Sri Lanka is in contraction; a deep-rooted retrenchment nestled in what appears to be a calamitous struggle that’s never ceasing, never ending.
This ball of mass bedlam has been rolling and snowballing for over seven decades now. The majority of our populace have often only watched from beyond the sidelines, some from afar in their spectator seats (either lavish, economic class, or the worst seats in the house), while political parties and public officials have run spectacular rings around the public like a State circus (all sponsored by the public but of course), while our island has suffered extensively from bigotry-induced civil and social conflict, racial disharmony, oppression, exploitation, manipulation, corruption and greed, and inextricable inequity for a long while now.
Long train runnin’
The chaos ensuing now has been a long train runnin’ and a long time comin’.
Meaning our current state of affairs are merely a grand finale culmination of decades of negligence, mismanagement, poor judgement, indolent decision making, self-interest and pomposity, and carelessness that has rendered our country not so much in paralysis as much as in need of emergency life support now.
While our nation undergoes the worst economic crisis in the its history (the Sri Lankan economy is expected to contract by 7.8% while the rest of South Asia is tipped to grow by 6.8%); I mean, take your pick out of the long, elaborate, and expanding list of disasters and cataclysmic constituents from a colossal lack of forex for food, fuel, and medicines; national bankruptcy; utility cuts; civil unrest; political instability; an uprise in murders, violence, theft, and public anarchy; law enforcement brutality – it is indeed a very long list – and there is a generic consensus that all social activities, functions, events must grind to a halt.
There is a streamline of thought shared by those in hardship that those who seem to be moderately or well-managed to tackle the economic situation ought to practise empathy and understanding by refraining and abstaining from pursuing their everyday affairs.
There lies a sentiment that all privilege is merely a bombastic display of pomposity, a denouement of exhibiting reckless abandon and carelessness by flaunting one’s pleasures, successes, endeavours, and such in life.
More and more people are coming under attack, digital media scrutiny, and judgement for lacking in sympathy for the suffering majority in the country.
Moral grandstanding is, therefore, at an optimal level where the arbiters of causes – not necessarily the sincere ones; I speak of those social media warriors and other avid agents of cause (with insurmountable narcissistic delight) who often spare no expense or effort in rallying round the direst social problems, cultural setbacks, economic perils, and political mishaps in vehement, self-crowned heroism, and propagandist disposition – challenge everything and anything, everyone and anyone that may offend them, offend their ideologies and beliefs, and deposit friction to the alleged balance of all humane functionality.
But, once we effectively separate the chaff from the wheat, would we then stumble upon a fragment of people who are not entirely incorrect in their presumptions and perceptions?
Desperate times
One only needs to take to one’s social media stories or posts on a daily basis to see a vanguard of events, parties, weddings, social activities, corporate functions, gatherings, trips and excursions, and wine-and-dine experiences galore.
All or most of this is transpiring while the nation at large continues to suffer, gasping for breath and air, on life support, unable to function as it once did before.
Seeing miles-long queues of all manner of vehicles, and people sitting or taking turns, for days on end, for gas and other essentials are now a common part of the vistas of prosperity and splendour in Sri Lanka, islandwide.
Many businesses, especially the small- and medium-sized ones, have been pushed to the hilt, to tipping or breaking point, without gas, supplies, staff, or fuel, and unable to operate during this time.
The larger operations and enterprises manage, especially those deemed a part of the essential services.
There is also a growing uproar of those of certain privilege, status quo, position, and vocation of receiving essentials during this scarcity – public officials to entrepreneurs, medical professionals, military and law enforcement, State employees, certain affluent and connected families – without needing to stay in queues or suffer any of the shortages.
Take for an example how my abode and household has been using the same Litro Gas cylinder since February, now sparingly because we utilise the gas essentially to cook for the legion of rescues. We use an electric cooker to make our meals. We have not been able, even with this token system, to acquire a gas cylinder, as the bulk of distribution centres seem to favour people whom they know – rural or township familiars and/or those who are willing to fork out large sums of funds unbeknownst to others standing and now sometimes dying in queues.
That’s right, Sri Lanka is now a nation where some elderly citizens are dying while waiting in queues for days on end.
But of course, this is not a concern to the ruling segments with ample resources at their behest, beck, summoning, and call.
Then certain groups appear to be syphoning and filling up, collecting additional fuel reserves to sell at higher black-market prices – which is also a thing now.
These are indeed desperate times and so people from all walks of life are turning to desperate means and measures to hustle and survive.
One of the most heart-shattering turn of events transpired a few weeks ago when a popular, and one of my favourite, eateries in Colombo 7 was robbed. It was all caught on video footage, where the establishment was broken into and the person who was responsible, who could have stolen a myriad of things of value from tech gadgets and devices to ornaments and amenities, had only stolen food. Nothing other than food was taken. The owners did not file an entry or pursue the matter, as they felt sympathy for the man. The proprietress who I was chatting to said: “How can we, in good conscience, go after a man who was obviously hungry and was probably desperate to find food for his family?”
In the past few weeks more break-ins have been reported – thefts and robberies, violence, the abductions and homicides of children, clashes between the public in queues and more. It’s only going to get worse.
Considerably inconsiderate
It is now time to address the main key point and intention of this week’s article.
Should people be showcasing their socialising, extroverted activities, recreational and frivolous moments being out, fraternising, networking, having fun, engaging, interacting and entertaining and enjoying themselves, professionally, socially, and personally?
Should these happenings be documented and displayed, shared and promulgated for all and sundry to see?
How dare people choose to get married or have kids at a time like this?
How dare musicians, artists, performers, and entertainers organise and stage events in times of such obvious hardship?
How insensitive is it for one to share one’s outings and excursions when people are stuck in traffic jams, fuel and gas queues, and without transport to get to schools and work?
How could people put up photos and selfies of wining and dining at a time of food shortages, while so many are suffering with a lack of supplies and bare essentials?
How can idiots be posting images and videos of them working out at a time like this?
How bloody inconsiderate is it for someone to look happy, content and in jovial, jocular spirits, while some groups are protesting day in and out, others struggling to make ends meet, and when even more do not have the comfort, opportunities, or luxury to experience any of the above?
How dare they? How could they?
The truth
When you view anything from one narrow perspective, all you ever see is only that which is subject to your peripheral scope of vision.
There are two sides to a coin, and three sides to every story.
Yes, objectively, when you hear, see, and read about the tragedies and suffering of the nation, you are hardwired and hard-pressed to feel an inkling of concern and thoughtfulness for the suffering of the many.
It does not bode well nor is it of any merit, whatsoever, to be smug, self-conceited, and wallowing in self-interest by indulging in pleasures, privileges, and luxuries and sharing it to rub it in someone else’s face.
On one hand let us consider the people who have now embraced moral grandstanding and made it their responsibility to endeavour to call out, criticise, chastise, and castigate anyone who doesn’t appear to share in the misery, great distress, anxiety, bitterness, frustration, and suffering which is prevalent and paramount.
Perhaps they are bored. Perhaps they need to wage a daily battle by calling out and cancelling or crucifying others in order to feel morally compact and sound.
On the other hand, we often tend to forget that ecosystems are built and inherently interconnected and dependent on each other. An ecosystem thrives and flourishes based on the many cycles, mechanisms, and components that are all interrelated.
We have corporate ecosystems, social ecosystems, and personal ones.
Let me explain more succinctly.
When people get married; it’s not only about the celebratory aspect. Consider the many businesses and stakeholder groups that are reliant on the wedding. The hotel ecosystem is a complex co-existent system of owners, investors, engineers, management, service staff from the front desk to the concierges, kitchen, the booking agents, the maintenance crews, the cleaning staff, the transportation, the inbound and experienced fractions, and the entertainment. Then a wedding will have the bride, groom and retinue, the tailors, the stylists and groomers that get work, the food and beverage suppliers, the caterers, DJs and musicians, sound and lighting crew, decor, photographers and videographers, attendees and guests who will network and interact, and many more.
Another great example is how some will take issue with those who organise musical shows and concerts.
Saying that a celebration of music or promulgating entertainment is somehow a transgression.
That it’s wrong.
But a show is more than just a show.
It’s an ecosystem where so many people are interconnected and interdependent on that event, leading up to it, on the day itself and after.
Look at the magnitude of stakeholder groups involved.
Sounds and lighting (engineers and crew), event co-ordinators and partners, suppliers, sponsors, media, press, digital partners, the venue and the staff, the chefs and cooks, security, transport, the performers, audience, etc.
There are so many whose livelihoods depend on a concert or event.
All these other factors and life events need to happen for a society to function and thrive.
Posts and stories on social media raise awareness.
The hospitality and entertainment industries are deeply linked and need patrons. Management and employees of venues need work. A locality needs visitors and commerce. From booking agents to online travel agents, from the many third-party intermediaries to the active participants, it’s a much bigger operation behind the scenes.
I feel that in times of crisis, we need to support some of the conventional constructs or we wouldn’t be able to sustain ourselves. Be it smaller businesses, medium-scale pubs and restaurants, or high-end hotels and villas, everyone is feeling the impact of the economic crisis.
Remember that any work is better than no work at all. And in times of carnage, we need hope and purpose. We all need something to live for. To fight for.
Someone’s happiness may be someone else’s sorrow. Everyone is struggling and hustling now. We all deal with it and express it in different ways. Some choose to remain hopeful. That is no crime or sin.
Besides, who’s to judge what is worth living and fighting for and not?
(The writer is the frontman and lyricist of Stigmata, a creative consultant and brand strategist by profession, a self-published author and poet, thespian, animal rescuer, podcaster, and fitness enthusiast)
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
