| by Rajiva
Wijesinha
( December 20,
2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I was immensely impressed by the
publication, initially on this website, and then in a Sunday newspaper, of the
report of some young parliamentarians, from government and opposition, which
aimed at promoting post-war Reconciliation and better relations with members of
the Diaspora. I had come across them before, since I was asked to address them
before an initial visit to Britain, and later I was most impressed with two of
them who attended a meeting with the former British Secretary of Defence when
he was here for the recent Defence Seminar.
I told the
Secretary to the President about their input, and he turned out to be aware of
their academic qualifications, and recognized their worth. Unfortunately he is
not in a position to make use of their undoubted talents, given our national
obsession with seniority, regardless of merit.
I will not
discuss their recommendations, which are In accordance with those of the LLRC
but adding on more interesting initiatives too. Rather my purpose here is to
suggest that such synergy should be used by government also, to promote reform,
as well as wider understanding of how reconciliation can be pursued.
The group had
been brought together by an organization that sent them to Britain for
interactions with the diaspora. Interestingly enough, many of those involved
had also been selected by the Americans for a study visit a few months back.
Unfortunately, where Britain and America have the capacity to identify talent,
this seems to be lacking in our own administrators.
Some time back I
had suggested to the Ministry of External Affairs some discussion programmes
with regard to Reconciliation. They were not interested, but the Ministry of
Defence participated actively, and I had also invited one of the MPs whom
subsequently the British and the Americans identified as a potential high
flyer.
Some of them are
now in Britain on yet another tour, and I expect they will produce another constructive
report. I fear this too will come to nothing but, since one should never give
up hoping, I have written to the Secretary to the President to suggest that one
of them be appointed as Minister in the President’s Office to oversee Policy
and Training with regard to External Relations.
This is a
concept I have been developing over the last few weeks, because I feel that the
great achievements of this government in so many areas are being undermined by
what seem endless problems in three areas. I identified these to the
President’s Secretary as External Relations, Education and Justice, and
suggested that, as happens in most countries that have Executive Presidencies
(and indeed where there are Prime Ministers concerned with special projects),
there should be ministerial support within the President’s Office to carry out
important policies expeditiously.
Given the
administrative overload of these three Ministries, I am sure the existing
Ministers would be happy to have others taking on responsibility for Policy and
for Reform (and, in External Relations, the training and development of wider
understanding that officials need). With regard to Justice and Education I was
able to suggest individuals in whom I know the President has great confidence.
External Affairs
was trickier, since it might be thought I wanted such a position myself, but
obviously this is more appropriate for someone younger, who could work together
happily with the existing Minister. The report mentions three extremely bright
youngsters from not just the UPFA but the SLFP, so I hope my advice will at
least be considered.
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