{"id":186598,"date":"2018-01-21T00:04:33","date_gmt":"2018-01-20T18:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=186598"},"modified":"2018-01-24T12:34:44","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T07:04:44","slug":"democracy-with-sri-lankan-characteristics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/democracy-with-sri-lankan-characteristics\/","title":{"rendered":"Democracy With Sri Lankan Characteristics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><strong>By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s=Aravinth+Kumar\">Aravinth Kumar<\/a> \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Aravinth-Kumar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-144172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Aravinth-Kumar-129x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"129\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>Multi-party democratic rule in Sri Lanka and socialist rule in China commenced around the same time in the late 1940s. Both political systems proved to be complete disasters, stifling the growth and development of the two nations. Fortunately for China, the visionary Deng Xiaoping fully understood that the socialist system was failing his country and adapted \u201csocialism with Chinese characteristics&#8221;. In doing so, China went from a poverty stricken nation to becoming the second largest economy in a generation. In fact, it has transformed so rapidly that it has been predicted that China will have the largest economy by 2040 (if not sooner). Sri Lanka on the other hand has persisted with a flawed multi-party democracy, trapping itself in a cycle. If Sri Lanka has any intention of breaking this trap and emulating China, Sri Lanka too will need to adapt its \u201cdemocracy with Sri Lankan characteristics\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">How has a multi-party democracy trapped Sri Lanka\u2019s economy? Well, since gaining independence from the British in 1948, Sri Lanka\u2019s democracy has charted the following disastrous political cycle:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">An election is called. All political parties issue their mandate of what they wish to achieve if given power. Usually, these political parties offer a populist manifesto completely disregarding the impact on the economy (or national unity). During the campaign, political parties provide all thoughts of tangible goodies to entice the citizens to vote for them. As Lee Kuan Yew famously stated, Sri Lanka\u2019s elections are an \u201cauctions of non-existent resources\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">The people vote in a party which is usually either an UNP or SLFP led alliance. The party forms a government for a period of 5 years. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">Once in power, the UNP\/SLFP looks to pay back those who helped with their election win, as well as help family and friends. This is usually through providing jobs in the public sector thus depriving the state of competent individuals. Unaffordable populist measures as stated in their manifesto are enacted, such as public sector pay rises or fuel subsidies, requiring the government to borrow high interest loans creating economic instability e.g. balances of payment crises, increasing inflation and currency collapses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">In the rare case that a government does attempt meaningful development, be it from a change in law or a physical infrastructure project, the opposition parties will block it just to prevent their \u201cenemy\u201d taking credit for helping the nation to develop. In doing so, the opposition can then claim that the current government has done nothing of benefit and the people should vote them into power.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">With the economy suffering and the next set of elections around the corner, the government of the day starts scapegoating and trying to turn people\u2019s attention away from their poor mismanagement by stroking nationalistic\/ethnic\/religious sentiment and\/or (further) offering economically damaging policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">With the government not having made any meaningful action to improve the country, come the next election, the people usually turn to the opposition (i.e. if it\u2019s an UNP backed government then power shifts to a SLFP backed government and vice versa). <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Whilst the above political cycle is somewhat generalised, on the whole, it is fair to say that for the last 70 years, Sri Lanka has mostly seen its economy move forward only to falter and move three steps back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This is primarily down to the multi-party democracy practised in Sri Lanka which consists of three fundamental flaws:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">Firstly, it\u2019s too short term focused. Governments are only interested in making quick short term changes which can be easily seen and felt by the citizens before the next round of elections. They therefore have no incentive to take any notice of the impact on the country or economy in the mid\/long term. <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">Secondly, the opposition will always oppose anything even if it brings benefits. Allowing their rival to develop the country would be like shooting oneself in the foot i.e. preventing them obtaining their primary goal; political power.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s2\">Lastly, whilst citizens of a country demand improvements in their life, most are scared about the impact of major but necessary changes. Opposition parties latch on to this inherent fear and play the political card. There are numerous times when parties have tried to introduce well meaningful laws only to feel a hostile reaction from some in the voting public backed by opposition members. Wanting to retain power, many governments have scrapped and fallen to the demands of the people, which usually creates\/furthers a negative impact on the economy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">It probably explains why, of all the newly independent nations which have become developed countries in the last 30 years, such as Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea etc., none of them operated an open multi-party democracy like in Sri Lanka. In fact, it even fails in the countries which first embraced democracy! However, in such countries, which are usually already a developed nation, the model of democracy is not a major hindrance. This is mainly because significant changes are not required as compared to a developing country like Sri Lanka. Take for example the UK. There have been ongoing proposals to create a third runway at London Heathrow Airport. However, there is a large amount of opposition from certain citizens as well as some political parties. However, let\u2019s assume building this runway is a good thing, not constructing the runway is not going to have a major impact as there is already two other runways in operation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Additionally, there are numerous high class airports situated around the country including three situated in close proximity to London. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Now, compare this to a developing country like Sri Lanka where the need for infrastructure is vital.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Take travelling between Colombo and the second city, Kandy. Whilst there are methods of travelling between the two cities these aren&#8217;t on the scale as in a country like the UK. Travelling by public transport is not the most enjoyable trip, with the infrastructure old and dilapidated and buses\/trains leaving at irregular times. If one where to drive this 71 mile journey, it could sometimes take the same amount of time as it would to fly from Colombo to Singapore! Thus, any improvements of either a road or a new rail link would create major economic benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">So, considering the benefits which can be gained, why has Sri Lanka not invested money into improving transport links? Answer: Sri Lanka&#8217;s multi-party democracy. Sri Lanka has two major parties that power has alternated between since independence. Both parties are keen to develop the country (or they state), yet at the same time both parties are keen to prevent their rival from being the one in charge of such development. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Thus, the intention of the SLFP\/UNP when in opposition is to oppose just so credit is not given to the government of the day. A case in point is the construction of the Colombo Port City, a large 269 hectare of sea filled land being built by the Chinese at a cost of $1.4 billion. The project was initiated in 2014 by the previous Rajapaksa government with much objection by the UNP. So much so, that during the parliamentary election campaign in 2015, the leader of the UNP, Ranil Wickremesinghe, stated they would stop construction on the grounds of environmental concerns. Whilst there was a standstill for a year after the UNP gained power, construction is back in full swing with the Prime Minister having made a site visit in the first week of January 2018. Funnily enough, even though Ranil Wickremesinghe had proposed scrapping the Port City project during the 2015 election campaign, it was actually he himself who had initially proposed the idea in 2002 whilst he was Prime Minster. However with the loss of power in the 2004 election, the actual credit for commencing the project was to be taken by Mahinda Rajapaksa. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">This is not unique to just development but the same process occurs in other areas like the ethnic front. Most parties when in power have agreed to provide some form of power sharing with the minorities only for the opposition to scuttle the process, as the opposition aims to appeal to the majority vote. For example, in 2000, the SLFP drafted a new constitution offering devolution of power. This draft, prepared by G.L. Periris, was ripped and burnt by UNP members and there were calls from the UNP opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for the impeachment of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Roll forward, 15 years and the unity government under Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed a new constitution which shares similarities to the 2000 draft constitution. As expected in a flawed multi-party democracy like Sri Lanka, the proposal to introduce a new constitution has been opposed by the very members, like G.L. Periris, who helped draft and vote for the 2000 constitution! <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Thus, at this point, it would seem that removing party politics is the requirement of the day. However, as seen around the world, even with a weak or no opposition, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you can develop your country e.g. Mugabe\u2019s authoritarian democracy or communist North Korea.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>A political system requires educated and visionary leaders who have a clear understanding of the needs for their economy\/nation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Take Singapore under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew who understood very well what his country needed and how to get it done. With the lack of an able opposition, Lee was able to push through hard to stomach but necessary changes. For instance, he closed and merged the only Chinese speaking university in Singapore, Nanyang University, with University of Singapore in 1980 to form the National University of Singapore with English as the medium language. Even with strong public protests from the Chinese majority (who form a majority of the voting public), Lee Kuan Yew pushed through the merger, understanding that there could be future social\/racial issues as Chinese educated students would be unable to compete against English-educated graduates for jobs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Whilst highly unpopular at the time, in the long run it proved to be highly beneficial to the Chinese community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Contrast this to Sri Lanka under the previous authoritarian SLFP rule. With a weak opposition and a popular war winning leader in power, Mahinda Rajapaksa had one of the best opportunities of turning Sri Lanka into an economic power house. Whilst there were many commendable improvements in the country, there were also far too many misguided decisions. Take for example the millions in Chinese loans taken to build flawed development projects such as the \u201cMattala Rajapaksa International Airport\u201d which has the infamous honour of being the \u201cworld\u2019s emptiest international airport\u201d and has helped put Sri Lanka into a major debt crisis. If a fraction of this loaned money had been spent on improving the highly congested and decrepit Bandaranaike International Airport, it probably would have generated enough return to invest in a second airport. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Sri Lanka has had democracy for over 70 years. However the system needs tinkering to be more conducive to where Sri Lanka\u2019s economy is currently placed and more importantly the Sri Lankan political culture. People in a developing country think more short term, ignoring the potentially greater fruit from waiting or \u2018suffering\u2019 from changes in laws which those in countries like Singapore and South Korea dealt with. People have been easily manipulated by the party in opposition (applies to all political parties) who are only interested in gaining power. With all this in mind and the clear facts pointing to multi-party democracy for being the primary cause for Sri Lanka regressing since independence, I would like to put forward a conceptual framework of a \u201cdemocracy with Sri Lankan Characteristics\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>The framework: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">The country will be governed by a \u201cNational Chamber\u201d. This chamber will be made up of 25 elected officials who will also act as a representative to each of the 25 districts of Sri Lanka. They will be in power for a period of 10 years before new elections are held. Each member will be allocated with one cabinet position. One of the 25 members will also be chosen as the President but will not have any powers which distinguish him\/her from the rest of the members. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">All potential members will be required to have as a minimum; a 2:1 from a reputable university, 10 years of non-political work experience in either the public or private sector and a completely clean history i.e. no criminal record. If the citizens feel a member has lost their credibility at any time during the 10 years, a certain number of signatures will need to be collected within say 100 days and if collected, a by-election will be called. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">At the next level, there will be a \u201cCouncil of Representatives\u201d. The Council will be made up of 50 non-elected members of eminence and integrity who have distinguished themselves in public or professional life and have no conflicting connection with a member in the National Chamber. Members will be chosen to join by the pre-existing members of the Council of Representatives. The Council will be tasked with reviewing bills that the National Chamber approves, ensuring no bills have any corrupt activities connected to them. It will however not be able to prevent any bills passing into law. If members of the National Chamber deem a potential Council member has lost their eminence or integrity, the citizens will be provided a vote to choose to keep them or get rid of them. Also, like with the National Chamber, if the citizens feel a member is no longer trustworthy a vote can be called to remove such a member. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">The final level of governance will be the \u201cDistrict Council\u201d. Each district will have a council with the number of seats depending on the number of pre-existing \u201cDivisional Secretariats\u201d. All members to the divisional secretariats will be for a 5 year basis. The district council will have decentralised power. They will be in charge of ensuring the laws set out by the National Chamber are enforced. Each district representative in the National Chamber will be tasked with checking the enforcement. They will also relay issues which arise in the \u201cDistrict Council\u201d during the National Chamber meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">Whilst the above is not a comprehensive structure, it gives a rough start on building a democracy void of the fundamental weakness that currently exist i.e. being too short term, opposition parties opposing everything and playing the political card. If we can adapt our \u201cdemocracy with Sri Lankan characteristics\u201d, maybe we can see Sri Lanka emulate China and become a prosperous nation within our generation.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":144172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,46,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-constitutional-reforms","category-editorial"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Democracy With Sri Lankan Characteristics - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/democracy-with-sri-lankan-characteristics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Democracy With Sri Lankan Characteristics - 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