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Hopelessness yet achievements to be proud of; example to follow
We regained hope when Ranil Wickremesinghe came to the forefront of the political scene and was made PM and then President. We expected much of him and he could have delivered. What exactly does that ‘could have’ connote? We expected him to revive the economy,
We however applauded Prez Ranil W for his interaction with Samantha Power. We heard her on TV news and his address to both American and Sri Lankan administrators including Ms Julie Chung – US Ambassador to SL. At least we have somebody to be satisfied with as a negotiator who can hold his own, being almost born to it.
The aid given by America and handed over by Ms Power, mentioning specifically there were no strings attached, is something encouraging to talk about. Samantha Power (b Sept 21, 1970), an Irish American journalist, diplomat and government official serving now as the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development. She handed over USD 40 m specifically to help farmers by importing chemical fertilisers; and then an additional 20 m as humanitarian aid. Cass well imagined corrupt human hyenas mouth-watering at these amounts of which they would dearly want to grab some. No go grabbers! We are certain the American aid agency will see the money is spent correctly to help the targeted groups. Originally, the money would be given and left to the govt. to spend as they were wont to do honestly (long ago). Now this wonderful country has been smeared with the reputation of corruption through and through. Isn’t that such a shameful label to be cursed with? But completely justified. And in Cass’ mind passes pictures of those in power and out, bloated with stolen money, even depriving needed nutriment from babes through stealing, such that now the percentage of malnourished children is over 60%. This figure was crassly denied by stooges of the SLPP. Those totally corrupt persons Cass sees through her mind’s eye have not disappeared nor in their rightful place: prison. They continue living in luxury with security guards galore, waiting to return to power. Cass remembers her grandmother’s favourite curse: Hena hathak gahapan! Lightening too is diffused these days!
We expected with Ranil being thrust upon the Prez’s chair that corruption would be investigated and punishments meted out, and very importantly stolen money returned to the empty coffers of government. Nothing doing. We ordinary people who hold honesty sacrosanct are in despair. Our country-reputation will remain sullied. It really is not impossible to eliminate corruption, bribe taking, cheating on imports and exports by over and under valuing. Other countries have succeeded. India was rife with corruption, but now she is respected and even sought after by world powers. At least some of the more corrupt scammers and grabbers of stolen money should be investigated honestly, apprehended, money confiscated and them punished. We do not want investigative teams elected by the Prez or the PM or IGP; the investigators will surely white wash the crime and the criminal, like what happened in the Treasury bond scams and more recently exonerating a minister of the SLFP/ SLPP who solicited a bribe over a inter-country deal and was reported to the Prez by a VVIP of that country. He was exonerated by a dummy investigative team and is smilingly present in Parliament.
One must admit that the new Prez put an end to queues for fuel, but this plus point is totally obliterated by the use of the draconian PTA, which most Sri Lankans ask for repeal, echoed by countries. He should do away with those stringent measures that go contrary to the preservation and promotion of people’s human rights.
Achievements by Sri Lankans here and overseas
We take comfort, solace and draw hope from the successes Sri Lankans have brought to themselves and the country. Our netball team has won the Asia Cup and for the sixth time no less. Same with our cricket team winning the Asia Cup. Love and congratulations to these young ones, who not only bring glory to the country, forex, but consolation to the suffering people.
A video was sent Cass listing achievements of Sri Lankans in 2021, many living abroad who have won prizes, awards, positions and kudos. I will mention only those who caught my attention more. Many were sports persons, handicapped too, and police women who won honours. Respect to them is equal though they are not named here.
Listed were six British resident men and women named in the Queen’s Honours List; Daisy Veerasingham – CEO and Prez of the Associated Press; Shamara Wickremasinghe – the highest paid woman CEO in Australia; Prof Malik Peiris, who is globally renowned for his research on SAARS and Covid-19 presented a prize of USD one million. Kamzy Gunaratnam was elected to Norway’s Parliament. Fields in which awards were won were also very diverse. Thus, Gimhani Perera won first place in teenage beauty contest; Ruwanthi Gajaweera for fashion design in Taiwan; Buddhini de Soysa won a global award for best wildlife photograph; Asha de Vos – Global Leadership Prize; Nimmi Harasgama – British National TV prize and 13-year-old Yevan David, the first Sri Lankan to win Europe’s pre-final go carting race. Anuk Arudpragasam was short-listed for the Booker, but has won other literary awards. To cap it all Stanford University pronounced that 24 Sri Lankan scientists make up 2% of the world’s top scientists who have contributed to the betterment of the world.
I played this video several times over not only to get names and prizes from the speeding track but to forget our woes created by scum of the earth living right here in this beautiful island. Why dwell on them when so much goodness and talent flourish among our people.
A shining example for the entire world
The Queen is dead, Long Live the King! Bells have tolled, last journeys undertaken by the cortege, lying in states, church services and then the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and the Commonwealth. Very much has been written about her and all in praise and respect, Dutiful, faithful, affectionate and approachable are constants said. Queen Elizabeth, all through her life, appeared perfect but she too had her sorrows. She said that love brings grief. So very true. She lived long and the promise she made at her coronation in 1953 when she was just 25, she kept always: “I will serve my people and country as long as I live, whether it be long or short.” Mercifully, it was very long. And now we move from the second Elizabethan period to the reign of King Charles III who has been fulsomely welcome all over Britain, and overseas too.
A cousin crowing over the SL cricket victory mentioned Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who proved useful. He added that all is clearly not lost.He sent me a verse which got me in stitches, chasing away the blues. With his permission I share it with you, ending this week’s chat on a lighter note, with joy mixed in.
“The bee he is a busy soul,
Who has no time for birth control,
That is why, in times like these,
We get so many “Sons of Bees!”