Steps From victory

By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera –August 28, 2015

Asanga Abeygoonasekera

After a victory at the recent parliamentary elections, Sri Lanka is seen by the outside world as a shining example of democratic peaceful elections and political transition. Our democratic values in society are far superior to an individual politician.

According to Justice Weeramantry, “our ancient civilization fore-shadowed concepts of equality, freedom and democratic procedures in a manner which throws on us the burden of carrying on these democratic practices and developing them to the best of our ability”. We have made history by creating a national government and by signing a MOU between Government and Opposition for the first time. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghebacked by his long political career has exercised within the democratic framework trying to accommodate all voices from many political parties. As he says “Our aim is to emulate the dignified tradition of King Lichchavi, whereby people would meet peacefully, discuss issues peacefully and disperse peacefully, in order to ensure good governance and build a united and prosperous nation”. The Lichchavi kings had ruled the Kathmandu area in Nepal from 400 to 750 AD. This period saw the flowering of a liberal political Culture and coexistence of Buddhism and Hinduism.

It was a ballot based silent revolution that changed the Rajapaksa regime on 8th January- orchestrated by the people of Sri Lanka. The people reaffirmed their verdict at the 17th August Parliamentary elections. This secured a clear victory for the United National Front for Good Governance taking 106 seats while the opposition could secure only 95 seats. The new Government with the leadership of the new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will be ready to take Sri Lanka towards 2020. As he pledged to introduce good governance and fight against corruption to bring economic prosperity in his election manifesto its time he executes the promises with the right kind of cabinet ministers.

The four time Prime Minister who understands and knows most politicians in his political sphere would have to find the art of moving away from playing prisoners dilemma as he needs to get everyone to cooperate and move forward not stagnate at one place. According to my fellow Young Global Leader and Adjunct Prof. Lutfey Siddiqi, “If you and I were to change our ways together, we could both get to a better place. However, if I was to change and you were not, I’d be much worse off. And because I can’t be sure that you will move, I won’t make the move either. These words demonstrate a classic “prisoners’ dilemma,” where groups of people settle for a suboptimal outcome because they cannot ensure coordinated action that could take them all to a better outcome.

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