Financial Times

Wake up- Young Leaders!
Wise Old Owl heard a big bang waking up from a deep sleep and realized that it was not a dream about the M theory. It was about an event yet to dawn - the power hungry, self centered, corrupt and egoistic leaders of the Sri Lankan society were blowing up the future of the nation and its people. Wise Old Owl woke the sleeping young ones saying "Obata Puthe Magak Nethe- The nation's leadership is at play without mother Lanka as the centre of focus".

Leaders in and out of power are focussing on planning their moves in the chess games of power that only sees an end result of their own crowning glory. Otherwise why do they make such a big fuss about a piece of paper when the issue is only about helping tsunami affected unfortunate fellow citizens. The systemic instability created and its long-term consequences are no concern of theirs. The leaders sit together but publicly criticize each other and their policies. A vision for the nation and its people are never in the forefront. Lessons in leadership from India, the giant in the sub continent appear not to have any effects and they do not believe in the saying " divided we all fall and united we all develop". They stand up when the national anthem is sung, but do not commit to build the qualities and attributes of mother Lanka described in the song.

The Development Forum held in the hills brought out the worst of the nation's leadership, with some strutting like peacocks, some boycotting the meeting and others acting as if on stage. The Suthra Thattha (the father of tricks with numbers) presented dreams that are unrealistic, unsustainable and not focussing on the nation's economic ills. The visiting dignitaries warned that the expected revenues and growth projections will not be realized and inflation will run high with the fiscal deficit the only growing number of certainty. The Monetary Board has forsaken its independence and abrogated the responsibility for price and fiscal stability. The ST (Treasury Secretary) appears to control not only the Treasury but also the Central Bank!

By examining the statistics of crime and the media reported incidents any one can easily assess the prevailing state of discipline, law, order and security and the consequential law enforcement effectiveness. These details are shamelessly announced by the chief of law enforcement, placing the blame on the people not being scared to commit serious crime. The vulnerable population of women, children and elders have nowhere to turn to, with a woman even unable to go about her business without harassment and even rape. A woman travelling in a bus is raped, a foreign lady getting down from a vehicle to ask for directions is molested, Buddhist clergy are charged with rape and convicted pedophiles run children's homes. Road accidents take away precious lives, drunken and reckless driving is the norm and vehicle robberies are everywhere. Gangs and terrorist groups gun down rivals and several gangsters in police custody are found floating in rivers dead.

International jurists and human rights tribunals pass severe strictures on the state of affairs in the nations judicial system, biased and unsatisfactory judgements and judicial misdemeanor. The judges and regulators appear to lack independence, competency and righteousness with powerful, well connected and influential people having their dreams always assured whether the means justify the end or not.

Education is yet looking backwards, with curricula unchanged for decades and in the dark ages. The investment in terms of developing human resources with necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to shoulder this nation's future challenges is negligible. The Education Ministry is in the mean time focussing efforts in hunting down wrong doers in school admissions without asking the reasons why such actions arise in the first place. Vice Chancellors resign and Universities close due to politically backed student union action.

The nation's infrastructure is strained with no investments in essential areas and this makes business a non-competitive proposition for investors. Energy experts warn of impending brown outs. Labour productivity is low with excessive holidays, low investment in training and a negative work ethic encouraged by leaders and unions and redundancy cost are the highest in the region.

Media communications divide the people and project negative news. "Sri Lanka Inc" does not feature in the communications strategy to bind the people to a national vision. The business leaders have become "yes men" and see only narrow personal issues and have forsaken the visions to place the nation and its people first.

The Wise Old Owl advises the young " forget the present leaders, go out to the village and build a new young set that will place the interests of the nation and its people first."

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