77 years ago today, the major economic port, Ceylon, broke free from the British Empire and later established itself as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in May 1972.  The day has since been marked by a grand military parade in the heart of Colombo, the President’s renowned flag-hoisting ceremony, the unforgettable chanting of the Jayamangala Gatha by students clad in lama sarees, followed by noteworthy political speeches and cultural ceremonies.

Celebrated nationwide, glimpses of festivities and traditional dances accompanied by the all too familiar sound of the drums and a variety of traditional Sri Lankan food ranging from milk rice to egg hoppers can be spotted all throughout the island. Among various cultural programs, drama, art and music competitions with themes of unity and multiculturalism are hosted for school children to take part in, encouraging the unique cultural diversity within Lankan society. With the country’s colourful flag hoisted at almost every house, public building and three-wheeler, it is apparent that the country honours yet another year of its independent motherland.

Yet, how many of the same people hoisting those flags do it proudly and not out of mere obligation? Would they recommend someone to genuinely consider a future here? Are they truly happy to bring their hands to their hearts and sing the national anthem? And, I don’t just mean before a heavily anticipated cricket match.

Patriotism is defined as the attachment and commitment to a country, nation or political community. To understand patriotism, let’s observe a general workplace setup. What would it be like if the coworkers were disloyal and gave into toxic office politics? What if their boss was not all that transparent, didn’t communicate well and constantly disrespected boundaries? There would be a persistent air of tension and overall productivity would be at an all-time low. The system would fall apart at one point or another and soon enough, there would be no business to uphold. 

The same can be applied to a struggling and dysfunctional society. If its members are lacking in patriotism, the system crumbles, leaving room for other powers to intervene, usually with an ulterior motive.

Who is a true patriot?

Patriotism is a concept of multiple dimensions. It involves practising a sense of civic responsibility and loyalty, besides voting for your favourite political party. It requires contributing to the betterment of society, either through community service, being a responsible citizen or advocating for a positive change. 

Being patriotic encompasses an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and historical narrative of one’s country, which can be expressed through various forms such as national traditions, art, music and cuisine - which Sri Lanka is no stranger to.

Embracing cultural diversity promotes unity and inclusivity whilst recognizing that the nation is a mosaic of different stories and experiences that collectively create a vibrant picture as a whole. 

A true patriot engages actively with their country, which involves both celebration and critical reflection. They do not overlook the nation’s imperfections, but rather, seek to address them with the aim of fostering improvement. They believe constructive criticism, paired with a sincere commitment to progress, demonstrates a profound love for the nation’s welfare.

However, patriotism in our modern society is declining rapidly, and it doesn’t take much to realize it. A quick look at the news would show us the many shortcomings our country has been facing. With countless accounts of people coming forward wishing and wanting a better tomorrow in their homeland, the patience and love for one’s country seem to be dwindling, especially among Sri Lanka’s youth.

In a 2023 web article, Dr Garvin Karunaratne, a former government agent who had served in the Sri Lankan Administrative Service as well as working in four other countries for multiple years (the UK, the Bahamas, the USA and Bangladesh) revealed that, in his experience regarding patriotism among the people, Sri Lanka would easily be the worst. He expresses how patriotism among the country’s people has been diminishing since the 1980’s with everyone opting to migrate and seek a better life someplace else. “In my days before 1973, there was not a single person who wanted to scramble away. The ship was not sinking.” he shares.

Curious to hear the stance of Sri Lanka’s youth, we took to asking what patriotism means to them. Here are a few of their opinions: 

“Everyone seems to have their own take on what patriotism means. I mostly see it as a healthy connection - kind of like a relationship. Good relationships thrive on constructive criticism, feedback, and adapting to each other's needs. Anything less feels more like mindless devotion or infatuation. I think that blind loyalty was what eventually got us to this point. Some people have to remember that criticising Sri Lanka’s issues doesn’t mean you’re unpatriotic and pretending everything is perfect isn’t true patriotism either.” - Shenal

“Patriotism is really all in the actions. Claiming that you love your country and are ready to protect it, but tossing trash around and breaking rules irresponsibly just because others are doing it, doesn’t cut it. Real patriotism means stepping up and doing your part to improve the country instead of just talking about it. A lot of folks just act patriotic to boost their own self-esteem.” - Natasha

“One of the rare moments I truly witnessed authentic patriotism was during the intense protests in 2022, sparked by the severe economic crisis. It was a bittersweet experience to see the future of our nation hanging by a thread while people fought tirelessly for their livelihoods. As a young person, I felt a mix of inspiration from the resilience of our community in the face of such harsh challenges, yet I was also filled with disappointment and sadness that we had let our country reach this point. Ironically, I probably wasn’t even around when it all started to go downhill, yet here I am, dealing with the fallout of a struggling economy and a harsh job market. It’s no surprise that many of my peers and I share conflicted feelings about patriotism—why invest our emotions if it seems pointless? It’s truly disheartening to see so much potential squandered, both, amongst our youth and in the natural beauty our country possesses. I can say that I take pride in being Sri Lankan, but when I express that pride, it often revolves around our delicious kottu and beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, my pride doesn’t extend much further than that.” - Amani

“Plenty of Sri Lankans seem to be blindly patriotic just because it’s trendy or expected. But, if you dig a little deeper, many have a lot of grievances about their land but are too afraid to voice them due to potential backlash. The younger generation, however, is more honest about these feelings compared to their parents. They’ve come to realise they deserve better than living on a small, corrupt island with an uncertain future. They’re not interested in pretending to love their country if they really don’t.  Sure, the country has its beauty, but pretty landscapes don’t fix broken systems or foolish people. Everyone wants stability and happiness in their lives and they’re tired of living in oppressive, judgemental environments. So, I totally understand why they’d want to catch the next flight out. There’s no rule saying you have to stay in one place forever; people in our country deserve more than this, especially if they’re suffering.” - Dinu

Loving one's country transcends the mere sentiment of hoisting a flag and cheering for our cricket team; it serves as a proactive influence that encourages individuals to embody the principles their nation needs to uphold and work towards a more promising future for everyone.