Lanka should be cautious when following Chinese model - EDITORIAL

Today the United Nations celebrated World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and it is important for Sri Lanka to act according to the event’s principles if we wish build a democratic, socialist republic of Sri Lanka as we are known even there are doubts as to whether to believe it and what it means to the vast majority of the people, especially the millions of people who caught up in the poverty trap. 

In a statement the UN highlights the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural sector. It says Cultural events had been cancelled, cultural institutions closed, community cultural practices suspended, empty UNESCO World Heritage sites, heightened risk of looting of cultural sites and poaching at natural sites, artists unable to make ends meet and the cultural tourism sector gravely affected.

According to the UN the pandemic’s impact on the cultural sector is being felt around the world. This impact is social, economic and political – it affects the fundamental right of access to culture, the social rights of artists and creative professionals, and the protection of a diversity of cultural expressions.

The unfolding crisis risks deepening inequalities and rendering communities vulnerable. In addition, the creative and cultural industries (CCI) contribute US$2.25 billion to the global economy. This is 3% of the Gross Domestic Product. (GDP). This also accounts for 29.5 million jobs worldwide. The economic fall-out of not addressing the cultural sector - and auxiliary services, particularly in the tourism sector - could also be disastrous, the UN says.
Protecting the diversity of cultural expressions is more important than ever. The pandemic has revealed and magnified the creative industries’ pre-existing volatility. Due to the complex nature of their work, cultural professionals are particularly affected and lockdown measures around the world directly impact the entire creative value chain, the UN adds.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a page that aims to serve as a reference for those seeking to draw inspiration from best practices in the development of appropriate responses adapted to national contexts. UNESCO has also launched a weekly “Culture and COVID-19: Impact and Response Tracker” to provide an overview of the rapidly evolving situation.

Why does cultural diversity matter? Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development, 
the UN says.

In Sri Lanka, it appears that cultural diversity is being undervalued if not undermined. History has shown that democracy is vital for cultural diversity to flourish and nourish the country. Democracy’s four pillars are the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the free media. 

While the hurriedly drawn up 20th Amendment was passed with patched up two-third majority, the Executive President has been given far reaching powers while the legislature is playing largely a talking role, the judicial service is also been undermined in a subtle way while the free media and social media are under threat or facing criminal charges. 

The Executive President’s almost absolute powers were used to rush through Parliament yesterday through the controversial Colombo Port Economic Commission Bill which opposition critics and even independent political analysts say may turn Sri Lanka into a colony of China. In the national and the international geopolitical equations this law would place Sri Lanka in a delicate situation if some sort of conflicts breaks out with China one side and on the other side the United States, India and other western powers. Speaking yesterday’s debate Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said he saw nothing wrong in moving towards the Chinese system which is dictatorial with little or no legislative judicial or media freedom.  It is essentially a one-man show with his family members, relatives and friends getting most of the perks and privileges. Most analysts say they wonder why Mr. Nanayakkara is supporting dictatorial trends and some say old age may have watered down his thinking pattern.