Honouring Lanka's int'l commitments

The statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that a future UNP Government would not honour the loan commitments of the present regime would no doubt receive the condemnation of every right thinking citizen who has the country's interest at heart.

The Opposition Leader's comment received the censure it deserved from the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter during an audience the Chief prelate had with Minister Prof. Peiris.

The most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Thera said: "Attempts by certain interested parties to block the flow of foreign aid or loans to the Government for its national development activities can never condoned."

The Venerable Mahanayake's comments no doubt encapsulates the prevalent view among the larger masses on the role of the main Opposition party at every turn in the country's political history which has also cast doubts on the efficacy of the democratic system for a poor country like Sri Lanka.

Party politics which is an essential feature of democracy, which allows for a wider play of ideas and views, has also proved to be the bane of this country on its road to achieve economic emancipation. For what we have seen since independence is the destruction of all projects and schemes commenced by the outgoing regime by an incoming one while the country stood at a standstill.

Coming as is, it does from a leader of a party known for its unbridled capitalism, the Opposition Leader's comments are strange to say the least. It is well-known that the party's fortunes plummeted at many an election due to this unrestrained pursuance of capitalist policies which entailed unlimited borrowings from the world's lending institutions.

Then why this sudden transformation on the part of the UNP leader? Is the grand old party going to change track and espouse socialist causes? Is a future UNP Government going to place a bar on external borrowings?

One hardly expected such comments from a leader of the calibre of Wickremesinghe who is known for his knowledge of world finance and capital markets. How did the UNP fund such gigantic projects such as the Mahaweli? If the UNP leader's comments sprung from a genuine concern for the country's future generation he should tell the nation how the blocking of loans which are to be invested on 22 development projects is going to redeem this very generation.

If Wickremesinghe's motive was altruism it hardly compliments his recent regime bashing at every turn during his trips abroad. Therefore it is plain that infused with fresh oxygen by his new alliance the UNP leader is all out to sabotage efforts of the Government.

True, a vibrant opposition is a key element in a functioning democracy. But like the Ven. Mahanayake stated opposing even the salient aspects related to development cannot be condoned especially in a country such as ours which cannot afford to dwell on polemics. How would Sri Lanka be viewed among the world community if every leader of the opposition pledges not to honour the international borrowing made for development purposes by its predecessor?

What would happen to the credit rating of the country? If that is the case it is matter for regret since it is the country which would be the ultimate loser, not any individual or political party. It is common knowledge that a Government elected to power in an election is obliged to honour international agreements entered to by the previous one.

Sri Lanka being a poor country cannot hope to stand on its own economically without global assistance for its development programmes. What the country derives by way of development is for the common good of all and not for one particular political party.

At a time the Government is striving to forge ahead on the economic front braving severe odds and vicissitudes such as the surge in fuel prices, the Opposition Leader's comments can only be described as churlish.

This is not a time for petty politicking. On the contrary what is needed is a unified stand by both the Government and the Opposition to address the multifaceted problems confronting the nation.