With two more days to go for a brand new decade, it is appropriate that we reflect on what 2019 had in store for Sri Lanka. The year will be remembered for two things: The tragedy of 4/21 and the election of a new President. 2019 began like any other year with the usual festivities and a complacent Government that was more or less on autopilot mode due to a full-scale cold war between the President and his own Cabinet. The year began with political tension at boiling point, with the then President having had to eat humble pie, after his audacious move to sack the sitting Prime Minister and appoint his rival to the post blew up in his face after the Supreme Court ruled it as illegal. It yet remains a puzzle as to why this illegal act has gone unpunished to date. The political upheaval had its consequences with national security becoming a casualty of the cold war between the Executive and Prime Minister (PM), with the former, who chairs the National Security Council, making it a point not to invite the PM for meetings. In fact, it was revealed at a subsequent inquiry that the Security Council meetings were held on an ad hoc basis ever since the sacking of the PM and at these meetings too, key officials such as the State Minister of Defence and IGP were conspicuous by their absence. This state of affairs no doubt opened up fertile grounds for extremist elements to capitalise on, and the result was the carnage that took place on that fateful Easter Sunday in April. Although many inquiries have been held, including by a Special Presidential Commission and a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), under the watch of the previous regime, the responsibility for what took place has been laid at the door of two state officials – the then Defence Secretary and IGP – but not those in political authority at the time. The accused duo to date remain in remand custody over the incident, while the man in charge of the subject of defence is now happily in retirement, enjoying his Cabinet-approved retirement package which is one to be envied as the only thing he has foregone is power while the perks and privileges, including the official residence, remain the same. What is unforgivable in the Easter tragedy is the fact that multiple warnings were issued by the defence authorities, both here and in India, about an imminent attack, but neither the minister in charge of defence, who in fact was the President, the Prime Minister, nor any other Cabinet Minister acted on it. Their collective defence at various inquiries has been that none of them were informed of the available intel. This begs the question as to how such a colossal systemic failure could occur under the very nose of those in power and yet be allowed to feign ignorance and be absolved of all responsibility. The unprecedented, co-ordinated attacks not only resulted in 260 deaths, including 42 foreigners, and millions of rupees in damage to property, but it also brought the entire economy of the country to its knees with collateral economic damage running into billions of dollars, from which full recovery is still a long way off. The tourism industry, which was already reeling from the political turmoil caused during the previous December high season, crashed by 80% overnight. Tourism, which is the third highest foreign exchange earner for the country and a key sector in attracting foreign direct investment, is yet in the doldrums with many investors, especially in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, having had to close up shop. The fact that only the then Defence Secretary and IGP have as yet been held responsible for this carnage is beyond comprehension, which is why getting to the bottom of it must be considered as unfinished business of 2019. The next most important event that 2019 will be remembered for is the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka, in whom the people reposed their faith as the best bet to ensure national security. Now that His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has expressed his confidence in the new Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Rajapaksa, it must diligently probe what led to the disaster and hold to account all those responsible, irrespective of whoever they may be. Only then when justice is done and seen to be done will this unfinished business of 2019 be considered done. The other main unfinished business is to get the economy back on the rails and ensure all those who lost out or had to shut down are helped to get back on their feet once again to become contributors to the national economy. There is no doubt that the wide-ranging and far-reaching tax incentives already announced and implemented will go a long way in achieving this objective. Lastly, President Rajapaksa, who is currently enjoying a groundswell of goodwill and support for the measures he has set in motion, should be careful not to allow the accusation of political victimisation, which is growing louder by the day, to spoil the pristine pot of milk he has in his hands. It is all his to spoil and let us hope that it would not be the case. There are many lessons to be learnt from year 2019 for both sides of the political divide. One side which is currently licking its self-inflicted wounds would have hopefully by now realised the errors of its ways and begun the job of regrouping by first putting its own house in order by installing a new party leadership. The other party, now in Government, must ensure that it does not repeat its mistakes of the past and instead, tread on a path of national reconciliation which in turn will automatically pave the way for national development. Let's hope the 20s decade will have greater tidings for Sri Lanka than that of the last one which was ours to spoil and we did a pretty good job of it.