A CALL FOR REAL INCLUSIVITY

Dr. Jehan Perera writes that development must be inclusive to be sustainable

The main achievements of the new government since late last year are macroeconomic and political stability, and early efforts to reduce waste and corruption.

While welcome however, these gains have yet to turn the economy around. More than one in four Sri Lankans still lives below the poverty line and there’s scepticism about the government’s ability to make the economy thrive, especially in the aftermath of the unexpected tariff crisis caused by the US in its efforts to redress the trade imbalance with the rest of the world.

In previous decades, new governments arrived with bold visions and new leaders who ignited public hope. Former president J. R. Jayewardene’s administration mobilised massive international support in the late 1970s to fast track the Mahaweli Development programme from 30 years to only six.

In the early 1990s, former president Ranasinghe Premadasa rolled out 200 garment factories across the country to boost rural economies.

And more recently, the Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport and Port City Colombo stirred similar excitement, but have failed to deliver sustainable benefits due to poor planning and corruption.

The current government should be cautious about repeating these mistakes. During President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visits to India and China, several large-scale agreements were signed – including a proposed US$ 1 billion wind energy project with India’s Adani Group and a 3.7 billion dollar Chinese backed oil refinery. Yet, both appear to have stalled.

And the absence of tangible high profile projects has led to criticism from opposition political leaders even though the government’s economic stewardship has yielded some early gains.

Sri Lanka’s economy grew by five percent last year – an encouraging turnaround from two consecutive years of contraction including a decline of 2.3 percent in 2023. Notably, in the fourth quarter of 2024, following the change of government, growth registered 5.4 percent.

It is unclear however, whether this upward trend will continue as projections for this year suggest lower growth.

Sri Lanka’s history is littered with examples of growth spurts that failed to last. In the late 1970s, growth approached eight percent before being derailed by armed conflict, waste and corruption. As public funds were diverted towards military expenditure and corrupt practices abounded, development ground to a halt.

However, there are signs that this sort of reversal may not happen this time around. The cabinet has been restricted to 21 ministers, a sharp contrast to previous bloated administrations. Perks of office have been curtailed and loss making state enterprises are being reviewed with some slated for restructuring or closure.

Most notably, anticorruption institutions such as the Bribery Commission and Attorney General’s Department have shown renewed resolve in pursuing individuals once considered untouchable. Even the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been detained behind bars.

Nevertheless, good governance alone won’t ensure long-term success – innovative development requires fresh thinking and a broader range of skills than may be available within the government’s inner circle. Key appointments suggest a preference for trusted insiders – those known entities who have long supported the party. This style of governance runs the risk of becoming a serious limitation.

Recent examples underline this concern. The Clean Sri Lanka Task Force and the Tourism Advisory Committee are composed almost entirely of men from the majority ethnic group. The exclusion of women, minorities and professionals outside the political establish­ment diminishes the government’s ability to tap into the country’s full potential. Development must be inclusive to be sustainable.

A pluralistic approach that actively draws in women, ethnic minorities and expertise from across all communities is essential. The government’s election wins across the country was a break from decades of polarisation. But this unity must be reflected not only in election victories but in governance as well.

Representation matters, particularly when dealing with sensitive issues such as missing persons in the north and east.

Holding long delayed provincial council elections after the local government elections will be an important step towards meaningful power sharing. It will bring marginalised communities into decision making processes in the middle tier of governance, and support the national effort to build resilience, growth and peace.

To succeed beyond the short term, the government must do more than govern efficiently. It must govern inclusively by drawing on talent and knowledge from beyond party lines, and from every corner of Sri Lanka.