Geneva Smokescreen Obliterates Public Outcry
The people for the past three decades have suffered the steady rise in the cost of living with great forbearance. We have no ready index to point to for this Himalayan climb other than the price of bread which Chandrika Kumaratunga in her presidential bid vowed to reduce to Rs 3 per loaf. Now the price is Rs. 58! ‘The War’ has been the excuse of all leaders including the present incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa but after a near three years of peace, prices of essential commodities are still soaring.
The recent oil price hikes which sent the prices of all other commodities rocketing skywards appeared to be the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back. There was spontaneous combustion of the people’s fury. They took to the streets and made dramatic demonstrations. They were treated with tear gas, water cannon and bullets. But Mahinda Rajapaksa, that artful dodger of public calamities used the hangover of ‘the war’ once again to save himself.
The alleged war crimes charge made against the Sri Lankan government by the United States and other Western nations came to his rescue. He used his well oiled political machine, within days, to transport thousands of his cheering squads to Colombo as well as stage demonstrations in other towns to protest against the American Resolution moved at the UNHRC in Geneva. Once again ‘patriotism’ is the name of the game.
The people retreated to their homes with pangs of hunger and in anger while President Rajapaksa and his cohorts are assailing America and its allies and various forces in Sri Lanka for the move made to investigate the alleged war crimes. The patriotic drum beat is increasing in crescendo. Whether this drum beat has any resonance in Geneva is indeed doubtful. But it appears that it is drowning frantic screams and calls made by demonstrators to ease the burdens that the government has heaped on them.
Is it the end of the protests? Are the masses to suffer in silence with the increased prices of almost every item in their daily needs: food, transport, water, power, gas and other ancillary needs? All governments are blessed with the manic obsession of the Sri Lankan public for cricket. For weeks people have been glued to their TVs watching the performances of their cricketing heroes in Australia.
Unfortunately, for the Rajapaksas we could not clinch the trophy. If that happened it would have been claimed as another vindication of the Mahinda Chintanaya, But the cricketing circus now moves on to Bangladesh and the Big Match season is on in Sri Lanka. Cricket may be an analgesic for suffering Sri Lankans but once the match is over the suffering returns.
What has the Rajapaksa regime done to cushion the below the belt punches received by the people? Subsidies have been announced for certain groups. Government intervention to provide assistance to vast segments of the population has to be watched considering the level of widespread corruption that prevails. It could end up with government cronies receiving subsidies for the needy. On the other hand why provide subsidies without bringing about all round reductions even if they are small. Fishermen we are told will be provided with a fuel subsidy. But why not for farmers as well for they too need fuel for their tractors? This issue of subsidies smacks of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
When financial calamities of this magnitude hit nations, sacrifices of the ruling class and calls for austerity by government leaders are needed. Have we been informed of a single instance of a government VIP declaring some surrender of official entitlements? Fuel costs have escalated but convoys of fuel guzzling limousines are seen cruising along the roads. State owned helicopters are being used by some VIPs like three wheelers for flimsy occasions which could have been well cancelled in the context of the prevailing situation. The mentality is not that of an elected representative of the people but that of ruling maharajah born into an affluent dynasty.
Has the fuel hike and the consequent economic debacle affected foreign travel of our ministers, MP and bureaucrats? Going by reports of those flying from New York to Geneva, and Colombo to Geneva all stops regarding restrictions of travel have been pulled out. Reports from Geneva say that bureaucrats and ministers are working at cross purposes and the prime objective does not appear to be to blunt the American proposal. External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L.Peiris is being made the scapegoat for many matters on foreign affairs but his wings are clipped with newly sprung wonders in foreign affairs monitoring and supervising him. Responsibility for this state of affairs should lie with the all powerful president himself for clipping the minister’s wings and sending mediocrities to challenge him. The Geneva bill on airfare and accommodation is going to be sizeable and the suffering masses plus the Rajapaksa cheer squads howling abuse at America and Barack Obama will need positive results.
Meanwhile, there are billions of rupees going down the drain due to wastage and corruption. The Petroleum Corporation, SriLankan, Mihin Lanka and the Electricity Board are the front runners for incurring losses. Yet those who dare take action against such wastage and probable corruption are risking their necks. For example, the acting Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation (CPC), a public servant and an official of the Finance Ministry has been removed summarily from his office.
The reason: He had asked some debtors of the CPC such as SriLankan and Mihin Lanka to pay their debts. It is well known that the losses of the CPC have been primarily due to institutions such as SriLankan, Mihin Lanka and the Electricity Board not paying its bills. An impartial observer will wonder whether there will ever be a cure for wastage and corruption until radical changes come about in the order of things.
The eruption of public anger on the streets last month was not only a reaction to price hikes but the realisation of the people of the abuse of power in practically all fields of state activity and the enjoyment of the good life – the la dolce vita – by the few at the top.
Unless and until the people stand up and say: enough is enough, the rot will continue.
