Where we should have been

If the factors that initiated the broader ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka were not set in motion about 20 years ago, judging by certain trends, we can guesstimate what sort of a country Sri Lanka would now be. During the time, the region saw tremendous economic success and there is no reason to doubt that Sri Lanka would have not joined the bandwagon. Sri Lanka would have enjoyed the growths similar to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Certain conditions endemic to Sri Lanka, such as literacy rate, use of English, moderate weather, lack of frequent natural disasters, democratic values and the geographical factors, might have contributed to even greater influx of investment and economic progress than the other countries. The socialist nature of the republic would have also ensured that despite possible gap in income groups, sufficient investments are made in the education and the health sectors. The investments in the education sector combined with the general nature of the Sri Lankan parents would have produced not only a high percentage of skilled citizens but also a (since education is known to be the best remedy for all social ills) more tolerant, considerate and a compassionate society. So in effect, when we were at crossroads 20 years ago - we chose the violent, destructive and hateful path that has left Sri Lanka, economically and socially, in shambles when we should have travelled the one that would have gradually and effectively addressed all our so called aspirations.