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Govt. hedges on its incomplete 100-Day programme as deadline looms
Any unfulfilled promises in the Government’s 100-Day programme will be delivered following Parliamentary elections expected in June, Economic Development and Policy Implementation Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva told the Sunday Times.
The comments came as Government’s ambitious 100-Day programme reaches its deadline next week.
He said even though Government has failed to fulfill some of its pledges completely, due to lack of time, it has taken sufficient measures to address important issues immediately.
“In the 100-Day programme, we have identified three phases as important measures needed to be addressed immediately. First, reduction of the cost of living through relief packages to the masses and immediate relief provided by a payment of Rs 5,000 in February to all public servants,” he said.
Secondly, restoring, within the country, democracy which was abused by the previous Government and thirdly making the constitutional and electoral amendments to reform the political system.
Deputy Minister De Silva rejecting the notion that investigations of individuals accused of corruption, financial fraud and misappropriation were being delayed, said that, due procedures were being followed, and once inquiries are completed, they will be subjected to court action. (see related story)
Transparency International of Sri Lanka (TISL) Executive Director S. Ranugge said the 100-Day programme which included constitutional and electoral reforms would take at least six months to fulfill its pledges, which, for political reasons, was limited to 100 days.
“Now we can see that, when peripheral issues such as constitutional amendments arise, a messy picture has evolved due to the lack of consensus among the political parties which shared the same platform for the election in January. It could have been avoided and progress made if there was a consensus,” he said.
According to a recent TISL public survey, it is evident that the public is not satisfied with the action taken by the present Government, to combat alleged corrupt practices of politicians in the previous Government.
“As the country reaches the final stages of the 100-Day programme, it is important to move forward from investigations to prosecutions, followed by convictions, according to existing laws, to restore public faith in the Rule of Law and Justice,” said a statement from the organisation.
While many believe that Government is not taking concrete action against complaints to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), in addition to the hundreds of complaints submitted by the general public, Mr Ranugge said it is very difficult to prove corrupt practices without hard evidence.
“I believe investigations are under wayagainst those corrupt politicians, but Government is struggling to prove the corruption, before it indicts the individuals,” he said.
Point Pedro Institute of Development- Director, Dr. Muthukrishna Sarvananthan told the Sunday Times that a complete implementation of the 100-Day package is unrealistic within such a timeframe, but Government has initiated some positive steps towards it by reducing the cost of living that benefits millions of people.
“Particularly in north and east some symbolic changes were implemented, such as appointing a civil governor, releasing the High Security Zone (HSZ) and allowing the national anthem to be sung in Tamil, which also made a significant change towards the people,” he said.
Dr. Sarvananthan believes that Government is on the right track to fulfil its pledges made to the people, for which they gave a mandate at January’s Presidential election, but a political will is inevitable to achieve it thoroughly.
While appreciating Government’s only successful pledge of passing the National Drug Policy in Parliament, United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that Government is now facing instability and struggling to pay the salaries of government employees, because of its failed economic policies.
“A good example would be the appointment of the Central Bank (CB) Governor by the Prime minister and Mansion Tax system introduced by the Finance ministry. While the inquiry against the CB Governor was in progress by the Bribery Commission, he was on holiday in Singapore,” he said.
“As one of the key pledges in the 100-Day programme, the Right To Information (RTI) Bill will be submitted to Parliament by Minister Karu Jayasuriya within a month,” Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka told the Sunday Times.
He said there were many proposals and suggestions from different stakeholders on modifying the Draft Bill, in order to make it an effective Bill to access information.