When freedom granted puts you in a dangerous zone!

If lawmakers are sensitive enough to observe the pitter-patter of the rain they’d be able to pull at the heartstrings of protesters  

The youth of today want freedom and that too in loads. The generations before them were happy with freedom in small doses, but they wanted government welfare more than anything else. Present day youth would feel insulted if someone has to take care of their welfare. This is, of course, a thought they’ll be forced to revalue if their earnings, after completing their higher education, wouldn’t suffice to pay bills. 
 Generally, youth on this island are so enterprising. This is a country where we don’t see the carpenter’s child wishing to take over the business from their father. These youth apply themselves when opportunity arrives and education propels them to live lives of luxury.Members of the present generation are climbing the social ladder at a rate; hence there is little interest shown by professionally qualified individuals to take to politics and replace the country’s elderly ‘outdated’ lawmakers. 

OUTDATED LAWMAKERS

 As a result the lawmakers of this country continue to ‘play’ games with elderly and middle-aged people. These two groups form the vote base of lawmakers. Though we talk about having freedom with regard to whom to vote for during elections, most elderly and middle-aged people in this country are duty bound to lawmakers for seeking help through the ‘chit’ system. Hence they don’t have the freedom 
when voting. 

 This country is getting ready for presidential elections. The date for the election hasn’t been announced. But akin to a musical show, there are expectations that parties and alliances would announce names of candidates who’ll have both public appeal and the capacity to deliver. There are a few ‘new kids on the block’ and the ‘comrade’; who has been around for a while and promises to build a new Sri Lanka. Recently, at a rally in Kandy, a member of the Pohottuwa Party was heard threatening the ‘Comrade’ and saying that till he is alive Anura Kumara Dissanayake won’t be allowed to assume power. Where is the freedom in this country for a lawmaker to pursue his political dream in keeping with his wishes if ‘unsporting’ challenges are made this way? The youth of this nation know that when the lawmakers promise them ‘freedom’ and deliver on them it puts individuals in a dangerous zone. The youth of today would want the education they receive and the rise they make in the social strata to help them create the freedom they wish to have; like those in developed countries. We saw what one of the former presidents draped in the red shawl did to finish off the war and then spend lavishly to celebrate the hard earned victory over terrorism. State sponsored terrorism began soon after that!
There is literature published regarding the bill where it says there are clauses inserted to protect individuals serving these institutes from being punished by the law if their actions amount to fair play. Talking about such freedom, this writer wishes to recall an old saying, ‘what is good for goose is good for the gander.’We need a fair pitch for everybody in terms of the economy and its future. We need a country where the law applies in the same manner to everyone. This is one condition that foreign investors demand if they are to set foot here and start businesses. Enough media reports were published last year regarding an Oman national, who was serving in a top managerial position in a garment factory in Katana, being manhandled by goons. The Oman national and the security official (a local) employed by the institute were physically abused because the management of that institute decided against hiring a vehicle which belonged to a close associate of a politician. The repercussions of the incident were devastating. With the law slow in taking its course, the businessman from Oman ‘packed his bags’ and left Sri Lanka. He reestablished his garment business in another country. This incident happened last year. 
 President Wickremesinghe’s Economic Transformation Bill has been submitted already and certain state institutes would be established to support this cause.
 The only little freedom that people of this island enjoy exists thanks to the judiciary. Recently, the Supreme Court had to take up the case where a petition forwarded by a grieved party- challenging Diana Gamage’s ministerial post- was dismissed by the Appeals Court. The Supreme Court eventually ruled the verdict in favour of the petitioner and Gamage lost her seat in parliament. People of this country wish this freedom granted to them by the strong legal system remains at a time when there is a cold war taking place between the Executive and the Judiciary. 

After the ‘aragalaya’ (the protest) people got used to a new found freedom where they could stage protests and nudge the regime when democracy and fair play are threatened. But of recent, protests have been disrupted and protesters have been attacked. Recently a Tamil lady who served passersby with porridge-the exercise was an alms giving given in the memory of her deceased loved ones- was arrested by the police in a brutal manner, according to media reports. But the state minister who manhandled an official at the airport got away with it and only had to answer a few routine questions. There cannot be a situation where there is absolute freedom for the lawmakers where law doesn’t apply for them. 
 Sadath Mahaadiwulwewa’s latest film ‘My Red Comrade’ began screening in island wide cinemas; starting yesterday (July 17). Recently the presenter hosting the programme ‘Nuga sevana’ on the Rupavahini channel asked the filmmaker whether he parachuted the queue when there are other films awaiting their turn on the giant screen. Mahaadiwulwewa’s response was, “Two films were on hold at the release stage and a door was opened and I came and sat there with my film.” Ranil Wickremesinghe also relates a similar story when people ask him how he managed to become the Executive President of this country. 

 When we were kids in school, we were taught not to sit in the first two rows at a hall where a function is scheduled to take place. This is because if you are not on ‘the special invitees’ list an official can unseat you. Most of the opposition parties in this country and a fare section of the citizens who cherish democracy are demanding that Wickremesinghe vacates his position as the Executive on the day the constitution specifies. 
 People of this country wish that there is freedom, to have an election at the earliest and most importantly have new start to life on this island. 
Wickremesinghe and NPP’s Dissanayake must both watch ‘My Red Comrade’ because Mahaadiwulwewa says, in the above mentioned television interview, that the audience must have or develop the mindset to listen and observe the rain falling throughout the film. It’s so important to listen to the ‘other’; especially when you are pursuing power or already in power.