Reflections of a moderate thinker with a global outlook
This book is an interesting collection of the writings of Charitha Ratwatte on topics ranging from politics and economics to education and even the nature of happiness. While the essays mostly have a Sri Lankan flavour, the author is well acquainted with many other parts of the world, such as China, Russia and the Western Europe.
The book starts with a series of essays on politics, in which Ratwatte analyses the concept of democracy in some detail. It is hard to argue with his conclusion, which is repeated in relation to several different contexts, that democracy is only viable subject to a series of checks and balances. He stresses the importance of the rule of law and avoidance of nepotism, again views which are difficult to dispute. The range of examples and evidence from around the world to support his reasonable conclusions in this area is impressive.
The second section of the book is a collection of essays on economics. Once again, Ratwatte takes a moderate view with examples from a wide range of economies around the world, arguing that Sri Lanka has to adapt to globalised norms to prosper.
There are fewer essays on education and here Ratwatte raises questions but appears less certain than on politics and economics. Some ideas raised here are more difficult to agree with, in particular the suggestion that state education has outgrown its usefulness. The encouragement for businesses to invest in education, while admitting that private education is unregulated, is potentially problematic. The answer to this is to regulate by having minimum standards and quality assessment for international schools and private degree-awarding institutes and at the same time improve facilities in state schools. Ratwatte also delves into the problems of youth unrest and the skills gap in Sri Lanka, issues that remain relevant today. However, causes are explored more than solutions.
At the end of the book, there are two essays under the heading ‘Other’. The first of these deals with the concept of happiness, which is an interesting break from the rest of the book. Ratwatte again shows his knowledge of the Chinese context by sharing the little-known concern of China’s leaders with the happiness of their people.
Overall, this is a collection that represents a confident, moderate thinker with wide-ranging interests and a global outlook.
(The writer is Retd. Attorney General, Legal Consultant CFC Project)