Independence, Reconciliation, Development & The Future Of Lanka

By Siri Gamage –February 4, 2016

Dr. Siri Gamage

We are passing another Independence Day with ceremony, pride and reflection at a time when the country faces a range of unresolved issues including poverty, lack of reconciliation, uncontrolled police culture, questionable activities of ‘professional politicians’ and a trend towards ethnic extremism – this time from the majority Sinhalese community’s fringe elements. Unless managed well, any number of these and other issues could turn ugly and the forward march of Yahapalanaya (Good governance) derailed. This risk is further enhanced if the country’s political leaders give priority to ‘Politics’ and ‘Privilege’ rather than ‘Good Governance’ in the name of the people who elected them. In a country where ‘transactional politics’ is the name of the game rather than ‘political morality and discipline’, pragmatism can override the principle unless civil society organisations that should function as the guardians of Yahapalanaya apply continuous pressure on the political leaders who tend to forget their promises to the people once in power enjoying the privileges of office.

Independence doesn’t mean much to those masses who tend to be oppressed by economic and social hardships of various types, particularly as a result of what some call ‘internal colonialism’. It is well known that many of our countrymen and women face immense difficulties in eking out a living within Sri Lanka and in other countries such as the Middle East. If people are to enjoy true independence, exploitative and unequal social and economic relations and archaic attitudes that exist in the country have to be eliminated. The question still being asked is whether the political change that occurred in January last year will usher in a new era where people can enjoy full rights and freedoms as empowered citizens? It is true that ‘the jungle rule’ has been replaced with ‘rule of law’ to some extent. Freedoms including media freedom, freedom to express, travel, and associate, etc. have been restored. Freedom from fears of various kinds including arbitrary arrest, bullying and disappearances has been restored. Moral and legal platform against corruption in public life has been convened. Semi-autonomous institutions of governance to restore faith of the public in the instruments of governance have been established. Reducing political interference has strengthened independence of the judiciary. Not only removing ‘the cut out culture’ but also the political leadership trying to lead by example has dismantled the cult of worshiping our dear leader- a concept borrowed from North Korea and other countries like Cambodia. Nonetheless, the people still suffer from a judicial system with lengthy hearing processes and delays -technically manipulated by lawyers -inherited from the colonial rulers. Like the constitutional change, Sri Lanka needs to move quickly to implement ‘a simplified legal system and procedures’ suitable for the 21st century, together with a modern education system not encumbered by historical baggage.                                                   Read More