Jaffna Discourse
Launching Jaffna Discourse @ Veerasigham Hall ,Jaffna
4th February 2024
Today, on the 76th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence, a historic event took place at Veerasingham Hall in Jaffna. The Jaffna Discourse, a visionary national initiative by Arun Siddharth, a pioneer of grassroots reconciliation in Sri Lanka, was launched with the participation of over 2000 people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.The Jaffna Discourse aims to create a platform for dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among the different communities and stakeholders in Sri Lanka, in order to address the long-standing issues of conflict, injustice, and violence that have plagued the country for decades. The initiative is based on the concept of 3D peace process, which stands for Discussion,dialogue, decorations .Arun Siddharth, who has been a peace activist for more than 20 years, believes that these three dimensions are essential for achieving a lasting and inclusive peace in Sri Lanka.The launch event featured a unity march ,speeches, cultural performances, and interactive sessions that showcased the diversity and richness of Sri Lanka's culture, history, and aspirations. The speakers and participants ,included prominent figures from politics, civil society, academia, media, arts, and religion, as well as representatives of the youth, women, and marginalized groups. The event also highlighted the stories and experiences of the people who have been affected by the war and the post-war challenges, and their hopes and visions for the future.The Jaffna Discourse is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that will involve more people and activities in the coming months and years. The initiative hopes to create a network of peacebuilders and changemakers across the country, who will work together to foster a culture of dialogue, development, and democracy in Sri Lanka. The Jaffna Discourse invites everyone who is interested and committed to join this journey of peace and reconciliation, and to contribute to the healing and transformation of Sri Lanka.