The Sunday
Times Economic analysis
Hard times and great expectations
By the Economist
The ushering in of a new government and new personalities in it, evokes
great ex-pectations. This is particularly so in our electoral politics
that generates a host of promises quite inconsistent with the state of
the economy. In fact the mismanagement of the economy in the run up to
the election and the promises during the election make sound economic policy
formulation difficult, if not impossible.
Everyone knows of the pathetic state of the economy. Yet few politicians
would dare to take a series of hard decisions that would be the first steps
to correcting the situation and generate long-term growth.
Announcing hard times is not the stuff of our politics. No one dares
to promise "blood, sweat and tears". The realities of the economy are swept
under the carpet and the impression given is that of the government caring
for the poor. At this point in time the question is whether the government
would have the courage to explain the real economic situation and tell
the hard truth that they would have to cope with a period of difficulties
and indeed sacrifices in order to build the economy.
Explaining the difficult situation the economy is in is not a difficult
task for a new government that could put the entire blame of the previous
government. But taking the necessary steps to correct the situation is
quite a different matter.
Illustrative of this difficulty is the problem of bringing down the
fiscal deficit that is a priority. Reduction of expenditures would be essential
to achieve that end. One of the measures would be to cut down unnecessary
welfare expenditure, and reduce, if not eliminate subsidies.
Will the government have the courage to do that, especially as it did
make promises that Samurdhi would continue? A programme that covers 55
per cent of households in the country can hardly be one that is well targeted
to reach the poor. Yet it takes enormous political courage to cut such
large wasteful expenditures.
The government has made a symbolic beginning by cutting down the emoluments
and perquisites of ministers. This is a good symbolic measure, but remains
a symbolic one, as the amount of money so saved will hardly affect the
fiscal situation. Unfortunately the decisions that really matter in bringing
about financial discipline heap hardships on the poorer sections. And these
people are undoubtedly in difficult conditions. Therein lies the difficulty
of the new government to take the needed measures.
This difficulty is compounded by the fact that obtaining international
assistance too requires compliance with a wide range of conditions.
In earlier times such conditions were confined to overall financial
conditions such as expenditure on certain items and containing the current
account and overall deficit. Now these conditions extend to educational
reforms, reform of labour laws and administrative reforms.
Many of these suggested reforms are in the long run interests of the
economy and would contribute to enhancing economic efficiency and institutional
capacity building. Yet the immediate political repercussions of undertaking
some of these could be serious. Consequently, the government's ability
to obtain the kind of finances required from these institutions may be
compromised. This is a dilemma the new government would face. Their skill
in negotiating would come into play.
It is indeed necessary for the IMF and other international agencies
to demonstrate a more imaginative approach and not hasten to impose conditions
that are difficult to fulfil immediately. All economic indicators and the
global situation point to hard times. The government must have a long term
vision and its policy package must aim at achieving substantial results
in the long run, rather that aim at political popularity at the beginning
of its term of office.
Turning privileges to public service
Controversial new 'Hon. Ven.Baddegama Samitha Thera, MP, says
his goal is to bring justice to the poor people and he believes that he
is totally in line with the spirit of the Buddha Dhamma. In an interview
the monk who is the first from the Maha Sangha to enter Parliament said
he would fully utilise the allowances and facilities given to him to help
the people just as he had used his vehicle permit in the Provincial Council
to buy an ambulance also for his area.
Excerpts:
By Shelani Perera
Q: What does it feel like to be an MP?
A: It is a historic and significant victory not just for me but
for Buddhism. I consider this an  achievement
which will get international recognition. My victory will pave the way
for a new era.
Q: There is an opinion that you would have to go against traditions
of the Sangha and bow to laypeople.
In addition you will have to sit at the same level as other members
and there may be verbal abuse in your presence.
A: I believe such traditions are myths. If a monk gets into a
public bus he has to sit alongside lay people. I don't see anything wrong
in doing the same in Parliament. I believe that even Lord Buddha had to
visit not so holy places to preach. If Lord Buddha had refused to do it
what would have happened. I take this as a challenge. There may be abuse
but I am used to it after serving as Provincial Councillor for two years.
I have faced it all, I know how to handle it.
Q: Some years ago a monk who qualified as a lawyer had a problem
because he could not wear a cloak over the robe. What happens in your case
?
A:That incident had something to do with the dress code. The
Secretary General of Parliament who told I could come in wearing the robe.
A Christian priest had done the same in1920.
Q: Some feel you may be violating some principles of Buddhism by
entering the mainstream of parliamentary politics...
A: I want to serve the people and bring justice to the poor.
Far from going against the principles of Buddhism I am trying to put those
into action.
Every politician is not corrupt, there are those who are genuinely interested
in doing an honest service.
Q: What will you do with the perks of MPs- allowances, luxury vehicles
etc.....
A: I had perks as a provincial councillor, but I used them for
the development needs of the area while also meeting my basic needs.
With the vehicle permit I bought a vehicle for myself and an ambulance
for the hospital. I don't see anything wrong in getting money as long as
you utilise it in the correct way. I will take everything which I am entitled
to as an MP.
Q: What is the general response of the people of your area ?
A: They chose me, they know my visions and goals.
Q: How did you enter mainstream politics ?
A: I was actively involved in university student politics, but
I was marginalised and persecuted. Once I was even accused of being involved
in a killing and my attempt to go to Russia for further studies was blocked.
But I was determined to work towards justice for the poor and now I have
got that opportunity in full measure.
Q: What about objections from the Buddhist hierarchy?
A: From what I know only one high priest has objected, But I
have got the fullest support from the high priest in Galle District and
other priest.
Profile of a radical monk
Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero entered Kelanya University in 1976, and got
involved in student politics by becoming an active member of the Nava Sama
Samaja Pakshaya and the Communist Party. He was also elected as the President
of the Student wing.
In 1977 after the UNP came into power there was student unrest in many
universities and in 1978 during a student clash at Kelaniya university
a supporter of the then Minister of Industries Cyril Mathew had been killed.
Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero was charged with the killing. Batty Weerakone
and Colvin R de Silva appeared for the monk.
Following the murder charges Ven. Samitha was not allowed to complete
his degree at the Kelanya University. Through the Communist Party the monk
was awarded a scholarship to the Luhumba University in Russia. However
three days prior to his departure the government had reportedly intervened
and cancelled the scholarship.
Ven. Samitha continued with his politics and through the party attended
many international seminars. It was while attending a seminar on third
world development in Germany in 1986 that he went across to England illegally.
Living in temples and mastering the English language Ven. Samitha applied
for university scholarships.
He received a scholarship to the Lancaster University, where he read
"comparative religions and third world development" for his degree. Even
in university he got involved in the fight against apartheid .
After completing his degree he returned to Sri Lanka in 1988, when the
youth uprising in the south was in full force. He also became a member
of the executive committee of the NSSP.
In 1991 he entered mainstream politics when he contested the Local Government
elections through the Nava Sama Samaja Pakshaya where he gained over 3000
preferential votes. He was elected to the Council.
However in 1994 along with Vasudeva Nanayakkara he joined the Lanka
Sama Samaja Pakshaya.In 1997 getting over 5000 preferential votes he was
elected as a Provincial Council member.
Different perspectives
By Nilika de Silva
The election of a Buddhist monk to Parliament and attendant disputes have
cause a mixed reaction among members of the clergy.
While the Ven. Rambukwelle Vipassi Maha Nayake Thera of the Malwatte
Chapter said this issue should be addressed by the Chapter's Karaka Sangha
Sabha, the Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Galagama Attadassi Thera
was hard hitting and called on the Buddhist Commission to recommend action
to prevent monks from becoming MPs.
The Anu Nayake said if Buddhist monks were made subservient to certain
parliamentary standing orders, it would bring disrepute to the Sangha and
cause disputes and controversies.
The Anu Nayake called for immediate action to be taken regarding the
election of the Buddhist monk who belonged to the Malwatte Chapter.
In contrast the Ven. Akuretiye Amarawansa Thera of the Vidyodaya Pirivena,
Maligakanda strongly supported the election of a monk to Parliament and
said Vineya rules could be broken not only in Parliament but also in temples.
He said the problem of standing when the Speaker entered could be avoided
if the monk entered after the Speaker.
On the subject of the white cloth being placed on the seat, the prelate
challenged this tradition asking whether such things were done when a monk
sat on a bus or a train.
As for the management of finances, the prelates said Ven. Samitha had
conducted matters very well when serving in the Provincial Council. He
did not keep anything for himself, and used it for the upliftment of the
poor people. He said a monk was better equipped to guide the people because
he had no personal interests and followed a code of discipline.
In a personal tribute to Ven. Samitha the prelate said the new MP during
his studies at Vidyodaya Pirivena and proved himself to possess an outstanding
commitment to improve the life of the suffering masses.
Meanwhile from a layman's point of view, Parliament's highly respected
former Secretary General Sam Wijesinha said that regarding the dress standing
orders only required that both shoulders be covered as Ven Samitha had
done. He said the monk could not expect all the respect he got outside
and must abide by certain rules of Parliament. |
