The case for economic justice

Knowledgeable observers, perhaps, would not be surprised at the news that Lanka's economy is continuing on a buoyant note. They are certain to see the link between far-seeing governance, which has enabled the country to stay the course in the conflict resolution process, and economic growth.

To be sure, much remains to be achieved by way of ending our conflict, but the Mahinda Rajapakse administration has successfully steered the country through many an anxious moment and has kept us well in sight of the aim of negotiating an end to the ethnic conflict. To the appreciation of many, the Government has not succumbed to the knee-jerk reaction of retaliating militarily and impulsively to LTTE violations of the Ceasefire Agreement.

From this patient course, mainly, have flowed the economic dividends outlined yesterday by Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera. What is more, unlike in the not too distant past, peace is not being pursued in a non-inclusive and secretive fashion, with the Government conducting a veritable 'one-man-show'.

On the contrary, what we have now is a broad approach to peace with President Mahinda Rajapakse seeking the cooperation of all in the conflict-resolution process. As evidence of this we have the all party talks mechanism. Accordingly, we are well on course towards the Southern consensus which has eluded us thus far.

If in a no-peace, no-war situation the country could achieve so much, how much more would it accomplish in economic and material terms when the conflict is resolved by political means? This is a thought-provoking poser the people and the State would do well to ponder on. It should prompt the entire polity to soldier on towards peace without falling for the temptation of trying out quick-fix military solutions which would reverse the better times which are upon us.

It would be sheer folly, however, to bask in a sense of complacency over the improvements in our economic situation. To begin with, the whole of Sri Lanka should support a fair and honourable solution to our conflict. That is, one that should meet the basic and legitimate aspirations of all our communities.

Second, the economy should be kept in good trim. Sustained effort and resourcefulness is required on the part of all for this purpose.

We all need to place our shoulder to the wheel of economic advancement. Untiring, selfless enterprise and labour is the need of the hour.

Third, we need to ensure that all are empowered through this process of economic advancement. We need hardly reiterate that mere economic growth does not translate into economic equity, which is the essence of development.

Economic equity is the result of redistributive justice and the latter is a task for the State. A welfare system is at work for the poorest of the poor but we need to guard against the possibility of more and more people joining the ranks of the poor as a result of the gulf between the rich and the poor widening.

Therefore, every effort should be made by the State to ensure that economic and social justice prevails.