This curse of partisan politics in Sri Lanka
78 Years of Demagoguery, Not Democracy by Brigadier Ranjan de Silva rpcdesilva@gmail.com On the 4th of February every year, we raise the lion flag and speak of democracy. We speak of 78 years of “self-rule.” But honesty demands we ask: what kind of rule have we actually had? It was not democracy. Democracy is government […]
Every year on the 4th of February, Sri Lankans raise the lion flag and celebrate democracy. However, it is crucial to question the kind of rule we have experienced over the past 78 years. Democracy is governed by a set of principles that include serving the common good, adhering to law, employing reason, and being accountable to truth. Instead, Sri Lanka has seen demagoguery, where political activity appeals to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than through rational argument.
Demagoguery thrives on dividing people, promising the impossible, demonizing opponents, and focusing on gaining votes for the next election, rather than long-term progress for the country. Over the past 78 years, Sri Lanka has seen multiple examples of demagogic policies, including the Sinhala Only Act, nationalization of private enterprises, and shifting economic strategies.
These policies have resulted in a cycle of starting projects, stopping them, and rebranding them based on their suitability for the next election, rather than their merits or long-term impact.
Institutional capture and identity politics have further impeded democracy. The 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Amendments have come and gone, yet the institutions meant to check the power of the ruling party have been either created and subsequently dismantled or re-established with checks removed. As a result, decisions on matters like police transfers, university vice-chancellors, and state bank chairpersons are made by party headquarters rather than based on merit.
Demagoguery has taken precedence over rational debate on crucial issues such as the power sector, public sector employment, education, and exporting. Instead of focusing on these matters, politicians have used fear and prejudice to win elections. This has led to a decline in the nation, with infrastructure in disrepair, hospitals lacking essential medicines, and a brain drain of skilled workers.
To break the cycle of partisan politics, reforms are necessary. Future Parliaments should be bound to national policy frameworks, such as 10-year plans for energy, education, and public debt, with safeguards through a two-thirds majority. Infrastructure and fiscal rules should also be made long-lasting, similar to models in Chile and New Zealand.
The state should also be depoliticized, with independent commissions handling critical areas like police, elections, public service, and bribery. These commissions should have constitutional budgets and appointment panels that exclude politicians from decision-making.
Citizens must demand better from their leaders, moving away from rewarding the best slogans and towards valuing the best policies. Town halls should replace rallies, and detailed costings should be given precedence over empty promises. A 5-year plan should be prioritized over a 5-minute speech. If both citizens and leaders do not agree on the principle of putting the country before the party, the curse of partisan politics will continue to cause debt, division, and decay in Sri Lanka.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
