Some reflections at the end of the year!

As the year 2016 comes to a close, it would be useful to reflect on a few things, perhaps good things; that would be important since we Sri Lankans have a penchant for whining about almost everything. Also, if we are to have an idea as to how we faired during this year, we will have to compare ourselves with the rest of the world, and not with some imagined utopia. The world however is not a perfect place; it never was, and will never be, since if nothing else the idea of perfection itself is subjective.  

First things first: life and survival. We are no longer worried about being blown up by a suicide terrorist. Only now that one can look back and think how awful those years consumed by terrorism were. Though people could debate till cows come home about the merits and demerits of the means and strategies used to end terrorism, everyone now enjoys this basic public good: security, which is becoming a rarity in most part of the world.   

Second: Though there was a sense of security since the LTTE was defeated in 2009, democracy and common decency were in short supply. That was partly because the former administration was reluctant to restore basic freedoms and independent institutions that were strained during the counter terrorism campaign. There were initiatives undertaken by the new administration to restore those freedoms and checks and balances on the three pillars of government. Democracy  anywhere in the world is a work in progress. There had been a progress under the new administration in terms of democratization. Again, how much progress it has achieved is subjective. However there is one hard fact. Nowhere in the world, there is a perfect democracy. Even those that pretend to be such either have altered their appearance when faced with external and internal threats or fallen prey to them. Say for instance, Denmark which prides itself in teaching other less fortunate folks in the developing world about democracy is now clamping down on refugees due to fear of radical Islam and Germany, which embraced migrants with open arms ( and open borders) and is coming to a shock realization of the disjuncture between the two cultures and the mismatch between their own policies and reality.   
Sri Lanka cannot become a five star democracy at its current economic and social level. Even if it ever achieves that, it will be short lived. Why our democracy in all measures declined from its hey days of 60s to the worst in the late 80s was due to this disjuncture between lofty goals of democracy and prevailing social economic conditions. Instead, Sri Lanka can become a working and functional democracy, which can both defend rights of people while also generating economic growth. Viewed in this angle, one would say our recent democratic gains are a decent accomplishment. One would also hope that the government would not upset this momentum through unrealistic constitutional exercises, which could potentially enrage the majority population.  

Third: A lot has been said about the religion freedom in this country. This debate at times projects an intolerant uncompromising Sinhala Buddhist State lording over hapless religious minorities. However, this country has not tried any one for blasphemy or banned building minarets (like Swiss did through a referendum). C.V.Wigneshwaran, the rabblerousing Northern Chief Minister who was misquoted by media as having passed a resolution banning building temples in the North, continues with his daily business as usual. In Indonesia, supposed model democracy of Islamic world, the Christian mayor of Jakarta is on trial over alleged blasphemy after he reportedly criticized a degree issued by Islamic hardliners who believe it is impermissible for Muslims to live under a non-Muslim. Elsewhere, Gen. Michael Flynn, who said the public fear towards Muslims is rational is tipped to be America’s new national security advisor.  
Here Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera the rabblerousing leader of Bodu Bala Sena is taken as the personification of Sinhala Buddhist intolerance. The BBS chief, a minor bigot he may be, has committed none of the above.   
Perhaps having the tallest Christmas tree, though the Cardinal Malcom Ranjit himself considers as an utter waste, could well be a sign of degree of religious tolerance. This tolerance is tested, like it has been anywhere in the world, when invasive imported practices challenge the status quo. One cannot say Sri Lanka has a major religious problem - unless of course if you want to keep the pot boiling.  
Finally, in the material world, economy is the mother of all blessed things. We cannot be happy where we are today because we have squandered big time on our economic opportunities since we received independence. Nor can we have an overnight redemption. Even if we grow at a higher rate in the future ( this year we did not, growth for 2016 is estimated to be 4.5%), we will still grow from a lower base. Our economic woes would remain for many years to come. Our sorry economic plight is mainly because for over six decades we overemphasized on all the above, but not the economy which at the end make or break a society. One would hope the government will prioritize on economy in the coming year, however, it is much harder than passing 
constitutional amendments.  

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