Is Sri Lanka truly independent and democratic?

The indecision of the Government over holding the Local Government (LG) Elections has raised the eyebrows of many. Numerous reasons are cited to postpone LG Polls, including the economic crisis of the country. Meanwhile, the Government allocating funds to lavishly celebrate the 75th Independence Day of the country drew flak from the public, even on social media. When Ceylon Today reached out to the public to hear their views regarding the long-awaited LG Polls and the 75th Independence Day, the most common response was, “Are we really an independent nation? If so, why can’t we afford an extra loaf of bread per day without thinking about the increasing utility fees, what type of price revision or tax revision we will face tomorrow? You call this independence?”

Irosha Sandamalee, a 35-year-old, who works in the environment sector, said elections, be it Local Government, General, or Presidential won’t resolve the country’s present crises.

“Yes, indeed, Local Government (LG) Polls should be held. Meanwhile, General Elections and Presidential Elections also should be held immediately, because this is not the Government that the people chose, this is not the majority’s mandate. Therefore, it is important to hold the elections immediately and appoint a government chosen by the majority. But I don’t think there will be a significant change in the economic situation of the country, just because the Government changes, as it will take some time to execute their plans and policies and see whether they can work and succeed in this system,” she added.

Sandamalee said she does not have high hopes in any mainstream political party or independent group. When we queried Sandamalee regarding the Independence Day celebrations, she said having a simple ceremony would be more than enough to respect the heroes who fought for our freedom, considering the country’s situation, because the funds wasted on unnecessary lavish ceremonies can be used to provide some type of relief to the public.

Ratnasiri, a 59-year-old three-wheeler driver, a self-proclaimed political aficionado and fan of elections and campaigns, assured that an alternative Party will win the elections this time round.

“We have the right to vote. Even I had high hopes in the previous President, that he would build this country like no other leader did, but he added fuel to the fire. The majority believed in him like I did, they are frustrated about this blunder and sick of the same old options, therefore, I’m sure that an alternative group will stand a chance, but this time I do not have high hopes. I feel they will be better than the present Government,” he added.

He said power should be given to an alternative Party because mainstream Parties are now drunk with power and they think very highly of themselves. When we inquired regarding the Independence Day, he scoffed that if the national heroes who fought for this country’s independence are still alive, they will liberate this country from crooked politicians.

A 26-year-old shopkeeper, Udara, said he doesn’t know much about politics, but elections should be held on time to preserve democracy. “No political party or figure can do miracles and make this country better all of a sudden, but the public should be able to express themselves. It is us who always go through all types of struggles when living in a country with no political stability. The same is true at present,” he added.

When inquired about Independence Day, he said there are many essentials that the stakeholders lament they don’t have funds for, including medicines. It is better to use the funds allocated for Independence Day to purchase these essentials.

D.G. Ruwani, a 35-year-old lottery ticket seller said a political change will ease the unbearable burden placed on the public. There won’t be a huge difference, but a new Party with progressive ideas that pays heed to the public is better than the same old politicians who lie to the public to get elected and then turn a blind eye to every issue, which at this point has become the norm. We are undergoing untold hardship because of the same old politicians who feasted on this country like a pack of hyenas. They have taken everything from us. It’s time for them to go. There are many youngsters even amongst university students who protest always. Leaders who can go on a journey with them with the ideas of these youth should be appointed,” she added.

When quizzed about preparations for Independence Day celebrations, she said students who are facing the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination are suffering in darkness because the CEB cannot afford to stop the three-four-hour power cuts at least until the exams conclude, what do we have to celebrate under such circumstances?

Lakeesha, a 40-year-old housewife, who was taking her child for extra classes, responded to Ceylon Today’s query whether LG Elections should be held.

“Many State matters are still on hold due to unstable political conditions. The price of essentials has been increasing daily, even prices of books and stationery items that need to be regulated, therefore the elections should be held on time and political stability should be restored. But with the country’s situation, I don’t think anything constructive will happen even after elections,” she added.

When inquired about Independence Day, she said it is important to hold Independence Day celebrations, as it is a way of honouring national heroes who fought for the country’s future, it is important to honour them and pass that message to the next generation as well.

Eranga, a 41-year-old printing shop owner and a company manager in the cleaning sector, said anything including an election to save the country’s economy should be done immediately.

“My wife is a teacher and I do two different jobs, yet we find it hard to save or do anything extra other than feeding, educating our children daily, and meeting ends every month only by spending on essentials. Families which rely on one person’s income must be finding it hard to meet their daily needs. I try and pay the daily wage workers who work under me at least 10 per cent higher than other places, because I understand their situation. They cannot afford to eat three meals a day, as a packet of vegetable rice also costs about Rs 400 nowadays,’ he added.

When inquired about Independence Day celebrations, he said, “This was an independent country, but the politicians have sold and ruined everything we had. Every natural resource that can easily develop this country is gone now, now we are a dependent country which waits for loans and relief from other countries. The politicians sold our independence a long time ago and we have nothing left to celebrate.”

N.R.C.S. Kumarasinghe, a 40-year-old three-wheeler driver, said the country’s situation is worsening daily, by a set of politicians who weren’t even appointed by the people’s mandate. Therefore, an election must be held.

“We cannot search for 100 per cent clean politicians to appoint, but at least we should have the chance to choose the best out of the options we have. The Government that we now have is just a bunch of politicians who have appointed themselves against our mandate. I have no hope. I survived as a three-wheeler driver and fed my family without any problem for more than 15 years, but now it is impossible to do so. Now I have started hunting for foreign job opportunities to earn a little extra to upkeep my family,” he added.

When Ceylon Today spoke to Jayasekara, a 52-year-old lottery ticket seller regarding the LG Polls, his response wasn’t much different, he said an election is necessary to maintain democracy.

“It is the only time where the public get to use their mandate and choose the future of the country, but now we are living in a country where neither of it is what we chose. Functions of the LG are questionable,” he said.  When queried about Independence Day celebrations, he lashed out that it is unnecessary expenditure given the country’s predicament.

“My younger daughter fell ill last week and I had to close this stall to visit her back and forth at the hospital. Even after they discharged her with increasing prices of essential items we cannot afford to buy an egg for her every meal, when eggs were affordable they created a shortage, then they increased the price and released them to the market. If there is real freedom in this country, shouldn’t I as a father be able to serve an egg to my sick child?” he lamented.