Better representation in Parliament and stable government essential for economic development
As citizens of this country we have gone through untold economic hardships due to political bungling, corruption at high echelons of government, mismanagement of all state institutions and local government institutions by selfish, illiterate, unscrupulous, dishonest and treacherous individuals with the blessings of senior politicians who themselves face severe allegations. The tug of war in parliament between the President, the Prime Minister and cabinet and the leader of the opposition has wreaked havoc as far as administration of the country is concerned, particularly when considering the economy and the business sector. We don’t have to recapitulate all the misdeeds of politicians including abuse of public funds in millions of rupees and nepotism, providing a wretched example to those in the lower levels of state and other sectors.
Parliamentary practice in recent years
It is clear from the way parliamentary proceedings have been taking place that parliamentarians lack basic knowledge of the manner in which parliamentary procedure should be conducted. The incidents that took place in Parliament on October 26, 2018 were the culmination of hooliganism in Parliament. Hooliganism among parliamentarians was at its peak on this occasion and showed the true colours of the majority of our representatives in parliament to the entire world. This situation arose because of President Maithripala Sirisena’s inability to understand the Constitution clearly, which led to his decision to sack the incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint former President Mahinda Rajapaksa instead, for political gain, which led to the unprecedented constitutional crisis and near revolt in the country. Indeed power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely as the saying goes. The economic collapse and utter chaos was inevitable if not for the ruling of the Supreme Court. During this process several alleged offenders who were ministers under the regime of the former President and who were facing charges in courts regarding the way they conducted the affairs of their respective ministries, including the theft of public funds, were blatantly installed in their former Ministries to the utter dismay and disgust of the public.
Role of the Opposition
It is a pity that the function of the opposition has been misunderstood as having only to oppose every action of the government from day one, whether the proposals are good or bad. Constructive criticism and good suggestions are what is expected from the opposition; the opposition should not sabotage or promote strikes which cause untold inconvenience to the public and loss of public funds in billions. It is high time that the government declared the services like health, transport, railways and ports among a few others as essential services where wild cat strikes are prohibited, so that the development process can go on unhampered.
From chaos to stability
The citizens of this country have to find a solution in the context of the political instability that is likely to continue. It is high time that we as citizens of this country put a halt to this disastrous tendency of selecting representatives to Parliament and local government bodies who are utterly unsuitable by way of educational and professional qualifications or experience in a given field or even respectability. They should be like Caesar’s wife, beyond question as far as honesty and integrity is concerned. Now they are like square pegs in round holes as it were, not fitting into the job of a parliamentarian, not knowing their responsibilities to the electorate or the country. If candidates for all other jobs and positions in state sector, government service or private sector have to satisfy job specifications, why shouldn’t this requirement be made mandatory for those entering the august assembly, where all the important decisions are made regarding the citizens and the nation? They must be required in future to satisfy certain criteria and specifications to be people’s representatives and it should be the responsibility of the leadership of every party to nominate only persons satisfying the required criteria.
Selection criteria
The background of candidates who want to contest at parliamentary or local government elections must be impeccable. Their character must be unblemished and must be those who are not aspiring to make a quick buck as seen today. Selections in future must ensure that selection criteria are fulfilled by candidates. Selection criteria must include education, professional or appropriate service experience and exposure in a given field making them fit as candidates. Advanced level qualifications is a must for all candidates but graduates from recognised universities, diploma holders and those with postgraduate qualifications should be given preference when it comes to handling specialised functions like engineering, electricity, irrigation or medicine and such like. Contribution to social development and public life will be an added qualification. They should also be required to make a declaration of assets and liabilities. Candidates without any such qualifications will make a mockery of parliamentary procedure as well as ruin the ministries entrusted to them, as seen today in many cases like SriLankan Airlines, among others. Credibility of parliamentarians has been severely eroded by ad hoc selection of utterly unsuitable candidates; so much so that they are even facing charges in courts of thievery and corruption which has led to the loss of millions of rupees of public money and are even accused by parliamentarians themselves of taking drugs or being involved in the drugs menace which is affecting the health and lives of thousands of young people in addition to other nefarious activities. The economy is in shambles due to galloping inflation. Ad hoc increases in price of commodities and taxes are putting the business sector in a quandary, being unable to plan the future. A well-qualified economist as minister will not put the business sector in jeopardy with penal measures. Ad hoc and frequent changes in taxation policy causes uncertainty in the business sector and cause disruption in business plans, particularly when it comes to foreign trade where credibility of business partners is extremely important.
International reputation vital
The behaviour of senior parliamentarians has become the laughing stock of many countries according to the feedback we are receiving. There is the likelihood of some countries specifying even conditions regarding corruption when entering into loan agreements among others because of rampant bribery and corruption among officials, knowing the reputation of persons they are dealing with. Patriotic feeling or love for the motherland is something that has to be inculcated in our leaders. Leaders lack principles and hypocrisy is to be seen among the leaders in a big way; what is said by them cannot be taken at face value. This is true at the highest levels. It is time that honourable and patriotic persons are elected to work for the people. Degradation of values of society has set in due to the bad example of the leaders but even with difficulty the process has to be reversed.
Conclusion
Now that elections are round the corner the above observations should be given due consideration by the senior politicians for a better Lanka where we as citizens could live with pride.
(The writer is a former Director, Management Consultancy, National Institute of Business Management).
Capital TRUST Mobility Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Capital TRUST Holdings Ltd has launched Taxiya, a mobile taxi hailing service. Focusing on safety, reliability, customer convenience and enhanced benefits to the drivers, Taxiya is set to zoom into the future of Sri Lanka’s organised taxi service industry, the company explained in a media release. Taxiyak was already a player in the taxi service industry in Sri Lanka and has experienced the market for a couple of years. The company has revamped its robust front end and backend IT systems to ensure a seamless customer booking and payment experience across the Taxiya App, website and call center with user friendly tri-lingual capability. Now acquired by Capital TRUST Mobility Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, it has been rebranded as Taxiya.
Taxiya, as the name implies is a truly Sri Lankan product, slated to be the most affordable transport solution ensuring an increased driver-focus in terms of fees and overall benefits. A two-wheeler (motor bike) service will be offered for the first time in the country, to navigate congested traffic situations, particularly at peak times.
“Rooted in Taxiya’s ethos is driver support, training and assistance and to this end the company will offer attractive incentives and financial assistance plus a solid focus on comprehensive driver training and skill development to ensure long term driver loyalty. Taxiya drivers will be handpicked and trained, particularly in manners and professional etiquette. New features that will differentiate Taxiya will focus on customer safety, simplified vacation planning via the App, and airport transfers with the most affordable rates, to mention a few. The Automated Corporate Transport Booking System (ACTBS) will enable companies to organise their employees’ transport, allocate transport budgets, and seamlessly book and dispatch vehicles on demand,” the company said.
Tushan Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Capital TRUST Mobility Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, and Chairman/CEO of Capital TRUST Holdings Limited, sees exciting opportunities in the taxi hailing services market.
“With over 1.1 million three wheelers, over 4 million motorcycles, over 0.7 million four- wheel vehicles in Sri Lanka and less than 50,000 active vehicles with Apps on a daily basis, there is immense room for expansion and exponential growth,” stated Mr. Wickramasinghe.