The Norochcholi Model Of Nation Building

By Somapala Gunadheera -June 4, 2014

Somapala Gunadheera

When I heard that a group of UNP MPs were to visit the controversialNorochcholi Power Plant, I guessed they were deliberately heading for a repetition of the showdown at Hambantota. However the news of what really happened at the visit, gladdened my heart to find my imagination belied.

According to the media, the UNP delegation had been given a warm welcome with political leaders on the Government side receiving them with hugs and garlands. This response stands in direct contrast to the reception the delegation received at the much pampered emotional base of those in power, where the delegation was showered with stones and rotten eggs, by stooges and goons, not to mention gun toting by toy chiefs.

What is the reason for this diversity under the same dispensation? Apparently the Hambantota response was engineered by inexperienced power drunk amateurs. The Head of State may not have even been aware of the plans to embarrass the visitors in his home town. This brings into focus a part of the Government’s Achilles heel. That is the reluctance to stand up to foolhardy moves made by those who are emotionally or politically close to the base. The anxiety to pander to the wishes of short-sighted favourites leads to disaster. Traditional wisdom condemns this predilection with the words, “bahubuddhi maranam bhavet”, (It is fatal to go by the dictates of all and sundry). This homily has been successfully observed at Norochcholi. That is the first lesson from Norochchole Model.

By and large xenophobia has been the root cause of ineffective governance, particularly in the area of national integration, creating problems with the international community, especially our closest neighbour. So far it has been possible to play truant with our critics as the neighbour was weak and the rest of the world was not organized. Now that Geneva has got its act together and India is under a strong leader, it will not be possible to dilly dally on urgent reforms with ineffective commissions and never ending committees.        Read More