{"id":73796,"date":"2021-07-27T08:39:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T13:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=73796"},"modified":"2021-07-27T08:41:29","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T13:41:29","slug":"mangala-samara-weera-spearheads-launch-of-an-apolitical-movement-called-radical-centre-by-a-group-of-multifaceted-multi-ethnic-youth-based-on-the-principles-of-democracy-freedom-e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=73796","title":{"rendered":"Mangala Samaraweera spearheads launch of an apolitical movement called \u2018Radical Centre\u2019 by a group of multifaceted multi-ethnic youth based on the principles of democracy, freedom, equality and justice as the four pillared-foundation for a just, caring and prosperous society."},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Minister and Parliamentarian Mangala Samara-weera yesterday spearheaded the launch of an apolitical movement called \u2018Radical Centre\u2019 by a group of multifaceted multi-ethnic youth calling themselves as true patriots.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The middle path or \u2018Radical Centre\u2019 is based on the principles of democracy, freedom, equality and justice as the four pillared-foundation for a just, caring and prosperous society. It draws inspiration from liberal democratic principles. <\/p>\n

Radical Centre is a platform of moderation providing the silent majority to oppose and fight authoritarianism, racism and all other forms of extremism actively and vigorously. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It provides an engaging forum where all Sri Lankans can discover their common humanity going beyond the boundaries of race, creed and caste.<\/p>\n

The launch coincided with the 38th anniversary of the 1983 Black July ethnic clashes, considered to be the one of the darkest days in Sri Lanka\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Flanked by professional, entrepreneurial and multi-ethnic youth at the \u2018Freedom Hub\u2019 at Darley Road \u2013 Colombo 9, Mangala said all right-thinking people across Sri Lanka must break their silence and unite to protect democracy and lead the country to an inclusive socioeconomic growth trajectory. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe tyranny of the few can only be defeated if the silent majority \u2013 the true patriots \u2013 come forward for the greater good of the people and the country,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Mangala said at the time of gaining independence in 1948, the country was considered one of the most developed in Asia. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, as many countries in the world today, including those that were considered poorer than Sri Lanka back then, are moving towards an era of Bitcoin-BlockChain-NFT-Artificial intelligence, we have fallen into bankruptcy. We are becoming a failed State isolated from the world,\u201d the former Finance Minister said.<\/p>\n

He also listed a host of economic issues such as the debt challenge, foreign reserve crisis, negative or low growth, fertiliser and food crisis amidst the COVID pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cSri Lanka has fallen into this state today because of decades of politics through the sale of false patriotism, the voters who were continuously deceived by these so-called patriots and an Opposition that interfered with the Government\u2019s attempts to do what is right in the name of patriotism. In fact, everyone else involved in governance, including myself, is to some extent responsible for the current situation,\u201d admitted Mangala.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday it is said everywhere that \u2018Sir has failed\u2019. But it is not President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who has really failed today. It is the religious, majoritarian and outdated socialist ideologies he represents that has failed. Today, it is the Government that promised a solitary Sinhala Government that has failed. <\/p>\n

\u201cWho has failed today is the present Opposition which has gone beyond \u2018Sir\u2019 in proposing an ideology containing racism and majoritarianism as a solution. What has failed today is the socialist mentality based on religiosity and narrow racism that has fascinated the voters of this country since 1965. Not only \u2018Sir\u2019, \u2018Sa\u2019 has failed as well,\u201d charged Mangala.<\/p>\n

He said what Sri Lanka needs today is an alternative, not a substitute. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we are to better this country\u2019s future and to lay the foundation for a future where the youth of today can live freely let us now identify exactly what true patriotism is. As true patriots, let us discuss how to take the country forward economically and politically. <\/p>\n

\u201cMoreover, let\u2019s free ourselves from the \u2018frog in the well\u2019 mentality and plan how to conquer the world for the sake of the children of our country. Let us talk not only about the development, security and sovereignty of our country, but also about the appearance of the country that our children will inherit in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Stressing that now is the time to discuss how Sri Lanka can move forward hand-in-hand with the world without being isolated from it, Mangala said Sri Lanka must begin this conversation, not tomorrow, not next year, not at the next elections. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe must begin this conversation today, right at this moment without avoiding it any further,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

It was pointed out that today those with different ideologies are attempting to create alliances based solely on anti-Rajapaksa sentiments. However, what is really needed is an alternative based on policies and plans, not a substitute based merely on opposition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat option must be a patriotic one, not limited to one race, religion, caste, party, group or family. At this critical juncture, our country needs an alternative ideology based on democracy, freedom, brotherhood and unity based on justice and the rule of law. We need an ideology that protects the environment, plants and animals too. Let us now move towards a true patriotic ideology based on liberal democracy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said the Freedom Hub, where the Radical Centre is located, is active as a centre for all those who want to radically advocate the middle path or liberal democracy. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe invite all true patriots to join us through social media,\u201d Mangala appealed, adding: \u201cThis difficult situation is the moment when we as true patriots must truly stand strong.\u201d
\n
\nCourtesy:Daily FT<\/em><\/p>\n

COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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Former Minister and Parliamentarian Mangala Samara-weera yesterday spearheaded the launch of an apolitical movement called \u2018Radical Centre\u2019 by a group of multifaceted multi-ethnic youth calling themselves as true patriots. The middle path or \u2018Radical Centre\u2019 is based on the principles of democracy, freedom, equality and justice as the four pillared-foundation for a just, caring and …<\/p>\n

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