People’s impatience

POLITICIANS, in general and the Sri Lankan version in particular, are at times caught being out of touch with the sentiments of the general public. But last week a top Government minister broke this mould by acknowledging Sri Lankans are increasingly becoming impatient with the Government’s failure to meet economic expectations in a statement that called for a universal rolling up of sleeves to get to work or risk retribution at the next election.   

In a strikingly candid evaluation of Sri Lanka’s economic performance, International Trade and Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama acknowledged that people were “becoming impatient” for better economic returns, at the opening session of the US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) in Colombo. 

The discussions were led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South Asia Michael J. Delaney and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap along with a slew of officials from both sides. Making his opening remarks, the minister extolled the democratic gains that have been spearheaded by the new Government but admitted that they were seen as largely intangible by the public, which preferred more economically-oriented results.   

“I am of the view that we are somewhat falling behind meeting the expectations of the vast majority of our people, in improving their material wellbeing.  They are also interested in a sustainable economic dividend. In fact, they are becoming impatient for it,” Samarawickrama said pointing out Sri Lanka’s growing middle class was demanding better employment opportunities with higher salaries. 

The international community, in particular the US, has to do more than sending officials to Sri Lanka for frequent handshaking sessions and Minister Samarawickrama suggested their combined efforts be focused on formulating a special trade arrangement that would give Sri Lanka preferential access to the American market, which is the country’s single largest destination for exports. This is expected to be worked out in the coming months. 

After repeated calls from the private sector for greater policy consistency and pragmatic planning, rarely responded to, this signal that the top rungs of Government are aware of the general sentiments harboured by the public is heartening. Yet this is merely the start because these same officials must spearhead a policy shift towards greater investment and reforms with the assistance of other members of the Government. It is time for other ministers of both parties, the “business as usual” politicians who put their interests before public interest to also listen to the growing disgruntlement emanating towards them and take steps to address it with genuine efforts to stamp out corruption, cronyism and mismanagement.  

Few people would argue that this Government, for all its many flaws, is possibly the last stand of the liberals. It could well be the final chance for Sri Lanka to find reconciliation and its economy to be set on a sustainable growth path. These twin ideals move together and if genuine peace is to ever find a home in Sri Lanka then the economic aspirations of the majority must be met. 

The Government has to implement clear policies, appoint qualified people to the right jobs, take strong action against corruption and concentrate on fiscal consolidation goals to have a chance of catching up to people’s expectations.