Unveiling socio-economic realities and political apathy in Sri Lanka:

By Gayathri Nawarathna

We embarked on a workshop trip to a village in the scenic Balangoda region, with a Helmalu-style paddy field in the middle of a large mountain range. The road leading to the village was in such bad shape that no vehicle could pass it. In this beautiful village, we met a group of women, men and children who were extremely helpless due to economic difficulties.

Initially, only a handful of middle-aged women with children attended our meeting at the temple where the workshop was to be held.

After the announcement made by the workshop organiser through the loudspeaker, the village was informed that the programme would be presented in a video screen, followed by a tea ceremony. Shortly after the announcement, many women, along with their children, gathered at the place.

Although the programme theme was focused on adults, the workshop appeared to primarily attract children from 2 to 14 or 15 years of age. One of them complained of hunger and expressed his frustration: “When will this end? I haven’t eaten since last night. I came because they announced they would give food, but there is still no sign of it.”

A major theme among many participants was the economic struggle they faced. This village represents a microcosm of the socio-economic landscape of Sri Lanka. The majority of its residents depend on daily wage labour, mainly masonry or carpentry. However, the economic downturn, exacerbated by stalled construction projects, has dealt a severe blow to their livelihoods.

Instead of facing the economic crisis by exploiting local resources such as water, soil, climate and human capital, some have decided to leave the village and seek opportunities in urban centers.

In the face of economic hardships, instead of taking advantage of the environment around them and their skills and knowledge they have, they are limited to complaining about the cost of fertilisers and animal threats, and many families have to survive on just one meal a day, highlighting the dire socio-economic conditions in the village and across the country. echoes the struggles experienced by countless families.

The stark reality of the village’s economic hardships is evidenced by the miserable lengths to which some families have been pushed. Faced with a desperate need for income, mothers are tempted to exploit their daughters by pushing them into the dangerous and degrading world of sex work. This tragic situation reveals the failure of the political system and its leaders that allowed such dire economic crises to exist without adequate solutions, while at the same time it makes it clear that the root of it is the suffering citizens who used their absolute right to create that political system.

Their focus remains firmly on narrow, short-term goals, with little regard for the long-term consequences of their choices. Instead of demanding systemic change and accountability from their leaders for their rights and agency, they settle for temporary solutions, electing corrupt politicians who make promises of rice and liquor rather than meaningful reforms.

This cycle of apathy and narrow self-interest perpetuates a vicious cycle of corruption and social decline. To break out of this destructive pattern, citizens must recognise their power in shaping the future of their nation.

By demanding accountability, advocating for systemic change, and prioritising the common good over instant gratification, they can pave the way for a brighter, fairer future for all. Instead of blaming the politicians for the dilapidation of the road leading to their village, they should be interested in finding out what happened to the money allocated for the construction of the road and why it has been delayed by using the right to information. They do not know that the citizen has the power to question them and make the government efficient. Even if they know, they do not offer to implement it. This is exemplified by the culture of Sri Lankan citizens who flock to see a politician even if he is a criminal.

In my opinion, Sri Lanka’s legal framework draws inspiration from established systems such as English law and the French Constitution, while also incorporating international standards such as human rights laws. However, despite these legal foundations and constitutional structures, Sri Lanka’s political system is undermined not by the inherent flaws of the system itself, but by the attitudes and behaviour of its citizens.

I believe that the root cause of the systemic problems lies in the mindset of the Sri Lankan people. Rather than focusing solely on changing the political structure, I advocate a change in individual attitudes and behavior. It is my contention that fostering a culture of accountability, honesty and civic responsibility among citizens can clean up the so-called corrupt systems and begin to address the underlying problems in the political sphere.

Rather than looking for external solutions or drastic systemic changes, I argue for an internal transformation within Sri Lankan society. We can only do that through collective introspection and a commitment to ethical behavior.