By Prof. Sunil J. Wimalawansa

Despite massive failures over the past 76 years, many middle-class Sri Lankans—the majority in Sri Lanka- still believe that only family-driven, self-claimed, high-class politicians can run the country. Clans, which have controlled the country for the past four decades, have failed to uplift society and its people socially, morally, and economically and brought it to bankruptcy.

Lack of Progress in Economic Development

In recent years, there has been little progress in sustainable economic development. Beyond the natural growth driven by grassroots businesses, entrepreneurs, and tourism, rulers have done little to advance the country. The last major successful large project was the Mahaweli development. Since then, politicians have focused on selling national assets and state-owned enterprises for personal and governmental gain instead of nurturing new industries, exports, and the private sector and the betterment of its citizens.

Elected officials continue to exploit the 148^th statement in the constitution to safeguard themselves and their allies while accumulating vast wealth allegedly stored in foreign countries. All of this has been carried out under the guise of the country’s constitution, harming the nation and its people.

It is no wonder that many Sri Lankans are calling for a system change”—demanding better, more efficient governance without corruption. The Aragalaya movement, despite its authenticity and shortcomings, failed to articulate this need properly for the past three years. To reverse the country’s decline, voters must elect a political leader with honesty, intelligence, transparency, and strong leadership, free from political and legal baggage.

Failures of the Current Government 

The current government has failed to address critical areas needed to bring Sri Lanka out of bankruptcy. It failed to reduce government expenditure but imposed austerity measures as part of the IMF agreement; increasing taxes and cutting subsidies led to an increased cost of living. These measures have disproportionately impacted low- and middle-income families, leading to significant malnutrition and health issues, especially among children and pregnant mothers.

The government’s failure to establish safety nets, social welfare support, public sector reforms, and public-private partnerships, while not reducing government spending, has been irrational. The unchecked printing of money has led to inflation and currency (rupee)  devaluation. For the past two and a half years, the government has not provided necessary incentives for industry growth or exports to generate foreign exchange, instead opting to increase taxes.

Debt and Economic Recovery

The current government has no policy or plan for repaying loans or better managing interest payments. Relying heavily on tourism and remittances from expatriates, Sri Lanka has been unable to generate the foreign exchange needed to pay back loans. However, the president falsely claimed success by kicking the can—postponing the interest payment. Much of the IMF loan has gone towards repaying previous interest, leaving the country in a precarious financial situation. Future endogenous shocks, such as terrorism, or exogenous shocks, like another pandemic, could further destabilize the country.

The Need for Debt Reduction

For economic recovery, the new government must renegotiate with the IMF agreement, restructure foreign debt, seek debt forgiveness, and promote value-added exports. It must also take steps to prevent the brain drain of skilled workers, essential for the growth of local industries.

Corrupt politicians and entrenched bureaucrats created Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis. Without substantial debt reduction, the country will remain in fiscal chaos. Establishing a sustainable fiscal framework and renegotiating debt agreements is essential to ensure the country’s future growth.

Country-First Policies

Political leaders and parties that fail to prioritize (and safeguard) the country’s sovereignty and sustainable economic policies should not be elected to any office. Sri Lanka must also emphasize buying local goods and food to support the economy. Leaders who fail to do so are fakes and cannot be trusted to steer the country towards prosperity.

The Role of Religion and Culture

As a predominantly Buddhist country, Sri Lanka’s constitution has always included provisions to protect its religious heritage. Consequently, all constitutions had a specific provision to safeguard them, which must be the case with the new constitution. While religion (so as the judiciary) should be separated from the executive and legislative branches (i.e., secularism), it remains an integral part of Sri Lankan culture.

Religions incentivize people to behave better and are part of the (Hela) culture of Sri Lanka. Religions are essential and intimate parts of society’s unity, expected behaviour, attachment, and culture. Atheism and destruction of the family units, using religious disharmony, woke-culture, transgenderisum, etc., bring unacceptable behaviour, disunity, and disharmony to the country. These intercepts destroy family values, as seen in some Western countries, bringing unacceptable behavior and disunity, which should not be embraced due to foreign pressure. They are improper, must be rejected, and should not be embraced due to foreign pressure in Sri Lanka.

Ending the Oligarchy 

Sri Lanka has long been ruled by a political oligarchy, a system where a few wealthy families maintain control over the country’s finances and political power. This system, which disguises itself as democracy, leaves little room for public participation and change. To achieve the System Change that the public demands, the country must replace its corrupt constitution and ensure that governance is based on merit rather than aristocratic privilege.

Oligarchies, dominated by single parties, deny public participation and accountability. A party with an absolute majority can pass laws without regard for citizens’ needs. Social media amplifies false narratives, distracting from honest policy discussions. Voters must focus on electing leaders who prioritize Sri Lanka’s unity, progress, and recovery rather than those who perpetuate the same failed systems.

Meritocracy Over Aristocracy

Sri Lanka has a structured, highly unproductive, entrenched oligarchy system (i.e., ruled by a few wealthy folks/ politically powerful families). In a democracy, people rule for the people (constitutional order of a country). In contrast, an oligarchy is ruled by a small group (aristocrats) who control the finances and retain the political power. Oligarchy in Sri Lanka, tied to a strong nepotism, is a near dictatorship in disguise of democracy. Consequently, the people have little power to make changes or, for that matter, what they do, the right to protest, freedom of speech, etc.

We need to nurture meritocracy (appointing and giving awards, etc., based on ability, credibility, and past performance/record), which is not based on friendships and nepotism. On top of it, we need selfless leaders (instead of selfish ones) with broader understanding and wisdom to see the needs of today and the future so that the country can be prepared and directed to face inevitable challenges successfully. Leaders who are uncompassionate, cannot hear from experts and fellow citizens, and lack humility and humanism are guaranteed to cause chaos and prevent the country’s progress (e.g., loan-dependent governance, as currently happening). We have several such examples in the leadership in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka needs leaders and administrators (and for all jobs) who are chosen” based on their abilities, credibility, and past performance rather than oligarchy, nepotism, the school they attended, or other friendships. The country must embrace meritocracy and elect selfless leaders with the vision and wisdom to navigate future challenges.

Importance of Replacing the Constitution

Constitutions are potent tools that protect governance based on the people’s sovereignty, providing legally binding mechanisms for legitimate public participation in public life. Despite this, the current constitution in Sri Lanka is tainted with many worthless and harmful amendments designed to politicians compromising the population.

Leaders who lack compassion, humility, and humanism will continue to prevent the country’s progress. That’s why people are demanding a major System Change. However, no such change is sustainable without replacing the current rotten constitution tainted with unfavorable amendments for the public.

Political Circle, False Propaganda, and Ending Corruption

Political leaders often protect each other and deceive the public with false promises. To break this cycle, voters must use the upcoming elections to elect individuals outside the current political elite, untainted by corruption. Understanding this scenario is crucial for electing a president and MPs in subsequent general elections from outside the current ‘pool’ of MPs. People should use their vote vice to end oligarchy and not elect dishonest politicians.

A party with an absolute majority in parliament can pass laws unchecked, ignoring both opposition and the needs of the citizens. In today’s world, social media amplifies false narratives, with parties discrediting each other rather than focusing on policies that address crucial issues like inflation, cost of living, and economic recovery. Third parties and paid influencers further manipulate public opinion. A leader who does not prioritize the unity, progress, and success of Sri Lanka or adhere to these fundamental principles is ineffective and detrimental to the nation’s future.

People must recognize that political leaders often protect each other and deceive the public with false promises. Voters must elect individuals outside the current embedded political system without harmful political baggage. Oligarchy often leads to the dominance of a single party, silencing opposition and ignoring the needs of the citizens. Voters must use their voices to end the current dishonest, dreadful system.