Sunday Times 2
External interference: The unseen fourth pillar of democracy
View(s):- By Harischandra Salpitikorala
I recently had a rather disappointing conversation with a close friend who has been living abroad for many years. Ironically, I have lived overseas for even longer, having worked with people of many nationalities at senior levels across several countries.
Our discussion revolved around the economic crisis
Sri Lanka faced during the COVID-19 period—a time when many described the country as “bankrupt.” In my analysis, it was not a case of bankruptcy but rather a severe cash flow problem. Regardless, it was undeniable that the nation went through one of its most difficult economic periods in recent history.
The misunderstanding began when my friend harshly criticised Sri Lanka and its people, accusing them of being irresponsible and inherently mismanaged. When I tried to explain that the situation was not entirely the fault of our people or even our politicians, she became irritated and remarked, “That’s so typical of Sri Lankans.”
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I explained that political corruption, short-sighted decision-making, and public frustration are not unique to Sri Lanka—these challenges exist everywhere. However, our country has endured extraordinary circumstances: a long and destructive civil conflict, political instability, and, above all, persistent external interference in our internal affairs. This interference has hindered our national development to a degree far greater than many realise—even compared to other countries in South and Southeast Asia.
As an example, I referred to the open economy policy introduced by the late President J.R. Jayewardene. Although many criticise him for political reasons, that decision was both courageous and necessary at a time when communist regimes were collapsing around the world. The open economy saved
Sri Lanka from severe unemployment, foreign exchange shortages, and economic stagnation. It was, in essence, the only practical path forward.
Unfortunately, the benefits of that policy were short-lived due to external political interference, notably from the Indian government under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This serves as a clear example of how outside powers have, time and again, influenced our destiny. A more recent case, though I would prefer not to elaborate here, is the Aragalaya movement, which also showed signs of external involvement.
Under such powerful influences, what could our leaders or citizens realistically have done? These external actors are capable of manipulating not only voters but also the judiciary, the armed forces, institutions, and even the media—all backed by massive financial resources and sophisticated global networks.
Interestingly, even developed countries that often lecture smaller nations about governance and democracy are not immune to such interference. When Donald Trump’s administration imposed tariffs and disrupted global trade networks, many Western nations accused the U.S. government of destabilising the world economy and interfering with international systems. For the first time in decades, these countries, too, felt the sting of external economic disruption—something smaller nations like ours have been enduring for generations.
So, was it truly the stupidity of our citizens or the incompetence of our politicians that our open economy failed to deliver all its expected results? I think not. My intention is not to justify every political mistake or whitewash leadership failures, but rather to emphasise that democracy today is shaped not only by its traditional three pillars—the executive, legislature, and judiciary—but also by a fourth and invisible pillar: external influence.
Sadly, my friend, now a citizen of a developed country, refused to accept this point. She continued to call Sri Lankans irrational and irresponsible.
Many Sri Lankans who have settled abroad, after giving up their citizenship, tend to view their homeland through the tinted lenses of their adopted countries. A European looks at Sri Lanka through European eyes; a Canadian through Canadian eyes. They forget that the very education and opportunities that enabled their success abroad were made possible by the Sri Lankan system—something they might never have enjoyed in their new countries.
My humble message to those living abroad: Before criticising our people or our nation, please take time to study Sri Lanka’s politics and history in depth. The issues we face are far more complex than they appear from afar.