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Self-governance for self-defence

18 Aug 2021

There is only so much a government can do to protect its citizens. Whether the incumbent Government has done the bare minimum or not is a matter for debate, and the answer is likely to be strongly divided along political lines. The Government has conducted itself in an exemplary manner at times, while at other times displaying astounding levels of shortsightedness and obstinance, and these qualities have rightfully made the Government either wildly popular or extremely unpopular, with the common voters not blinded by loyalties. It would be fair to say that the Government is currently in one of its rather unpopular phases for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is also worth pondering how fair it is to expect the Government to do it all, without citizens taking individual responsibility for their actions. The truth that most Sri Lankans do not understand is that there is only so much the Government, health authorities, and medical professionals can do. Waiting for them to end the pandemic while enjoying a level of freedom we can no longer maintain is unrealistic. The current state of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is almost out of hand, is proof that the vaccine alone cannot save us. This is why it was encouraging to see several regional trade associations that understood the gravity of the prevailing situation take the initiative and instruct the stores operating under them to close for a period of one week, starting from yesterday (18). This exemplary act took place in several parts of the island, including in Ratnapura, Badulla, Trincomalee, Ampara, Godakawela, Akuressa, Balangoda, Tangalle, Wadduwa, and Wennappuwa, as well as several areas in the Pettah area. Several social media posts were shared about this move, encouraging the rest of the population to do the same. Likewise, the Association of Sri Lanka Canteen/Restaurant Owners has also requested its members to temporarily halt operations. This comes at a time when the country’s health sector is firing on all cylinders to keep Covid-19 patients fighting for their lives, as well as the vaccination drive, alive. Though we might wish Sri Lanka had the economic stability of New Zealand, to implement a lockdown when just one case emerges, the time for fantasy is long past – the reality is that we need to keep the country open to allow essential day-to-day activities for people to survive. This underscores the importance of people taking safety measures voluntarily, without waiting for the Government to impose restrictions. Even if the Government was in a position to shut down the country, the authorities cannot possibly monitor each and every individual; in fact, a government should not have to resort to such, if the people are willing to be more responsible and prudent. During the past few days, in the face of the likely collapse of the health sector and the state of public health, several parties, including the health authorities, the main Opposition party – the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka, independent medical professional bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Association, and certain members of the Government also appealed to the people to self-isolate. The Morning has stressed many times before about the importance of people taking individual responsibility more seriously, and we are living in a time where our reckless actions endanger ourselves as well as those we associate with. Several groups have set an example by taking the initiative to ensure their own safety voluntarily, but not everyone can follow suit, mostly owing to economic reasons. However, the rest of us – i.e. those who can do the same, but have chosen not to – have a duty to start the chain reaction and encourage as many people as possible to self-isolate, and to impose movement-related restrictions voluntarily. Taking our safety into our own hands, in fact, is the least yet best thing we can do. A couple of days or weeks at home could perhaps save our lives.


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