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Research Article | Volume 3 Issue 5 (Sep-Oct, 2021)
Superstitious Beliefs and Practices in Politics: An Aspect of Political Culture in Sri Lanka
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Open Access
Abstract

Superstitious beliefs and practices are common features among the cultures of Sri Lanka (Known as Ceylon earlier). Those beliefs and practices were inherited from the people of India with whom the Island had maintained close relations since ancient times. The traditional political culture of Sri Lanka was modernized with the introduction of democratic political reforms during the British colonial period and the country was gradually transformed into a modern secular state. Nevertheless, some traditional beliefs and practices that were prevalent in the general culture have refused to die out because they are being perpetuated by all the people including present-day politicians who mix it with their political activities. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to examine and assess the behavior of the politicians who due to their ingrained superstitious beliefs engage in various practices, hoping this will help them to realize their political goals. This paper used primary and secondary data with mostly observations constituting the primary data. The secondary data of the study was mainly drawn from electronic and print media reports, as well as books and journal articles relevant to this topic. Astrology has been the most popular guiding force among the politicians seeking ways to fulfill their political ambitions. Many politicians embark on their political careers and engage in important activities only at auspicious hours worked out by their astrologers. During election times astrologers are always sought out by the candidates who expect them to make accurate predictions about the election results. This has become a most popular practice nowadays. Another common practice is for politicians to engage in the age-old ritual of “dashing coconuts” at various religious places like “Seenigama Devol Devalaya,” “Munneswaram Kovil,” “Katharagama Devalaya,” and so on. The politicians engage in these superstitious activities more in order to build public opinion in favor of their election campaigns rather than with any idea of obtaining the blessings of the deities to solve their problems.

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