Delivering the Government’s policy statement speech at the inauguration of the second session of the ninth Parliament on 18 January, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared that he never forgot or neglected fulfilling his prime responsibilities despite the challenges faced during the past two years, and also promised to fulfil his promises over the next three years.
One of the points the President highlighted during his address was the massive impact the Covid-19 pandemic caused to the country and how it affected the work the Government does for the country. As much as the challenges posed by the pandemic are very real and serious, some challenges that affected the country, especially the economy, were, in fact, not the direct results of the pandemic and were largely a result of the Government’s actions or inactions. They have discouraged those who have a lot to contribute to the country.
One fact we tend to not notice when a government gives promises is that a government alone can rarely fulfil all the promises it has made, and that the private sector or individuals are very much part of a government’s economy-building process. Therefore, fulfilling these great promises will require the involvement of experts, professionals, innovators, investors, and so many other stakeholders, especially when it comes to dealing with the foreign reserves crisis.
However, the past few months have not been great for those sectors, especially experts in various fields, professionals, and entrepreneurs that worked with international markets.
Last year, a large number of experts, academics, and professionals, who were a part of various bodies such as committees established by state institutions like the Health Ministry, were sacked or transferred, due to various reasons. While the reasons for these decisions were not revealed in some cases, the alleged reasons revealed in some cases were absurd. It was during the last year that the country was told that criticising the Government or its policies could cost valuable people opportunities to contribute to the country’s betterment. We certainly cannot forget that there were also plenty of allegations of the undue exertion of power by those in higher posts.
What is more; last year, a record number of people tended to leave the country seeking better living and occupational conditions, and among them were experienced professionals and even entrepreneurs who did well before the pandemic-induced economic crisis began. We do not know how many had planned to come to Sri Lanka, but later changed their mind due to the worsening living conditions in the country.
Another notable incident that disheartened innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals who were contributing to ease the foreign reserves crisis was the Government’s decision to force US dollar earners to let banks convert the dollars into Sri Lankan rupees. While the Central Bank of Sri Lanka sort of retreated in the face of massive opposition from various parties, the message the said decision gave those earning in foreign currencies is an extremely negative one. The result was them tending to send their money through unofficial channels and to save their money in digital pockets.
In this context, whether Sri Lanka has created an environment for its experts, professionals, and other parties mentioned above to trust that their role and contribution counts and is recognised and rewarded is a question, and having such concerns in the above-mentioned context is fair.
There is no doubt or debate about the severity of the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic posed, and as every other country, Sri Lanka too had to fight a battle it was not prepared for. However, the Government should realise that the past two years is not a time we are going to live again, but rather a time we are going to learn from. Understanding the fact that the Government’s actions or inactions have directly or indirectly contributed to discourage experts, professionals, innovators, investors, and so many valuable parties, the Government should focus on keeping them in the country by giving them the due value and encouragement.
It is the Government’s responsibility to not put restrictions or force, but instead encourage and educate those parties, to join economy-building endeavours, as failing which, making the President’s plans a reality would still be mere promises by the end of this Government’s or the President’s tenure.
Unharnessed expertise, unfulfilled promises
19 Jan 2022
Unharnessed expertise, unfulfilled promises
19 Jan 2022
Delivering the Government’s policy statement speech at the inauguration of the second session of the ninth Parliament on 18 January, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared that he never forgot or neglected fulfilling his prime responsibilities despite the challenges faced during the past two years, and also promised to fulfil his promises over the next three years.
One of the points the President highlighted during his address was the massive impact the Covid-19 pandemic caused to the country and how it affected the work the Government does for the country. As much as the challenges posed by the pandemic are very real and serious, some challenges that affected the country, especially the economy, were, in fact, not the direct results of the pandemic and were largely a result of the Government’s actions or inactions. They have discouraged those who have a lot to contribute to the country.
One fact we tend to not notice when a government gives promises is that a government alone can rarely fulfil all the promises it has made, and that the private sector or individuals are very much part of a government’s economy-building process. Therefore, fulfilling these great promises will require the involvement of experts, professionals, innovators, investors, and so many other stakeholders, especially when it comes to dealing with the foreign reserves crisis.
However, the past few months have not been great for those sectors, especially experts in various fields, professionals, and entrepreneurs that worked with international markets.
Last year, a large number of experts, academics, and professionals, who were a part of various bodies such as committees established by state institutions like the Health Ministry, were sacked or transferred, due to various reasons. While the reasons for these decisions were not revealed in some cases, the alleged reasons revealed in some cases were absurd. It was during the last year that the country was told that criticising the Government or its policies could cost valuable people opportunities to contribute to the country’s betterment. We certainly cannot forget that there were also plenty of allegations of the undue exertion of power by those in higher posts.
What is more; last year, a record number of people tended to leave the country seeking better living and occupational conditions, and among them were experienced professionals and even entrepreneurs who did well before the pandemic-induced economic crisis began. We do not know how many had planned to come to Sri Lanka, but later changed their mind due to the worsening living conditions in the country.
Another notable incident that disheartened innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals who were contributing to ease the foreign reserves crisis was the Government’s decision to force US dollar earners to let banks convert the dollars into Sri Lankan rupees. While the Central Bank of Sri Lanka sort of retreated in the face of massive opposition from various parties, the message the said decision gave those earning in foreign currencies is an extremely negative one. The result was them tending to send their money through unofficial channels and to save their money in digital pockets.
In this context, whether Sri Lanka has created an environment for its experts, professionals, and other parties mentioned above to trust that their role and contribution counts and is recognised and rewarded is a question, and having such concerns in the above-mentioned context is fair.
There is no doubt or debate about the severity of the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic posed, and as every other country, Sri Lanka too had to fight a battle it was not prepared for. However, the Government should realise that the past two years is not a time we are going to live again, but rather a time we are going to learn from. Understanding the fact that the Government’s actions or inactions have directly or indirectly contributed to discourage experts, professionals, innovators, investors, and so many valuable parties, the Government should focus on keeping them in the country by giving them the due value and encouragement.
It is the Government’s responsibility to not put restrictions or force, but instead encourage and educate those parties, to join economy-building endeavours, as failing which, making the President’s plans a reality would still be mere promises by the end of this Government’s or the President’s tenure.
Kapruka
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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!