Jehan Perera
Jehan Perera: A Voice for Peace and Justice
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jehan Perera is the full name of this renowned Sri Lankan peace activist and human rights advocate.
Birth and Death Dates
Jehan Perera was born on June 2, 1951. Unfortunately, his date of death is not publicly available.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Perera holds dual nationality as a British citizen and a Sri Lankan citizen. He has worked extensively in the fields of peace activism, human rights advocacy, and journalism throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Born to an English mother and a Sinhalese father, Perera was raised in a multicultural environment that instilled in him the values of tolerance, compassion, and social justice. Growing up in Sri Lanka during the height of the civil war between the government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Perera witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of violence on civilians.
Major Accomplishments
Perera's tireless efforts to promote peace and human rights have earned him numerous accolades. Some of his notable achievements include:
Founding the National Peace Council, a non-partisan organization that works towards promoting peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development in Sri Lanka.
Serving as the President of the Law and Society Trust, an independent think tank that promotes democratic governance and human rights.
Advocating for post-war reconstruction and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka through various international forums.Notable Works or Actions
Perera's dedication to promoting peace and justice has led him to participate in several high-profile initiatives. Some notable examples include:
Co-authoring the report "A Question of Justice: The Legacy of Sri Lanka's Civil War" with David J. Rieff, which highlighted the need for accountability and transitional justice in post-war Sri Lanka.
Collaborating with international organizations such as the International Crisis Group to promote peacebuilding initiatives in the region.Impact and Legacy
Perera's unwavering commitment to promoting peace and human rights has left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan society. His tireless advocacy efforts have:
Raised awareness about the plight of civilians affected by conflict.
Promoted dialogue between government officials, opposition leaders, and civil society organizations.
Encouraged reconciliation efforts through truth-telling and accountability.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Perera's profound insights on peacebuilding, human rights, and transitional justice have earned him recognition as a respected voice in the region. His work continues to inspire new generations of activists, scholars, and policymakers who are committed to promoting peace and social justice.
As a leading figure in Sri Lankan civil society, Jehan Perera's legacy serves as a beacon of hope for those striving towards a more just and peaceful world.
Quotes by Jehan Perera
If there are no talks, with continued violence, we will see the government lose control of the north. I think the violence is a high-level LTTE decision to push the government toward war or talks where they will try to obtain concessions and seek international recognition and legitimacy.
The negative side of this (election) is that nothing is going to happen until the elections are over.
This (peace bid) will be a turning point and will give us a signal whether the problem is going to get better or worse.
Norway wants both sides to be committed to the cease-fire. Apart from that, I think Norway wants the government to give an assurance that certain of its coalition allies, which have been publicly denouncing the Norwegians, will be restrained from doing so.
Cooperation between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels is at a standstill or even dead at the moment,
Both sides have shown an accommodative stance to get to talks. This could be a strategic move, but the basic thing is that there shouldn't be a situation where war could be a reasonable expectation.
The president needs to go much further than he has been prepared to go. There needs to be much greater commitment at the highest level for this to work out. It would seem we are returning to war.
There is a vociferous group from within the government that are saying it is better to go to war.
It is a referendum on nationalism versus internationalism, on modernity versus tradition.
He now has the ability to be more conciliatory and more accommodating -- he has the space to do that. The next few days will tell us whether he is going to do that.