A state in limbo

The NPP government has been at the wheel for almost 6 months now. The time to keep looking at the rear view mirror and living in the past is about over. The Blame game has no credibility any longer, the NPP was given a huge mandate based on past dishonesty, incompetence, and waste. The people await corrective surgery and not postmortems anymore. The main mandate was to eliminate corruption and thankfully, we are not seeing any new major accusations of big-time public swindling highlighted during the short NPP reign. If it is still happening, it sure is well hidden from the public eye. However, has Lankan’s evolved into being honest at all levels of the social spectrum and the public sector?  Maybe that is a rather premature assumption to make at the present juncture. This change might need a strong stick to be wielded by AKD, taking a cue from LKY of Singapore fame. A total change in the mindset of the people, encompassing the Giver and the Taker, has to happen. People have to feel shy of dishonesty, the same way the majority will feel about taking an innocent life, however small and insignificant.  The biggest legacy the NPP government could leave behind for Sri Lanka is to create a dream society that is Just and Honest. An Honest society in turn will become a progressive one as well

The much talked about Digitalization plans coupled with Block Chain technology will definitely improve efficiency of the public /state sector and will eliminate opportunity for corruption to a large extent too. As per experts in the IT industry the possible biggest hurdle for the authorities is to make wider use of digitalization be user friendly for all. Humans normally resist change and scared of the unknown.

Stories of major corruption by the highest in the land of past regimes was widely paraded at the last election campaign(s), and the Public were told of hundreds of files with proof relating to such misdeeds were available and that the offenders would be swiftly brought before the law. This surely was a big vote generator for the NPP. However, the public see no real progress on this front other than for a few flimsy efforts made like dragging a very old lady daily to the 4^th floor! Is this absolute incompetence like in many other areas and/or simply not having the required evidence to prosecute could be the core reason.  A big election promise broken for whatever reason, or the voter was simply duped.

An outsider gets the impression that the NPP government wheels are not turning fast enough. What could be the reason? Is fear of decision making by public officials a block to progress, or is decision making not decentralized enough with a safety net of authority for the decision maker?  Square pegs in round holes are also not helping at all in many departments.  The NPP hierarchy banked on Academics to be the cornerstone of activity in most disciplines. Alas, this seems to be a failure as anticipated by many earlier other than the Sri Lankan Expat Community who were gung-ho about academics running the country. Overall if AKD and company now accept that the MANAGEMENT material they have in place is incapable of delivering results, It is time for change. It’s time to shed Party Loyalty and reach out to the capable.  Sri Lanka badly needs visionaries who can also deliver the expected end result. There is such material across the aisle and even outside the walls of the Sri Jayawardenapura fortress, but is the rulers reaching out enough to make them feel wanted and comfortable to work towards a common goal of developing our land of opportunity and dreams, Sri Lanka.  If the environment is conducive, it is left to all to support and contribute, irrespective of individual political beliefs and loyalty. The country needs your invaluable contribution. However, it is imperative that the ground work to create the correct environment to work together must come from the top with genuine intentions and not based on personal agendas and for protecting of long term political health. Simply put “ The Country Before Self “ should be the war cry for all , the rulers and the capable seated on the side lines.

Lethargy, Inactivity, and Incompetence is a bad cocktail that will only lead to another meltdown. The people will not take it kindly the next time around. Mr. President, you have been given a big mandate to act; please do so. The people are waiting with hope and will not be distracted by sideshows any longer. Good Luck to Sri Lanka and its People.

Lasanthasiri

Badegana , Kotte . 21 May 2025