Financial Times

Tsunami reconstruction
Red tape turns opportunity into crisis-Rienzie
Layers of administrative barriers has led to delays in reconstruction with a vital opportunity (for the country) now being turned into another crisis, said Rienzie T Wijetilleke, Chairman, Hatton National Bank delivering the K Sivagananathan Memorial oration at the Bank of Ceylon Auditorium last week.

The Sivagananathan Memorial Fund offered 60 scholarships for the Banking Diploma holders at the event. Wijetilleke said, "During the last few days we have heard how NGOs and donors were rebuffed by some partners of the government. We know how difficult it is for these NGOs to collect funds. Some of our people think these NGOs have no place to go and that is why they come to Sri Lanka."

He made a very strong and brave call on the nation and the professionals, saying: "It’s time to realize that this country has been well and truly mismanaged for the last 55 years since Independence."

He said that it is now time to forget religious, national and other differences and put all the pieces together to secure lasting peace that is essential for development.

"It is very sad that leaders of our country have not learnt a lesson still. Although the problems of the post tsunami cannot be solved easily, we all see that the management of the reconstruction process despite all the aid that is coming up is very much below expectations," the veteran banker noted.

On the role of management, Wijetilleke said professionals need to keep up-to-date with the latest developments amongst global financial institutions, or they would be left out.

Today's banks must specialize in managing conflicts and managing results and they should offer leadership and not merely be satisfied in following others. He said, "To influence your organization's path, you should know where it is going and which road it should take". Once the path is identified one should influence others and communicate to them and work towards obtaining their support to reach targets and objectives.

To plan an influential role, a manager has to be sensitive to details but not be overwhelmed by them.” He said that the social problems that this country has faced over the last few decades have been a direct result of the negative attitude of a few who did not have a professional background and instead were allowed the use of influence to do anything. If this country had faced the present crisis situation before independence, those who took control of this country in various areas of activity would have at that time played a proper influential role and the present generation would not have faced this bitterness.

Retired Central Bank Governor A S Jayawardene was the Chief Guest. K P Nimal Dias, President, Association of Professional Bankers also spoke.

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