Sri Lanka likes to laugh but our political reforms are no joke

Laughter has been far more than a coping mechanism amid repression and economic crisis - it has rid the island of tyrants

Sri Lanka's been a joke for a while. At least for those compelled to live here. A deeply unfunny joke without a punchline. An island of uncanny beauty, blessed with an abundance of resources and a vibrant and literate population, Sri Lanka manages to produce ugliness on a consistent basis across a range of catastrophes.

The country has an unending supply of tragedy, absurdity and unorthodox cricketers, though it has run short of most other things - like petrol, gas, electricity, imports and competent leaders. As the economic crisis deepens, queues lengthen and prices soar, the output of jokes, memes, cartoons, skits, TikToks and fake news sites has been prolific.