Correct Steps Have Been Taken In Right Direction – Krishantha Cooray

by Camelia Nathaniel-Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Although the Current government criticised the previous regime, there have also been questions over some of the appointments made to several key institutions during the good governance regime. Responding to queries by The Sunday Leader in this regard, UNP Media Head and Working Committee member Krishantha Cooray  said that  a government has to have short-term, medium-term and long-term plans. In an interview with The Sunday Leader he said that ours is a country that is seriously hampered by a human resources problem.  The sad truth he said is that the system doesn’t facilitate the appointment of the right people for the right jobs. There is a need to be scientific and professional in dealing with this problem.  He said there has to be a solid understanding of labour market requirement, not just for today, but in terms of foreseeable changes in economic realities.  There has to be a comprehensive occupational classification, he said adding that the education system needs to be revamped accordingly.  According to Cooray English education has to be revisited so that there is a level playing field and the true talent is identified, trained and properly located in the economy.The truth is that corruption and issues of remuneration have led to people shunning the public sector, he said and   Radical changes are required to address these issues so that we produce solid professionals with unquestionable integrity who can then fit these key positions.  This he pointed out is also applicable to the political sphere. 

Following are excerpts of the interview;

Q:  How do you view the current political climate in the country?

A:  The current political climate has to be assessed in terms of where we were and the challenges produced by that context.  What happened on the eighth of January was extraordinary and unique.  The impossible happened.  A regime thought to be invincible was defeated.  Those who were considered powerless rose to the occasion.  Now we have to remember that voting people out does not mean the structures and political culture that were detrimental to the country’s progress were simultaneously removed.

A proper government was formed only in September 2015.  Reform was and is the primary objective of this Government.  However, reforms have to happen in a particular political and economic context.  It is not easy to transform overnight the political culture of a country.  Neither do we have absolute control over all factors impacting our economy.  Tough and unpopular decisions have to be taken and this has to be done taking the people into confidence.  The truth has to be told, even if it is harsh and it has to be effectively communicated.

So I would say that we are going through a challenging phase.  How the nation rises to these challenges and whether or not the political leadership shows courage, maturity and the ability to communicate the truth of the realities before us will determine whether or not justice is done to the hopes raised by the victory of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015.

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