The President’s Vision & Effective Risk Management

By Chandra Jayaratne –September 2, 2015 

Chandra Jayaratne

Dear Mr. President,

You have yesterday, during the opening session of the 8th Parliament, in announcing the Policy Statement of the new National Unity Government, clearly articulated the vision of ushering in reconciliation, mutual understanding, sustainable and equitable socio economic development and religious harmony, realized through a new political culture of consensus politics, where key national policies and practices of compassionate governance will remain unchanged over the long term, and lead to a country where the benefits of sustainable growth and prosperity, peace and harmony will be shared by all citizens.

The civil society whilst endorsing the announced vision looks forward to actively engaging and supporting the new initiatives of the government, in its bid to assure the timely realization of the priority commitments announced.

The civil society however wishes to caution you that an effective risk management processes, independently carried out by competent multi disciplinary professional team and led by a like minded leader, are essential to realize the vision of the new government.

The structures and processes of risk management must be embedded within the governance framework and must have the capability to identify and assess the likelihood of any high risks crystallizing during the governance process. The probability and severity of the likely impact, from such identified potential risks facing the new government in realizing its vision, must be subject to assessment well before any amber light signals appear. The risk management capability should in addition, prior identify and develop mitigation action options. Effective management action plans must also be in place with essential capability and resource backing, and in a state of readiness to be brought out to face the likely challenges, no sooner the dedicated risk management team deems it is essential that such plans must be activated.

The key risks likely to impact negatively in realizing the vision include;  Read More