Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Joint Opposition Press Conference – Speech by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon of the Free Lawyers Organization

On one side lies democratic freedom safeguarded by constitutional checks and balances; on the other lies the harsh reality of a nation still recovering from decades of war, economic collapse, organized crime, corruption, narcotics, and political instability and recovery from Ditwa 

The concerns raised by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon regarding the politicization of investigative institutions cannot be ignored. Independent policing, anti-corruption mechanisms, and an impartial judiciary are essential pillars of democracy. Without them, governments may misuse power to silence opponents and weaken public trust.

Yet Sri Lanka also faces another uncomfortable truth. Excessive bureaucracy, weak enforcement of law, political interference, and indecisive governance have contributed significantly to national decline. After the Easter attacks, the economic collapse, the Aragalaya” unrest, and the continuing geopolitical pressures arising from global conflicts, Sri Lanka cannot afford a vacuum of authority.

What the country perhaps requires is not authoritarian dictatorship, but a disciplined and people-oriented benevolent governance model” — one that combines compassion for the poor with uncompromising enforcement of law and order.

Countries such as Singapore emerged from instability through strong administrative discipline, anti-corruption measures, and merit-based governance. Strict laws alone did not create prosperity; consistent enforcement, efficiency, and public confidence did.

Sri Lanka’s challenge is therefore to strike a delicate balance

Democracy without discipline descends into chaos. Discipline without accountability becomes tyranny. Sri Lanka’s future depends on finding a middle path — a system where the state is strong enough to maintain order, yet restrained enough to protect liberty.

In a post-war and post-economic-crisis environment, sustainable development cannot emerge from endless political battles or institutional paralysis. Stability, investor confidence, and national reconciliation require a government capable of acting decisively while respecting constitutional safeguards.

The need of the hour is not merely political change, but a national culture of lawful governance, social responsibility, and disciplined leadership that serves all citizens equally.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera