Financial Times

Business leaders fatten the election kitty?

By Wise Old Owl
An elections monitoring professional assessed that the election kitty of one political party had reached around Rs 1 billion even before February 7.

He believed that the opposing party was busy trying to match it. Wise Old Owl asks what will these funds be used for - to add value to this nation and its people? Unfortunately not! It's more likely to fund underworld gangsters, to plaster walls with election posters of 'famous criminals' and sing their praises, to buy, steal and substitute votes and of course print false manifestos promising 'kiri pani' for the 'nathi bari'.

Biz leaders, I think it is high time you reflect on the above and listen to your conscience.

The need of the hour is a renewed commitment to help heal the wounds of our nation. It should be a firm 'Sri Lanka First' initiative embedded in your core values which goes beyond the symbolic gesture of 'holding hands' and the use of web site communication in addressing a limited elite audience.

The violent and hopeless conflict we have endured for 20 years followed by the delicate yet hopeful ceasefire experienced over the last two years has changed things in many ways but it has not changed the fundamental commitment to 'Sri Lanka First' by every citizen particularly leaders of society.

Biz leaders, you have witnessed times of tranquility and terror, peace and war, economic degeneration and growth, and order and anarchy.

However, you also continue to see rising disparity in incomes, escalating rural poverty, degenerating infrastructure, environmental degradation, growing corruption, ego driven politics, poor governance, disrespect for human life and dignity and currently the final signs of anarchy-- a break down in religious and cultural harmony and value systems.

Up to now, most of you have regarded politics as a mere ideological conflict to be exploited for your short-term partisan advantage via patronage, networking, old school ties and of course political contributions and due rewards for favours.

It is now time for making fundamental moral choices and returning to protect human life and dignity which includes your own by ensuring sustainable long term benefits to all citizens irrespective of ethnicity, religion and economic and social standing.

Yes, it's all about how one justly shares the blessings and burdens of the challenges of today and tomorrow for the benefit of all. What kind of nation do we want to live in? What kind of a political and governance framework do we want to shape for this nation? Who will have a place on the table of life tomorrow? How many will go hungry and be malnourished and sick, without adequate health care? How many will lack good water, sanitation and housing? How many will have access to good education and skills enhancement opportunities leading to decent jobs and wages? How many can be free of dangerous drugs, u nder world crime and unlawful acts? How many can enjoy the freedom of speech, religion and culture?

As we approach yet another election, will you, the business leaders, have the courage and commitment to put "Sri Lanka First" always? Will you find the strength and determination to direct the political leadership to work in the best interest of the nation? Will you possess the long-term commitment to defend the values of good governance and good corporate citizenship you profess to cherish? Will you advance justice, pursue peace and seek to find an equal place on the table for all? So as we approach elections, read manifestoes, listen to false promises, witness unfair practices, terror and violence and probably chords of religious disharmony, will we resolve to place "Sri Lanka First"?

Are you ready to call for a new framework of governance, led by the people for the nation and its people, without seeking narrow short-term gains for a few lucky enough to be on the winning side with connections and resources to influence the leadership for favours and patronage? Are you ready to call for policies and practices that focus on the social and economic upliftment of the majority? Will you make that choice and change to pursue action for common good and not demand special favours? Above all will you channel those proposed election contributions for 'social responsibility' initiatives for harnessing civil society to support you in extracting good governance from the elected? For ultimately, you will be the beneficiary!

Whether you like it or not, each and every one of you biz leaders holds the future of Sri Lanka in your hands.

Either you ensure selfish short-lived gains to yourself and a chosen few or commit yourself to achieving the long-term benefits of national prosperity, which is in your own self-interest, by creating an atmosphere conducive to a society free of terrorism, war and anarchy. The choice is yours!

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