Why am I a part of the diaspora?
Incidents such as the recent one involving Kay Frazer and Dinesh Schaffter are not ones that initiated/prompted me to leave but are amongst reasons that curtail/prevent me from returning, or investing. Investments that my heart desires. Yet ration prevails.
In 2009, many of us who had left seeking more fertile pastures began to consider returning. Peace had finally come and the island was united for the first time under/by one man in its 2500 year old history.
There was no reason not to. Many who had faced unfavourable working conditions, several brutal winters later, they longed to return. After decades of work, most had by now amassed enough savings to comfortably retire in their homeland of tropical paradise.
During my war torn childhood, I remember that I would celebrate the threat of a terrorist attack because it meant not going to school. Only about 3 years after 2009 did it start to impact my malleable, youthful brain - this was my high school research thesis.
Fast forwarding to today, there are many reasons that the young, progressive and intellectual community aspire to leave the island. We have often heard about brain drain. The brain drain is not talent leaving the island but talent in search of greater nurturing and seeking education in a stimulating environment. An opportunity to flex their muscles on the field or to sing on stage. Human societies have always learned from one another: traded, shared, exchanged skills and tools. No closed society has ever thrived nor stood the test of time.
This time of stimulating environment is not one that most of the islands residents can say they find themselves in. Ironic it should be as to quote history “the finest island of its size”. Today, we are a wasteland of corruption, poverty and injustice. It is unsurprising that we are in the position we find ourselves in. None of our “friends” have any desire in helping us. Our closest allies have abandoned us. The global community identifies Sri Lanka as the village bicycle. We do love our countryside rides after all.
Thinking of my young, malleable brain when I learned about the war in extent, I am reminded of the pain of our society. Given that, it shocked and saddened me that we knowingly and happily elected a known war criminal dictator in to power. We sanctioned and cheered him (don’t forget the family) in to power.
Sri Lankan voter base can be swayed by the humble writings of a high school marketing class and their level/standard of propaganda. Still, I tried to get with the programme. Make the best and contribute, this is was the democratic result and I was not going to be a “Trump hater”
A known devil was always better than an unknown one. Lord in heaven have mercy on us.
Ok. A new angle.
I too believed the war criminal was gone. We had a man who loved the island and wanted to do his best for it. Strong enough to defend it from geopolitical proxy interests and raise our economy through developing local industry. No glyphosate, fertilisers and pesticides. Positive lobbying was taking place and had good people (albeit their conflicted interests) had taken over vital industries.
Only when the lights went off did a select few voice their concerns and grievances start to be raised. A new middle class who has accustomed themselves to a modern (by western standard) lifestyle. Piped Gas, 24/7 Electricity and cinemas. The Aragalaya, while probably the most significant socio political movement on the island in the 2500 years of history (apart from independence) does represent a major shift in political consciousness of the country, it still does not have a lasting impact of anything more than a “trend”, “youth movement” or others “a hassle”. Our people, unfortunately do not share the sentiment of their Persian comrades.
The volatility of the situation was one I believe no leader could have handled seamlessly. Media freedom and freedom of speech are still luxuries to us. Water to the Arabs. It can be bought. But we are not sure about it.
It is easy for Kay Fraser to be labelled as a foreign dissident. A spy enforcing an agenda crafted in a secret room 1000s of miles away. Even if she is - who cares?
This is the type of journalism that we need in the world today, which is severely lacking attention on under-publicised, over-politicised sticky diplomatic issues over human rights.
Any publicity on the Sri Lanka is welcome. We need a brighter spotlight on the global stage. Alas, we need a lot more than a spotlight.
The argument that she knew the risks and should have left earlier is as invalid as it stands with the same logic of “respecting laws of other countries you visit”. This sounds fair enough upon your first impression but how often do you take trips to countries/societies that you deem barbaric?
Saying that west had slavery for 100s of years and now its Qatar’s chance does not make it morally acceptable in my book. One evil does not justify another. Capital punishment should be over around the world. It is fit to deem any society that practices it as barbaric. Yet somehow does not give us the right to preside over them nor reform them by direct force. A catch 22.
This is not going to help the world grow if we don’t find fault with other malpractices of other societies.