What should independence mean to Sri Lanka

Saturday, 4 February 2023 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Pierangeli Andrado

Since 1948, the year Sri Lanka got its independence and the exit of the British, what have we achieved as a democratic republic?

We are dependent on our own choosing. In the 75 years we have greedily depended on foreign aid, foreign loans that mount up to a mammoth scale, financially ruining the country.

It is no surprise that the dire dependent situation we find ourselves in is not anywhere close to the true definition of the word ‘independence’.

Our political reign in this country for all these years has to take full responsibility for the current poverty-stricken situation. We have developed backwards and are now known for malnutrition where families cannot feed their children.

The free ride we have had on the backs of other countries is over.

We should take a lesson from other Asian countries that gained Independence such as India and Singapore which have risen like lions out of the fire and forged true Cultural and Economic dominion in their own right. These are countries that formed their Constitution to assimilate with their own culture.

Our Constitution has hardly been altered since British Rule to adapt to our Sri Lankan culture and the control of crime and corruption. There is no rule of law and without this vital factor, we remain in chaos.

Singapore paid strict attention to giving pride and place to its law and order and is one of the leading Asian Countries to prevent and eliminate crime. It has also advanced in industry commerce and the export of their own goods as India has.

It is a crime that in a tropical country so abundant in natural resources and potential that we are left bereft in this lush majestic isle. We have water in abundance to grow almost anything even in our dry zones. Paddy was once the food of the Gods with our ancient Kings but we have not progressed to create a proper system for organic fertiliser for paddy to make it a prosperous commodity.

We hardly promote our heirloom traditional rice amongst our farmers. We export very few goods of our own. Hillside tea is a remnant product of British presence and we have the opportunity to also cultivate our many herbs and increase the potential of our herbal teas.

Most Goods are imported and are mainly Indian or Chinese. We have a surplus of vehicles on the road. There is no regard for the cost to our environment, the pollution damage and cost of health to our people. The destructive and devastating imprint on an island is pursued when all other countries are cooperating on reducing global warming and climate change.

Is it appropriate that a large amount of money be spent on an inglorious celebration of puppetry to prove our lack of independence? Should not this money be spent in a better way?

We won a war but lost the cause of our own people. Suffering and martyrdom is not a precept of our Buddhist culture and heritage.

So, after the procession, regalia and the trumpets are blown, when the sun sets on our golden land and this day of 4 February is over, what is gained and what is lost?

Let us reflect on this and try to do what each of us can to change this pathetic situation in our land.

(The writer is a Sri Lankan Burgher and the author of Salt and Sand. She is the Past President of the Rotary Club of Hambantota and President of the Hambantota Heritage Society.)