Change Agents of Sri Lanka

There was a defining moment, a cataclysmic break from the past that was brooding in the minds of men and women from all walks of life in Sri Lanka, that could not have been contained any longer, when the Presidential election was called on 8 January 2015. It turned out to be the birth pangs of a new way of governance, a national interest government, a new vision and a way out of the cobwebs of antiquated thinking,which served the war effort but awaited evaluation. This ended in the change we have seen in the election of President Maithripala Sirisena,as the sixth President of DSR of Sri Lanka.

It could have not happened by itself,without many change agents,all doing their part to bring about this rebirth. The most potent of all the Change Agents,was former President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself.He was undoubtedly a charismatic agent of this change.Without debating the pros and cons of how he brought about this change,let us consider the ingredients of this change.

We live in a world where there is a time span for leaders to perform,where talent has become the core currency of competitiveness,not only for business but also for national economies alike. Yet,there is often a mismatch all too frequent between systems of government and delivery of peoples' wants and needs with the passage of time. Governments far too often are cocooned in complacency and fail to read the pulse of their general public. Foreign and national policies are also not clearly enumerated or even in place,for a seamless transition. 

Civil service and Government policy

There is the saying "Governments come and go, but the Civil Service is here to stay."

When Governments manipulate civil administration to suit the exigencies or politics of the times,there is a gulf of widening proportions which leave much for the imagination. But,by the very nature of this administrative machinery,the fact is that when a threshold of tolerance is reached,even the Civil Service code is breached.This perhaps,could have eroded the situation in Sri Lanka over time and caused the sea change, we see today.

The "policy profession" as the Civil Service would preferred to be called,can be highly innovative. "It helps the government of the day develop and implement its policies as effectively as possible.They see their career,learning and development anchored around policy work.They share a common set of transferable behavioural skills to encourage and bring together evidence, politics and delivery to support ministers in achieving outcomes for the government."

There is no denial that in Sri Lanka it was not only politicians of all shades,religious leaders but also Civil administration helped as Change Agents in ushering in a new era of tolerance and civil order.

Change in Policy Objectives 

Jatika Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Dissanayake recently took to task Finance Ministers past and present for not outlining the country's proposed economic targets as reflected in the budgets. The result is that the business community operates in an unstable environment fraught with uncertainty and because of this when there are times when they are raking in profit,they attempt to capitalise on such situations by striving for excessive gains. He added referring to the recent budget:"This is not a budget.It has no long term economic plan.It has no tax formula.It has merely reduced tax from essential food items and imposed taxes on various other sectors,thereby   precipitating a vicious cycle." What he implied is that Governments had a duty to outline a clear policy for the administrative service to implement. Change Agents cannot achieve their objectives without clear long term foreign and national policies,which have been missing over time.

"A Change Agent recognises the importance for positive action on the wellbeing of the economy,society and environment.They have the confidence and competence to live and work in a way that makes a positive and progressive impact."

It is the hope that all this change will not be in vain,if policy objectives are not clearly defined as proposed during the fragile and limited window of opportunity of the 100 Day Plan. Unlike,the purported authoritarian rule of the previous government,coalition partners in the National Unity Government rely on "elites" who can use the diversity as their strength,but simultaneously,this diversity of opinion and views, can be their inherent weakness on delivery of promises.

Perhaps,the most profound challenge for Change Agents in Sri Lanka is to strike a chord with the mood of the people for change and deliver this change in the most subtle ways possible.

Victor Cherubim

Testimonials of the Change Agents

Mention of a few names as comprising of Change Agents in Sri Lanka,could not do justice to the many who were involved in this process over years. They happen to be several dominant religious,civil,political,social and cultural individuals and organisations, that may come under this category.
We may recall the efforts of Ven.Maduluwawe Sobita Thero,chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Vihara,who came out openly to canvass for a Common Candidate for change of the Executive Presidency. Besides, we have civil and public servants/administrators such as Mahinda Deshapriya,the Commissioner of Elections, Inspector General of Police,N.K.Illangakoon and their respective indomitable staff. the main Buddhist religious leaders,the Maha Sangha of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, who by example brought about the change. Among the political parties, Past President,Mdme Chandrika Bandaranaike of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), we have the Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) laeders Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera,Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thera and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who spearheaded the religious voice establishing a righteous state (dharmarajya) as
a solution to corruption. Of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremasinghe, current Prime
Minister, won the respect of the nation for his courage and forbearance  for over nearly 10 years in political wilderness,awaiting a peaceful transition of government. Jatika Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader, Anura Dissanayake for being the people's conscience.Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader N.Sampanthan and Minister Rauf Hakeem Leader, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), for cooperating in bringing about reconciliation among the minority communities.
Perhaps,nothing would have changed without President Maithripala Sirisena,accepting to take on the challenge of leadership, as Common Candidate,together with the anguish of all people affected by state abuse, without fear,favour or fanfare.