Every nation dreams of progress- a future where its people live with dignity, where the economy thrives, and where opportunities are shared fairly. Yet between dreams and reality lies a powerful bridge built on two essential virtues: responsibility and accountability. Without them, no law, reform, or leader can truly guide a country toward sustainable development.
Development Begins with the Individual
Development does not start in parliaments or boardrooms; it begins in the hearts and habits of citizens. A responsible nation is built by responsible individuals. Responsibility means not only doing what is required but doing what is right – even when no one is watching. Accountability, in turn, is about being answerable for our actions and accepting both the credit and the consequences.
In a country like Sri Lanka, still navigating the challenges of economic recovery, political trust, and social discipline, these two values are not optional – they are vital. Our future depends on how each of us, from the student to the policymaker, embraces responsibility and accepts accountability in everyday life.
When Responsibility Fails, Progress Falters
We often speak about corruption, inefficiency, and delays. But at the heart of these problems lies a deeper issue — the neglect of responsibility.
Consider the number of public construction projects that start but never finish on time – a new road, bridge, or school building left half done. When supervision is weak, materials are wasted, or funds are misused, it’s not only money that is lost. It’s also the opportunity for children to study in better facilities, for farmers to transport their produce efficiently, and for communities to connect.
Or take waste management, a problem in almost every town and village. When citizens throw garbage irresponsibly, blaming the local council alone is unfair. Clean cities require responsible people. Even the most advanced waste systems will fail if citizens do not sort, reduce, and dispose of waste responsibly.
Similarly, traffic congestion in Colombo and other cities reflects the same issue. Many drivers break rules – parking anywhere, overtaking dangerously, or ignoring signals. A single irresponsible act on the road can create chaos for hundreds of others. If we truly respected time, discipline, and the safety of others, our roads could be as efficient as those in developed countries, even without spending billions on new infrastructure.
Accountability: The Key to Trust and Progress
Responsibility alone is not enough; it must be backed by accountability. Accountability ensures that actions are checked, evaluated, and corrected. It brings transparency to governance and integrity to leadership.
For instance, when public funds are used for a development project, there must be clear reporting and monitoring. Citizens should be able to know where their tax money goes. When institutions conduct internal audits and publish reports openly, it strengthens public confidence.
Countries such as Singapore and New Zealand developed rapidly not only because of smart economic policies but because they established strict accountability. In contrast, in Sri Lanka, the lack of follow-up or consequences often allows poor decisions and corruption to repeat. We cannot move forward if wrongdoers never face accountability while responsible performers are not rewarded.
A Shared Responsibility: Government and Citizen
While it is easy to point fingers at politicians, accountability is everyone’s duty.
- When a citizen avoids paying taxes, the country loses resources to build hospitals or schools.
- When a teacher neglects her lessons, she weakens an entire generation’s foundation.
- When a public officer delays a file, it delays opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- When we ignore rules or damage public property, we show that our sense of responsibility ends where our convenience begins.
True development begins when people take ownership of their roles — whether in the home, workplace, or community and act as if the nation’s future depends on their daily choices. Because, in reality, it does.
Leadership and Institutional Accountability
Leadership carries a special duty. Citizens place trust in their leaders not only to make decisions but also to model integrity. In times of economic difficulty, transparent leadership is the foundation of recovery.
When leaders admit mistakes, explain their decisions, and ensure that every rupee of public money is used efficiently, they strengthen the moral backbone of the nation. Sri Lanka’s path to rebuilding international confidence — among investors, lenders, and citizens — depends heavily on demonstrating that accountability is real, not symbolic.
Responsibility Builds Character and Community
Beyond governance, responsibility is a deeply human value. A responsible person learns discipline, empathy, and self-respect – qualities that build strong families and peaceful communities.
Take the example of school students who participate in environmental cleanups or youth groups that organize social service projects without expecting rewards. These small but powerful acts cultivate civic responsibility early on. When such attitudes grow, the entire social fabric strengthens.
Similarly, religious and community leaders can play a vital role by reminding people that morality and civic duty go hand in hand. True spirituality lies not only in prayer but also in living responsibly and helping others.
Creating a Culture of Responsibility and Accountability
To build a responsible and accountable Sri Lanka, we need action on several fronts:
- Education: Schools and universities must teach not only academics but civic ethics — honesty, punctuality, teamwork, and respect for others’ rights.
- Public Institutions: Government agencies should enhance transparency through digital systems, performance audits, and citizen feedback.
- Community Involvement: Local councils, youth clubs, and religious bodies can lead programs promoting cleanliness, waste reduction, and responsible citizenship.
- Personal Habits: Each of us can begin small – showing up on time, doing our job well, obeying traffic rules, conserving resources, and treating others respectfully.
When these habits become part of our everyday behavior, they create a powerful national culture that drives progress naturally.
A Call to Action
Sri Lanka’s journey toward sustainable development is not only an economic mission- it is a moral mission. We can attract investments, build highways, and open ports, but without responsibility and accountability, those achievements will fade quickly.
So, let us ask ourselves: Do we do our part with sincerity? Do we hold ourselves accountable for our choices?
Development begins not with systems or slogans but with self-discipline- the small, consistent acts of responsibility that build trust, fairness, and progress.
Let us become citizens who take pride not only in our heritage but also in our honesty and reliability. Let us show the world that Sri Lanka’s greatest resource is not its natural beauty or history but its people- who care, act responsibly, and stand accountable.
Because true progress is not measured in GDP or buildings. It is measured in the character of its people and their commitment to doing what is right.
Sources:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2024). Sri Lanka: Accountability needed for enforced disappearances [Press release]. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/05/sri-lanka-accountability-needed-enforced-disappearances OHCHR
International Monetary Fund. (2023). Sri Lanka: Technical assistance report—Governance diagnostic assessment (IMF Staff Country Report No. 340). International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400255977.002
Wanasinghe, S. (2022). Contribution to the development of political concepts of civic education among Grades 10‑11 in Sri Lanka. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 10(4), 45‑51. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v10i4.4247 ERIC
“Civic responsibilities of citizens in governance.” (2011). Transparency International Sri Lanka. https://www.tisrilanka.org/civic-responsibilities-of-citizens-in-governance/ tisrilanka.org
