Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri challenges public mockery of politicians’ English, urging critics to rethink elitist standards. He argues that entering elite politics is part of a necessary evolution to democratize power, and condemns those who shame MPs and ministers as enablers of elitism.
Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri has criticized those who mock politicians for their limited English proficiency, stating that such ridicule only reinforces elitist political structures. He emphasized that individuals who step into elite politics often carry an aspiration to rise to the top, and while it may present issues, it remains the only viable path to de-elitize political leadership in Sri Lanka.
Speaking via a video published on his online platform, Professor Dewasiri pointed out that criticizing MPs and ministers for their use of English is an act driven by the contractors of elite politics those who benefit from maintaining class-based barriers to governance. He argued that the same people who appear to advocate for progressive change are often the ones shaming politicians for not speaking perfect English, exposing an underlying hypocrisy.
Professor Dewasiri further stated that aspiring politicians from working-class or non-elite backgrounds must be allowed to participate in elite political spaces, even if they lack the linguistic polish traditionally associated with such roles. He reiterated that dismantling elitism in politics would never happen unless those who break into these circles are supported rather than ridiculed.
He concluded by declaring that those trying to halt this shift in political power must be confronted and defeated, emphasizing the urgent need to challenge deep-rooted elitist attitudes that hinder meaningful political reform and inclusivity.
