Assessing Governance In Sri Lanka – Treading A Minefield

By Udan Fernando -June 3, 2014 

Chairperson – Transparency International Sri Lanka, the Chief Guest, the Executive Director – Transparency International Sri Lanka, Ladies and gentlemen.

I consider it an honour to deliver the keynote address reviewing the latest Governance Report by Transparency International Sri Lanka. I thank you for this invitation. It’s a pleasure to be part of this gathering where you launch this report.

Let me make a general remark before I do my job proper.

Dr. Udan Fernando at the ceremony to launch the Sri Lanka Governance Report 2012-2013, at BMICH on 29th May, 2014.

Nobody — including the government, corporate or non-governmental organisaitons (NGOs) — are against governance as a concept, even good governance. Anybody would embrace it; subscribe to it. Some would even uphold it as a value, a standard and a norm.

[Indian example Modi slogan: minimum government, maximum governance]

Governance is not understood or misunderstood as a ‘foreign’, ‘western’ conspiratorial idea to destabilise the country.  As such, there is reasonable consensus in society about the value of the concept. However, it becomes a problem when one questions the practice of governance. Such an effort can be construed as being conspiratorial. Therefore, assessing governance is a dangerous minefield to tread. One can easily be branded as a traitor or a betrayer, and the consequences can sometimes be dangerous. Against such a backdrop, bringing out a report on governance, dwelling on some touchy issues and crucial dimensions of the practice of governance is indeed a brave act. Therefore, Transparency International Sri Lanka needs to be congratulated for its commitment to speak out when a great majority is not speaking either out of fear or due to self-censorship.                    Read More