What Should Be The Political & Economic Alternative?

By Michael Fernando –APRIL 7, 2021

Dr. Michael Fernando

During the past 73 years since its independence this country has been govern by the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party  (SLFP) or alliances headed by these two parties. It is very clear that these governments have brought this country to the brink of economic, political and social collapse. The UNP regime which came to power under the leadership of Mr. JR Jayewardene in 1977 introduced to Sri Lanka neo-liberal economic reforms in 1978. All these governments have been corrupt. They followed a policy of cronyism and nepotism.  These policies followed by the post-independence regimes and the inefficiency of  rulers  have now deepened the crisis which the country has been facing.

First we must explain what kind of a economic and political policy we suggest to follow in the present complicated international situation. We reject capitalism together with neo-liberalism.  What we need is a system of social justice which guarantees individual freedom. There were some positive elements in the first active revolution against feudalism and capitalism which took place in October 1917 in Russia. After the second world war a system called “socialist” was established in Eastern Europe. However, by 1991 this system collapsed in the Soviet Union and other socialist countries due to several reasons including the lack of real social justice. We do not approve the one party rule prevalent in so called socialist countries. We accept  democracy which ensures freedom and social justice. In some countries such as China, North Korea, Vietnam and Cuba there is a system called “socialism”. We do not fully agree with this system too. However, we will try to accept only the positive elements from  these countries.

Read More