Prospects for Peace in Sri Lanka

'Together we will start the next great chapter [in the American story] with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: 'Yes we can'"

Barack Obama in a speech at New Hampshire during the preliminaries of the U.S. presidential campaigns.

After nearly Thirty years of war, death and destruction in Sri Lanka, peace has not only become a desire of its people, but also a necessity. With the recent conclusion of the war, many possibilities have opened up for Sri Lanka. Concerns about post-war reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation are voiced as many people are aware that an end to the war does not mean peace.

Peace cannot now be achieved by differenciating between minorities and majorities. As mentioned in Obama's speech change must be achieved together with a positive attitude. As the president said in a speech after the victory in the North, there can be no minorities.
Peace is not merely the absence of war, it is also a situation where all basic human needs are met. For this change to take place in Sri-Lanka practically all spheres of life must see a drastic change which requires a lot of time and resources. Sri Lanka currently has the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to deal with. These IDPs cannot be relocated unless reconstruction is done in a large scale in the north and east. For the changes that are necessary for peace to come about, Sri Lanka as a nation will require a lot of foreign aid.
Another aspect to be considered when thinking of peace in Sri Lanka is the political aspect of the war. Steps should be taken to ensure that issues are dealt with effectively.

Sri Lanka currently has an ideal platform for peace where differences between ethnicities and race can be overcome. In order to achieve sustainable peace, however, change is required in attitude, perception, and administration. Peace is no longer a hope or a vision but something that is now within our reach given that we are prepared to work together to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
