Be a lamp unto yourself; be a refuge to yourself

Ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been sighted in a Middle Eastern country enjoying a vacation with his family. The man who was elevated to the highest office in the land as a saviour of the nation is today seeking asylum in various countries according to reports. The devastation he left behind in the wake of the economic meltdown now needs to be addressed by others. Once again political stability and the task of ‘saving’ Sri Lanka have been placed on the shoulders of individuals rather than democratic institutions.

If there was one thing for which there was consensus among all shades of the political spectrum in the last few months, it was the need for reform in the governance structure of the country. This demand was central in the island-wide protests witnessed last year which not only demanded the resignation of the president but the outright change in the system of governance which would abolish the executive presidency.

For four decades Sri Lanka has witnessed the erosion of effective governance due to the executive presidency. The current economic crisis is not a simple case of mismanagement by a few officials but a political crisis that was enabled by the excessively powerful presidency. After the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, President Rajapaksa eroded even the token checks and balances that were imposed on his office. Despite a token constitutional change enacted through the 21st Amendment to the constitution, the functionality of the State is still dependent on a single individual who holds the office of the executive presidency. The fact that President Ranil Wickremesinghe who has no popular mandate, either for himself or his political party, can preside over the executive without any legislative or judicial check speaks volumes to the lopsided and deeply flawed structure of the State.

After witnessing such a catastrophic economic collapse in 2022, with its first-ever sovereign default and ensuing political chaos, there was a moment that was long-awaited for system change. And then enters Ranil Wickremesinghe who without a single condition for democratic reform or structural change gleefully accepts the premiership with a single seat in Parliament. Two months later he became the president through political machinations in Parliament. All that Wickremesinghe has done is to betray the golden opportunity that was presented for meaningful democratic change. Having lost that opportunity Sri Lankans are once again expected to look towards a ‘saviour’ in Wickremesinghe to deliver the nation through this crisis. 

In desperate times like these it is natural to look for saviours. Sri Lanka has time and time again looked for such leaders to enter the arena and save the day. In the process, we have eroded our ability to save ourselves which can only be done through the strengthening of democratic institutions. An empowered Parliament, an accountable executive, an independent judiciary, a competent public service and an engaged and well-informed electorate are what are going to save Sri Lanka and offer the stability it so desperately desires.

As Gotabaya Rajapaksa is once again fleeing the country and seeking to save himself, the electorate must be reminded of the need to stop looking for saviours to save the country. As the Buddha advised his followers just before his passing, be a lamp unto yourself; be a refuge to yourself. Waiting for saviours will only end in disappointment for Sri Lanka. At least in 2023 let us build and strengthen our democratic institutions and save ourselves.