Sri Lanka needs action, not speeches

A reality check, long overdue, was delivered on Monday. Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made his sixth debut, addressing the nation on the day after the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar. While Vesak this year too fell against a lacklustre backdrop of political and economic strife, a country that gathered as one in protest gathered to lend an ear to the old PM’s newest address. 

“At present, we only have petrol to last for one day,” the Prime Minister laments. The speech was gripping and factually true. From the very beginning of the speech, the acceptance of the issue and hard numbers that cannot be argued away, gave credibility to what was said, in clear contrast to other speeches given as of late. 

Many appreciated the honesty, something that is unfamiliar on a political podium. The facts on the current fuel situation had many on social media pleasantly surprised about a change in the political narrative. Finally, a speech on the actual ground situation and not filled with grandiose promises or unimpressive past facts. 

“Due to the diesel shipment that arrived yesterday, the diesel lack of diesel will be resolved to some extent. Under the Indian credit line, two more diesel shipments are due to arrive on 18 May and 1 June. In addition, two petrol shipments are expected on 18 and 29 May.” 

However, for more than one month, oil tankers have been on Sri Lankan waters awaiting dollar payments. From needing dollars to getting dollars, the gaping missing link that presented itself was evident. The Prime Minister went on to say that the Government is working on sourcing dollars from the open market to make the payments. On a similar breath, the ardent need for electricity and gas supplies too was established.

The current medical outstanding amounts of Rs. 34 billion worth needs to be borne. 14 essential medicines are in short supply, with an anti-rabies treatment unavailable without a substitute. No bearing was given to how this would be addressed. With current foreign aid supplies and rumours of dollar deals going through, the good news is that a solution here, albeit still wishful thinking is conceivable.

The announcement to privatise the national carrier has been lauded as a step in the right direction. Coupled with the 1 billon liquidity relief to the system, the speech that was littered with signs of doom and gloom, was received positively by the market. 

Some even allude to the reason market was positive and turnover was not abysmal, because the share market was not deterred after negative real economic sentiment. Ranil Wickremesinghe even accepted that the losses borne by the public entity are that of the country and not just on an individual company or family. However, no accountability in terms of who fits this bill in actuality was presented.

At the crux of the current issues, action is unachievable without the numbers supporting it. This was true for protests against the Government, just as it is for within Parliament. The despicability and selfishness of some ministers who still play party politics in the face of a tangible crisis needs to be addressed in the highest house of the land, and called out by their constituents and fellow MPs.

What resonated the strongest in the speech was the declaration that his political appointment was to save the country, leave aside individuals, groups and families. It is disappointing that simply hearing the problem in the 11th hour from ‘the Government’ is worth the same praise as a formulated, timely action plan that economists and pundits from both sides had been warning of since the SLPP regime took over. One can only hope the new PM and appointees, whoever they may finally be, remember Brecht’s Grusha: She who carries the child feels its weight and a little more.