Academics appeal for peace and solidarity

Easter Sunday last year was the beginning of a dark time in the Sri Lankan history

A group of 72 academics from eight universities has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and all national leaders to reject violence and division, and ensure everyone’s safety, as the country prepares to mourn the victims of the Easter bombings on 21 April.  “This is an urgent appeal to the President and all our politicians, both in the Government and in the opposition, to make a renewed commitment not to use rhetoric that is divisive and incendiary,” the academics said in a statement. “We and particularly those directly affected must grieve, heal and mourn in solidarity and togetherness,” the statement added.

The full text is as follows: 
April 21st, 2020, is a few weeks away. It will mark a year since the horrific bombings last Easter Sunday. For all who lost friends and family and for those whose lives were shattered as a result of such senseless violence, it will be a time of sorrow. It is for all of us a time of solemn remembrance.

Easter Sunday last year was the beginning of a dark time in our country’s history. We were left with little space to even comprehend the tragedy that had just happened.  In the aftermath of the bombings, many Muslims who were in no way associated with the attacks were victimized. Highly inflammatory rhetoric, left unchecked, led in the end to violent episodes of rioting and caused our communities to be further traumatised. 

The riots post-bombings were not an isolated instance as we have seen arbitrary acts of collective violence against Muslims in recent times, even before April 21st

Sri Lanka is no stranger to tragedy. The war years saw tragedy after tragedy occurring amongst us, and deep-seated animosities tore us apart, ethnically and socially, from which we are still unable to recover. We have also experienced the consequences of divisive rhetoric. 

The riots post-bombings were not an isolated instance as we have seen arbitrary acts of collective violence against Muslims in recent times, even before April 21st. 

It is now time for us to come together to anticipate and stop these cycles of violence. We believe that the political leadership of this country can play a significant role in doing so.

This is an urgent appeal to the President and all our politicians, both in the Government and in the opposition, to make a renewed commitment not to use rhetoric that is divisive and incendiary.  We and particularly those directly affected must grieve, heal and mourn in solidarity and togetherness. We look to the President of our country and other leaders to ensure a sense of safety and peace for all, so that we may properly mourn the tragedy that befell our country a year ago. 

Signed
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, University of Jaffna
Dr. Anuruddha Karunarathna, 
University of Peradeniya
Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, 
University of Peradeniya
Prof. Camena Guneratne, 
Open University of Sri Lank
Prof. Carmen Wickramagamage,
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Charmalie Abayasekara, 
University of Peradeniya 
Prof. Dileni Gunewardena, 
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Dilini Hemachandra, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Farzana Haniffa, University of Colombo
Dr. Fazeeha Azmi, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe, 
University of Colombo
Prof. Gamini Keerawella, Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, 
Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Harshana Rambukwella, 
Open University of Sri Lanka
Ms. Janaha Selvaras, Open University of Sri Lanka
Ms. Judith Gunawardena, University of Peradeniya
Prof. K. D. Pathirana, University of Ruhuna
Prof. K. K. I. U. Arunakumara, University of Ruhuna
Prof. Emer. Kalinga Tudor Silva, 
University of Peradeniya
Prof. Emer. Kamala Liyanage,
University of Peradeniya
Kanchuka Dharmasiri, University of Peradeniya
Kasun Gajasinghe, University of Peradeniya
Ms. Kirupa Hoole, University of Jaffna
M. Kodithuwakku, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. M. A. Nuhman Retired, University of Peradeniya
Dr. M.Z.M Nafeel, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Mahim Mendis, Open University of Sri Lanka
Mahishi Ranaweera, University of Kelaniya
Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, 
University of Kelaniya
Dr. M.Z.M Nafeel, University of Peradeniya
Ms. Nichola Perera, University of Colombo
Prof. Emer. Nimal Savitri Kumar, 
University of Peradeniya
Ms. Nishani Jayaweera, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Noeline Prins, University of Ruhuna
Prof. Pavithra Kailasapathy, University of Colombo
Dr. Prabha Manuratne, University of Kelaniya
Dr. Pradeepa Malkanthi, University of Peradeniya
Priyantha Fonseka, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa.
Dr. Rajan Hoole, University of Jaffna, Retired
Dr. Ramesh Ramasamy, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ramila Usoof, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ramya Kumar, University of Jaffna
Dr. Ranil Abayasekara, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ranil D. Guneratne, SLINTEC Academy
Prof. Ranjini Obeyesekere, 
formerly University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ranga Kalugampitiya, 
University of Peradeniya
Prof. Rohan Fernando, 
Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Romola Rassool, University of Kelaniya
Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo
Sabreena Niles  University of Kelaniya
Prof. Saumya Liyanage, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo
Prof. Emer. Savitri Goonesekere, 
University of Colombo
Dr. Shamala Kumar, University of Peradeniya
Shani Anuradha, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Shyama Banneheka, 
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi, University of Kelaniya
Dr. Sudesh Mantillake, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan, 
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Sunanda Premasiri, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Suresh de Mel, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Swarna Wimalasiri, University of Peradeniya
Tara Senanayake, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan, 
University of Jaffna
Prof. Upul Abeyratne, University of Peradeniya
Prof. Emer. Vasanthi Thevanesam, 
University of Peradeniya
Prof. Emer. Vijaya Kumar, University of Peradeniya
Ms. Viraji Jayaweera, University of Peradeniya
Dr. Vivimarie VanderPoorten Medawattegedera, Open University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Wasantha Liyanage, 
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Wijaya Jayathilaka, 
University of Peradeniya, Retired
W.M. Rohan Laksiri, University of Ruhuna