SAARCWhy not use this Rs. 3 billion to subsidise essential food items or increase the much demanded salaries of workers who have been promised increments and not given? If the President and his massive Cabinet of Ministers are truly patriotic and concerned about the plight of the citizens of this country, reduce the jumbo Cabinet, take a reduction in their pay and other numerous perks enjoyed by them, reduce the wastage of food at the Parliament cafeteria.

During the last few weeks we have witnessed many instances of picketing, protest marches and demonstrations, all based on the cost of living, broken promises and needless expenditure of the present government.

One newspaper today, quoted the President as saying to the Teachers’ Union, that they should submit proposals for salary revisions, but “such proposals should not be a burden to the nation’s coffers and should be made with due consideration to the present economic situation in the country”. To the CEB unions the President says that “foreign reserves should not be squandered on non-essential purchases due to the mounting pressure on the economy”.

These are laudable comments and indeed we are very fortunate to have a President who is very concerned about the economy and the hardships the citizens of this country have to face each day. If only he was sincere! What a disgrace that this government is spending close to 3 billion rupees of tax payers’ money to host an utterly useless SAARC meeting, merely to get our President elected as the Chairman. What are the benefits Sri Lanka has got as a member of SAARC? Already the hotels face a bleak future, having to cancel lucrative bookings. During this period, the roads will be closed intermittently, without notice as usual, business establishments will lose revenue and the common man will be further inconvenienced. Why not declare the period of the SAARC Conference as public holidays and even impose curfew so that the ordinary citizens can stay at home and not waste time, money and fuel?

Why not use this Rs. 3 billion to subsidise essential food items or increase the much demanded salaries of workers who have been promised increments and not given? If the President and his massive Cabinet of Ministers are truly patriotic and concerned about the plight of the citizens of this country, reduce the jumbo Cabinet, take a reduction in their pay and other numerous perks enjoyed by them, reduce the wastage of food at the Parliament cafeteria.

Why does not government admit that Mihinair was a colossal failure?

Our Foreign Minister is another colossal drain on our economy. Every few days he is airborne for what he can do with a telephone call to his counterparts,. He must fly along with his family and entourage. Why can’t he use our Ambassadors/High Commissioners? When the President is informed of his profligacy, he expresses his dismay but does nothing about it. Unfortunately, it now appears, our President has been infected with the same disease as his Foreign Minister and takes flight at the drop of a hat.

I am sure, after the SAARC Conference, our Foreign Minister will want to visit each country to “thank” them on behalf of the President and people of Sri Lanka.

The only aspect of this government which has popular support and keeps the government afloat in spite of severe hardships, is the war against the LTTE. End of the war may mean the end of the unpopular government.

Now this government is dissolving provincial councils for no apparent reason, except that they do not have a majority and also to test their popularity. Colossal sums of money are being spent on elections, which can be used to reduce the burdens of the common citizens. I suppose the dissolution process will continue every few months, draining the “resources” which the President wants others to preserve.

It is a great pity that this President, who is in touch with the common man, like the late Ranasinghe Premadasa, seem to take people for granted, and think everything will be forgiven and forgotten. The current President should reflect on past leaders who paid a heavy price for misreading the public. It is high time the President took stock of his popularity and his government and rectified the relentless lawlessness in the country, attacks on the media, the high handed behaviour of not only his ministers but even provincial council members.

The President will do well to remember the last few months of the late President Ranasingbe Premadasa, where, rightly or wrongly, he was held responsible for many wrongful activities and towards the end of his days, he became one of the most feared and most unpopular leaders of this country, so much so that, at his demise, crackers were lit to symbolise freedom from fear and oppression.

Mr. President, learn from other people’s mistakes and rein in your ministers and a few others from behaving like thugs. It does not bring credit to you or the country.

via M@L Laksman Perera