Using public holidays for people’s welfare

With Sri Lanka still struggling to come out of its worst ever socio-economic crisis since independence, some non-party political experts have suggested some practical solutions which the government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramua (SLPP) need to consider and implement. 

Once such expert is the widely-respected and patient-friendly Dr. L.A.W. Sirisena who has deep care and compassion for the millions of poverty-trapped people in Sri Lanka. His fees are nominal and whenever he becomes aware that the patient is in extreme poverty, he charges little or nothing for the consultation and for a surgical operation if required. He is one of the patrons of the People’s Movement for the Rights of Patients (PMRP).

For the first time, the United Nations celebrated Vesak 2017 in Sri Lanka with the highlight being the three-day international conference attended by representatives from some 85 countries. The conference theme was a peaceful and just society. For sustainable reconciliation, peace and justice, the all-religions activist Dr. Sirisena has made some proposals to the government and they are more important now in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating socio-economic crisis. 

Dr. Sirisena says a closer look at the list of public holidays shows that 23 out of the 25 have ethno-religious commemorative significance, affording an ideal opportunity, only if used appropriately to promote inter-faith action. There are only two days that are common to all sections of the society. Those are the Independence Day and May Day. These two days and another eight days, which are considered to be of the highest importance to the respective ethnic or religious group, namely Thai Pongal, the National New Year (2 days), Vesak (2 days), Poson, Ramazan and Christmas need to be considered separately. 

During these 10 days, there are large-scale religious observances, social events or family reunions. This group of 10 could constitute our commemorative holidays.  The remaining 15 commemorative events consisting of ten Poya Days, Hadji, Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, Maha Sivarathri, Deepavali and Good Friday could be made full working days, with the exception that the first two hours – 8:00 am to 10:00 am be spent in an activity devoted to the significance of that particular day’s event.   

Dr. Sirisena says that for example, on a Poya Day, there could be a Bana preaching or meditation; on Hadji and Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, a programme on some aspect of Islam and the life of the Holy Prophet; on Deepavali and Maha Sivarathri Day a Hindu religious or cultural programme, and on Good Friday a prayer service or a talk and dialogue on the life of Jesus Christ’. This will ensure that most workers will at least spend some time meaningfully, in observance of the particular event commemorated. It will also promote understanding of the different religions and cultures, integration and harmony among the different religious and ethnic groups, as all separate groups will together be involved in making arrangements and participating in each other’s functions. They could get back to work after partaking in fellowship and refreshments.  

According to Dr. Sirisena, we should not forget that comparatively only a few Buddhists observe ‘Ata-Sil’ on most Poya days. As ‘Ata-Sil’ observance need not necessarily be on the Poya Day, arrangements could be made to hold such observances on the Sunday following or preceding the Poya. Most schools arrange their ‘Ata-Sil’ observances on the school day preceding the Poya.  

Since over the years we have been used to the idea of enjoying ‘long week-ends’, consideration could be given to declaring one Monday or Friday in each quarter of the year, simply as an additional holiday to encourage people to take a long break for relaxation and recreation. This is a healthy concept. Thereby we will have a total of 14 national holidays.  

This proposal will curtail the number of holidays and increase the number of working days, thereby helping the country’s smooth administration and economy; with a little give-and-take, it will also promote better understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures, build bridges, facilitate cross faith interactions and regain inter community trust which is essential for ensuring harmony and oneness.   

When this proposal was first made by Dr. Sirisena 2017, the socio-economic crisis was not so devastating and de-stabilizing as it is today. Therefore, we urge President Wickremesinghe and the ruling SLPP government to give Dr. Sirisena an opportunity to further explain this proposal and take immediate steps to implement them so that the bankrupt Sri Lanka will become stable while our society will be just and fair.