Dear Sinhala Buddhists,
Peace Process, the Buddhist Way
I used to feel ashamed every time I heard of a violent incident between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Ashamed that a country where the majority are Buddhist cannot resolve a dispute without violence. Since the recent bombings in parts of Colombo that were thought to be safe, my feelings are more of sadness. Sad that the Sinhala race is slowly but surely getting wiped out. Wiped out not just by dying, but by changing their personalities, because it is not possible to live among such violence and uncertainty without one's personality being adversely affected.
I am writing this article to energize Sinhala Buddhists everywhere to do something about it. If each of us does whatever we can, it is bound to make a difference. Otherwise, we might regret that we didn't do anything. Here are a list of activities that can be practiced individually as well as in small groups.
1. Let's start with Metta. The general practice of Buddhists is to take refuge in the Triple gem, undertake to observe the five precepts, and practice a short metta 
bhavanava, twice a day. At this time, we can specifically generate metta towards the Sinhalese people and then towards the Tamil people. An example is as follows: “May all the Sinhalese people be good, wise, nonviolent, and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully. May all the Tamil people be good, wise, nonviolent, and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully. Thus may both Sinhalese and Tamil people be healthy, wealthy, happy, and safe.” You could also simply say “I share my merit with both the Sinhalese and the Tamils and pray for peace in Sri Lanka”. Just imagine the amount of good energy (kusal karma) that will be generated by every Buddhist practicing this metta bhavana twice a day. Enough to ensure that not a single gun or bomb will ever go off!
2. End each Buddhist activity with a prayer for peace and harmony. Whenever a Buddhist activity such as a dane, bana or bodhi puja is performed, we should request the monks to make a special prayer at the end. After merit is offered to the gods and all sentient beings, merit should be offered both to the Tamil terrorists and to the Sri Lankan government/military and pray that the merit offered will help both parties to open their minds and hearts and settle their conflict peacefully. People who are able to do so, could organize Buddhist events specially for this purpose.
3. Fasting. We can fast, individually or in groups, by skipping at least one meal whenever possible, and pray that it will atone for the mistakes/faults of the Sinhalese people, SL government and the military. We are not exactly perfect and it would be naive to assume that there are no faults on our side. Fasting is one way we can negate such bad energy (akusal karma) and thereby ensure safety.
4. Asseveration of the Truth. Another common Buddhist practice is the asseveration of the Truth. We can meditate upon the fact that the Sinhalese have been in the island for more than 2500 years with Kings and governments. They found the land serendipitously. Unfortunately, they were wrong to kill the Queen and banish the children. Individuals from Tamil Nadu may also have been there for that long, but there was no monarchy or organized government. Based on that truth, the country belong to the Sinhalese. Kings from Tamil Nadu & Karala have invaded Sri Lanka from time to time and sometimes beaten the Sinhalese monarchy, but they themselves were beaten a few years later. There were no improvements made to the country by Tamil monarchy. Further, the Tamils still maintain connections with Tamil Nadu and Karala and can always go back there, but the Sinhalese cannot go back to Bangladesh. It is the Sinhala race that is in danger of extinction, not the Tamil. By the asseveration of these truths may the Sinhalese be safe from the Tamil terrorists and may there be peace in the country.
5. Help the victims. We should help the Tamils that are victimized by terrorists. For example if a school or village in the Jaffna peninsular is bombed by either Tamil terrorists or the SL military, the Sinhalese people should help to restore the damage and rehabilitate the victims. We can do so unofficially or through NGOs. Of course, care must be taken that any monitory donations don't end up in the hands of the terrorists, but the fact that it may occur should not be used as an excuse not to help the victims.
6. Speak honestly with Tamil friends. Those of us who have good, long-lasting friends who are Tamils, should discuss the matter with them amicably and honestly. For example, point out that if they form a separate state, then all the Tamils in Colombo with good jobs and property would have to either go back to Jaffna or apply for visas. One of their main grudges is that the government does not spend enough money on that region. However, the government does not get much revenue generated from that region either. It is a very dry area, which is hard to cultivate. It is true that they work hard to cultivate it, but crops such as onions and tobacco are not essential items and don't generate much revenue. A better way would be for the Tamils who are enjoying good jobs in Colombo and abroad to help their relatives, schools, hospitals, etc. in their home towns to improve, rather than give money to the terrorists. Further, if terrorism stops, then tourism can flourish, and since the Jaffna region also has many attractions, it would generate ample revenue for development.
May the blessings of the Triple gem and all the Devas bring peace to Sri Lanka!
Kumudini M. Weerasinghe, Ph.D.