Wenasak: A Post-Election

Reflection

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera - on 01/16/2015

Yesterdays energy
Sri Lanka is still overwhelmed with the peoples energy that a few days ago
brought the immeasurable gift of democratic regime change.
As the campaign heightened, one word; wenasak- (Sinhala-a change)
became a spontaneous and variable slogan or code, determined by the
context in which it was used. There was no need to mention a name or
colour or symbol; people simply wanted a change. Over 80% voted.
Wenasak was however possible due to a convergence of several
democratic forces. Some of these were;
The several opposition politicians who tirelessly monitored a deteriorating
political culture and addressed matters of public interest.

 The determined vigilance of a cross section of Civil Society ranging from

formal to informal groups who upheld the cause of good governance.

The persistence of sections of the media, who investigated, exposed, wrote

and spoke in circumstances of deceit, censorship and harassment.

The dogged initiative of a small group of persons led by a senior Buddhist

Monk who asserted that a primary cause of our crisis in governance; the
executive presidency, can and must be abolished.

Shrewd and carefully guarded political planning, in a culture infested with

informants and surveillance that facilitated the emergence of a common
opposition candidate and a rare show of consensus among several political
parties to come together to back him all the way.

The professional and sensitive role played by the Elections Commissioner

and the IGP and their respective departments in circumstances of acute
politicisation.
The presence and expertise of teams of monitors and observers; both local
and International.

The street wisdom of at least one political party whose cadres provided a
protective presence that contested voter intimidation and helped build
public confidence on the ground.

The quiet resilience of the people who affirmed their democratic right to
come out in large numbers and vote, despite desperate attempts to
manipulate their democratic freedom of choice, through the abuse of state
resources and vicious propaganda.
Todays reward
This cluster of forces points to persons of conscience who placed the
common good before self- interest. Many worked separately but all
contributed to a common momentum. As some spoke and acted, others

under pressure to give up were encouraged to renew their strength to

persevere. The nation was not without persons of calibre.
Identity added to this impetus as more and more names and organisations
stood up to be counted. People had understood that if Wenasak did not
come now it would not come for a long, long, time hence. The result was an
incredible non-violent peoples revolution. The sympathy of the world
turned to admiration.
Tomorrows nation
These forces have proved that no matter how bleak the future of a nation
may appear, regime change is possible and best from within. Waiting for
external intervention invariably proves counter-productive. It neutralises
hidden reserves of peoples energy, inevitably stimulated under oppressive
regimes, and tends to divert a conflict in a more complex direction. It can
also become an excuse for silence.
Just as this regime change took time, the change in social values and
political culture that must follow will also take time. But tomorrow begins
today. All who want a just, reconciled and safe nation are to sustain this
momentum. The nations need of diverse human resources and skills; critics
and visionaries; sages and activists, never ends.
The forces that made Wenasakpossible consequently remind us that if
the nation is to embrace truth, justice, reconciliation and integration, both
people and their elected representatives are called to continue to place the
common good before self-interest.
They also teach us that none can do it all. In fact none should be allowed to,
because it is when some imagine they can, that we return to where we
desperately want to move away from.

With Peace and Blessings to all

Bishop Duleep de Chickera
Posted by Thavam