Lanka-Palestine bonds

Sri Lanka will today roll the red carpet for visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, further reinforcing the strong bonds between the two States over the years.

Sri Lanka-Palestine relations go a long way and particularly flourished during the regime of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in the 70s. Being a Government of socialist orientation it always took the side of the underdog and in this instance too was a vocal supporter of the Palestine people when Zionist expansionism was robbing the State of its lands and heritage.

In fact as a mark of the growing solidarity with the Palestinian cause Premier Bandaranaike established the first ever diplomatic mission of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation in Colombo and in terms of an election pledge shut down the Israeli mission in Colombo.

A solidarity Committee too was set up during this period which gave insights to the public on the Palestine- Israel issue. All this of course was reversed with the arrival of President J.R Jayewardene whose open economic policies necessitated a realignment of forces with Israel not to mention the need for a steady supply of military hardware from the Jewish state.

The election of President Ranasinghe Premadasa saw the exit of the Israeli Interests Section in Colombo which went on emphasise the extent to which the Palestinian issue impacted on people in general and the Muslims in particular.

Throughout all these vicissitudes there was one individual though who remained steadfast towards the Palestinian cause and that the was present President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was a livewire in the Sri Lanka Palestine Friendship movement.

The young Rajapaksa agitated against the oppression and injustice to the Palestinian people with open zeal. It was only natural that as a doughty fighter on behalf of the downtrodden and the oppressed he would be attracted by such a mission.

The future Sri Lankan President as an opposition MP was in the forefront of many a campaign against Zionist designs on the Palestinian people and the State and even took up cudgels with the then Government in Parliament.

Typical of him his espousal of the cause of the oppressed Palestinian people was carried out with the same force and vigour that came to characterise his actions on the domestic political front. His role in this regard came in much for appreciation and gratitude by the Palestine State for which he was honoured in many ways by the Palestinian people.

This signal contribution by the future Lankan Head of State also did much to raise the stature of Sri Lanka in the Arab world which was translated into financial aid and other economic benefits to the country. To cap it all a road was named after President Rajapaksa in the State of Palestine, a rare honour, in recognition of his selfless sacrifice and dedicated mission on behalf of the people of Palestine.

This is a singular honour by a grateful people which no doubt is cause for much honour and pride to Sri Lanka. It is hoped the visit by the Palestinian Head of State would lead to firming of the bi-lateral ties and open the doors for more interaction between the two States.

It was reported yesterday that the World Bank has come forward with a US $ 494,000 financial assistance package to strengthen and enhance the capacities of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), both Parliament committees entrusted with overseeing financial performance and probity\discipline in public institutions.

Since of late public institutions have come in for much criticism from various quarters due to financial mismanagement and other irregularities. Some of these criticisms are indeed justifiable considering it is public funds that are at stake.

The WB programme includes enhancing capacity of the two committees with regard to obtain documents\relevant material from the State institutions. But it would be ideal if training is imparted at the source itself. Today most public sector officials holding responsible posts are bereft of competence and managerial skills. Had some of these officials been alert instances such as the massive VAT fraud could have been averted.

Today most financial losses and corruption in State institutions stem from poor decision making.

It would be ideal if professionals are appointed at decision making level to obviate loss and mismanagement and save public funds from being fritted away.

While this funding for increasing capacity building of the two oversight bodies is a good thing steps are needed to stop the rot at its origins.

We say this because both PAC and COPE have failed to act as effective deterrents to contain corruption in State bodies. No amount of capacity building of the PAC and COPE would be of any use unless the holes are plugged at the source.