A creditable performance

Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama presenting the Vote on Account in Parliament on Tuesday stated that Sri Lanka has achieved a four percent economic growth in 2009.

Considering the macro-economic environment that is still plagued with the ill-effects of the global financial crisis a four percent growth is highly commendable. The true significance of this achievement comes to light when we consider that it has been achieved despite the war that continued for almost six months into the year.

The resilience of the Sri Lankan economy, its sound management and the prudent policies followed in managing the fiscal policy have all been well recognized by the international financial institutions and the donor community.

The Sri Lankan stock market continues to shine as one of the best performing ones, and even as the best by some. Also effects of the global crisis have been relatively low compared with other countries. It is to be remembered that most developed countries are recording zero growth. Only countries in Asia such as China and India, besides Sri Lanka have shown spectacular growth in the present gloomy world environment.

One reason for such growth is the independent policy followed by the UPFA in developing the economy. For historical and political reasons Sri Lanka's immersion in the global economy is comparatively low unlike in certain other developing countries which followed the neo-liberal recipes to the letter. One could specifically cite the example of the food drive which ensured that no one would go hungry despite a global food crisis.

The Minister also rightly referred to the Year 2010 as the Year of Economic Development. Now that the three-decade old war is over, there is the possibility of realizing substantial growth next year. However, there are certain basic truths that we have to accept and uphold for rapid development to take place.

The first and foremost is that there should be a spirit of sacrifice and dedication to work. Our working environments and work ethics should be revolutionized. No wastage, corruption or slackness should be tolerated.

Second, we must aim at higher labour productivity. This applies to both agriculture and industry. Value addition of our traditional plantation products and raising the technological level of our plantation industry is urgent.

Third, much would depend on the conservation of energy and the harnessing of low cost alternative sources of energy. It is necessary to go for small and medium scale power alternative projects since it would be easier to obtain the required capital and labour for such projects. They would also need community participation and utilize locally available raw materials.

The development of infrastructure, both physical and social is a pre-requisite. Already the Government has done much in this field and it would be of much assistance.

The completion of the mega projects like the Hambantota Port, Norochcholai Coal Power Plant and the Upper Kotmale project would speed up both expansion of industry and agriculture besides considerable employment generation.

There is also the good news of increasing investments from abroad and the containment of inflation to a single digit.

All in all one could look forward to an economic recovery next year.

The idiot box

What does the idiot box reveal? Take a breakdown of the day's program. Tune on to whatever you wish to see. Whether it be a musical presentation or a teledrama or a talk show or even a sports event, how many times would the program be interrupted by advertisements wanting to feed you with king size pizzas, mouthwatering delicacies or miraculously nutritious food supplements etc?

Talking of teledramas what morals, family values do they promote? Are they representative of the Sri Lankan society?

What's more, it has been revealed that the violence shown on TV affects the young ones, including toddlers negatively. Actually it is a free for all in the idiot box where any idiot could say anything, corrupt the tender minds of the children and lure them into wrong. It is quantity, not quality that local TV stations are after. Man, however, does not live by bread alone. Food for the mind too should be healthy.

Time for the authorities to have a close look.