‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’. Edmund Burke
Pictures of Sri Lankans mourning the victims of the bomb blasts in the past few months have occupied local and international press agencies; the former to a greater degree. What were once political assassinations by the LTTE of strategic military targets has now culminated in the overt attack of the Sri Lankan public. More than ever before the public is instilled with insecurity and once safe Colombo suburbs are rattled with the sound of the LTTE suicide bombers.
In studies of international security, terrorist structures are viewed by most theorists as constantly evolving to adapt to counter-terrorism efforts. The LTTE has evolved, and its new structures can be seen in the nature and frequency of attacks this year: the target of politicians and now the Sri Lankan public was hoped to have shaken the policy of victory at all costs by the government. However, the regime seems unthawed in its resolve and the war has become a ‘necessary evil’ for the public. Numerous journalists and theorists have covered the inadequacies of governmental action and the evils of the LTTE, however, have we as Sri Lankans faltered? Definitely. An air of political apathy haunts our society and political discussion is relegated to an argument amongst friends at the local watering hole. Great passion and conviction can be witnessed in these arguments, but in vain. These are the same individuals who have given up on Sri Lanka, and attempt to convince their children that they should never return to a country that is in a state of economic and political decomposition, when it is clearly a supply of internationally-educated scholars versed in the world of global interdependence that is needed to topple nationalist sentiments and fervently precipitate Sri Lanka’s economic and social possibilities.
I believe individuals should not complain about what is happening in Sri Lanka when most are apathetic to its political processes; this is a democracy, which is rule by the people, for the people - vital, of course, is the phrase ‘for the people’. The participation in political processes should not be a money-making process, but rather a democracy-building activity. The former occurs in most developed countries, but can Sri Lanka, as a developing country with the expense of a war, afford such inconsistencies in our political world?
Too few, are willing to effect change. Sure, there are ideas, but these ideas are pointless verbal jousts that lack action. What happened to the fight for a greater country, the want for development and the pursuit of happiness; hopeless dreams for a suffering majority and enjoyed by the affluent elitist minority. There is a lack of concern for fellow Sri Lankans, the propensity to look down upon others who do not have the privileges that one may enjoy. Moreover, people tend to forget too easily about those who perished in the last few months and the last three decades, perhaps due to hopelessness or maybe indifference, but a candle lit in remembrance will do no harm. There were men and women, on the way home from work and children who were one day, maybe, able to change the fortunes of the island - they were innocent victims, and should be remembered. It’s time to show some compassion.
Political choices during voting should be made on what is beneficial for the country; the island requires practical policies that at least hasten the cogs of development. Clearly, the past few years have not been beneficial for Sri Lanka, as numerous political and economic blunders have been made- hopefully this has changed the minds of citizens who will be more politically educated when casting ballots and not just follow the hype of the moment, or make short term decisions based on political promises that equally have a very short life span. The people of Sri Lanka need to look to the future, and realise that the fear and uncertainty enveloped in their gut has been the culmination of certain decisions, choices and apathy. This in itself should be a call to action and must invigorate the population, inspire those who can make a difference, to do so. Political decision-making that exudes nationalism has contributed to the difficulties towards development. Surviving in an interdependent world requires a political and economic adjustment that facilitates the new world system, so far Sri Lanka has made little progress towards such forward-looking policies, partly due to the cost of war and short-sighted decision making.
The concern for the mounting trend of impunity in Sri Lanka cannot be understated. The attack of journalists and peace activists has shown that efforts at peace building, in a conflict situation, does not benefit from political and social support. This bodes much sorrow for the future of Sri Lanka, as peace seems to be a distant dream for the civil society that has actively struggled for conflict resolution and mediation. The problem is that the country is governed by warmongers, instead of politicians, who should be accountable to the people that placed them in power. According to rational choice theory applied to war, the benefit from war is greater than the benefit from peace, thus with greed being the inclination of the so-called ‘political elite’, it only seems rational that these mighty politicians should bleed the country, with little concern for those who struggle and barely hang onto some semblance of life. Maybe the war against the LTTE is necessary and the cost of increasing consumer prices and a fall in living standards are a price to pay for victory. However, everyone should agree that the plot has been twisted, and the sidelines congruent with corruption. This war should have been over a long time ago.
For those who have irresponsibly cast their ballot for some futile passion for nationalism; the current position of the country is a testament to their ‘preferences’. Perhaps a more ‘educated’ choice was necessary. Perhaps a concern for the future should have crossed the minds of those who abused the electoral system. Perhaps it is too late to complain, accuse and listen. The regime has successfully implemented its repressive agenda, and every time a piece of its monolithic machine works, a knife cuts through the nation, a mouth is gagged and an innocent imprisoned.
A majority of individuals are apathetic to a clearly visible injustice that has not yet affected them, without realising that it is shaping the future of every individual in the country. The final nail in the coffin will be so disastrous, and unfortunately an anagnorisis of a lost chance for change will sweep the minds of those who writ the destiny of Sri Lanka by their very actions.
Mapping out those at fault cannot be done under one category. Firstly, there are those individuals that, without the ‘faculty of reason’ for consequence, are supporting a regime that seeps repressive nationalism in every action it has taken to date. As mentioned above, the nationalism witnessed in Sri Lanka is one that impedes the development of the island and is the harbinger of injustice. Secondly, those that twirl in their world of apathy, pull off the blindfold, listen and give your voice to what is happening in the country and take informed political action, because believe it or not, your interest, your voice and finally your vote is vital for the advancement of the country. The development of the national economy nurtured by the global economy, the focus on wages, living standards and employment should be part of any political plan, however, how can we begin on building Sri Lanka, when the majority of its citizens sit idle on the assumption that victory is around the corner. We might be making some progress towards quelling the obvious evil of the LTTE, but we have to consider the costs and realise that another evil is growing, and what is terrifying is that this ‘malaise’ is closer to us, it governs us.
Maybe one day, a vibrant and purposeful leader will be able to say that the ‘winds of change’ are blowing across Sri Lanka.
There is always hope.
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