Take Right Lessons From Asia

By Jehan Perera -October 1, 2012 

Jehan Perera

The increase in the economic rate of growth that has taken place in the Sri Lankan economy since the end of the war puts it amongst the better performing countries. Colombo has now got facilities that the more demanding international visitor has come to expect, and indeed it is more pleasing to the eye than many other capitals most particularly in its wider Asian neigbourhood.  What is happening today in Sri Lanka also reflects trends elsewhere in its neigbourhood,   In responding to criticisms of its human rights record, the government is quick to delink Sri Lanka culturally from the Western societies from where most of those critics come.  Instead it affirms closeness with Asia, and Asian models.  But not all these Asian models are either replicable or worthy of replication.

A negative side can also be discerned that is liable to invalidate the repeated declarations by government leaders that Sri Lanka will be a regional hub for the better things of life, such as education, trade and finance.  This is due to the erosion in the Rule of Law, the essence of which is to treat people alike and according to the laws that currently exist without making exceptions.  Confidence in the Rule of Law also holds the key to the long term investments in the economy that are necessary for the economy to take-off to a new level of development. Accompanying impunity is corruption where established procedures are neither followed in spirit nor substance, and which permits enrichment of a few at the expense of the many and is reflected in increasing economic inequalities which affect both the middle and working classes.

Where there are conditions of impunity and no regard for the Rule of Law the expected foreign investments will not be forthcoming.  Not only are investors reluctant to take the risk that they will be at the receiving end of lawless behavior.  They also come under pressure from human rights groups who name and shame them for investing in countries whose governments violate human rights.  The government’s failure to put the issue of war crimes behind it is a deterrent to foreign investment.  The example of South Africa during the period of apartheid stands out as a case study where even multinational corporations who place profit first came under pressure to withdraw, and when they did the death knell fell deservedly on the apartheid government. The more recent example is Burma, where the military government has become more flexible in the face of international political and economic pressure.

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