19th Amendment is a key step forward in

Sri Lankas path towards sustainable

human development

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues on the podium, members of the media, ladies and
gentlemen,

by Prof. Mohan Munasinghe - on 06/18/2015

Ayubowan, Vannakkum, Good

Afternoon.
I am going to talk to you on the 19th Amendment as a scientist and
professional, and I will talk about its relationship to Sri Lankas path towards
sustainable human development (SHD) ie., sustainable development with
a human face.
The first point I want to make is on the well-known sustainable development
triangle (Figure 1). It has an economic dimension, because in any country,
growth and income are important factors. It also has a social dimension
with elements such as empowerment, governance and inclusion. And of
course, last but not least the environmental dimension includes elements

like natural resources and pollution. Clearly the elements of the triangle
have to be kept in balance, integrated and harmonized. That equilibrium
creates the democratic space in which we can pursue sustainable human
development.

Figure 1: Harmonize, balance & integrate economic, social and

environmental dimensions of sustainable development triangle to create
democratic space for sustainable human development in SL.
Source: Munasinghe (Rio Earth Summit 1992)
Unfortunately, in the last few years, and certainly before the last election,
we have had an unsustainable development pattern in Sri Lanka. The social
dimension was driven by very unethical social values like greed, nepotism,
corruption, violence, injustice and so on. This led to a model of economic

mal-development which was based on debt, unproductive megaprojects,

corruption and growing inequality. Finally, the environment was also
harmed, through pollution, depletion of natural resources and the like. And
certainly the democratic space in the middle was greatly diminished.
This is further elaborated in Figure 2, which shows the imbalance in
investment. Sustainable human development needs three types of capital
(or assets): economic (built capital), environmental (natural resources), and
social. In Sri Lanka, the previous regimes over-emphasis on unproductive
built capital, coupled with corruption, nepotism and inequality dominated
and actually undermined both natural capital (air, land and water) and
social capital. The latter is extremely important it is ignored, undervalued
and invisible. At the individual/human level, social capital it is built on
helpful personal and professional networks. At the community and national
levels, it is the invisible glue that binds society together involving values,
ethics, culture, behaviour, and social linkages. And I think one of the things
that this government has started to do is to restore eroded social capital
and natural resources, through more balanced investment for SHD.

Figure 2: INVESTMENT IMBALANCE: Over-emphasis on built capital

destroyed vital social and natural capital, due to unproductive
megaprojects, nepotism, corruption and inequality.
Source: Munasinghe (Rio Earth Summit 1992)
It is also useful to look at the relationship between the three main stake
holders (government, civil society and business) within a sustainable
development framework (Figure 3). The government of the previous
administration dominated overwhelmingly. As so eloquently explained by
Jayantha Dhanapala, the weight of executive presidency, the 18th
amendment, the 2/3rds majority in parliament, the nepotism, the
corruption, the violence, the intimidation, the control of media, and the
security state, really crushed civil society and business, thereby effectively

destroying the democratic space. So the electoral process of the recent

election, the 100 day program and the 19th Amendment symbolize a
restoration of that balance between the stakeholders.

Figure 3 : STAKEHOLDER IMBALANCE: Dominance of executive presidency

and government control crushed civil society and business, and destroyed
democratic space.
Source: Munasinghe (Rio Earth Summit 1992)
Figure 4 shows how the government, civil society and business have begun
to work together in harmony, to recover the democratic space in the middle
where sustainable human development could resume. We are now moving
towards a governance framework characterized by more, ethical values,

justice, equity, harmony and hopefully a lasting peace at the end of the
road.
So the electoral process in particular, reinforced democracy and the will of
the people through nonviolent means against all odds. It restored faith in
key institutions, like the office of the elections commissioner, broadened
the democratic discourse via newspapers, websites, social media, personal
emails, blogs, public platforms and debate tv shows. The 100 day program
and the 19th Amendment maintained the momentum. This is a
fundamental requirement for sustainable human development. I can
summarize by saying that much has been achieved in spite of the many
blocks in parliament and elsewhere. Key steps have been taken towards a
sustainable human development vision, and there is more to come, I
promise you. Although Im not a spokesperson for the government, Im
confident (together with my colleagues) that this will happen.

Figure 4: Restored stakeholder balance and recovered Democratic Space

after January 2015 election, 100 day programme and 19th Amendment.
Source: Munasinghe (Rio Earth Summit 1992)
Let me conclude by explaining the current status of global suitability.
Internationally we know that there is a risk of breakdown because of the
many issues that the world faces: the financial-economic crisis which is still
going on in many western countries, the persistent poverty and growing
inequity, resource shortages (water, food, energy, etc.), many kinds of
environmental harm, and finally climate change which is the ultimate threat
amplifier because it makes all the other problems worse.
Unfortunately, these problems interact synergistically, in a bad way. The
stakeholder interests are very divergent and their efforts are poorly

coordinated. We need integrated solutions. That is where sustainable

development comes in. We will be making another attempt at the UN
general assembly and after that at the climate conference in Paris. Let us
wish them all success, because progress in recent years has been painfully
slow due to of lack of leadership in the globe today.
Let me summarize one problem which encapsulates what I have been
saying at the global level. Consider the ecological footprint of the human
race the total burden we place on global ecosystems. We are consuming
today more than 50% of the planets sustainable carrying capacity. By 2030
we will need two planets worth to sustain our lifestyles. The pattern of
consumption is very unfairly distributed. 85% of human consumption is
done by the richest 20 % of the worlds population who consume 60 times
more than the poorest 20%. So basically the rich are consuming more than
one planet worth. And the question I have asked many world leaders at
many conferences is how we can keep the promises we make, like the 8
Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and now 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG). While such targets are worthy, if the rich are
already consuming more than one planet worth, where are the resources to
feed the poor? This is a huge contradiction.
What we are trying to do in Sri Lanka can become a model for the whole
world. The sustainable development goals (SDG) of the UNs post 2015
agenda are very much in tune with Yahapalanaya and what President
Sirisena has promised. For instance, SDG 16 says promote peaceful and
inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice
for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all
levels. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) did not focus on those
particular aspects. In fact, we in Sri Lanka have already taken the first
precursor steps to anticipate the thinking in the global community. These 17
SDGs will be ratified in New York, in September, and I hope President
Sirisena will be there to confirm our commitment to them.

Finally, the world is seeking a global eco civilization, with the three
elements of the sustainable development triangle in harmony. For Sri Lanka,
our long term goal is a society which meets the basic human needs of all,
especially the poor and vulnerable, ensuring reconciliation, peace,
harmony, social justice and security. Environmentally, we want to respect
nature and contain Sri Lankas resource use, within the sustainable capacity
of our country. Economically, we do want to have a prosperous economy
with adequate growth but respecting critical social and environmental
limits. Socially we have the human and social capital committed to peace
and unity. Environmentally, we can draw on our ancient values and a
culture that respects nature. Economically, we have the technology,
resources and skills. So we are in a good position.
I give you this ancients Pali blessing from Sri Lanka: Devo Vassatu kalena,
Sassa sampatti hetu ca, Pito bhavatu loko ca, Raja bhavatu dhammiko,
which means May the rains come in time (environment), May the
harvests be bountiful (economy), and May the people be happy and
contented; may the king be righteous (society). So many hundreds of
years ago our forefathers knew about the sustainable development triangle,
and we are rediscovering it now.
Just some final thoughts to our friends in the diplomatic community. We
know that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
(Santayana). We know that critics are our friends, because they show us
how to correct our faults (Franklin). But, we must also unite against
common challenges that we face and not necessarily dwell on past changes
that will divide us. So help us. Criticize constructively. Do not lecture,
threaten or impose. Have faith, be generous and give us the time and space
to further enlarge the democratic space we have already created. Sri Lanka
is firmly non-aligned and a long-time member of the G77. A friend to all,
and foe to none. We are small, but we will surprise you and become a
shining example for the world. We can do it, together.

Sthuthi, Nandri, Thank you.

###
Prof. Mohan Munasinghe is Founder Chairman of the Munasinghe Inst. of
Development (MIND), Colombo, and Vice Chair of the UN Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR4), who shared the 2007 Nobel Prize for
Peace. He is also KIVA Guest Professor at Darmstadt University, Germany;

Visiting Professor at the Vale Sustainable Development Inst., Federal Univ.

of Para, Brazil; Distinguished Guest Professor at Peking University, China,
and Senior Advisor to the Government of Sri Lanka.
Prof. Munasinghe made this speech at 19 A: Landmark of Democratic
Revival a panel discussion and Q & A for the diplomatic community of Sri
Lanka on the 19th Amendment on June 16, 2015, 4pm at Jaic Hilton. The
transcript of the speech was provided by the Presidents Media Division.
Posted by Thavam