‘People of Sri Lanka’- Heritage of all Sri Lankans on an equal footing: PM
The Ministry of National Co-existence, Dialogue & Official Languages will launch a book titled ‘People of Sri Lanka’, on Tuesday, July 18, that explores the diversity of all the people of this country, which would be of special benefit to schoolchildren as well as those in Higher Education (HE) institutes.
“All Sri Lankans, from schoolchildren to HE students, would benefit from a documentation such as this, which outlines the heritage of all Sri Lankans on an equal footing,” said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his message for the forthcoming launch of the book.
Minister of National Coexistence & Dialogue, Mano Ganeshan said this endeavour is an act of dialogue between communities and identities of Sri Lanka, in line with his Ministry’s mandate.
“This is the first time a book of this kind is published, gathering together social, cultural, economic and other information of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, including the low-density ethnic groups as well. In publication of this book, my ministry worked with the motive of fulfilling a national task, which will broaden the people’s understanding, much needed for ensuring equality and mutual respect towards all communities living in this country,” he said.
Prof S. Pathmanathan and Prof Malani Endagama who compiled the book, said in their introduction, that the volume is a compilation of articles on the communities living in Sri Lanka. “Some of them are large, with a history of over a period of 2,500 years, while many of the small communities are of recent origin. All of them have a passionate attachment to their respective cultural identities, while at the same time, they have identified strongly with the community of their domicile,” they said.
With National reconciliation a popular subject among politicians, this book is meant to lead people on the correct lines, when explaining ethnic issues.
“Both the University community as well as the schoolchildren will find it very important to understand that our national heritage is more of living in peace and harmony, rather than fighting with each other for no fruitful reason and hence, will learn to despise and reject rivalry of any sort,” the authors said.
“Instead, they would learn to appreciate the unlimited value of diversity as a means of achieving integration, and the immediate benefits of unity, as against disunity. They would be motivated not only to dig the past and learn the correct history but would also volunteer to get involved in the social, political, religious ceremonies, festivals, rituals etc. that would prove to them how close and akin they happen to be, when their common activities, pastimes etc. are taken into consideration.”
Initially, the book would be published in English, while measures are being taken to publish it in both Sinhala and Tamil, without any undue delay. (CK)