10 October, 2024

Blog

What NPP Needs To Know After 21 September

By Vipula Wanigasekera

Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera

National People’s Power (NPP) seems to be leading the race but some skeptics may argue that jumping from a mere 3% to an ambitious 51% is quite the Herculean task, but if the vibes from the rural areas are anything to go by, NPP is definitely ahead of the curve.

The sentiment among the people is clear: they’ve had enough of the same faces who, ironically, can’t seem to provide a passport or sort out a visa crisis but are still bold enough to contest elections! Threatening the people that if they do not vote for them, there will be shortage of Gas is counter productive and they are ill advised by their marketing advisors.

Governance in Sri Lanka after elections is no walk in the park, and NPP, should it secure a victory, will be greeted with a reality check from day one. The initial euphoria of victory is often fleeting, and even the most well-intentioned governments can see their popularity dip faster than an ice cream cone in Colombo’s midday sun.

One of the most glaring issues is the deep-rooted “political slavery” entrenched in the fabric of Sri Lankan governance. Public officials and even the general public often find themselves entangled in a web of dependency on powerful politicians. The NPP needs to break these chains and encourage independent thinking and initiative among public servants.

Then there’s the ever-present menace of corruption. From bribery to blatant misappropriation of public funds, corruption has permeated every level of government. Nepotism and favoritism have been a constant feature in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. The preference for political allies, family members, and cronies over qualified professionals is a recipe for disaster. The NPP has to dismantle this system and ensure that appointments are based on merit and not on who your uncle knows.

Economic mismanagement is another colossal task awaiting the NPP. Years of poor management have led to debt crises, inflation, and a rising cost of living that is driving people to the edge. The NPP must introduce sound economic policies, focus on diversifying the economy beyond  agriculture and tourism, and aim for sustainable growth.

A critical concern is the ongoing brain drain. With many skilled professionals choosing to leave the country in search of better opportunities, the NPP must create a conducive environment for talent to stay. If not, we might soon have more Sri Lankan doctors in Sydney than in Colombo!

On the cultural front, ignorance and misinformation remain rampant, allowing ethnic and religious tensions to simmer and occasionally boil over. The NPP needs to promote policies that foster social cohesion, dispel myths, and build a unified national identity.

Transparency and accountability should be non-negotiable. If the NPP can implement participatory governance practices, they can set a precedent for future administrations. People are confident that massive waste of funds on politicians and officials will be halted and it is a clear election promise NPP is making. But that saving is not sufficient to compensate the needs on education, technology, transportation, health etc.

For the NPP when in power, the honeymoon will be over quickly. Sri Lanka is watching, and this time, with eyes wide open. The NPP must be prepared for the monumental task of governing a nation that is tired, frustrated, but also cautiously hopeful. If they can avoid the pitfalls of those who came before them, they might just turn things around. If not, well, let’s hope we don’t end up needing a visa to get to our own future.

*Writer is a former Diplomat, Head of Tourism Authority, Senior Lecturer for ECU and Reiki Healer

Latest comments

  • 11
    9

    I was disturbed to read the social media post where JVP members in Australia have threatened a Sri Lankan. Does this mean JVP has not changed its colours and they are still a terrorist organization, or are they acting like LTTE, whose members threatened opponents who did not give money to their cause? As long as Tilvin, Lalkantha and other radical elements are in JVP, voters must be cautious about voting for them.

    • 13
      5

      Buddhist1, What purpose does it serve to bring in LTTE? How certain are you that your allegation is true?

      • 5
        3

        It has a habit by Sinhalese to bring LTTE as an example to justify their cause. As a democratic organisation of Sri Lanka it is wrong to threaten a fellow Sri Lankan. That is theory. Threatening is a common culture in Sri Lankan Politics. There are several murders happened in Sri Lanka to threaten the politicians by the major Political parties. If you don’t know JVP leader Rohana Vijeweera was murdered. Lasantha was murdered. MP Pararajasingham was murdered. President Ranil Wickremasinghe threatens the Whole population of Sri Lanka saying that if you don’t elect me, you all be have in the streets.
        Vipula, not only you but also many Sinhalese Journalists do the same to hurt Tamils. LTTE silenced their armed struggle in May 2009. Since then you never heard a bullet sound from LTTE for the past 15 years but your Political thugs took arms in 2019 in order to catch the power. You all ignore the pain of the Sinhalese people by directing it to LTTE.

        • 1
          0

          My Apologies to Vipuli. I read the comment of the Buddhist 1 but I thought it is from the author. I only realised it when I read the comments.

      • 3
        2

        About the conduct of LTTE cash collectors, I have plenty of first-hand reports. They did it in nearly every country that they operate in.
        The JVP, in that sense, have been more restrained.

    • 0
      0

      Yes this is another layer of JVP that needs to be controlled

  • 3
    2

    … many skilled professionals choosing to leave the country in search of better opportunities.
    Why is that number of those choosing to leave disproportionate to the national ratio?
    This is a Q to ponder.

    • 4
      1

      Nathan ,

      In 70s , I was at my O/L , doing science and my best subject was
      biology . In biology , in the first term itself , you are taught that
      humans are Animals too . And you cut a mice in the lab to
      practically understand human anatomy . The point I am coming
      to is , as another animal , to jump from stone age to modern age ,
      It Is A Package . And in the package , you do have your costume
      to behave like a real beast , like what we are doing in wars , killing
      other fellow humans . In our everyday life , this is exactly what we
      are doing with other men in different ways without shedding blood .
      As Shakespeare put it that we are all actors and the world is the
      stage , our guys are interpreting some events like migrating to other
      well off countries as recent where this is not the case . Migration to
      other countries is centuries old everywhere and our guys are
      overdoing it because we have become a Man Power Hub . Reasons are
      many and the country’s culture and politics are main causes .
      Before 77 we were known for Tea , coconut and rubber . After 77 we
      became Man Power Suppliers . People started to fly in all directions
      and to take up any job for More Money . Best Part Is , Money For
      Living ? That Is Where People are Misled . Money For Show Off and
      Stand Out From The Crowd . Is it not Incurable and Epidemic ?

      • 1
        0

        Hello whywhy,
        Here, up the hills in Central Province, most families have at least one member working in the Middle East or elsewhere. They depend on the remittances for their day to day living. I can assure you it is not for showing off. Why do you think more than 1 Million left the Country after the worst of Covid-19 declined? It is not just impoverished workers that are leaving – well educated and qualified Doctors, IT Engineers and Business Professionals are also escaping this Bankrupt (Politically and Financially) Country.
        The Politicians and many Business people (mostly men) are corrupt and this flows downwards to permeate into all strata of the population. To use your expression “Is it not Incurable and Epidemic?”
        Which Political Parties have a Vaccine to cure this and how are they going to administer it? The constraints imposed/agreed by the IMF are not renegotiable; it’s take it or leave it. The Lessons of Greece are possibly applicable to Sri Lanka https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/10/01/sp093019-The-IMF-and-the-Greek-Crisis-Myths-and-Realities
        As one Report said at the end “Lessons: Transparency is essential to financial credibility.”
        Best regards

        • 1
          0

          L S ,

          Hello L S , I respect your reply to one part of my package , indicating
          you are ok with the rest . Your point is not disagreeable either and I
          think we both are telling the truth and your side may have more
          weight . So , thank you for taking part .

  • 8
    0

    An area to look into and promote is merit based appointments and promotions.

    • 3
      0

      agree

    • 5
      0

      Nathan, this is really the heart of the matter. If appointments and promotions are based on merit there can be no nepotism, racism or corruption. That alone would transform society. But it must be rigorously enforced without exception.

      • 2
        1

        Paul
        There is also the matter of opportunity.
        Do people have equal opportunity in education?
        A sizeable section of the country is living well below the poverty line.

        • 0
          0

          SJ, ‘There is also the matter of opportunity.’

          Yes that’s something that has never been completely achieved anywhere, although some countries have made great strides. It should be a goal to aim for but it’s also linked to nepotism, racism etc.

  • 5
    5

    A Tall Task to expect from a Mediocrity from the Vernacular, to be the Leader of this Country, unable to speak a word of English and also with no experience. Only qualification, pointing out the weaknesses of the System, after being party to elect the Corrupt to Governance in the past. He is being propped by the supposed educated, who will breathe down his throat, with advice how to run the country ending up like the Cunjie Pot of the Seven Vagrants. Before long we will be back in the same situation that prevailed in 2022. Good Luck!

    • 5
      5

      NPP will be indeed be into a herculean task. Lankan money is being laundered left right and center on NYC real estate, Indian artwork, beauty contests (the ones Donald Trump used to handle), Channel and Cayman Island accounts Omg…..it it indeed a sorrowful situation for the common working masses, including our hardworking doctors who are slaving their lives away only to be taxed on high to make up for the money stolen out of the country. Yet NPP is the only one who can do it. The others will sell us totally to a place like India to temporarily play down some of the debt, before we soon lose our autonomy as a nation and become worker castes for India.

    • 7
      2

      Gamini, it may well be a disaster but the ordinary man sees no alternative. Should he stick with the same English speaking, qualified, experienced, corrupt politicians he’s had for 76 years?

      • 6
        1

        Paul

        “Should he stick with the same English speaking, qualified, experienced, corrupt politicians he’s had for 76 years?”

        You got a serious point there however the worry is that once the old guards of the JVP get hold of the state institutions and security apparatus (remember JVP controls most stupid militant Trade Union) how would people get rid of them given that Lal Kantha is planning to run Kangaroo Courts through out the island?

        JVP always wanted to centrally control the country.
        You know I like to have my freedom to exercise what I want to do, when I want to do, how many times I want to do, ……. I mean if I want to ease myself I don’t want to get permission from JVP functionaries nor do I want to do it according to their prescribed time or way, place, nor number of times. JVP will be tempted to restrict frequency time one ease ………. This will be equally applied to number of time I make ….. … my partner or partners (strictly applies to old Codger and nimal fernando).

        • 3
          0

          Native, that’s the great fear, that the the Lal Kantha types will oust AKD. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Are the liberal NPP intellectuals just useful idiots to the JVP? Well we will soon know. A time may come when the masses long for the corrupt governments they are used to.
          .
          Now regarding your scatalogical issues, the NPP may appoint Sinhala_Man as their official Time Keeper. He is always aware of the right time and you will have to get his permission if you want to vary the hour of defecation.

          • 6
            2

            Dear Paul,
            I don’t think people cut their throats by themselves. At the eleventh hour they will be forced to believe, NPP should not be our rulers.
            That would definitely set us back another 30 years and be a real mess. They should pay more attention to why the Greeks are taking 13 years to recover from their economic collapse.
            Z-genzies apparently don’t think deeply about anything. Compared to our generations (X-genzers) they are not cultured. They were the ones who rushed to paint the walls as soon as former president Gotabaya was ready to guide them. However, it lasted a short while.
            We always believed that uneducated Gota would make a really big mess, so we patiently allowed them.I did not have any doubt about that from the begining on.
            I simply believe, our people are not as stupid as we think. At least they will wake up at the last moment.

            • 1
              7

              How educated is “leelagemalli“? Well, he’s “a degree holder“!
              .
              But breeding begins to tell when the chips are down.
              .
              Please see what I have just said here:
              .
              https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-the-status-quo-an-endangered-species/
              .
              fortune has favoured the decent persons here. That comment has come on withing two minutes of being submitted. I was afraid that CT would feel constrained to censor that comment!
              .
              It is imperative that we speak out against manipulations of all sorts!
              .
              Panini Edirisinhe

              • 7
                0

                Sinhala_Man,
                .
                ‘Please see what I have just said here: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-the-status-quo-an-endangered-species/
                .
                You haven’t said anything there! You’ve not even mentioned the time of day.

                • 3
                  1

                  Paul,
                  Are you trying to make SM even more paranoid?

                  • 2
                    1

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzPnuHYF6n8

                    Let people hear the truth.මිනිස්සුන්ට ඇත්ත අහන්න දෙන්න.மக்கள் உண்மையைக் கேட்கட்டும்.

                    Lass die Menschen die Wahrheit hören.Laissez les gens entendre la vérité.Que la gente escuche la verdad.

                    • 3
                      0

                      Hello Leelagemalli,
                      Pontius Pilate to Jesus “What is Truth” especially in these days of Biden, Starmer, Modi, Ranil and Netanyahu. You have to fact check anything they say.
                      Best regards

                    • 4
                      0

                      LM,
                      .
                      মানুষ সত্য শুনতে দিন Mānuṣa satya śunatē dina

                      This is Bengali. How similar to Sinhala.

                  • 3
                    1

                    Dear OC, Paul and all other logical readers.
                    We had a pet dog at my ancestral home who lost a leg as back as late 70ties.. We always treated the dog with great care. It is the culture of Sri Lanka. Likewise, we should treat the Sinhalese man (who does not seem to know Sinhalese) kindly because we know how he thinks and what he knows, no matter what foolish thoughts he brings. My parents always told me that some people never see it right.

                    • 2
                      1

                      LS,
                      Please watch this video with your dear wife as it is in Sinhala language. This is a balanced dialogue.
                      .
                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mqiv1DnVoE&t=112s

                      Like it or not, everything is relative. Truth is also relative. Politicians cannot be 100% truthful wherever they are. It is poetry. I know some Germans hate Schulz’s politics. Some say the Green Party is playing with their rhetoric. Similarly, I see AKD and SJB leaders as big liars compared to RW and his supporters. I also see, and many thoughtful people will see as I see.

                  • 3
                    0

                    OC ‘Are you trying to make SM even more paranoid?’
                    .
                    Sorry, just pointing it out :)

              • 4
                1

                Dear Readers,
                The “Sinhala Man” who doesn’t know Sinhala was waiting for me to comment on the article
                .I’m sorry for bothering him. If he does not understand Sinhala properly, how can he understand the pulse of the people? This may seem obvious to everyone, but he will never be.

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Ou8kve7Co

                In any case, his wish is for the NPP to take power like in Greece and destroy this nation. This guy doesn’t know the least about a lot of things. He is good at chivalry and gossiping about people.

                Lately I haven’t had time to comment on posts like I used to because I’ve been busy with my work day. Some of us are surprised by the lack of fact-based CT posts over the past few weeks.
                .
                I mean, we could give our clowns another week to enjoy their free fun, but people will see it at the last minute.
                My guess about November 2019 Gotabaya is also correct. I am amazed today that so many comments about CT today are not based on facts.
                -With 10 days to go before the next election, let me add a few facts about Sri Lanka’s population:

                https://www.population-trends-asiapacific.org/data/LKA

              • 5
                1

                ‘How educated is “leelagemalli“? Well, he’s “a degree holder“! But breeding begins to tell when the chips are down.’
                .
                Damn poor show Sinhala_Man, I expected better of you. This comment says more about you than Leelagemalli.

                • 3
                  2

                  Paul,

                  “It is imperative that we speak out against manipulations of all sorts!”

                  Who manipulates the gallery? I think it is obvious.

                  For me, if AKD opens his mouth, right right, harida? harida ?. I have it in my mind that he doesn’t know anything.. I cant be wrong.. because I am thoughtful guy…
                  . it is just to fool people. He is also not a successful entrepreneur. He lives the gifts offered to him….is that the best prerequisite a leader should carry?

                  About SM:
                  Only Ruchira dares to praise him. As we now know Ruchira is mentally ill. . Says everything about SM. Busta.

                  That is because SM cannot speak other languages ​​in Sri Lanka except SL-English. Bandarawela people do not speak English but communicate in Sinhala and Tamil. What did this man do all his life when he got old in that country?

                  Nothing but gossiping around and trying to stand out by lashing out at anyone he thought against him.
                  ..
                  He is a role model for Janata Vimukti Peramuna because JVPrs are real – Kuhakayos…. I got to know them during my short stay at Pera. … all ragging events were handled by them…
                  .
                  We should pity him. According to him, It was not the JVP that killed the youths of 89-92… it was all done by then government or Ranil..??????? How stupid is that man to distort the truth and mislead those people?

                • 0
                  0

                  Yes, Paul,
                  .
                  Unfortunately, what you say is true
                  – but mostly because you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes.
                  .
                  Let me hope that this gets put on. I’m in Maharagama. The NPP headquaters at Pelawatte is not too far away. I will go there in a little while.
                  .
                  There’s plenty of investigation that will have to be done after AKD gets elected. I will then explain what I can’t now explain.
                  .
                  And I’m increasingly confident that he will be elected.
                  .
                  Look at what LM says on this page. He makes out that I don’t know Sinhala. Can you think of a more absurd claim? How does he think that I get on in a village? it is true that I don’t type Sinhala, and even
                  .
                  Be patient, my friend, and all will be revealed, soon after the Elections!
                  .
                  Panini Edirisinhe

              • 3
                1

                Sinhala_Man

                “AKD pledges to dissolve Sri Lanka parliament immediately upon election as president”
                Monday June 10, 2024
                https://economynext.com/

                He also said he will send 150 persons home.

                When will he have parliamentary elections, perhaps in 2044, only after obtaining old guards’ consent?

          • 3
            2

            Paul

            “He is always aware of the right time and you will have to get his permission if you want to vary the hour of defecation.”

            Thanks for your timely advice.
            Do I have to apply in advance or will a exchange of small gift do the trick?

            • 1
              0

              Native, under the incoming government the days of exchanging gifts are over, or so they tell me.

          • 2
            0

            Paul
            A JVP-led government has constraints that even JVP ‘hardliners’ cannot overcome.

            • 1
              0

              SJ, ‘A JVP-led government has constraints that even JVP ‘hardliners’ cannot overcome’
              .
              That’s true. They wouldn’t be able to withstand millions of disgruntled people. I’m always happy to hear sensible criticism. I learn a lot from it.

        • 2
          2

          Native,
          “Should he stick with the same English speaking, qualified, experienced, corrupt politicians”
          Are Sinhala speaking politicians any less corrupt? We may know by September 2025….

          • 1
            1

            old codger

            After the elections say Lal Kantha and his fellow old guards purge the party and exiles Anura and his fellow liberals in NPP to Tamil Nadu (Somawansa and his fellow racists sought Asylum in Tamilnadu in the late 1980s), if I chose to renounce my mundane life, leave my family and friends, find a Bodhi tree, sit underneath, contemplate,…….

            Do I still need to get permission from Lal Kantha’s ideological police, signed by Tilvin Silva, Vijitha Herath, Bimal Ratnayaka, Sunil Handunneththi, ……?

    • 4
      0

      This is why this article was written. But disagree about Anuras English knowledge which has no correlation to development but used as a tool by Elite to hammer the non affluents

    • 5
      0

      I can name many world leaders who did not speak a European language but led their countries out of misery.

      • 2
        0

        Hello SJ,
        You would be surprised at how many former UK Prime Ministers did not speak French or German despite being part of the European Union. I think Blair spoke passable French. In the past most of the Prime Ministers were Classically Educated and spoke Latin and Greek.
        In the Middle East I met quite a few Senior Politicians and Military, all of whom spoke (and wrote) excellent English. I even met the ex-Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra in Doha. He also spoke perfect English. He has some advice for Asian Governments here -https://www.cfr.org/event/conversation-thaksin-shinawatra
        Most of my French and German colleagues spoke very good English. However the British have a reputation of not being interested in learning other Languages. Personally I think Schools (in all Countries) should ensure that they teach a suitable variety of International Languages. But as you say there are very competent people that do not (or need to) speak English.
        Best regards

        • 0
          0

          I agree, dear LankaScot.
          .
          If it can be managed,
          the more languages a person can use, the better. However, it becomes less important by the day, owing to developments in technology.
          .
          Already, we have Google Translate. I have not yet been able to check whether at Anura’s London meeting, there was some simultaneous translation from Sinhala into Tamil using mobile phones. Even if it is not there yet, it’ll come quite soon.
          .
          Certain things, like CDs have already got obsolete. When I was told that, so little could I believe it, that I switched on a light and checked this two year old computer. No, it doesn’t have such a contraption.
          .
          My Belgian friend has an enviable command for five languages, and a passable command of another 7 or 8. It depends on how you count languages. Are Czech and Slovak (mutually intelligible) one language or two? As you say, Brits are notorious for knowing only English.
          .
          Those who want to believe “leelagemalli” about my not knowing Sinhala are welcome to so believe – and explain how I have lived 75 years within Asia with a knowledge of English only.
          .
          Panini Edirisinhe

  • 3
    0

    NPP already knows Imports and Local Production: that the past government culd not produce in our country and the reliance on imports for items like eggs, ginger, and chicken can be due to various factors such as local production capacity, cost-effectiveness, and quality standards. Encouraging local production could help reduce dependency on imports, but it requires investment in agriculture and infrastructure. Digital Literacy for Grama Sevakas: Providing computers and training for Grama Sevakas (village officers) could indeed improve efficiency in local administration. Digital literacy is crucial for modern governance, all govermnet related document could uploaded in this office and with proper training, it can be a quick and impactful change.
    Leadership and Accountability: The mention of NPP (National People’s Power) and the failures of past leaders highlights the need for accountability and transparency in governance. Learning from past mistakes is essential for any political party to gain and maintain public trust.
    Gota’s Rise to Power: Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s rise to power was indeed marked by emotional appeals and promises of change. However, the subsequent economic challenges and the country’s bankruptcy have led to widespread disillusionment. It’s a reminder that effective governance requires more than just winning elections; it requires sustainable policies and responsible leadership.

    • 0
      0

      That is my point. The real challenges are yet to come

  • 3
    1

    Gamini the toff has emerged from his place of hiding to ridicule the Sinhala speaking NPP. Does he stop for a moment to think that it is the fault of the failed education system that his idol RW was part of for almost half a century that has created this under class of educated young men and women who are not proficient in English? Shame on him, and his pathetic bigotry.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.