The Economic Summit in Colombo took top billing last week with eight sessions of invigorating exchanges.


What was, however, not clear was who would do what with valuable information exchanged and would there be definitive responsibility for achievement by 2020 — the target year for fruition.


At Session eight, Minister of Justice Milinda Moragoda was keynote speaker. Quite aptly, he said, rather than talk he would listen. "The talking will be done just to stimulate discussion".


He said the ‘Winner takes it all’ system of politics has "got us nowhere". That system must change. There should be genuine consensus, and more so stimulating instances of both large parties working together.
Hitherto this did not happen and continuous politics meant that rather than the rift exacerbate to unmanageable levels, hardly any sort of nation building took place.


Invective thrown across was designed to destroy rather than indulge in critique for constructive structuring. The presence of young parliamentarians augured well for future of politics in this country. He said it was these youth who would eventually lead and at that time leaders who emerge may have such qualities that could discern opportunity and act accordingly.


The panel members were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Faizer Mustapha and MPs Sajith Premadasa, Sunil Hadunetti, Kabir Hashim and Dayasiri Jayaekera.


Moderator was Business Editor - Sunday Times, Feizal Samath. Although two others Ministers were also slated to be on the panel, Dilan Perera, and V. Muralitheran were absent.


Mustapha, apart from faulting the opposition for the country’s ills had nothing else to say. That too in contrast to keynote content of Moragoda’s theme of generating consensus rather than continue with belligerent politics.


Kabir Hashim handling Education articulated refreshing ideas mainly English being the need for progress. He said there are 9761 schools in the country, the greater number with no electricity. That being what it was, he posed the question how could the new generation enter the field of IT technology with this basic need not fulfilled.


He said English literacy in Colombo is as low as 37%, but in rural areas it was worse at just 7%. Quoting Bangalore being the IT center of the world, its emergence to that level of expertise was achieved not through conflict but adherence to policy and transparency.


He also stressed that good governance is crucial to progress. Good governance with that essential ingredient transparency is and should be distinctly practiced, if there was to be any progress.
"Good decision making structures should be in place for future progress",


said Sajith Premadasa. He projected the necessity for consensus. The need for priorities and objectives underscored necessities for substance in governance applicable to the highest levels of management of the State. He also said good decision making must be in place if there is to be progress.


Sunil Handunetti said the country’s woes centered round the official language and its use. He said the edict was that Sinhala be the official language with the addition that Tamil ‘also’ could be used. He queried why use of Tamil had to have the qualifying pre fix ‘also’, which had caused upsurge of Tamilian discontent. He said English is essential but as a link language.


Dayasiri Jayasekera’s contribution centered round the 13th Amendment and he interestingly asked "did we at any time consult the Tamils before its implementation?" "This was not done although the Tamils would be concerned most in its implementation".


He also pointed to a downward slide in discipline on our roads and left the question in an open ended state querying who could be held responsible.


Answering a question from the audience Sajith Premadasa said the UNP will be back. "Do not entertain doubts on that score".


He said the party is now in the process of restructuring and identifying what must be done and it won’t take long before they would be back in power.