From FT - Sri Lanka
Many
right-thinking people watched with alarm and disappointment the steady decline
in the moral values in our nation with politics for material benefits
overtaking our cherished values.
The
breakdown of our religious values, traditions and culture, the level of
politicisation of the public administration reached new heights, which led to
nepotism, bribery and corruption never seen before in our history.
The election
of a new President has now given Sri Lanka an opportunity for big change. The
election of Maithripala is no doubt a victory for liberty, justice and
democracy, as against autocracy and nepotism.
Time to
deliver on the promises
The
executive presidency in Sri Lanka during the previous administration was
strengthened by the dictatorial powers added on by the 18th Amendment. As a
result the entire State administrative machinery of the country in all aspects
of functioning was politicised beyond redemption.
The 18th
Amendment not only led to a gradual and systematic destruction of liberty and
democracy, but also destabilised the economy by creating an opportunity for
corruption and free spending of public money without accountability, destroying
the very social fabric of our society.
The people
in the country are now looking for fast change that will establish law and
order and social decency. The promise to abolish the draconian powers of the
current presidential system, establish in its place an accountable
Parliamentary system, strengthening democracy with accountability and transparency
needs to be delivered in 100 days.
In addition,
we need to restore human values, human rights, rule of law, decency and
moderation. The new government needs to from now on ensure steady and a
balanced economic growth with a conducive environment that will help to create
new job opportunities, develop agriculture, industry; and reposition our
education and skills development effort.
Housing for
the homeless and empowerment of the socially-marginalised and disabled
including war victims should also be priority concerns.
Conducive
climate to do business
Creating a
conducive climate to do business, to rebuild business confidence amongst
investors, both locally and internationally must be a top priority for both
Ranil and Maithripala. By depoliticising the system, a lot of the demotivated
business leaders can be rejuvenated and re-energised.
The Stock
Exchange must no longer be allowed to be manipulated by a few and checks and
balances are needed to ensure the exchange attracts genuine investors and also
provide opportunities for a broader group of investors to benefit by investing
in the stock exchange.
To ensure
this, Government should only act as a facilitator. Therefore the message that
is required is that business will only be done by the private sector and the
Government will provide a level playing field and provide long-term investment
friendly policies that will benefit all businesses, irrespective of their
affiliations.
Therefore,
many regulations that are perceived as a deterrent to investment and doing
business must be removed via a consultative process between the public and
private sectors within the 100 days. However to do this, all those who are
tainted and have had a bad track record need to be moved out immediately given
that within 100 days many promises have to be delivered by Ranil and his team
both on the economic and political fronts, before the Parliamentary elections.
(The writer
is a thought leader.)
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