Seek opportunity in crisis: Think country first
By Random Access Memory (RAM)

The seesaw of accusations, counter accusations, statements on positions, counter statements go on and on and on. The President claims that she did what she did, in the interest of national security and on behalf of the people. The Prime Minister says that he will withhold the will of the people and ensure that national security is not compromised. The opposition claims that the government has gone too far in giving concessions to the LTTE.

The government says that they have not agreed to anything yet and everything is up for negotiation. The opposition claims that the country is already in a state of chaos and anarchy as a result of giving a free hand to the LTTE to do as they please in the North and East.

The government claims that the President is creating a state of chaos and anarchy through her action in sacking three ministers, proroguing parliament and taking on emergency powers.

The reality of all this is that, it is bad. It is bad and negative for us the people and the country, no matter what our so-called 'elected leaders' claim, say or do. All we simple folk want, are simple little things. We need our country to be in tact. We need security and the ability to live in peace. We need to have access to food, shelter and clothing for all of us. We need opportunities for a good education for our children.

We need to conduct our day- to-day business with the knowledge and the ground reality, that we are free. We want to be recognised for what we are and not for which political or ideological group we belong. We need to have access to opportunities to generate wealth for ourselves and for the society at large.

We need to have the right to prosper as individuals and as a nation. And these needs have nothing what so ever, to do with, who or which party is in power. The majority of the citizens of Sri Lanka will also not care, about who enables it, as long as it is effectively enabled.

It is said that people get leaders they deserve. In a widely reproduced recent 'Letter to the Editor' in the media, a concerned citizen, openly pinned responsibility on himself and the rest of us, the citizenry of this country for our lethargy and inaction in letting our so-called 'leaders', take us for a good old ride. Our leadership both within and outside of the political party system sadly is in a pathetic state.
There is much already known about most of the leadership within the system of political governance.

What is sad is that most business and other community 'leaders' also fall into the same pathetic domain. It is regrettable to note that statements are issued but are not followed upon, if their political buddies do not approve of the actions to be taken. No proactive moves are made to take on leadership positions on issues, to be able to give credence to the position held by the business community as the engine of growth.

Most of the non-governmental agency (NGO) 'leadership', also follow the thinking of external donors on our national issues before making any move so as not to upset the applecart. They wait to observe the movement of the direction of the tide to determine which to back and when. Pro-activity comes in only when it hurts the purse real bad on an individual basis.

After the LTTE attack on the airport in July 2001, the business community was quick to create a voluntary movement and take to the streets in protest as 'Sri Lanka First'. Today, it has turned out to be yet another passive organisation supported by external donors, with fat retainers paid out. Regardless of all of this, it is time now for some positive and sensible action to diffuse the crisis and seek the opportunity it has posed.

We urge all concerned citizens to recognise that this can be a golden opportunity for Sri Lanka to set in place a national government or an effective process for governance by co-habitation. It is a fact now, that the President has taken on the functions and responsibilities of three key portfolios of defence, internal affairs and media and has in effect become a stronger partner of the government.

It is now for the parliamentary majority of the government to recognise this state of affairs as a positive, and resolve to work together to enable Sri Lanka get out of this misery of uncertainty and continuing conflict and move on to prosperous times in the future, as one sensible and united nation.

To do this, at least the more rational among our politicians will need to cease to think their petty party-based thoughts and focus only on what is good for the country and her people as whole. They will have to cease being politicians and be states persons.

Some of them may even need to swallow their pride and begin to think big and afresh. Cohabitation will only be possible if mutual respect and a greater degree of sensitivity of the other's point of view can prevail.

Our call to our leaders is to do what is good and do it well. Please give this wonderful country of ours and us-her people, what we all cherish. Please work together to lead us with a vision, to enable us to make a better future for Sri Lanka as one united and peaceful nation.

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