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The government must be focused on the formidable challenges of forging national unity, eradicating corruption and achieving economic growth, as we discussed in last Sunday’s column. These nation-building tasks are inextricably intertwined, inter-connected and interwoven formidable challenges. The government’s distraction from them owing to political diversions would be a serious setback to the country’s future.

There is a growing impatience with the progress in achieving these objectives, especially in punishing the corrupt and improving the incomes of the working classes. The macroeconomic improvements have not benefitted the poor yet.

Politics

The three challenges to transform the country must not be undermined by political issues like the Batalanda Report, local government elections in May or other political issues and trivialities like the counting of monkeys and other animals that endanger crops. The government must be focused on transforming the country’s political culture and economic development.

Focus

The government must be focused on the policies and actions needed to transform the country into a united nation pursuing pragmatic policies that would achieve an economic takeoff. There is a growing popular scepticism of the government’s capacity to achieve its declared objectives. This is partly due to the unrealistic expectations and impatience of people and political biases and also inadequate actions by the government.

Corruption

There has been inadequate evidence of the government eradicating corruption, forging national unity and adopting economic policies that propel growth. Although the government has disclosed the wastage and misuse of public funds, no cases of large-scale corruption have been brought to book. Consequently, there is an impatience with the measures to eradicate corruption and improve the economic conditions of the poor.

Having said this, there are some signs of exposing those who have used large sums of public funds for personal benefits. It is important to recoup these funds to the government coffers.

Poor

In spite of macroeconomic stability, lower inflation and economic growth, the conditions of the poor have not improved adequately. The salaries of public servants, teachers and nonacademic staff of universities have not been increased as expected. These have been important reasons for popular discontent.

The JVP itself has been responsible for evoking demands for higher wages that cannot be granted owing to the financial constraints of the government. People do not understand this.

Recent events

Regrettably, recent events have distracted the government from national priorities. Those opposed to the government, and even some who back the government, have tended to have serious doubts and are sceptical of the government’s capacity to steer the country out of the current economic predicament owing to political distractions, inadequate actions, ideological thinking and some trivial measures.

Confidence

There has been an erosion of confidence in the NPP/JVP’s capacity and understanding of the priorities of governance and economic development. These have given political opponents the opportunity to characterise the government as lacking the capacity to formulate and implement policies.

Distractions

The Batalanda Report, the arrest of the former IGP, killings and ghastly crimes and the forthcoming local government elections could distract the government from the priorities. This may have already happened.

Corruption

Some commentators and concerned citizens have pointed out that there has not been a single case of huge corruption prosecuted. Only cases filed have been against the sons of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a few other politicians.

Trivialities

Furthermore, the government’s credibility has been undermined by some trivial actions that have raised questions about its focus on serious implementation of policies. Crop damage by animals is a serious problem hampering agricultural production. In fact, finding a solution to this serious problem, though complex and difficult, is important.

However, counting animals that come to gardens for just five minutes is so ridiculous that it has evoked laughter, eroded people’s confidence in the government’s seriousness and raised doubts about the government’s capabilities to implement effective policies for agricultural development.

Rice prices

The government’s ineffective effort to intervene in the rice market is another instance of the government’s weak understanding of economic forces and the capacity of policy interventions.

Economic improvements

The opposition has contended that the recent economic gains have been due to the policies of the previous government. However, the government’s continuity of the stabilisation policies have been in the interests of the country. Nevertheless, there is a need to undertake reforms to get the economy moving.

Challenges

The economic challenges loom large, but the task before the new president is much larger. It should be aimed at uniting the multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious communities, eradicating corruption, developing a work ethic, adopting sound economic policies and developing a capacity to implement pragmatic policies.

We must be a nation that is not burdened by history but learns the lessons from our past, decides pragmatically and implements policies effectively. There are reversals from current national behaviour. This historic mission of building a united country, changing its political culture, fostering values that are conducive for national harmony and a work ethic is a formidable task for the president and government.

Conclusion

The government’s intentions of transforming the nation’s political culture, forging national unity, achieving economic growth and creating an equitable society are enormous challenges. It should not be distracted by political factors like the Batalanda Report that could raise many issues regarding the JVP’s conduct during the 1988-90 insurgency and detract from the national priorities. Nearly seven months have lapsed since the government’s rise to power. Has the government achieved too little in forging national unity, eradicating corruption and achieving economic growth?

Sri Lanka’s economic future will be determined not only by economic policies but also by the gamut of policies to transform the nation’s culture. The achievement of national unity, diminishing corruption, development of a work ethic and good governance. Are we on the road to achieving these formidable goals?