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Punishing the corrupt has proved to be more extensive than envisaged, and the legal processes are complex and dilatory. Nevertheless, the corrupt are being brought to justice and punished.

Containing corruption has been the main achievement of the NPP government in its first six months in office. Its main achievement has been the punishment of the corrupt and the reduction of wasteful government expenditure.

Significant

The government has exposed large corrupt deals and curtailed unnecessary and wasteful expenditure by the government. This is a significant step towards good governance and will contribute to the development of the economy. However, this alone is inadequate for good governance.

Adoption and effective implementation of policies are as important. There is a growing perception that the government lacks the skills and experience for implementing needed changes and reforms.

On the other hand, the people are disappointed that their expectation of an improvement in their livelihoods has not materialised.

Extensive

Corruption is extensive, permeating every branch of public administration. Its pervasiveness is so deep-rooted that containment is nearly impossible without a profound transformation in our cultural values and ethical standards.

Expectation

The expectation of the people is that by eliminating or minimising corruption and waste, economic prosperity could be ushered in.

Pervassive

Although corruption at the highest levels may be contained and the guilty punished, reducing the corruption that pervades nearly every branch of public administration remains impractical.

Eradication of such corruption is difficult, as it is beneficial to both the giver and the receiver of bribes. Ingenious ways have been devised to detect bribe taking.

It can be mitigated only by changes in administrative systems and frequent transfers of personnel, system changes, and a societal ethical transformation.

Japanese assistance

Hopefully the Japanese government’s grant of US$2 million would enable the adoption of administrative systems that minimise corruption in the public sector.

Silver lining

The silver lining that brightens our expectations of good governance that would transform our society is the character of the men and women we have elected to govern us.

Local government

An analysis of those elected from the NPP to local councils in the May 6 elections indicates that they have held high public office and possess proven integrity and professional credentials. These qualities are foundational prerequisites for the hoped-for transformation of our polity and society.

Contrast

In contrast to this favourable development was the shameful manner in which the election of the mayors, deputy mayors and chairpersons of local council took place. All political parties are alleged to have resorted to bribery, thuggery, and intimidation. There were even abductions of council members!

Shameful

Such acts are shameful and tarnish the peaceful post-election process that followed the presidential and parliamentary elections, the conduct of which was hailed as an example to other democratic countries.

NPP tarnished

The NPP’s image and its commitment to good governance have been seriously tarnished by the events surrounding the election of council heads. The party’s claims on good governance have been questioned.

Reforms

Multilateral organisations, donor nations, and economists have been disappointed with the pace of economic reforms. It is not clear whether the lethargy is due to a reluctance to implement reforms or an incapacity to undertake reforms.

Privatisation

As far as reforms to restructure state-owned enterprises are concerned, the government has stated quite clearly that it will not privatise SOEs but run them efficiently. It has also announced a variety of ownership and management modes as alternatives to privatisation.

The IMF appears to have given time for the implementation of these alternate reform programmes. The IMF’s motives for this wait-and-see stance can only be conjectured. What is important is to implement reforms that will reduce losses and improve the nation’s fiscal balance.

Popular discontent

There appears to be a wave of popular discontent with the government’s performance for several reasons. People are dissatisfied with the continuing economic difficulties, as they expected a price reduction and higher wages.

This is to be expected in a society that has been made to believe that the government has inexhaustible resources to confer benefits to people.

Specific reasons

Apart from this, there are several other reasons for popular discontent. The government must address these concerns, which include dissatisfaction with the government’s poor-relief programme and shortages and high prices of preferred varieties of rice and high prices of fertiliser.

Aswasuma

The country’s poverty-alleviation programmes have always suffered from poor targeting. This has been so in the Janasaviya, Samurdhi, and current Aswesuma programmes. There is a serious flaw in the Aswesuma programme: intended beneficiaries have not been receiving the benefit, while unintended and undeserving families have. Besides this, the administrative costs were high.

Flagrant violations of the scheme are well known. Although targeting has improved, this weakness remains, and the government itself has pleaded for the ineligible to refrain from obtaining benefits.

IPS study

A recent study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) points out that targeting has improved, though unintended beneficiaries are many and that there has been a reduction in the workforce. So Aswesuma too has not fulfilled the intended objectives.

Concluding reflection

The government’ commitment to the Herculean challenge of eradicating corruption can bring about a massive socio-economic transformation leading to economic development. It is not clear whether the large number of convictions would enrich the public coffers and deter corruption. As significant is the fact that it would reduce government expenditure.

More significantly, there is ample evidence that those in important positions are persons of knowledge, experience, and, most of all, persons of integrity who are committed to good governance. Therein lies the nation’s hopes for an economic and social transformation.

Despite scepticism, there is still hope that the NPP government will usher in a political, social and economic transformation.