The inception of the National People’s Power in Sri Lanka signifies a crucial juncture in the nation’s political trajectory, signalling a new dawn under President Anura Kumara’s leadership. As this government sets forth, it grapples with the challenge of adapting to an inexperienced parliament while striving to fulfil the urgent desires of a citizenry yearning for substantial change.
Sri Lanka has long been ensnared in a cycle of stagnation shaped by the self-serving policies of previous administrations. Many citizens equate personal success with material possessions—a grand dwelling, an opulent vehicle, and elite educational facilities. This narrow world-view has obscured a more expansive understanding of national and societal progress, undermining genuine advancement.
Yet, a promising shift is on the horizon with President Anura Kumara at the forefront. He and his administration appear to know the intricate and profound challenges Sri Lanka faces. Their ambitious initiative, termed “Clean Sri Lanka,” aspires to confront these issues, with plans anticipated to commence on January 1, 2025. This initiative transcends mere environmental clean-up; it embodies a comprehensive transformation of the nation.
The path ahead is laden with obstacles. To bring about meaningful change, this program must address numerous areas of concern—long-standing practices deemed ineffective require reformation. Securing public support will be paramount, yet the reforms will likely incite resistance. The shadow of past governmental experiences looms, reminding us of the turmoil encountered by Srima Bandaranaike’s administration in the 1970s.
For success, the government must not only endure the challenges posed by the opposition but also cultivate a collective comprehension of what true development entails. Engaging the populace is vital, steering them toward a vision that surpasses individual aspirations and prioritises the common good. Only then can Sri Lanka unlock its potential, evolving into a nation that embodies not just economic metrics but one that flourishes in unity, purpose, and genuine progress.
Cleaning the Public Road System
Under the Clean Sri Lanka program, an essential aspect that must be directed appropriately is the strict enforcement of road discipline without any leniency. This is a notably challenging task, as the public tends to use the road system in Sri Lanka according to their own laws and desires.
First and foremost, it is crucial to implement speed limit signage throughout the country and to enforce it rigorously. Currently, the national speed limit is set at 70 kilometres per hour. However, within Sri Lanka’s narrow road network, this speed limit is not safe. Therefore, it can be considered to reduce this limit to 60 kilometres per hour.
Additionally, within urban limits, the maximum speed limit should be lowered to 30 kilometres per hour.
Furthermore, measures should be introduced to prohibit overtaking on such narrow roads, and a system must be established where vehicles travel one behind the other. This should be particularly enforced on heavily congested roads like the Galle Road.
Proper management of vehicle movement in the correct lanes is also necessary, and it should be mandated that no two vehicles travel in the same lane. This issue often arises with three-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles. It must be recognized that three-wheelers are unsuitable for Sri Lanka’s road conditions, as they significantly contribute to traffic congestion.
Another critical aspect to consider is regulating public transportation services. This has become a significant issue for the public in Sri Lanka. The government has a responsibility to rescue citizens affected by the erratic behaviour of private buses. The government must reform the National Transport Commission to align the national transportation system with the needs of a new society. If this is not feasible, then it should be entrusted to a company under a proper tendering system. Moreover, creating a framework for disciplined drivers and conductors, along with providing appropriate official uniforms, is essential.
Another requirement under the Clean Sri Lanka program for the road service system is to establish a proper procedure for stopping buses by public transportation services. Currently, this is often dictated by the needs of private bus drivers. They frequently stop wherever they wish to pick up and drop off passengers, which must be curtailed. A systematic approach for designated bus stops needs to be established. It is also vital that the first bus stop for any route starting from the city is located at least 500 meters away. The rationale for this is that a distance of 500 meters from the city allows passengers to walk without excessive strain.
The next matter to address is the establishment of proper procedures for pedestrians. Firstly, it is imperative to prohibit commerce on pedestrian walkways. These walkways exist for the safe movement of the public. In addition, a significant responsibility must be placed on the public regarding the proper use of roadways. The processes of safe pedestrian movement should be thoroughly studied and communicated to the public for better awareness.
Cleaning the Police Service
Cleaning the police service is the second important aspect. The Sri Lanka Police is an institution that operates very fundamentally. While police officers are appointed after proper training, they often behave in an unprofessional manner at their places of service.
Among the general public in Sri Lanka, there is no positive perception of the police or police officers. The reasons for this are quite evident. From my personal experience, when visiting a police station for any issue, the level of attention you receive is very low.
No matter the reason for your visit to the police station, the officers there tend to look at you as if you were a criminal. Generally, they do not know how to communicate with a person in a normal, respectful way. Furthermore, having a clear discussion with them is often impossible, as they behave rudely and speak very harshly.
In such a scenario, public dissatisfaction with the police is unavoidable. Cleaning up this situation must be prioritized in the Clean Sri Lanka program. It’s important to note that not all police officers fall into this category, but many do. In a developed country, the public does not fear police officers; they behave very respectfully while effectively enforcing the law. This is the kind of relationship that the Sri Lankan police should also foster.
Additionally, the poor conditions of police stations need to be urgently improved. In my experience at a police station in Sri Lanka, when I went to use the restroom, it was in a deplorable state. It was certainly not fit for a person to use. Many police stations lack the necessary facilities for the public. Moreover, the tables and chairs available for officers were also in disrepair. Some windows were broken, leading to a clear conclusion that a police station is not a safe place.
In some police stations, the only well-maintained room was the office of the station chief. This condition is often found in police stations housed in very old buildings. These conditions need to be swiftly reformed to be favored by the public.
Sri Lankans face significant inconvenience due to the behaviour of traffic police officers. The public is quite aware of the manner in which they conduct their duties. It’s no secret that even the President, Anura, is aware of this issue.
Cleaning the Health Service
Cleaning the health service is something that must be done from the bottom up. From sanitation workers to specialists, their work operates at a very basic level. They seem to think that they are receiving privileges as government employees, but what they fail to realize is that they are actually servants of the sick. Until they understand this, they will not provide proper service to patients.
The health service in Sri Lanka is characterised by a lack of discipline among its workforce. Their behaviour is often quite shameful. They generally lack the basic knowledge needed to interact with patients arriving at government hospitals. There is doubt as to whether they have received any training in understanding a patient’s mental state. From the lowest worker to the highest official, they act as if the patients are their enemies. They need to be told to behave kindly towards the public. By rectifying this situation, an excellent health service can be provided to the people.
A primary issue that needs to be addressed in the health service is privatising channelling services. Government doctors should be immediately prohibited from engaging in channelling services. The harm caused by their inhumane actions directly impacts the country’s development. Many services that cannot be availed at government hospitals can be obtained by channelling a government doctor to a private hospital.
However, this is done at a private establishment, which often requires paying a substantial sum. Unfortunately, the actual consultation happens in a government hospital. This is a deeply unfortunate and deceitful practice. The government doctor is essentially cheating the state. Moreover, patients never encounter a doctor who smiles or speaks compassionately at a government hospital. The time dedicated to patients is also extremely limited.
Another serious issue in government hospitals is the unsanitary conditions. Once, during a visit to a maternity ward in a government hospital, I observed that a family of Cats had taken residence in the ward. Several Kittens were seen moving around the patients’ beds.
When I enquired with a nurse working in that ward about this, she responded, “They are just innocent little kittens. We can’t remove them.” However, this nurse seemed to have forgotten that this is a hospital and that hygiene should be a primary concern. Such incidents can be observed frequently. Furthermore, the level of cleanliness in government hospitals is very low. This situation must be urgently changed under the Clean Sri Lanka program.
Cleaning the Tourism Industry
Cleaning up the tourism industry is crucial for bringing foreign exchange to Sri Lanka. The number of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka each year is very low. According to my knowledge, the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka should ideally be at least 10 million per year, but currently, it is only about 2 million. These tourists primarily come from countries like India, Russia, China, Ukraine, and Germany. The foreign exchange generated from these tourists is minimal.
Despite Sri Lanka being a beautiful country, the decline in tourist numbers can be attributed to a poorly organized tourism industry. From the moment tourists arrive at Colombo Airport until the end of their trip, they face unnecessary pressures. During my visits to Sri Lanka, I have encountered countless unfortunate experiences due to various incidents.
The harm caused to the tourism industry by tuk-tuk drivers must be investigated, as it appears they take advantage of tourists by perceiving them as foolish. Tourists are reluctant to ride with them but often leave the country feeling confused and frustrated.
The service provided by tourist guides is another unreliable aspect that needs urgent attention from the government. Many of the guides in Sri Lanka are involved in fraudulent activities, which undermines the tourism industry.
Attention must also be directed towards unregulated restaurants, as they often put tourists in uncomfortable situations. They sell food at inflated prices far beyond what is reasonable. Furthermore, these establishments contribute nothing to government revenue. It is common to find places selling items at double the normal price. This issue is particularly acute in popular tourist destinations like Arugam Bay.
Special focus should also be given to accommodations. Many tourists arrive in Sri Lanka after booking hotels online. However, this situation is not properly regulated. Anyone in Sri Lanka can rent out their home to tourists. All that is needed is to upload a few photos to a website like Hotels.com.
There are numerous such places available for rent at extremely low prices in Sri Lanka, but the facilities provided are very minimal. Although the photos displayed online may suggest good quality, tourists often find themselves in very low-quality accommodations upon arrival. Unfortunately, there is little the tourists can do about this. This, too, is a personal experience I have had.
Conclusion
In this article, I have revealed only a few minor points. However, there are many tasks that must be accomplished to transform Sri Lanka into a developed country. It is impossible to say how long it will take the current government to complete these tasks. However, the Clean Sri Lanka program should be initiated as soon as possible with this goal in mind. While cleaning Sri Lanka involves a process of purifying the general environment, it is something that can also be done by ordinary workers.
