Inching towards change

The ‘Yahapalanaya’ Government was born from an overpowering desire for good governance. Sri Lanka had gone to the brink and seen the danger of dictatorial excess and wanted desperately to make a change. Nearly 18 months later Sri Lanka continues to inch towards that ideal against all odds.

The appointment of eminent economist Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy this weekend was yet another example of how powerful public opinion has become in Sri Lanka and how seriously the quest for good governance has become entrenched in the people’s psyche. For an outsider it may seem that the demand for a Central Bank Governor accused of insider trading to be removed is a simple and straightforward one, but just a few months ago challenging the Government would have been unthinkable. Yet civil society and the public banded together to make the Government understand that perception is important for credibility and when eminent public figures disregard how they are viewed by their public then it is time for a change.

An epic battle was seen between the president and the prime minister during the last few days to decide on a choice. The stand that the former Governor could not be removed because allegations against him were not proven, showed to be an inadequate defence because the public still do not trust the checks and balances within the system. Bodies such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) are still not empowered enough to implement their decisions and there powerlessness remains a glaring flaw in a Government that came to power promising greater transparency. Since the power was with the president it was to him that everyone turned.

Stalling tactics aside, Sri Lanka is long used to the Government replacing its disgraced cronies with new ones. Rarely are independent and qualified choices made. When a crony is accused of corruption they are usually protected and allowed to continue but in this instance, as was seen in the case of former Law and Order Minister Thilak Marapone, intense public pressure brought results. It can now only be hoped that the politicians who believe that they can conduct business as usual watch and learn that while the Government has not changed as much as one would wish their electorate certainly has.

Eternal vigilance is the cost of democracy. A small but passionate group of people who backed the fight for a change in Sri Lanka’s political landscape last year are still fighting. It is true their triumphs have been few and far between and many other questionable decisions of the Government remain unchallenged but when they band together they can get results. The Right to Information laws will hopefully strengthen their hand so that they can launch strong battles on other fronts. Politicians that came to power promising change cannot go back if their electorates do not allow them. For this is the true test of accountability.

Beyond civil society Sri Lanka has produced a young, educated and idealistic group of voters who are social media savvy and independent enough to hold their public representatives responsible. They are the judge and jury. They have the power to make politicians stand up and listen. Their victories give hope that change is not just possible in Sri Lanka but it is a reality.