Preserving public interest

Saturday, 22 May 2021 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

This week it came to light that the Health Ministry (MoH) had issued a circular warning that disciplinary action would be taken against any MoH officer criticising administrative procedures or Government policy to the media.

The circular has drawn widespread condemnation on social media, with many of the belief that this amounts to censorship. While the circular’s claims that the sharing of incorrect information and criticisms of health policy may serve as barrier to public trust and efficiency do hold some weight, the silencing of officials is nevertheless not a good look.

Average public servants in Sri Lanka are usually a beleaguered lot. They are often under-resourced, lack authority, and criticised for not doing their work; but when they step up in the public’s interest, they run afoul of their employer.

If a government is serious about combating corruption, then one of the most effective ways is to encourage whistle-blowing and implement a policy that protects whistle-blowers, particularly in the public sector.

But the Government has been more focused on creating a group of people who unquestioningly follow its orders and has increasingly limited space for public officials to dissent and engage in inclusive policymaking. Prolonged shrinking of such space arguably worsens governance and is against public interest.

Most State or Government-linked organisations in Sri Lanka attempt to muzzle their employees, particularly when they attempt to engage with media, even though whistle-blowers are a powerful weapon against corruption.

In fact, in 2016, a school teacher who was penalised for speaking to the media won her case at the Supreme Court and received compensation from the school principal who attempted to fire her for her perceived ‘disloyalty’. The case underscores the need for public servants to be allowed to play the role of whistle-blower without being penalised, as it is an essential function of good governance.

Governments have a responsibility to facilitate whistle-blowing, and in so doing, protect public servants who become whistle-blowers for public interest. Laws which recognise the rights of those who act in the public interest not to suffer harm or threats of harm and which build on the democratic principles of free speech and freedom of information are critical. They provide individuals a safe alternative to the silence that allows negligence and wrongdoing to take root.

Punishing whistle-blowers will only protect those responsible from being held accountable. A Government that wishes to view itself as genuinely accountable needs to stop crushing its dissenters. In Sri Lanka’s deeply-politicised public sector, top posts are often decided by politicians. Ministry secretaries, for example, are an important part of ensuring transparency and accountability, but could be appointed through political influence.

Many other public servants, especially those engaged in procurement and tender proceedings, hold just as high if not higher positions of responsibility. Reducing corruption means giving these honest people a chance to speak in an environment of safety and acceptance. Public servants should be allowed to stand for public interest.

This is all the more important during a pandemic, where questioning perceived poor policymaking can literally be the difference between life and death.