The third step of women leadership training of NAFSO was conducted on the personal identity, ethnicity and nationalism on Saturday.
The evolement of the national issue was the main discussion point. How and why the arms struggle evolve in Sri Lankan context was highlighted by Roy Rodrigo, the resource person on the subject.
Niluka Kumari, a leader from Grand Street was one of the most articulate on the issue.
" If husband and wife can not live peacefully there is no need to continue as one family. The only solution is the divorce. So why the Tamil people should continue with Sinhalese unless they are treated equally and justly?
Then only solution is to have separation and live as two separate countries."
Kumari's views were highly criticised by the rest of the team members.
Grace Matilda of Kadolkele community argued that they can not agree to this idea and not at all agree for a separation.
However, Kumari did not give up. She continued to argue to have justice to all.
"Once Tamil speaking people receive a letter in Sinhalese how do they understand the contents. They feel they are not treated respectfully. Afterall how do they respond to day matters. If you want to understand the issue, think you receive a letter in Tamil. What can you understand in Tamil? This is the same with Tamil speaking people in the country. They feel they are not recognized as citizens in this country."
Kumari was so sharp and criticized the organizers of the training. "We can see there are Tamil speaking leaders here. But you are providing only Sinhala feed back forms. This is the issue in the country too. We the majority citizens are not sensitive to the other ethnic minority issues."
This is a very good reflection and need to consider the issues related to justice to ethnic minorities.
Mourine of Sea street community who was felicitated at the Oxfam food heroine program was rerecognized and appraised at the begining of the session by the team.
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