Don't rush for elections without structural change - Ivan

Senior journalist Victor I van has warned that before going for fresh elections a program of structural change needs to undertake n order to save the country from the crisis it is facing. He has presented a five-point program for reform.

 

(1)Nation-building:

All necessary steps must be taken to rebuild the ‘Sri Lankan Nation’ that has not been possible since independence.
Feudal social structures including the caste system needs to be demolished and ethnic divisions need to be done away and equality needs to be respected.

 

(2) Establishment of a sound judicial system:

The establishment of a sound judicial system is one of the most important prerequisites in overcoming this crisis.
 Sri Lanka now has a Judiciary with a broken spine. If the country is to be transformed, the status quo of the Judiciary should be changed.

 

(3) Adoption of an appropriate system of governance:

Review the whole system of governance (Central, Provincial and Local government) which is in a confused state, and adopt a democratic system of governance in which the rule of law reigns and apposite devolution of power is ensured.

 

(4)  Empowering the public.

The right of the people to exercise their sovereign power should not be limited only to the right to vote in elections; a system of direct democracy being practiced in several countries should be introduced, allowing the public to directly intervene in special cases where public intervention is required.
 

(5)  Location of the country and its geopolitical reality:

 

Apparently, Sri Lanka has formulated its foreign policy without taking into consideration the enormous strategic importance and the ports in the Indian Ocean account for about 30% of world trade. Due to these reasons and its location, Sri Lanka has gained a great importance; consequently, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy has become a sensitive issue affecting both the global and regional powers.

 

Sri Lanka has become a country under the grip of China due to the convenience in obtaining loans and undue benefits that politicians could accrue from it. This situation has caused great dissatisfaction among the Western powers as well as India, which can be considered as Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour; and this situation could lead to causing great problems for Sri Lanka. This does not imply that Sri Lanka must pursue an anti-Chinese policy; but being a country located at the mouth of India, it will not be to the best interest of Sri Lanka to act as a partner in a Chinese program that would be strongly opposed by India. In view of Sri Lanka’s location and world conditions, it is important to explore the possibility of adopting a new foreign policy that will benefit Sri Lanka.