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| Sunday, 11 December 2005 |
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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 New direction Mahinda Chintanaya, the UPFA's policy manifesto for the Presidential election promised to build a new Sri Lanka. President Rajapakse has reiterated his commitment to this goal ever since he won the election. It was evident from his address to the nation at the inauguration ceremony and from the Policy Statement he delivered in Parliament. Now he has presented the budget incorporating the main policies outlined in the Mahinda Chintanaya. The budget clearly points to a new direction of economic development, a new strategy deliberately chosen by the President. From now on it would be definitely pro-poor, pro-periphery growth that is anticipated, planned and carried out. This is a colossal task. It is easier said than done given the mindset of our economists and policy advisors not to mention gullible politicians who would repeat whatever is told by the advisors. During the budget speech President Rajapakse also said that the Government would not be blindly committed to policies of neo-liberalism like his predecessors and would try to emulate the example of countries such as China, India and Vietnam which had been able to maintain a higher degree of independence in the development of its strategic development goals. Much emphasis has been laid on the development of the public sector, hitherto neglected under dictates of the World Bank on the false premise that smaller government is best for Sri Lanka. Our own experience shows that an efficient and vibrant public sector is essential to take care of development in many sectors of the economy that the private sector would not dare enter into for want of quick returns. They include upgrading physical and social infrastructure without which no development is possible. Also our public service has shown its competence in many emergencies including the tsunami disaster. The budget has made significant allocations for development of rural infrastructure, the SME sector, agriculture and animal husbandry. Special concessions have been given to industrialists who would start or re-locate industries in districts other than Colombo and Gampaha. Allocations for mother and child care as well as for other welfare measures including the enhancement of the Samurdhi benefits show the humane and caring nature of governance President Rajapakse hopes to pursue. Benefits have been given to almost all sectors ranging from industrialists and businessman to Samurdhi beneficiaries and the differently abled. The very nature of the budget has earned it accolades from all quarters including Opposition political parties and politicians. However there are some prophets of gloom and doom. The United National Party has called it a disaster while at the same time deciding not to vote against it, an entirely irrational decision. If they sincerely believe the budget is a disaster they should vehemently oppose it. There are others who say that they have to wait till it is implemented to say whether it is good or bad. For that matter every budget is like that. Our practice has been that many a budget has faltered during the implementation stage. But these gentlemen never expressed such sentiments earlier. Though there is a grain of truth and much scepticism in these remarks the Government must take them seriously and prove them wrong by strict implementation. We wish the President success on his newly chartered course. Already the President has shown a new style of governance different from his predecessors. He has given an example in punctuality and given an impression that he tolerates no nonsense or favourtism. As the Tiger leader said he is a pragmatic man. He has begun well and well begun is half done. Beware the media hype Already certain sections of the media including the foreign media are carrying on a disinformation campaign particularly with respect to the government's peace initiative. They started by creating a fear psychosis among the population and the diaspora that war is imminent since the election of President Rajapakse whom they unceremoniously and unjustly dubbed a hawk. They did not stop even after the Tiger Leader gave him a respite calling him a pragmatic man. These rumourmongers and surreptitious columnists never stop at warning the people that war is round the corner. Their most recent disinformation concerns the role of Norway in the peace process and the government's position on it. In this effort they are also ably assisted by several NGOs and peace mudalalis of dubious character. They fabricate news and opinion columns to console the defeated man and make the voters repent their decision. The government and the UPFA should launch a campaign to expose this disinformation and enlighten the people on the cautious approach of the government towards a peaceful solution of the National Question. |
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