With the Rajapaksa Government facing an unprecedented Aragalaya or public revolt and the protests going on in most parts of the country for three months, Sri Lanka desperately needs a statesperson who will work for the next generation and not for the election. Unfortunately, we have seen few if any such statespersons since independence in 1948. Leaders like former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake came close to achieving such status but the people rejected him and his party in the 1970 general election mainly because he cut the rice ration from two kilos to one and the winning Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike boasted to the people that she would even bring rice from the moon. 

In the recent era, one of the greatest statespersons was South Africa’s Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned and tortured for decades because he spoke out against the white-supremacist policy of the South African Government, which marginalised and humiliated the coloured people in its apartheid policy, which was condemned virtually by the whole world. This wicked and inhuman policy affected various areas including sports when the South African Government banned a cricket tour by the England team because the team included a coloured player Basil D’Oliveira. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned South Africa from test cricket and it was a tragic event because the South African team comprised some of the world’s best players. 

Next week on July 18, the United Nations marks Nelson Mandela International Day. He is among the few political leaders who have been given such an international honour by the world body. In a statement to mark the occasion, the UN cites one of Mr. Mandela’s most powerful statements where he said, “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”. The UN has invited all countries and people to mark the day by making a difference in their communities.

According to the UN, everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better. Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change. Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa. In November 2009, UN General Assembly declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day. The resolution recognises Mr. Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice. The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

On September 24, 2018, world leaders gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York for the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit. At the Summit, nearly 100 Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Member States and representatives of civil society participants adopted a political declaration committed to redoubling efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and fair world, as they paid tribute to the late South African President’s celebrated qualities and service to humanity. 

Recognising the period from 2019 to 2028 as the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace, the Declaration saluted Mr. Mandela for his humility, forgiveness and compassion, acknowledging as well his contribution to the struggle for democracy and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. By the text, Heads of State and Government and Member States representatives reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the sovereign equality of all States and respect for their territorial integrity and political independence, and the duty of Member States to refrain from the threat or use of force. Recognising that peace and security, development and human rights are the pillars of the UN system and the foundations for collective security and wellbeing, the Declaration reaffirmed the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

“We resolve to move beyond words in the promotion of peaceful, just, inclusive and nondiscriminatory societies,” leaders pledged, as they stressed the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women and youth. They also declared that racism, xenophobia and related intolerance represent the very opposite of the purposes of the UN and emphasised their resolve to protect the rights of children, especially in armed conflict. “Protecting children contributes to breaking the cycle of violence and sows the seeds for future peace,” the Declaration said.

Millions of young people and others involved in Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya or public revolt against the Rajapaksa Government are raising many issues while people are dying in days-long fuel queues. The cry from their heart may be, “Give us a Mandela”.