Democratic Institutions in Sri Lanka’s Local-Level Politics: Challenges to Social Inclusion

Abstract

Sri Lanka is one of the oldest democracies in South Asia. Since independence, successive governments expanded democratic institutions to include the people across the country. Although democracy expanded horizontally, to ensure greater inclusion of all communities irrespective of their race, creed and economic class, it is important for democracy to be expanded vertically as well. In this context, local government—the legislative institution closest to the people—plays a very crucial role in deepening democracy in Sri Lanka. However, contrary to its design, due to the nature of Sri Lankan politics, practices in local government often either hinder inclusion or sometimes reproduce exclusion temporarily. This paper seeks to explore this interesting contradiction in local governance in Sri Lanka. It also attempts to explain the paradoxical manner in which local government institutions in rural Sri Lanka, which are ideally designed to promote greater democracy and greater inclusion, actually operates in a manner that makes inclusion and exclusion extremely fluid and shaped by local level contingencies. This paper is developed primarily based upon field research conducted in three villages—Isurugama in Matale district and Welgala and Rambukkewela in Kandy district—in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. A phenomenological approach was used in this research. The paper approaches the research through the theory of social exclusion, which seeks to understand the many factors that prevent individuals and communities from enjoying equal access to resources, a life of dignity, and full participation in the life of the community.