A Vote for Policy and Glory

Southern Sri Lanka goes to the polls this week in an election that could well herald a fresh face of leadership whilst testing the political will and maturity of our people. Violence played its part in the run up to the poll, significant being the clashes amongst ruling party candidates with vigorous canvassing for preferential votes. The iniquity of power politics has shown its face with assaults on the police, public and party property. If politics be a cause for this culture of violence that engulfs our social order, then what must we as leaders commit to stem this rot? That could prove the real test of national will.  
Violence and vote soliciting aside, the outcome of the Southern Provincial poll could well be the factor behind the timing of the 2010 general elections or a Presidential poll.
Whilst the ruling alliance is confident of another resounding victory, the aspects of economy and good governance have slowly gathered momentum in post-war Sri Lanka. Have we a politically mature voter-base, or have we a politically-savvy opposition to challenge the constituent’s thinking? The South shall tell.
 The political and private sector think-tanks welcome the government’s intention to delay the 2010 budget proposals till after elections next year. Despite the presentation of an annual budget posing a structural benchmark under the letter of intent signed with the International Monetary Fund, the preparation of and presentation of fiscal policy that without doubt would be discarded in the face of a new parliament warrants no time or commitment. Sri Lanka needs no more ‘election budgets’, it is time and place for strategy on long-term economic policy.
With the government riding high on confidence, and with expectation of success at the polls, it is opportune to explore programmes and policy that holds the nation’s interest. A robust government is represented not merely by power, but with astute policy and planning that would grow its numbers in parliament alongside the advancement of nation and its people. What ails development-thinking and political poise in a victorious post-conflict era? It is time for action and with maturity.
Sri Lanka must not let chance to go by, reveling in the joy of victory. The world around us is making progress; it is recovering from the throes of recession and exploring new horizons. Herein Sri Lanka is faced with opportunity, as a nation that is free and united, inviting investments and a role in the new economic agenda of the globe. Sri Lanka must now transcend to a development mindset.
Whilst it is important to remind ourselves of the glory of triumph and conquest, it is time past that we give credence to the broader national issues of people and development. The government would look to ride high on the performance of the Colombo bourse, but that fails to serve as a real indicator of progress and long-term action.
As pointed out by the Institute of Policy Studies in its recent report, the economic slowdown still holds wider implication of job lay-offs, loss of productivity and uncertainty regarding the final economic cost. Sri Lanka must plan and prepare for these tests. The adverse impacts of the financial crisis are still felt, and would continue so, through channels with direct linkages to the poor, which could push people into poverty. Despite the optimism and hope of a gradual global recovery in 2010, there still hangs a strong sense of uncertainty stemming from protectionism and a rise in interest rates, as governments continue to withdraw much of their economic stimulus. Unemployment will pose the greatest challenge. Thus, Sri Lanka cannot delay with its economic action, the Government at all levels must act. The country, its people and policy alike must be ready to open its doors to the world, to opportunity and development.