Sri Lanka in turmoil

A violent wind of change is sweeping through Sri Lanka, where the prime minister has been  ousted, the cabinet sacked and the parliament suspended. The ouster of the prime minister is at the heart of the dangerous political game being played by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

Such sweeping changes, wherever they take place, are unsettling as they pose serious threats to the security and stability of the countries and their people. There have been many such instances so far, and on many occasions, people across the world have suffered a lot due to the various political dramas and plots orchestrated by their leaders.

Leaders should understand that their action and decisions hugely affect their people and society. Hence the need for extra caution. They should set aside their differences for the greater benefit of their people.

Right now, Sri Lanka is going through a transformation that will, in all likelihood, affect the future of the country. And it is the people who will suffer most because of such undemocratic practices. Here's a lesson for other Asian countries on what not to indulge in: violating the integrity of democratic institutions for petty interests. Since leaders are the ones who most often do that, they should be careful not to make such mistakes.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai, By email