King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

 

A recent encounter with an old friend brought into sharp focus a pervasive societal contradiction. A few days ago, I received an unexpected call from an old schoolmate. After a long absence, he reached out for advice and help. He and his wife had travelled to Canada to visit their son and daughter-in-law, who had recently become permanent residents there. On their way back, one of their bags went missing.  Knowing my background in the aviation industry, he sought my guidance on retrieving the lost baggage or seeking compensation if the airline declared it lost. I was glad to help him navigate the process, but this write-up is about something other than lost luggage. The individual in question, once a fervent advocate for a nationalist ideology, had, over the years, developed a deep-seated aversion to Western nations, labelling them as decadent and morally corrupt. This stance was a stark contrast to his actions: his children had emigrated to one of these supposedly deplorable count...