7 December, 2024

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Think 2048, Act Now

By Jehan Perera

ජෙහාන් පෙරේරා

Jehan Perera

The present stability in the country is taken as an indication that the situation is improving. The law and order, drop in inflation, and absence of visible shortages, such as in front of petrol stations, signifies a vast change as compared to the situation a year ago. But shortages continue, an example being “Jeevanee” (oral rehydration salt drink) which is necessary for those who are undergoing medical treatment for illnesses such as dengue or doing sports. The shortage of Jeevanee is said to be due to issues in importing raw materials needed to produce it locally. More expensive substitutes are available at more than double the price. Those who are able to make ends meet, and have a bird’s eye view of the situation, are generally appreciative of the government’s success in ensuring normalcy in the country. 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has set his development goals for 2048. The prevailing stability in the country could provide the basis for its economic recovery, providing money is conserved by reducing corruption, promoting accountability and guaranteeing investors with stable policies. One of the main causes of low international investment in the country is due to investor fears of policy shifts that would impact on the viability of their investments. The claims that the economy is on the mend, regardless of the absence of the above mentioned factors, have been upset by two intrusions of reality. The first has been the release of economic data by the Department of Census and Statistics that shows the year on year GDP growth rate for the first quarter of 2023 was estimated as minus 11.5 percent. This shrinkage of the economy is on top of last year’s shrinkage of 9.2 percent.

The second statistic that has upset the picture of economic progress is the depreciation of the rupee after a few weeks of appreciation that was claimed as proof that the economy was getting strong once again. Various reasons were adduced for the supposed strengthening of the economy ranging from the skillful handling of the economy by the government to increased remittances by expatriate workers to increases in the numbers of tourists visiting the country. The fact that the apparent strengthening of the rupee was taking place in the context of strict import controls and the continuing failure to repay international loans pending the completion of the overall debt restructuring with the IMF was glossed over. These can be seen as temporary measures that camouflage the reality. 

Human Suffering 

Those with economic wherewithal and insider knowledge of what was really happening could buy dollars at a lower price and now sell them at a higher price making a formidable profit. Those at the bottom end of society are finding it difficult to live in dignity without selling off the little they own or getting further into debt. Those families who have fallen below the poverty level are now projected to remain above 25 percent in the next few years, having risen from 13 percent two years ago. Two anecdotes will put the human suffering into concrete terms. The first concerns the security guard from a security company. He suffered a partial stroke and has not been able to come to work for three weeks. When I went to see him in his home 27 km from Colombo he was seated in front of a television set that had sound but no picture. 

The patient explained that the picture went out of the television set a month ago, before he fell ill. He had taken it for repairs to the nearby town anticipating the cost would be about Rs 2000, but in fact the cost estimate was Rs 7000. So he brought it back home unrepaired. On the table by the television set was an unpaid electricity bill with a red notice. As he is not reporting for work, he will not be getting his salary which is paid according to hours worked. His wife who works in a nearby plastic factory which gives work to the village people whenever it has sufficient orders pays Rs 800 for a day, but for the past three weeks she has found it difficult to go to work as she has to look after her husband. Their two children are schooling and while I was there the daughter returned from her tuition class with two friends expecting lunch before setting off to their next tuition class. As a child would, she expected her parents to have the needed food on the table.

My second anecdote concerns the street cleaner who came to my door today to ask for money for his wife’s medicine. She had cancer that was removed surgically from her stomach, but the intestines had fallen inside and she needed a second surgery. She was in pain and he needed Rs 3000 to buy her the medicines. On the positive side of this unfortunate situation is that the cost of the patient’s treatment at the government hospital in both cases had been done all for free. The free health service which is an inheritance of the social welfare state that Sri Lanka once sought to be, before the buccaneering spirit overtook its political leaders, is one of the heritages that needs to be protected, even though the people are distracted by more emotive issues such as the fight to protect ancient religious heritages. A good society, as Mahatma Gandhi once said, and all the religious teachers have said in one way or the other, is a society that protects the wellbeing of all, and not the wellbeing of the majority or a minority. 

Bipartisan Support 

The above anecdotes are the travails of ordinary people, who work hard and honestly, but who cannot make ends meet through no fault of their own and it has become much more difficult for them now that the economy has collapsed. The general population has been quiet for a year since the Aragalaya was suppressed by security forces with their guns and batons and armed with the Prevention of Terrorism Act (and not with the Human Rights Charter as a previous president said about how our soldiers won the war) that can incarcerate people without bail and without trial for long periods. There has also been a shift in the popular mood after the election of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Both the people at large and the international community are giving the president the time and space to work the miracle of bringing Sri Lanka back to where it was and beyond. Unfortunately, the hopes, aspirations and good intentions of the president and his supporters seem to be confined more to words and passage of laws, and less to deeds.

Apart from economic recovery, the president has been attempting to address the other major fault line in Sri Lankan society, which is the ethnic conflict and mistrust between its ethnic and religious communities. With the UN Human Rights Council in session right now, and with Sri Lanka being subject to its deliberations, the government is pledging to establish a truth and reconciliation mechanism by the end of this year that could answer some of the unanswered questions of the protracted period of violence, war and human rights violations. The president has also been pledging on and off to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the constitution and devolve police and land powers to the provincial councils in the manner that the constitution mandates. He has also given priority to the concerns of the people of the northern and eastern provinces to protect their ownership and cultivation of land in the face of possible encroachments.

Instead of giving priority to outmaneuvering each other, and winning the next election whenever it comes, the government and opposition need to agree on the basic economic and ethnic policies that will guide the destinies of the country for the foreseeable future. Such a bipartisan consensus will give investors and the international community the confidence to invest in Sri Lanka like never before. The country is stable and at peace partly because the opposition political parties have been responsible in their behaviours and not trying to provoke or enrage the people to confront the government. There is a need for the opposition to give the government positive support, educating the people about the current situation and proposing its best thinking as to how to address those problems, be it through cracking down on corruption or supporting local industries, so that the government will be empowered to take constructive action to meet the people’s needs and aspirations.

Latest comments

  • 29
    2

    The two stories of ordinary people who suffer in silence actually speak for the vast majority of people in Sri Lanka. You will not see it on the streets or offices, but if you visit virtually any home of the majority poor people the stories are similar. These are not as a result of natural phenomena or Covid etc. These are deliberate crimes against humanity. The perpetrators should be tried and punished according to international humanitarian law. Elections usually do not deliver justice to the people as they are manipulated and the people duped. It is high time that the people organize themselves and collectively claim back their country and wipe away the parasitic scum that have infested and destroyed the country. It is perfectly legal and legitimate by any international covenant and the people are entitled to rise against their oppressors in a manner of their choosing, if their will is no longer exercised by their representatives.

  • 5
    0

    Think 2048, Act Now

    The people did not mess the country but the ministers. Most of the people are not living this period 2048, that means, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Is it a light of train coming to the tunnel.
    Failed more often because solve the wrong problem, get the wrong solution to the right problem.
    The man who became President because of Aragalaya a wakeup call for creativity. people made it in 2022 worth the effort to think 2048 and act now

    • 2
      5

      It has been the practice of many authors and commentators of Colombo Telegraph to habitually accuse Ranil Wicramasinghe of being an “unelected” President.
      It is an unfair accusation!.

      Ranil Wicramasinghe is the President in terms of the provisions of the present constitution. There is no escape from this fact. Unless the relevant provisions are changed constitutionally there is no way of conducting Presidential Election before the five years are completed since the 2019 Presidential election.

      It is not the persons holding posts, but the systems that elected them are at fault,
      whether it IS JR, Premadasa, Chandriksa, Mahinda, Gota or Ranil, all are the same, the products of the existing systems.

      The fault is in the systems, not in the persons.

      Hence the priority No 1 is Systemic Changes, blaming individuals or holding elections will not take us anywhere unless all systems are changed to reflect democratic, people friendly good governance credentials!

      • 3
        0

        “Ranil Wicramasinghe is the President in terms of the provisions of the present constitution.”
        srikrish, Your knowledge of the Constitution is thorough!
        But, Would you always accept what is provided in the Constitution?
        I doubt.

        • 1
          2

          Nathan,
          Definitely no!
          Please read my comment in full. I am advocating systemic changes passionately for quite some time.
          One of the systems that has to be changed radically is the present constitution along with the present electoral system, that is a prerequisite for conducting any free and fair election! .

          • 0
            0

            I agree that the system changes should come through the construction but how it is possible

      • 0
        0

        The lone “systemic” voice in the wilderness!

  • 4
    0

    “One of the main causes of low international investment in the country is the investor fear of policy shifts that impact on the viability of their investments.”
    – This is a perennial problem.
    .
    “The poverty level is projected to remain above 25 percent in the next few years, having risen from 13 percent two years ago.”
    -Temporary measures run out of gas quickly!
    .
    “the good intentions of the president seems to be confined more to passage of laws, and less to deeds.”
    – Reality.

  • 2
    0

    Thanks Jegan, for presenting an enlightened policy framework to address all the problems facing the country within the existing systems.

    It is within the pro western neo liberal economic model without effectively addressing some of the key ills facing the country such as corruption and nepotism and politicization of public service .the constitution will also remain intact as it is and so is the electoral system that continue to elect the corrupt repeatedly.

    But to date, there is no any viable alternative socio-economic model presented by any political party or politician and people have no choice, but to support the present IMF backed package of the existing regime rather than experimenting with different policy models without allowing time for the outcome of any policy packages.

    • 4
      0

      “policy framework to address all the problems facing the country within the existing systems”.
      srikrish, So, you now see no need for ‘system change’!

      • 0
        0

        nation,
        Again No!i just extended Jagan’s argument to the logical conclusion. I am a consistent and firm believer in a radical, not a piecemeal systemic change.

      • 1
        3

        N
        “So, you now see no need for ‘system change’!”
        You miss a crucial point it is ‘systemic change’ not ‘system change’.
        *
        The man who introduced the term ‘systemic change’ here had long since dumped it.
        What is the use of all the BS about any change if one cannot be specific?

        • 1
          1

          You are the lonely destructive force here. All other Pahadu Party supporters are left or silent now (probably, while hoping for the comeback of Old Rowdy). Your poisonous mind is struggling to prove that people have accepted Evil’s administration because nobody wants to waste their time with your ill intended debate of what “Systemic” is. In this electronic era, you are the only chaff hoping to fool some Modayas with your own definitions of words. Others have a deaf ear for your talk but refer to the internet for their needs. Commentators do not want to waste their time entrapped with your poisonous minded debates that are intended to detract peoples’ initiations of getting out your current and past masters, with overhauling the procedures that allowed those bastards get into power. You care less about Evil in power; your sole intention is nobody should be successful in having him ousted because his presidency is no longer dangerous for Old Royal Rowdies, your past masters, but can turn out to be dangerous for them as they could be dragged to court in others administrations. Evil is now enjoying his life at Temple Tree House, which he longed for his entire life, because IMF wants him there and it funds and feeds him there.

        • 1
          0

          IMF’s funding cannot keep him in people’s mind even for a second so he will come out of there the same way he came out after the Yahapalanaya time and faced the reality, i.e. no seat for UNP. At that time, you will find out whether here anyone is alone in asking for systemic change, or people have been asking for systemic change.
          It is unimaginable at this time that the Rowdy Royals mustered massive support and channeled that behind Evil to back up all his aristocratic proposals in the parliament. Of course they will support PTA-ATA, Press Control… those are in their line, but not many others. Sooner or later Evil’s back will be opened even though the IMF has promised to sustain him for 4 years. I do not know if the Royals’ plane is waiting in Colombo for their safe passage. Evil cannot tap the IMF and keep the Old Royal serviced is not going to work. Protesters are going to come back, Get the Evil arrested and get back people’s money that IMF is paying for him. Don’t cackle so loudly at this time saying that you alone defected the protest.

  • 9
    2

    How on earth is the opposition to work with the unelected government? Are they to say, “Oh, we love the idea of creating big business with the SLPP Elite so they can own all the foreign investor big bucks so we can start Ranilian large scale Robotics, Commercialized Health Care, Commercialized Tertiary Education, and other such Americana things that America goes to war for, together with Chinese Crypto and Submarines on Port City? We will therefore work diligently with the Masses from ground level up, and encourage them to work with the system and pay severe taxes for a few generations to come, till the Elite (mostly SLPP billionaires…although UNP are quietly entering into it too), finally concretely establish the big-business base in about 3 decades? In the meantime, it is the bounden duty of our patriotic people to suffer for a generation or two for the great Vistas of Prosperity Gota envisioned, and as predicted by a sage of Mahinda’s?”

    I mean…if Ranil quits all of those ideas and work with the JVP farmers, fishermen, foresters, hoteliers, unfortunately already established plantation workers, and build up their livelihoods from ground level, we need not get anymore loans from investors. Lankans will be able to live very honorably for many generations to come with the Natural Money of the land. Of course, we can have some aspiration, but that has to take 2nd place.

    • 6
      1

      Ramona dear,
      “Lankans will be able to live very honorably for many generations to come with the Natural Money of the land”
      Sorry to bother you, but what is this Natural Money stuff, and which tree does it grow on?

      • 6
        1

        Old Codger,

        The money will grow on the local-business-enterprise tree. We can have some foreign investment for only essentials.

        Modern Monetary Policy will also work well as long as our trade is mostly domestic. This means you will have to wear made-in-Lanka Bata slippers, and not Louis Vuitton shoes. No whiskey; only arrack. No more fellows trying to act Suddah on the backs of the Lankan workers. IUSF students have got it correct. JVP is in the known-how of this kind of monetary policy. It will be better than what the masses are suffering now. The playing field will be evened out and the People won’t feel the dreaded discontent of seeing the City Elite living the high life of fashion shows and gala balls.

        • 2
          2

          Ramona
          “Modern Monetary Policy will also work well as long as our trade is mostly domestic.”
          So you’re back in the Gota-Cabral camp?

          • 6
            0

            Old Codger

            No, this is the authentic one – the one which can only work with reduced borrowing and greater Socialism. Only the JVP can handle this. Gota-Cabral one was all about printing local money while dancing sky-high on foreign capitalistic loans.

    • 1
      1

      Ramona,
      .
      You as economics experts, May I know the difference between Paraya Gotabaya’s Viatmaga and NPP inter-intellectuals?
      How will the JVP-led NPP do wonders with the shrinking economy if it becomes the next force in this grass-eating dominant nation?

      Which countries will be their allies after JVP becomes the next force?
      Which is the most recently developed country in the world with communist ideas?
      We know that Germany was supported by the Marshall Agreement by pumping in billions after Germany’s defeat in World War II, however, who is pumping funds into our country in a JVP-led government?

  • 4
    1

    Statistics and damn lies seem to be the “order of the day”.
    The people are been taken for a right royal ride all the time.
    The president seems to be enjoying himself taking “joy rides” abroad entertaining himself at a cost to the government coffers under false pretext.
    The solution is to introduce age limits and term limits to elected office as soon as possible in a new constitution to retire the longstanding corrupt lot and have younger ,brighter, honest men and women the possibility to govern. Fortunately, the country has very talented young people to take on the sacred responsibility.

    • 1
      0

      M Sarrij ,

      ” Fortunately , the county has very talented young people to take
      on the sacred responsibility . ”

      Next very talented young leader in your mind ? I am a super idiot
      on the subject MSarij !

  • 4
    1

    “There is a need for the opposition to give the government positive support,”
    It assumes that the government is doing the right thing but the problem is the government is formed by those who destroyed the country. The current status is not the stability because the government is not prepared to face the people even though they have two third majority in parliament. So, the immediate need is the current government who elected the President with two third majority should accept the Presidents attempt to solve the problems including the full implementation of 13th amendment. Can the president get a vote in parliament immediately to pass his intention for full implementation?

    • 3
      1

      Ajith: I relied heavily on that “FULL” implementation, you speak of when the President said: ” I will solve the minority problems, including the full implementation of the 13t A by February 4th”. Remember that? Now five months are gone. He has not been able to even have the Provincial Councils and other Local Government Institutions established. Instead, he runs that Local Institution via his goons – the Provincial governor. Even in the selection of persons for those positions, have you noticed the quality and the caliber of the people so appointed?

      So what more to speak of his vision to 2248?

  • 7
    0

    Think 2048, Act Now

    Is like the televsion with sound and no picture.

  • 1
    0

    …. and pigs might fly.

  • 7
    1

    “2048”

    Only young Native will be left ………. perhaps not even Lanka.


    What happened to all the other “Development Programs,” Five-Year Plans, ……. up to now? All kaput? Ended up in bankruptcy? ……..That’s the exact opposite of development! ……. Anyone could’ve easily done it without any blooming plan!

    • 7
      0

      nf: my “Kadamandiya” colleagues (local Yakos, grass eaters, and punnakku drinkers according to LM) say: Natu Thovilekuth Netha Beray Paluvakuth Netha.

      Does the elite say: All Fart but no Shit? Pardon my Yakos expression.

      • 4
        3

        Simon,
        Thanks for the updates from the Kadamandiya people. Actually they are the mirror image of srilanken society. We cant keep much hopes about our people. Most of them dont think before doing anything. Regardless of their education, they behave like that. That they have in their genes.
        .
        Btw, what is your take on Pinguttara community and how will NPP control them if NPP becomes the next force? We perfectly know if Pinguththarayas are not properly controlled, things would not move an inch forward. i DONT have any respect on Pinguththarayas since 2016.
        .
        Many of us look forward to your thoughtful comments. I am against most of SM s comments, but I have never said, that I would stand against your comments. That you know Simon Mahaththayo (to the manner your Tilvin De Silva used to call ” Mahinda Mahaththaya” )

      • 1
        1

        Simon,
        .
        Did you hear what veteran artist Satishchandra Edirisinghe had to say about Sri Lankan society?

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fijo2s2FVIw

  • 7
    0

    “President Ranil Wickremesinghe has set his development goals for 2048.”
    Some things can be predicted accurately. When 2048 eventually rolls around, 25 years from now, Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be there, Jehan Perera will not be there, and I also will not be among those present. By that time, the population of Sri Lanka would have shrunk to about 12 or 13 million people.

    • 2
      0

      C_M,
      Fully agree with you on that!!! We would then have a Manageable population – almost the same as when liberated from the British Empire!!!??? circa 1947!!! Good One!

  • 2
    10

    Forget 2048, think year 3000 as long as Christian RW the “illegal” president around. He hasn’t done a day’s work in his entire life which is worthy of mentioning. At least Gota did a proper job by serving his motherland as a military officer for more than two decades. Since the bloody criminal Imperialists left Sri Lanka, all the heads of state/government had never done a proper job except Gota. That’s why every time he has con
    /

    • 1
      7

      Continued…
      /
      That’s why every time RW ran for president, Sinhala Buddhist wise voters rejected him. Now he became the president with the help of his buddy MR and they manipulated the parliament as well.
      /
      A REAL LAWYER can easily throw him out of his presidency and remember that the 13th amendment is “illegal”.
      /
      There are no mistrust between ethnic and religious communities. All these rabid minorities should understand the simple fact that Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country.
      /
      You would be surprised to know that all the drama directed by culturel Christians in Sri Lanka.

      • 2
        0

        (Part I)
        Tony,
        1. “A REAL LAWYER can easily throw him out of his presidency and remember that the 13th amendment is “illegal”.
        If an act of Parliament passed with 2/3rd majority of MP’s and concurred as having ticked all the boxes by Supreme Court of the country, than what is Legal???
        Probably 20th Amendment passed with 1/2 Billion under the table per vote to make it real!!!???
        Goofing too should have limits. Taking the Sri Lankans for a ride like waht the Jokers did with 2019 Easter bombing!!!???

        2. “That’s why every time RW ran for president, SINHALA BUDDHIST WISE VOTERS rejected him.
        Not that the Voters forgot to be WISE or use their basic intelligence, which you claim they have (inheritance of 2600” years of CULTURE AND CIVILISATION), they couldn’t find an eligible president, who abandoned the Highest position in this land and ran away to hide in a navy ship to go to Maldives!!!?? Historically, Maldivian Leaders looked up to Sri Lanka as the place of refuge at times of Crisis!!!?? In this instance of the “Wise Primate” (!), Significant Reversal of Roles Occurred!!?? Not very funny!? Mystifying effect of such an ‘AVATAR’!!!???
        (TBC)

      • 3
        0

        (Part II)
        3. “Now he became the president with the help of his buddy MR and they manipulated the parliament as well.”
        Please get your facts straight for once atleast!!! It was not MR who made him PM by invitation, but your GR who was the president as he couldn’t bear the HEAT of resentment of the Aragalaya and the poor, who placed him on the Presidential pedestal in 2019, had enough of GR’s, “Vistas of prosperity and SPLEDOUR”, along with deprivation of Transport, Fuel, Cooking gas and Starvation due basic Food, Rice and other Staples not being available!!! His mismanagement of the economy, with Cabaal or Cabraal and Organic agriculture as advised by a Cleric, dancing around (Athana, Methana, Natana) everywhere with no scientific knowledge on Soil mechanics or agronomy/agriculture and Paediatric Neuro-surgeon charlatan, Clown, who hasn’t ever handled an “Udella” (Mamoty)!!!
        If as you say the WISE electors sought this individual, RUNAWAY PRESIDENT, what would have been the outcome if they were idiots!!!???
        PROBABLY, Thrice Blessed Lanka, WOULD’VE OBTAINED BETTER OUTCOMES!!!??
        Certainly NOT OBLITERATED from the WORLD MAP!!!???
        NAY!!??

    • 2
      0

      Tony,
      “At least GOTA DID a PROPER JOB BY SERVING HIS MOTHERLAND AS a MILITARY OFFICER for more than TWO DECADES.”
      Last 2 words are accurate!!! Whatever before is highly questionable!!???
      Left his command – 1988/89 requesting release suddenly the position! That is to make it appear at least palatable statement, than “desertion”, which is best avoided!! Retired vanished to USA, country of adoption!!! Why?? Was it because, Matale wasn’t an amiable place in countryside Sri Lanka!!!??? Military officer is required only when the country is facing revolt, “dire straits”, not when the Officer and Gentleman decides to have a ‘CUSHY’ Job or position to display, egoistically!!!!??? That was the 1st ‘AVATAR’!!??
      There is a very famous but ignominious word for such, which again, will not attach, for having in the 2nd ‘AVATAR’, in ELIMINATING the worst terrorist Organisation in the world!!!???
      The 3rd ‘AVATAR’ was more laughable and comical, unlike him knowing his abilities in the 1st and 2nd ‘AVATARS’!!!???
      What a sorry state of affairs for a Soldier and Gentleman!!!???
      Least spoken, uttered is best, otherwise would be opening, a ‘CAN OF WORMS’, obliterate the existing good character/Name of SL Military and Defence forces!!!??
      SERVING MOTHERLAND?? OUCH, MY FOOT!!!??

  • 6
    1

    Johan Perera You are blowing trumpet for Ranil Uncle. Do you know the reason of economic recovery.
    It is due to non payment of loans and import restriction causing accumulation of foreign currency (US $) making some room to buy petrol and other essential commodities.
    This illusion is created by the Ranil ‘s government with the blessings of Rajapakse family ALI BABA and forty thieves associated with them. Ranil gave them second birth and now corrupted lot is slowing uprising again.
    You are either someone blindly revere Ranil or someone who go behind Ranil no matter what happens.

    • 4
      2

      Jack,
      .
      You seem to know things better than any of the economists. You also know things better than any theologists going by your previous comments. Also you the like ilk seem to be ignoring the ground realities of the country looted by medamulana dogs for a period of 15 years.
      I do know that our motherland ruined by MEDAMULANA beasts are short of leaders today. I am not RANIL fan, but if he did not risk as the other two, no doubt, the probability to end up becoming SOMALIA was inevitable. There I have some sort of respect towards RW and current bunch of ministers.
      .
      May I ask you how had it been if BPs had continued the rule ? Was it not the truth that BPs failed even to handle that COOKING gas kitchen issue as people expected, let alone, how could they make wonders with §saubagaya § ?
      The very same roudy men had no hearts at the time over 17000 innocent people were killed by COVID 19. Most of the dead were not accessed to vaccinations. how many among poor labourer diaspora in Korea, Italy and Middle east countries suffered being unable to get back home ? Some of them faced untold stories. They would expose them sooner than later.

  • 7
    0

    Jehan Perera: The two anecdotes you mentioned are a part and parcel of a BIGGER picture of the country’s population. Thank you for trying to get the picture very clear.

    Why you forgot to say something about the country’s total DEBT situation up to the end of the 1st quarter?

    Our National Debt as of the end of last year was US $ 84.70 billion. The official figure as of the end of the 1st quarter of 2023 is US $ 91.56 billion. This shows an increase of US $ 6.86 billion.

    How that increase came about? Aren’t the PEOPLE made DEBTORS by a further sum of US $ 6.86 billion? What have the PEOPLE got as BENEFITS from that increase? Then, as you said our Growth Rate has declined to “- 11 %.” In that scenario what happened to that US $ 6.85 billion? Has the Government and the President given any explanation for this situation? So far NO.

    Must we wait till that illusory 2048 to KICK OUT these ROGUES?

    • 3
      3

      Simon,
      I dont think RANIL pickpocketed them if you meant that. The situation was short of various things at the time Gota was driven away.
      It was all for the debries situation left behind by Gota. Ranil is believed to be not a stealer whoever whatever being said and done.
      So called bond-scam was not his plot, however it s architects were MEDAMULANA dog and his wandibattaya Cabral. I am not trying hard to clean Ranil, it is unfair to put the entire blame on the man, who sacrificed his blood and sweat in an alarming phase left behind by third class politicians.

      • 9
        1

        Dear LM: I agree that Ranil W is not a “Pickpocket” like “Mahinda Mahaththya”.

        Having said that, I am of the opinion that Ranil W is either BLIND to what is going on around him or complacent about pulling up the socks to put up the finger and say NO to all that is happening in the administration.

        I hope you would have read my comment on the appointment of TWO judges to the Supreme Court. Those two appointments are unpardonable actions by the Executive. Then look at the appointment he made to be the High Commissioner to the UK. He is one Bogollagama – another CROOK who managed to creep into all the Governments and hoodwink the leaders to make money for him and his family. Still, there is a case pending in High Courts against him. Take a look at the COURTIER of Presidential Advisors he has appointed and the related expenditures forced on the people to bear. Then what has he done or planned to raise GDP? Just see what has happened to our Health/Education sectors.

        These are my concerns. In short Ranil W has so far failed and it will be too late for him to wake up and do something for the country NOW.

        • 1
          1

          Don’t you know how divided the Sri Lankan society for their political survival? Media prostitutes, movie actors, artists and all other criminals believe that Rajapaksa is the savior. Stupid masses are made to believe so.The message was transported to the whole country so that it stays like cemented.

          They are held up as gods before the same people by the same people in the same country even if they robed the country like no other.
          How can this be in a civilized country if people are not brutes?

          Alas, when will people realize the extent of Rajapakshasa’s great betrayal???? May our people be blessed with a little more wisdom.
          :
          Ranil will have to pay all the bills racked up by the willful mismanagement of the Rajapaksa dogs. Ranil is the real scapegoat for all the sins of this nation.
          May this soon be clear to perception.

    • 5
      2

      Simon,
      I dont think RANIL pickpocketed them if you meant that. The situation was short of various things at the time Gota was driven away.
      It was all for the debries situation left behind by Gota. Ranil is believed to be not a stealer whoever whatever being said and done.
      So called bond-scam was not his plot, however it s architects were MEDAMULANA dog and his wandibattaya Cabral. I am not trying hard to clean Ranil, it is unfair to put the entire blame on the man, who sacrificed his blood and sweat in an alarming phase left behind by third class politicians. vv

  • 8
    0

    JP,
    TAMILS do not want any more commissions or inquiries in to their issues. Act now to reduce the defence forces in the North and East in numbers as well as land areas they have misappropriated.Remove the road blocks and allow people to move freely so that they can fend for themselves. CEASE the businesses and agricultural activities by the defence forces and privatise them. Have a combined North and East provincial council that has Land and police powers. STOP fooling/hoodwinking the local and international bodies

  • 1
    0

    Think 2048, Act Now.
    Jehan PhD is mindless Sinhala Buddhist propagandist!
    If Tamils were still living in Sinhala Buddhist Wildlife Sanctuary, in 2048, remaining Tamils will be observing the Entire February as their Black year. Hopefully A Sinhala Thirunavukarasar would be born & have the Sinhala Buddhism wiped out of the land.

    • 2
      0

      Jehan PhD can write things like that in Sinhala News media; it is a different thing. But in CT, Tamils also write hoping a different relationship soon with the mindful Sinhalese. All Tamil Parliamentarians protested the celebration on Military Victory for long time. No Tamil representative attend the February Back anymore. It was the Evil, for the first time took it to North, to show his insensitive arrogance. Sinhala Buddhists are not relenting because of IMF like barbaric institutions are pampering Sinhala Buddhism & supporting by funding genocide governments.

  • 1
    0

    Since Ranil became the PM and then President all we hear from him are the promises of things to come, but to date, none as arrived, and even IMF conditions have not been fulfilled. Ranil lives in the future and it appears he has time traveled to the future and does not live in the present.

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