Sri Lanka, Feb. 6 -- Protest in Kurunegala (pictures courtesy Movement for People's Council

Police carrying a university student at the protest held in Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka witnessed its 76th Independence Day celebrations which were held with much pomp and pageantry. But this independence ceremony was staged in a backdrop where people are being burdened by heavy taxes and at a time when poverty levels are soaring. This year's celebrations were out of bounds for citizens owing to security reasons. For some this is a laughable fact given that the country is struggling to escape a debt trap while lawmakers continue to make merry with taxpayers' money.

Are citizens really free?

While the main Independence Day ceremony took place at Galle...