A time to be bold. Is it time for change? Will the clamour for ‘system change’ eventuate? – By Aubrey Joachim
Cats and dogs are not on the menu of election debates in Sri Lanka. However, it certainly seems like all the parties involved are fighting like cats and dogs! The last few weeks have seen an increase in the barking, snarling, scratching and even the lifting of hind legs as the various groups piss on each other. Key figures have been moving between political camps, hedging their bets and carrying their mange like stray dogs polluting what may have at one time been clean camps. Meanwhile, the masses of voters are joining in the melee following the pack not any the wiser, with the only clue being the odour of the mange and the droppings!
The Economic aspirations
On another level, the high profile business briefings, town hall style meetings and chamber of commerce debates are showcasing another more refined side of Sri Lankan politics which will certainly promote the country as a MICE market (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) that some of the manifestos have included in their future tourism aspirations. Millions of rupees have been spent on the high-tech sound, lighting and AI enabled instant translations. Most of the presentations were in English – perhaps to keep international stakeholders abreast of what each of the parties are promising the Lankans. The glossy economic blueprints and prospectuses are all indicative of high level professionalism that has gone into their compilations. At least two camps economic documents stand out. If all the promises and aspirations are to be believed Sri Lanka will certainly be paradise in the not too distant future.
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The electioneering has kept pace with the rise in technology and Sri Lankan digital skills are on full display. Various party spokespersons have been appearing on TV and Youtube channels like snake oil salespersons peddling their wares. Once again some better than others with their cases well prosecuted for the change that is so badly needed. Meanwhile the darker side of deep fake digitisation is also at play adding to the blatant mis-information being flung like horse poo. Even the bright and intelligent are unable to decipher the truth – or choose to selectively assimilate such garbage.
The diaspora
While the centre stage is in Sri Lanka, the global diaspora is keenly following the happenings on their digital devices. As D-day nears, some are even going back to put their money where mouth is and place that ‘X’ against their perceived saviour of the nation. Heated debate is consuming digital data with various factions expressing their opinions and views. Arguments abound and friendships are frayed.
The economy and corruption
Two key issues are at play – the economy and deep rooted corruption. If truth be told the two are inextricably linked. The current predicament the country is in today would never eventuated if there was no corruption. The economy could have been on auto pilot! For a country like Sri Lanka with all the human ingenuity and natural resources as well as its geo-political positioning and international rapport, economic advancement should have been plain sailing. Any mediocre political leadership that focussed on governance alone should have been able to effectively manage the economy and develop the country – unless major economic policy blunders are made. However, corruption at every level across all areas of the economy has brought down the country – and its people’s lives.
Thus while the glossy economic brochures and the fluent business presentations of the two perceived front-runners are fairly similar in their economic outlook and if managed well, can bring the country out of the mire, one of them is stronger in its stance on corruption. If corruption is to be addressed seriously by any party, then their own stables should be clean. Even the mere stench of impropriety will cast doubt on their ability to eliminate the curse of corruption. Miscreants in their ranks will indicate that they are not serious. As the saying goes ‘turkeys will not vote for Christmas.”
At this stage it must be noted that both major opposition front-runners have definitely indicated that the IMF loan terms will be re-negotiated to ease the burden on the working class and shift more of the responsibility of economic revival on to the rich. (Bloomberg 13/9/24)
For voters to note
A plethora of mis-information and falsities are flying thick and fast regarding all the players on the field and must be carefully deciphered. The private sector will collapse, citizens’ savings will be confiscated, the rule of law will give way to anarchy and such. Difficult to believe that even intelligentsia would buy into such crap. Add to such sentiments idioms about leopard’s spots. This idiom could equally be applied across the board – once corrupt, always so!
So what then should voters consider when choosing their leader?
Voter behaviour is influenced by a number of factors – Long term, medium term and short term. Within each of these factors there are influences such as socio-economic, governance, quality of candidates. Each voter must have in their own mind a frame of reference such as who will be the best at managing the economic outlook, tackle corruption and adhere to the rule of law and order. Consider the candidate demography and background – is the person fit to govern? Does the person represent the wider demography? Then prioritise the above in the context that is best for each person and the country.
It would appear that the Lankan electorate has matured beyond the meagre inducements that influenced the baby boomers at the ballot box. This time more than at any time in the past the millennials and Gen Z’s are likely to influence the outcome and therefore this will have a major bearing on the outcome as some Presidential aspirants will just not resonate with this demographic.
Thus with the resounding clamour for a system change, the Lankan people have got the one opportunity to test the waters. The country can be at the cusp of a major change or it can slide back into the same old corrupt ways and an even worse economic catastrophy. Is it time to be bold? Is it time for change?
Einstien famously defined: INSANITY as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. So if you vote as you have always voted do not expect something different to be delivered by the leaders you vote for. Let’s hope that sanity prevails and all Sri Lankans enjoy the opportunities that they truly deserve.
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The author – former Global President of CIMA is an Australian citizen of Sri Lankan descent and is not a dual citizen but closely follows the happenings in his motherland.
