Bringing in fearmongering to a peaceful election 

The article by Chandre Dharmawardhana titled “Looming Danger in the wake of Presidential Poll: Is Sri Lanka Ready? “, The Island, Tuesday 9-9-2024 seems to be an attempt to bring in fearmongering and provoke people to incite violence in an otherwise peaceful election.

This article paints an unnecessarily harsh and speculative picture, lacking credible evidence to support many of its claims. It introduces conspiracy theories and hypothetical scenarios without basis, contributing more to fearmongering than to a constructive political dialogue. Such claims are not only misleading but also dangerous, as they can incite public unrest and distrust in the democratic process.

The National People’s Power (NPP), led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), is often misunderstood and wrongly labeled as a purely socialist entity. The NPP is not bound by rigid ideological labels; rather, it adopts practical policies, drawing on good ideas from both the left and right. AKD has consistently advocated for a development model similar to that of South Korea, which combines innovation, industrial growth, and a focus on national self-reliance. The party’s vision is rooted in pragmatism, not outdated political dogma.

Election propaganda activities this time are more peaceful than previous instances. The credit should go to better informed populace, political parties and the election commission. The Election Commission (EC) of Sri Lanka is well-prepared to handle the upcoming elections, regardless of whether the final result hinges on counted preferences. Speculation about potential unrest or civil disturbance only serves to stoke fear. In fact, these unfounded claims about electoral outcomes and conspiracy theories about election are themselves dangerous, as they could invite and incite violence. Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions, including the EC, have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to manage elections efficiently and fairly.

The article’s suggestion that an NPP victory would result in a social upheaval is another baseless claim. AKD’s policies emphasise economic stability, growth, and innovation, not radical or destabilising reforms. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s path to recovery and growth will involve attracting both local and foreign investments—something that the NPP, with its carefully formulated plans, is fully prepared to engage in. The author’s comments about Western and Indian interests in this year’s Sri Lanka election raise the question: on what evidence is he making these claims?

Conflating the peaceful, democratic rise of the NPP with violent conspiracy theories is irresponsible. Instead of focusing on hypothetical unrest or fearmongering, the country should focus on ensuring a peaceful and fair election where all candidates and their supporters respect the democratic process. Yes, Sri Lanka is ready, the Election Commission is ready, and the voters who are waiting to make a real change are more than ready.

Prof. Ajith DeSilva, University of West Georgia, USA
(ldesilva@westga.edu)