Parliament priorities

NATIONAL issues come with varying degrees of importance attached. Some are more important than others and at a time when Sri Lanka has set herself daunting development targets, the main focus should be in facilitating this journey. Instead of focusing on the Budget debate and how best to construct the policy framework to assist, Parliament seems to be more distracted with finger pointing – most of it useless accusations that will not significantly benefit the country.

The Parliament is an entertaining place. By right its importance should convey seriousness, but the behaviour of its members has cast it in a more humorous light. Despite being endowed with the responsibility of directing the country and enacting an enabling framework, it has a tendency to occasionally get distracted. Never has that been more evident than in the present scenario.

All stakeholders are largely happy with the Budget presented to Parliament on 22 November. However, they are also clear on the fact that this is a first step in a long journey, which needs to be strongly supported by a stable political structure that will assist building the regulatory frameworks and processes needed for economic development. Implementing the Budget as soon as possible and reassuring the domestic and foreign investors of the soundness of the policies introduced would appear to be the point of importance for many.

However the Parliament with its never-ending capacity to bemuse the public has instead chosen a different hobbyhorse – one that might enhance the political fortunes of some but for all intents and purposes does nothing for the benefit of the nation as a whole. Bringing no-confidence motions against UNP members might have been better kept for a different time when the country has dealt with its more important challenges effectively.

The protests in London were unfortunate, but they were not unexpected. If the officials in charge of advising the President on the tour did their job properly it could have been averted altogether. Sri Lanka’s reputation regarding alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the war is nothing new and the UK along with a host of countries has made its stance repeatedly clear. Genuine action is needed to address these concerns. Bringing no-confidence motions against opposition members will do nothing to dismiss the charges of the Tamil Diaspora communities.

A wave of adverse publicity headed by the Channel 4 reports and numerous articles preceded the President’s visit. The question here is not one of treachery alone, but who will take action to reassure the Tamil people that their political rights will be granted, that their loved ones will be released after subjection to due legal processes, that transparency and accountability will be the cornerstone of the reconciliation that is being attempted by the Government? This is what the people want to hear. It is an issue beyond politics and beyond Parliament.

The economy is also an all encompassing issue. But the Parliament does have powers here, along with the chance to make a real difference in the projections. Post-war potential has to be converted to real gains and the Budget has taken crucial steps towards this reality. Therefore Parliament should take another look at its priorities and get back to the Budget. At the voting today, it will have a small window to refocus and do its duty by the people.