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Building
for the future – Leadership and action
Sri
Lanka: A country, an economy and a society in turmoil. Last
week saw the untimely passing of another leader; perhaps still
uncrowned in the sphere of politics, Major-General Janaka
Perera, was an icon of military strength and strategy, and
a man upon whom the masses placed their trust and futures.
The country has a long list of war casualties – of leaders
with intellect, who commanded people’s respect, and above
all, leaders who could have made a change. Terrorism –
dispensed by whoever – has wiped out national leaders,
and it wouldn’t be wrong to aver that Sri Lanka could
face a leadership crisis in time to come. And it’s not
just to do with terrorism really; Sri Lanka’s customary
party and personal politics often find potential leaders waiting
in the wings – perhaps forever.
Fostering leaders
Concerns on the lack of an effective second tier of leaders
in waiting are growing. A country without a proper head is
a country billed for ruination. Sri Lanka lacks a policy or
a plan to identify budding leadership and nurture it. Instead,
it has a culture of stifling the same, and pushing them into
doldrums – all for the sake of those in power staying
in power. Then we are faced with situations like we did with
the late Janaka Perera.
The defence community had identified and informed that the
retired Major-General was under threat, but he was denied
adequate security initially. Why? It seems because of politics.
This culture of power partisan politics based on personal
agendas is our bane, and it has spelt disaster for Sri Lanka
since independence, and will sadly continue to do so in time
to come.
How many more leaders are we to lose, how many more are we
to keep in the dark? It is a pertinent issue for both main
political parties, and something we would all hope would be
addressed with prudence. As I always say, the public can influence
party and politics to make the right choice, but how much
can we expect from a society that is largely ignorant of such
realities?
If I may take a moment to mention Dr. Raja Johnpulle and his
wife who were also killed at Anuradhapura, it is sad to note
the fate that befell them. In the twilight of their lives,
the respected Dr. Johnpulle was plagued with death threats,
assault and the destruction of his home and property –
all because of dirty politics (not by him). Let’s forget
what party or following he came from… does he or any
other, deserve such trauma; and after all that, to die the
way he did?
Business leadership
The turmoil is not only at national level; even the august
trade body that is the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is grappling
with issues of inaction (or interest) on the court ruling
with regard to LMS (JKH). The Chamber and its membership are
split over the matter, and some charge that the leadership
is trying to sweep the matter under the carpet. But the leadership
would find that increasingly difficult to do, given that sections
of the membership have already begun making noises during
meetings.
Keeping the peace is one thing, but letting an issue lie quiet
with the hope of it being forgotten, and in doing so perhaps
one day undermine the reputation of the country’s premier
trade chamber, is another. The unity of the business community
is paramount; whatever the Chamber leadership opts to do,
we hope it preserves the unity and dignity of the private
sector.
An oil change
It was interesting listening to a recent interview by
the CPC Chairman on the possibility of reducing oil prices,
now that a barrel of oil is hovering around USD 80. He said
the CPC must recover the losses amounting to over Rs. 20 billion
which has accrued over so many years.
Let’s hope this is a lesson for all. Governments gave
subsidies, and then it incurred losses. When oil prices rose,
government had to remove subsidies, plus, recover losses –
incurring the wrath of the public (the voter base). Oil prices
come down and now government can’t reduce prices because
they still need to cover the old losses – an unhappy
public. And those brothers who shouted for subsidies and stated
that it’s the government’s duty to grant them are
now all quiet!
The public are the losers. Governments gave them subsidies
because some sections shouted for it, and when government
must recover its losses the people must pay for the sins of
others. What’s more, our public is willing to grin and
bear, or, shout about it and then forget.
At least, the CPC chairman said it as it is, as opposed to
some senior ministers, who put forth some rather questionable
explanations. That must be because the Sri Lankan voter can
be taken for a ride. He/she has always been the donkey following
the carrot, and it seems will continue to chase carrots until
and unless they achieve a paradigm shift in their mindsets.
That day will not come in our lifetime!
Global financial crisis
The world economy is reeling from the economic shocks
stemming from the US, and retrenching is having its impact
on global markets. There is little use in saying this, but…
isn’t it remarkable how the fortunes or woes of one economy
can impact economies and lives of people all over the world?
At a gathering of various minds last week, there was the question:
“Why must we worry about a credit problem in the US,
and why is everything else falling apart as a result?”
Sadly (or maybe thankfully), there were no economist friends
to give a technical explanation, but it did leave some questions
about the benefits of globalisation. Do we have any solutions,
is anyone anywhere looking for them, or … are we scared
to look?
Economic and leadership woes aside, the nation prepares for
budget 2009 with a new Treasury Secretary and perhaps a golf-course
short. With heavy defence expenditure and signs of elections
in the air, how we bridge the revenue gap would be anyone’s
guess. The answer, people and industry seem to hope, would
lie in expanding the tax net. Expand vs Increase… Expand
vs Increase… But that record has been playing for a while
now to an empty house.
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