History, Guilt, and Responsibility: A Question for Both Britain and Sri Lanka

I was having a conversation with the British community about whether they feel guilt or regret for what was done in the past. I like discussing topics like this, things people usually find difficult to talk about, either because they take them personally or are too emotionally attached. So if you are not comfortable with that kind of discussion please do not continue reading. Those who can handle it I invite you to share your thoughts respectfully.

Well in that conversation a few people said they do not feel guilty or proud about what people they do not know did hundreds of years ago. I think this is a somewhat shallow way of avoiding uncomfortable acknowledgment.

They did agree however that British schools do not fully teach the horrors of the British Empire and instead often present it as bringing law and order. That is partially true but we also know it was largely done for their own benefit. Another point they raised was that the British built railways, roads and more. What they often fail to mention is that much of this was done through forced labour and at the expense of native lives.

This argument is similar to a man who abuses and violates his wife and then says I built the house you live in. Likewise when British people say why do you not move on from colonization it is like a husband telling his wife to forget yesterday.

Personally I am not into nationalism or patriotic thinking in that extreme sense. I believe it creates blind loyalty and can slowly damage nations from within. That is my view.

I am also someone who is very drawn to Western individual focused culture. I prefer the English language over others and I admire European architecture. I do not hate British people but I do have an issue with the fact that the UK has never formally apologized for its colonial actions. At the very least the history including the darker parts of the empire should be properly taught to children. Returning stolen artifacts is also important. Some argue these artifacts are safer in British museums but in my view that does not justify the act of taking them in the first place.

I have also noticed many Sri Lankans saying that if we had never gained independence we would be more developed. Whether that is true or not I am glad we gained independence. Unfortunately our own people did not fully capitalize on it.

That brings me to my self criticism point. Just as the British oppressed us we also oppressed the Tamil population. I am glad the war ended with the defeat of the LTTE but I think we often fail to properly teach what started the conflict and why it escalated. We do not clearly explain what happens when ideas of ethnic superiority take hold and when a state repeats the same mistakes it once criticized others for.

I am Sinhalese but I prefer identifying as Sri Lankan. I do believe Sri Lankan military forces committed war crimes just as the LTTE did. Some may disagree but there is evidence supporting this. Almost every army in the world has committed war crimes at some point and some still do.

That said I also believe that some civilian deaths during the war were collateral damage rather than intentional or revenge based actions. I think both things can be true. War crimes occurred but not all civilian deaths were deliberate targeting. I also think some claims especially from parts of the Tamil diaspora may be exaggerated for political or emotional impact.

However I believe that if individuals responsible for confirmed war crimes were investigated and held accountable and if the Sri Lankan state made a formal acknowledgment of its failure to fully protect Tamil civilians rights after independence it could significantly reduce ongoing reputational damage internationally. It would also help clear the military’s name where appropriate.

In today’s world countries that openly acknowledge their past mistakes and actively work to prevent them from happening again tend to earn more respect and credibility. Post war Germany is often used as an example.

Internally this could also reduce ethnic division and help future generations learn a more accurate balanced version of history rather than the extreme narratives promoted by both nationalist Sinhalese groups and pro LTTE perspectives. It would help reduce superiority thinking in society.

And internationally it would also strengthen Sri Lanka’s position when pointing out hypocrisy in other countries including Britain. If accountability is demanded it should be consistent.

I typed this post today but I had wanted to ask this for a few days. I could not ask earlier because I was using this account for a different subreddit where there was a minimum karma requirement. I believe this subreddit has a majority of people who are capable of understanding and continuing a conversation without getting offended. However I also know some people will probably downvote this. I waited until my other conversations were finished so I could post this properly today. I would like to hear your opinions.