Economics of the 100 day program: Word of caution on populist measures

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) congratulates H. E. Maithripala Sirisena on his assumption of duties as the sixth President of Sri Lanka. It is encouraging that momentum seems to be building up in support of the important constitutional and governance reforms contained in his 100-Day Program. Every effort should be made to consolidate the consensus which seems to be emerging on these issues. Reform of the Executive Presidential system; the establishment of the Constitutional Council and independent commissions; the strengthening of the Parliamentary Oversight System of Committees; new electoral laws; the Right to Information Act; the National Drugs Policy; and the National Audit Bill are all measures which are very much in the national interest. The proposal to form a National Government of all parties represented in Parliament to govern for two years after the General Elections, in April, is also commendable as a measure to overcome the negative effects of the highly adversarial political system which has served to constrain the reforms necessary to address some of the major challenges which have confronted the country for decades.