Thug politics beyond elections

THUG politics is not just a threat to politicians and normal people, it is also a larger threat to the sustainable development of this country. Continued disregard for the environment, openly supported by politicians, has become one of the biggest post-war challenges for Sri Lanka.  

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa on Thursday instructed the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to take immediate action to put an end to the alleged destruction of forests at Thawsamadu in the Wilpattu National Park. The question is, why did it take him this long to become aware of it and why wasn’t action taken earlier?

The Minister’s instructions came in the wake of discussions he had with Sri Lanka Haritha Organisation (SLHO) – a leading environment protection group. SLHO provided the Minister and his officials with facts and figures including visual data on how vast areas of forest lands in Wilpattu are being systematically destroyed by people who are allegedly supported by influential politicians in the area.

It is only after this that the Minister was spurred on to take action, despite the fact that the environmental ravages happening not just in Wilpattu but also other parts of the county have been highlighted numerous times by media and other stakeholders.  

The Minister has finally instructed the Forest Conservation Department and the State Timber Corporation officials to frame charges against public officials who assisted those engaged in illicit deforestation. However, it is unlikely that the most powerful offenders will ever be brought to book. More importantly, it could take decades for the environmental damage to be repaired – if ever.   

Clearly, the worst is yet to come. SLHO Project Manager Bandu Kariyawasam has also pointed out that a proposal approved by the Chief Ministers to handover certain forest land to Divisional Secretaries does not augur well for the protection of forests in the country. It puts the natural resources of this country even more in the hands of corrupt, greedy and incompetent politicians who have no concern for the valued biodiversity of Sri Lanka.

One of the most important chances that Sri Lanka had because of the war is that its natural beauty was not ravaged by unleashed development as it was in many other countries. This wealth is now being squandered heedlessly by corrupt officials and businessmen who have no concept of what is being destroyed.

The Environmental Ministry and other key institutions that are tasked with protecting Sri Lanka’s most valuable assets and work at the forefront of the development drive are clearly not carrying out their duty. The Ministry has an incredible amount of power to make sure that the environment is protected for the future of Sri Lanka. Their incompetence is not only providing impunity for the politicians who back most of these ravages but also endangering the future of the country.

The Wildlife Department conducted a census of elephants in Sri Lanka, which aside from questions over its accuracy, has done nothing to prevent more animals from being killed since the data has been found. One of the reasons for the census was so that it could be used to protect Sri Lanka’s most beloved animal. This is just one example of when the Wildlife authorities have not managed to deliver. The fate of Sri Lanka needs to be taken away from irresponsible and corrupt people – it goes beyond mere elections.