With the Presidential Election nearly a month away, and a General Election just around the bend, Sri Lanka’s politics have slowly turned to efforts of mustering the ‘floating vote’ and herding them to each candidate’s corral before the gates close on 21 September. While all that is going on, the importance of this Presidential Election and the following General Election for Sri Lanka cannot be understated. 

Sri Lanka is at a pivotal juncture in its history, and that too after some painful lessons. While the candidates grandstand and roll out all the pomp and pageantry of ‘mass victory rallies’ with leapfrog lawmakers jumping ship to save themselves, the quiet majority of voters seem to have already made up their minds on who they will back. Will this be the year for Sri Lankan voters to break the mould, of ‘it’s only decided at the polling queue’ philosophy? That remains to be seen.  

One key issue that the ‘floating’ voter base faces, especially the urban young, is that while the candidates have put on a good show since nominations were finalised, almost all of them have credibility issues. None of the key candidates stand tall and ‘clean’, and that is telling of the Sri Lanka political culture. Perhaps, it is due to this fact, we see almost all candidates pander to populist demands for some form of relief, aiming to entice the ‘floaters’ to paddle their way. Let’s not kid ourselves, pandering to the hopes of the people is rarely a bad thing, and most of the candidates in the race are ignorant to the characteristics demanded by the Presidency. Given that mismatch, let us hope that the so called, ‘politically aware’ young generation of the ‘post-aragalaya era’ will vote in a better way than their previous generations.

For decades, we Sri Lankans have been quick to point the finger at our lawmakers, insurgents and terrorists, environmental disasters, and foreign powers for the devastating state of affairs in Sri Lanka. While all those who have been accused may have some culpability to a limited degree, we Sri Lankan voters cannot wash our hands of the responsibility of not appointing those who are capable and credible to the offices of governance. Therefore, we the voters have to shoulder an equal share of our destiny and how we got here. All the drama and theatre of election campaigns will soon be forgotten once people settle into the daily grind of life after the election, and then, and only then will the screws be tightened.  

Let us hope that those who claim they are ready and able to deliver Sri Lanka to a better place, are made of stronger stuff and are competent, as much as they are intelligent, as governance is no cake walk. This is more important today than ever before, as the masses, especially those below or near the poverty line have been squeezed dry and have nothing more to give. If a new government, president with a public mandate does not deliver or is seen to be ineffective, the repercussions could be ruthless, as the masses no longer have the stomach for excuses or delays. Therefore, those candidates who like to rile up public sentiments about relief and utopia, better be ready to face the music if they put foot wrong. Much of Sri Lanka has suffered so much, a significant segment of the populace is like a tightly wound up coil, and if you make your election promises the string that holds them bound and out of disorder, you better be ready to deliver.  

The public should also not hedge their bets on election promises, history has shown their success rate. Instead, the voters should, despite their suffering, prioritise reform and structural changes to governance over short-term relief for self. 

Sri Lanka must fix herself and quickly. We can no longer afford to put off reforms and recalibration of the governance of this island. Therefore, the public must act with foresight and tact at the ballot box. Sri Lankans should not help perpetuate politicisation of policy to the extent that governance becomes so twisted where the political leadership becomes the rulers and the voter becomes their slave instead of masters. Making kings and becoming subjects have failed Sri Lankans miserable and left us broken. We must change that mind-set. Think of the long term, not today, and vote wisely.