It's been 59 years ! Yes, 59 years since SriLanka gained its independence from British rule after approx 500years of foreign occupation. The 4th of February 1948 was the date and this was celebrated at a small event hosted by the SriLankan high commission in Vienna. Although attendance at this celebration was supposed to be by invitation only, I went along as a guest of one of the invitees.
I turned up around 17:45hrs and the first thing I noticed was that I was rather underdressed. Most people there were dressed rather formally, some in the SriLankan National Dress, others in shirts, ties, suits and sarees (but not wearing them all at the same time, ofcourse!). So there I was in my jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt (which was badly in need of some attention by a hot iron). On reflection, I am rather disappointed in myself at my lack of forethought about my attire. I guess I didn't really think about the significance of the occasion and hence what would have been acceptable/appropriate. I'm ashamed to say that I simply didn’t give it much thought - my thoughts at the time of getting dressed were more aligned with the Superbowl and what would be appropriate for sitting at pointers watching the game (which, incidentally, the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 ... Go COLTS !)
As if my sense of dress was not disappointing enough, what I witnessed at this celebration is probably a little bit more shocking. This was with respect to the behaviour of the delegates at this gathering. Here are some of my observations:
1. The National Anthem.
The ceremony began, as is traditional, with the singing of the national anthem. As the first verse of the anthem began, most people seemed to join in and I rather proudly thought that it was quite nice that a group of people, in spite of their differences, can get together and sing as one. The nation anthem is one of those things that we were taught in school (along with the Blue Black and Blue For Ever!). It brought a little tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. Sadly, this mirage was soon shattered when the second verse began. Only a handful of people appeared to know the words to the second verse. Thinking back, we were never really taught the second verse of the national anthem in school. Admittedly, the only reason that I knew the words to it was because it was always played on Rupavahini at approx ten to six in the evening, just before the evenings television programs started.
Ok, perhaps this is me being picky, but I think it is important that everyone knows the words the national anthem if their country.
2. The lack of respect.
As is traditional in SriLanka, the start of the ceremony also included blessings from the various religions. The four main religions in SriLanka were represented - the Buddhists, the Christians, the Muslims and the Hindus. During the blessings that were being made by the Buddhist monks that were present, most people (who I’m guessing were Buddhist) had their hands together in prayer and were repeating the words of the monks (as is the tradition). However, when the lady representing the Islam faith began to speak, there was a gradual increase in the general noise level. This continued through the Hindu speakers words as well. People seemed to be happily chatting and laughing while these people spoke. I think the word “shocking” is not strong enough to describe my feelings at the time.
Why is it what the SriLankans can’t seem to show a little bit of respect towards people in their own community who share a different faith. I think the least that they could do would be to silently pay attention, even if they didn’t understand what was being said and was not aligned with their religious beliefs. I find this behaviour quite shocking and sadly, not uncommon. How can we be united as a single nation and fight the treat of terrorism that has engulfed our beautiful little island, if we don’t have the decency to show a little bit of respect to others. Among the delegates at the ceremony were a number of non-SriLankans, who are unlikely to have understood the vast majority of what was going on. All of them appeared to be paying attention right throughout the religious blessings, the speeches (of which the vast majority of them were in Sinhala) and the various announcements that were made. If non-SriLankans can do this why can we?
3. The Kids.
There must have been a dozen or so kids who also attended this commemoration. However, I think their behaviour leave a lot to be desired. While the religious blessings and the various speeches were going on upstairs, the kids appeared to be playing downstairs. I can only assume that there was no adult supervision because of the screams and shouts of the frolicking children that were being echoed upstairs. While I do understand that children, when left to their own devices, will run around and make lots of noise, it think at an occasion such as this, the children should have been forced to participate or at least be kept quiet while the various speakers said what they had to say.
Personally, I know nothing about raising and instilling discipline in children. I think I blame the parents. It makes sense that if the parents don’t have the respect and self-discipline to be quiet and show a little respect to other, how can you expect the children to do the same?
Conclusion
All I can conclude from what I saw last evening is that the future for SriLanka is bleak. In my mind, the shocking behaviour of the SriLankans (both the adults and the non-adults) tells me that we have a long way to go before we can truly build our beautiful island in to the true paradise that it can become. I would like to think that there is at least a glimmer of hope that SriLankans around the world can unite as one and truly be tolerant of others. However, although I would like to think that this glimmer of hope is there, I really can’t see it.
After what I observed last evening, I am ashamed to call myself SriLankan. Further more, I am saddened by what the future holds for the SriLankan people. I am Shocked – very, very Shocked !!!
