Compiled by Savithri Rodrigo

KEEPING THE PEACE

Dewmith Ranasinghe urges Sri Lankans to embrace their civic responsibility

Q: What’s the good, the bad and the ugly here in Sri Lanka?

A: Sri Lanka is renowned for its natural beauty, unique culture and environmental diversity; basically, everything anyone could want from a destination. However, a decades’ long civil war dragged the country down although Sri Lanka stands as one nation.

The lack of education on sexual and reproductive health has led to a rise in rape, and sexual and child abuse. In the first 15 days of 2020 alone, 140 incidents of rape, 42 cases of serious sexual abuse and 54 cases of child abuse were reported. This is not a good environment for children to grow up in.

Another concern is that with the education system being inflexible, and narrowed to specific subjects and streams, all those years of schooling and higher education do not offer students a chance to learn much beyond the curriculum.

Q: And what are the challenges facing the country today?

A: The main challenge right now is the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka has been successful in managing the pandemic compared to most countries in the world.

But it has brought on economic challenges as the curfew impacted many businesses, causing people to lose their jobs. With schools closing as well, there is disruption to education, which doesn’t augur well for the future of the nation.

Q: Do you believe that Sri Lanka will be united one day?

A: I strongly believe that Sri Lanka is already united as a nation. The best example of this was during the Easter Sunday attacks when most people didn’t react violently.

In many instances, problems are caused by politicians and community leaders who have a vested interest in their own futures. Citizens have a responsibility to ensure that rumours and misinformation are not spread, leading to violence.


Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

A: Certainly, in Sri Lanka. I have two main goals – viz. to launch a digital marketing business because I like social media marketing (I’m currently part of a social forum that reviews restaurants and small businesses) and obtain a degree in logistics management because I enjoy learning about the shipping industry.

Q: And where do you see Sri Lanka in a decade from today?

A: With the business friendly policies that are now being implemented, our country will be a services hub.

Sri Lanka has the potential to be a niche manufacturing destination that produces goods and adds value to global supply chains particularly in light engineering. Given our agricultural prowess, we could also be a location for the export of high value products including fruits, vegetables and dairy, servicing the global tourism industry.

Q: Who is responsible for climate change and global warming – and what must be done about it?

A: This falls on many shoulders from individuals through our daily choices to industries emitting greenhouse gases and nations making bad decisions leading to environmental disasters.

The world should not be witnessing volcanic eruptions, solar radiation and tectonic plate movements. Earth’s rising temperature is causing imbalances in the natural order of things.

Changing our lifestyles might be a good place to start. Carpooling helps reduce carbon emissions. Curbing the unnecessary felling of trees and replacing old electronic gadgets with more environmentally-friendly alternatives will also help.

Q: How do you view the growing importance of social media today?

A: There are two sides to every story and the same applies to social media; it is now a primary facet of everyone’s life from education to entertainment, communication and e-commerce.

Social media has developed from the point of being a basic tool to send and receive messages into one where entire businesses are constructed upon it.

Q: Where do you see the world in 10 years’ time?

A: Currently, there is a lack of education and therefore, unemployment. This means that young people are walking into a trap; they have no knowledge of how to handle problems, deal with communication gaps and trust people.

As young people, we must face these problems and try to deal with them rationally, by asking for help from parents and adults who can guide and direct us.