{"id":12676,"date":"2012-11-23T18:21:50","date_gmt":"2012-11-23T23:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12676"},"modified":"2012-11-23T18:21:50","modified_gmt":"2012-11-23T23:21:50","slug":"the-governments-policy-making-process-is-not-driven-by-whats-best-for-the-country-but-whats-best-to-consolidate-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12676","title":{"rendered":"The government\u2019s policy making process is not driven by what\u2019s best for the country but what\u2019s best to consolidate power."},"content":{"rendered":"

By Shanaka Jayasekara <\/strong><\/p>\n

It is often said that timing plays a crucial role as to howthe media frames an issue, and for the most part of the last three years, Sri Lanka has been reacting to anti-Sri Lankan campaigns globally. The lack of a strategic vision for post-war Sri Lanka has led to ad-hoc decisions that have seriously deteriorated the credibility of the country and the leadership.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Be it by intent or sheer ignorance, there has been a regular pattern of irrational decision making by the government. Sri Lanka lost the international media war due to incompetence of government bureaucracy and a political leadership immersed in domestic politics. The overwhelming electoral popularity of the government has transformed Sri Lanka into a single-party state with no opposition nor any accountability or challenge to decision making.<\/p>\n

The government\u2019s policy making process is not driven by what\u2019s best for the country but what\u2019s best to consolidate power. As a result Sri Lanka has always been on the wrong foot and facing international criticism on the world stage. The true reality is that such mismanagement of international relations has eroded the standing of the country and its image.<\/p>\n

It is baffling to any political analyst to understand the erratic and chaotic decision making process in Sri Lanka. It was just one day before the Geneva based UNHRC Universal Periodic Review proceedings on Sri Lanka, that the government orchestrated impeachment announcement was released. It surprised many in the diplomatic circles, and even countries that had prepared statements in support of Sri Lanka had to refer back to their capitals for clarification on the new developments. Foreign governments are unable to trust the sincerity of commitments made by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is facing a major trust deficit in the international community.<\/p>\n

Repealing 13-A<\/p>\n

The decision to repeal the 13th amendment which legislates on provincial councils comes within two months of concluding provincial council elections in three provinces. Again it is complete disbelief that elections were conducted in North-Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces in September, and the government announces a decision to repeal the primary legislation that constitute provincial councils in November. Where is the long term strategy, and what is the long term vision. It seems an agitated government which couldn\u2019t influence the judiciary, spontaneously changed course to repeal the 13th amendment. How can foreign governments take seriously commitments given by Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

The far more serious concern is the response of India to ourschizophrenic behaviour on the 13th amendment. The President assured the Indian leadership of the implementation of 13 plus, plus, which was considered to be the abolition of the concurrent-list and the introduction of a Senate Chamber. Sri Lanka has suddenly disregarded all commitments made to the international community and specifically to India on 13++ as the centre piece of the reconciliation process and now engages in a discussion on a 19th amendment.<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka gave an assurance to Commonwealth countries that the Northern provincial council elections will be held in September 2013 as a prelude to the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) Summit in Colombo scheduled for November 2013. The government\u2019s hasty decision to repeal the 13th amendment will have wide raging implications on the participation of world leaders at the Colombo conference.<\/p>\n

There is no overall vision or plan, its decisions on the run, regardless of its impact on the country, its people and our standing in the world community. The question is, can this continue or will it come to a head internationally. Sri Lanka is racing towards a trust deficit cliff internationally. Any commitments given by Sri Lanka are gestured with contempt in most foreign capitals.<\/p>\n

While this circus continuous in Colombo, the anti-Sri Lanka campaigns have progressively become more professional and nuanced their message by coordinating the “time-impact” of their messaging. In the past the Government had the luxury of ad-hoc decision making as it only had to contain with the anti-government propaganda spouted out from Killinochchi.<\/p>\n

Dramatic changes<\/p>\n

The last three years have dramatically changed the modus operandi of the international anti-Sri Lanka campaigns. It is no longer Prabakaran instructing Tamil diaspora groups overseas to conduct monthly appeals and campaigns. Now it\u2019s a professional operation conducted by fee based lobby companies in the US with highly experienced lobbyists and strategists. A review of the past twelve months will indicate the impeccable timing of the anti-Sri Lankan messaging that has generated a wave of impact in mainstream international media. Sri Lanka has not been able to generate any traction for positive messaging overseas, firstly due to the lack of a consistent strategic vision and the trust deficit factor, and secondly, any news on Sri Lanka is taken over by the hostile anti-Sri Lankan campaigns to their benefit.<\/p>\n

Take for instance, the recent decision by “Lonely Planet” to name Sri Lanka the best place to visit in 2013. This positive news on Sri Lanka was pounced on by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Justice and Peace (UK) to launch a “Think Again” protest which dissuades tourists from coming to Sri Lanka. What is interesting is that when you connect the dots linkages and connections are very apparent and the benefactors are the usual suspects.<\/p>\n

Irrespective of who is pulling the strings and paying the bills, what you have is a very professional approach to targeting the image of Sri Lanka by professional lobby companies. Unless the government can correct the trust deficit internationally and meet the challenge of professional lobby companies, Sri Lanka will continue to lose credibility and its international standing.
\n(The writer is Lecturer- Centre for Policing,
\nIntelligence and Counter Terrorism (PICT) at Macquarie University,Sydney)<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Shanaka Jayasekara It is often said that timing plays a crucial role as to howthe media frames an issue, and for the most part of the last three years, Sri Lanka has been reacting to anti-Sri Lankan campaigns globally. The lack of a strategic vision for post-war Sri Lanka has led to ad-hoc decisions …<\/p>\n

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