{"id":240523,"date":"2025-01-13T13:14:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T07:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=240523"},"modified":"2025-01-21T19:12:22","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T13:42:22","slug":"clean-sri-lanka-a-higher-call-for-a-fresh-start-with-global-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/clean-sri-lanka-a-higher-call-for-a-fresh-start-with-global-lessons\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Sri Lanka: A Higher Call For A Fresh Start With Global Lessons"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Asanga Abeyagoonasekera<\/a>\u00a0\u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"

Asanga Abeygoonasekera<\/p><\/div>\n

In the annals of transformative leadership, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Singapore\u2019s journey from a struggling city-state to a global benchmark of efficiency and innovation. On October 1, 1968, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the \u201cKeep Singapore Clean<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u201d campaign. This initiative transcended mere environmental cleanliness; it represented a broader vision of civic responsibility and unity. Over decades, Singapore transformed into the \u201cGarden City,\u201d a testament to visionary leadership, meticulous planning, and consistent policy implementation.<\/p>\n

Last year, during a conversation I had with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Capella, he reiterated Singapore’s unwavering commitment to this vision. \u201cContinuity is key,\u201d he emphasized, pointing out that the success of the Garden City initiative lies not only in its inception but in its seamless evolution across generations.<\/p>\n

However, not every nation has been able to replicate such sustained success. Amidst an inherited turbulence, caused by years of corruption and mismanagement, leading to bankruptcy, Sri Lanka\u2019s new leadership under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake<\/a><\/span> (AKD) has unveiled the \u201cClean Sri Lanka Program<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u201d Like Singapore\u2019s campaign, it seeks to cleanse the nation\u2019s ethical and governance landscape.<\/p>\n

To understand Sri Lanka\u2019s journey, one must first grapple with its history. Decades of civil war, political upheaval, and economic mismanagement have entrenched systemic corruption and weakened institutions. The 2022 Aragalaya <\/i>protests, which marked a mass uprising against political corruption, underscored the public\u2019s frustration with the status quo.<\/span><\/p>\n

On assumption of office AKD\u2019s legacy was not just an economic crisis but a moral one. His Clean Sri Lanka initiative, launched with great fanfare, seeks to address both. At its core, the Clean Sri Lanka Program is both symbolic and practical. It aims to eradicate corruption, foster transparency, and rebuild trust between the government and its citizens. Yet, its success depends on addressing deep-seated structural issues. \u201cIn Sri Lanka, when you sign payments for casino bills as secretary of the Foreign Ministry, you get a promotion\u2014not a demotion.\u201d AKD once remarked to me during a dinner at the Organization for Professional Associations (OPA). Such anecdotes reveal the entrenched culture of impunity that AKD\u2019s administration must dismantle. Yet, as history teaches us, the journey from vision to reality is fraught with challenges. Cleaning implies the existence of uncleanliness, which can be transnational. The roots, elsewhere, in weaving the web of corruption and other undesirables, find territories most fertile where disorder is rampant.<\/p>\n

Having studied and observed leadership at similar campaigns across the world, I observe that while their contexts vary, the core principles remain the same: visionary leadership, grassroots participation, and a focus on long-term outcomes. Below is a comparative table illustrating the challenges, approaches, and outcomes of such campaigns:\"\"<\/p>\n

This table highlights that only a very few administrations record a sustained success story with universal acclamation.<\/p>\n

Countries like Singapore, South Africa, and the Philippines offer valuable lessons. Singapore\u2019s success highlights the importance of consistent policy and civic engagement. South Africa\u2019s struggles underline the need for strong governance mechanisms, while the Philippines\u2019 polarizing campaigns caution against approaches that alienate segments of society. For Sri Lanka, the path forward lies in a balanced approach. Top-down leadership must be complemented by grassroots participation. Transparency must be paired with accountability, and most importantly, short-term wins must not overshadow the long-term vision.<\/p>\n

Despite its potential, the Clean Sri Lanka Program faces significant hurdles. First, there is the challenge of public cynicism. Decades of unfulfilled promises (called politician\u2019s promises) have eroded trust in government initiatives. Winning back the trust of the people will require more than rhetoric; it will demand tangible results. Second, there is the risk of political mismanagement. Sri Lanka\u2019s political landscape has long been characterized by factionalism and short-termism. Insulation from political machinations is sine qua non for the success of Clean Sri Lanka initiative.<\/p>\n

Third, there is the question of resources. Transformative campaigns require significant investment\u2014not just financial but also in terms of human capital. Sri Lanka\u2019s economic constraints could hinder its ability to sustain such efforts.<\/p>\n

Having served as a Technical Advisor for the IMF\u2019s Governance Diagnostic Assessment Report<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> I clearly state that Sri Lanka\u2019s corruption cycle has been a key contributor to its current crisis. The crisis itself is a byproduct of governance mismanagement, institutional weaknesses, and large-scale corruption. The recommendations drawn from the IMF report emphasize the need for structural adjustments to strengthen institutional frameworks and governance mechanisms. The Clean Sri Lanka Program represents an important and timely step forward in addressing these systemic issues.<\/p>\n

To overcome these challenges, Sri Lanka must adopt an integrated approach. The Economic, Environmental, Social, and Governance (EESG) framework offers a roadmap for sustainable development. By aligning its initiatives with these principles, Sri Lanka can ensure that its efforts are not just impactful but also sustainable.<\/p>\n

Moreover, international collaboration will be crucial. Whether it is learning from Singapore\u2019s policies, leveraging South Africa\u2019s grassroots mobilization strategies, or avoiding the pitfalls of Mexico\u2019s militarized approach, Sri Lanka must draw from global best practices. I was once invited to Mexico\u00a0to understand President Felipe Calder\u00f3n\u2019s battle with drug cartels\u2014an effort that, while initially heralded, ended up overwhelming his presidency due to escalating violence and social unrest. This experience reinforced the importance of carefully balancing ambition with pragmatism in governance reforms.<\/p>\n

In South Africa, while visiting\u00a0Khayelitsha, one of the most violent townships in the country plagued by gun violence and drug abuse, I witnessed the stark realities of failed governance. Despite various cleanup initiatives by successive governments, Khayelitsha remains a symbol of systemic failure. These failures stem from internal constraints\u2014economic and socio-political upheavals that have created a complex web of challenges, rendering government mechanisms ineffective. The lessons from Khayelitsha\u2019s struggles underline the importance of addressing root causes, including poverty, inequality, and institutional weaknesses, to ensure the success of reform initiatives.<\/p>\n

As I reflect on Sri Lanka\u2019s journey, I am reminded of a quote by the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, \u201cGreat things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.\u201d\u00a0 The Clean Sri Lanka Program is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to embody this principle. The road ahead will not be easy. Change is rarely linear, and setbacks are inevitable. But with visionary leadership, active citizen participation, and a commitment to transparency, Sri Lanka can chart a new course.<\/p>\n

In the act of cleaning, there lies a deeper renewal\u2014a hope that Sri Lanka, burdened by decades of mismanagement, may finally rediscover its potential and rise anew.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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