{"id":131017,"date":"2014-09-30T12:11:40","date_gmt":"2014-09-30T06:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=131017"},"modified":"2014-10-07T04:35:23","modified_gmt":"2014-10-06T23:05:23","slug":"an-open-letter-to-the-president-be-the-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/an-open-letter-to-the-president-be-the-change\/","title":{"rendered":"An Open Letter To The President: Be The Change!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Chandra Jayaratne<\/span><\/a> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chandra<\/a>

Chandra Jayaratne<\/p><\/div>\n

Dear Mr. President,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be the change you want to see in the world\u201d <\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

The Sri Lankan Lion roared at the 69th<\/sup> Session of the UN General Assembly reminding the global community that \u201c\u2026,<\/b> in order<\/b> to gain the confidence and goodwill of the international community as a whole, but one of the<\/b> essential requirements was<\/b> consistency of standards<\/b> across the board without any perceptions of selectivity or discrimination. It is in this context that the current functioning of the system needs fresh examination in order to enhance its credibility. To be successful, this process must involve de-politicisation of the UN System and mechanisms and they must stop being hostage to different forms of funding\u2026\u201d <\/b><\/p>\n

At the same time a lion cub on behalf of the Sri Lankan Lion roared in Geneva, stating \u201c\u2026The government of Sri Lanka does not wish to help legitamise a flawed process and have a detrimental precedent established\u2026.What Sri Lanka needs at this juncture is to be encouraged and not impeded\u2026.the principled opposition to the OHCHR investigation stems from several well founded concerns; its politically motivated agenda; it challenges the sovereignty and the independence\u2026;it violates a fundamental principle of international law;\u2026\u2026 by appointment of high level international figures, who are by no means \u2019technical experts relevant to the investigation\u2019 \u2026lack of transparency of the investigation is in clear contravention of the principles of natural justice\u2026arbitrary and selective action\u2026\u2026deviation from established mandates and processes\u2026.addressing accountability issues has to be based on available evidence properly sourced and verified\u2026updates replete with accusations and unsubstantiated statistics\u2026\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Mahinda<\/a>Are these very same criticisms not be equally applicable to Sri Lanka and all its people, as well as its businesses and civil society, especially in relation to the internal governance and Executive action within Sri Lanka? If so, will not the prescription of a fresh examination of the current functioning of the system and a de-politicisation of the system and mechanisms of governance not be an essential priority change in Sri Lanka as well? <\/b><\/p>\n

Who can disregard the priority need for de-politisation of the system; assurance that independent persons of integrity, capability and proven track record are at the helm of Public Life, (including in the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary); Public Institutions and Regulatory bodies act with independence and with commitment to principles of natural justice; the application of the Rule of law and Justice Systems are transparent, unbiased, fair and just; selections to high posts are persons with requisite technical and professional expertise sans nepotism and cronyism; equality is a right of all citizens and they are not discriminated by race, religion, status, political leaning nor by their voice of advocacy : national resource allocations are fair and equitable and based on priority needs of all citizens; state spends are economic, efficient and effective for purpose and not tainted by waste and corruption; policy and regulatory systems follow best practices and are not impacted by state capture nor corruption; deviations from established mandates and processes are transparent and uphold principles of natural justice; accountability is demanded from all based on evidence; statistics are accurate and transparent; transparent Environmental, Ecological and Social Impact assessments precede all new initiatives; legal and regulatory reforms are prioritized and are in accord with principles of natural justice; Media Freedoms are not directly or indirectly controlled and Voices of Advocacy are not treated as voices of \u2018traitors\u2019; Democratic and Human Rights are protected and International Commitments are upheld:<\/p>\n

By way of a \u201cReflection\u201d it is time to trace back and validate whether the recent history of governance and administration, especially over the last two years have upheld in Sri Lanka the very same principles referred to above. An independent view seen through a transparent eye of integrity will bring out the many deviations and discriminatory practices in governance.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. President, if you were to focus on a series of discriminatory acts of governance targeting a single community, based on unfair perceptions and unjust accusations, wit associated attempts to control and restrict the freedom of association, activities and expressions of a community, please review the recent actions of the government targeting the NGO Community. Do these actions and proposed legislative reforms, believed to be championed by the Defense establishment, pass the very same principles you and the government articulated before the UN General Assembly and the UNHRC?<\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. President, in order<\/b> to gain the confidence and goodwill of the Sri Lankan community as a whole, accepting that the Sri Lankan Civil Society needs at this juncture to be encouraged and not impeded, please evaluate, in terms of the great philosophy and the words of wisdom of Gauthama the Buddha, which you articulated before the UN General Assembly, whether the NGO community as a whole, (including Good Governance and Anti Corruption Activists, Human Rights Defenders, Environmentalists as well as Social Welfare Entities), have been treated fairly, upholding principles of natural justice and with consistency of standards across the board and without political motives\u00a0 and perceptions of selectivity or discrimination?<\/b><\/p>\n

Please also reflect, whether the present and planned actions, circulars and legal and regulatory reforms dealing with NGO\u2019s, pass the tests of just and fairness and are in compliance with international best practices, standards and conventions, and specifically whether before enacting laws to require NGO\u2019s<\/b>:<\/p>\n