Have We Lost Our Way?
By Vishwamithra1984 –July 13, 2016
“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” ~ Oscar Wilde
The core mission of the government established by J R Jayewardene in 1977, after a disastrous spell of economic stagnation generated and sustained by the preceding regime of Mrs. Bandaranaike, was to make Sri Lanka an economically independent nation. The ‘dependency syndrome’ that Sri Lankan mindset had been infested with and the manner in which it had eaten into the very inner dynamic of our society, especially since the 1956-political transformation (’56 Change’), was observable everywhere. It is visibly manifest in the rural hamlets as well as the urban apartments and hallways where those who reside in the supra echelons of the upper middleclass frequent. Invasion into government departments, Ministries and other semi-government institutions by politicians and their cronies had a telling effect at the very outset and later it became quite the norm which it is today. Politicization of regular Sri Lankan life had an easy ride towards its acceptance as part and parcel of daily life of Sri Lankans, whether they belong to the poorest of the poor or the richest of the rich. It is not a story of a proud nation; nor does it represent a character or trait of a responsible and self-confident people. Close proximity to politicians and their cronies has indeed become a passport to convenience and expediency and a warrant that could open many a sealed door. Powers that be embraced these politicians and safeguarded them as they were the harbingers of ‘good news’ that strengthened their ranks, come election day.
Democracy, instead of becoming an archetypal vehicle for conveyance of the dreams, hopes and aspirations of the masses, was converted into a mechanism by which the wastes of society could get into representative and elected office. This tortuous process contributed to the worst potentials of democracy the resultant flow of which was a cascade of semi or uneducated men and women, and in some election cycles, petty ruffians entering politics. This fresh wave of politicians, whose credentials do not auger well for being distinguished representatives of the people, has left a pulsating stench in its path to political stardom. There is no doubt whatsoever that among that group could be found some gems of personalities who have contributed immensely to the system of governance as well as to the welfare of the masses. But exploiting the weakest link in democracy and prowling as saviors of the masses too has played its customary role in that cunning and diabolical elements have found easy passage via an extremely gullible electorate. The essential element of the process and procedure adopted by these not-so-credible politicians is buttressing the entity of government with heavier and denser power and force.