A Resilient Nation

The feeling of horror I experienced this past week each time I checked my news alerts was akin to watching an old war movie where a war plane flying over a city keeps dropping bombs onto the city. 

The incessant price hikes of commodities, including medicines, were phenomenal. Petrol price hikes resulting in the increase of all transport costs was another. Seeing people, both young and old, queuing for hours to buy a cylinder of gas, kerosene and other essentials is so disheartening. But this is what our future is going to be at least for the next several months. The PHI has warned people of rotten frozen food being sold.  We cannot blame the sellers since they too are faced with the same problem as the rest of us – the unavailability of fuel to have their generators running.  

The list is endless and a salary hike is extremely unlikely.

On the other side. The peoples' attitude and behaviour in Colombo and elsewhere are mind boggling. The lavish weddings, huge celebrations and tamashas are going on. Restaurants and bars are packed to the brim, especially on weekends. It is surreal and makes you wonder if there is a segment among us living on another planet. Others are having an even better time posting the most hilarious memes on social media.  

Two years ago, we were living with great anxiety when the pandemic was declared. The fear we all experienced in different forms and the feeling of death looming around us is all forgotten. We certainly are a very resilient nation with a no care attitude. Or is it that we have just given up hope because of our ‘no matter what happens attitude?’ Then that is what makes our island a Paradise. 

The divine intervention we were hoping for to get rid of the pandemic should now be directed towards a huge financial windfall to the nation as well as all of us.

• Two years ago, we were living with great anxiety when the pandemic was declared. The fear we all experienced in different forms and the feeling of death looming around us is all forgotten.