Cabinet tasked

After many days of political wrangling, the Cabinet was finally sworn in on Friday and now faces the tough task of meeting up to the higher than usual expectations of a demanding public. 

As a Government that came into power promising good governance, this Cabinet with its plethora of ministers, deputy ministers and State ministers will face intense scrutiny. This is as it should be for the cost of democracy is eternal vigilance and, with a diluted Opposition struggling to balance Parliament, more responsibility is devolved to the public to ensure the promises are actually achieved. 

In addition, the expense of a larger-than-life Cabinet cannot be justified in any other way than for them to work, pushing forward reforms and transparency, to give Sri Lankans not just freedom but the economic development they crave. While pledges of transparency, rule of law, independence of judiciary and anti-corruption are laudable, the Government cannot fail to capitalise on the positive aspects that were achieved by the former Government, particularly in the region of infrastructure development to speed up growth.  

Even the staunchest detractors of the previous regime have to accept that development which stagnated for decades was driven forward during the last five years. Everyone accepts that this growth was achieved in an unacceptable and unsustainable way and the public vote for President Maithripala Sirisena was an acknowledgement of this tipping point. So this Government has the double duty of not just entrenching democracy but doing it such a way as to also ensure development. Creating more red tape for the sake of supporting political ends will not be tolerated in this environment.

President Sirisena in his forthright way reminded the newly sworn-in Cabinet of this challenge. He pointed out that corruption would always be revealed in the end by the public. Political agendas might give them a breather or a chance to stage a comeback, as has been seen in this present Cabinet but ultimately second chances will only stick if they are earned.

One laudable step that was announced by President Sirisena was the formulation of an independent committee to evaluate appointments to head State enterprises. Ministers will no longer be able to make ad hoc appointments among loyalists but can forward their recommendations to the committee. 

To remain credible, the committee membership also has to be seen to be unbiased. This step should be taken even further by the appointment of the Public Services Commission under the 19th Amendment so that public employees will be made even more independent.      

The United National Party (UNP), headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is not only emerging from a decade-long shadow of being in the Opposition but also has the responsibility of making this novel concept of a National Government work. 

Admittedly, at least on paper, the idea of the two main parties joining forces makes sense, especially since it can foster the twin needs of reconciliation and development. But is also creates other roadblocks such as increased public expenditure, red tape and politicisation. The bulkier the Government, the harder it can fall.