‘The Times They Are A Changin’ -with apologies to Bob Dylon

The government reveals that the tariff on the consumption of electricity will be raised by between 18 to 20 percent

In today’s context the title of Bob Dylon’s famous song ‘The Times they are a changin’ is becoming more relevant, not only to us in Sri Lanka, but the world over. Dylan’s lyrics probed the complexities, and ambiguities of injustice, racism, economic inequality and the need for social change.

We in Sri Lanka need to take a serious look at the way in which our life conditions are changing. Of how our incomes are rising (?) to meet the ever-increasing prices of absolute necessities needed to keep body and soul together. We need to look deep into our conscience on why organised crime and murders in our country are becoming the norm.

The healthcare system in the country is in crisis. We face shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies and a significant brain drain of medical professionals.

Healthcare professionals, are leaving the country in droves, worsening staffing shortages. According to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Sri Lanka’s healthcare is on the brink of a crisis. Nearly 400 State hospitals and medical centres face the imminent threat of closure. Since the beginning of 2022, over 2,000 medical officers, including consultants, have left.  

Around 17.1% or more of our children under five years old are underweight. According to the World Food Programme, Sri Lanka has levels of acute malnutrition –ranging between 14 and 35 percent in the districts surveyed. A national nutrition survey found that there is a 19.6% prevalence of wasting.

The Government is the largest employer in this country and the average monthly salary in Sri Lanka is approximately Rs 55,000/-. But this is variable, as many workers are paid by the number of days they work per month and receive a vastly reduced sum. Their income does not provide them with sufficient cash to feed their families two square meals a day. The figures on child malnutrition and stunting clearly bear out the truth of the charge.

Understandably workers are demanding a living wage, not only to feed their children. They have to clothe, transport them to schools and educate them as well. Parents too face these problems. Presently railway workers are on strike. Sri Lanka Railways provides the cheapest form of transport. The new steep increase will mean many a child of Sri Lanka may have to drop out of school to help the family make ends meet. Yet, the Government has condemned the strike.

Our present ruling clique portray themselves as being of socialist bent. But they do not seem to have an iota of understanding of the problems the poor are burdened with. To add to the misery, the government reveals that the tariff on the consumption of electricity will be raised by between 18 to 20 percent!

It was no wonder therefore when local government elections were conducted just weeks ago -the JVP/NPP coalition- or call it what you may, lost large numbers of supporters at that poll. They will not be able to head the local councils in many of these areas. The ordinary people seem to have begun tiring of government’s tall tales laying the blame on misdeeds of past regimes –it’s now over six months the present rulers took power.

Unfortunately even our young president it seems, “can’t see the trees for the wood”. He seems to be focused on irrelevant details and failed to understand the bigger picture: The reality of hunger which stalks our land.

The ‘Nelsonian eye’ of our president is reflected in the ‘developed countries of the West and the rich countries of the Middle East as well. Today Israel is starving Palestinian children to death via blockade of the Gaza Strip. UNICEF says children in Gaza face ‘growing risk of starvation, illness and death’ as Israel bars food, water, medicines and other necessities.

Yet major Arab powers are falling over each other- not to save Gazans- but to sign multi-billion dollar deals with the US. The US in turn arms Israel which commits murderous atrocities on Palestinians. The West in turn -like the three proverbial monkeys- See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil of the genocide in Gaza. Yes, the things there are changing and sadly for the worse!