Sri Lanka has suffered from many shades of extremism over the years, and their impact has left the social fabric torn, contributing to the weak national identity crisis many feel. 

While Islamic extremism is linked with the most recent violent extremist outburst that culminated in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, the island has seen its fair share of religious extremists from all forms of religion and race. The thing about extremism, and linked violent extremism, is that like crime and corruption, it does not simply go away. Constant vigilance, making of a more tolerant society and addressing root causes before radicalisation takes root are the only proven ways to nip violent extremism in the bud.

In the effort, Sri Lanka is not alone. Globally, violent extremism undermines peace and security, human rights and sustainable development, and no country or region is immune from its impacts, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says. Domestically, there is a trust deficit between the State and the public, especially minority communities, which compound effective surveillance and exacerbate root causes of radicalisation. Further, there is a reluctance in some communities to face the facts that stare in their faces, as they do not wish to challenge the power structures within the community and foreign influences that promote radicalisation. Herein lies a role for community and religious leaders to play. They must act as a tripwire to identify trends of radicalisation in their communities and work to address them. But without trust building about how the State and communities can work together, the community leaders alone will not be able to do much. As such, how Sri Lanka addresses the matter will need time, trust and concrete measures to progress. However, this will need a robust public discourse, one which should not be hijacked for political reasons, as has happened in the past.

Internationally, the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) includes efforts aimed at addressing the root causes and drivers of violent extremism, which can lead to terrorism. According to the UNODC, unlike traditional counter-terrorism measures that focus primarily on criminal justice responses, PVE emphasises the importance of early intervention, building resilience, fostering inclusivity and addressing the underlying grievances that may fuel radicalisation. This means mending fault lines and strengthening the community fabric. Its necessity cannot be overstated. “The underlying grievances that fuel violent extremism leading to terrorism are fundamentally socio-political, economic and ideological, in nature. As long as the global threat of terrorism is addressed solely through securitised responses, violent extremist ideologies will likely continue to spread, in particular, targeting youth and other vulnerable populations who may be susceptible to radicalisation,” the UNODC explains.

It is evident that threats to international peace and security arising from the violent extremism that leads to terrorism will persist and potentially exacerbate if the underlying causes are left unaddressed. International best practices, therefore, dictate that a whole-of-government and society approach to prevention is needed to keep communities safe from violent extremism. While the streamlined sharing of intelligence through bilateral, regional and international platforms are important, so are community awareness and engagement in the broader effort. Especially when it comes to matters which involve youth and their ‘digital’ or ‘online’ activities and lifestyles. Getting youth involved in countering radicalisation and racism is vital in this approach.

PVE is a global endeavour for the international community that requires consistent and long-term engagement, support, and funding to yield results. This also means that the Government must listen to subject matter experts and not voices with political agenda when forming policies and enacting countermeasures to curb radicalisation and violent extremism. Looking forward, the State, communities, and the public must all play their part to create safer societies globally for earth-dwellers at present and sustain them for future generations.