Letters to the Editor
View(s):Lessons to learn from current political crisis
We must be very careful when taking important decisions. Wrong decisions have caused the current crisis.
Before you can make a good decision, you need to think clearly and outline the issues. Deal with your emotions. Do not overload yourself with information. Consider multiple options. Remove yourself from the decision. Pretend that it is your friend’s decision and he/she has come for your advice. Consider the rewards and risks.
We must appoint qualified, experienced, competent and capable people to senior positions. These people will normally not make blunders. We must never think anybody can do a difficult job.
When selecting politicians, we should select people who love the country. Do not select people who love a political party or someone who is trying to accumulate wealth. When we do not know to manage our affairs, we cannot stop foreign forces interfering. It is our fault.
We must respect ethics. We must respect values. We must help others and not be selfish. We should not be greedy for money and power. When we ignore these basic principles, we face the type of crisis we are experiencing now.
If you are a leader, you must have leadership qualities. A political crisis cannot be solved by arranging protest marches and meetings. Both sides can do that. The best way is to sit down and discuss – that is the best way to settle a dispute. We must have a give and take policy and focus on a win- win solution.
This type of political crisis will create a financial and economic crisis. Politicians should understand this.
Consider the amount of money, people’s valuable time, the country’s reputation internationally and various other losses created by this crisis. All this while we are trying to make our country a successful nation like Singapore–this is hardly the way to do that.
There is a saying better late than never. At least now, take the correct decision and try to take the country out of this very tragic situation.
D. Weeratunga Via email
Sri Lanka’s economy on track whether bad governance or no governance
I do not share the recent pessimistic views of many political and economic writers as to the future of Sri Lanka based on the temporary political stalemate we are presently experiencing, with no proper governance or government. I predict that our development will continue to prosper and that a few of the politicians who are somewhat important such as the Prime Minister, Economics Minister and the Finance Minister whoever they are will have to adjust their views and fall into line with the prevailing and growing economic conditions of the geographical area of our world to which we belong.
This was clearly shown with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Port City project which will be a part of the Chinese government’s Belt and Road project. Most of the politicians fighting for their private existence and privileges right now and who will have very little to do with the development of our country will nevertheless see development happening if they would only encourage the international and local private sectors. I believe politicians will not be able to stop it, since there is no other alternative.
My contention is this: Since Sri Lanka as a small economic unit is placed geographically close to the two fastest developing giants of China and India, it is impossible not to develop even with bad governance. This does not mean that good governance is of no importance as it may raise the rate of development by one or two percent. But our geographical position alone will pull us along the development road whether we like it or not! South Korea and Singapore which have efficient policies would have developed even with bad governance at a slightly lower but appreciable percentage rate, as they lie close to centres of technical excellence of Japan and parts of China.
If one looks at the countries of South East Asia from Vietnam to Indonesia all belonging to ASEAN and their economic development, you will find a common factor going through them. They are all adjoining or close to China, India, South Korea and Japan and have encouraging private sector programmes and are therefore developing rapidly irrespective of governance.
So let us not worry too much about the present political situation and let the secretaries of the ministries govern and make decisions till such time as and when a democratic government is formed.
Gamini Samarasinghe Via email
Until we build a dharmista society
Did not Lord Buddha’s feet in ancient time
Walk upon Lanka’s Siri Pada;
And was not his Buddurashmia seen,
In Lanka’s pleasant pastures green!
And did his countenance divine,
Shine upon our verdant miles.
And was not dharmadvipa established here
Among our dark Satanic wiles.
Bring me my bow of gems serene:
Bring me my arrows of thanha:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold
Bring me the refiner’s fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my pen sleep in my hand:
Till we have built a dharmista society,
In Lanka’s green and pleasant land.
Dr. Lalith M. Perera
(I owe a great debt to the poem “Jerusalem” by the Christian poet and painter William Blake, which I have taken the liberty to use as my model. The words can be sung to Sir Hubert Parry’s tune “Jerusalem” – whose death centenary falls this year)
The great fall
Humpty Dumpty sat on the throne
The Great King had a mighty fall
Can all the henchiyas and loud-mouthed talkers
Put the Great King on the throne again
That’s the big question on everyone’s lips
In our wonderful paradise isle
Quo vadis Sri Lanka
Monica De Alwis