Voices of Peace: Storytelling to blur lines of division

By Divya Thotawatte

With the intention of bringing the conversation of post-conflict reconciliation to the fore, ‘Voices of Peace’, a book on the untold stories of ten former LTTE cadres and ten Sri Lankan ex-military personnel was launched Wednesday.

Written by Sri Lankan Researcher and Author Sarah Kabir, ‘Voices of Peace’, with its unique format of storytelling, attempts to blur the lines of division by offering accounts from both sides of the conflict and humanising the very real struggles of both communities. The launching ceremony of the book was held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, which was attended by a diverse audience of academics and activists.

Regarding the book, Kabir stated: “The book will speak for itself, and what’s more important is that you’ll read it and you’ll make your own understanding of what the storytellers are saying. This is their voice, not mine.” 

She said that the book was written with the objective of giving the storytellers an audience that will listen to them rather than just talk about them. The book shows a balanced narrative of both sides, and these stories are not just about wars, guns and killing – they go beyond the battlefield. 

“They share their stories with us about their families, love, marriages, divorces, music and sports. They take us to their childhoods, why they joined the armed struggle. After decades of living in jungles or exile, they tell us what their lives are like now and what their perceptions of peace and reconciliation are and what their hopes are for their future,” she added.

Having spoken extensively with, and not just interviewed, over sixty active agents of the war, Sarah has chosen the stories of twenty – ten former LTTE cadres, and ten ex-Sri Lankan military personnel. The book carries their accounts, which are accompanied by compelling images captured by photographer Munira Mutaher.

Speaking at the event, National Peace Council Executive Director Jehan Perera said: “This compilation of stories by Sarah Kabir fills a vacuum. In ‘Voices of Peace’, she tells the stories of those who fought on opposing sides. It is a tool that can change lives since it was written with the purpose to empower those whose lives had been torn by the war and who will now be heard instead of being invisible.” ‘Voices of Peace’ has used storytelling as a powerful tool providing a platform for those who need help in order to influence policy and to strengthen and support peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. 

Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Chairman Saliya Pieris, who was also present at the event, stated: “I think it is important that we, as a nation, recognise that there are multiple narratives to the conflict. I think Sarah’s book is a start to relating those multiple narratives.”

Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya