LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION FOR POLICY CORRECTIONS IN SRI LANKA
Posted on March 20th, 2019


BY EDWARD THEOPHILUS

To achieve a rapid economic development and sustainable economic growth, the most essential desideratum in Sri Lanka is policy correction in relation to political, economic, social and cultural areas. It is a gigantic task with a strong political and social motivation.  Since the political independence in 1948, Sri Lanka continuously involved in policy development tasks, which were misguided by a lack of clear vision, mission, objectives and activities. The other issue that related to the policy development is that the task doesn’t involve in a policy monitoring, variance analysis and remedial management process for redevelopment of policies consistent to international initiatives, directions, innovations and changes.

It is possible to make many mistakes or incurring weakness at the stage of policy development and the correction of policies, developed in the past.  In fact. it is a quite difficult task. For example, Sri Lanka introduced new language policy after 1956 election, later the country wanted to correct policy and it had many hurdles as UNP opposed with a public protest and in 1965 elected government attempted to develop a policy for political administration (Rata Saba), it was unsuccessful due to public protest but same policy introduced with the 13th amendment to the constitution, which has now a strong opposition in the country.

Policy monitoring and remedial management roles were purely the responsibility of bureaucrats and they never informed the outcomes of the role to public. It may have the ignorance of them or politicians did not direct them to do so.  The elected government in 1972 introduced a political authority for the purposes, later it became a tactic of taking revenge from opponents and making special treatments to political supporters.  Obviously, politicians and bureaucrats have poor knowledge, skills and experience for policy development and correction.

Therefore, the policy development and monitoring process had a clear division between the government, bureaucrats and public. The way bureaucrats were playing the role supported to the development of Machiavellian politics in the country to cheat each other. These are major reasons for the requirement of policy corrections and the current government has no opportunity to engage in policy correction, most probably it will cease to exist in 2020. The reason to achieve this type of situation by the current government was misguided so-called yahapana policy without a clear and strong political leadership.  Therefore, the next head of state will be elected by the presidential election should essentially need to engage in policy correction.  As people of Sri Lanka strongly believe that Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa can give a political leadership and motivation for this giant task, SLPP needs educating voters on this issue.  My feeling is that IBRD, IMF and other international financial organizations would have informed to the government the requirement of honest policy process, but the government was reluctant to openly talk with public and show the nakedness of yahapalanaya to public as the government had to take responsibility to what they have done and October 26, in 2018 president Sirisena attempted to change the yahapalanaya but it was too late.

Party politics in Sri Lanka have been dominated since the era of the State Council and people must have realized that party politics have been Machiavellian than a real loyalty to the country. According to Machiavellian advices political leaders as well as public are bamboozlers in the society. The best example was that last stage of Sir John Kotelawala’s administration presented a Four-Year Development Program, which focused on a middle path between private sector and public sector economic strategies, but the program was cancelled after 1956 election. If there was a policy monitoring and remedial management at that time the shape of Sri Lanka would have different.

All political parties are still standing on Machiavellian politics than an honest intention to achieve a balance and rapid development and sustainable growth. People of the country also are behaving within a self-centred framework and politics in Sri Lanka seems that political parties attempt to mislead people in one time and people endeavours to mislead political patrician in another time. That is why I state politics in Sri Lanka obviously Machiavellian. Attitudes of people badly turned to selfishness and the of tele drama in Sri Lanka educates this dirty behaviour to kids and young generation.   

In fact, it seems that current politicians of the government are like crabs in a cooking sauce pan until get it heat at the next general election.  I read this interesting poem in a book written during the Kotte era, while I was studying in primary schools. The most regrettable experience is that people of Sri Lanka has not learnt lessons from this bad politics and next elections must lead to educate and go beyond the self-centred Machiavellian attitudes.  Today people need to positively response and create the stability eliminating Machiavellian politics in the country.

In this situation, people of Sri Lanka have realized that the best leader to change the current environment and to launch the country with a right leadership and motivation is Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and either, UNP, or SLFP or any other political party cannot stop him.  SLPP must announce his candidacy and commence election work.

One Response to “LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION FOR POLICY CORRECTIONS IN SRI LANKA”

  1. Christie Says:

    Hi Edward

    Next time go for a holiday in Fiji and venture outside the tourist trail.

    Look at the life of its natives.

    We got the same problem.

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