Clean Sri Lanka – moving beyond one-off displays

 The early enthusiasm that surrounded the Clean Sri Lanka campaign appears to be fading. The much-publicised images of ministers, MPs and their entourages cleaning beaches, bus stands and railway stations have now become rare. What is increasingly evident is that some of the worst offenders are not the public, but state institutions themselves.

The Road Development Authority clears drains but leaves the debris piled along the roadside. The Ceylon Electricity Board often turns pavements into dumping grounds for discarded lamp posts. Telecom leaves coils of wire after repairs, while schools, despite having cleaning staff, sometimes neglect the simple task of keeping their entrances neat and tidy.

It may be difficult to compel the general public to fall in line through rules and regulations. But government servants are different. 

They remain under the disciplinary control of the state, and there is clear room for involving them more actively and holding them accountable. If every government department and state-owned corporation consistently played its part, the impact would be visible across the country.

For Clean Sri Lanka to succeed, it must move beyond one-off displays of enthusiasm. The responsibility rests first and foremost with government institutions to set the standard. Once they lead by example, the public is far more likely to follow. Otherwise, the campaign risks becoming yet another good idea remembered only for its slogans.

Upali Weerasinghe