The internet has become an essential tool for humans, and with its use, both the state and citizens have begun engaging in open transactions with the world beyond geographical boundaries. This has led to both advantageous and disadvantageous results.
Since independence from the British, Sri Lanka has also engaged in these transactions through the power exchange between the two main political camps. The era of isolated living has ended, resulting in global economic and political power becoming multicenter.
In 1977, Sri Lanka opened up to the global economy. Through its social, economic, and political sectors, Sri Lanka is now directly connected with the global economy and politics. Although it is an island of 65,610 square kilometres, Sri Lanka can no longer be considered an isolated island nation.
The Fate of 2022 and the Decision of the Struggle
In 2022, Sri Lanka faced an unexpected fate. The economic collapse led to bankruptcy. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the democratically elected president, couldn’t complete three years of his term and had to resign amid protests demanding solutions to economic problems.
Subsequently, Ranil Wickremesinghe became the successor president. However, after serving for two years, he faced a crushing defeat in the recent presidential election. The people decided to elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a representative of a never-before-tested new team, as president. Under such circumstances, significant discussion exists about how Sri Lanka will secure its position in the current global economy.
The G20 Summit
The International Monetary Fund’s contribution has been chosen as a remedy for the economic crisis that emerged in 2022. This program continues under the new government as well.
In such a context, how Sri Lanka will engage in practical political and economic practices within world politics has become a prominent topic, especially with a leftist government in power. Who will be Sri Lanka’s global friends at this moment?
Many have asked this question. The G20 Summit can be identified as the best approach to finding answers. The summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18 and 19, concluded with a series of globally important decisions. Strong attention was paid to global hunger, climate change, and global inequality, particularly focusing on problems affecting people worldwide.
Action Against Hunger and Poverty
The importance of a global alliance to fight hunger and poverty was emphasised here. This summit was notable for finding solutions to food insecurity in developing countries and proposing strategies to strengthen the food supply.
Another proposal was to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Representatives of member countries agreed to the program of doubling global energy efficiency. The proposal to fight against nationalism was also significant. The G20 group’s initiative to promote ethnic equality can be considered a significant factor.
Technology for Human Development
After extensively discussing emerging trends in technology, the G20 leaders decided that urgent measures should be taken to identify developing technological tools and trends in artificial intelligence.
Another special decision reached by the G20 summit was that all such practices should be maintained within the boundaries of humanity and ethics. The summit, which began under the theme “Building a Fair World and Sustainable Earth,” successfully concluded with numerous decisions that did justice to this theme, marking a victory for the global community.
Why is the G20 Summit Important for Sri Lanka?
Accordingly, Sri Lanka’s new government must be responsible for understanding the importance of the G20 summit’s activities. To understand this comprehensively, we must go back at least to the 1980s. Since the 1980s, neo-liberal economics has been promoted as the only path to development.
The G-7 organisation emerged based on globalisation and neo-liberal economics, one phase of the global economy. The G-7 group aimed to share the world economy collaboratively. The collapse of the socialist camp in 1989 provided an opportunity for such an ideology.
China’s Role and Sri Lanka’s Development
However, maintaining the world in a unicentric state proved impossible. China’s success in establishing its presence everywhere was a major reason. After the collapse of the socialist camp, Russia also rapidly rose with nationalist independence. Several South American countries in oppressed conditions also attempted to rise independently.
With Manmohan Singh’s arrival, India became a power in the Asian region. Under these conditions, the twenty-first century changed, and the world began to be shaped by the achievements various countries had gained.
Through this, the unicentric world disappeared. Instead of a unicentric world, it had to move towards a more independent and progressive approach of a multicentric state. This created a special opportunity for Sri Lanka, generating opportunities to achieve political and economic victories.
Accordingly, G-20 is an organisation of world economic powers. Its activities appear to be more beneficial for Sri Lanka. All global issues highlighted at this G20 summit are relevant to Sri Lanka. It has created an opportunity to find answers to Sri Lanka’s burning issues. The representation of China, India, and Russia at the G20 summit is also advantageous for Sri Lanka.
Artificial Intelligence Could Be a Necessary Condition for Development
The China-Sri Lanka friendship, which claims a history dating back to pre-Christian times, should be utilised as an advantage here. Historical connection is very important in every instance; through this, China is always ready to support Sri Lanka.
Therefore, China’s contribution and intervention are significant for Sri Lanka, striving to rise again. China, as a powerful state in the global context, has also raised issues at this summit that countries like Sri Lanka are facing.
China’s development plan for a new world is important for this reason. Despite suspicious areas, China has no intention of harming Sri Lanka. The latest turn in the industrial revolution—digital technology—and, through it, the rapidly developing use of artificial intelligence is a very important factor for Sri Lanka’s current development. It might even be a necessary condition that needs to be incorporated into the journey towards development.
The New Government’s Promise and Responsibility
Specifically, the new government discussed a digitalisation program before coming to power. This was a promise made to the people, and therefore, it must be fulfilled. Currently, the new government has also prepared a program for digital transformation.
This should also be highly valued. Therefore, it has created a facility for the effective use of technological cooperation. China already supports South Asian countries through technological processes to improve urban management.
Finally, it should be remembered that it is the new government’s responsibility to rapidly prepare a plan that will make a global contribution towards development by properly utilising all these opportunities.
