It is not about political parties we should care now but we should care about our political rights
by A patriotic Sri Lankan
(November 8, 2018, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The primary objective of this short article is not to predict who will be the next PM in Sri Lanka or which party will come to power on 14/11/18. But to examine the far reaching-consequences of this political deadlock. Since 1948, Sri Lankan communities have been thinking on communal lines. Each community in Sri Lanka has been trying to protect its community interest rather than promoting national interest of Sri Lanka. As a result of this narrow mind-ness and communal thinking Sri Lanka could not move forward in the path of development and progress. Each community behaved egoistically and selfishly. We could allude to many historical and communal occurrences to illustrate how each Sri Lankan community behaved egoistically in the past.
Unfortunately, this political gridlock too illustrates the selfishness and egoism of our political leaders. It is very much clear that each party puts its political and personal interest above national interest of Sri Lanka. Each political leader is stubborn in his political perception and no one is ready to compromise and reconcile even if this political deadlock takes this country into an utter economic collapse. We have seen such an egotistical display for the last 10 days. Sri Lankan Media and newspapers are filled with character assassinations and mud slugging. These are done in uncivilized and uncultured manners in this modern age of information technology to discredit the reputation of Sri Lanka globally.
Since 26/10/2018, political gridlock has hugely impacted on Sri Lankan economy. Sri Lankan business sector has been suffering immensely since 26/10/2018. Financial lost, yet to be fully estimated. Political instability has made divisions among all sectors of Sri Lankan communities. No one knows what could happen in coming days in Sri Lanka. Unpredictability has created anxiety and worries among all sections of Sri Lankans locally and internationally. President Maithri hastily decided to sack PM Ranil Wickremasinghe without giving any consideration for far reaching- consequences of his decision. He was supported by Mahinda faction to sack PM for their political gains and needs. Yet, for the last 10 days Sri Lanka has had enough suffering and chaotic conditions. Thanks God, so far, people have maintained law and order except some few minor incidents.
Sri Lankan politicians and public should realise it is imperative in this modern age to put the country first above all political, personal and communal agenda. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others all should be united to protected democratic tradition and Sri Lankan identity in Sri Lanka. We all failed to create a Lankan identity. Chinese Malay is proud to say I’m a “Malaysian”. An Indian Tamil is proud to say I’m an “Indian”. Yet, why we Sri Lankans are not like that. Why aren’t we proud to say we are “Sri Lankans”. This political gridlock is not merely a problem of some politicians rather it is a problem of each Sri Lanka. Each community must be concerned about it.
Some Sri Lankan politicians are playing with lives of 22 Million Sri Lankans. It is very much clear for any discerning student of politics; these political leaders delay the parliament recall intentionally to bribe some MPS in order to get the majority in parliament. This is indeed, a universally unacceptable practice. This is a crafty political stratagem that is unprecedented in Sri Lankan parliament history. No civilised politician would accept this devious political move. This is nothing but utter manifestation of personalised political dictatorship of Maithri. The first victim of this political anarchy is Sri Lankan democratic traditions. Therefore, it is a moral duty of all Sri Lankans to reject this move.
It is not about political parties we should care now but we should care about our political rights. Democracy is not merely putting a cross in the ballot boxes or voting for your own party or candidate but it all about how political institutions are working for the wider national interest of the country, it is all about how political leaders behave in the greater national interest, it is all about knowing transparency and accountability of the political leaders, It is all about a just political system that shares the aspiration of the people and protects the basic rights of people. It is all about how legislature operates and functions. It is all about how civil servants, PMs and political leaders behave? It is all about rule of law, justice and equality.
We do not want to see political dictators in the name of fake democracy. We do not want to see Chinese or North Korean style “democracy” in Sri Lanka. Do not we see what is happening in many countries today? Today, a good politics is imperative for prosperity and development. once a country slips from democratic process into chaotic dictatorship it will take decades to put the countryback. We see political chaos in Iraq, Somalia, and in many countries. We see how countries such as North Korea, China and many other dictatorial countries are ruled. How freedom and liberty of people have been suppressed. It is in the interest of 22 Million Sri Lankans to act wisely with a sense of some more responsibilities. Political leaders of all parties must act with wisdom and compromise.
This is not a time to think in any communal lines. This is not a time to think in any racial or religious line.
This is not a time to think in any narrow political line. This is not a time for any political revenge or tit for tat. Rather this is a time for all Sri Lankan political parties to compromise and reconcile in the greater national interest. All should think wisely and put an end to this unwanted chaos. Once country slips into chaos it will take decades to repairs the scars of political resentment. We have seen this by our naked eyes in the world today. How many countries have been destroyed today in this modern world due to wrong political leaderships? Sri Lanka is at a historical point now.
There is a golden opportunity to take this country forward like that of Singapore or Malaysian example. With immense human potentialities and the natural resources of Sri-Lanka, it can become one of the fast-growing economies of Asia within two decades. Therefore, it is not wise at all to prolong this political gridlock at all. It is an internal political conflict and we must resolve amicably. Otherwise, there are many external political powers who wish to catch fish in trouble water. So, we should act swiftly with wisdom and reason. The sooner we resolve this political gridlock the better for the country and for its reputation. The more we delay the more we will pay the price. God bless Sri Lanka.
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