Is Post-Crisis Essential Reforms Being Effectively Progressed? If Not What Is The Way Forward?

By Chandra Jayaratne –

Post the Socio, Political, Economic and Governance Crises driving Sri Lanka towards a failed state classification, are our leaders in Power, the Executive and the Legislators, with responsibility and due accountability to deliver Sri Lanka and its present and future citizens out of the abyss presently precariously placed, effectively governing the country with cohesive long term nationally value adding sustainable strategic actions, supported by visionary leadership, placing the interests of the nation and its people first? and are they building coalitions internationally and locally, and especially with common citizen’s, seeking support for moving forward with the essential reforms, whilst proactively protecting in priority the interests of the poor, disadvantaged and vulnerable  segments;  and lead to the systems changes desired by the society at large ?

If not what next steps should the international community and intellectual and caring Civil Society do in response?

It is nearly three months since a new regime took office; and have they been able to attend to the needs and demands of our common citizenry and society at large who are  seeking systems change oriented essential reforms and at the same time win the support of the international community? 

The answer at a prima facie level appears to be a big NO as seen from validating the following questions:

1. Have steps been taken to form an effective and supportive national all party government for an agreed  limited period to single mindedly focus on stabilizing the economy and society; and thereafter giving way to a people’s choice for leaders in governance via fresh elections to elect a new government to take charge of good governance based socio- economic recovery?

2. Have essentials necessary for daily life and livelihoods been made available, especially to a majority of the citizens who have been  deprived  ( eg. nutritious food, medicines, milk powder, fuel, daily in use public services)?

3. Has the Impact of cost of living increases, especially in above essentials, been minimized and steps taken to prevent hyperinflation led risks?

4. Have job losses, loss of local/export markets as well as relocation of value adding business units as a consequence of the crisis been minimized by strategic proactive actions? and towards the same has the state developed strategic actions to support vulnerable SME’s and attract new sustainable value adding and new job opportunities creating businesses?

5. Have new options for enhancement of factor productivity been facilitated? Have the best use of technology, innovations, best practices and creative restructures been promoted to improve quality, consistency and productivity of outputs essential for sustainable growth?

6. Have sustainable value adding new investments, especially in foreign exchange earning industries and services, global supply chains, and regional service linkages been attracted?

7. Have essential tax reforms to raise tax revenue to GDP to the minimum required levels of 18 % to achieve a primary surplus within 2 years been introduced, following the essential principles of taxing those with capacity to pay, with emphasis on direct taxation vs. indirect taxation?

8. Have essential state expenditure reforms eliminating all wasteful and non cash flow return based capital spends been progressed whilst allocating equitably  scarce resources in protecting the poor and vulnerable groups, in achieving a primary surplus within 2 years ?

9. Have steps been taken to reform loss making and unproductive state owned enterprises and cut back on high resource allocations for defense, unproductive state employment and state assets not yielding adequate economic free cash flow returns?

10. Have all commitments, preconditions and best practice recommendations in governance agreed to with the IMF at staff level been effectively progressed?

11. Have necessary professional steps been taken with commitment in reaching agreement with creditors for the debt restructure without added risks of a consequential destabilization of the local financial and banking systems?

12. Have attempts to secure bridging finance until the IMF Loan facility and other commercial borrowings abilities been successful?

13. Have friendly states and international financial institutions/INGO’s other than India, come up with substantial humanitarian support and development finance facilities a d have these been effectively distributed to minimize the negative impacts on poor/disadvantaged and vulnerable segments?

14. Have effective steps been taken to reverse the unacceptable policies and lack of timely facilities for optimum productivity and outputs of the agricultural sector, especially making available fertilizer, agro chemicals and fuel on a timely basis, in order ensure optimum local production of staple foods and thus avoid risks of food shortages and possible famine?

15. Have the planned constitutional, legal and regulatory reforms to improve the democratic and rule of law based governance framework focusing on minimization waste, corruption, illicit financial flows been effectively initiated, enacted and implemented?

16. Have steps been taken to ensure the independence, integrity and capability of law enforcement agencies (especially the Attorney General’s Department, Police and Auditor General’s Department) and independent regulatory authorities/agencies (including Independent Commissions)

17. Have effective steps been taken to enhance transparency, integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of procurement systems and decision making? are oversight mechanisms of audit and oversight committees of parliament operating with professionalism and independence armed with powers of surcharge and powers to refer for prosecution acts of misfeasance?

18. Have effective steps been taken to recover proceeds of crime, stolen state assets and to impose sanctions against economic crimes, misfeasance in public office, money laundering, corruption, serious frauds and illicit financial flows?

19. Have positive signals, recognitions and acknowledgements both locally and internationally, especially by key international state actors, been witnessed noting that systems changes have led to improved democratic good governance, protection of rights and freedoms, upholding the rule of law, justice, equitable treatment of all stakeholders of society,  justice for victims of war, repression, control of risks and economic crimes and unjust enrichment, unfair discriminations of segments of society and effective compliance with international treaties and conventions?

20. Have strategic steps signaling that positive and thought leadership driven plans and actions meeting the needs and aspirations of the majority of citizens (including the youth, women, and elderly and vulnerable segment), entrepreneurs, investors, global markets/supply chains and value adding enterprises, a system change has begun in earnest led by visionary leaders placing the interests of the nation, its citizens and associated stakeholders their sole commitment?

If the last three months outcomes and the short term expected outcomes are not positive towards signaling the required systems and governance framework changes and thus are unlikely to effectively move Sri Lanka  out of the myriad of crises facing it and only false hopes and empty promises and misrepresentations are the emerging signals along with continuing corruption and bad governance under the radar, what should caring citizens professional and intellectual community in society do to assure an acceptable future for the young and unborn citizens?

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