Lanka -from political dignity to slavish servility

Mrs. Bandaranaike did close  down the Israeli embassy in Colombo for violation of UN Security Council Resolution 242

At a given point of time, ours was a country where political leaders and  ordinary citizens alike, walked with heads held high. The then leadership took decisions based on the people’s needs and country’s benefit.

In 1952 the country (then Ceylon) was economically challenged due to economic crises. The demand for rubber had decreased by 38% due to the US flooding the world market with synthetic rubber. Due to the global crises demand for tea and other commodities like coconut oil had also decreased.

The first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake had died. His son Dudley Senanayake who led the new government was a novice.There was a danger of food riots due to a shortage of rice to meet the  need. It was necessary to import rice to balance out the shortage. But, the country was facing a loss of foreign exchange.

To face the situation Lanka (then under a UNP government) entered into a barter deal   -- rubber for rice -- with China.  Under terms of the agreement China agreed to supply Lanka with its need in rice in exchange for Lankan rubber.  The US was totally opposed to the deal, as it had imposed sanctions on the new Marxist regime in China. It (US) threatened repercussions if Lanka went ahead with the deal and suspended sulphur exports.

But the government went through with the deal and Sri  Lanka was spared food shortages. Prior to coming to power, our present government leaders condemned the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) deal past President Wickremesinghe signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which hit the poor disproportionately and promised to renegotiate the agreement.

In a sad turn around, the self-same leaders now sing the praises of that deal. Just days ago as reported by the Daily FT, a sister publication,  President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the IMF and expressed readiness to accelerate efforts to integrate Sri Lanka into the global economy!

What a come down compared to how in 1971 Mrs. Sirimawo Bandaranaike faced down western hostility and threats by Britain to halt the import of tea from Lanka, if her government closed down the Israeli embassy in the country. 

Mrs. Bandaranaike did close  down the Israeli embassy in Colombo for violation of UN Security Council Resolution 242 which called for withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from Palestinian and other territories occupied in the 1967conflict.

Lankan women apparently are better able to cope with threats when compared to the weak-kneed response to the crimes Israel continues to commit in Palestine today. Earlier, the JVP (part of today’s ruling NPP government) organised international demonstrations against Israel’s genocidal war in Palestine.  Today around 56,000 Palestinian civilians have been slaughtered by Israeli attacks in  Gaza Strip. But present Lankan government leaders encourage our workers to work in fields and orchards Israel has illegally seized from Palestinian farmers! Such acts enable Israel to free its men to participate in murderous attacks on Gaza.

Returning to the home front, this country had vibrant trade unions which ensured workers rights were protected. Today, it costs a family of four over Rs. 100,000/- to have two square meals a day. Yet the present monthly income of a majority of workers is less than Rs. 65,000/-. During the insurgency, insurgents killed off the trade union leadership and turned the working class into lambs. Today’s government leaders are the progeny of those who created this situation.Yet they have done little to improve the situation of workers. 

Workers remain underpaid, face involuntary salary cuts and have lost job security. In like manner the university student movement was once a vibrant organisation in days gone by. But it was hijacked by insurgent leaders and named the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF).Students are forced under threat to participate in political demonstrations. 

Rival student bodies were physically attacked and done away with. Recently, the IUSF has begun challenging government. Out of the blues, a new student body has emerged challenging the existing IUSF leadership. The new group also claims leadership of the IUSF. During the insurgency when the Independent Students Union (ISU) challenged the IUSF, it led to a war-like atmosphere on the campuses and ISU leaders were attacked or killed.

We trust the new challenge to the existing leadership at the campuses will not lead to scenes similar those of 1988 to 1990.