AMARASURIYA COULD BE MORE ACCOMMODATING OF OTHERS’ VIEWS COMPARED TO MOST POLITICIANS OUT THERE WIELDING POWER

Patali Champika Ranawaka 

Sri Lanka needs a charismatic leader to unite a divided nation. Right now the people are divided into two groups; one that’s ambitious and the others falling into a group that’s hardworking and honest. Amarasuriya might readily appeal to the latter, but she has to prove that she can create a better system where all wrongdoers will be tried in courts

Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the country’s lawmakers pulled the island to a state of bankruptcy by obtaining loans which were used on useless projects.
The bubble known as ‘artificial development’ burst during former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s regime and people saw that what was termed as development wasn’t generating the desired income to repay massive loans taken.

Apart from the questionable projects carried out by successive governments the lawmakers were arrogant enough to scoff at citizens and members of the media who questioned them and the manner in which loans and people’s tax monies were at work. There has been confusion in the minds of the people when questioning the work of lawmakers over the years. For example some who term the handing over of the control of the Hambantota Port to China as an act of a traitor view the handing over of a part of the Colombo Port to India as a part of the national economic plan of the country.

That confused state of mind continues with regard to the people even to date. Most people wanted the Aragalaya to win. But after the Aragalaya lost its purpose –and despite the regime change it brought about-people are now harbouring thoughts of supporting a comeback to power by the Rajapaksas. This is the curse upon this country. People cannot forget the atrocities carried out by the JVP in the 1970s and 1980s, but they can forget the fact the Rajapaksas did drive the country’s economy to ruins; mainly due to excessive loan taking and plundering of state funds on questionable projects.

It’s in this backdrop that we see two forces in the likes of Patali Champika Ranawaka and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya knocking on the door as future leaders of this country.  Amarasuriya completed her PhD degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburg and is a lecturer at the University while Ranawaka is a qualified engineer and a product of the University of Moratuwa.

If one studies the approach of the last term of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya and the present ruling of the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe one common feature that they all share is arrogance. The same could be perhaps attributed to Ranawaka if he is elected president. The thinking behind these politicians is that the average citizen is uneducated and the government will think for them. Even to correct the present lawmakers to change their line of thinking one has to be somebody (Academically). The majority of the voters is not educated and heavily depends on these lawmakers and their political parties.  Hence a lawmaker who chases away an individual who comes to see him with a lighted cigarette in hand might may offer an ashtray to another citizen who has the same smoking habit given that he is educated and intelligent both. Lawmakers decide on whether or not to take a voter for a ride depending on the capacity of the person who is standing in front of him.

However Amarasuriya could be the change Sri Lankans wish to see. She is educated, intelligent, pleasant, committed to a task and above all decent. These are some of the traits that writer Udan Fernando picked out in her when he penned an article on Amarasuriya sometime back for the Sinhala newspaper ‘Anidda’. Amarasuriya, above anything else, is friendly and represents Janatha Jana Balawegaya. Sri Lanka needs a charismatic leader to unite a divided nation. Right now the people are divided into two groups; one that’s ambitious to amass wealth even illegally and the others fall into a group where people work hard within the frame work of honesty and fair play. Amarasuriya might readily appeal to the latter group, but she has to prove that she can create a better system where all wrongdoers will be tried in courts irrespective of family position and political status.

Amarasuriya must also address the brain drain in the country. A member of parliament like Ranawaka has stressed time and time again that state sector employment must be open only for qualified individuals; like how employment is granted in the private sector. We know how in the past a leading company in the petroleum industry terminated the services of 300 employees after the new establishment took over a loss-making state enterprise. These individuals were shown the way to be employed elsewhere in gainful manner. A future government must not merely supply jobs for the unemployed, but instead create jobs for individuals who have qualifications and are seeking specific job roles in selecting career paths. The difference between Ranawaka and Amarasuriya would be like how an engineer and sales rep talk about a certain metal roofing sheet to a group of potential buyers; the later definitely appealing to the masses when speaking.

Change must be brought in slowly to this country. Lawmakers and citizens saw the repercussions of what happens when swift change is initiated without research. Try to change things overnight and individuals like Amarasuriya and Ranawaka might cut their own graves like one president did.
Citizens of this country must be observant of political groups mushrooming these days; giving a ray of hope to the people that they could turn around this country from the economic depths it is in. In August this year there was a lecture in Colombo which featured prominent personalities. The topic was ‘I have a dream for my country’. The speakers addressed issues like artificial development created through loans, taking responsibility of people’s tax money, offering an effective service to the people and offering a future to the people, so that they can enjoy the basic necessities of life.

But like with the Aragalaya most of the aspiring groups must address their own issues regarding leadership before they appear on public platforms. Having a leader in the early stages of forming a group gives signs of sustainability. It also shows that members in such a political group are showing potential to find solutions to problems through democracy and consensus.
Amarasuriya could be more accommodating of others’ views compared to Ranawka; who rarely strays away from the subject matter to address areas like human qualities and if needed playing diplomatic games in the event Sri Lanka has to do a balancing act when dealing with China and India. Put Anura Kumara Dissanayake also in the equation and still Amarasuriya might just be the best bet to be the country’s next leader; if diplomacy and a friendly nature are two vital cogs of the wheel of the administration needed to run a future Sri Lankan Government.

If a lady is at the helm in future politics the Rajapaksas might be quick to highlight loopholes in security. But those who tightened security around the borders of this country and also won the civil war failed to ensure food and economic security of this country. It’s of paramount importance for a country’s government to ensure security for the loss of jobs, loss of income and ensure economic security as well.

A new regime must have a competitive market which isn’t influenced by unwanted government meddling. A competitive market would ensure a level playing field and this could lead to smaller enterprises or businesses closing down due to severe competition. It’s those individuals who have been made unemployed under these circumstances who need to be supported through a programme like Samurdhi. But that too should be for a short period of time before one bounces back. Such programmes that offer help to individuals who have lost their businesses would be in no way termed as ‘while elephants’.

Sri Lanka was once known as Ceylon; the name being largely selected because it suits a lady. When Sri Lanka was once ruled by Mrs. Bandaranaike it reached economic stability despite people complaining about untold hardships. Maybe it’s a woman leader like Amarasuriya who has the ‘package’ to put the island’s system in order.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya