The need to change the present political trend

M. B. M. IFTHIKAR

BRITISH RULE: If we have to develop this country we must genuinely review the cause as to why the second best economy in Asia when we got independence from British came to this situation.

The country progressed well during British rule because there was stability, proper systems and procedures, better law and order situation, discipline, and above all right person for right jobs. After the independence, like a garland is given to monkeys our leaders mishandled the affairs of the country.

During British rule there was a group of people who were given prominence as they were disciplined and provided leadership to people in various places spending from their own wealth. They could have led the country on the right path from where British left.

But they were disregarded as 'Kalu Suddas' and broke their back-bone through jealousy by nationalizing their wealth thus affecting the national economy too.

The Senate comprised such great leaders which could have guided the country on the right path at least to a certain extent was dissolved. They are trying to remove the remnant of such calibre of people in politics also by branding them as capitalists and loyal to foreign powers.

They removed capable officers who managed the affairs of the country well, by making Sinhala as national language over night. Even now any public officer who does a good job in a proper manner is transferred, removed or silenced by petitions or political interference.

In most of the instances the positions of Justices of Peace, Members of Parliament, Ministerial posts and such other honourable positions are given to people of such calibre; the dignity of such positions also is no more.

Those who are suitable to rule are being ruled and most of those who are ruling are those who should be ruled. What we see today are the consequences of those misdeeds.

There are no proper national policies, things are carried out without any proper plan and decisions are taken shortsightedly without considering how they are funded or what will be the consequences.

Many decisions had been taken to benefit an individual, group of people or a community instead of considering the benefit to the country.

As a result of those there is civil war; deterioration of discipline day by day, worsening law and order situation, every thing politicized, politicians interfering with administration, corruption all over, national economy on downward trend and it has come to a situation where even the leaders preach to run the affairs of the country ignoring FR and AR instead of revising it if it is outdated. Ultimately there will be chaos and the law of the jungle only will prevail.

We cannot see any sign of this trend being reversed. Everyone want a change but no one knows how and where to start. I think this trend can be changed only if an honest, strong, dedicated, patriotic and unbiased leader take over the rule and put the whole system right.

There should be right people for right job considering all citizens as Sri Lankans. Everyone cannot do everything better. The qualities and abilities of various communities and groups of people are different according to their culture, background and social status.

One group is more intelligent than the other, one group is hardworking than the other, one group is more disciplined than the other, one group is better for business than the other and likewise different groups of people have their strength and weaknesses.

When preparing national policies one should keep the above in mind. The British brought labour force from South India to work in Estates, brought Malays for police force and utilized another category for administrative activities, understanding the qualities and abilities of each group of people.

Now we have all such categories of people as Sri Lankans. If we consider all Sri Lankans equal there are enough potential to build up this country. What we require first is a mental revolution through mass media and educational systems to treat all Sri Lankans as equal.

Such a change cannot be brought about by having different national languages, different schools for different communities, asking details of race/religion when filling forms and allocating percentages for opportunities. We require a drastic change.

The clock of misdeeds should be reversed. There should be proper systems and mechanism to have fair governance. We hope that those too can be considered in the peace process.

If such changes cannot be brought about, as I can see Sri Lanka will not only be divided into Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim areas; but also into Sinhala Buddhist and Sinhala Christian areas too. May God save Sri Lanka.