Yellow for Democracy An initiative to improve voter education, rights, governance and politics

a majority of participants at people’s protests comprise youth
Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

While the majority of the people were getting ready for the dawn of the New Year on April 13 a group of protesters adorned in yellow T-shirts gathered at Independence Square. However, this protest was unlike any other protest. ‘Yellow for Democracy’ a platform initiated by Serika and Birendra Siriwardhana aims to educate the public about their fundamental rights, the Constitution, governance structure and politics in Sri Lanka. During the two-day protest participants had the opportunity to scan a QR code that directed them to the Right to Information website in order to better understand how they could file an RTI and obtain information and hold politicians, public institutions accountable.

Platform for tangible change 

One of the objectives of the initiative is to mobilise the youth on expressions of dissent. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Serika further explained the objectives of the platform and how they intend to take it forward.

Excerpts:

Q Tell us about yourself and the objective of this protest

I’m Serika Siriwardhana and I’m currently on my gap year and I’m going to study law. What we are doing is we are trying to mobilise the youth, both in expressions of dissent and also to try to increase knowledge and awareness on education amongst the youth because the reason why we are in this situation is due to political apathy and miseducation. 

Q Why the name Yellow for Democracy?

Yellow is symbolic of freedom and democracy. In Sri Lankan context, yellow is about unity, because in the national flag, the yellow border is for unity and it plays a big part in these protests. There’s 22 million people united irrespective of differences against a corrupt system that has failed the country. 

The first is that Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns under Article 38 (1) B of the Constitution and that the Parliament elects a President under Article 40 of the Constitution with the caveat that the President that is elected is not a Rajapaksa. That is our first demand

Serika Siriwardhana

Q What sort of change are you looking for?

We have spoken to as many legal, Constitutional, economic and political experts as possible, as a platform that people are following not only for protests but also to inform the public. Therefore it’s important that we educate ourselves. During our talks with these experts we have identified three main demands that we require immediately in order to get out of this political 

situation. The first is that Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns under Article 38 (1) B of the Constitution and that the Parliament elects a President under Article 40 of the Constitution with the caveat that the President that is elected is not a Rajapaksa. That is our first demand, but it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is going to resign. The second option that we have is that if we can’t get rid of the President we get rid of his Presidential powers. Anyway the fact that the President has executive powers is an issue. That is something that needs to be dealt with, whether or not he resigns or stays in power. If he doesn’t resign the next move is for the Parliament to take away his executive powers. In our talks with Constitutional experts they said that currently lawyers are drafting a 21st Amendment which would entail taking away executive powers among other things as well. That is another option that we have. These are the short term demands, but the issue is not with a party, person or a family. The issue is systemic, cultural and we as citizens have allowed this to happen, because in a democratic country we are the ones who vote them in. Therefore, in the long-term what we hope to achieve is educate the public to bring about a culture of accountability and transparency, so that we shift this culture of political apathy and a culture that has allowed corruption and nepotism to thrive unabated. 

We have to work within the Constitution that governs this country and that means working through the Parliament and we understand that as the youth. We actually want them to step up as politicians and do what they have been elected to do. That’s why there’s GotaGoGama at Galle Face and everybody else protesting in every way they can.  I think everything counts. It has to be peaceful

Birendra Siriwardhana

Q What is the next step after this protest?

We are not just trying to protest, but what we are asking for is tangible change. What we have seen is heartwarming unity with ifthars and all communities including LGBTIQ groups being united irrespective of differences. I think as a country we need to remember this because we have short-term memory loss. After something happens we tend to forget it, but I hope that what we have learnt and the fact that the protests at Galle Face despite being huge haven’t had a single incident of violence is amazing. That also comes from responsibility that we have taken upon ourselves. We carry ourselves better than the adults who are living in this country. We need to set an example as the youth. I hope that people remember and that this culture continues. Also that people understand that they have a part to play in the reason why we are here today. What we hope as a platform is to transcend these issues of apathy etc., and create a long-term cultural change, a change where accountability and transparency is foremost, policies are foremost rather than voting for the looks of a politician or for their party.

QMany youth have plans of migrating and we are looking at a huge brain drain. What is your message to them?

This has been something that really upsets me. I’m going abroad to complete my studies, but with the aim of coming back and doing something for my country. The thing is there is no opportunity in this country. A lot of my friends who are leaving are saying that they are never going to return. I used to get annoyed with them because as a result of people like them leaving this country, it is falling deeper and deeper into this mess. We are leaving this country to be run by people who are uneducated, immoral and everybody who is educated and moral are leaving the country. That is the reason why this is getting worse. What’s important is that people need to recognise that they have a part to play in shaping the future of this country. What I implore from people who are leaving the country is to leave with the intention of coming back and trying to do for this country what it failed to do for you: to work towards a stable future and a future where we have a secure leadership and also to use the expertise you gained abroad to transform this country of what it has the potential to be.

“I came here to learn about our fundamental rights” – Jayasuriya

The youth have been largely neglected from decision taking positions. But today, a majority of participants at people’s protests comprise youth. “The reason I came here today is to learn about our fundamental rights and what the Constitution says, so that I’m better informed to make better decisions and the sort of change I want to see is that the Rajapaksas and all 225 being held accountable for their actions, have their assets audited etc.,” said Hasitha Jayasuriya. 

“The IMF, foreign governments will not ignore even one person protesting for change” – Siriwardhana

The organizers chose April 13 and 14 to stage a protest at the Independence Square since the entire country was prepping for the dawn of the New Year and that there’s no better day to express unity. “We chose this day because it’s significant nationally and it’s important that we show unity on days like this because we remember that it’s a New Year for a country. Therefore we can make it a new start, set aside a lot of things that have been moving us back. So we thought irrespective of the number that participates we have to be here to represent everyone else who cannot be here. It’s clear to everybody that we are not going to go away. These protests do have a significant impact on the government and its decisions.

They will try to downplay it. Everyday someone steps out. If there’s even one person agitating for actionable change that is someone that the IMF won’t ignore and that’s somebody that foreign governments won’t ignore. It also sends a message to members of the parliament that their constituents won’t let them do what they want, that there are very definite things we want out of this. We have to work within the Constitution that governs this country and that means working through the Parliament and we understand that as the youth. We actually want them to step up as politicians and do what they have been elected to do. That’s why there’s GotaGoGama at Galle Face and everybody else protesting in every way they can. I think everything counts. It has to be peaceful. Whether it’s a silent protest, music, theatre, and as long as it keeps people together behind a very simple and clear set of objectives, I don’t see this momentum failing,” opined Birendra Siriwardhana.

• One of the objectives of the initiative is to mobilise the youth on expressions of dissent
• In the long-term what protesters hope to achieve is educate the public to bring about a culture of accountability
• The fact that the President has executive powers is an issue

“There’s an opportunity for the current political culture to change” – Seneviratn

“When economic problems cropped up there were a few people in the middle and upper classes who advocated for change, but mainly it’s people from the poorer classes who advocated for change. But right now people in the middle classes too are affected because even if they have money, money can’t buy supplies and essentials that they need. So for the first time there’s a reason for everybody to unite. This means there’s an opportunity for the current political culture to change. There’s so much corruption and human rights violations that go unchecked. A lack of accountability etc. therefore it’s important that we come together to create a change. I want to be a part of that. Why I came here for this protest is because Serika is my friend from school and I think what she’s doing is important. One of the problems that we have right now is while people are angry and hoping for change people are also uneducated about the political situation in the country. They might know bits and pieces, but they may not know about economic policies, whether they are good or bad, they might be violating the constitution, but people do not know which is which. Therefore they all can’t come together and advocate for strict or specific changes with a general feeling of dissent. Here we are educating the youth or anybody who comes here essentially and I want to help out with that,” said Mithsandi Seneviratne.

“We’re creating an environment where the President has no choice, but to resign” – Daudboy

The protest witnessed the participation of youth irrespective of religion. Despite fasting, Munira Daudboy made it a priority to participate at the protest. “I’m fasting, but still I wanted to come here and support because I think that we are reaching the worst state possible. Sri Lanka is finally united on one ideology of one country, one voice and that’s one motto of Yellow for Democracy. We have one voice and that is to oust this family. This is the first step towards growing a new economy, a new country, to end corruption. This is what the entire country hopes for through peaceful protests. We are going to create an environment where the President has no choice, but to resign. I can say that I’m privileged and blessed and therefore I can go home, ignore protests and calls. But because of that I am all the more responsible to be here and fight with the people who have to work every day and who don’t have time to go for protests. I think it’s our duty, if you call yourself Sri Lankan you should care for the people in your country and that starts by ousting this family that has made us fools for decades. That’s why I’m here spending my Ramadan and New Year here,” said Munira Daudboy.