United we stand, divided we fall

By B. Anton Jeyanathan

Recently, making a significant statement, an African leader said: “There is an emerging super power which has infiltrated into the African region and has been successful because we are disunited”.

During the past three months or so, we have joined our hands together as one united Sri Lanka, and this has enabled us to overcome, to a great extent, the Covid-19 pandemic. Though some are critical about the manner in which the Government handled the crisis, it has to be acknowledged that if not for the timely and stern action taken by the President, supported by the Police and the Armed forces, our country would not have raised its head to resume normal life today.

The curfews and the lockdown, which many did not appreciate at the beginning, have turned out to be a blessing.  This decision was taken to safeguard our lives, despite its devastating economic blow.

The coronavirus is no respecter of caste, creed, class, colour or religion. It spreads throughout the world and even the powerful countries have been brought to their knees. During the worst period of the Covid crisis, a Western leader claimed that he and his government had done everything possible to contain this virus, but had not been successful, and he was appealing to divine intervention to help his country.  Even the controversial trumpeting Trump declared that he had decided to have places of worship re-opened as America needed prayers at this hour of disaster.

Leaving aside the spread of the virus, the death toll in Western countries was mind boggling. Even in neighbouring India, the death toll is high.

But in Sri Lanka, we have managed the crisis well.  We should be thankful to the medical fraternity of our country – doctors, nurses, attendants and the minor staff, the Public Health Inspectors. We must also salute our armed forces, police, and all government and non-governmental bodies which have directly or indirectly contributed to the battle against the virus, disregarding the risks they are exposed to. Their collective action has contributed to the relative success the country has achieved in controlling the pandemic in comparison to other countries.

The dedicated service of Sri Lanka’s medical staff, the armed forces and others has come in for much praise from the WHO and other countries.

While in keeping with the President’s vision, many are dedicating themselves as Sri Lankans, sadly some elements have attempted to cause dissension between the majority community and a particular minority community by spreading false and unfounded allegations against the members of that particular community.

In a recent case in Weligama, a minority community woman who was suffering from diabetes and an acute asthmatic condition was denied admission in some government hospitals where medical officials thought she had coronavirus symptoms.  The woman’s husband produced medical documents to confirm that his wife had been suffering from an asthmatic condition for a long period and that she had been treated for this condition, but the doctors had not paid heed to the plea. 

Unfortunately, without medical attention, the woman died.  The husband now faced another hurdle. He was not allowed to bury the body according to their religious beliefs.  The man had made every attempt to prove that his wife had died of diabetes and asthma. He pleaded with officials that he should be allowed to bury her according to his religious beliefs.  This was denied.  However, thankfully, Weligama Urban Council Chairman Rehaan Jayawickrema intervened to help the man. He urged the man to allow a post-mortem examination on the body.  The post-mortem examination proved that the woman had died of an asthmatic condition.  Having obtained the unchallengeable report of the post-mortem examination, the UC chairman ordered that the body be buried according to the religious rites of that community in the common burial grounds.  It is heartening to note that this local politician took the right decision in spite of protests. His action helped ally apprehensions that there was discrimination against this particular community.

The coronavirus has taught us many lessons -- how to be united as one nation. It has brought about a better understanding and happiness among the families -- a closer and more united family life where husbands, wives and children live together harmoniously. Although some reports say the house “lockdown” has resulted in family disputes, a majority of the families have experienced a quality family life under lockdown.

Let us not be fooled that the coronavirus has gone and we can continue the same lifestyle which we followed before the pandemic.  Do not make this mistake. Learn the lessons the coronavirus has taught us in personal hygiene and eating habits. Avoid the consumption of alcohol and do not smoke. In general, live more simply and frugally, rather than resorting to high living and the social life which most of us have got used to before the pandemic.

We cannot allow our country to suffer any more. The economy is in shambles with foreign earnings more or less nil. There are no exports while tourism is almost dead.  We have stay united to recover from this terrible calamity.  Let us all free ourselves from petty mindedness and religious and racial hatred. Let us bind ourselves together as Sri Lankans of one family to restore our land of birth to stand up again.

A well-known writer in an article summed up the situation saying, “COVID took a lot from the world but it also taught us to reflect on life’s true meaning.” I wish to reiterate the sentiments expressed by this writer: “May our hearts and minds be enlightened to what life is truly about. We come, we go; the in-between defines who we truly are.” 

Let our motto always be “United we stand, divided we fall”.

(The writer is a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police.)