US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO2285

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002285 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA AND SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, SOCI, CE 
SUBJECT:  Colombo, City of Lights 
 
Refs:  Colombo 2277, and previous 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  Colombo is lit up this holiday season, 
with electric lights draped all over the city.  The GSL 
is sponsoring the effort in a bid to increase the city's 
attractiveness.  For Sri Lankans, it is the first time 
since the conflict began almost 20 years ago that they 
remember the city looking so festive.  Amid all the 
discussions focusing on the ceasefire, federalism, and 
other dry subjects, it is illustrative that Sri Lanka's 
experience of the peace process also involves something 
as simple--and evocative--as bright lights.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  Colombo is newly lit up this holiday season.  Multi- 
colored electric lights hang over streets, and bedeck 
buildings and trees.  The government is sponsoring the 
effort in a bid to increase the city's attractiveness to 
locals and tourists after years of war-enforced 
austerity.  Seeking a ripple effect that could help 
restore ethnic harmony, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe 
has even taken a personal interest, urging businesses to 
put up lights wherever possible.  In response, the 
private sector is actively participating in a committee 
formed by the Mayor's office, and beginning in late 
November, many hotels and privately-owned buildings 
strung up lights at their own expense.  This, despite 
the surging price of electricity and frequent power 
outages that mean that expensive generators have to be 
used to keep the lights on.  (Note:  While the vast 
majority of coverage has been highly positive, there 
have been a couple of articles in the press grousing 
about the financial cost to the country of the lighting 
campaign.) 
 
3.  For Sri Lankans, it is the first time since the 
conflict began almost 20 years ago that they remember 
the city looking so festive.  Step-by-step as the war 
became more serious from 1983 on, the city became a 
progressively less welcoming place.  Amid constant 
patrolling by the military, roadblocks and checkpoints 
were put up throughout the city to defend it from Tamil 
Tiger terrorist attacks.  Lights were also dimmed as the 
city began to shut down at night.  (Note:  In the late 
1980s, darkness almost completely enveloped the city as 
citizens switched off their lights in response to 
demands by leftist insurgents.)  Given all of the 
tension around them, Sri Lankans were in no particular 
mood to celebrate the Christmas holiday season during 
these difficult years.  (Note:  While the vast majority 
of Sri Lankans are Buddhist or Hindu, there is a long 
tradition in the country of respecting holidays of other 
religions, especially Christmas.) 
 
4.  With the advent of the GSL-LTTE peace process in 
December 2001, the city has gradually begun to gain back 
some of its luster.  Most of the roadblocks and 
checkpoints have been closed and there are very few 
troops on the streets.  The campaign to turn on the 
lights has helped bring back an added sense of normality 
to the city and it seems that Sri Lankans--for the first 
time in years--have found something worth celebrating in 
a peace process that is almost one-year old. 
(Note:  Along with major businesses, the government is 
also helping sponsor a "peace" concert, which will take 
place in the city's largest stadium on December 14.) 
 
5.   COMMENT:  Amid all of the discussions focusing on 
the ceasefire, federalism, and other dry subjects, it is 
illustrative that Sri Lanka's experience of the peace 
process also involves something as simple--and evocative 
--as bright lights.  In the past year, the atmosphere of 
Colombo and the country at large has improved 
dramatically due to the progress made in ending the war. 
Although there remains a justifiable sense of wariness 
as to whether the peace effort will ultimately succeed, 
it is almost as if a pall is being lifted.  The powerful 
impact that this shifting of the atmosphere has had on 
Sri Lankans is one of the major factors propelling 
strong popular support for the government's peace 
initiative.  END COMMENT. 
6.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
WILLS