People's empowerment must for economic development

by Sanath KARUNAWEERA

We felt the views expressed at a seminar titled, "Unleashing the People's Potential" held at the SLFI, Colombo recently, merited further discussion. The event was organised by the Pathfinder Organisation.

The policy proposals submitted to the seminar included appointment of a committee to report on the constraints in setting up business in Sri Lanka, freeing the Capital Account to facilitate Exchange Control regulations, restricting free education, complete change of administration and management of education and set-up of private colleges and private universities.

Transforming small agricultural holdings into productive areas, water management, and removal of subsidies are some of other important areas recommended.

It was argued that politicization was the cause for failure of the public administration and the solution recommended was to free it from political interference and also to mould the character of the politician. It however, appear that the actual remedy lies in effecting an attitudinal change in the country rather than taking ad-hoc measures.

The complete freeing of the Capital Account is not in the interest of the country, though it would be appropriate to an European or some other country.

Our success vis-a-vis world recession was due to our not completely freeing the Capital Account and also implementation of financial and fiscal policies under the State control. The lot of the small agricultural holders should be promoted along with the minor land proprietors, if the latter enjoy themselves a higher productivity.

Strong views were expressed against any measures on restricting free education. It was argued that since the 17th amendment has pushed the public service into an "administrative extreme", it has to be amended again before implementation.

It was an irony that despite, People's Empowerment being the title of the seminar, it was not taken up for discussion. The discussion looked a "War of Words" launched by a group of senior administratives as well as economic management experts.

The wisdom of undertaking a comparative study of Sri Lanka's policies alongside Europe, Japan or advanced Asian countries such as India or Malaysia seems to be doubtful!

A country's economic, social, cultural and spiritual background is an essential component in the formulation and implementation of development policies.