Judicious diplomatic skills put Sri Lanka on the mat

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By Afreeha Jawad

It need not be reiterated that infrastructure development is an essential pre-requisite for development. A state of the art road, rail and sea transport system has been long overdue for this country. Noteworthy are the government’s efforts in this direction whatever be the criticism leveled against the present regime. Yet,  to restrict the meaning of good governance only to building of roads, bridges, airports highways, railways seaports, schools hospitals, culverts and bridges is like the oyster minus its pearl. The concept of good governance goes beyond what the eye could see in infrastructure development. Good governance lies in moral government and should be felt by all segments of society.



What then stands in the way to such moral government? The absence of the rule of law, overlooking due process as was evident in the former Chief Justice’s case, politicians taking the law into their hands, political interference in law enforcement , the absence of  independent police, judiciary and public services commissions, the disinterest in setting up an independent elections commission and constitutional council, devolving power to the provinces, the immediate halting of  politicizing   the arms of government i.e. the executive, legislature and judiciary are some areas the government needs to focus - the software so to say  of moral governance - the bane of all governments up to this day particularly following the ‘72 republican constitution. Two wrongs do not make a right and the present government justifying its moral inadequacies through the moral meandering of earlier regimes is only a form of escape. Incidentally such justification has become an emerging trend as well with those that are supportive of the present regime for their survival instead of being constructively critical.

Whatever the ruling party may be, the government in power must realize its performance test rests not with the opinions of those scores of ‘Yes men ‘ that scream their lungs out over electronic media justifying present misgivings through the follies of some other but in pointing out the need for ‘record straightening’. Constantly blaming the opposition for committing far worse blunders and targeting the US on Guatenamo torture house or the US drones in Pakistan   will not carry the government anywhere. Doing what is right is the hour’s need in order to prove one’s own credentials whereby the  government’s claim to’ moral superiority’  outshines all else. If such target is to be achieved, the government should display unreserved commitment into implementing the 13th, and 17th constitutional amendments and the total withdrawal of what comprises the 18th.

The 13th and 17th amendments are an embodiment of what constitutes the rule of law and the highest level of existence which is inclusion - all part of democracy and human rights Regretfully, 13 plus remains only an unfulfilled  presidential promise. The dangers in its implementation of going against the Sinhala vote base is only too well known.  But then that’s precisely what statesmanship is all about. The abolition of slavery was distasteful to the American people yet, President Abraham Lincoln went ahead with it quite unmindful of his vote base - the hall mark of a statesman.  

" The concept of good governance goes beyond what the eye could see in infrastructure development. "

Being a moral test for Sri Lanka, it is now upto the  government to face this test by displaying to the world the shared values of democratic development and human rights as enshrined in the March 2013 commonwealth charter. Both democracy and human rights are no strangers to Buddhist ideals. Had our politicians adhered to the Buddha words of righteous government or Dasaraja Dharmaya,  this country and its people would have been spared the embarrassment of  aliens pressurising us to do so.

 In lighter vein, Sharma’s decision on the Colombo Commonwealth venue is reflective of a school principal who, when selecting the head prefect in a particular year, chose the most unmanageable boy for the post, despite large scale protests. The child in later years turned a new leaf and even became worthy of emulation.
Hats off to the principal who knows it could turn out to be the same for Sharma, depending on the political will and commitment of  Sri Lanka’s  political leadership  on whom the commonwealth mantle  falls to  torch-bear the organization’s shared ideals in the coming year.

The government’s tunnel vision of development as being only building roads, bridges, raiłways and airports is a misnomer. Alongside this hardware in governance ought to be the software as well - an all inclusive approach.  The commonwealth charter emphatically refers to the rule of law which  calls for ‘an independent, impartial, honest and competent judiciary, a total separation of powers where the integrity of the legislature, executive and judiciary is maintained,  the protection of human rights, the importance of civil society and not to forget a vibrant and free media  as well,Secretary General Sharma  has  given Sri Lanka the opportunity to  prove her worth in living up to such noble and cherished ideals instead of ostracizing her on the failure of good governance.