|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 16 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Editorial |  |
| News Business Features Security
|
Please forward your comments to the
Editor, Sunday Observer. E-mail: [email protected] Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429239 / 2331181 Fax : 94 11 2429230 A modest beginning Barely six weeks in office the UPFA government has launched a battle on three fronts - taking forward the peace process, managing the economy and fighting corruption. The biggest gain has been in the peace front. The Norwegians were invited and the LTTE contacted through them. The pace with which developments have taken place surprised even the most vigilant observers. There is no doubt the government is pursuing peace in earnest. The seriousness of the government is seen in the appointment of a veteran diplomat, Jayantha Dhanapala to head the Peace Secretariat. The international community has already recognised the sincerity of the government in the quest for peace that their cooperation is assured. The LTTE, on its part, have also reiterated their wish to continue the peace process. At present everything is set for an early resumption of negotiations between the two parties. On the economic front the government is taking steps to prevent wastage and give incentives to the local industrialists and farmers. Much needed relief has been given to the farmers with the reduction in the price of fertilisers, though much more remains to be done. Unemployed graduates are to be recruited to the public service and productive employment has been assured to them. Housing loans on concessionary rates will be given to middle and low-income earners to build houses. A major anomaly in the payment of pensions for public servants has been done away with. In the battle against corruption new legislation is envisaged to rectify loopholes in the existing laws. Many probes have been already initiated to bring those responsible for misappropriation and fraud in public institutions. We hope that these probes will be pursued in earnest and carried to their final conclusion without being stopped halfway. Of course, not everything is all right in the new dispensation. The public would have liked if it were able to settle its internal disputes concerning petty issues like the distribution of portfolios and areas of authority much quicker. Still some public institutions are orphaned due to no one at the top. The government has to shed the inherited lethargy of the past. It has to find new and innovative methods, especially in economic development and management. What the people expect is not just better management of the pro-rich open economy but the implementation of pro-poor economic policies. If this were left to bureaucrats, nothing would change. The government is well advised to take a lesson from the verdict of the Indian people at the elections. The BJP lost heavily in spite of a booming economy and feel good factor, which they capitalised in their campaign. The hard fact is that the economic reforms had no tangible benefits to the poor and the poorest of the poor. The government has also started in earnest a process of constitutional reform. It is here that much caution and collective wisdom are required. It should always be kept in mind that constitutional reform in Sri Lanka at present couldn't be divorced from the solution of the National Question. It is not a number game. What is required is a consensus not just of political parties but of different communities as well. Any constitutional reform cannot be based on a mere Southern consensus. It should have a Southern-Northern consensus. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
