A sad tale of lowering costs and eliminating corruption

It’s over a year-and-a-half since the National People’s Power (NPP) Government captured political power in this country. Over four years have passed since the country declared itself bankrupt in 2022 following an unprecedented economic crisis. 
The crisis in turn led to unprecedented protests and calls for leadership, social and regime change. Memorable slogans of ‘Gota go Home’ and ‘Mynah go Gama’ – demanding then President and Premier resign.
The JVP and its splinter group －the FSP, led that campaign to topple then government. Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President as per Constitutional requirements by a majority of Members in Parliament. He steadied the ship of state with the help of the IMF. But it came at a huge social cost which laid heavy burdens on the poor.  
At the Presidential and Parliamentary Election campaigns in 2024, the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) promised to renegotiate the terms of the IMF agreement and bring down the cost of living. It also promised to eradicate corruption which had eaten into every sphere of public life
However, once in power the JVP-led NPP Government was unable renegotiate the IMF Agreement. Neither did it bring down the cost of living. Even worse, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has gone on record praising the IMF deal. 
Today the cost of having two simple meals a day for a family of four costs between Rs. 100,000 to 130,000 a month. The average wage stagnates at around Rs. 35,000 and 65,000. Not surprisingly UNICEF reports 1 in 2 children in Sri Lanka is going hungry and over 2 million children need food assistance.
Making matters even worse, the present Government’s promise to eradicate corruption has fallen flat on its face. Several Cabinet Ministers have been accused of corrupt practice. One minister has been forced to resign his ministerial post after being charged with corruption. 
Much worse has followed – numerous bank scams/heists are taking place under the nose of the regime which promised to eradicate corruption. The latest being a heist/scam of $2.5 million from the Treasury in December 2025. To date no heads have rolled. According to government statements, internal inquiries are continuing.
This brings to mind another Central Bank scam during the Presidency of Maithripala Sirisena and premiership of former President Wickremesinghe. Millions in public funds were lost, many inquiries were held, Presidential Commissions inquired into the matter, indictments were filed but the case is still pending and one of the main accused is still absconding! 
The public are left wondering whether the same fate will befall the latest scam at the Central Bank.
It was anticipated the new regime which promised to make all things anew, would provide solutions to the annual problems which arose as a result of  prolonged dry weather – an issue which has worsened due to climate change and has led to a shortage of water needed for drinking, production of energy (electricity) and agricultural production. Our water resources are still dependent on irrigation technologies developed centuries ago to meet the needs of populations of that era. Not surprisingly today we are facing a crisis of meeting much larger population needs of the present day.
While populations have grown tenfold, no new technologies are being developed to meet the expanded requirements. The shortfall in power generation during spells of dry weather is an annual occurrence. Yet, neither our engineers nor ministers responsible for electricity production have attempted to harness solar power which is plentiful in our part of the world. 
Rather than develop solar power, engineers at the Ceylon Electricity Board demand solar power users halt power generation from time to time, claiming existing storage facilities cannot cope. Strange they have never heard of storing power in batteries as is done elsewhere in the world. 
Yet, in the Middle East where petroleum is plentiful, they are now moving toward using solar power. To overcome their lack of ground water, sea water is desalinated for drinking purposes. Human and household waste is reused for agricultural purposes.
Many of these countries have not had rainfall for over a year. But while plants and even grass wilts with every spell of dry weather in our country, streets in these countries are lined with flowers and green grass. Perhaps it is time our leaders look to countries in Asia for lessons in water management and country planning.      

Blurb:
While populations have grown tenfold, no new technologies are being developed to meet the expanded requirements

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