A form of government where the most the prominent citizens rule is known as an aristocracy. It contrasts with a democracy where theoretically all citizens hold power. A pure democracy would involve a referendum on virtually every major issue. Since this would be unbearably expensive, clumsy and inefficient, most democracies would only hold a referendum if it absolutely necessary. This leaves room for lobbyists, activists, sponsors, the press, NGOs, superpowers, post colonial powers, and the prominent citizens of that nation to have a say on the decisions the parliament is to make.

Sri Lanka now a presidential representative democracy, used to be ruled under the commonwealth of Britain. During the British Raj, the established aristocrats were torn apart of their prominence, and was replaced by new era of pro-empire capitalistic feudalism. This was done partly due to the evangelical motives of the Raj and to balance out the rising influence of the independence movement which would eventually shake the very foundations of the ‘crown colony of Ceylon’ in 1948.

So, what was the legacy of the “Evil Empire”?

Was it capitalism? Was it the LTTE issue which lasted for over 30 years? Or was it the (so called) evil evangelists? I think it was the aristocracy who were left behind are those to blame. Their attempts to preserve their declining importance left scars in our post independence history, the best example I can point to is LTTEplague. Rich Colombo Christians converting the hungry to play a numbers game was surely not what the son-of-god intended, and such short sighted action has provoked anger and disgust among people of all faiths including christians themselves. The old money Sinhalese are just as bad; for they blame the Christians for the ills of society, only because unlike the Christians they walked away from the church when the Raj left.

Is Leftism the answer?

No. Totalitarianism is an absurd answer and should not be experimented with! The elected executive and legislature are invaluable assets worth preserving and one must not allow Chairman Mao(somavansa) to take away their freedom. Post independence politics contained the sour taste of the left because at the time it was seen as the answer to liberate one’s self from west, but as we have done it now- I see no need for the left anymore. A country needs a loyal upper class it needs aristocracy.

So, what is the answer?

The current democratic system provides enough scope for all citizens of Sri Lanka to exercise their democratic rights permitted under Sri Lankan law. But undoubtedly the introduction of more checks and balances to make the executive and the legislature more accountable to each other, and both the executive and the legislature more accountable to the judiciary and therefore the citizens indirectly, would be good.

I know what you Sri’s do; you have a drink after dinner and fill my ears with crap about how the British messed with the aristocratic system to favour their rule! You also blame the rich for still being pro empire (it is how I hardly know?)

So you should vote for Mahinda Rajapakse in the upcoming elections if you are one of those who fill my ears with rubbish. Your vote will create a new aristocracy though corruption and capitalism just like the old money Sinhalese (Buddhists+christains), old money Tamils and old money Muslims came into existence. At least the new capitalistic feudalism will represent local values instead of foreign ones. Isn’t that what you want?

Swapping one hill for another?

Api wenuwen Api they say.. (Us for us, basically)