FINDING A PRACTICAL PURPOSE IN MOST THINGS TERMED 'POLITICAL'

Sri Lanka got through the Local Government (LG) Elections sans much difficulties. Now we have to see whether these LG bodies serve a practical purpose as boasted before the elections.

- By Ravi Nagahawatte

The phrase 'practical purpose' is a nice phrase to be used as a yard stick for judging performance.

This is a country which is obsessed with art, culture and religion. We can also ask the question 'what purpose' has these segments served for the trouble taken to maintain them? Since there is some form of art in every one of us, this writer takes this opportunity to quote former impresario and film director Manik Sandrasagra. He said, "the practical purpose is the only purpose of art'. That puts most ambitious and corrupt individuals who see their selfish projects being sponsored by the tax payers' monies in their place.

Recently we saw the 16th edition of National War Heroes Day being celebrated in Battaramulla under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Seeing visuals of the event, on TV, brought tears to our ears and reminded us of the sacrifices the tri-forces and police had made during the civil war, which lasted for almost three decades. It was a cause for concern to see celebrations on similar lines being held, on the same day, in other parts of the country, by individuals with vested interests.

As a general calculation of how Sri Lanka has moved forward, we take the time from 2009 (the year the civil war ended) onwards to check the progress of this nation. And on most occasions than not, we only see people holding lofty positions in government institutions and the hallowed parliament to fill purses and realise unfulfilled dreams.