Editorial-Extravagance or simplicity?

3 December 2013 06:33 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As we enter a season which a market driven world has turned into a shopping and spending spree with displays of extravagance, thought should also be given by those who have time, to reflect on the fast vanishing simple and humble lifestyles.
This is in contrast to the current consumerist global economy driven by supply and demand and the creation of unlimited wants.
The experience and the events in the recent past show that we cannot expect much in terms of example in this regard from politicians. This is very much so at a time when democratic principles of accountability, transparency and integrity are facing turbulent times.

The importation of luxury Benz cars for last month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo could be also seen in this light. The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said 37 Heads of Government had confirmed their participation. But for different reasons – some political, others personal – only 26 turned up. It could have been a calculated miscalculation or just over-optimism and a mis-reading of international realities.

An important question now is what will be done with these 53 latest model hybrid Benz cars. It was earlier speculated that some in the cabinet would be lucky enough to get them. However, a senior Government minister later denied this saying the luxury cars would be offered to anyone who was prepared to pay the highest price. These cars were imported duty free at Rs. 31 million each, and a multi-millionaire businessman is reported to have offered to buy four at Rs. 36 million each.

Whatever it is, it is likely that most of these vehicles will end up with politicians or businessmen with powerful links. At what price they will get these cars or whether they will be given at a major discount in this season of bargain sales is not known. What is known and what needs to be brought to light is that millions of rupees in public funds and revenue would be lost through this exercise at a time when most people are struggling for survival with rising cost of living.

In keeping with the season it should also be noted that Pope Francis, who is living a simple and humble life, has called on the world to reject the current financial system or the globalised capitalist market economic system which he has described as ‘savage capitalism.’ Core values of all other major religions practiced in Sri Lanka too point in that direction.

But the present global economic and financial system is moving in a different direction. Therefore the right-thinking or civic-conscious people need to set an example by learning to manage with their basic needs, saving more and sharing more with the destitute, displaced, poverty-stricken people.

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Editorial-Extravagance or simplicity?

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