Saving governance

Sri Lanka’s public, desperate for better governance, is fast losing faith in seeing any tangible change on this front with the latest incident to draw ire directed at political interference in removing illegal structures on Mirissa beach.

Renewed attention was directed at Mirissa after an attack on two female tourists was widely publicised, drawing attention to the dangers of unregulated and illegal businesses along the popular beachfront. The latest attack drew much disgust and condemnation, prompting questions as to why the authorities had failed to act by removing these structures and why they were allowed to operate with impunity.   

The upshot of all this was the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) being tasked with removing 17 illegal structures this week but it was prevented by a call from newly-appointed Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha, who has openly lobbied for the illegal structures to remain. He has argued that operators of these establishments should be given the chance to find alternative livelihoods. What has been completely ignored is the fact that the removal of these structures was a process which begun three years ago when the authorities began the arduous process of identifying illegal structures and giving the owners a chance to make representations. 

The directive to remove the buildings also came after Southern Development and Youth Affairs Minister Sagala Ratnayake in April directed all hotel and restaurant owners in the Southern Province to strictly adhere to the registration process of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Under this new regulation, all hotels, restaurants, eateries, liquor shops, surf shops, home stay units and other services related to tourism were told to register with the SLTDA. He also directed officials to enforce excise regulations strictly and clamp down on events operating loud speakers to prevent noise pollution. Due process had been followed and after expending much time and taxpayer funds, the go-ahead was given to remove illegal structures as a first step to regulating the establishments, only to be stopped at the last minute by a political gridlock.         

The CCD is under the Environment Ministry, which is a portfolio held by President Maithripala Sirisena, ostensibly to protect natural resources more competently. However, the reality that is unfolding is in stark contrast to the good governance policies expounded by the Government and detrimental to public confidence in law and order. 

Sri Lanka’s post-war economy has depended heavily on the tourism sector with growth numbers propelling the industry from just a few million dollars in the war years to one that is worth about $ 3 billion in 2017. In March, the sector grew 24% compared to the same month last year, prompting Tourism Minister John Amaratunga to increase the tourist arrival target from 2.5 million to three million for 2018.

Already this year, the industry has faced tough challenges with the communal violence in the country as well as the social media ban by the Government. Though the numbers in March didn’t see a significant fall, it is foolish to think that direct attacks on tourists will not be viewed more seriously by the country’s visitors and their governments. In such a situation, it is imperative that the Government follows the law and supports the industry and other stakeholders to keep Sri Lanka’s golden goose alive.