The Rule Of Law To The Fore Again: But Who Are Its Sworn Enemies?
By W.A. Wijewardena -July 23, 2012
Dr. W.A. Wijewardena
Gurcharan Das to Sri Lankans: Unbind yourself
In the recently concluded Sri Lanka Economic Summit, India’s Gurcharan Das, the author of the book ‘India Unbound’ published in 2000 making a scathing criticism of the unknown dark side of India’s economic policy since its independence until India began to unbind itself in early 1990s, delivered a very strong message to Sri Lankans.
He said, Sri Lankahas got peace which was good. But without the Rule of Law and good governance, Sri Lanka cannot create the enabling environment for investors to invest and create wealth for Sri Lankans to become a nation of worth (available here)
He further said thatIndiamade a big mistake in its policy by nationalising banks in mid 1970s.Sri Lankatoo did a similar mistake, according to him, by nationalising its plantations. Both mistakes had frightened the investors away from the respective countries thereby paving way for the gloomiest economic record which either of the country has ever experienced in its post-independence history. He warned his audience that similar instances should not occur again ifSri Lankais interested in developing its investor base, a must for ascertaining a high economic growth continuously.
