Reconciliation, freedom and the rule of law in Sri Lanka seem to be at risk once again. This is the result of successive Sinhala Buddhist nationalist governments’ inability to chart a credible reconciliation process since the ethnic war ended in 2009, and their failure to reveal the truth of war crimes, forced disappearances, and genocide.\u00a0 Rather, they have instead motivated violent extremism in terms of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, militarization, and majoritarianism.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression (media), freedom of association, and the democratic space for civil and human rights activism are under threat and danger in Sri Lanka.\u00a0 Therefore, it was appropriate that the day of Sri Lanka\u2019s Independence was chosen as the date for Tamils and Muslims to express their dissatisfaction with the current government and their lack of addressing minority issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The peaceful protest march was organized on February 3\u20137, 2021 by the North and East Civil Society Forums and in total approximately 300,000 participated. In defiance of numerous court orders, Hindus, Christians and Muslims began the joint march from Pottuvil in Amparai District (East) to Polikandy in Jaffna District (North); the two furthest points delineating the traditional Tamil-speaking homeland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aim was to raise awareness of the plight of Tamils and Muslims on the island and to call upon the UN and the international community to heed calls for justice and accountability of war crimes and a discontinuance of discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities. Sri Lanka\u2019s security forces attempted to break up the rally at various points throughout the march by intimidating demonstrators as well as obtaining injunctions against the protest itself but at each stage along the way the protesters managed to defy such attempts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demands to the UN<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The protesters put forward the following 10 key demands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contribution of the Church of the American Mission (CACM)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CACM, as a participatory and prophetic church, builds solidarity with struggling communities and joined in this protest march. In particular, CACM Batticaloa and its partnership organization, \u2018White Peacock\u2019 (Forum for Freedom of Religions and Rights of Minorities), signed the Memorandum and played a key role in organizing in the Eastern Province. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In spite of many criticisms, the Tamil and Muslim communities participated in a protest march together after 40 years which was a great success in the history of this nation. It also served the purpose of breaking a mindset of helplessness to one of empowerment in challenging the Rajapakse\u2019s oppressive government and military rule. The protest created a space for Tamils and Muslims to reflect on their shared political vision of the state as well as encouraging Tamil and Muslim democratic activists to build solidarity with struggling Sinhala Buddhist communities for a national level protest in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Goals in Future from Protest March Learnings<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n