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Time for foresight

It was yet another notable moment in Lanka's democratic development. As the 13th Parliament met we had incontrovertible evidence that Lankan democracy was not only alive and well but that it had also acquired a new vibrancy. For, we had a unique mix in Parliament of almost all shades of political opinion in the country. In this sense, democracy was at work.

There were some anxious moments when the sessions got off the ground but these didn't have a disruptive impact on the proceedings for some time.

Even the nail-biting ballot to elect a Speaker of Parliament proved the vibrant sustainability of the democratic system of governance. What should be noted is that the legitimate procedures were judiciously applied. Even the decision to adjourn is one such measure.

This is a defining feature of democratic governance. The prescribed procedure triumphs above all and helps contain partisan, political passions.

Rather than paint a picture of gloom it is now important to look at the positives in the current political scene. Close contestations for the election of office bearers shouldn't be seen, for instance, as something negative and counterproductive. Nor should teething-problems in getting the new Parliament going be seen as presaging future conflicts.

On the contrary, they should be seen as democracy in action. The fact is there is sufficient space for dissent and the airing of different political views.

The space has also been provided for the conduct of polemical debate and the projection of divergent ideological standpoints - however controversial they may seem. This is, after all, the stuff and substance of parliamentary democracy.

However, it also needs to be noted that we, as a poor country, cannot afford the luxury of superfluous contestation and wasteful politicking. On fundamental issues, the major parties need to form a consensus and act in unison.

One of these is respect for the popular will. The sovereign will of the people should at all times be upheld by all democratic political parties. We cannot see how we could survive as a democracy if these conditions are not met.

A great obligation is cast on the representatives of the people to ensure that democratic norms are kept inviolate. Playing ducks and drakes with them would only devalue democratic institutions. We urge that wisdom and foresight be made to prevail.

Asian travel boom

Two major trends are shaping the travel industry in Asia-Pacific: The rise of online booking and low-frills budget airlines. A study released on Wednesday reveals that Asia-Pacific online travel commerce should double to more than 16 billion US dollars by 2006, driven by a rise in the number of budget airlines.

The low cost airlines' business model of online discount fares will be a major driver for growth in online bookings for hotels and travel packages, said the travel consultancy firm Marketshare.

Budget airlines literally took off in Europe, with the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet. Asia's skies are also becoming more crowded with low-fare carriers, which rely on Internet ticket bookings in order to keep costs cheap. Singapore-based low-fare carrier ValuAir will start operations next month, joining league-leader AirAsia of Malaysia.

Tiger Airways (Singapore) and Jetstar (Australia) will also begin flights soon.

More Asians are travelling within their region than ever before, although temporary setbacks were expereinecd after 9/11 and the SARS outbreak.

A key factor is Asia's economic revival, which has led to the proliferation of families with disposable incomes. They can afford to allocate a substantial amount from that income for travel.

Cheaper air travel was just the incentive they needed, along with easy access to the Internet. The development of local language websites and booking engines for hotels and airlines also helped. But low credit card penetration and continued preference for human contact through travel agencies have prevented a surge in online travel bookings in some countries.

At least one no-frills airline from the Middle East lands at Colombo. Aviation authorities should encourage more low fare airlines to operate flights to Colombo, which will enable more tourists to visit Sri Lanka. Local private airlines should also be encouraged to begin no-frills flights to neighbouring destinations. This will stimulate travel within the seven countries in the SAARC region.

More countries in the region should adopt an 'open skies' policy, which will enable airlines to operate more scheduled flights in Asia. The competition thus generated is likely to result in a drop in fares. The planned Trans-Asian road from China to Istanbul will also reduce the cost of travel within Asia as 32 countries are linked by a 'land bridge'. It will herald an era of mass travel within our large and diverse continent.

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