Do we know what exactly went wrong in Sri Lanka? A majority of politicians and public officers did not accept that there were problems. They concealed all the shortcomings and deviously ignored values and ethics. They thought the purpose of the public service was to deceive the general public. They wanted to cling to the status quo and hold on to power purely for personal gain, while enjoying all the perks and benefits at a massive cost to the people.Politics became a thriving business and they wanted their kith and kin too to join them.
verybody became superfluously rich overnight. They also gave protection to wheeler-dealers, fraudsters, law breakers, who destroyed forest reserves, contravened public policies, laws, norms, ethics and procedures.We were also made to believe that we were becoming the “Wonder of Asia”!
Against this backdrop, the previous regime called for early presidential elections. The popular will of the majority of citizens has now been expressed. A political analyst had commented “This is a significant change. It was a massive anti-Rajapaksa vote. President Sirisena has vowed to root out corruption and bring about reforms. The President will have to face distressing challenges and tough resistance”. The Common Opposition have now begun to fight politics until they achieve their objectives – which runs counter to basic democratic values. Shouldn’t they wait until the present regime is thrown off by ballot? Aren’t they working harder than when they were governing this country? Analysts had also pointed out that the rising role of money in politics and partisan gerrymandering for selfish gain is now at an all-time high.
Successive governments have not been able to reach consensus in several important areas? Why have they failed to serve “the best interests of the people” in terms of living standards, human rights and to achieve other objectives? Constitution for our rulers, has been just another instrument to provide an outwardly appearance of democratic governance, when factually it is not the practical reality. Do they want POWER at any cost and nothing else? We could recall the government which was elected for a period of five years in 1970 had been extended until 1977 without a mandate from the people. Under the presidential system too, after the promulgation of the 1978 Constitution, having obtained a two thirds majority and winning a referendum, the life of Parliament had been extended up to 1989. These were instances of denial of democratic rights of the people to elect a government of their choice at constitutionally prescribed intervals. Some have been highly disenchanted owing to these manipulations.
President Sirisena seems to be making a valiant attempt to inculcate liberal and democratic values in his party men. It does not seem to be an easy task to deliver what has been promised and to target speedy economic growth. Both the President and PM have correctly urged the need to strengthen the relations among the majority and the minorities too. Shouldn’t we now profit from our past mistakes and plan out strategically to provide increased opportunities to the citizens to benefit socially, economically and politically. The political leadership must convince the party-men that time now is ripe to “correct what went wrong in the country” for the benefit of the people.
The Civil War in USA (1861 – 1877), was the beginning of a new country. President Abraham Lincoln began Nation-building simultaneously and instituted the first national currency, banking system, taxes on income and the first transcontinental rail roads and many more. The Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863 by President Lincoln altered the nature of the war and the future course of American history. Abolition of slavery by Presidential proclamation had been a landmark event. The U.S. thereafter emerged as the greatest economic power on earth. After the war, the principle of national citizenship emerged, where everybody irrespective of the colour of skin enjoyed equal protection of the law. The principle which we call “civil rights” originated in USA after these developments during this period. The fourteenth Amendment to the U.S Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted special privileges to U.S. citizens without discrimination. All that ensured that war victory would lead to a social revolution, so that there could be no likelihood of going back to the pre-war conditions with slavery again.
"Both in the UNP and the SLFP have created state-run loss-making institutions and sheltered their inefficiencies and massive losses in past governments? CEB, CPC and even State Banks have lost billions. It had been revealed that a staggering sum of Rs. 128 billion together with an outstanding debt of 76 billion was the total loss of Sri Lankan airlines."
We have countless lessons from India, Korea, Malaysia and other Asian countries too? In those countries, their rulers took necessary steps to create wealth. They served “for the benefit of the people” in order to generate prosperity. What did our rulers do without investing borrowed monies to produce more wealth? They had no industrial policy too. Reportedly, loans have been used for consumption purposes. Did they waste borrowed monies to purchase luxury motor vehicles and fill their own pockets and invest on meaningless projects too?
If we need to achieve sustainable growth shouldn’t we create a culture to work harder than before? Shouldn’t the leadership strengthen institutions against fraud, corruption and abuse of power? A majority of our elected representatives do not have the administrative experience. Wouldn’t it be better if they go for new blood? They lack the ability to steer a country to growth and development. If we have to pursue such targets, politicians must primarily tighten their belts and set the best example. Their performance needs improvements overall. If not, it would lead to friction and failure. Sri Lanka is an ideal case study for political and administrative bungling! Our country’s failure could be attributed to our inability historically to unite the forces for the benefit of the people.
VAT proposals have created another intense debate. Treasury officialdom repetitively under the Unity government had performed the role of a bull in the china shop. President had to come forward to tell the countrymen that VAT will not be implemented. Why should they increase telecommunication bills? WI-FI and telephones are not luxuries. Shouldn’t they instead ban importing luxury vehicles for politicians and public officials? Would they sacrifice luxury automobiles to basic Indian cars to help the government to overcome financial difficulties?
Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry Secretary in a media release has informed all media institutions and media personnel to refrain from using the term “Joint Opposition”. How strange it is! This has provoked so many for good reasons. Media Secretary appears to have overstepped. Public officers nowadays need cart loads of tact and diplomacy. Couldn’t he have suggested issuing a Presidential Proclamation covering all matters pertaining to corruption prevention, good governance, rule of law etc. The PM, who is a veteran has rightly called for explanation from Nimal Bopage.
Machiavelli saw politics as a deadly serious pursuit. If someone tries to change the status quo, Machiavelli had warned that those who will be harmed by the change, even if they are a small minority, could usually stave off the change because they are better organized and thoroughly motivated. President and Prime Minister need to be cautious. Saboteurs are at work under them and they do not want this change!
Scarce public resources too have been diverted and wasted on uneconomic high-profile projects due to corruption. Benefits have reached the “haves” at the expense of the “have-nots”. PRECIFAC investigations revealed the Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC) under the pretext of development work had expended billions in an irregular manner. They have paid for expenses in regard to a Presidential Election rally and for a granite plaque for a lagoon development project opening in Negombo. University of Moratuwa in their valuation report revealed that the plaque was made of cement (not granite) and the cost was much less than what had been paid to the supplier. Does this mean the clock has been turned backwards? Finally, this is why the present government was elected with a mandate to drive the country to development and economic growth.
Both in the UNP and the SLFP have created state-run loss-making institutions and sheltered their inefficiencies and massive losses in past governments? CEB, CPC and even State Banks have lost billions. It had been revealed that a staggering sum of Rs. 128 billion together with an outstanding debt of 76 billion was the total loss of Sri Lankan airlines. The common argument is that these massive debts could destroy this country. Haven’t we already diagnosed the primary causes of our ailment?
It looks as if we are groping in the dark. The country is more divided than ever. Couldn’t it be wiser for the government to appoint a team of experts to recommend ways and means in order for the government to plan the strategies to meet the economic, social, political and administrative ills before the country? Shouldn’t they stop imposing additional taxes too? Masses have suffered long enough due to corruption, mismanagement, abuse of power etc. Shouldn’t we therefore give fresh insights into strategies for minimising corruption since there is news that corruption continues unabated? Is it also necessary to establish a monitoring system on the assets, income, liabilities, and business interests of parliamentarians, ministers and public officials? Would they demonstrate commitment and political will to clamp down on corrupt politicos and public servants if we need to achieve economic growth?
