There will be two Sri Lankas soon - EDITORIAL

21 October 2022 12:02 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A large number of people are forced to taste the emptiness of hunger. Some are forced to rob items having great value or engage in petty thefts; all done to earn some dough to have at least one square meal for the day. And at the end of the day some of those less fortunate people are arrested and put in a police cell. All this happens when the lawmakers of the country have robbed from state coffers and are getting away with whatever questionable acts they are engaged in.

The government now maintains that all have to chip into pull this country from the dumps. Let’s give these lawmakers a reminder that it’s they who played pandu with our finances and made this country bankrupt. However, no lawmaker is seriously talking about seeking the assistance of the law to bring to book politicians who have robbed this country.

Political analysts are now warning us that there will be two Sri Lankas soon. One Sri Lanka will be represented by those who have amassed much wealth through business activities, but not done in a proper and legal manner. The other group will be represented by people who have lost their businesses, jobs and sources of income and are struggling to make ends meet. The latter will be referred to as the ‘New poor class’. This idea has been underscored and explained in detail by columnist Jayadeva Uyangoda in his article penned for the September 25 edition of ‘Anidda’ –a Sinhala newspaper- under the headline ‘A social war that could take place in a Sri Lanka that’s fast dividing’.

Even now we see individuals- quite smartly dressed- boarding buses and begging for money. These individuals do get a fair collection when they do one round in a bus. These individuals get a substantial amount of money during their begging rounds because their approach to the task at hand is genuine.
But on the other side of Sri Lanka are the new rich individuals and business communities who have exploited the people; first during the pandemic and now during the worst of the economic crisis. Owners of hospitals, banks, financial institutions, vendors selling cars and import and export merchants have capitalized on the hard times that the people have faced in recent times.

What’s not really fair is that when these people are struggling to pay their water and electricity bills some of our lawmakers have defaulted on making such payment.
And while all what is not so rosy is taking place the president of this country is making requests from the media to stick to reporting on the government’s programme aimed at rebuilding the economy.

This regime doesn’t like the social media outlets because they produce content which is both positive and negative. The social media is quick to highlight when government authorities arrest peaceful protesters. The same media is also playing watchdog to the nation and compiles quick reports when a lawmaker gets a red notice for an unpaid water or electricity bill. The regime also hates the social media because it reports in a flash when lawmakers at a public rally are hooted at by a crowd and eventually see their presence being rejected. The government in reality hates the truth being reported on; the truth that the critics, the opposition parties and those who want a system change wish to know.

There is much debate about the programme the government wants to initiate to rehabilitate people. According to what we know people engaged in terrorism were sent through a rehabilitation programme and most of them stepped back into the society and are employed gainfully. But there is much debate about a clause in this latest government programme which allows the state to send for rehabilitation a person who they think needs be rehabilitated. This is rather tricky and should be debated because a peaceful protester can be rounded up and sent for rehabilitation.
Let’s hope that the government will lend an ear to the voice of the people which highlights the lack of both resources and income these days and the complaints against the human touch which the state is fast losing.

Comments - 9

Raja Rajavannian Friday, 21 October 2022 06:57 AM

Bravo!! Great Editorial! We wouldn’t have seen such quality editorials when the President who was a thug in power. “No lawmaker is seriously talking about seeking the assistance of the law to bring to book politicians who have robbed this country” Why? Because the law makers are protecting the thieves who ruined this beautiful country. People outside Sri Lanka are describing us as a bunch of fools for not exerting pressure to bring these culprits to book and recover the monies due to the people. These thieves are not worried about patients not being treated in hospitals due to lack of medicines; nor are they worried about the children dying due to starvation. All they care about is stealing from the nation’s coffers for them and their families and retain control of the country by their families by hook or by crook.

Sangaralingham Friday, 21 October 2022 10:05 AM

SriLanka not only country facing food and other crisis. Think some European countries Britain many African nations Pakistan Bangladesh are in similar situation IMF recently warn canada to cut down spending.intrest rate moving up inflation rising business doing poorly. Greed corruptions up not new now more

Crooks Galore Friday, 21 October 2022 01:38 PM

As a teacher, I have personally taken a decision to never accept any admissions of children of politicians and police officers and we have terminated the education of such people's children too to pass a message of our protest in society against these crooks, robbers, rapists and criminals. I suggest if everyone in every profession do the same thing in society and avoid serving these fellows, they will get the message.

Udavee liyanarachchi. Friday, 21 October 2022 01:43 PM

Since the beggining of the covid period slight notifications of the economical crisis were felt to every citizen in the country. Later on when things started to happen the way no one wanted them to happen, still the politicians and responsible people remained dumb and deaf. Finally when every thing turned upside down and the economy fell to its least position all politicians started passing the ball to each other. Poor protestors who screamed their throughts out asking for a system change some how got them selves stuck in prison when the people who really deserve to be in prison are still enjoying time making dirty money.

annecunt Friday, 21 October 2022 02:16 PM

Why did we vote for this barstards to govern our country?

Mahila Saturday, 22 October 2022 10:11 PM

Brainstorming that issue would reveal that there was a "Brainwave" amongst majority of SL voters!!!??

Percy Wijenayake Saturday, 22 October 2022 02:36 PM

Implement the Tax file promptly for all individuals over 18 years, small business owners, including beggars involve the gramasewakayas on this job. Employers must demand tax file number from job applicants or no job. Examine all income declarations and physically check books of suspicious individuals. Display posters to this effect and include bribes as a punishable offence. Use Singapore as a model.

Zarook Cassim Saturday, 22 October 2022 10:02 PM

Let us electrify our antennas to explore how to overcome this national crisis. We have totally lost faith in the system and the 225 must go. scrap the Presidential system, and back to the Parliamentary system, a people-friendly constitution, and a meaningful sensible electoral system, where transparency, meritocracy, accountability, and an Independent judiciary will reign supreme. Crying to the moon, moon will not come down.

Punchi Sunday, 23 October 2022 01:21 PM

There has been two Sri Lankas based on ethnic lines since about 1956. We were all happy about this since our stomachs were full of food and our hearts and minds full of hate. Now that additional fracturing into plunderers and victims, corrupt and victims, rich and poor, privileged and unprivileged etc these additional divisions have become an issue

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

There will be two Sri Lankas soon - EDITORIAL

Comments - 9

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Most Viewed in News

Diana under immigration radar for overstaying visa since 2014

Sri Lankan in Germany wins a Cybertruck

A leading hotel in Derby, UK sold to Sri Lankan company

Rupee expected to dip to Rs.310-320 range later this year: FCR

Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

Not only on-arrival visas but online visas too should be stopped

MIRROR CRICKET

Over 400 players to go under the hammer at LPL Auction

'Mehta Toss Rule' for Indian Premier League Playoffs

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup FanCraze Greatest Moments: The hunt begins

Game-changers and record-makers: Statistical standouts from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Match-fixing allegations Court calls for report on voice sample of Sachithra

Customs seize Mexican Methamphetamine worth Rs.100Mn through Facebook lover from Guatemala

Rathupaswala shooting Case Accused acquitted after more than ten years

UK and Sri Lanka join forces to protect marine environment

Sri Lanka to vie at Asian Relays in Thailand

Over 400 players to go under the hammer at LPL Auction

'Mehta Toss Rule' for Indian Premier League Playoffs

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup FanCraze Greatest Moments: The hunt begins