The so-called Aragalaya protestors want a New York Minute style solution to the current economic problems prevailing in the country. Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has steadfastly been a democracy with fair elections conducted as per the constitution. Even during the JVP and LTTE uprisings, the country followed the constitution, and the elections were held on time and in a very democratic manner. However, now the protestors want to abandon the constitution and lead an agrarian-style revolt like in Cambodia under Pol Pot.
Now that the protestors have successfully ousted a popularly elected president, they should allow democracy to prevail and let the current president, who the members of parliament chose, lead the country forward. Continuous protests and violent attacks will not bring back oil or economic growth. Foreign governments and institutions will give aid which will be paltry due to the pandemic. But, foreign countries will not provide loans, and the private sector will not invest in Lanka if this unrest prevails. Sri Lanka will become another Haiti or a Somalia sustaining itself through world aid. That would indeed be a pity for such a beautiful island with high literacy and charming people.
All citizens must realize if the radical elements are continuously protesting, engaging in violence, nesting in government properties, etc. They will do this over and again immaterial of who comes into power. They have tasted blood and will continue to believe that they can voice their displeasure at all times by these means of vigilantism. What is to say that they may try to bring down another democratically elected official in the future? Remember, except for Mandela, any so-called revolutionary who gained never practiced what they preached, nor did they provide freedom to their people. To name a few leaders, Robert Mugabe, Fidel Castor, Hugo Chavez, Velupillai Prabhakaran. So-called revolutions fizzle out, and dictators and tyrants are born out of them. The prime example is Arab Spring, where are all the revolutionaries? Now.,the citizens are worse off. Maybe Socrates is right when he stated that democracy ultimately dissolves into tyranny — a population of citizens dominated by their basest desires and an opportunistic ruler that manipulates them for personal gain. But, Sri Lanka has jealously clung to its democracy from its independence from her Majesty’s reign. So why stop now? Let the ballot box speak, not the random act of violence and public disturbance.
The current president Mr. Wickermesinge has successfully steered Sri Lanka away from recession in 2001, and he can do it again. He is one of few politicians who have international recognition and respect; furthermore, he knows all the intricacies of the world bureaucray and diplomacy. He has appointed the right ministers to the cabinet. Selecting Mr. Sabry is a genius move; Mr. Sabry will be able to work with Arab oil-producing nations to get concessions and deliver much-needed petroleum to Sri Lanka. He has allowed Mr. Devanda to continue being the Fisheries Minister, which shows his commitment to the minorities.
Let Mr. Wickersinghe and his team do the necessary work to make the republic great again, barter with the west, attract foreign investment, maintain a neighborly presence without irritating the big guys, and make “Sri Lanka Safe Again” so tourists come back. So much work is to be done in two years; thus, all citizens should be there for the chosen leader in the “hour of need”. In another two years, the people of the republic will have their say at the ballot box, not at Galle Face.
Maybe Socrates is right when he stated that democracy ultimately dissolves into tyranny — a population of citizens dominated by their basest desires and an opportunistic ruler that manipulates them for personal gain. But, Sri Lanka has jealously clung on to its democracy from its independence from her Majesty’s reign. So why stop now, let the ballot box speak, not the random act of violence and public disturbance. I truly believe that Cleisthenes’s school of thought will prevail in Sri Lanka. In quoting Mr. Trump’s words let’s “Make Sri Lanka Great Again”
