The question asked by many crisis-affected citizens in the context of Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day anniversary, which falls tomorrow (4), is when millions of people do not have enough of an income to make ends meet, at the very least to have a proper meal, and when the people remain in a state of great uncertainty about their future, whether the country really is in a position to “celebrate” its Independence Day. They further question what sort of freedom they truly have in order to celebrate this day.

However, the Government remains ready to celebrate Independence Day as usual amidst the worst socioeconomic crisis since liberation from colonial rule. In fact, for the Heads of the Government, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, it appears to be a reason to be proud of and boast about. They seem to be convinced that it shows the strength of the Government and the country. The President is of the opinion that Sri Lanka must celebrate its Independence Day, as failing to do so would give the world an opportunity to say that Sri Lanka is not capable of celebrating even its Independence. While acknowledging that many have asked that Independence Day not be celebrated, the Premier stated that, in his opinion, a nation that cannot celebrate its Independence Day has no future.

The fact that the suffering and uncertainty that has befallen the majority of the population for the past year does not seem to bother the Government enough to rethink its decision to spend around Rs. 200 million on these celebrations is alarming. Even more alarming is the fact that the leaders of the Government appear to think that showing off to the country and the world despite economic and other difficulties is necessary and could somehow save the country’s image in the world.

However, it is an erroneous and rather foolish idea, as the world is aware of what transpired in Sri Lanka during the past 10 months. Some local reports on the emergence and impacts of the crisis and influential pro-Government figures severely diluted the true nature and causes of the crisis, whereas international media outlets attempted to report the situation as it was. In such a context, it would not be wrong to say that the international community has a clearer idea about Sri Lanka’s situation than many Sri Lankans do. It is unclear as to what the Government is seeking to hide or show to the world, because a skyrocketing inflation, the foreign reserves crisis, the massive mountain of debt, increasing malnutrition and the food crisis, the brain drain, continuing Government crackdown on protestors, political deals, and a plethora of other elements of the crisis are not news to the world. An Independence Day celebration cannot restore the country’s image which has been tarnished as a result of these issues. 

If the Government truly cares about what the international community thinks of Sri Lanka, what it should be doing is providing the people with the sort of freedom that they need. That freedom entails social, economic, and political conditions in which stability, a good quality of life, the rule of law, a political system free of incompetent and corrupt politicians, and efficient public services are assured.