SRI LANKA’S PRESENT PREDICAMENT: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

The change of regime on January 8, 2015 raised public expectations regarding good governance and socioeconomic development. Yet, after nearly three years, most of these expectations have been dashed. Moreover, the developments in the recent months seem to have created a conducive environment for the rise of undemocratic and oppressive forces again in the near future.

In other words, there is a real danger of the State falling into the hands of oppressive and undemocratic groups. As a consequence, the opportunities for promoting social and economic development and public welfare appear to be disappearing fast. On the one hand, the country’s economy is under severe pressure due to increasing debts, continuing exodus of labour, in particular skilled labour, widening trade gap and inadequate foreign direct investment.

It is quite clear that the county’s economy is not in good shape. While the quality of life of ordinary people is deteriorating, the necessary reforms and improvements in sectors that directly affect the well being of people have lagged behind. Among these sectors, education, social security, agriculture, health and public transport are the most important. The main reason for this situation is the refusal of the government to reorganize the government machinery on a rational basis as pointed out by the Sound National Policies Program in 2015. We submitted detailed proposals in the above regard but the leaders paid no attention.

Another factor that has significantly contributed to the above situation is the continuation of the earlier practice of appointing close relatives, friends and personal acquaintances to key positions in important public institutions including the Foreign Service without any consideration of the widely valued notions of equality of opportunity and merit, making many such institutions dysfunctional. As a result, scarce public resources allocated to such institutions are not properly made use of to give tangible benefits to the wider public. It is quite clear that the county’s economy is not in good shape. While the quality of life of ordinary people is deteriorating

The situation outlined above has become a major source of frustration and anger for people who value good governance, social justice, public welfare and peaceful coexistence. It is urgent to take steps to change the prevailing situation and steer the country in a more positive direction. We need to point this out to the authorities through a collective effort. We sincerely hope that all right thinking citizens, professionals and intellectuals will contribute to such an effort.

It did not take much time after the formation of the present government for its opponents to talk about good governance in a sarcastic manner. Today, it is not difficult even for unsuspecting members of the general public to be pessimistic about the good governance credentials of the regime. Credibility of many key members of the government is in tatters. There are many reasons for this but the most important reason is the much talked about bond scam. It has helped the opposition to down play endemic corruption under the previous regime that was the main reason for its collapse.

The present regime was given a clear mandate by a majority of voters in this country. Those who rallied round the leaders of the regime prior to the elections had certain priorities for the new government. These were: A) Enforcement of the law against those who abused power and engaged in corrupt practices and taking measures to prevent future corruption B) Promotion of national reconciliation and establishment of national unity C) Depoliticisation of public institutions including overseas Missions, D) Responsible and accountable

management of public finances, E) Adoption of rational public policies in critical sectors in place of ad hoc decision making, and, finally, F) The strengthening of parliamentary democracy and sub-national government including local government based on the Subsidiarity principle

Yet, the way the government was formed and the structure of the government that came into being pointed to the fact that the new government was going to be a far cry from what was aspired for by its people. The appointment of over fifty Ministers drawn from diverse political backgrounds to the so-called national unity government headed by the newly appointed leader of one of the constituent parties was sure to create disunity within government and undermine any sense of direction. It was like getting ready to play a cricket match by two incoherent teams without an umpire.

The new government was formed at a time when the country needed a Head of State who could stand above deep political and other divisions, not one who would identify himself with one faction of the government. The country also needed a leader who could appear to transcend ethnic and religious divisions, not one who would closely identify with one ethno-religious group. Today, it is not difficult even for unsuspecting members of the general public to be pessimistic about the good governance credentials of the regime

The head of State many people wanted was one who would firmly stand by the principles of good governance without fear or favour, not one who would compromise them even reluctantly to accommodate all kinds of politicians for the sake of political expediency. On the other hand, it is equally important to recognize the fact one cannot

clap with one hand. CONTD. ON A9