Photo courtesy of James Edition
Since colonisation of Ceylon by the British, we had two systems: the native social system with strong cultural and religious orientation and the colonial system with British cultural (including educational), political and economic characteristics. The native population related to these two systems in multiple ways and their way of living, working and doing were influenced by both systems to varying degrees. The native system was inward oriented whereas the British system was outward oriented. One could say that those who followed or embraced the native system had limited opportunities for movement, social mobility, education and even employment from the British colonial system. On the other hand, those who embraced the colonial system prospered materially, in terms of influence, networking and world outlook. In time to come, a bilingual community emerged along with bilingual intellectuals. They were fluent in local languages, ways of living, cultural expectations and values, as well as the Western ways, culture, literature, politics and economics. Thus, for some decades if not centuries Sri Lankans had been exposed to two systems as a result of colonisation. Later on this even became multiple systems as they travelled to distant lands in various continents for education, work and other matters.
When we examine current scenario, one can detect a similar dichotomy in the way social interactions take place. A majority live in a local system nourished by local idiom, values, conditions and a way of life. A significant minority have been exposed to global system, culture, ways of living, knowing and doing through migration, temporary or permanent. We call those who have chosen to settle in foreign countries diaspora. In the era of globalisation, many Sri Lankans have found employment perhaps after higher education in various countries and elevated themselves in the socio-economic hierarchy relative to what would have been their status within Sri Lanka. Close relations exist between these diasporic families and their relatives back home. Some visit family members, others send money at regular intervals. They nourish each other with new information, about new technologies, work and business opportunities. Most of them are employed in the global corporate sector in various capacities. They however have left the country for permanent settlement elsewhere and left their parents and siblings to their own devices.
When we talk about systems we need to recognise this division as a starting point.
I hired an Uber car to drive from the hotel in Galkissa to Colombo Fort to take the Kandy bound train yesterday. In conversation I found that the driver was a former police officer and his sons are in Australia. In fact, the sons had visited Sri Lanka about a month ago. This is a common phenomenon today. I was told that Marawila has lot of families whose members are employed in Italy. In Kandy when I hired a vehicle I found the driver had just returned from France due to a family need. He had applied for refugee status there.
When a large number of Sri Lankans are employed and settled overseas like this, can the policy makers and decision makers ignore such a situation when it is a fact of life? Can we ideologically oppose these people who have found greener pastures elsewhere? I am sure the push factors must have been a motivation for their decision to migrate more than pull facts during the last decade or so due to the political and economic situation in the country.
Another factor that I witness is the extent of global corporate sector operations in the country. The corporate system is different from the state system and even the local system. It is populated by a new breed of executives and other staff who are bilingual or multi lingual. They are inculcated with modern urban attitudes and behaviour plus compliance with the corporate way of doing things and ethos. They address their higher ups with terms like sir and madam. Well dressed, groomed and amiable in their manner. Rarely do they take public transport.
If we look at high rises in Colombo and various other outlets selling a product or service, I could see a strong international flavour. Around Galkissa I could see places selling food such as fried rice, burgers and biryani. Some are American outlets. The quality of such food may not be good but Uber drivers deliver these to family homes or temporary stay places around the area. Such services are expanding and they are being marketed even to school children.
The corporate sector in Sri Lanka is huge and overpowering the landscape. If tea plantations were symbolic about the colonial period, high rise buildings housing banks, tourism services and insurance in Colombo symbolise the new corporate landscape. However, the core question is for whose benefit are these set up? Local capital, global capital or both? Are they exploitative or beneficial? What do these establishments do with their profits? Does the government get a portion by way of taxes or do these establishments use our water, electricity and roads for lesser charges compared to elsewhere? Are these parts of the neo liberal economy created by governments after 1977? Have they grown out of proportion compared to local needs? How is it possible to manage the corporate sector without killing the goose?
In the hotel where I stayed they added 18% VAT to the hotel bill. Why should any tourist come and stay in hotels when they charge such a tax in addition to 10 percent service fee? In Australia, GST is only 10%. I am sure there could be room to reduce VAT here so that the country becomes an attractive place for visitors and locals get some relief as well.
The point is that many Sri Lankans and their families are connected with the external world in many ways. Local systems cannot be left to their own devices as before. The new government needs to identify bottlenecks, weak points and design policies and programmes to rectify them so that the locals and visitors can enjoy the country, its culture and environment to the full. It has become difficult for people living in major cities to secure their daily needs particularly due to congestion, transport issues and the way cities are organised. Those in the RDA and urban planning need to examine how they can develop plans to improve the situation. As it is there are no signs of any new initiatives to improve city life for locals and visitors.
A system change requires some modifications in the over imposing corporate sector as well. A close examination is necessary about its role in modern and beautiful Sri Lanka. If it is exploitative, measures are required to make them more beneficial for the country not the shareholders alone. Continuing with the same system without such close and critical examination is irresponsible.