Getting off the couch

By The Spectator

The other day, as some of my colleagues and I were talking about "American Idol," someone suggested we should have a "Sri Lankan Idol." I have a better idea. What we should have instead is an "Idling Sri Lankan" contest.

In my opinion, most of us Sri Lankans are lazy. Some medical experts have put it down to our love for mountainous platefuls of rice. Apparently rice, once consumed, leads to an increase in our blood sugar levels which in turn leads to some internal reaction which makes us physically inactive. (Now you wonder if it was actually our rice loving ancestors who built the massive tanks, the 'dagobas,' as well as huge townships like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa).

Some attribute it to the 'islander attitude' – carefree, laid-back and lazy, not having to worry about intruders sneaking across borders and until very recently complacent in the belief that we are immune to natural disasters, i.e. until the tsunami struck.

Last week I came across an article in a British newspaper in which the writer referred to Sri Lanka as the last sick man in the region. Little wonder because while all other countries in South Asia are moving forward, we are going backwards – politically, socially and economically.

But don't blame it all on the war and corrupt politicians. People need to change their attitudes too if our country is to move ahead. If we sit back and expect the state to provide for all our needs, 100 years down the line, future generations will still be complaining about the pot holes, the power and water cuts, an inefficient public service, and garbage lying on the roads. We have free health but, an overburdened health service, we have free education but, it does not cater to modern needs, hence leaving the youth of the country groping in the dark even after they have completed their university education and a largely state controlled transport system – the less said about which, the better.

But all these things cannot possibly beat Sri Lanka's public service when it comes to the 'islander's attitude.' Anyone who visits a government office to get some work done will know what I am talking about. I'm speaking from experience as I've had the misfortune of having to seek the services of several government departments, having twice lost my National ID card and once my driving licence.

When you walk into a government office, you are confronted with the sight of the most uninspiring set of employees, some walking around with tea cups in hand, some on the phone, some just gazing at the ceiling – I would think a python that just swallowed a cow would have more energy than some of these so called 'public servants!'

Most seem disinclined to attend to even the simplest of tasks on their own. It's an attitude we see all around us. One thing that bugs me a great deal, however insignificant this may sound, is how some people at the supermarket check-out wait until the cashier puts the goods into the bags for them. Surely almost all people who shop at supermarkets are endowed with two hands and are capable of packing their own purchases so that the cashier can attend to the next customer. Or take those who drive up and park right on the middle of the road so they can get off at the door, totally ignoring the fact they are causing a traffic jam behind them. Surely walking a short distance by parking elsewhere is not going to kill them, however high and mighty they may think they are.

If change for the better is to happen in Sri Lanka, each of us has to do our part to make this country a liveable place without passing the buck to the government or some official. Just as we are keen to protect our rights, we must also realise our social responsibilities. Otherwise this beautiful country of ours will just go from bad to worse. This may sound stale but seriously, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." And while you read this and contemplate what you can for your country, I will put my feet up and laze around like a true Sri Lankan, till my next working day comes around.