REASONS FOR OUR POST-INDEPENDENCE UNDERDEVELOPMENT

Sri Lanka, an island nation blessed with abundant natural beauty and a strategically vital location, has, for over 77 years since gaining independence, remained entrenched in the category of a developing country.

- By Major General Dr. Boniface Perera

While the global landscape has dramatically transformed, pushing many of its postcolonial peers towards prosperity, Sri Lanka has grappled with persistent economic instability, social fragmentation, and a cycle of dependency.

This enduring struggle is not attributable to a single factor but rather a complex interplay of political misdirection, societal shortcomings, and a collective inability to embrace a progressive vision. This article will delve into the multifaceted reasons behind Sri Lanka's predicament, drawing upon the observations provided and integrating other relevant factors to paint a comprehensive picture for the benefit of the nation.

LEADERSHIP VACUUM

One of the most critical factors underpinning Sri Lanka's stagnation is a chronic deficit of visionary and principled leadership. While figures like D.S. Senanayake and J.R. Jayewardene are often cited for their foresight in the immediate post-independence era and the embrace of an open economy respectively, their tenures were unfortunately not the norm. For the better part of its independent history, Sri Lanka has been plagued by leaders who, rather than charting a strategic course for national development, have prioritised personal enrichment, short-term political gains, and the appeasement of narrow electoral bases. This absence of sustained, honest leadership with a long-term strategic vision has resulted in fragmented policies, abandoned projects, and a lack of consistent direction that is essential for a nation's upward trajectory. Instead of investing in robust institutions, fostering innovation, and building a competitive economy, successive governments have often resorted to populism and patronage, undermining the very foundations of sustainable growth.