Austerity for the people, prosperity for the politicians

Apathy and a sense of hopelessness over the events that unfolded in Sri Lanka in 2007 was clearly seen in The Sunday Times FT email poll when it asked readers to name the five most positive and the five most negative developments. Here are some of the comments and other issues raised by respondents:

One respondent listed Sri Lanka exports crossing US$ 7 billion, and Sri Lanka Tourism using the Earth Lung proposal to create a new positioning, as positives.

The killing of LTTE political head S. P. Thamilselvan was seen as a great morale booster for the armed forces.

While the LTTE as a guerilla unit is almost impossible to extinguish, cutting off key figures that make up the unit play a major role in crippling its effect, one respondent said.

The Sri Lankan military takeover of the east was seen as good news especially after the Supreme Court judgement giving an opportunity for fresh elections and for the people to be free of LTTE control and threats.

Minister Mervyn Silva’s embarrassing retreat from Rupavahini drew scores of comments. “This proved that might is not right after all… people power was at its best on live TV too.

Ministers in future will be a little more alert when throwing their weight around. People will take courage from the SLRC staff,” one said.

The Cabinet expansion to 104 ministers was seen as total disrespect for the rising cost of living. “The crossovers and new portfolios means enormous expenses being heaped on the masses while all the time the COL rises. It was austerity for the people and prosperity for the politicians,” another respondent said.

The eviction of Tamils from Colombo lodges should have been done in a better way; Sri Lanka reaching the World Cup finals in Jamaica brought the country and the people together; Sanath Jayasuriya retiring from test cricket was done gracefully; the launch of the first Buddhist TV channel was a good move for many especially elders who can sit at home and listen to the Buddha Dhamma and also for children as well.

A respondent said one of the biggest worries was the alarming silence of ‘good’ men and women (especially among the elite and professionals) capable of standing up to what is wrong but responding based on political party alliances on issues.