Economic progress- Mahinda At what cost – Maithri
| - Unsuccessful leaders in coalition - Unstable economic policies - Questions in parliament go unanswered - Corruption an opposition fallacy - Economic policies controlled by the Rajapaksa family - Tremendous economic growth |
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday coined a new term for the joint opposition labelling it the ‘Failures Corporation’ but his formidable political opponent Maithripala Sirisena hit back saying the current administration was a ‘Kleptocracy’ (rule by thieves).
In separate interviews by the Business Times with the President and Mr. Sirisena, the former said; “The so-called leaders of that group are either unsuccessful politicians or past leaders who have not been able to implement a single project of value in our country. It is like a Failures Corporation.”
In response, Mr. Sirisena, former Health Minister in the Rajapaksa cabinet until late November, said corruption was so rampant that awarding a contract has become – from national to local level – a mode of entertaining henchmen, so much so that this regime can be called a ‘Kleptocracy’ ( rule by thieves).
Both the country’s two main presidential candidates were responding to a set of questions on the economy and business posed by the Business Times. The responses were received on Thursday and are reproduced in full on Page 6 and 7.
Both were asked about Sri Lanka’s post-war progress; allegations of corruption and lack of transparency in tenders; inconsistent policies for investors; on what issues their main opponent would fail, and the rule of law crisis.
The two interviews are similar to the questions posed to President Rajapaksa and former army commander and presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka in a Business Times report published on December 27, 2009 ahead of that poll. That report can be accessed at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/091227/BusinessTimes/bt01.html
On the post-war progress, the President trotted out highly impressive figures on infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, high 
foreign reserves and record stock market capitalisation as achievements.
Mr. Sirisena said the economy, during this period was driven by consumption and construction noting with these temporary bursts of energy being unstable.
On corruption, he said highway and railway projects ran into billions of rupees in over-estimates. “Continuous fighting in the Cabinet over these issues marginalises those who speak against corruption and then the deals are fixed outside. Questions in parliament on these issues go unanswered,” he said.
The President argued that the ‘so-called’ corruption is an opposition fallacy aimed at slinging ‘mud’ at the Government and the public sector. “… not only do our public officials have to adhere to our own procurement guidelines, but they also have to adhere to the procurement procedures of the lending institutions,” he said adding that, “there are several checks and balances which ensure that our processes maintain integrity, and all our development partners are also satisfied that we follow procedures diligently”.
Asked what issues his opponent would fail, President Rajapaksa said his opponent was a figurehead leader of a group that has a ‘sorry’ track record. “In the case of business and economy, my opponent has absolutely no clue, other than to recite a mantra that he would eliminate waste, corruption and a mafia”.
Mr. Sirisena countered saying economic planning was monopolised by the President and his family. “Everybody else has to work on their directives. There is almost no consultation and listening to independent and educated opinion. This is also why policies have become so unstable”.
On the issue of inconsistent policies, Mr. Sirisena said his national government would take a long term view of economic policies and bring back the 5-year rolling plans, enforced when Ronnie de Mel was Finance Minister in a UNP government. “Plans and policies should not change from budget to budget, that is very disconcerting”.