A regime that has discarded commonsense
| By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene | |
 It appears that deceptively smooth representations, let alone outright lies on the part of this Government will not suffice to divert international storm clouds which are now gathering with greater force around Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly this has come about due to this administration's belief that it can escape accountability at all levels of governance without incurring any consequences. The transfer of one diplomatic representative conveniently cast as a scapegoat for the spectacularly humiliating failure of a recalcitrant administration before the United Nations earlier this year only makes the country the object of further ridicule. This is unequivocally clear.  Reason for early provincial pollsLocally, there appears to be a change in the public mood. Outpourings of rage by government propagandists against a 'maliciously motivated West' fall on increasingly deaf ears, if one leaves aside fanatical supporters of the Mahinda Chinthanaya. There is increased public questioning of inchoate and immature foreign policies that rely on inflammatory rhetoric rather than skilful diplomatic negotiation. Moreover, even among the ordinary people who are less than preoccupied with the niceties of foreign policy, government propaganda has little resonance. Widespread anger at the astronomical increases in the cost of living, despite corruption and extravagance by the ruling elite and their cringing sycophants depleting the public purse, has become an almost living and breathing thing.READ MORE... |
