Good old days-Reminiscences

Members Opinions

By Athula Jayasekera

Every morning when you wake up you may be disturbed with loads of crappy news. Sri Lanka is in dire straits.  Galloping food prices, scarcity of essential goods and continuing power cuts which have hampered the lifestyles of the entire nation. What went wrong with this beautiful island paradise? This was not the case 20-30 years ago. 

The nostalgia of good old days of yesteryears living in Colombo suburbs still linger. In the 60’s 70’s and even 80’ and 90’s life was not so fast. Life was moving at its own speed and people had enough and more time for relaxation. Honestly, travelling to and from a particular place was much faster and convenient than it is now. Travelling in the night using public transport was much safer and comfortable specially during 70’s and early 80’s.

Food was available in plenty at affordable price and the quality was much better. There was camaraderie among students. The businessmen were genuinely philanthropic, and they developed and promoted entrepreneurship among their employees. People developed hobbies of which reading topped the list and others were music, photography, bird watching, cycling, sea bathing and many more. Going to places of historical importance was not that difficult as commuting by train was easier then, than now.

People were not aggressive, and they respected each other. People were at service for each other’s requirements. True there was poverty as per the indexes, but no one was reported starving. Even during the difficult seven years of closed economy, food that was limited in variety was available, although people had to stand in queues to buy same. No one left with empty hands. 

Eating at roadside joints were much safer, the food that was served was of good quality and hygienic. Vegetarian Restaurants serving Indian food was very popular and were highly patronised specially in the 70’s. A good dosai feed was mouth-watering. Buses plying on long routes had their own preferred eating spots where commuters were welcomed to have their meals, tea coffee, snacks etc. Some eating places were opened 24 hours, even at 12 midnight you could enjoy warm food.

Many services were provided to our doorstep such as the fish mongers, the bread sellers, ice cream vans, the launder women, the dosai man, firewood suppliers, kerosene oil carts, vegetable suppliers and many more visiting households. All these suppliers were genuine sellers, with no discriminatory price models or over pricing. They delivered the best and were very loyal to their customers - the house holders, and some suppliers were fed with tea and snacks by those generous housewives. 

Most of the Government and private sector employees who migrated from outstation areas to Colombo and suburbs preferred to hire houses on rent. This was due to the fact that they had their interest in large properties they inherited in their places of birth. Most of these migrants used to visit their hometowns every weekend or once in two weeks. This business of renting houses to Government and private sector employees was lucrative till the Government of Mrs. B introduced the ‘Rent Act No7 of1972 and Ceiling on Housing Property Act No 1 of 1973’. 

School children commuted to schools mainly by bus and train, many schools had school buses plying on various routes. A permanent crew was appointed for each school bus. Most of them were playing the role of parents and ensured the safety of students to and from school. Unruly students were still tolerated, and the crew never ever complained about them to the authorities. There may have been few instances where students who exceeded the limit had been reported, that too was not with vengeance. They were real gentlemen. People may still remember them in their hearts with gratitude.

People had time to play, go to the cinema or go on a picnic. Every empty land became a makeshift playground.  Not only lands, the by lanes, backyards and vacated land spaces were quite busy in the afternoons and during weekends. This regular physical activity gave people the right recipe for a healthy body and mind. 

Every neighbourhood had people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Their children knew each other by their names or nick names only and were not at all concerned about their ethnicity or religion. There was a good bonding and camaraderie among them. Religion was confined only to the four walls at home and to the religious places of different religions. Priests were not seen parading in protest or in support except for some religious activity like a ‘dana’ procession (Procession of Priests walking single file for an almsgiving) or a procession involved in a religious activity. People had absolute control of themselves, had all good values instilled in them. 

Politicians at that time were of repute compared to their counterparts now. Most of them came from good family backgrounds. Majority were educated, had good mannerisms, decorum and demeanour. Some were seen using public transport and others used their own vehicles. They never had backup security vehicles to escort like their counterparts of the present day. Although the power to rule changed hands every five years, the standard of debates in the august assembly remained high. They talked sense and reading their speeches in Parliament which were recorded in the Hansard was educational and provided the reader with a wide variety of knowledge. Politicians of yesteryears commanded respect, and some were of high integrity, and were very careful in handling the Government coffers. Most of them led an exemplary life.   

If the past era was so beautiful what really went wrong with this beautiful, blessed nation? Whom to blame? The section of Boomers generation and part of Generation X needs to take full responsibility for their judgmental errors. Mistakes were made by them in electing people with self-interest, unqualified, undisciplined and unruly people to govern them. Even during the days of feudal Sri Lanka, where the Kings ruled, the ruler was appointed by a committee consisting of knowledgeable Aristocrats in the court.  We Sri Lankans have wasted the Universal franchise. 

Let us hope Lanka will soon become a better place to live, just like what it was in the years gone by.