THE NEED TO USE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN LANKAN PEACEBUILDING

Abstract

Traditional knowledge is linked to Sri Lankan heritage. It ranges from soil and water conservation, farming techniques, medicinal science, diet, engineering, construction, ancient educational priorities, language studies, martial arts, entrepreneurship know-how, and spiritual traditions. These are also referred to as Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. This study aimed to identify the potential of traditional knowledge in creating empathy between Sinhala and Tamil communities in the context of creating tradition-based solutions to the current national economic crisis. In this study, the primary narrative given voice to is that of the Sinhalese to understand their fears and aspirations as well as the potential to use their own narratives pertaining to traditional knowledge as tools of peacebuilding, although their narratives may appear on the surface to be ultra-nationalistic or radical. The methodology of the study was to follow a range of commentaries of Sinhala patriotism-based WhatsApp groups to identify keywords and phrases connecting traditional knowledge/heritage with either conflict or peace. The main finding was the core message given out concerning the destruction of traditional knowledge and self-respect of the Sinhalese by the colonizers and equating it with the current-day policies. Hence the conclusion arrived at was that using what these Sinhala activists demanded, reinstating their religious priorities, ancient educational norms, traditional hydraulic systems, indigenous farming, and medical system, could be strategically used to build peace between Sinhalese and Tamils by linking similar traditional knowledge patterns as practised