A weary public and economy awaits political salvation

Looking back over its past three years in management, common belief holds that the government needs to get its priorities right. The unfortunate events of Kandy and its enduring aftermath are a culmination of mismanagement of affairs by the powers that be and it is safe to say the incumbents will leave behind a legacy of scant interest on any front.

Following a brief honeymoon, ‘Yahapalanaya’ was soon fraught with personal and political power wrangling and what some considered was Sri Lanka’s best chance for development in the post-conflict milieu soon transformed into a feverish nightmare. The lead up to the infamous local government election last month and its long-drawn aftermath provide ample evidence of the lack of leadership and statesmanship amongst all political quarters – including the opposition.

It was an embarrassing and shameless display of leadership, as all sides clamoured within and at each other on the reins of power, whilst a nation and the economy waited and watched at a standstill. 
Right from the very beginning, there were numerous instances that all parties within the fold could and should have done better. For instance, the much-publicized bond scam took place mere weeks after the new administration took office. Rumblings of misgivings involving the same personalities were heard at that very outset and both the president and prime minister along with the cabinet of ministers had every opportunity to intervene – but nothing happened. 

Two years later, it’s an irreversible public relations nightmare. What prevented some timely action? Where was the need for governance and accountability, which formed the very platform on which this government was elected? But then again, what more can we expect from a regime that cannot get a simple Interpol warrant right, even to apprehend one of its most wanted fugitives. 

With the UNP at the helm of administration, much was anticipated in terms of investments and economic expansion. But three years later, much of the corporate community is still on ‘wait and see’. Political instability dealt a telling blow to business confidence and much was left to be desired following the twin controversies involving the BOI with the US $ 26 million ‘Volkswagen’ debacle of Kuliyapitiya and then the equally embarrassing tyre factory controversy in Horana. This was not what we expected from a government savvy for business. 

Furthermore, these policymakers found it fit to enact short-term measures rather than sustainable policy. In 2016, the then finance minister found it fit to raise tobacco taxes by much as 43 percent impacting long-term revenues and overnight transforming Sri Lanka into a smugglers paradise amounting to over Rs.20 billion in losses. Just last month, the Health Ministry then espoused a ban on tobacco sales within a 100-metre radius from areas frequented by persons under 21. 

Besides its revenue impacts and concerns over consumer rights and that of an industry from such policy, the government in contrast has chosen to drag its feet on determining policy with less glorious topics such as SAITM and private medical education. Perhaps this was because settling the SAITM issue and setting national higher education policy doesn’t carry international awards and personal benefits such as those conferred by the WHO.  

With regards to the recent events in Kandy and Ampara, much could have been done to prevent its occurrence. For instance, governments need to find courage to address issues upfront. That helps to build confidence and trust amongst communities, which in turn translates to confidence for business and expansion. 

With regards to the incidents surrounding the alleged contraceptive pills, it is common knowledge that this contention was doing the rounds all across Sri Lanka for a considerable period of time. It was only a matter of time before the festering silence reached a breaking point and the government officials including highly-placed ministers were well aware of it. 

Whilst acknowledging it can be outrageous to go before public and deny the existence of something the rest of the world knew doesn’t exist – Sri Lanka needed just that! It needed its leadership to demonstrate leadership … to address the underlying issue, clarify and clear the air and pave the way for a lasting universal resolution. Instead, it chose silence and so Ampara happened and then came Kandy with little difference. 

Progressive and even the not so progressive-minded Sri Lankans are tired of being tired. We are tired of the bland band of leadership we have been bestowed with for decades. “Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big,” averred former US President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century. More than 100 years later, Sri Lanka should try take note. 

‘Yahapalanaya’ has two years to go and its combined leadership needs to take serious stock. Corruption has continued unabated, business and industry are languishing along with agriculture, communal tensions are on the rise and a weary public are faced with restrictions on their rights. 

The president is toiling to secure a second term in office for himself with his party at the helm and the prime minister and UNP leader is also battling to save his position in his party and its future. Both leaders have failed to deliver on much of their celebrated promises and with the continuous tussle for power the remaining two years lend little hope for the people. A country, its people and its economy must continue to wait and see what politics feels fit.

(Ajith Perera is a retired Administration, Shipping and Maritime Security Consultant in Sri Lanka and the Middle East)