Sri Lanka: Lack Of Public Interest, National Interest & Forward Vision In Deceptive & Divisive Politics

By S. Narapalasingam –June 9, 2016

Dr. S. Narapalasingam

The population of Sri Lanka is expected to reach 25 million by 2042. It was 6.657 million in 1946, the last census before independence in 1948. It is unimaginable how the 25 million will live, if the present muddled conditions in Sri Lanka continue in whatever form. The governing system created after independence has thwarted national unity and the steady economic and social advancement of the island nation that would have facilitated all citizens to co-exist amicably as children of one motherland. The lack of political will to take the right decisions at critical times, when opportunities came to settle national issues (the ethnic problem is now correctly recognised as a National Problem) is also a negative feature of the political culture that emerged after independence. The behaviour of politicians based on their desire to seek power for helping themselves and their families and friends has done immense damage to the society. The title of this article aptly reveals the main reasons for the mess in the country, which the present United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) government is trying to oust.

Decisions taken for narrow political or personal gains, disregarding the wide public or national interest became more visible with the astonishing rise in corruption and fraud in government, which shockingly is still of no concern to many voters as seen from the continuing support given to corrupt politicians. The huge amounts lost unscrupulously have been a burden to the public in the short and longer term. In this background, the call for good governance last year was responded positively by concerned voters. Apparently, the continuing malpractices contrary to the expected principles of good governance have disillusioned the advocates. Recently, many have conveyed their utter disappointments publicly. One positive feature of the visible change in the political system since early 2015 is the accessibility of such articles in both the print and electronic media.

The murky situation created by the failures to take timely actions to deal effectively with national problems helps the ‘patriots’ to exploit it for their own advantage. This senseless politics, influenced by narrow short-term interests of deceptive politicians must not be tolerated by the civil society. Not only the egocentric politicians but also many voters backing them are responsible for the uncertain future of the nation that emerged peacefully as one unified independent Ceylon in 1948, after centuries of foreign rule. It was the British colonial government that brought the entire island under one central administration. The way it functioned after independence was very different, causing many national problems.

Deceptive promises

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