{"id":242771,"date":"2025-07-29T00:58:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T19:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=242771"},"modified":"2025-08-11T00:25:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T18:55:40","slug":"political-divisions-imperil-national-problem-solving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/political-divisions-imperil-national-problem-solving\/","title":{"rendered":"Political Divisions Imperil National Problem Solving"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jehan Perera<\/a> –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Jehan Perera<\/p><\/div>\n

There is a high level of political polarisation in the country today. Specific manifestations of this polarisation can be seen in the criticism of the government\u2019s proposed educational reforms. There is reluctance on the part of the opposition to give the government any credit for what it is doing. Even what it is doing well, such as keeping the economy stable, is downplayed due to a simple following of the policies of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe<\/a><\/span>. Criminal and drug-related violence that\u00a0 have existed in the past, and was worse in the past, is being blamed on the government\u2019s ineffectiveness.<\/p>\n

However, more objective\u00a0 authorities such as the IMF<\/a><\/span> appear to be satisfied with the government\u2019s performance both with respect to meeting economic targets and governance in general. Their position is that the government is delivering\u00a0 on its targets in relation to the agreement it has with the IMF, and this reflects commitment and genuineness in relation to both economic and governance reform. In fact, the IMF has opined that Sri Lanka\u2019s economic\u00a0 turnaround, and the discipline of the government, is an\u00a0 example to\u00a0 other countries.<\/p>\n

While political rivalry is not new to the country, what distinguishes the present moment is the sharp rupture in relationships at the highest levels of government and opposition. This is an estrangement that can undermine efforts to solve problems that demand unity of purpose. The\u00a0 main cause of the acute polarisation in the polity at this time is likely to be the unprecedented manner in which the government has been pursuing those\u00a0 guilty of economic\u00a0 corruption and abuse of power in the past. The past several months have seen\u00a0 a spate of corruption cases being filed in the courts against political figures once thought to be beyond the reach of the law.<\/p>\n

Unlike in the past when the cases were filed in a half-hearted manner, and seemingly designed to\u00a0 fail, this time they are being\u00a0 filed in earnest, which is seen in the high conviction rate and the severe punishments being meted out to those who once strode the national political stage with impunity. The convictions secured and the punishments imposed have sent an unmistakable message that this time accountability is for real. This\u00a0 would be very anxiety provoking\u00a0 to virtually anyone who has held government office in the past. However, corruption and abuse of power need to be rooted out if the country is to progress.<\/p>\n

Celebrating Chandrika<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0 recent public event that once again highlighted the polarisation in society was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation and the 80th birthday of former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga<\/a><\/span>. The event was not merely a celebration of a former head of state. It was a reminder of a time when the government leadership sought to build consensus across party lines to address national problems most notably the ethnic conflict. Former President Kumaratunga\u2019s government initiated the most sustained effort yet to bring Sri Lanka\u2019s civil war to a peaceful conclusion through political reform. Her attempts to forge a national consensus spanned all levels of society, from grassroots to parliament.<\/p>\n

The main feature at the event was a video presentation of the highlights of the life of the former\u00a0 president, from the days of her childhood, to her academic pursuits, personal tragedies and rise to the presidency. At the centre of its message was the former president\u2019s effort to bring the ethnic conflict and war that was then raging to a peaceful conclusion through political\u00a0 reform.\u00a0However, lack of political consensus ultimately derailed President Kumaratunga\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n