Following are some of the issues for which there is consensus throughout the country from different sectors of people and different age groups on the elements of system change that are required for Sri Lanka, both to overcome the present devastating economic crisis, as well as the equally devastating political crisis.
Proper mechanisms to control corruption
There should be a review of all the legislations and practices regarding the failures of the corruption control system that exists in Sri Lanka. It is essential to reveal to the people as to why this system has failed to achieve its objectives in such a dramatic manner so as to cause so much hardship and difficulty, not only to individuals, but also to the economic system and the political system.
On the basis of such in-depth understanding of the problems affecting the failures of corruption control, there is a need to develop legislative, and even more specifically, institutional mechanisms, to ensure a viable system that could credibly deliver the objectives for which such laws and institutions exist.
There are many lessons that could be learned from many countries and it is very likely that there will be voluntary contributions by experts in these fields in other countries as a part of a gesture to help Sri Lanka to rescue itself from its rapid and dangerous fall.
Upholding democracy and the rule of law
That the system of governance in Sri Lanka is based on democratic principles and is rooted in the tradition of the supremacy of the law, and that the rule of law should be clearly articulated and incorporated into every law, including that of the Constitution.
Any provision of the law, whether it is in legislation or in the Constitution or even have got into the system by way of misapplied judicial precedents, should be regarded as having no validity in law if these principles relating to democracy, the supremacy of the law and the rule of law are violated.
If this recommendation is put into effect, much of the problems relating to the 1978 Constitution, which has been talked about for decades and which has bedeviled all effects to have a change, could be corrected without much difficulty.
Transparency in solving the economic crisis
People should be informed of all aspects of all discourses that are taking place to deal with the solving of the present unprecedented economic crisis. Particularly in this crucial moment, all attempts at secrecy should be frowned upon and disallowed.
People should be encouraged to participate in their localities, in their professional roles, and in all their other engagements to discuss details about the ways to end this economic crisis, and also to lay the foundation of the principles and practices that would last for a long time when dealing with matters of the economy.
Local traditions and local conventions should be built that would become a part of the social consciousness of the people, as has happened in many countries where there was a genuine democratic change. People should be prepared in a manner so as to be able to intervene in any interferences into their economic system and well-being if these things are ever to happen in the future.
Fair and equitable taxation system
A just and equitable taxation system should be established as soon as possible. This is perhaps a more difficult task than it could be predicted. The reason is that throughout history, the more affluent classes in Sri Lanka have resisted being subjected to a system of just taxation.
When some attempts were made by certain previous governments, the huge propaganda machinery was unleashed against these attempts, and the governments were defeated. The roots of this resistance should be a matter that the sociologists in particular should study and inform society.
In any case, a decisive attempt should be made to develop and to implement a just and equitable taxation system, where the more affluent persons and better off income groups should be made to share the burdens of keeping a healthy economic life. All sectors of the society should contribute to this effort at this time, and this should be achieved within the shortest possible time.
Clear agricultural policy
A clear agricultural policy should be developed in consultation with farmers, agricultural experts placed in various institutions including academic institutions, economists, and everyone who has a concern to ensure that the supply of food to the country will not be sabotaged by various attempts to unnecessarily import food items, and also to abolish every possibility of eliminating commissions being obtained in such dealings of bringing in imports.
Once again, this aspect is very much linked to the above mentioned aspects of strengthening a legal system to have the capacity to enforce the law in a just and strict manner.
Incorporating youth voices into public discourse
The youth in this country are now playing their role in political and social life. They are a new generation with a different understanding of society, with attitudes that were not commonly possessed by the past generations. Every attempt should be made to bring these younger elements into the public discourse in every possible manner.
The respect for the freedom of expression, association, and assembly are also crucial when it comes to dealing with a societal crisis. What is based on the economic crisis in Sri Lanka is a major societal crisis. In such a crisis, when the younger generation is willingly entering into public debates, they should be allowed all the possibilities of such participation.
This may cause a major shift in the political culture of Sri Lanka. As the past political culture is also one of the components that contributed to the economic and political crisis, these new cultural habits of the youth who are also well informed on new technological advances should be encouraged.
As a part of this development of youth involvement in social life, it is essential to preserve their rights of education and in dealing with the economic crisis, and no attempt should be made to curtail the rights enjoyed by Sri Lankan youth for a better education. Instead, all encouragement should be made to develop the capacity of the youth in this regard, because in the long run, this will contribute greatly to economic development, as well as the economic stability of the country, and also towards political development.
Ensuring no shortages of essentials
Whatever measures that may be taken to deal with the economic crisis, there should be no attempt to impose food shortages of any sort, as well as shortages of medicine. It should be a matter of principle that the first priority in a moment of crisis is to ensure that a food crisis will not result due to measures taken to overcome the economic crisis.
From now on, the Government, as well as all other stakeholders, including religious organisations, other societal organisations, and concerned persons, should appeal to the United Nations (UN), and particularly those agencies of the UN dealing particularly on issues of food and medicine, to take a special interest in Sri Lanka at this moment and to come out with assistance to avoid a catastrophic situation.
It should not be a matter of shame to raise as high a profile as possible for the need of Sri Lanka for assistance in looking for food and medicine at this time. Already reported situations of malnourishment, and even some deaths by suicide allegedly related to hunger, should be taken extremely seriously, because once an economic crisis pushes a nation towards a food crisis, it cannot be predicted where it will end.
Lessons should be learned from other experiences, like the experience of Cambodia between 1975-1978, where it was reported that one-seventh of the population of that country died due to hunger and starvation. Thus, this issue should not be considered lightly, and it should instead be made into an issue which will receive public attention as the number-one public issue. The entirety of the population should show their resilience in trying to undo the possibility of a food crisis.
Recovery of misappropriated assets
There is wide consensus on the issue of the study and the discovery of all matters relating to the money laundering that has happened in Sri Lanka allegedly in an overwhelming manner. The misappropriation of national wealth by individuals should be a matter of the highest concern if the economic crisis is to be dealt with in a reasonable and effective manner.
Neither Sri Lankans abroad, nor foreign investors, nor anyone else including local citizens would contribute generously towards overcoming the economic crisis if they are overwhelmingly conscious that much of what they may contribute may go into private hands, instead of reaching those who need such attention.
Secondly, no system of governance could be established if there is such an overwhelming consciousness among the people that the abuse of power for gaining private wealth has spread like a cancer in the nation. Therefore, many drastic methods should be taken after careful studies to ensure on the one hand, justice, and fairness in all investigations and prosecutions, and at the same time, ensuring that those who are culprits will not escape the net.
It is the duty of all future governments to ensure that whatever that has been taken away from the country illegally and deposited elsewhere should be properly investigated and that recoveries be made. There are, in modern times, many organisations that work on the issue of discovering stolen wealth from nations. Expertise in this area has grown immensely in the last decades. There is also greater co-operation among nations and also among the people in order to assist in such endeavours.
Therefore, all these aspects should be taken into consideration and dealt with within the shortest possible time. While the most recent Finance Minister, M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC has candidly spoken of many aspects of the manner in which the present economic crisis has come about, he has not frankly and outspokenly discussed this major issue that has caused this economic crisis. Perhaps he may not be in a position to tell all that he knows in terms of being a recent member of the Cabinet of Ministers, as those in the latter body are persons who are alleged to have committed some of these offences.
Whatever it may be, there is sharply expressed consensus throughout the country that all this needs to be revealed, justice should be done and also the principle of non-recurrence should be established as strongly as possible.
Unity among citizens from all walks of life
Sri Lanka has been blessed in the past for not having gone through severe crises as some other nations have experienced throughout history. Thus, this is the most agonising experience Sri Lankans have gone through in recent history. Such moments often shape the political consciousness of people in a manner that has never happened before.
The nationwide protests that are taking place are a clear indication of a people who are shaken to their roots and deeply concerned for their own lives and the lives of their children. While the pain that will be suffered by the people is a matter of deep regret, it is times like these that create a nation.
Instead of quarrelling on petty matters, such as issues on ethnicity or some particular aspect of wages and things like that, today, the people are united with the cry to save the country from the worst experience of an economic crisis and political crisis that they are facing. This experience is likely to go on for some time, given the difficulty of overcoming this problem.
It is at such a time that deeper consensus emerges among the people as to what they want to be, and what are the kinds of institutions that their society needs. Thus, the individual and the social institutions may merge in far deeper consciousness than has ever happened before.
Thus, despite all the condemnations of everyone who brought the nation into this terrible situation, the people have a reason to show their resilience and to participate as fully as possible in a process which will improve their conditions of life in the future.
(The writer is the Asian Human Rights Commission’s Policy and Programmes Director)
………………………..
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
The changing meanings of system change
11 May 2022
The changing meanings of system change
11 May 2022
Following are some of the issues for which there is consensus throughout the country from different sectors of people and different age groups on the elements of system change that are required for Sri Lanka, both to overcome the present devastating economic crisis, as well as the equally devastating political crisis.
Proper mechanisms to control corruption
There should be a review of all the legislations and practices regarding the failures of the corruption control system that exists in Sri Lanka. It is essential to reveal to the people as to why this system has failed to achieve its objectives in such a dramatic manner so as to cause so much hardship and difficulty, not only to individuals, but also to the economic system and the political system.
On the basis of such in-depth understanding of the problems affecting the failures of corruption control, there is a need to develop legislative, and even more specifically, institutional mechanisms, to ensure a viable system that could credibly deliver the objectives for which such laws and institutions exist.
There are many lessons that could be learned from many countries and it is very likely that there will be voluntary contributions by experts in these fields in other countries as a part of a gesture to help Sri Lanka to rescue itself from its rapid and dangerous fall.
Upholding democracy and the rule of law
That the system of governance in Sri Lanka is based on democratic principles and is rooted in the tradition of the supremacy of the law, and that the rule of law should be clearly articulated and incorporated into every law, including that of the Constitution.
Any provision of the law, whether it is in legislation or in the Constitution or even have got into the system by way of misapplied judicial precedents, should be regarded as having no validity in law if these principles relating to democracy, the supremacy of the law and the rule of law are violated.
If this recommendation is put into effect, much of the problems relating to the 1978 Constitution, which has been talked about for decades and which has bedeviled all effects to have a change, could be corrected without much difficulty.
Transparency in solving the economic crisis
People should be informed of all aspects of all discourses that are taking place to deal with the solving of the present unprecedented economic crisis. Particularly in this crucial moment, all attempts at secrecy should be frowned upon and disallowed.
People should be encouraged to participate in their localities, in their professional roles, and in all their other engagements to discuss details about the ways to end this economic crisis, and also to lay the foundation of the principles and practices that would last for a long time when dealing with matters of the economy.
Local traditions and local conventions should be built that would become a part of the social consciousness of the people, as has happened in many countries where there was a genuine democratic change. People should be prepared in a manner so as to be able to intervene in any interferences into their economic system and well-being if these things are ever to happen in the future.
Fair and equitable taxation system
A just and equitable taxation system should be established as soon as possible. This is perhaps a more difficult task than it could be predicted. The reason is that throughout history, the more affluent classes in Sri Lanka have resisted being subjected to a system of just taxation.
When some attempts were made by certain previous governments, the huge propaganda machinery was unleashed against these attempts, and the governments were defeated. The roots of this resistance should be a matter that the sociologists in particular should study and inform society.
In any case, a decisive attempt should be made to develop and to implement a just and equitable taxation system, where the more affluent persons and better off income groups should be made to share the burdens of keeping a healthy economic life. All sectors of the society should contribute to this effort at this time, and this should be achieved within the shortest possible time.
Clear agricultural policy
A clear agricultural policy should be developed in consultation with farmers, agricultural experts placed in various institutions including academic institutions, economists, and everyone who has a concern to ensure that the supply of food to the country will not be sabotaged by various attempts to unnecessarily import food items, and also to abolish every possibility of eliminating commissions being obtained in such dealings of bringing in imports.
Once again, this aspect is very much linked to the above mentioned aspects of strengthening a legal system to have the capacity to enforce the law in a just and strict manner.
Incorporating youth voices into public discourse
The youth in this country are now playing their role in political and social life. They are a new generation with a different understanding of society, with attitudes that were not commonly possessed by the past generations. Every attempt should be made to bring these younger elements into the public discourse in every possible manner.
The respect for the freedom of expression, association, and assembly are also crucial when it comes to dealing with a societal crisis. What is based on the economic crisis in Sri Lanka is a major societal crisis. In such a crisis, when the younger generation is willingly entering into public debates, they should be allowed all the possibilities of such participation.
This may cause a major shift in the political culture of Sri Lanka. As the past political culture is also one of the components that contributed to the economic and political crisis, these new cultural habits of the youth who are also well informed on new technological advances should be encouraged.
As a part of this development of youth involvement in social life, it is essential to preserve their rights of education and in dealing with the economic crisis, and no attempt should be made to curtail the rights enjoyed by Sri Lankan youth for a better education. Instead, all encouragement should be made to develop the capacity of the youth in this regard, because in the long run, this will contribute greatly to economic development, as well as the economic stability of the country, and also towards political development.
Ensuring no shortages of essentials
Whatever measures that may be taken to deal with the economic crisis, there should be no attempt to impose food shortages of any sort, as well as shortages of medicine. It should be a matter of principle that the first priority in a moment of crisis is to ensure that a food crisis will not result due to measures taken to overcome the economic crisis.
From now on, the Government, as well as all other stakeholders, including religious organisations, other societal organisations, and concerned persons, should appeal to the United Nations (UN), and particularly those agencies of the UN dealing particularly on issues of food and medicine, to take a special interest in Sri Lanka at this moment and to come out with assistance to avoid a catastrophic situation.
It should not be a matter of shame to raise as high a profile as possible for the need of Sri Lanka for assistance in looking for food and medicine at this time. Already reported situations of malnourishment, and even some deaths by suicide allegedly related to hunger, should be taken extremely seriously, because once an economic crisis pushes a nation towards a food crisis, it cannot be predicted where it will end.
Lessons should be learned from other experiences, like the experience of Cambodia between 1975-1978, where it was reported that one-seventh of the population of that country died due to hunger and starvation. Thus, this issue should not be considered lightly, and it should instead be made into an issue which will receive public attention as the number-one public issue. The entirety of the population should show their resilience in trying to undo the possibility of a food crisis.
Recovery of misappropriated assets
There is wide consensus on the issue of the study and the discovery of all matters relating to the money laundering that has happened in Sri Lanka allegedly in an overwhelming manner. The misappropriation of national wealth by individuals should be a matter of the highest concern if the economic crisis is to be dealt with in a reasonable and effective manner.
Neither Sri Lankans abroad, nor foreign investors, nor anyone else including local citizens would contribute generously towards overcoming the economic crisis if they are overwhelmingly conscious that much of what they may contribute may go into private hands, instead of reaching those who need such attention.
Secondly, no system of governance could be established if there is such an overwhelming consciousness among the people that the abuse of power for gaining private wealth has spread like a cancer in the nation. Therefore, many drastic methods should be taken after careful studies to ensure on the one hand, justice, and fairness in all investigations and prosecutions, and at the same time, ensuring that those who are culprits will not escape the net.
It is the duty of all future governments to ensure that whatever that has been taken away from the country illegally and deposited elsewhere should be properly investigated and that recoveries be made. There are, in modern times, many organisations that work on the issue of discovering stolen wealth from nations. Expertise in this area has grown immensely in the last decades. There is also greater co-operation among nations and also among the people in order to assist in such endeavours.
Therefore, all these aspects should be taken into consideration and dealt with within the shortest possible time. While the most recent Finance Minister, M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC has candidly spoken of many aspects of the manner in which the present economic crisis has come about, he has not frankly and outspokenly discussed this major issue that has caused this economic crisis. Perhaps he may not be in a position to tell all that he knows in terms of being a recent member of the Cabinet of Ministers, as those in the latter body are persons who are alleged to have committed some of these offences.
Whatever it may be, there is sharply expressed consensus throughout the country that all this needs to be revealed, justice should be done and also the principle of non-recurrence should be established as strongly as possible.
Unity among citizens from all walks of life
Sri Lanka has been blessed in the past for not having gone through severe crises as some other nations have experienced throughout history. Thus, this is the most agonising experience Sri Lankans have gone through in recent history. Such moments often shape the political consciousness of people in a manner that has never happened before.
The nationwide protests that are taking place are a clear indication of a people who are shaken to their roots and deeply concerned for their own lives and the lives of their children. While the pain that will be suffered by the people is a matter of deep regret, it is times like these that create a nation.
Instead of quarrelling on petty matters, such as issues on ethnicity or some particular aspect of wages and things like that, today, the people are united with the cry to save the country from the worst experience of an economic crisis and political crisis that they are facing. This experience is likely to go on for some time, given the difficulty of overcoming this problem.
It is at such a time that deeper consensus emerges among the people as to what they want to be, and what are the kinds of institutions that their society needs. Thus, the individual and the social institutions may merge in far deeper consciousness than has ever happened before.
Thus, despite all the condemnations of everyone who brought the nation into this terrible situation, the people have a reason to show their resilience and to participate as fully as possible in a process which will improve their conditions of life in the future.
(The writer is the Asian Human Rights Commission’s Policy and Programmes Director)
………………………..
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!