Wednesday, 19 May 2004 |
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Determination and dedication for nation rebuilding by Dr. Palitha Weerakkody We passed a milestone on the 2nd of April. It is a very important landmark in the post independence history of Sri Lanka. Its importance extends beyond all the former coalition governments as it represents not just an active socialist fraction in the political arena but really committed political strength, composed of youths and needy citizens together with nationalist aspirations from all over the island.
Everybody who voted for the UPFA with positive hopes on country's rebuilding believe that it would be the driving force of the new government and keeping positive hopes. I hope this article be an eye opening for the rulers and masses of this country. Without the positive thinking and commitment of both these groups, the county's new voyage towards the prosperity would be a dream that will never come true. We have experienced the same many times in the past. Hence I try to highlight the real dilemmas obstructing the development of Sri Lanka and the rescue effort that all of us must bring about. If you look at various socio-economic levels of Sri Lankan society, most of us are used to living apparently, ignoring the situation. According to my estimate, most of us are highly vulnerable to the impending dangers due to the nation's downfall. With or without realizing the gravity of the problem, we simply play the role of the crab in the boiling pot. According to Buddhist philosophy this is an example of "lack of proper sight". It is something like, embracing the joy of popular myths, leaving unseen ecstasy of reality. I would like to call the privileged group "the winners" (so-called) and the less privileged group "the losers". The former group is not directly affected by the extremely low rate of development whereas the latter group is severely affected. What do you think about the percentage of these two groups in the population today? Based on the statistics on individual income distribution (poverty) and the occupational structure (in the state sector), it can be estimated as 10%: 90% (Central Bank Report, 2002; Statistical Hand Book, 2000). The gaps between these percentages and their living standards have been rapidly enlarging over the past two or three decades. I like to term this "Dual Society" to denote the long-term co-existence of a minority of privileged persons with the majority of extremely oppressed unprivileged persons in a 3rd world country. This has similarities with the feudal system or with a highly capitalist dictatorship. However, its future stability is constantly challenged by frequent uproars of the less- privileged segments in the society. I am sure that any national conscious citizen or well-wisher of Sri Lanka can not stand this situation. However, this system is not highly unstable though it seems highly imbalanced. Therefore waiting for the complete downfall of this system or uprising within the down trodden majority to get the necessary momentum for a prospective new beginning seems to be a dream that will hardly become true within the near future. The reason behind the relative stability of the system is the enormous monetary and advisory support given by the global capitalism to the dummy- politicians and their agents in the business sector to keep their stronghold within every sector of the economy and culture. That is why they try to come to power by hook or crook. The silent stance of the suppressed groups (the dead civil society), as a result of continuous deprivation of their human and democratic rights, makes conducive grounds for this neocolonialism to continue. The question of "What would happen in an ultimate situation of sucking all the economic sap" remains largely unanswered. Under a situation where foreign aid will stop, the stability will break down, letting the country to run into chaos. No need to say about the fate of "the losers" under such a catastrophic situation. "The winners" too would suffer due to breaking down of the infrastructure and further breaking down of law and order. But "the winners" might still say that it doesn't matter as they are immune or being insured against any kind of risk or uncertainty. For instance, they have security deposits such as properties or connections abroad to be explored in case of an emergency. In some African, Latin American and Asian countries the affluent class left the country in case of insurgencies in the past. In this way, one might argue that physically they are safe after a collapse. However, you may find in the next section that their future on foreign soils will be another tragedy. Meanwhile, the future of aristocrats and second or third rankers in the local capitalist masses (those who have no opportunities to run away to) would not be so bright. They might be alienated of the wealth and deprived of the privileges soon. Fate of expatriates The majority, "the losers" would have no way out. They will be hostages of their own land, just like who are in displacement camps in the North and East for nearly two decades, deprived of basic needs and the freedom. I will take few examples to forecast the destiny of the affluent class who leave their motherland in case of a permanent damage to the country's economy. Just contact one of your kith and kins who has migrated and settled down abroad for better prospects. They may not be so open with respect to their negative impressions and bad experience at once as none of us like to realize or declare the mistakes we make. But if you can peep into their hearts, you may see the degree of frustration burning up there. What is the reason? Is it a matter of insufficient living standards in developed countries? No; it is not because that they cannot afford luxury food, fashions, vehicles, dwellings or any other convenience at the level that they enjoyed back in Sri Lanka. But mainly because they feel imprisoned as they are treated as "aliens" or a marginalized group in the society. Their survival is continuous work-based and their talents and skills are not properly recognized, leaving their careers to stagnate well below capacity. For example, a professional who migrates to a developed nation would rarely be offered a job for his qualifications unless he will get qualified through their own education system. Take another example, a private entrepreneur. Have you ever thought why the Sri Lankan business community always anticipates an eroded state sector or political interventions to fulfill their business targets. Would they be having similar situations back in developed countries to continue with their familiar business? So where will they end up? Even though few of them would be successful, they would never be recognized equal to natives as long as their identification remain in the foreign immigrant category. Meanwhile, they would be further heart broken to see the drift of the subsequent generations out of our ethnic, religious or cultural identities very rapidly together with the steady absorption into Western society. Even if everything will be in your favour there, still you would not like to hear the Western media or the general public refer to our motherland as a land of the poor, uncivilized and despised. Now you will find the answer to "how does it matters" with respect to each social class specially in ease of an ultimate break down of the system. Rebuilding the nation According to the above discussion, you might clearly understand that none of us can think of lasting prosperity by driving along specific tracks at individual or social cluster bases. All of us should thoroughly understand the common need to get liberated from this conventional ruling system in Sri Lanka and change this vicious downward trend in the economy and culture. No savoiur will come and do that. The saviour is in every citizen in this country. What is needed is the promise to work according to a common agenda, seeking a common goal. Primarily you have to change your attitudes, which have caused us to deviate from the right path of development over the last 50 years. Sacrifice, tolerance and commitment at different degrees would be the secret of success in the proposed developmental process. With all this groundwork, we have to make a program acceptable to the majority. Implementation of this developmental program with a firm determination and dedication will be the last step. The development plan should be composed of two main lines of action, namely structural reforms and attitude changes. New reforms Structural changes: Structural changes in the institutional set up to increase the productivity and efficiency of work in the production and service sectors should be the main matter of concern. Constitutional reforms, which will bring about political stability in the country is a prerequisite for whatever the necessary policy changes in this regard. It should be followed by empowering the legislature for smooth functioning of the institutional set up. Strengthening institutions to reach rigid insulation against corruption, favouration and wastage could be attained in this way. In addition, all sorts of frauds, inefficiencies, sabotage and frequent worker strikes should be stopped at any cost. Establishment of national policies under each major discipline within the administrative structure has to be done within the political vision promised to the voters. Pilot projects should be drafted on a priority basis and guided by the national policy framework under different disciplines. Planning process should be done in consultation with the experts (advisors) and with the consensus of the end-users (producers and customers) who are having vast experience and firm determination for the revitalizing process of the economy and culture. Projects should be put in practice utilizing the conventional implementation arm but well streamlined and motivated for a new beginning. Review of progress or project monitoring is the last but not the least step, which is vital for making serious decisions on the continuity, revision and dissemination of the strategies, technologies and the operational staff. The advisory board itself may be one of the partners in the project monitoring committee. By establishing the tradition of sharing responsibilities under each step or activity of the project and giving credit for excellence as well as taking penal action for mismanagement would keep the projects on the correct path and pace, leading to an expected boost in national development. Attitude Changes: Attitude changes within the work force on loyalty, liability, honesty and positive thinking should not be soft peddled at any rate as it is as equally important as structural reforms, mainstay of the national development. Reforms in education and training are the main forms of attitude development. It has to be launched as a long or medium term project, mainly aimed at the younger generation. In the meantime we have to work on short-term projects of attitude changes for relatively quick results. For example, that can be done through confidence building on political and bureaucratic leadership by clean, fully transparent and inspirable performances in relevant activities. This has to be aided with non-indiscriminative and magnanimous policies in administration. Access to voice the views within the working community and constructive criticism from outside the institution are other inevitable components in the process of developing trust and thus positive attitudes among the participants as well as the beneficiaries on the new moves in the developmental process. As most critics very correctly mention this may be our last chance. As mentioned earlier, traditional behaviours of grabbing opportunities or resources by the affluent class and the negative thinking and individualism of the working class are the greatest deleterious factors against the development in Sri Lanka. These symptoms have made our ship sink fast in the deep sea of global trends of politics, trade and culture, losing all our traditional values and wealth. Therefore, irrespective of our differences in social status, political ideologies, professional boundaries, personal interests, ethnicity, religious beliefs or any other aspects, we Sri Lankans must look back at our past, learn from the mistakes, and should determine to make a new beginning of committed and collective effort for a new chapter in the history of Sri Lanka. |
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