Word: sri
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Dates: during 2010-2019
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Thrishantha Nanayakkara’s comments reflect the views of many intellectual elite in Sri Lanka...
...voting pattern in the recently concluded presidential election also indicates a deep divide between two cultures in Sri Lanka. Tamil and Muslim minorities living in the North, East and the hills have said that they are a different people and put forth a resounding no-confidence vote. The elite of Sinhalese in the capitol Colombo have also voted for a political solution and lasting peace...
...election results send a more alarming signal to the Tamils, and to the civilized world at large, that a rural voter in a ‘Democracy by Ethnicity’ like Sri Lanka cannot not go beyond the policy of communal intoxication and anti-western sentiment. Another example of this reality was the conduct of state media during the polls—they continued to depict the ruler as a pious and pure soul offering prayers in the temples, thus not allowing the average voter to think past the Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism. These are the exact types of policies...
...lieu of sanctions, the world must come up with innovative solutions that help oppressed Sri Lankans protect their democratic rights while imposing diplomatic pressure directly on leaders who restrict people’s rights. There are many people in Sri Lanka who are afraid to question the election results because they live in fear of persecution. Governments worldwide must take urgent measures to impose the highest level of diplomatic pressure on the government of Sri Lanka to stop arresting people for any conversation related to the election—this policy breeds extremism...
...long-term measure, I urge foreign governments to give a higher priority to investments in credible information technology solutions to stop ballot rigging in the list of foreign aid to Sri Lanka. Finally, I implore all concerned countries to avoid imposing economic sanctions on Sri Lanka—they will only further victimize the victimized: individuals who love freedom more than most of their democratically elected leaders...