Arjuna Herath

Former Senior Partner and Consulting Leader – EY Sri Lanka and Maldives

Q: What are the most critical issues facing our country in terms of governance?

A: Currently, lawmaking is heavily influenced by political biases; and the rule of law, justice and enforcement of regulations are not applied consistently or fairly. Additionally, appointments, promotions and transfers within the public service are often politically influenced, compromising independence and creating conflicts of interest.

To alleviate these issues, the people must be prepared to demand good governance consistently and reject any form of compromise. However, many who decry poor governance are willing to accept it if it benefits them personally.

Therefore, a fundamental change in societal values and mindsets is necessary. It’s both timely and critical to build a society that upholds and demands good governance at every level. To achieve this, we must instil these values in our children through a reformed education system that emphasises integrity and civic responsibility.

We need visionary leaders who are committed to the public good, and professionals who implement the rule of law effectively and impartially. No matter how robust policies, procedures and regulations are, if people are corrupt and devious, good governance will be undermined.

The judicial system, often the last resort for justice, must undergo reform to ensure that it operates with professionalism, integrity and efficiency, delivering timely justice.

Q: How can Sri Lanka improve transparency and accountability in state institutions?

A: The most critical issues plaguing state institutions are the lack of professional skills and demands for accountability without corresponding authority. Decisions for these institutions are often made by multiple layers of higher authorities, resulting in diluted accountability at each level.

To address these issues, the recruitment process for the public sector must change. Recruiting skilled professionals with reasonable market remuneration should be prioritised. These institutions need to be empowered with the authority necessary to make decisions regarding recruitment, promotions, transfers, salary scales, procurement of services, pricing and expenses.

With this authority, they must be held accountable for providing exceptional service to ensure profitability and there should be a requirement to report them. By implementing these changes, state institutions can achieve greater transparency and accountability.

Responsibility for these improvements lies with both the government and civil society. The government must enact policies that support these reforms, while civil society should advocate for and monitor the implementation of these changes.