Today, the need of the hour is a broad political consensus to effect the reforms Sri Lanka has committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and to showcase that Sri Lanka, which underwent recent political turmoil, is ready to speak in one voice on core matters. 

To regain trust of the public, international community and potential investors, the Sri Lankan political spectrum will have to find common ground and deliver well-debated policies, and ensure policy consistency. The policies needed are for national interests, and not for political interests, and they need to fall in line with a commonly agreed national strategy which will be honoured by future governments.  

However, entrenched political culture remains rather unmoved, the cheap and divisive politics which does not spare any sector in Sri Lanka has even divided religious establishments. Everyone is either divided along party lines, or on some ideological basis. Increasingly we can see a return to the combative politics of parties being nearly at war, and counter anything the others introduce simply to deal a cheap political blow, with no consideration on the policy being debated. As elections creep closer it is likely that Sri Lanka will once again descend to expediency politics, where no party gives an inch, nor joins hands for common good. The danger is that if the situation disintegrates into such petty politics, no one will be working in the national interest. And it is in the national interest, which we need policy makers to be focused on now, more than ever. Yes, Sri Lankan politics has a history of not acting in the national interest. Often politicians paint their interest as ‘national interest’. They join forces to further their mutual interests, but remain divided on formulation of national strategies. However, given the unprecedented crisis Sri Lanka continues to face, where the State, through significant austerity measures, have managed to stabilise the ship in turbulent waters, a collective effort by our politicians on clearly defined and debated national interest is vital for the island nation’s recovery.

The decision by some opposition parties to boycott the recent IMF–Government meetings, points to party politics holding the upper hand over national politics. Many Sri Lanka politicians prefer the ‘blame the government’ routine, forgetting that while even in opposition, they too have a responsibility to be part of governance and policy making. The strong will for collective action, and collaboration, which many segments of the population called for, seem to be becoming a fading voice. However, the public must remind the ‘politicos’ that they are all party to the economic crisis which evolved over decades. The individual responsibilities of parties, and individual lawmakers may vary, nevertheless, the crisis grew with contribution from all parties, and they are all blameworthy to some degree, even if they were not holding the seat of power. And as such, the bitter corrective action also needs a collective effort.

There is a notion that joining common efforts, led by the current SLPP Government will be akin to rubber stamping policies of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the remnants of the Rajapaksa clan. While there is little doubt that those in the ruling party and hold office in Government would like to paint cooperation and collective action as a gross endorsement of the current Government, a well-meaning collective effort, based on clearly defined national policies, will likely not do so. You can be part of the governance process and not agree with the decision.  The Opposition and the Government can, if they are serious about changing the political culture for a better future, have a robust discussion and find common ground on key governance issues of the day, particularly pertaining to economic, fiscal and governance reforms. Such a middle-ground stance which everyone can come on-board with, can be a template to work together on and form national policies which have broad acceptance. The Opposition and the Government, often difficult to say part, due to multiple crossovers and horse trading, have one collective responsibility today. That is to work together to rebuild Sri Lanka. Not rebuild themselves.