Finding a practical purpose in most things termed ‘political’

Recently we saw the 16th edition of National War Heroes Day being celebrated in Battaramulla under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (File photo)  

The present day youth must be lauded for one thing among many achievement and that it their mindset. These ruthlessly ambitious youth will always find a purpose before channeling their time and energies on a project or even a ritual. Fighting another war would be out of the question with the present day youth. The same could be said if the government brings in a law that makes it compulsory for every youth to invest two years of his/her time in military service

Sri Lanka got through the Local Government (LG) Elections sans much difficulties. Now we have to see whether these LG bodies serve a practical purpose as boasted before the elections. The phrase ‘practical purpose’ is a nice phrase to be used as a yard stick for judging performance. 

This is a country which is obsessed with art, culture and religion. We can also ask the question ‘what purpose’ has these segments served for the trouble taken to maintain them? Since there is some form of art in every one of us, this writer takes this opportunity to quote former impresario and film director Manik Sandrasagra. He said, “the practical purpose is the only purpose of art’. That puts most ambitious and corrupt individuals- who see their selfish projects being sponsored by the tax payers’ monies-in their place. 

Recently we saw the 16th edition of National War Heroes Day being celebrated in Battaramulla under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Seeing visuals of the event, on TV, brought tears to our ears and reminded us of the sacrifices the tri-forces and police had made during the civil war, which lasted for almost three decades. It was a cause for concern to see celebrations on similar lines being held, on the same day, in other parts of the country, by individuals with vested interests. 

As a general calculation of how Sri Lanka has moved forward, we take the time from 2009 (the year the civil war ended) onwards to check the progress of this nation. And on most occasions than not, we only see people holding lofty positions in government institutions and the hallowed parliament to fill purses and realise unfulfilled dreams. 

When we reflect on the times of the civil war, we can remember how the Convener of Jaffna Civil Society Centre Arun Siddharth (Birth name Arulanandam Arun) aired his views on television and say that the civil war that took place wasn’t fought to the make the lives of Tamils in Sri Lankan better. What he said was that the civil war that was fought here in this island wasn’t for the benefit of Tamils. The manner in which the war was fought and the end result that was gained makes most Tamils ask the question ‘was there a practical purpose of fighting that war’? More than peace in the island, there is ‘silence’ now and Tamils are still fighting for their rights. 

The present day youth must be lauded for one thing among many achievement and that it their mindset. These ruthlessly ambitious youth will always find a purpose before channeling their time and energies on a project or even a ritual. Fighting another war would be out of the question with the present day youth. The same could be said if the government brings in a law that makes it compulsory for every youth to invest two years of his/her time in military service. 

This blessed Sri Lanka cannot afford another war, civil or with any of its neighbours. When the civil war was its peak, Indian intervention in Sri Lanka’s activities saw the signing of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord (1987). The 13th amendment to the constitution and the establishment of the provincial councils were a result of the agreement between the two nations. The existence of the provincial councils and what role they played was more to satisfy India and didn’t actually serve a practical purpose, according to political analysts. Critics point out that the provincial councils failed to achieve its intended goals of decentralization and autonomy. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of resources and political infighting probably made these provincial councils lackluster in nature. 

Getting back to the LG bodies, the voting public is eager to see better roads, libraries, entertainment facilities, public parks, housing facilities and most importantly drains in our local community. There have been many occasions in the recent past when members of the public have hailed the positive attitude and the performance by state workers in institutions attached to these LG bodies. But we need the opinion of critics to keep these state institutions on their toes. For example, a critic might point out what practical purpose a library might serve if the books in there are outdated and the facility doesn’t have an efficient librarian. 

When we come to think of it, some of Sri Lanka’s traditions and events associated with them are too much of a cost to bear. This must be said especially when such expenses are borne by tax payers’ moneys. Please remember that much of the artwork in temples, their utility bills and even the alms given to priests are made possible thanks to tax payers who give generously in the name of religion. And anyone questioning the practical purpose behind such exercises will receive a convincing answer from the clergy. They will be told that the art in temples down to alms and practically everything that is purchased as products to be offered to monks come with an expiry date; the latter which underscored the fundamental message in Buddhism, impermanence. 

The government has done exceptionally well during the past three elections. Despite a few disgruntled individuals complaining about the pace at which goals are achieved by this regime, the majority seem to be cultivating patience and believe this government will deliver. But all those NPP loyalists might gang up one day and ask what practical purpose it served in bringing this regime to power if the biggest crooks are not brought to book fast.