Consolidating national unity

There is an indivisible link between the welfare of the working masses and national unity. This is on account of the fact that the working people constitute a considerable section of our citizenry. If the well being of the working population is not ensured there is unlikely to be social peace and national solidarity.

May Day which is celebrated worldwide today, inclines us to these reflections. Indeed, it is the working people who account mainly for the common well being and the wealth of the country, although this truth tends to be dwarfed by the numerous other considerations that claim the attention of the state on the issue of wealth generation. Automation is yet to make any inroads into our economy and it is no exaggeration to state that without ‘the labouring masses’ the national economy could very well be paralyzed.

Therefore, the state, the trade unions and our numerous political actors are obliged to focus afresh on the needs and aspirations of the local working people. We should not for a moment forget that any interruption to the production process could spell national ruin. The common weal is yet very much dependent on not only the total utilization of our labour but also on its productivity. Accordingly, we hope the well being of our working people will be addressed by our numerous political parties, trade unions and other relevant sections not only today but everyday in a sustained, dynamic manner.

These reflections would seem like a repetition of truisms but they are all too easily forgotten in the maelstrom of a country’s everyday affairs and politics. But we need to steadily focus on them on account of the fact that we are morally obliged to look after the legitimate interests of the working people and also because the generation of the national wealth depends considerably on the productivity of the working masses. Accordingly, we call on all sections concerned to focus strongly on the welfare of our labouring masses today and to ponder deeply on how their generally onerous lot could be progressively alleviated.

These considerations should weigh heavily on our political parties in particular. This should be said because, as is so often noted with concern, our political parties give free rein to their instinct to politicking even on May Day. This is a regrettable tendency and we draw their attention to the close connection between human labour, productivity and national well being. In short, working class issues cannot be shunted aside in place of run-of-the-mill politicking on May Day. Rather, serious deliberations need to take place on how the lot of the working people could be improved.

Truly, keeping the concerns of the labouring masses in mind is instrumental in consolidating national unity. This could very well be one of the main reasons why a centrist coalition has been in power since 1994. The current SLFP-led UPFA has not only been accommodative of a large number of legitimate interests in this country but also committed itself to a social welfare policy which has kept the interests of the working people in focus. True, economic pragmatism should be a principal pillar of national development but our interest in economic globalization and connected issues should not distract us from the course of serving our working people who are instrumental in keeping the wheels of the economy humming.

That said, it is also necessary to remember that a responsibility devolves on the totality of the public to protect the state which is, of course, central to their well being. Too often, the tendency is to harp on rights rather equally focus on responsibilities. A duty is cast on the whole citizenry to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the state in protecting the country’s interests. This requirement the people could forget only at the country’s peril.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the people to rally round the state because it is all too clear that the forces are numerous who are seeking to undermine its stability. Indeed, the working people should unite to protect the country, whether they reside in the North, South, East or West. Collective unity is the answer to assaults on this country’s sovereignty.