President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent interview with German television network DW has ignited controversy and drawn sharp criticism from several moderates. The interview, which centred on Sri Lanka’s stance regarding an international inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks, has generated significant debate on the international stage. 

In response to the President’s fiery exchange during the interview, people are now beginning to realise that English fluency can’t be compared with intelligence, competence, courage and statesmanship. Certainly this episode underscores the broader concern that language proficiency should not be equated with leadership qualities. But cannot be underestimated either. Given the impact JFK, Churchill and Obama had on their electorate with their eloquence and oratory skills. Given the negative impact of this interview internationally and the push back from the Catholic bishops conference that the President never discussed the Easter Sunday carnage officially and that the Cardinal and the Bishops had no differences about the ultimate outcome. 

This begs the question as to why such a hostile interview was arranged for the President by the Foreign Ministry and the President’s office given that the President was on a very tight schedule according to sources. Critics say some of those running the Foreign Ministry and in the inner circle are isolating the President and making him look bad in the eyes of the public. Without publicising the economic recovery to which he has given leadership risking his political capital and even his life. He has already lost everything he had including his house and his private collection of books and paintings, which cannot be replaced according to several sources close to him.

IMF

On the other hand the Government who was very confident that the IMF would sign off the second tranche was in for a very rude shock when it was deferred. Despite papers reporting that the President had a good meeting with the IMF MD in the UN. Some analysts say it is geo politics. They say India is unhappy that the Government is shifting again towards China. The President has said publicly that it is a non-aligned policy that he is following. It is only in Sri Lanka’s interest. Not China, the US or India. 

The real issue for the IMF according to sources is the revenue mobilisation target. This is expected to fall short by nearly 12% by the end of the year. This has not gone down well with the IMF and also the Government’s inability to address the systemic and severe weakness in governance and corruption across State institutions. Several allegations have been made against some ministries and a few people in the President’s network about deals and kickbacks. 

The other frustration for the IMF is that there is no cut back on public expenditure to recoup the shortfall in revenue. For example Mahinda Rajapaksa and his deposed brother Gotabaya move around with security and vehicles like they were in high office, including a few stupid Government officials. The Opposition must call for a report of the travel cost of certain officials in the Foreign Ministry and the President’s office so that the public is aware of their $ costs. They must be held accountable for their foreign visits. If not, this attitude could undermine progress towards Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability.

Revenue collection

Sri Lanka’s State revenue has seen a shortfall of 100 billion as of now compared to the revenue target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), To increase revenues and better governance, it is important to strengthen the tax net. No point in squeezing the existing taxpayers. Get every citizen including politicians to pay something for the upkeep of the country. The weak tax revenue performance reflected is a combination of low tax rates, narrow tax bases, and low collection efficiency. The worst being the Customs and the Inland Revenue Department. 

What this country needs is the stirring stuff that billionaire UK Premier Rishi Sunak said recently addressing his party convention last week in Britain. “We will be bold. We will be radical … It is time for a change.” This is what our country needs now. The President has the capacity to do it, but not with this team? There are few others now lurking in the sidelines thinking they can be the next Rishi. Because the SJB Sunaks have been a big disappointment for most moderate people in Sri Lanka.

Do we need all this ceremony to welcome bureaucrats and politicians in a bankrupt country? 

This article was first published in Daily FT, Srilanka