'Mahinda Chintana' and the Middle Path

THE THIRD WAY - a concept which is no stranger to the local Buddhistic ethos and which found entry to the Lankan political lexicon through mainly the Social Democratic principles of the founding father of the SLFP, SWRD Bandaranaike, is the cornerstone of 'Mahinda Chintana'. This is the socio-political vision of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, which forms the substance of his election manifesto, which was released yesterday.

'Mahinda Chintana' is a plan for national rejuvenation which finds its inspirational source in the New Social Democratic movement sweeping parts of the West. As a glance at the manifesto reveals, the aim of Presidential hopeful Mahinda Rajapakse is to restore to every Lankan his dignity and inner strength which have suffered severe erosion over the years on the release of the cataclysmic winds of the open economy.

The open economic policy of the Rightist UNP administrations of the Seventies and Eighties was in radical revolt against the Statist, largely closed economy of the early Seventies, which resulted in a rigid regimentation of Lanka's economy. The latter has been popularly conceived as a "queues, shortages and rations" era which had a stultifying impact on economic enterprise.

The open economy which followed, went to almost the other extreme and allowed the market mechanism to mould nearly every aspect of local life. The result was the rapid commercialisation and commodification of almost everything, including things mental and spiritual.

'Mahinda Chintana' is an effort to steer a Third Way between these extremes. While overwhelming State intervention cannot be permitted to kill individual enterprise and initiative, we cannot swing to the other extreme and allow the market to play too predominant a role in the economic life of the people.

For, the poor would be ground further into the mire of deprivation if they were left at the mercy of market forces. Therefore, we need to steer a Middle Path between these extremes and this is the road opened to us by 'Mahinda Chintana', which models itself on the Social Democratic vision.

The Lankan citizen should be saved from the ravages of economic globalisation and the market but he cannot be reduced to an inwardly paralysed, passive recipient of State aid. We must make selective and judicious use of the economic opportunities brought our way by economic liberalization but cannot shy away from the responsibility of empowering every man, woman and child to reach economic prosperity and social stability.

Thus Premier Rajapakse's emphasis on education needs to be greatly commended. 'Nena Bala Neguma' aims at providing educational opportunities for all, combined with computer literacy.

Needless to say, over the years market forces even penetrated the once - State protected bastion of education resulting in many children dropping out of school. 'Nena Bala Neguma' would aim at restoring a free education to every child.

Likewise, the 'Janasetha', 'Janasevana' and 'Navoda Villages' projects aim at providing essential resources for the economic empowerment of the rural poor. While the 'Nanasetha' aims at providing employment to at least one member of ever poor family, 'Janasevana' hopes to provide a house and plot of land to every poor citizen.

A national pension scheme aimed at providing financial sustenance for elders, is equally timely and welcome. This will ensure the financial sustenance of our increasing greying population.

Even on the subject of devolution of power, 'Mahinda Chintana' is most clear. While every community is promised equality and dignity, power devolution would be aimed at without compromising the country's geographical wholeness.