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Neighbouring India's success in becoming a world power in the computer software industry has caused many an international management expert to study the phenomenon. They have looked at different angles and most agree that India's emphasis on sound education based on mathematics and the ability of its workforce to handle the English Language are key factors in their success.

These factors are certainly very important, but ask the few brave businessmen and technocrats who pioneered India's leap forward in the Information Technology field and they will tell you that the lack of regulatory regimes had much to do with the early development of this industry in India. While most of the rest of the economy was burdened by the License Raj created first by the British and expanded later by Nehruvian Planning, the computer industry developed almost un-noticed. Once it grew, the companies formed associations to regulate the industry and also market themselves around the world, and the rest, as they say is history.

The development of the Indian software industry is therefore an excellent example of a particular sector growing both qualitatively and quantitatively to become a world- beater without government interference. Sri Lanka's private sector too has laboured under a monstrously large state sector for too long. This has held back the creative energies of the entrepreneurs and dammed the business zeal of our people.

But now we have the second wave of economic reform, which we hope will be carried out quickly as the government has promised. Parliament we note has set itself a busy schedule in the months ahead to make the legislative process possible. These reforms will give business the freedom to operate and maximise their energies.

Freedom however brings with it responsibility. Sri Lanka's private sector must learn to accept corporate responsibilities. Less government regulation means industry will have to regulate themselves.

They have to commit to environmentally friendly industrial practices. They have to ensure that their workers' development is looked after. They must badger our moribund education system to produce employables and most of all they have to keep the larger interests of the country constantly in view.

The Sri Lanka First initiative, which lobbied for peace among all sections of society was an important development in this regard, but there must be more.

Only if the private sector can change its own image to be seen as caring that they can get real public support for the freedom they crave.

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