Defend public officials

Clear and consistent polices are at the heart of development. But Sri Lanka’s policymakers are often derided for their lack of consistency and credibility. Terrible policies are often made that put politicians before principles and the loser is usually the country. This familiar parody was recently played out when the head of the Wildlife Conservation Department had to hand over his resignation.

Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, a leading environmental specialist in the South Asia Environment, Water Resources and Climate Change Unit at the World Bank office was appointed as the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department (WLCD) by the “Yahapalanaya” Government. Many environmental enthusiasts applauded the move as it signalled a rare instance in Sri Lanka’s heavily-politicised governance structure where the right person was given the right job. But the fairy-tale was too good to last.

Predictably the resignation is linked to politicisation. Dr. Pilapitiya’s attempts to stand up for his officials and protect endangered animals were hampered by ministers. One situation that is being described is his officials having to apologise to Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa, allegedly for catching poachers and submitting them to court without involving the police. The typical practice is that wildlife officials’ tip off the Police who capture the offending individuals only to have them released on the order of a powerful politician. Attempting to change this set of affairs has allegedly even upset Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, though both he and Premadasa have publicly denied any involvement. 

In another, more serious instance, powerful people linked to the Government had allegedly attempted to pressure Dr. Pilapitiya to release illegally held elephants insisting that they need to be used in various temple pageants. A second report details how he was allegedly instructed to allow elephants to be captured from wildlife parks around the country to be used for religious purposes. In both instances Dr. Pilapitiya had remained steadfast to his duty. His refusal to comply could have contributed to his resignation. 

Given this situation, it is disheartening that even President Maithripala Sirisena, who has repeatedly professed his love for the environment and pledged to protect it, has not come forward to defend his own appointment. It has fallen to concerned citizens to file a petition calling for his reinstatement. Not a single politician from the President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe downwards has stepped up to defend and support this public official for simply doing his job. It is disgraceful that while Dr. Pilapitiya is disregarded, other controversial public servants are roundly defended and protected, even in parliament. 

The irony is that this state of affairs is happening under a Government that came to power promising transparency, fairness and independence to their public servants. They pledged reform and positions to the competent officials. Having made the right choice they now err in not having the backbone to stand by the people who have the best interests of their country at heart.

The message that this sends to other public servants, particularly those in the Wildlife Conservation Department is even more depressing, Sri Lanka as a nation has to start demanding a better calibre of representatives and it will have to start with the Parliament.