Fast route to development

Sri Lankan Governments, of whatever political persuasion, have the habit of announcing grandiose projects which sometimes never really get off the ground. Some projects have been talked about for decades, through several changes of Government, with nothing happening on the ground.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his officials have pledged to change this status quo. The Mahinda Chintana enunciates a coherent development strategy in tune with the country's ambition to become a regional economic powerhouse.

Now we have an assurance from Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who held the important position of Plan Implementation Secretary, that all major development projects including the Colombo South harbour, Weerawila International Airport and the Moragahakanda irrigation project would be operational before President Rajapaksa's term ends. This is indeed a commendable move.

Apart from a lack of funds, the other factor that has impeded development in this country is a lack of political will. Many Governments lacked the courage to go ahead with certain development projects because they feared a negative reaction from politicians within and outside the ruling party, affected residents, environmentalists, NGOs, religious groups and trade unions.

That attitude has not been healthy as far as Sri Lanka's development is concerned. We have an acute energy crisis on our hands due to political dilly-dallying over power projects. Many power projects have been put on hold as rulers lacked the will to override protests by certain elements with vested interests.

This picture finally seems to be changing - the present Government recently started work on the 900 MW Norochcholai coal power plant, a long-felt need. Similarly, it should go ahead with much-needed reforms in the power and petroleum sectors.

The rapid completion of development projects is essential for realising our economic goals. The Central Bank recently announced that the economy had grown by eight per cent in the first quarter of 2006 and was on course to achieve an overall rate of seven per cent for the whole of 2006.

These are impressive figures, given the negative impact of the 2004 tsunami and the escalating violence in the North-East.

But no economy can sustain such figures without the development of key sectors including infrastructure. They provide direct and indirect employment to thousands during construction and after completion.

They help the economy in many ways, some of which may seem insignificant at first. For example, an expressway will help goods transporters to shorten the journey times and save fuel, which will have a direct impact on the economy in the long run.

Thus the decision to expedite development programmes and complete them within a given timeframe is most timely.

The Government should take a bold approach to these projects, without giving in to the whims of elements who do not want to see a prosperous Sri Lanka.