Tyranny in the name of democracy

A front-page news item in The Island of 18th July 2022 under the headline, “Don quits FUTA over ‘politicisation’ of union” speaks volumes for the pathetic trend in Sri Lanka, where the leaders of trade unions and various other associations are suppressing the rights of their members and promote agendas and politics of their own personal choice in the guise of protecting democracy. In the article cited above, a female don of undeniable courage has chosen to fight for the preservation of her fundamental rights by resigning from the FUTA (Federation of University Teachers’ Association), which has got embroiled in party politics and is promoting and supporting one political party although its members hold diverse ethnic, religious, political and cultural views.

The BASL (Bar Association of Sri Lanka) with a membership drawn from diverse ethnic, political and social backgrounds, expresses various views like the GMOA (Government Medical Officers’ Association), which has become quiet. There is no verification of opinion prior to the issue of these statements from the members by either one of the heads of these professional associations, but they claim to be defenders of democracy.

On the same playing field are the famous Aragalaya members, who demanded the person of their choice and no other be the President. They are also demanding that their proposals be implemented immediately and that they will not stop the protests unless their demands are met! On the 18th evening on the Ada Derana News one young Aragalaya leader claimed that they would insist that their proposals be implemented and their protests would continue until such time. The proposals include the immediate reduction of gas prices and cost of living! How could the country do so, given the enormity of the economic crisis?

What mandate do they have to speak for the whole country and make such demands? What makes them think their proposals and that of no other is acceptable by the rest of the general public? Are their actions consistent with the concept of democracy which they claim to admire and uphold? The only test that could reflect the majority of public opinion is none other than an election. That is the democratic process recognized universally. Street protests whilst having a great impact on public opinion, does not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the general public.

The self-confidence of the Aragalaya leaders were increased tenfold, by the large numbers that turned up on the 9th of July to oust a democratically elected leader in an undemocratic manner. The public was frustrated by the cost of living, the hardships faced by the lack of fuel and gas. People, rightly, needed a forum to vent their grievances. The Aragala ground that was hitherto known as Galle Face was an ideal site for all ages. For the young, it was a trendy place, with music, street drama and plenty of food and drink (which in fact made one question the veracity of the claims of a food crisis, which most certainly exists in the country). It was “cool” to be seen there, although some of the young really did not understand the true depth of the protest, except the obvious “Gota go Home” with a latte in hand, as manifest when watching many an interview aired at the time.  The Aragalaya consisted mainly of the middle-class people who are the worst affected by the fuel shortage, imported goods and the cooking gas scarcity. It was an acceptable site for them too and for the aged who needed comfort which the organisers recognised and provided, such as clean washroom facilities, clean and tidy protest areas and ample food and beverages.

 Anti-corruption slogans were mechanically and customarily expressed at the Aragalaya protests, but that alone was not the primary factor for the Argalagaya’s popularity. Corruption existed in each regime with Rajapaksas topping the list of course. If corruption was the sole motive for the protest, Aragalaya would have peaked in 2015 before the end of the MR era where corruption was most rampant. What propelled them on to the Aragala site was the economic woes that punched them in the stomach, with the dollars finally running out after years of reckless spending to keep the voter happy whilst filling one’s own purse. A sea of people marched from the four corners of Sri Lanka to vent, only once the freebees stopped! That’s the unvarnished truth! Had the subsidized fuel, subsidized fertiliser, subsidised food supplies continued, not 10 cats would be on the Aragalaya site demanding Gota, or whoever to go home, corrupt or autocratic!

However unified the Aragalaya guests were in their demand to send Gota home, political ideologies were too diverse for the unified front to hold strong for too long. That is why Aragalaya‘s popularity rose and fell from time to time. Right now, it is divided with some withdrawing support, especially in view of the militant and radical elements that have infiltrated the original group.

How can the Aragalaya leaders demand that the country, the Parliament and the people be dictated by their choice and no other? Do they even realize that numbers on the roads do not necessarily reflect the thought process of an entire nation? A classic example of this phenomenon is the JVP election rallies. Come any election, the JVP by far attracts the highest number of spectators at their rallies. However, on election day, the number of participants does not translate into votes, as seen by the three seats in Parliament.

Let us not forget that democracy must prevail and it can reign supreme only if the political views of all citizens are respected. The Constitution of our country has a process which is approved by the citizens of this country, to choose a leader. In a crisis situation such as the present, where the President has resigned, the Constitution provided for the members of Parliament who have been chosen by their respective constituencies to represent the citizens in Parliament, to do the needful. No one has a right to interfere with the constitutional process or reject its result. It was indeed shocking to see the threats issued by some protesters against the MPs who voted to elect the President. If anyone attempted to deprive the MPs of their right to vote, that is tyranny and cannot be justified on any grounds.

If the peoples’ choice was not reflected in the outcome of the Parliament election of the President, the people have a right to defeat their representatives at the next general election.

If the Aragalaya is genuine, let them focus their energies on implementing the processes already in place such as compelling asset declarations from all Members of Parliament and demanding effective and efficient action be taken by the two AG’s Departments (Auditor General’s and Attorney General’s). There is nothing to prevent a private citizen initiating litigation against corrupt politicians and we have an example of the same when CBK was asked to pay compensation by the Supreme Court for releasing Water’s edge to her cronies. The result was an outcome of a case filed by a private citizen. Let the Argalaya masterminds explore all these avenues and expose those who have been errant!

Let democracy prevail! Leave no room for tyranny to surface in the guise of democracy! The public and the Aragalaya must respect democracy and learn to live with the choice of the majority reflected through a democratic process, until their time comes at the next general election. Do not destabilize the country at this critical juncture – to be like a headless chicken, only to be roasted by an alien chef from a faraway land!

A Realist and true democrat!