A prescription for good governance

In ‘Piyavi Asa,’Edmond Jayasinghe has brought forth a brilliant biographical novel interweaving the rich and varied experiences of his life and times. The encyclopaedic novel portraying the transformation of Sri Lankan society during the last half a century will rank among the best of literary works in recent decades.

The title, ‘Piyavi Asa,’ meaning attentive eyes, reflects the underlying themes as it traces the protagonist ‘Hewawitharana’s (Hewa’s) transformation from childhood to a mature adult, providing many a valuable lesson to the reader in the process.

Through Hewa, the author paints a vivid picture of the contemporary political and socio-economic scene of Sri Lanka. Regretfully, the picture is of a deteriorating society governed by a power-hungry elite who are ever inclined to amass power and wealth at the expense of the country’s populace.

Through descriptive analysis of the political and economic conditions of Sri Lanka, the author makes repeated efforts to convey to the reader how a democratic regime should function in society. He searches for answers to establish a just society – one where everyone can play their part in building a political, economic, and social system that works for everyone and not just for the few.

During a visit to Scandinavia with his girlfriend, Hewa finds the answer in the Nordic model; a mixed-market economic system that combines elements of both capitalism and socialism.

It includes social benefits such as free education, free healthcare, guaranteed pension payments, and income distribution. It requires the government and citizenry to work together to reach compromises and address societal challenges through democratic processes to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor through redistributive taxation and a robust public sector while preserving the benefits of capitalism.

The main intention of the novel is to introduce the reader to a system of governance suitable for Sri Lanka that will result in clean, transparent political activities - a rare commodity in Sri Lanka.

The vehicle for this effort is the ‘Piyavi Asa’ movement of Hewa and his girlfriend Nimali, who were aiming to reach their goal by creating an intellectual revolution through the movement founded in the university campus as a rival to the group supporting the revolutionary movement that eventually materialized as the violent JVP insurrection in 1971.

If indeed the author’s vision of introducing the Nordic model, presented as the endgame of Hewa’s Piyavi Esa movement, is to succeed, it seems that a new generation of leaders with greater wisdom committed to selfless service as represented by Hewa in the novel will have to take the reins and usher in a new era of commonality.

The author, blending his experiences, from his student days in that era of agitation in the Peradeniya campus and experiences gathered while moving among the highest ranks of political leaders, diplomats, and administrators, has woven the essence of Sri Lankan society and its psyche into this thoughtfully written novel. The captivating story with its engaging plot and endearing characters is highly readable, enjoyable and educational.

While delighting the reader, Edmond Jayasinghe’s ‘Piyavi Esa’ affirms the urgency of the cause of good governance .

(The reviewer is a former Deputy Director-General, United Nations)