Sri Lanka: Fine-tuning Good Governance – Jayatilleka de Silve

Image: anao.gov.au

18/02/2016 

With the result of the Presidential election Sri Lanka began a march toward good governance on January 8, 2015. Several important steps, actually the initial ones were taken since then, the most significant of them being the reduction of the powers of the Executive President and the appointment of the Constitutional Council and independent commissions. However much remains to be done. As expected whatever that is achieved has been at a price since it was necessary to overcome the desperate opposition from reactionary forces that were defeated at the elections. A long and hard struggle awaits the completion of the good governance programme, causing much heartburn, despair and needing more courage and determination among the masses.

Our attempt here is to pinpoint some things that need urgent attention in order to march forward along the course set out on January 8 last year. They are matters of concern to those who supported the good governance objectives.

Law-enforcing authorities

Take for example the need for elimination of corruption, fraud and misuse of public property. There does not seem to be a uniform policy as different individuals with similar charges against them are treated in different ways. The class bias as well as solidarity among the privileged then and now seems glaring. Though politicians are supposed not to interfere with the work of law-enforcing authorities such as the police, media speculates on some individuals accused of wrong doings getting velvet glove treatment from high authorities. Since there is no denial from the relevant authorities named the public could safely conclude that such speculation is based on truth.

The slow progress of investigations and the virtual standstill of the judiciary processes as a result of the lethargy, inefficiency or incapacity of the office of the Attorney General is also a cause for worry and a disruptive element in proceeding toward better governance.

The freedom of the wild ass in the Cabinet of Ministers allows ministers to publicly criticise and attack their colleagues and even challenge the Executive. This situation can in no way be considered a merit of good governance. Rather it is symptomatic of moribund structures of power on the eve of their dissolution. The ultimate cause of this sad state is the unresolved crisis within the SLFP and the attempts to cover it up by hypocritical attempts to forge unity between individuals and factions with policies that are unbridgeable. It is the same reason that has caused the influx of corrupt politicians into the Cabinet of Ministers and other high bodies.

Waste of scarce public resources

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