Confronting Sri Lanka’s ugly past to secure its future

As we mark another anniversary of Black July, the dark week in 1983 when Sri Lanka descended into a spiral of violence that left over 3,000 civilians dead and sowed the seeds for a brutal 26-year civil war, the nation is compelled to reflect on its turbulent history. 

This reflection is not just about remembering the past, but confronting the uncomfortable truths that continue to shape the present and impede the future.

Black July was more than a spontaneous eruption of communal violence; it was a tragic manifestation of state-sanctioned brutality against the Tamil minority. The pogrom was marked by the systematic targeting of Tamils, with looting, arson, and murder occurring with shocking impunity. These events were a direct result of deliberate vilification and dehumanisation of an ethnic group, a chilling reminder of the consequences of unchecked majoritarianism and intolerance.

Despite the passage of four decades, accountability for the atrocities of Black July, as with all other episodes of political violence in the country, remains elusive. Successive governments have failed to bring perpetrators to justice and acknowledge the State’s own culpability in the violence, allowing a culture of impunity to take root. This lack of accountability is not merely a legal oversight but a profound moral failure, reflecting a broader unwillingness to confront the uncomfortable truths of the nation’s history.

This failure extends beyond the lack of justice for past crimes. It includes a lack of genuine reconciliation and acknowledgment of the root causes of Black July and the subsequent civil war. The grievances of the Tamil community, rooted in systemic discrimination and unmet political aspirations, have been consistently ignored or inadequately addressed. This neglect has perpetuated a cycle of mistrust and alienation, hindering the healing process and fostering a climate in which other minorities, like the Muslim community, have faced similar violence and discrimination since the end of the conflict in 2009.

The recent spate of anti-Muslim violence is a disturbing echo of the past, fuelled by the same impunity that allowed Black July to occur without consequence. This cycle of violence and impunity undermines the social fabric of our country, perpetuating fear and division.

If Sri Lanka is to move beyond this painful chapter, it must first acknowledge and address the ugly realities of its recent history. This means not only holding those responsible for past atrocities accountable but also engaging in a sincere and inclusive dialogue about the political and social grievances that underlie ethnic tensions. It requires a commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, and fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated rather than feared.

The path to reconciliation is undoubtedly challenging, but it is essential for the future of Sri Lanka. As the country reflects on the horrors of Black July, the ensuing ethnic conflict, and the numerous bouts of political violence in the last five decades, that have left hundreds of thousands killed, disappeared, and tortured, it must also look forward, committing to building a society based on justice, equality, and respect for all its citizens. Only by facing its past can Sri Lanka hope to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for all its people.