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Sri Lanka faces three formidable challenges: Achieving national unity, eradicating corruption and economic growth. Each of these is difficult to achieve. Achieving all of them is nearly impossible. Even a partial achievement of them will make a significant impact on the country’s economic and social development.

National unity

There has not been a better opportunity to forge national unity than now. The government and most political parties have vowed to unite the country on a basis of equality for all communities. Meaningful steps should be taken towards the unity of the nation that is essential for economic development.

Prerequisite

National unity is a pivotal prerequisite for economic development. Since the 1950s, ethnic and communal conflicts have been the most serious setback to economic development. The country’s developmental capacity has been seriously weakened by the exodus of educated and skilled personnel. Forging national unity is a fundamental condition and prerequisite for economic development.

Political parties

Most political parties have vowed to unite the country on a basis of equality for all communities. Meaningful steps should be taken towards national unity that is essential for economic development.

Hope

The manner in which parties conducted the last presidential and parliamentary elections with lesser or no communal rhetoric at the two elections lends hope of the government resolving the ethnic issues of discrimination and ensuring ethnic and religious harmony.

Furthermore, the government has taken several measures to inspire confidence in developing a non-discriminatory society of equal citizenship. However, there are many more meaningful measures that need to be taken to achieve national harmony that is essential for nation building and economic development.

Corruption

Eradicating corruption is much more difficult. The NPP/JVP government is committed to eradicating corruption, and there have been several measures taken to expose corruption and waste by previous governments and to be frugal on state expenses.

While the government is likely to mitigate corruption and waste, the eradication of rampant corruption at all levels of the administration is near impossible. The extent of success in reducing corruption would be a significant factor in achieving economic growth.

Economic policies

It is of utmost importance to pursue pragmatic economic policies that achieve results rather than doctrinaire policies that burden the economy.

While the government has shown pragmatism in several economic policies that have been adopted, there are remnants of ideological thinking of the JVP that could affect economic performance adversely. For instance, the ineffectual state intervention in the rice market and the decision to not privatise loss-making state-owned enterprises are such ideological policies.

Economic challenges

The recovery of the economy from its current fragile state has been compounded by the extravagant promises given in the NPP election manifesto. It would also be important not to pursue doctrinaire policies. Pragmatic economic policies effectively implemented are vital for economic growth. Successive governments have been weak on implementation.

Economic challenges

Economic challenges loom large, but the task before the President and the government is much larger. It is one of uniting diverse communities, eradicating corruption, formulating a work ethic, adopting sound economic policies and developing a capacity to implement pragmatic policies effectively.

The President and the government would face unprecedented economic challenges in the months ahead. The success in eradicating corruption would be a pivotal factor in propelling economic growth. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s promises must be implemented to bring about such a transformation of the polity and society. Honesty, meritocracy, pragmatism and hard work are vital to usher in such a transformation.

Concluding reflections

We are at a crucial moment in the country’s history when a social, cultural and political transformation could change the destiny of generations to come.

The challenges for the long-term development of the country are formidable. They cannot be attained immediately, but the initial steps must be taken to lay a strong foundation. The NPP/JVP government is committed to building a united nation where all communities are equal, eradicating corruption and following economic policies that ensure growth with equity. Achieving these goals is formidable but necessary.

Finally

These are formidable challenges for the new government that requires the cooperation of all parties and the people. Let us hope President Dissanayake’s five-year term will usher in an honest administration with equity, opportunities and sufficiency for all.