Editorial - The Truth will make us free

3 February 2014 08:22 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka marks the 66th anniversary of its Independence today amid mixed feelings among the people as to how independent we are and whether the benefits and rights of independence have real meaning and value in the lives of our 21 million people.
Looking at the issues in a positive or optimistic way, most people are thankful, grateful and feel secure because one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organisations the LTTE was militarily defeated in May 2009. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government has resoundingly won every election after that, largely because it wiped out the menace of terrorism.

However, valid questions are being raised as to how free and fair those elections were with independent election monitoring groups reporting widespread misuse of state or public resources and funds. For decades, our Constitutions have proclaimed that the people are sovereign but often the sovereignty of the people has been restricted to the election day and with the alleged manipulation including some 'computer jilmart' at counting centres, there are questions as to whether the people are sovereign even on election days.

As for economic development, Government leaders and their main economic advisors are repeatedly giving high figures of gross domestic product and per capita incomes.
Focusing on independence or dependence relating to vital economic issues, we can see that even for the supply of milk, we are dependent on trans-national companies and are importing processed milk powder to the value of a staggering Rs 45,000 million every year. This figure might soar with the prices of milk powder being raised over the weekend by Rs. 61 for a 400 gram packet and Rs 152 for a one kilo packet. Last year, there was an intensive crisis over this after the Industrial Technology Institute of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology found that some samples of imported milk powder contained excessive amounts of a potentially toxic chemical substance.

The Government then appointed a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Senior Minister D. E. W. Gunasekara and it recommended comprehensive ways to revive Sri Lanka’s fresh milk industry. This will help Sri Lanka to save billions of rupees in foreign exchange and provide ample job opportunities for thousands of dairy farmers. More importantly our children and other people will have access to fresh milk at affordable prices, with many people-friendly nutritionists saying fresh milk is much more nourishing than any processed milk powder though the trans-national companies give a different picture often through unethical promotional campaigns.

If we look at the food production area, we see a growing trend towards dependence on imported chemical fertilisers, weedicides and pesticides. As a grave consequence of this, most of the food we eat today—ranging from rice and other grains to vegetables and fruits are polluted by toxic substances. This means that with every meal the people including children are consuming toxic substances and that may be the main reason why more people are falling sick more often.

On the issue of medicinal drugs, we are still dependent on trans-national pharmaceutical corporations which are known to be making billions in profits by persuading Third World countries like Sri Lanka to buy thousands of varieties of non-essential drugs under highly expensive brand names. If the Rajapaksa government, as it has promised for about 10 years, implements the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) based on Professor Senaka Bibile’s concept, the people could be given quality drugs at affordable prices. The NMDP also calls for the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to use Sri Lanka’s resources to produce more medicinal drugs here so that the country can save millions of dollars being spent to import some 13,000 varieties of drugs.

Political independence for the people, civic rights and economic independence are the real measures of true freedom and if analysed in a proper perspective, Independence Day messages, pageants and air-shows might not have real practical value for most of the people.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

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.

Editorial - The Truth will make us free

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘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

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

New Visa procedure implemented

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations