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In a
socio-political climate where it is widely felt that corruption
is a more crippling issue for this country – perhaps, even more
than conflict – BENCHMARK turned the spotlight on graft in one
of its more recent editions. In an effort to understand the
ground realities with regard to bribery and corruption, the
widely watched business programme asked the recently appointed
Chairman of the Hayleys Group, N. G. Wickremeratne, whether he
agreed that graft may be “perpetuating the war”.
The Hayleys Chairman responded: “The COPE report and the low
ratings by Transparency International in recent times seem to
indicate that there is an upward trend in corruption, which is
certainly a cause for concern. The repercussions for Hayleys
would be serious. We are particularly disadvantaged by the trend
in corruption because we, as an organisation, have maintained a
clean record in this regard in relation to all our businesses.”
Asked whether the business community has the moral fibre and a
clean enough record to speak out against corruption, he opined:
“Collectively, perhaps, it doesn’t.” Wickremeratne elaborated:
“If you take the business community, some people are benefiting
from corruption. Some organisations have a stake in what is
happening and others do not. So, how could they get together and
protest against an issue like corruption? But having said that,
it should be noted that the trade chambers have been quite vocal
and have spoken out against corruption, and have even exposed it
on many occasions. At seminars and open forums, public speakers
and business leaders have also spoken out against corruption.
Hopefully, these developments would create a swell of opinion
and will enable people to understand the situation and oppose
corruption.”
When asked on BENCHMARK why business is acting as if national
issues are no longer its concern – even burying its head in the
sand and hoping, perhaps, that the most pressing issues which
the country faces will disappear overnight – Wickremeratne
responded: “It is interesting that you think we are trying to
hide our heads in the sand. It might be the perception of those
who think of the business sector as one homogeneous community
and also that they are not taking note of the issues that are
impacting the country. Most businesses, trade chambers and
associations are constantly making representations to the
government in this regard and are trying to move the country
forward in a better way.”
In that context, can the business community take up arms against
bribery and corruption by refusing to pay taxes and organise
mass street protests, for instance? Wickremeratne intimated to
BENCHMARK that this would not be prudent. “Most people look at
the business community as an anchor of stability. So, perhaps,
it would seem quite radical for Hayleys to protest openly
against issues such as bribery and corruption. We would like to
lead by example, but would not want to add to the turbulence in
the country by organising any protests,” he told the business
programme unequivocally.
Asked whether the business community is “still sulking” that it
was told by the state to mind its business vis-à-vis peace (a
fact gleaned from LMD, the presenter of BENCHMARK),
Wickremeratne asserted: “I don’t know whether people were told
to mind their business. I can’t think of a forum in which this
was said. But everyone has a right to his or her opinion. Large
organisations such as Hayleys have an opinion in this regard,
which will be taken note of by our stakeholders and the
community in general. We are for peace, but it has been
difficult to achieve, so far. If not, we would not be having
this conflict for the last 20-plus years.”
So, does business think that politicians are selfish – and does
business itself have its own vested interests not compatible
with the national agenda? Wickremeratne disagreed with this
view. “It is very difficult to say that any particular segment
of society is selfish – whether it is politicians or business.
People have their own self-interests. It is not possible to
point your finger at one segment of society and call them
selfish. In any case, politicians are elected by society. We
have to manage with the elected representatives of the people.
It could be argued that some politicians have even sacrificed
their lives for the country,” he averred.
Responding to a question posed on the same edition of BENCHMARK
as to whether Sri Lanka’s economy could be developed along the
lines of a Thailand – if Singapore, for example, is asking for
too much at this stage of national development – Wickremeratne
said that the nation’s policymakers should focus on resolving
the ongoing conflict and formulating a stable set of policies if
development is to be expedited. The economy has grown despite
challenges and the potential for further growth is immense, he
observed.
“Sri Lanka has posted negative growth only in one calendar year
during its over-50 years of independence. During the last two
years, the economy has grown by 6-7 per cent. Sri Lanka is a
manageable country, which is gifted with natural beauty. It has
an educated workforce and a highly literate population and has
the potential to develop like other emerging economies in the
region,” he affirmed.
BENCHMARK is presented by LMD and produced by ‘the wrap
factory’. It airs every Sunday on TNL at noon, with a repeat at
9.05 p.m.
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