Sri Lanka - Lessons from Singapore
Maurice J Jega
Financial Consultant & Risk Management Professional Former Corporate Banker @ International Bank
Strategically located on major trade routes, Sri Lanka and Singapore boast unique geopolitical positions. A tropical climate, diversity of population, not without strife, and a colonial heritage are probably the most prominent common elements between the two countries. That's where the similarities stop.??
In the run up to Singapore’s founding as a sovereign nation in 1965, its father Lee Kuan Yew considered Sri Lanka's state of development worthy of emulation. Then known as Ceylon, the island nation was considered a model British colony in the early-mid twentieth century with enormous potential due to its natural and human capital. Notwithstanding these advantages, Sri Lanka's leaders failed the nation post colonial rule to build on the solid legacy foundation. A decade down the road, Sri Lanka’s strongman Junius Jayawardena looked to Singapore as a role model for economic success.
By any measure, Singapore’s phenomenal economic success is nothing short of a miracle and largely attributed to visionary political leadership coupled with disciplined governance, though rather authoritarian. Sri Lanka has on the other hand meandered through the vagaries of democracy but clearly suffered from bad political leadership more often than not. An ethnic strife that escalated into terrorism and violent youth insurrections have taken a heavy toll on the nation.
The trajectory of the two nations has powerful lessons on the importance of good governance. The elements of governance that have been painstakingly and consistently maintained by the political leadership of Singapore that are the bulwarks of its success are worth noting. A single party governance structure no doubt helped, but the single mindedness of Singapore's leadership in upholding values through six decades in commendable.
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Nation building is hard work; requires determination and persistence - and of course noble intentions of political leaders. The success of Singapore's political leadership in building a nation from the ground up has lessons for Sri Lanka - a nation that has been decimated by a self-serving toxic political culture over three quarters of a century.
As a crucial election approaches, Sri Lankans must consider the imperatives for a transformed nation.
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- Rule of law with zero tolerance for corruption and impunity.
- ?National integration with a view to forging a national identity that rises above ethno-religious labels.
- Policy consistency - a bipartisan approach to policy making at least in?the key areas of education, foundational economics and foreign relations.
-? A culture of meritocracy that transcends politicization of institutions
Is there a prospect of any of the presidential hopefuls and their supporting political party or alliance providing courageous direction to the nation to break free from the past in these pivotal areas? Are Sri Lanka's civil society and collectives prepared to demand from elected representatives, whoever they might be, a commitment to deliver the desired outcomes in these key areas?
Change is possible. Change is necessary.
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Financial Consultant & Risk Management Professional Former Corporate Banker @ International Bank
6 个月An excellent write up by veteran journalist Melvyn de Silva. https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240908/columns/deception-distortion-deification-and-desperation-on-the-road-to-presidency-570452.html
Consultant Environmental/Ecological Engineer, Renewable Energy Project Developer
6 个月"Benevolent minded" is the key word Maurice... not an alien concept on the Indian subcontinent... dasaraja dharma /chakravarthi rajadharma was pioneered in it millenia ago before any other civilization on the planet even thought of it
To add to your discussion, IMO, the Sinhala Only Act of 1956 had a significant impact on Sri Lanka's education system and its overall competitiveness. By replacing English with Sinhala as the sole medium of instruction, the government inadvertently hindered the development of human capital. Proficiency in English is crucial for navigating the global economy and accessing international markets. The lack of English-language education limited Sri Lankans' opportunities for higher education, employment, and research collaborations. Additionally, the absence of textbooks for the Advanced Level (A-Level) syllabus created further challenges for students and teachers. Textbooks provide essential guidance, structure, and knowledge, allowing for a more effective and comprehensive learning experience. Without them, students are forced to rely solely on teacher notes and limited resources, hindering their understanding and exam preparation. These factors combined to make Sri Lanka less competitive compared to other South Asian nations that maintained English as a primary language of instruction.
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6 个月A man doesn't live by bread alone. A culure of meritocracy in Singapore? Have you ever seen a non Chinese Prime Minister? Bipartisan approach? In Singapore the tiny opposition has no voice. It is either my way or highway. Rule of law? Have you ever seen any top politician or business person jailed for corruption in Singapore? I would say Malaysia would be a better example for us to follow. Multi cultural and thriving democracy. The only country in South East Asia to put the former Prime Minister behind bars for corruption.
Business Owner & Director Wells-Peris Group Pty Ltd
6 个月Dead right Maurice, Singapore was smashed after world war 2 today it is a first world country. It speaks volumes of the leadership and patriotism.