The process of establishing Sri Lanka as a disciplined nation is limitless. The reason is that Sri Lankans have never lived in a disciplined society.
No one demonstrates self-discipline from the last fool in the country to the most educated individual.
It is undeniably a matter of personal choice for individuals to exercise self-discipline. However, this must completely change regarding behaviour in public society.
Indeed, a person should exhibit two characters: one in their personal life and another in public life. Recognising this distinction can lead Sri Lanka to become a disciplined country.
Once individuals step out of their homes, they become part of public society. Subsequently, they must behave in accordance with societal laws. These laws are enforced according to a set of regulations established by state governance. Such laws may vary based on society’s behaviour over time.
Adherence to the law is the only way for a society to become legalistic. Although other moral frameworks, such as religions, exist, their contradictions have confounded the entire society.
Recognising the Duality of Personal and Public Life
Therefore, self-discipline cultivated through foundational principles like religion can only be developed individually. These principles alone cannot effectuate a significant transformation at the social level. Thus, striving for a society that respects the law is crucial to creating a disciplined nation.
The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative launched by the current government needs to achieve exactly this. First and foremost, society must be freed from the entrenched contradictions that have developed. Once individuals leave their homes and become part of society, altering their behaviour to align with societal norms should be a collective goal.
In implementing the law, all citizens must agree to it, and they should not oppose these laws even when they are disadvantageous at a personal level. This has been the situation in Sri Lanka for a long time. For a significant period, politicians in Sri Lanka have enacted and enforced laws in ways that benefit themselves. As a result, law-breaking has occurred more frequently than law enforcement.
Lessons from Past Government Initiatives
After Prabhakaran’s death during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure, a substantial urban development effort was initiated under the Urban Development Authority. During this period, a similar initiative thrived. Colombo City became remarkably picturesque. Those illegally trading in public spaces were removed, and the city’s beautification occurred successfully. The “Floating Market” was opened as a beautiful venue and garnered significant interest among tourists.
Similarly, during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s era, efforts to cleanse the society began to take shape. However, following the collapse of Mahinda’s administration, all these developments were destroyed in a very short time. With the arrival of Sirisena and Ranil’s governance, vendors again invaded public spaces. The Floating Market was obliterated, and the city’s beauty was lost, reverting Colombo to its previous slum-like state. Consequently, years of effort and financial investment were wasted.
Building a Fear and Respect for the Law
The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative could face the same fate. The current government clearly feels a sincere necessity for this. They are aware that society has declined, and rebuilding it is an extremely challenging task. Purifying society is not something that can be achieved in a short period. Moreover, maintaining cleanliness requires great effort. This is due to recurring bad habits among Sri Lankans.
To avert these attempts to rectify, society must go beyond mere warnings. The law must be strictly enforced, and the populace must develop a fear and respect for it.
