Sri Lanka's Foxhill Tragedy: A Call for Regulation & Enforcement in a Nation of Missed Opportunities
Duleep Tharaka Dayabandara
Leader with Versatile Contemporary Business Skills, Recognized achievements | Certified Coach, Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, ACMA(UK), CGMA, AM(IESL), MSc-UK(Org Psychology), Bsc(hons) Mechanical Engineering.
Sri Lanka's recent Foxhill car race, marred by a horrific accident that claimed seven lives, has cast a spotlight on the country's lax regulatory environment. The lack of safety measures, including sandbags, tire barriers, and proper dust control, created a dangerous situation for both drivers and spectators. This tragedy, however, isn't an isolated incident. It reflects a broader pattern of delayed regulation that stifles economic development and costs lives.
Deadly Consequences of Inaction:
Similar to the initial chaos in Japan's used / second hand car export industry, Sri Lanka's failure to regulate its motorsports events has resulted in a deadly outcome. In the 1990s, unscrupulous Japanese vehicle exporters tarnished the industry's reputation by selling vehicles with hidden defects. Fortunately, timely intervention by regulators who introduced mandatory export certificates ensured transparency and revived the industry, making Japan a global leader in used car exports.
Regulation Breeds Prosperity:
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has witnessed the negative consequences of delayed regulation in other sectors as well. The three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) taxi industry exemplifies this perfectly. An unregulated surge in tuk-tuks has led to a saturated market, with many young people trapped in low-paying, unproductive jobs. Mostly unknown that they are underemployed from their potential. Stringent regulations could have prevented this oversaturation, allowing young Sri Lankans to pursue more meaningful careers and contribute more significantly to the economy.
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Traffic Woes: A Symptom of Regulatory Failure:
The uncontrolled development of shops and businesses along major roads like A1, A2, and A3 is another prime example. This unregulated sprawl creates traffic bottlenecks and accidents. While bypass roads are sometimes built; separating commercial parts of the road as a downtown area, such as Mawanella in A1, but, we often find the new roads become congested themselves the same way, highlighting the short-sightedness of reactive solutions. Developed nations often implement zoning regulations and parking restrictions to ensure smooth traffic flow and prioritize safety.
A Call to Action:
Sri Lanka's potential remains unfulfilled due to its reluctance to embrace timely and effective regulations. The Foxhill tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction. By learning from international examples and prioritizing well-crafted regulations, Sri Lanka can ensure the safety of its citizens, foster economic growth, and create a more prosperous future for all.
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