New Year wishes

Saturday, 1 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Oprah Winfrey in a famous quote said that the new year is another chance for us to get it right. The dawn of 2011 is not just the chance to get it right for one more year, but an entire decade.

After three decades of war and another year to gear up for an economic boom, one would say that Sri Lanka’s ‘get ready’ and ‘set’ phases are over. Now all that remains is to ‘go’. Positive indicators abound, with the economy recording 8% growth in the last quarter, among the highest within the last decade, single digit inflation and positive policy changes in the 2011 Budget.

Many private sector stakeholders believe that the foundation for development has been at least partly laid by the Government and the baton handed over to the business sector to fast-track growth.

As President Mahinda Rajapaksa points out in his new year message, the major challenge before Sri Lanka is to raise the position of the country in the world: “We recognise this year as one where many giant steps towards development will be taken based on the fivefold sectors of progress. There will no doubt be a considerable increase in the sacrifices needed to achieve this, similar to those made to gain victory in the last five years.”

The word might frighten some, but sacrifices are not daunting provided that they are shared by everyone. A public sector that adds up to millions should be capable of delivering efficiency and put in place a system that functions independent of political interference. There must be a concentrated effort to empower it and directly track progress made by employees in specific fields.

Perhaps the most important focus that the new year will bring in the inclusion of foreign universities to Sri Lanka’s hitherto protected public institutions. This transition process will have to happen as inclusively and seamlessly as possible not only to provide the much-needed knowledge that Sri Lanka is craving to boost development, but also to prevent bloodshed and unrest in the student factions countrywide. This issue needs to be handled with great caution and understanding to create a win-win situation.”

Another point that the President makes is the five-hub development strategy that has been adopted under the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’. Policy frameworks need to be overhauled in the fields of financial services, apparel, shipping and other sectors if this is to be achieved. Not only should the policies be made more up-to-date, they also need to be stable and not subject to arbitrary changes. Contracts need to be honoured and political interference minimised.

Good governance is another need for the new year. Ensuring accountability and transparency is of paramount importance, not only to attract Foreign Direct Investment, but also to get local businesses on to the international stage. Sri Lanka has managed to withstand 30 years of war, proving both its hardiness and resourcefulness; now these attributes need to be channelled towards different goals.

Most importantly, peace and stability can only be assured by sustainable peace fuelled by inclusive growth. This means that equitable treatment must be given to people of all ethnicities and income levels. The environment must also be protected as Sri Lanka’s biodiversity richness can be the path to development – provided it is used right.