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Experts warn of risks to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery without political consensus on key reforms
LDM hosts discussion themed “Sri Lanka: Doomed without consensus
The discussion organised by the Lanka Democratic Movement focused on the need for political consensus on crucial economic reforms in Sri Lanka. The speakers pointed out that without a common agreement on key reforms, Sri Lanka’s recovery and its ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be at risk. The speakers emphasised the importance of implementing these reforms without failure and adhering to a plan for a reasonable period of time.
The Convener of the Lanka Democratic Movement, Rasika Jayakody, explained that Sri Lanka is not in a position to move away from the IMF bailout package as the country is in a disastrous situation as far as the economy is concerned. Therefore, Sri Lanka did not have the luxury of choosing when it had the opportunity to negotiate with the IMF on better terms. The country had to pursue the IMF option after becoming a bankrupt nation, and now, it has to swallow a better pill. Jayakody emphasised that it’s crucial to implement these reforms without failing, and policymakers must understand the gravity of the situation and move in one direction for at least five years.
Economist Rohan Masakorale emphasised the importance of policy stability in Sri Lanka. Masakorale explained that the country brought its economy on the right track in 1977, and there was significant progress between 1977 and 1982. However, after that, the country lost its way, and the riots in July 1983 caused many global companies that were exploring their investment prospects in Sri Lanka to go to Thailand. Moreover, the war erupted, and Sri Lanka paid a heavy price.
The biggest downfall in Sri Lanka was the successive governments’ failure to ensure policy stability. Masakorale pointed out that the Janasaviya programme was a progressive attempt to alleviate poverty through sustainable means. However, the government that came to power in 1994 politicised it and created a programme that did not produce the desired results. Sri Lanka must understand the gravity of the crisis and take corrective steps with consensus. Today, India has privatised all its ports, and Sri Lanka made a mockery of the plans related to the Easter Container Terminal at Colombo Port. The country wasted three years debating various conspiracy theories, and now it’s paying a heavy price for that.
Attorney at Law and Chairman of Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG), Mangala Niyarepola, emphasised the absence of a master plan in Sri Lanka’s economy. He explained that political parties can include any fairy tale in their election manifestos as there is no mechanism to hold them accountable for their promises. Therefore, they end up doing ad-hoc projects without any rational basis, and they can manipulate the media and change public opinion closer to the election. That’s why Sri Lanka has ended up in this mess.
Niyarepola emphasised that when there is no master plan, no rule of law, no mechanism to hold politicians accountable, and no transparency, no serious investor will come to the country. The majority of so-called investors coming to such a country could be driven by vested interests, which is a failure in the system that Sri Lanka must address. The country needs a grand master plan that has constitutional protection, an all-encompassing document prepared by experts and technocrats. Political parties should not be allowed to deviate from the master plan without a referendum, and an institutional framework must be set up to implement this master plan with the participation of the public. This is the only way Sri Lanka can drive the much-talked-about “system change.”
The panelists highlighted that not having a common consensus on key reforms could derail Sri Lanka’s recovery and its ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
However, achieving political consensus is no easy task in Sri Lanka’s current political climate. The absence of a master plan, policy stability, and transparency has resulted in ad-hoc projects and a lack of accountability. Political parties can manipulate the media and change public opinion closer to elections, which ultimately leads to a lack of trust in the government.
The current crisis in Sri Lanka’s economy demands immediate attention and action. The government and policymakers must prioritise achieving political consensus on crucial economic reforms, implementing them effectively and efficiently, and working towards a grand master plan that will protect Sri Lanka’s economic future. Without political consensus, Sri Lanka’s economy may continue to face instability and challenges that could have far-reaching consequences for the country and its people.
Marking the completion of two years of the ‘Vision’ Programme, students from Pinnawala Central College and Matale Siri Seevali College were given an opportunity on Thursday (24) to visit the Presidential Secretariat.
The ‘Vision’ Programme was launched for schoolchildren jointly by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Following a visit to the former Parliament building at the Presidential Secretariat, the students were also briefed on the history of Parliament.
The role of the President’s Fund and its importance to schoolchildren were explained by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage.
The ‘Vision’ commemorative book, featuring the two-year journey of the ‘Vision’ Programme and its special activities, was also presented to the participating schools.
As part of the programme, valuable plants were also presented to the schools as a symbolic gesture underscoring the importance of environmental conservation.
Director General of Public Relations Dharmasiri Gamage, the Director and Assistant Director of the Tri-Services Security Coordination Unit, the principals and teaching staff of Pinnawala Central College and Matale Siri Seevali College, and students were among those present on the occasion.
President’s Media Division (PMD)
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday vowed that an SJB government would repeal the 22nd Amendment (22A) to the Constitution.Premadasa made the pledge while addressing thousands of SJB supporters who gathered near Parliament to protest against 22A.
Addressing the rally at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, Premadasa said the proposed constitutional amendment would undermine democracy and judicial independence and enable the concentration of political power in the Executive.
“Even if they pass it, under an SJB government we will scrap it,” Premadasa told the gathering, claiming that 22A was aimed at paving the way for a one-party state and placing the State under the control of a single political party.
Braving the rain, Premadasa said they had gathered there peacefully and had no intention of resorting to violence.
“We have gathered here to protect democracy,” he said, challenging the government to hold Provincial Council elections if it was confident of facing the people.
Premadasa said the SJB was prepared to work with any democratic and clean political force committed to the country’s progress and public welfare, amid ongoing discussions on cooperation among Opposition parties, including the United National Party.
Premadasa also accused groups aligned with the government of attempting to discourage people from attending the protest through statements and other measures.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the protest had been organised against the proposed amendment, which the party had opposed on the grounds that it could pave the way for authoritarianism.
The demonstration began around 9 a.m. at Polduwa Junction and coincided with Parliament taking up the proposed 22nd Amendment for debate. Proceedings on the Bill are scheduled to continue today (25).
The Supreme Court has determined that the proposed amendment does not require approval at a referendum and could be passed with a special majority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, traffic congestion was reported on roads surrounding Parliament and Polduwa Junction following the demonstration.
Security was also tightened in and around the Parliamentary complex, with a heavy police presence observed at Polduwa Junction and near the main entrance to Parliament.
Two retired female Navy petty officers were ordered to be remanded until October 5 over their alleged involvement in the abduction and disappearance of two women in Trincomalee during the war.
Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen yesterday ordered that the two suspects be remanded and directed that they be produced for an identification parade on October 5.
The suspects, residents of Chilaw and Haputale, were arrested after appearing before the CID in connection with another court case. They were subsequently produced before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court.
The court was informed that the investigation concerned the alleged abduction of Sasikumar Thenmoli and Mary Delsia, residents of Paalaiyootru, Trincomalee, on or around May 13, 2008.
The CID told court that information uncovered during its investigations indicated that the two women had allegedly been detained at an underground location known as the “Gun Site” at the Trincomalee Naval Base while the two suspects were serving in the Navy. The women were subsequently reported missing.
Further investigations into the alleged abduction and disappearance of the two women are continuing.
‘Vision’ Programme Marks Two Years
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