Christmas thoughts

Saturday, 25 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SRI LANKA is celebrating Christmas with extra vigour this year. On the surface this seems like a well deserved break, after all the economy is doing well, growth is at a historic high and the recent Budget outlined the first step to take the country global.

Streets, shops and markets were filled to bursting point with shoppers in the run up to the Christmas weekend with bargains proclaimed every few feet. Bonuses were eagerly received and stuffed into savings accounts or other investments as insurance for the future and it would be well to continue this practice in the new year as Sri Lanka has one of the lowest saving rates in south Asia.

Beneath the festive cheer is the genuine belief that as the country celebrates its second war-free Christmas a corner in history has been decisively turned. The euphoria is easily infectious and people have every right to be upbeat at the prospect of a brighter year ahead. Prayers have been answered and even for the service personnel who cannot be home for the festivities at least there is the comfort that they are safe in discharging their duties. The sense of relief is palpable and few would be hard hearted enough to throw a pal of gloom on it.

Sri Lanka has had an eventful year. With two elections, presidential and general, the swearing in of the second term for President Rajapaksa and several ministerial changes to boot making up for a crowded year. Concentrating on the last few months one can point at the Budget as being the most important step by the government to give an indication of the plans ahead and it has been met with many positive reviews from all stakeholders. Its implementation would surely be easier for a populace that is getting the first taste of success and is keen to sample more. With a booming economy to cheer them on the people will do doubt be itching to roll up their sleeves and fight for the development that has so long been denied them.

But returning to the point of Christmas and by extension the future that we want for ourselves, this possible spree of consumerism has to be tempered with the lessons learnt in the global economic recession. By next Christmas the hope is that more impressive growth statistics would have been posted for politicians to boast about and the rest of us to wonder at their duplicity given the fact that inflation is likely to rise. Making smart decisions about purchases, saving for tough times and planning entrepreneurship based on richer technology and knowledge resources should be the core of New Year resolutions.

Defining the development that is most appropriate for us as individuals and by extension the country is crucial for our growth. Focusing on inclusive growth and assisting the vulnerable sections of society makes sense on multitude levels. The message of Christmas is about sharing and caring, it is about giving to those in need and ensuring that everyone has an equitable share that would enable them to live in comfort. Fulfilling basic needs is just the start of this pyramid and economic growth- in other words money- should not be used as a weapon to divide people and cause greater hardship.

Christmas is a time to reiterate on the priorities of life, not to lose sight of them in a fog of consumerism.