Culture and humiliation in Sri Lanka

In the chronicle “Sri Lanka and Norway – six months later” (Dagbladet 16.11.09), professor Øyvind Fuglerud claims that Norwegian government wants to ‘sweeten’ the Sri Lankan government by assisting with the oppression of the minorities.

A music festival in Galle 27th November is alleged to be a part of the government’s celebration for the victory over the Tamils and thus participate in the humiliation of the Tamil population – paid by Norwegian tax money.

This is positively wrong.

The festival will not be held on the 27th November, but the 4th and 5th of December – just to avoid being considered as part of the governments celebration and thus contribute to the humiliation of the Tamil population. The festival will include music from Tamil groups as well as Sinhalese youth groups to show that all are equal in cultural cooperation. Equality is the key point in all our long term cooperation programs in Africa, Asia and Sri Lanka.

The use of culture as a bridge between people is a known and powerful instrument that is worth using in implementing the process in Sri Lanka. We therefore have a particular focus on all groups in Sri Lanka, Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and other minorities. It will also include the Sri Lankan immigrants’ communities.

A series of school concerts will be given in different districts of Sri Lanka, students from universities in Jaffna, Baticaloa, and Colombo will be participating in lectures and workshops, the symphony orchestra will get to play for the children and concerts will be held in various places in the country.

The music collaboration shows in every way that it is not, what so ever, a contribution to a humiliation process of the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, but rather an expression of equality and respect for all groups in the country.

These incorrect statements from well-intentioned Norwegians can easily give an impression of the opposite and create a negative attitude among the general public towards the real instrument that creates respect and understanding between people – the culture collaboration.

Source: Dagbladet
Published: 18.11.09
Translation

- Asian Tribune -