Sri Lanka: Engaging the Diaspora

By Salma Yusuf-November 16, 2013 A robust policy on diaspora engagement remains critical to domestic stability and international relations in postwar Sri Lanka.

The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of o!ernment "eeting #CH$ "% opened in Sri Lanka on &o!ember '(. Canadian )rime "inister Stephen Harper has decided to boycott* citing go!ernance shortcomings in the host country. +ndian )rime "inister "anmohan Singh made a late decision to stay away also. i!en that +ndia is Sri Lanka,s immediate neighbor and an emerging global power* Singh,s decision to stay home was significant. -ritish )rime "inister .a!id Cameron has come under intense fire for his decision to attend CH$ " 2/'3* but has said that he will use his presence to place the international spotlight on Sri Lanka. All of which is bad news for Sri Lanka* a country that is seeking to stabili0e and consolidate the di!idends of ending a three1decade armed struggle. +t is clear that elements of the Sri Lankan diaspora who support the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 2elam #LTT2% ha!e been acti!ely campaigning* sometimes through LTT2 organi0ations such as the lobal Tamil 3orum* the Transnational o!ernment for Tamil 2alam and the -ritish Tamil 3orum* encouraging calls for a boycott of CH$ " 2/'3 and adding to the general international furor of recent weeks. Their efforts ha!e embarrassed Sri Lanka before. 3or instance* in .ecember 2/'/* the $4ford 5nion canceled an address by Sri Lankan )resident "ahinda 6a7apaksa* fearing massi!e protests on the uni!ersity premises. The then )resident of the $4ford 5nion* 8ames 9ingston* e4plained: ;+ was ad!ised there was a serious public order risk* and a serious risk of

ma7or disruption to the acti!ities of the local community. At (/// protestors* it would ha!e been the largest demonstration seen in the history of $4ford* and the risks would ha!e increased accordingly.< The ability of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora to potentially generate the largest demonstration in the history of the $4ford 5nion is noteworthy* as is its ability to alter the presidential itinerary. The most worrying aspect* howe!er* is the intensity of the passion it re!eals in certain segments of the Tamil diaspora abroad. That intensity was re!ealed again in 8une 2/'2* once more derailing the presidential itinerary in the 5.9.* this time when an in!itation to deli!er the keynote address at the Commonwealth 2conomic 3orum organi0ed by the Commonwealth -usiness Council was cancelled on the morning of the e!ent. The 3orum was one of the e!ents marking the =ueen,s .iamond 8ubilee Celebrations in London. As many as 2/// protestors had gathered at the "ansion House where the e!ent was to be held* with some reportedly tra!eling from 3rance and ermany. "ost recently* sections of the diaspora ha!e been acti!ely lobbying in the wake of the passage of two resolutions on Sri Lanka by the 5nited &ations Human 6ights Council in 2/'2 and 2/'3. That same disgruntlement and disillusionment ha!e been clear in the run1up to CH$ "* with the calls for boycotts. All this must be taken seriously. The anguish and grie!ances of the diaspora community must be addressed >uickly and seriously* not only because of its impact on foreign relations* but also because of its implications for domestic stability. Clearly the most credible way to engage the diaspora would be to address the rights of minorities locally* both systematically and genuinely. "inority rights need to be coupled of course with assurances for the possibility of a peaceful return home for those li!ing abroad. That said* a robust policy on diaspora engagement is also key to both national stability and e4ternal relations. The final report of the Sri Lankan go!ernment1appointed Lessons Learnt and 6econciliation Commission #LL6C% has highlighted the perceptions that e4ist about conflict areas* what happened in the conflict areas* what is being done in conflict areas* and what people in the conflict areas think. These perceptions in turn influence the !iews of relati!es and friends o!erseas* the diaspora* and the international community at large. Hence* perception management must be accorded top priority in any effort to engage the diaspora and reap the benefits of true reconciliation. 2ffecting a strong and credible !isibility strategy of national progress* plans and challenges is critical to perception management. Additionally* documentation and !isibility will ser!e the larger purpose of measuring progress and identifying gaps to be filled* pro!iding direction for the nation1building and reconciliation agenda. The final report of the LL6C recommended that the Sri Lankan go!ernment create a multi1 disciplinary task force that would include representati!es from the )residential Secretariat* the 24ternal Affairs and .efence ministries* the pri!ate sector and academia* to propose a program of action to harness the untapped potential of the e4patriate community* and to respond to the concerns of hostile diaspora groups* and engage them constructi!ely with the go!ernment and

other stakeholders in!ol!ed in the reconciliation process. There may be ad!antages in going one step further and setting up an $ffice of .iaspora Affairs. The roles and responsibility of the office would include an emphasis on highlighting the importance of diaspora engagement in reconstruction and capacity1building? and an identification and assessment of diaspora organi0ations and indi!iduals* and the contributions they can make towards reconciliation* peace1building and nation1building. +t must be stressed that diaspora contributions ought not be limited to the financial or commercial realms* but should also include technical and professional e4pertise. The office would ensure that the diaspora contribution match Sri Lanka,s needs* priorities and capacities. An $ffice of .iaspora Affairs would also seek to encourage !isits to Sri Lanka for disillusioned members of the diaspora community so they can assess for themsel!es what is taking place and what remains to be done* and more importantly* how they themsel!es need to be a part of the country,s plans and future. 2!ery effort should be made to build loyalty and seek to neutrali0e and counter hostility* misperceptions and grudges* real or otherwise. A!enues of diaspora engagement that are likely to be most beneficial for the long1term de!elopment of the country must be identified. +n addition to the all1important contribution to national stability and the political future* the diaspora could be in!aluable in supplementing local capacities through the formation of a global e4change of knowledge. 5ltimately* the di!idends of successful engagement with Sri Lanka,s diaspora will be felt by the country through impro!ed relations between communities* increased national unity and stability* and more positi!e international positioning. .iaspora engagement is not a small or easy task but it is one that can no longer be o!erlooked in any effort to take the country forward towards genuine reconciliation. Salma @usuf is a human rights lawyer and de!elopment practitioner working on both national and international programs in the fields of go!ernance* transitional 7ustice and reconciliation. She may be contacted at salmayusufAgmail.com.