Democracy Stillborn examines the historical roots of Sri Lanka’s current political struggles, tracing them back to the 1920s and the labor advocacy of Ponnambalam Arunachalam. The book discusses how his removal from the Ceylon National Congress led to a political landscape dominated by estate capitalism and anti-labor sentiments, culminating in the disenfranchisement of plantation workers. It highlights the erosion of civil rights and the rise of ethno-chauvinism, resulting in a weakened labor movement and compromised judiciary. Despite the country’s fatigue with revolutions, the writers advocate for a revival of democratic principles through a courageous judiciary that can challenge unjust laws.