELHI 0ENGUIN
,OKUG£ #HANDANI 4URTLE .EST .EW $ELHI 0ENGUIN -ULLER #ARL #OLOMBO .EW $ELHI 0ENGUIN /NDAATJE -ICHAEL !NILS 'HOST ,ONDON 0ICADOR 2AJASINGHAM3ENANAYAKE (ANIFFA ET AL ! 6ISION FOR 3USTAINABLE
0EACE IN 3RI ,ANKA #OLOMBO 0OLITY 3RISKANDARAJAH $HANANJAYAN 4HE 2ETURNS OF 0EACE IN 3RI ,ANKA
THE $EVELOPMENT #ART "EFORE THE #ONmICT 2ESOLUTION (ORSE
#OLOMBO )#%3 5YANGODA *AYADEVA "EYOND -EDIATION .EGOTIATION AND .EGATIVE
0EACE 4OWARDS 4RANSFORMATIVE 0EACE IN 3RI ,ANKA (OMAGAMA
+ARUNARATNE 3ONS )NTERNATIONAL #ENTER FOR %THICS *USTICE AND 0UBLIC ,IFE