Whither Sri Lanka ?

By Suresh Mendis -August 12, 2013

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Sri Lanka seems to be heading in the wrong direction.

Since the war ended four years ago, we have been promised endless “miracles”.

Mahinda Rajapaksa

I am by no means unhappy at the incredible changes in the capital city, which have been long overdue, and are a source of much wonder to returning expatiates and especially those from neighbouring India, who are astounded at how clean and vibrant Colombo looks. Hats off to those concerned for this incredible transformation, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

Yes, the roads in most parts of the country have been upgraded, the Jaffna railway line is nearing completion, a few hospitals and schools have been built, we have a couple of key highways with a few more coming up, but what of the other things that need to be done?

What have we got to show? Three white elephants in theHambantota District – the Port, the Airport and the Cricket Stadium – not to mention the myriad buildings which are going to house Government Departments, endless roadways which have no traffic on them (especially in the Deep South), faltering coal power projects……the list goes on.

Consider the facts:

• The dilly-dallying on trying to solve the Ethnic Problem. This has been due to the total rejection of the fact that there were reasons for the Tamil youth to have taken up arms – like the standardisation of education openly discriminating the minorities in University entrance , the “Sinhala Only in 24 hours” which alienated the Tamils and the Burghers with the resultant loss of Government jobs resulting in mass emigration, the constant reneging of agreements signed by the Government with the Tamils in the early post-Independence period etc,
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• Political Machinations: The Abuse Of Vehicles

  
  
  
  

  By Rajiva Wijesinha -August 12, 2013 |

  

  Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP

  There is some surprise at the Divisional Secretariats I have been visiting regularly over the last couple of years, when I turn up in a rather shabby vehicle, with only a couple of others with me. How shabby it was I discovered when one of the tyres, which were near to bald, went flat between Gomerankadawala and Padaviya Sripura. Fortunately my driver and security dealt with the matter swiftly, despite a jack designed for a motorbike having been given to us instead of the original, and we were less than 15 minutes late. The vehicle, which is generally trustworthy despite its appearance, got me safely back to Colombo without a spare. It is certainly much better than the posh Montero I was once given, which guzzled petrol, whereas this does 10 kilometres to a litre of diesel when travelling long distance.

  Even in the days, long gone now, when I had three security personnel, I did not use a back up vehicle. It would simply have cost too much for fuel. Thankfully, in addition to providing me with a vehicle, government provides diesel for long distance official journeys, so I am not out of pocket. But the rate at which I ask for diesel is apparently considered very modest, and held up as an example to other drivers who require much more for similar journeys.Read More