28 June 2024 12:00 am Views - 694
A large share of these debts was used for purposes that can be contested. Debts were also used for infrastructure projects which brought no worthwhile return, to maintain an oversised Cabinet and fund government welfare programmes for the less fortunate individuals. There were also grand tamashas and joyrides-where planeloads of politicians flew overseas as part of large contingents- in the past that must be added to the list of unwanted expenses of the regime.
As a result of creating a capitalist marketplace- established by the privileged lawmakers- the commoner was crushed. There were superficial battles created between those who are ‘patriotic’ and those who are not, those who ‘practise’ and ‘protect’ Buddhism and those who are out to destroy Buddha’s teachings and those who want to reduce the fertility rate of Sinhala mothers and those producing a so-called type of kottu roti which makes mothers barren. People failed to realise the subtle hand of the privileged ‘class’, in the thick of things, which was stirring up controversy.
The privileged class here comprises nothing but lawmakers. There have been a few saffron-robed monks among them. Now this regime stakes a claim that the debt restructuring programme with some sections of the creditors is complete. This was confirmed by President Wickremesinghe who appeared on television and said that Sri Lanka had reached a final restructuring agreement for US$ 10 billion with representatives of the Bilateral Lenders Official Creditor Committee and China in Paris, France. The government maintains that the debt restructuring programme is essential to reach a 2.3% primary budget surplus by 2025.
Posters in support of President Wickremesinghe have appeared all over Colombo following the success story in France. Despite all the hype created through the talk on the debt restructuring programme, the people will only see projects that are beneficial to privileged lawmakers being given priority. Critics opine that the same old story will continue and monies will be wasted on projects than can wait. Remember that the incumbent president must seek help from parliamentarians, who are not members of his party, to pass bills and resolutions.
The president is lucky to see the collective strength of the Opposition (NPP and SJB) within Parliament being divided. That force coming together can rock the boat for the government, which comprises the sole UNP representative in Parliament and the Podujana Peramuna representatives. Even the privileged class within Parliament is divided. But in the absence of any worthwhile group in Parliament- to bat for the commoner- the status quo of the privileged class benefiting from the present system of rule isn’t affected.
The privileged lawmakers continue to rule the roost; regardless of whether debt restructuring takes place. This cold war between the privileged and the not-so privileged can be witnessed when you step onto the streets.
On Wednesday, before the regime started celebrating the news from France, teachers protesting on the streets of Colombo were tear-gassed. These government teachers were demanding the rectification of salary anomalies among other grievances. However, elsewhere on this sun-kissed island, there are tuition masters who are privileged and continue teaching in air-conditioned classrooms and minting money.
Nothing much has changed in this country except the law, which serves as an establishment. There were times long ago when the accused and the plaintiff were represented by lawyers of the same family. At the end of the day all legal fees spent went to one home! Now things are different and there are lawyers who also support a system change and dedicate their services to the less privileged. At the time of writing we come to know that President Wickremesinghe’s proposal to extend the term of the Attorney General has been defeated at the Constitutional Council. In this battle between the privileged class and the not-so privileged the legal establishment too must stand firm and also play the watchdog’s role.