Economic way forward; corruption; stunning SC ruling
The momentous event of the week-ended-today was the presentation of Budget 2024 by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance. Usually, Sri Lankan Presidents keep away from Parliament; not Ranil Wickremesinghe, and a jolly good move it is.
The Island of Tuesday November 14 headlined the VI Event as: “Prez presents Budget to build foundation of Sri Lanka’s recovery”. Cass prays to every god in whichever heaven and all the devathavas hovering around the island to make this foundation strong and please, please pull us out of bankruptcy and set this wonderful country back on the track to economic stability. Why does she appeal to heavenly and spiritual beings? Without their help we remain doomed. No one and no budget will haul us out of the present state and bring back the dignity and status we enjoyed of being a serendipitous country of smiling people and natural beauty. The IMF is ready to help but holding a disciplinary whip in hand; countries have helped and offer help with agendas of their own. We have to help ourselves.
Some who seem to know say the budget is an election budget. It promised elections in 2024 and Ranil W said so. Others say it is dictated to by the IMF. Cass has no opinion as she is
duly flummoxed by budgetary jargon and stats and numerals. She only hopes the country will really get on a steady economic footing. Two thoughts: From where will the money be produced for the increase in allowances for all public sector workers: the bloated-to-bursting-point public sector? TUs asked for a Rs 20,000 increase and a generous half has been promised.
The other exclamatory thought: More universities in this tiny island? To produce more unemployable graduates? If they are private universities inviting students from around the world, Cass welcomes the move.
Catching the bribe takers
Cass named this fact in her title as ‘paper trail’. One meaning is “a cross country race in which the runners follow a trail marked by torn-up paper.” We oldies have enjoyed these treasure hunts. An informal meaning is “an administration characterised by excessive bureaucracy.” She also has the term ‘paper chase’ in mind when considering a spate of activity which has riveted the public’s attention. Paper chase is defined as “a series of documents providing written evidence of a sequence of events or the activities of a person or organisation.”
All these diverse definitions and meanings apply to the sudden spate of exposing corruption and also catching offenders. There were plenty of documents, trails exposed, facts known of corruption in high places and with reference to important organisations, persons, bureaucrats. But nothing was done. Pandora and Panama papers outed themselves and Sri Lankans were named. But not shamed.
Those revelations were gasped at and then swept under convenient carpets by those who should have followed the paper trails. Hence corruption – bribe taking, soliciting commissions, stashing away illicit money – grew in volume while enriching some thieves overnight while the country was sent down reeling to bankruptcy. People knew who the takers were, but was any paper chase or trail undertaken by those who are entrusted with this job. No! Cass was one who wailed at persons suddenly getting filthy rich and getting away with crimes. She was told that cheating and stealing were done with such finesse and skill that no trails or clues were left behind.
And then the safety bubble burst – first at Maitland Place. We have to thank on bended knees intrepid and unafraid Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. He is determined to clean out that Augean Stables. He was not deterred when adverse reactions and actions ensued. We hope that once and for all Sri Lanka Cricket will be cleaned out. To think that ICC suspended SLC. What a shame. Gaminii Dissanayake and Rajamahendran worked so hard to win the country that membership.
And then burst forth the stunning news that a top administrator was arrested for accepting a bribe in his own office. To quote a newspaper report: “Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority has been suspended from his position after being arrested over a bribery charge …”
Cass’ imagination climbed to dizzying heights. She imagined other administrators and lesser officials shivering in their socks and shoes, with skeletons rattling in their secret cupboards. She visualised matured politicians laughing as they reclined in their luxurious abodes, certain their solicitations and acceptances of wads of cash or bags of precious stones or bars of gold, even if suspected, would not lead to their arrests. Too powerful to be touched, or the crimes committed so skillfully executed with no traces left nor clues to follow. They were assured safety.
Cass’ deduction is that another Sri Lankan trait has been exposed here. We as a nation are suckers – power worshippers most, especially the police, some purring like pet cats. Another trait is forgetfulness. National amnesia on murders, bribes taken, the country’s money wasted, mismanagement of state affairs. All these and many more are gasped at and then forgotten. A third national aberration is gossiping at crimes committed, particularly wealth amassed illicitly, and then shrugging it off. What do I care or what can I do, being the excuse for this lack of national mindedness and public spiritedness? So, the corrupt have their day.
My explanation for this sudden spurt of catching rogues is due to yet another trait of the Sinhalese mostly – anything catchy, like an influenza infection, spreads rapidly. Stems from competing with Jones and the ‘I can do better’ syndrome. The IMF laid down a stricture that corruption in the land must be stamped out. Not stated thus but couched in legalese. So maybe it sunk in and an alleged bribe taker is caught red handed. Thus, others get busy thief-hunting.
And then on Tuesday November 14, 2023, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka gave a judgment on a human rights case filed by public spirited nationals who feel deeply for the country. Three Brothers Rajapaksa – Mahinda, Gotabaya and Basil; plus ex Governors of the Central Bank – Nivard Cabraal and Prof W D Lakshman; and top govt officials constituted 13 respondents who were found to “bear responsibility for Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis and had thereby violated the fundamental rights of the people my mismanaging the economy between 2019 and 2022…had violated public trust and breached Article 12 (1) of the Constitution, in their administration of the economy, leading to the economic crisis in the country.”
At long last persons who sent the country almost willfully down to bankruptcy and continued to live luxuriously with apparently no remorse, were named. But not shamed. That seems to be an impossible state for all or most of them. All’s quiet on the Sri Lankan front. No crackers, no mass kiribath consumption. Still scared of white vans? No! Thus, the sudden 360 degree turn of events has not sunk in still. The dynastic edifice has been severely cracked.
Those of us who continued from long ago to bemoan bad moves, unwise administration and leaders not caring a jot for the country feel some relief. Maybe one of the brethren will emplane; the other retire to his lair to lick his wounds, tired as he is; and the one who fled in the face of the Aragalaya. Cass cannot guess his next move. One thing is certain: sycophants will scatter themselves fast and popularity will sink. Retribution marches in. The infection of suspect catching is spreading. Who knows Panama and Pandora may rise in revenge and money taken away wrested back to the land where it belongs.
