The severity of the current financial crisis was the buzzword that was being discussed throughout the nation during the past few weeks among both laymen and intellectuals in the country.
Although the substances were different, the core subject was the hardships experienced by the masses who are not responsible for the calamitous state of affairs. While experts discussed the theories, the general public not only expressed their displeasure in many ways but also offered suggestions in their own capacities.
As it always happens in Sri Lanka, almost every political party, not only those in Opposition but also those in the Government, as its coalition partners, tries their best to obtain the maximum political mileage out of the prevailing adverse situation.
Most often, the opinions of these parties seem genuine, but the actual intention of the majority of them is to collect votes in the next election for their candidates.
Sri Lankan politics
With this intention, regardless of the undesirable repercussions that may harm the public as a whole, they attempt to instigate the general public by utilising any means available.
‘Fishing in troubled waters’ has been synonymous with Sri Lankan politics since its independence. Rarely can a politician be identified without such sentiment.
As everyone knows, the economic crisis has now reached a boiling point. A mature democracy that believes in public well-being responds to the situation with a united effort.
Instead, in Sri Lanka, with a political culture where the political motto of all political factions is “democratic governance”, most Opposition parties seek political gains by discrediting the Government. Each of them wants to expand their support base with the expectation of grabbing power.
The hurriedly called All Party Conference (APC) to resolve the crisis has not given the expected outcome. Important Opposition parties with strong membership bases declined to participate, citing various reasons.
Clearly, most of the parties that did not take part said that the conference would not serve its purpose. However, the idea behind their decision to abscond may have been based on the impression that they would lose the opportunities currently available politically due to the inefficiency of the Government carrying on with important public issues.
A neutral citizen fails to understand why the keynote speaker began the proceedings with a seemingly political background when members of the “cordially invited” Opposition were present for the occasion.
The opinion of many pro-Government intellectuals was that the opening speech should have been much more consensual because the purpose of the APC was to draw mutually agreeable proposals to confront the challenges.
Blaming each other for past mistakes does not offer any solution to the economic crisis. Although calling for assistance is a positive step, the regrettable fact is that the political culture is such that a united response is doubtful as of yet.
Multi-party members
However, some factions of the ruling party are proposing a Cabinet with combined multi-party members who will temporarily take over the decision-making process, until the country comes out of the prevailing turmoil. The Government’s response to the proposal was not clear at the time of writing this article.
Overthrowing the Government at this juncture is not prudent as none of the Opposition parties that are vying for power have produced any pragmatic solution to the economic crisis or how they propose to draw in foreign exchange.
Even in this critical movement, these political parties either oppose or mock all attempts to obtain foreign assistance and are only engaged in the blame game. They do not realise that if they gain power by some means, survival cannot be found without foreign support.
The multi-party political system in Sri Lanka is ideological rather than pragmatic and practical. Hence, regime change has not given any benefit to the country during the past many decades. As a result, policies change according to the whims and fancies of the ruling political leaders.
The country has seen many examples where policies beneficial to the general public are changed mercilessly whenever a new Government is formed. This is a practice that must be stopped by someone soon.
The pertinent question is whether if the incumbent Government is removed, the incoming new Government can provide immediate solutions to the prevailing shortage of essentials such as fuel, LP gas, milk powder, and other commodities. Or whether the situation will deteriorate further if a new Government is in power?
Also, how a new Government will prevent the malpractices and corruption of the rotten public service is unclear. Even if the leaders of such a new Government are uncorrupted and genuine, how long will it take for them to tackle the ongoing corruption in the public sector?
Also, their proposal on numerous loss-making state-owned enterprises, the biggest burden on taxpayers, has not been discussed openly as of yet. It is no secret that the purpose of the vast majority of these retarded SOEs is to provide luxuries to the political henchmen who run those entities.
The countries that are already assisting with foreign currency loans may think twice before offering further help due to the possible uncertain political situation.
The IMF, which is already planning to provide financial assistance, will also reassess the political situation. All these already enormously delayed processes will require more time to respond. The country may not have the luxury of holding out any longer with almost empty coffers to import essential commodities required for day-to-day consumption.
However, as this writer has repeatedly said, a political consensus is required at this point in order to find solutions to many pressing issues. If not, the escalating public anger will be directed toward the President and the whole Parliament. The entire political system should get together and work towards a common goal.
The public outcry that all politicians are corrupt is not a good sign for the Government, Opposition, and all other political parties, or even for the country. No doubt that a huge change in the political culture of the system is expected by the people at large, particularly the youth.
Extraordinary privileges
They rightly demand that politicians be public servants, not some elite class who are above the people.
Therefore, a new but definite sentiment is emerging among the masses that the extraordinary privileges politicians enjoy must be curtailed, not only regarding material benefits but also concerning power.
The country needs a strong Government to overcome the numerous challenges that lie ahead.
However, a mere head roll will not provide a long-lasting solution. The citizenry is looking forward to new ideologies that are people-centered and free of corruption.
If the same politicians are elected in the next election, the repercussions will be no different. It is highly doubtful that the serving parliamentarians will fulfill this need.
Hence, a new political order may be the solution to the burning situation in the country.