Fundamental principles of governance: Solution to peace and prosperity
To the Most Venerable Madulawawe Sobitha Himiyani; It is with great admiration that I write this complement on your mission for a new constitution to Sri Lanka. What is striking is your commitment to an advisory role, and not a political role as some other monks have done in the past and have effectively failed. As you rightly point out, the only resolution for peace and prosperity for our country would be new governance stamped by the authority of the people and not by the politicians. This is because, lately, our politicians have become less and less representative of our people’s aspirations. We need a vision as you have already forecast a set of goals and a mission to achieve it. We must not dilute this humble initiative with activities and criticisms directed against individuals, communities, races or political leaders.
In this context, we as a nation need to understand … what do we really want? Most politicians, unfortunately, are interested only in patchwork that will cover the ugly marks of our political history or their own mistakes. Such activities would be temporary relief as the ugly scars would re-appear in one form or another. Thus, we need a fundamental change.
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a conference on corruption for MPs. Pic by Indika Handuwala
What are our fundamental principles of governance? This would be a difficult question to answer, even for our politicians. This is because we are not really sure what we want as a nation as nobody has directly made such an enquiry. We need certain fundamental principles to nurture and protect. Our constitution should be based on these fundamental principles.
To establish fundamental principles of governance, we need to know what our citizens want. I am sure 90 per cent of our voters will openly agree with most of the principles listed below as our fundamental needs irrespective of their colour, greed, gender or age.However, if we ask the same question from our politicians (irrespective of which side they are in), 90 per cent may not answer. This is because those fundamental principles are in direct conflict with their pillars of political survival. Sadly, most of today’s politicians only cater to a fraction of the community, based on some kind of distinction such as race, colour, religion, region, occupation, gender or the degree of poverty. I am sure you will agree that at least some of the following fundamental principles need to be encrypted in our constitution, approved by the nation directly and not merely the Parliament. We need to know what people really want and not what the politicians think or boast on what the nation want. In this context, our constitution should be committed to PROTECT AND PROMOTE;
1) The right of every citizen to live in this country.
This means that there can be no rule of law in this country that will threaten the right to live.
2) A true democracy.
This means all societies or institutions declared as democratic in this country would be bound to follow democratic principles. The democracy itself will then need a definition in our constitution. This will categorically prevent our future politicians with sinister motives changing their colours, parties, for their personal gain giving lame excuses. The politicians would have to honour aspirations of their electors irrespective of their party or personal interests.
3) Professionalism in the political decision-making process and in all matters of public interest and service.
This is because, as it is, what most politicians do is spend money allocated to them in a manner that will directly or indirectly benefit them. As of today, politicians are the most unaccountable officers in our governance. They take no responsibility for any of their mistakes that costs millions to the public tax payer. Thus, they should be held accountable to projects that go wrong, especially if they have worked upon their wishful thinking rather than on sound analysis, justification and expert advice. This rule will apply to all government servants too.
4) An equitable Education and Health for all, free of charge.
This means core and defined segments of education and health should be available to all citizens of the country equally. For example, if students qualifying from the advanced level examination are offered a university education programme as a government policy, then it should be available to all such qualifiers and not a few. If the government is unable to offer a position in Sri Lanka, then at least the estimated cost should be made available to them to study elsewhere should they wish to do so. This is the only way we can ensure that our young generation is adequately educated, in areas of their choice, and be valuable citizens in the future. In a similar manner, the aspects of free health care declared for all citizens should be specified and available to all.
5) Freedom for expression.
Without free expression and debate, we cannot correct ourselves. This is also the only civilized instrument available today for self correction. We need debate without hindrance for our development as a nation. Debate resolves differences of opinion through understanding. Open expression is also a healer of conflict induced division.
6) Equal opportunities.
Without ensuring equal opportunities, we will never be able to resolve inter racial or inter gender or even inter cast generated conflicts and misunderstandings. We need such a ruling to ensure that everyone is given an equal opportunity. This will prevent by-pass employment, by-pass entrance to educational institutions, by-pass rules and regulations favouring the favourites.
7) Security and discipline through equitable law and order.
We have failed this in recent times, over and over again. This has not only broken down discipline in the country but has also attracted corrupt foreign powers to make Sri Lanka their playground.
A welfare system that will prioritize children, mothers and the disabled.
We must look after our mothers, children and the disabled. Thus, an adequate proportion of our welfare should go to them, irrespective of their parents or relatives earning capacity. This will ensure that we are a caring nation.
If we can implement such fundamental principles of governance in our constitution, through a people’s vote, a long lasting peace and prosperity can be guaranteed and we will regain our lost paradise.
Thus, our priority is not an election but a referendum to approve such fundamental principles of governance in our constitution. A referendum, can ask for yes, no or undecided answers for each question from every citizen. Since the abolition of the Presidency, is now on the agenda as the universal therapy for all ailments in this country, this can be tested too in the same referendum. Such a referendum would put our people and our nation once again in the driving seat, with politicians as our service providers. Our parliament will then have true policy makers who are working on national interests and not merely attempting to secure welfare for themselves or a fraction of people, community or their favourites at the expense of the public tax payer.
(The writer is a senior academic from
Peradeniya University).
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus