Govt. must not lose its image

The nationalist identity of the SLFP/SLPP government is of vital importance for its political survival. Without its nationalist policies, it becomes another UNP/SJB and loses its vitality. This had happened under Chandrika Kumaratunga, particularly in her second term when she capitulated to the demands of the separatists and their Western supporters. As a result, she lost her popularity and charisma. It happened again when Maithripala Sirisena wanted to be the President and the SLFP lost its nationalist image, and was almost wiped out at the local elections and had to align with the SLPP for survival. A nationalist government cannot be sympathetic towards the LTTE or its allies.

A nationalist government’s main concern has to be the country’s independence and sovereignty, which we remember were in jeopardy during the Yahapalana days, when foreign powers were allowed to interfere in matters connected with our sovereignty, such as the constitution and security. This was one reason for the total rejection of the UNP, and the massive victory of the SLPP. Our independence and sovereignty have been better looked after by SLFP governments, and the trend has continued with the present SLPP government, which in its early days withdrew from the UNHRC Resolution and its dubious recommendations which were encroaching into our sovereignty. People would be grateful to the present government for that meritorious deed.

The ability to protect sovereignty and independence would, to a significant extent, depend on the economy of the country. If the economy is heavily dependent on the developed countries, we will be at their mercy. If we depend on imports for our essential needs such as food, clothes, medicine, etc,. we could easily be pressured to do their bidding. Further, if we are heavily in debt we would not be able to resist their interference in our internal affairs. In this context, it is essential that we develop a national economy. No national government could afford to neglect this aspect. A national economy must ensure that more than 80% of the country’s needs are produced locally. Most of the national governments in the past did not sufficiently focus their attention on this need and they paid the price.

Nationalism in relation to a government would mean that the government attempts to resolve every issue without jeopardising national interests. The present economic crisis, too, will have to be dealt with, without harming the national interests. In this regard, protection of national assets is critical. Land, water, forest and mineral resources are the main assets that have to be protected. These assets are likely to be exploited by imperialists with little benefit to us. The government must develop these assets for the benefit of the people.

The country’s economy at present, is in deep crisis, and the Government may easily be tempted to disregard its election manifesto and forget its inherited commitment to nationalism. It may be forced to take decisions that infringe on our sovereignty and independence, and enter into inimical agreements like the MCC and SOFA, which would convert our country into a foreign military base. Or agreements like the one on the Hambantota Port, which has leased that valuable national asset for a 99-year long period. Such treacherous betrayals should be avoided at any cost. We have a small island for a country and limited resources. We cannot afford to lose any of it. We must make use of this land and its resources for the benefit of our people, with utmost care and thrift. We must not allow foreign or local robber barons to exploit these assets. Already much damage has been done under the very nose of leaders who pledged during election times to protect them. And more is being planned if rumours about the natural forest Sinharaja, and Yala National Park are true. When there is a nationalist government in power even such rumours should not be allowed to be heard.

Cannot the government think of methods to come out of the present crisis without selling the family silver. One of the main problems it faces, at present, is the dwindling of foreign reserves that are required to meet the huge debt repayments. There is no point saying these debts should not have been taken. Some of it has gone into unprofitable ventures like Mattala Airport, Hambantota Stadium, etc. During the Yahapalana rule too, there had been huge amounts of debt with nothing to show for it. If bribery and corruption had been controlled, the work done with these loans could have been done for half the cost. The people expected this government to take adequate steps to stop corruption, which also is a task for a nationalist government. But the government has disappointed the people in this regard. At least now it must take immediate steps to control corruption and waste that abound in government projects. Such a step would cut down costs and save money that is badly required to pay debts.

Foreign exchange too could be saved to some degree by controlling the corruption and waste that plague the government. Instead of taking steps to control corruption, what successive governments have been doing is to take loans for various projects, much in excess of the cost of the project, and line their pockets with the extra cash. A nationalist government cannot afford to do that kind of anti-people evil deeds. More than 70% who voted for this government, are rural poor people. They have two main concerns, one is the safety and security of their little country, and the other is an adequate income necessary for their frugal living. Both could be in jeopardy if corruption and waste is not brought under control.

Much needed foreign exchange could be saved if the government could make an effort to produce essential items locally. More than 40% of foreign exchange goes for import of food and other items that could be locally produced. Government must make an effort to achieve self-sufficiency in food. A sudden ban on artificial fertiliser is not the way to go about it. This decision could have an adverse effect on food production and also the tea industry. This could increase the need to import food to a much larger degree than at present. A lowering of income from tea exports is something the country cannot afford at present. As a result, a huge drain on the foreign exchange earnings could be expected.

If our economy suffers further and the ability to pay the loans weakens, the Government would be hard pressed to safeguard the country’s national interests. This would result in the Government losing its nationalist image. Consequently, the SLPP could suffer its first defeat at the next elections. If this catastrophe is to be avoided, the Government must first and foremost enforce a well-designed plan to stop waste and corruption at all levels from top to bottom. It must have a plan to achieve self-sufficiency in food and all other essential items. Import of luxury items must be controlled. and the drain of foreign exchange stopped as far as possible. Covid infection should be brought under control by a process of rapid vaccination to achieve herd immunity. Then an all-out effort has to be made to improve the foreign exchange earning capacity by resuscitating the tourist and apparel industries. Unless the Government adopts such a plan of action, its nationalism would be threatened as it becomes increasingly dependent on imperialist foreign powers. These forces may once again sponsor the separatists, interfere in our internal affairs, and exploit our national assets. That would be a disaster for the country and its people.

N.A. de S.

AMARATUNGA