The President & Govt. have mixed up their priorities

The whole country is suffering from shortages of fuel, gas, medicine, food, transport, employment and is now exposed to new covid and dengue infection. But the president and the government, including the new prime minister, are more concerned about hounding those who damaged their houses and assets, swam in the President’s House pool, ate fruits in their fridge or damaged and allegedly stole items from President’s House and Temple Trees.

They have completely forgotten those parliamentarians who incited the attack on the peaceful, protesters from Temple Trees and failures of others including a Senior DIG Police, IGP and Secretary to The Ministry of Public Order who were unable to or did not stop the rot.

Remember that in 2018 certain MPs threw chillie powder on the police and the speaker and damaged the speaker’s chair in the parliamentary chamber. What became of investigations into those acts of gross misconduct and mischief amounting to acts of criminal force and voluntarily causing hurt to the police officers on duty? These are acts of gross misconduct and offenses of a criminal nature.

The manner this government is acting now is most disgusting. The people of this country want JUSTICE not eye wash! The government must declare its plans to overcome the present travail and ensure political stability not by appointing incompetent and corrupt politicians as ministers and deputy ministers, and heads of state organizations who will merely toe their line, but appoint honest professional who can guide the politicians competently.

Priority should be given to providing adequate fertilizer and fuel. Public statements making false promises will not suffice. Though the government declared there is sufficient fertilizer, the agricultural and plantation sectors have not received their requirements yet.

The ministers concerned must have a proper system of monitoring the issues that arise and resolving them. Fuel is a clear case of supply and demand. Whatever systems are in place the problem will remain as long as demand exceeds supply; and this will breed corruption. The government must permit big companies to purchase their own fuel and denationalize this business. This is the ideal solution.

It is a pity that the government was misleading the people about not operating the Sapugaskanda refinery. Sufficient crude oil imports would have eased existing shortages of refined products. The fisheries and tourism industries are almost at rock bottom due to this messing up.

The government must be serious about having proper solutions to ensure a stable government, bring protesting youth into the mainstream and have a general election within one year the latest. Else we are certain to face more serious economic and political instability. Leadership is about creating an environment where people can consistently perform to the best of their ability.

NIHAL DE ALWIS