The World and Sri Lanka in 2022

The Editor of this newspaper titled his editorial on January 1^st 2022 ‘Our Annus Horribilis’. Justified since the year was horrible but most of the recent past years have been horribilis and unpardonably so because the horrors were man made by our leaders.

The late Queen Elizabeth II brought the Latin expression to prominence by using it to label the year 1992 in a speech she made at the London Guildhall celebration of her Ruby Jubilee (40 years) as queen. In that year she suffered three immediate family breakups and divorces, and fire at Windsor Castle to cap it all.

I failed to find out who first used the term and when to name a year of disaster and misfortune. Many have used it. Kofi Anan, UN Secretary General said 2004 was an annus horribilis for the world as so many upheavals occurred – in Afghanistan, the Congo, Palestine and even allegation of corruption leveled against UN officials in Iran. In 2020 the US awarded the Golden Raspberry to that year as the worst calendar year of events.

To come back to the editorial of the first day of the New Year, the Editor listed the political, agricultural, economic and health disasters that battered Sri Lanka. The saddest and most unacceptable fact is that Nature, though it blew tornadoes, stormed, flooded, ignited forest fires, warmed some countries and caused cold blizzards in others, left our country only slightly bruised by heavy rains and slight droughts, and even these few and far between. All the horrendous disasters were mostly man-made as I said earlier and accusing fingers can justifiably be pointed at one family and its cohorts for much of what hit us.

Global disasters

I list these according to my opinion of the gravity and how badly affected people were. The worst was the war in Ukraine which ushered in a war in Europe after about 78 years. The UN set up to prevent international conflicts seemed helpless. On February 4 Russia launched a ‘special military operation’ that it said was needed to force the ‘demilitarization and denazification’ of Ukraine. Warnings of what was comingt had been issued by many countries and organizations, but no serious note of these were taken. Hence Ukraine was taken somewhat by surprise though Russian troops and vehicles had been massing on its border.

I well remember columnist Gwynne Dyer whom I never miss reading in The Island, pronouncing Russia would not advance on Ukraine nor attack it. However, to the surprise of the Kremlin and most military experts, Ukraine withstood the onslaught. It continues to see- saw and Putin remains adamant in his desire to recreate a modern USSR, not minding one jot the mass murder of his men and Ukrainians as they are showered with Iran made drones. Of course NATO and western countries are pumping arms and ammunition to battered Ukraine. Let us admit President Volodomyr Zelensky, ex-comedy actor, is proving his mettle and leading his country courageously.

Many more disasters are ongoing such as protests in Iran over the death of young Mahsa Amin who was caught in public by a morality police with her head uncovered – no hijab. Her death drew millions out in protest. They continued their marches and slogan “Women, life, freedom’ even in the face of government decreed public executions. No peace or settlement of this women’s issue is seen.

Sad stories of people escaping their countries seeking greener pastures is daily news and many of these attempts to start new lives end in death – at sea on frail boats or unseaworthy trawlers or by suffocation in prime movers of cargo. Refugees in 2022 numbered well over 32 million it is estimated, and over 100 million when internally displaced, in-country refugees are added. This is a severe indictment on governments the worldover.

A disaster which affects the entire world is climate change. Forty years ago scientists warned the world was heading for trouble and that if not taken serious note of and remedied, could and would turn catastrophic. Heat waves intensified; just as freezing descended in winter. These disasters severely affect the people and the economies of countries; so also food production. The UN Panel of Scientists on Climate Change warns that the deterioration of the climate if not checked could soon be irreversible. There however are positive signs that the world, threatened by extinction, is waking up to danger and attempting remedial measures. To mention but one advance: electric cars are on roads, even a few in Sri Lanka. On the other hand this country is still importing coal to generate electricity with the sun beating down on us but not harnessed to produce solar energy.

COP 27 held recently did not achieve startling success in curtailing emission of poisonous gases to the atmosphere but ended with ‘loss and damage agreements’ where wealthy countries are called upon to compensate poor countries harmed by climate change. President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act with very important steps outlined to reduce emission of heat trapping gasses that cause climate change.

Britain had many PM changes during the last year. It pushed out Boris Johnson of the ‘endless parade of scandals’ and installed Liz Truss who holds the record of being the shortest serving PM of Britain having been in that position for only 45 days. Finally the first Prime Minster of colour, Rishi Sunak, was appointed and seems to be turning the economy of the country around.

The most noted event was the death of the longest reigning royal of Britain and its former Empire. Queen Elizabeth II lived to 96 serving her nation as she promised “as long as I live.” The entire world realized how honourable and duty bound she had been; a woman to be greatly admired and respected. People loved her and sorrowed at her death. King Charles III seems to be doing fine.

I read a line running below BBC TV news broadcasts –”Harry: I want my father and brother back.” It’s wrong in meaning and syntax too. Father and brother did not leave Harry, so how say he wants them back. He should say, I want to go back to my father and brother. This prefaces the fact that Prince Harry will release his book provocatively titled Spare on January 10. It was ghostwritten by J R Moehringer. To me he seems unable to accept the fact he is second prince in waiting. Perhaps Meghan and her prejudices have encouraged even that grouse. Will his book be another mean expose like the documentary Harry and Meghan and the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey? Or perhaps it will create no ripples and have no comments forthcoming from Buckingham Palace. .

Needless to say Covid 19 was a minus factor, which however reduced from pandemic level to almost just another virus infection. China is again under its spread; and losing its dynamism in development.

Our country

Many have detailed the happenings in Sri Lanka during the year just passed. It was an Annus Horibilis, but not at all the only one. We have suffered other horrible years – 1989; worst of civil war years; suicide bomb explosions on Easter Sunday 2019. Turmoil we suffered in 2022; the worst was Mahinda Rajapaksa, just before or after resigning as PM, unleashing thugs who were offered lunch and alcoholic drinks and then sent forth to destroy Gotagogama. The previous day he placed his head against the sparse branch of the sacred Bo Tree. Then he mingles with the dregs of society and gets them to do his bidding, never mind even killing peaceful protesters.

He, the projected father figure, carrying babies from among adoring crowds, was the violent one, while his brother Gotabaya, dreaded ordering shooting, sheepishly crawls out of President’s House and is secretly sailed to Malé. This topsy turveyness continued. A leader who lost his seat at the last elections and saw total defeat of his party is made in double quick succession PM, Acting Prez and President. The most hard-to-believe double turn is the projected conjoining of the elephant and the pohottuwa: SLPP and UNP

Women were seen and heard more – the good, the bad, the OK. Sandya Ekneligoda, widow of 12 years who seeks closure of the mystery of the disappearance of her journalist husband, traveling annually to Geneva, was nominated one of 100 famous women by BBC. Shocking Diana Gamage acts concerned about Sri Lanka while allegedly being a British citizen, or so reported, and threatened to bring crashing down the entire SJB if she loses her parliamentary seat. Powerful lass promoting gambling in Mannar, growing cannabis all over the isle and keeping bars open24/7. The OK dame is Hirunika. I admire her. Rip Van W of the Sunday Times considered nominating her Person of the Year. Not a bad choice, I add.

The Editor pronounced 2022 was annus horribilis. I say it was not all disaster and misfortune. We suffered a surfeit of these which will move to 2023, but there were the bright spots too. The brightest to me was the clean, self sacrificing Aragalaya of true patriots who protested peacefully. They achieved much: drove the President out and added the bonus of kicking out the PM too. With him departed the most incompetent Minister of Finance and son and nephew. But the brother keeps coming back from his home in the USA to develop his kumanthrana.

Also the Aragalaya opened people’s eyes, ears and more importantly, mouths. We speak freely now. Most significant of all: politicians and those in high posts cannot just rob and enjoy pickings. The public is alert.