Independence, sustainable

development and the role of

professionals

As we celebrate the 69th anniversary of Sri Lankas

Independence, where are we as a nation in terms of
political democracy and economic democracy? Pic by
Shehan Gunasekara

Dr. Ambedkar on Independence-Thursday,

9 February 2017
It is not enough to have just a politically independent India. What
is also needed is to have an Indian nation where every citizen will
have religious and political rights (sic and economic rights), so
that every person will have equal opportunity to develop.

Independence is no doubt a matter of joy. But let us not forget

that this independence has thrown on us greater responsibilities.
By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British
for anything going wrong. If hereafter things go wrong, we will
have nobody to blame except ourselves. There is a greater
danger of things going wrong. Times are fast changing.

There is no nation of Indians in the real sense of

the world, it is yet to be created. In believing we are a nation, we
are cherishing a great delusion. How can people divided into
thousands of castes (sic ethnicity, religious beliefs, social status,
values and norms) be a nation? The sooner we realise that we
are not yet a nation, in a social and psychological sense of the
world, the better for us.
On 26 January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of
contradictions. In politics, we will have equality and in social and
economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man
one value. How long shall we continue to live this life of
contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our
social and economic life? If we continue to deny it for long, we will
do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must
remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment else
those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of
democracy which this Constituent Assembly has so laboriously
built up.

"Our object in framing the Constitution is rally two-fold: (1) To lay

down the form of political democracy, and (2) To lay down that
our ideal is economic democracy and also to prescribe that every
Government whatever is in power shall strive to bring about
economic democracy. The directive principles have a great value,
for they lay down that our ideal is economic democracy.

Sixty-nine years on from Sri Lankas Independence, and as many

Independence Day celebrations over the years, celebrated by our
leaders on a grand scale, have our citizens gained independence
only from Britain and now able to boast of being only a sovereign
nation!?

Where are we as a nation in terms of political democracy and

economic democracy? Where should the citizens be today on the
benchmark assessment points pronounced by Dr. Ambedkar?
Regrettably the leaders, post-Independence, have all failed to
commit to the essential values and principles of an independent
nation articulated by Dr. Ambedkar.
It is time for citizens to hold to account our present and future
leaders, to recognise where citizens are now, where they are likely
to be by 2020 and what expectations citizens have of what they
desire 2030 to be, measured on the following benchmarks;
Equality and inclusiveness of opportunity to develop and
enjoy the benefits of national resources, growth and
prosperity
Socio-political and economic rights of citizens
Peace, harmony and ethno religious co-existence
Political democracy
Economic democracy
Good governance, rule of law, justice, right to information,
anti-corruption
Having in place visionary leadership committed to creating
and governing the nation
towards sustainable development, competiveness,
optimisation of quality and productivity driven with focus on
creativity and innovativeness
non shared values developed on an accountable social contract
with citizens

Growth models

At this stage without analysing the different growth models

adopted by successive governments sinceindependence, it is best
that we agree an acceptable growth model to be pursued going
forward, fashioned incorporating the undernoted principles;
 seeking Inclusive growth, encompassing equity, equality,
opportunity, and protection in market and employment
transition
adaptable and flexible in order to execute affirmative action
where essential
focusing both on the pace and pattern of growth
takes a longer term perspective
consistent with expected international economic order and
international relations
ensure all people contribute to and benefit from economic
growth
leads to rapid and sustained poverty reduction
be broad based across sectors i.e. not highly dependent one
or two sectors
focusses on productive employment as against income
redistribution
environmentally sustainable

It is regreatable, that since independence, none of the

governments in power have with single minded focus
commitment pursued a growth model structured on the above
principles. It is more regretable that professionals, academia and
civil society leaders nor international development partners have
been successful in persuading and pushing the governments in
power to follow such a growth model.
Sustainable Development Goals

In September 2015, the President attended the United Nations

Summit, at which world leaders endorsed the Sustainable
Development Agenda 2030, with 17 goals ( refer pictorial
representation below) and 169 targets, incorporating three
dimensions of development: economic development, social
inclusion, towards ending poverty, protect the planet, and ensure
prosperity for all. The leaders agreed to implement it at national
level starting from 1 January 2016.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) now committed to

are more comprehensive and covers many areas essential for
equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth. In the
implementation of the SDGs what is essential are the sustainable
qualitative outcomes touching all citizens with equality and
inclusiveness, recognising and implementing affirmative action
where appropriate targeting marginalised and conflict impacted
communities. The SDGs must implemented within a growth
model as articulated earlier, where actual outcomes are the focus
as against numerical/statistical targets. Such an implementation
will deliver the expectations and needs of all citizens.

Characteristics of independent professionals

A true professional leader in Sri Lanka must have several requisite

hard and soft characteristics to effectively serve the superiors or
clients retaining services of the professional, as well as serve the
indirect interests of the nation and the target community at large.
These characteristics include the following:
Independence and commitment to hold on to hallowed
personal and professional principles, values and norms
Unquestioned integrity; integrity and honesty respected by
the community
Commitment to uphold the constitution, rule of law, justice,
and the regulatory framework
Competency and capability being endowed with knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values to discharge responsibilities of
office
A high recognition track record of achievement and delivery
more than promised
Accountability for results, human and physical resources and
upholding core commitments
Leadership abilities
Effective at delegation, mentoring , counselling and
oversight of subordinates
 Open minded and invites advise, accepts constructive
dissent and disagreement
Effective problem solver, making decisions having
considered facts, advise and having evaluated options and
risks;
A calm disposition at times of stress
Creative, Innovative, inquisitive, flexible
A respected change manager committed to deliver quality
outcomes with productivity
A visionary providing a sense of direction for others
Personable, reliable and approachable and
An effective human resource manager
Self-motivated
A good team player; demonstrating organisational skills and
leadership by example
Effective communication skills, attentive listening
Striving for excellence and seeking to make the Impossible
possible and dreams come true
Avoids conflicts of interests and conscious of all intervening
related party transactions
Ready to share knowledge and mentor and develop
successors
Trustworthy behaving in a consistent, highly ethical, and in
a fair manner.
A person who does what he commits to and commits to only
those which can be done
 Brings in own expertise in to decision making whilst taking in
views of others/advisors and looking at the problem from a
360 degree overview before decision
Being confident and able to justify, debate, defend
decisions/actions taken and willing accept changes where so
justified
Respectful of leaders, elders and superiors; but committed to
act and advise based only on principles, laws and
regulations, ethical, fair and acceptable norms of society
Bound by codes of conduct and ethics of the governing
professional association, trade chamber/association, trade
union or other linked collective
Apolitical and not seeking crony network
relations/preferences
Be conscious of the environment and committed to equity,
inclusiveness and ready to take bold affirmative action
targeting marginalised segments of society
Willing to be a whistle blower in cases of noncompliance with
laws and regulations in employment , general corporate
governance and national governance
Duly engaging in public policy recommendations, discussions
and debate and be an active contributor to the process of
assuring democratic and rights based governance, ethical
and inclusive governance, law and order, rule of law, justice,
good governance, environmental protection, upholding
accepted societal norms and ethical conduct in society
When engaged in holding public office, be sworn to uphold
the following seven principles of public life in holding any
public office
Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in
terms of the public interest.
 Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing
themselves under any obligation to people or organisations
that might try inappropriately to influence their work. They
should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or
other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their
friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and
relationships.
Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take
decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best
evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for
their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to
whatever scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness - Holders of public office should act and take
decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information
should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear
and lawful reasons for doing so.
Honesty Holders of public office should be truthful.
Leadership Holders of public office should exhibit these
principles in their own behaviour. They should actively
promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to
challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Professionals are accountable for the destiny of Sri Lanka

Every qualified professional in a leadership position since

independence, whether in the Executive, Cabinet, Legislature,
Judiciary, media, academia, private sector and civil society, carry
a heavy responsibility and an accountability, to discharge their
respective professional duties and services in any such capacity,
assuring that;
they place the interests of the nation and its people first,
 they live up to the expectations of society ,
uphold acceptable societal norms and
specifically demonstrate that qualities and characteristics
outlined above are duly practiced as core commitment,
For instance all professionally recognised doctors, university
academics, accountants, auditors, lawyers, bankers, engineers,
architects, economists, planners, analysts, brokers, mangers,
journalists, media broadcasters, chemists, valuers, and surveyors,
etc. will be classified as professionals. Company directors and
partners of professional service entities will also be professionals
for above classification.

In addition all professionally accredited members holding high

office in the Executive, public service and public enterprises
including educationists, health professionals, national planners,
regulators, and law enforcement officers will also fall within this
category. All office bearers of chambers, professional and
business associations, trade unions, etc. as well as civil society
organisations will be included within the definition.

If all professionals of Sri Lanka abide by above commitment under

the oversight supervision of the governing professional
association, association, trade union or collective Sri Lanka will
soon be a rising star amongst developing nations in the world.

Have professionals played their role since Independence?

The readers will no doubt endorse that the some of the

unacceptable, harmful, public interests damaging long term
negative socio-political economic outcomes we have witnessed
since independence, could not have be a reality, if those defined
herein as professionals had stood their ground and discharged
their accountability as professional.

For instance the negative socio political economic outcomes of

the following few examples, could have not been possible if the
professionals discharged their due accountability;
Ethnic conflict and associated war and terrorism, driven by
unacceptable centre periphery power sharing, language and
other rights and national resources sharing not being
equitable and inclusive
Political culture, divisive politics sans national interest,
politics supporting nepotism and cronyism and
unprofessional and unethical conduct of leaders in the
executive and legislator and their network power brokers
Education, higher education systems failing to develop
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values matching changing
times
Social upheaval and break down in law and order crystallised
by religious, class, caste, status and other socio economic
discrimination led tensions,
Widening gap between haves and have-nots in income,
wealth, power, capability, opportunity and recognition
Failure to build equitable and inclusive policies and
associated regulatory framework in national resource
allocations and development initiatives
Successive failures in adopting ill designed socialist and or
neoliberal policies
Lack of equity and inclusiveness in development
 Constitutional reforms driven by personal, power and party
interests
Presidential system of governance and proportional
representation system
Total lack of effective and sustainable environmental and
ecological protection
Unprofessional foreign policy and foreign relations
Policies and practices promoting unbridled consumerism
Breakdown in law and order, rule of law and justice systems
and weak public/regulatory institutions
Low commitment to quality, productivity, creativity,
innovativeness and applied research
Consistent and widening budget deficits on account of poor
budgetary management and excessive external and internal
debt due to ineffective monetary management
Public investments not yielding cash flow returns nor socio
economic outcomes justifying spends and investments
High levels of bribery, corruption, waste and money
laundering
Dangerously high proliferation of narcotics and dangerous
substances across the island and Sri Lanka being a key
transit point
Annual national budgeting and budgetary control processes
being politicised and failing to meet accepted international
standard and conducted without effective participation of
professionals
White van culture, disappearance and attacks of activists
and media personnel
Control of media freedom
Role and accountability of professionals in good
governance and anti-corruption

Having dealt with the failures of professionals at a macro level in

the previous paragraph, this section focuses and elaborates one
such area in a detailed analysis, to demonstrate by specific
examples of professional community associated failure in regard
to reported , purported acts of corruption;
Five separate rounds of failure of finance and investment
companies
Bankers confirming that over 60% of accounts and financial
information /estimations submitted seeking banking facilities
are false
Even the audited accounts of the Central Bank carrying gross
misrepresentations
Key justifications, approval conditions of and agreed project
deliveries/outcomes not being met but entities continuing to
benefit from concessions and tax and duty
waivers/concessions
Purported scams linked to Greek bond investments and bond
scams of 2015 and 2016
Banks and finance/investment companies accepting deposits
with Know Your Customer validations and without proper
identification validations
Banks facilitating the regular cash collections from the
distribution of narcotics
Auditors of companies indirectly acting as secretaries of
companies
Misrepresentation of going concern status
 Significant non declaration of conflicts of interests and
related party transactions of substantial value
Valuation of assets being manipulated and certified for
revenue frauds or misrepresentation of accounts
Pumping and dumping trades reducing the returns of the
national Provident Fund
Total disregard of Financial Intelligence Unit regulations and
suspicious transactions alertness defining FATF 40
guidelines
Non adoption or manipulating the process of adopting
accounting and auditing standards; use of SME standards
where inapplicable, and nonadoption of fair value accounting
standards
Attestation and acceptance false and erroneously
represented deeds and contact documents
Facilitating money laundering, and illegal transfer of state
property,
Facilitation of tax and revenue avoidance
Transparent and professional tender processes not being
followed and unsolicited proposals being the basis of
significant investments
Several purported attempts at transferring illegally/not
pursuing or abandoning national resources on land/sea/air
and terrestrial
Firm accountable commitments from leaders and
professionals

All leaders and professionals, as a core part of celebrating 2017

Independence Day, must accountably commit to the achieve the
under noted goals, by the time they celebrate 2018 Independence
Day;
The oncoming year will be committed towards developing a
common agenda of agreed actions to be implemented
collectively in the next two years to improve the prosperity
and growth of the nation and all its people
Commit to adopt a new constitution, where a parliamentary
democracy with an effective public oversight control in
place; along with a mixed first past the post and proportional
representation electoral system; and restores to an
independent public service, where chief accounting officers
(not the cabinet ministers)become responsible and
accountable for public finance, the executive decision
making and implementation with accountability; with
effective devolution of power within an acceptable centre
periphery relations; equity and inclusiveness driving national
resource allocations; and rights and judicial services
frameworks assure sovereignty vests in the people
All commit to place the interests of the nation and its people
first,
Transitional justice mechanisms are put in place meeting the
aspirations of the international community and citizens
whilst taking cognisance of acceptable security concerns of
defence authorities
With singleminded focus and commitment pursue a growth
model structured on the principles articulated herein before.
Law and order, justice processes, foreign policy and foreign
relations and good governance commitments are bench
marked to the vision outlined in the election platforms in
2015
Equity and inclusiveness are established as essential pre
requisites of national resource allocations and budgetary
 spend; and priorities of such allocations and spends are
determined taking cognisance of such commitments and are
duly applied in socio economic development plans compiled
in a manner touching and recognising the aspirations of all
citizens
Develop a national education and human resource
development policy with the future needs and demands in
mind are developed and collectively agreed
Develop an accountable, transparent and effectively
monitored and oversight reviewed plans for realisation of
Sustainable Development Goals and global environmental
goals
Having in place effectively functioning efficient, capable and
adequately resourced, independent;
public institutions/regulatory bodies,
Attorney Generals Office linked to investigation bodies
including the Police, Bribery Commission and proceeds of
crimes/asset recovery offices
National Audit Office, additionally empowered to carry out
post audits, economy/efficiency/effectiveness audits,
Right to Information support structures
all with effective and efficient enforcement mechanisms
Completion or nearing completion of judicial process
connected with purported serious crimes, money laundering,
scams, bribery, asset recovery and corruption cases of
significant value reported up to end 2016
Effectively enforced codes of ethics and conduct to bind all
members of the Cabinet/Legislature/Judiciary/State services
and media as well as members of private sector chambers
and professional associations
 Have in place effective and actively pursued practices of
whistle blowing (with effective whistle blower protection
laws) on noncompliance with laws and regulations and on
bribery, corruption waste and nepotism
Promise and the delivery and the social contracts

The leaders and professionals must recognise and commit to

honour, this Independence Day, the social contracts created by
the elections of 2015, especially those associated with the
commitments in the manifestoes and political platform
representations. They must firmly accept their accountability to
the people, who are sovereign by the Constitution, to assure that
the delivery matches the promises made.

These leaders and professionals must also recognise that the

democratic space created in 2015 irreversibly allows the smart
and principled people to protest, agitate publicly, debate,
advocate and pressurise, demanding the honouring of the social
contract and they may soon start Nayakayanta Enna Kiyapiya,
Mewata Uththara Denna Kiyapiya demanding accountability.
Posted by Thavam