Restoration of confidence and regaining credibility paramount
There is a compelling need for a robust intelligence and security infrastructure to address the safety and security of our people and domestic investors whose resilience has sustained this economy and the incomes and employment of our people during war and peace. Sustaining our export driven and dependent economy necessarily requires a restoration of confidence in destination Sri Lanka, among inbound tourists, foreign direct, and foreign portfolio investors.
Thus, conveying to the world at large, that we have lapses in communication and the absence of co-ordination and co-operation within a country, destroys the confidence of tourists and investors-whether on shore or off shore, inherently expect.
We must recognise the fear and instability these events bring, with sensitivity, empathy, maturity and foresight. Whether places of religious worship, hotels, shopping malls or supermarkets, the developer or operator cannot provide safety and security in isolation of the intelligence, security support and co-operation of its Government. This aspect must be addressed at the highest level, forthwith.
This is not the time and place for either blame games or rhetoric. Being defensive or offensive is not the answer. We must be progressive. Now is the time for rapid assessments, identification of lapses, inadequacies or breaches, and a design and execution of measures, to bridge these. These measures perhaps can be as advanced and unprecedented as the horrific events themselves.
As a stakeholder of the country, I expect an immediate review and a repositioning of intelligence and security infrastructure, whether governmental, administrative, operational–technical or tactical measures to manage and mitigate risks of domestic or international terrorism, protest or unrest, dis or misinformation, proponents of internal dissension or triumphalists. These are fundamental measures, whether in general for the country at large or for a Megapolis or Port City. This infrastructure must be well resourced in terms of people and technology and international cooperation. The heart rending, simultaneous and multiple events generated unprecedented messages of well wishes and support from multiple nations, multilateral and bilateral organisations. These must now be leveraged fully and swiftly, before these heart-warming and encouraging sentiments lose currency and become of academic value.
While my comments are from an independent personal perspective, might I add that my current responsibility as the Chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission, heightens my expectation of the Government to establish effective personal safety and security measures; robust internal and external security infrastructure at the country’s key installations, whether they are dams in the Mahaweli; key electrical generation plants; water and telecommunications infrastructure; ports and airports; highways and railways; the Parliament and other infrastructure.”
I like to share a thought with the community I believe I belong to. That is the community of professionals, regardless of race or religion. No representative of the professions should be demotivated and get into the woodwork. That should not be the response of an able representative of this country in which we are equal stakeholders – whether professional or politician. Our role should be to work smarter, individually and collectively to overcome our challenges with honesty, integrity and determination. That should be our contribution towards achieving normality and stability for the only country we call home.