Features

Lessons from current political agitations

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/19

by Merril Gunaratne

Roots of the current wave of protests can be traced to May 2022 when people took to the streets to express disaffection with the government of the time. Termed “Aragalaya”, the agitations had a unique flavour, compared with their predecessors. They touched all sectors of society, were spontaneous and, despite being unarmed, were sufficiently formidable to shake and overawe the security forces to desist from disrupting them. The protests were also successful in causing the abdication of the former president from office.

Agitations against the “System”

The political agitations enjoyed success because of intense popular support to dismantle a style or system associated with governance for the greater part of 75 years since independence. Such thoughts influenced people when they experienced the shock that state coffers were empty and that foreign exchange was not available for the import of basics and essentials for day to day living. Many began to believe that political parties which had held power since independence, were collectively responsible for the parlous state of the economy. All of them without exception received flak of public opinion.

Most blamed several pernicious features of the “system” as being responsible for the crisis. These had been going on for long but for the first time, people suffering an economic crisis of the current magnitude blamed all previous governments for the disaster now upon the country. Graft and corruption, short sighted policies, playing politics with national issues, amassing and transferring ill-gotten assets abroad, draining or wasting foreign exchange, breaking the law to favour the affluent and the influential, were identified as part of the ‘style’ prevailing in the existing system.

The handling of investigations with regard to the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, the bond scam, and murders and disappearances before 2015, caused an erosion of confidence in the rule of law with the belief it was manipulated to favour those with power and influence. The comforts, perquisites and luxuries enjoyed by Members of Parliament at a time when the country was in tatters, also came under the microscope. Overstaffing, waste of public resources, excessive perquisites and salaries too came under the critical eye of the community with regard to the state sector and corporations. The demand for a clean sweep with the past became a formidable demand.

A school of thought that emerged in this backdrop was that all that is wrong in the “system” must be squarely addressed. All political heavyweights considered reforms necessary. Most of them saw justification in the unarmed protests which occurred before the abdication of President Gotabaya Rajapakse. In “Dilemma Of An Island” which I wrote in 2001, reference had been made to two aspects of the system (p:47): first, the genesis of today’s abuses and iniquities that were then visible could, if unchecked, advance from a trickle to a torrent; and second that if this happens, voters may at some point shift their allegiances from established parties which had alternately held the reins of government and seek undemocratic alternatives.

Repulse of protests by Security Forces

The efforts to overcome or disrupt agitations fall into two segments: those under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and under President Ranil Wickramasinghe. In the first, the defence apparatus, particularly the police, failed not only to exercise their lawful functions, but also disobeyed the orders of the president. They abetted crime by allowing politically orchestrated goons to attack protestors on Galle Face Green on May 9, 2022. Going a step further, they showed apathy when mobs committed murder and mayhem in many parts of the country that same night.

It is possible that police were influenced by a perception that the protests against the president were formidable, had exceptional popular support, and hence the government and the security forces stood isolated. They were thus overawed by a situation which mirrored the total alienation of the government from the people. Notwithstanding such considerations, the police, being the main bulwark against lawlessness, have to take the blame for their apathy and indifference.

President Ranil Wickramasinghe, upon assuming office, arrested unrest by acting swiftly. His strategy to disrupt protests is yet in motion. Unlike in the first instance, police have not hesitated to act. Perhaps their earlier indifference and inertia may have been the result of an impression that the alienation of the Rajapaksa regime from the people was directly related to their association with many issues connected with the pernicious system.

Twin strategy to deal with discontent

It is arguable that the ideal foil to stem unrest may be to address issues and grievances embodied in the “system.” If some of the grievances can be ameliorated, the degree of disenchantment may become less. It would be a way of mollifying people and discouraging them from participating in protests. This is widely described as the “carrot and stick” approach where grievances triggering unrest are addressed while acting firmly and tactfully against lawlessness. Done together, this can help subdue discontent.

There is a history of such an approach being used before to deal with irreconcilable issues or movements. During the searatist war against the LTTE, Presidents Jayewardene, Premadasa, and Kumaratunga, entered into negotiations wit the Tigers in order to break the impasse. Even President Ranil Wickramasinghe, when he was Prime Minister in 2001, sought an end to the war through a political solution. President Premadasa also endeavoured to explore a political solution during the JVP insurrection in the 1980s. These measures can be classified as attempts to find solutions to grievances which incite unrest and uprisings.

Opinions of Mao Tse Dong and Frank Kitson

Both Mao and Kitson expressed theories in relation to terrorism and subversion. Their dicta have considerable relevance to political scenarios as well. Mao Tse Dong equated ‘water’ in a river to ‘people’ and ‘fish’ to terrorists. He argued against poisoning the water to kill the fish and instead proposed that the net and the rod be used to trap the fish while safeguarding the water. The point he implied was that security forces should avoid excesses which could sow disaffection. Frank Kitson, an expert in counter revolutionary warfare, expressed the theory in his book Low Intensity Operations, that insurgents often prosper and advance rapidly when backed by causes or grievances capable of mustering popular support; this despite being unable to match the security forces in munitions and equipment. He had proceeded to imply that addressing such grievances would help reduce such support for unrest. Both theories have emphasised the crucial worth of “popular support” for agitations as well as for the security forces.

It is therefore possible that the current impasse may continue without abatement if some of the issues and grievances entrenched in the system are not addressed. A resurgent economy, as is the goal of the government, may help to calm ‘troubled waters’ substantially. Nonetheless, the clamour for the eradication of the ‘pernicious system’ is now firmly in the public consciousness. It is arguable that while treating symptoms, there is also a necessity to explore cures for the disease. Such a cry, though not with the same intensity, was a key election slogan which brought President Sirisena to power in 2015. People were disappointed that he had reneged on the assurances given. His failure to deliver may also have contributed to the growing loss of faith in the willingness of established parties to overhaul the “system”. The same clamour is now emerging as a far more formidable rallying point that could influence future elections.

(The writer is a former Senior DIG Police who spent many years in the intelligence apparatus)

All News Advertisement

Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

21 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.