PRESIDENT, COVID AND MINISTERS
Not only the 6.9 million citizens who voted for president Gotabaya Rajapaksha, but many others who did otherwise also had in the back of their minds, that at least president Rajapaksha would put the country back on the right track, specially after the most abysmal and abortive Yahapalana regime.the majority thought so, having considered his worthy credentials being a well-disciplined, patriotic ex- military officer who was new to the hustle and bustle of Lankan politics. Later people voted en-block securing a record 145 members - 5 short of two thirds majority - for his political alliance. Furthermore, as the president felt that 20th amendment was sin qua non for him to serve the masses efficiently and effectively, that too was legislated by a two thirds majority in parliament.
That said, now nearly completing two years of presidency -will be so next month
- it is apparent that both president and government have wittingly or unwittingly taken the country - conversely to all expectations - to an unfortunate, unswerving and unmanageable economic downturn as never experienced before.
However, it should be borne in mind that the unexpected and unprecedented Covid pandemic has been the biggest stumbling block that put paid to any progressive steps being taken by him or the govt. during this period. With the pandemic still on, not knowing what new variant will be a threat to us, the govt. struggling for life without the muchneeded foreign exchange, the economy still in a perilous state, are all indications of more doom and gloom, to say the least.
Worst of all is the endless and enormous price increases that are now quite common and mostly preceded by stock-outs and shortages on essential foods and commodities, becoming more the rule than exception. As such, it has become a Herculean task for most to make ends meet. Majority being pushed from the frying pan to fire, seems to be an understatement!!
It is a forgone conclusion that almost all these huge increases are due to the blithering blunders made by concern ministers. Their short-sighted policies and marked arrogance have only made a bad situation worse as knowing very well that with increased cost, insurance, freight (CIF) prices and an appreciating US dollar, one cannot control and contain prizes through gazettes, yet they opted to do the same! Also, their bungling on rice prices is beyond anyone’s comprehension, as it is 100% locally produced coupled neither with any CIF price nor US $ appreciation!
In this background, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who has already taken lot of flak due to many square pegs in round holes, both in cabinet and outside - messing up right royally – must be now wondering whether he has got the right mix to DELIVER WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED.