Compiled by Nicola Jayasundera

A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Malith Saparamadu shares his manifold hopes for and concerns about Sri Lanka

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

A: Like any nation, Sri Lanka has its positives, flaws and untapped potential. When I think of the country’s beauty, three aspects stand out: its people, geography and culture.

One aspect I admire most about Sri Lanka is its people – their hospitality, kindness and unity. The island has always had access to natural resources, fertile land and tropical weather. I also love the spicy food and colourful festivals this country has to offer.

However, Sri Lanka has its fair share of weaknesses, one of which is the lack of focus on mental health. We see many people struggling with depression and other hardships behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, being a conservative country, we don’t see enough corrective action and dialogue taking place about these issues.

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

A: Sri Lanka has been grappling with serious financial challenges, largely due to inconsistent policy-making. Key issues include mounting national debt, underperforming state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and excessive public expenditure.

Priorities in government spending is another area of concern. While Sri Lanka is a welfare driven country, is it reaching the right people?

Income inequality prevails and lifting people out of poverty is a tough task. Taking the national economy to the next level towards sustainable growth is also a challenge.

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

A: Yes – I firmly believe that Sri Lanka will be united in the future. We’ve been through many hardships as a country and I believe that we haven’t reached our full potential yet.

In the future, once we have reached our full productive potential by utilising all our resources, I imagine Sri Lanka will be a paradise with an abundance of opportunities and a united nation.

The younger generation – educated and exposed to diverse perspectives – can play a role in bridging divides and fostering unity. And education can foster understanding and respect among all communities.

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

A: In a decade, I hope to have accomplished my dream of being a lawyer, advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. My aim is to climb the corporate ladder in a law firm and be financially stable.

I’d also like to be able to stay in touch with my passion for music while simultaneously giving back to my family, supporting them and possibly starting a family of my own.

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

A: To be honest, I don’t think there will be much change to the status quo as a decade is a comparatively short period for anything substantial to take place.

However, I hope that Sri Lanka gets on the road to development and improves its facilities.

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

A: While many people blame large companies for global warming and climate change, I believe that all of us play a role in this. At the end of the day, all citizens consume goods that harm the environment and we’re all responsible for our individual carbon footprints.

Solutions to these pressing issues include encouraging the use of sustainable materials and sources of energy in our daily lives or educating people on the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.

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

A: Social media has had a huge impact on the world. These platforms are a powerful tool for advertising and communicating with friends.

However, too much time is spent on social media today especially among our generation. It’s become a 24/7 habit that is really addictive.

When used efficiently, social media can be a tool of great importance.

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

A: While I’d hope to see an idealistic world, I fear that we may face an environment with rising temperatures, and a loss of greenery due to the construction of new buildings and population growth.

I also envision a future world dominated by technology, where devices and AI could essentially control our daily lives.