Pandora’s Box of Ills or Hope?
Post-election has seen many interesting developments in Sri Lanka. For one, it was not a majority win and so the factions are still warring on social media – possibly some of the worst vitriol one has seen in recent times. It is blatant abuse in some instances and one wonders if it is people just venting their frustrations or if they have truly never learned to be self aware, considerate and tolerant of a diverse opinion.
In this melee, the new President, Prime Minister and government are issuing things and appointing people that are positives, not so positive and curious. As much as the cheerleading squad of the NPP are cheering, many are stating – rightly so – that it is too early to tell what will happen.
And I say this because again, today, I was reminded of the severe corruption, blatant disregard for laws and duty perpetuated by the government sector and those who have some level of responsibility. Sure, the President and his team may want change – and people may agree and say yes. But to what extent do the ones who have enjoyed bribes for decades, those who purposefully sabotage projects and programmes agree to this clean up? Are the ones who have enjoyed an ill-gotten lifestyle going to suddenly give it up? I would like to think so. Realistically, it will take time.
We were also chatting about the cost of eggs – how it is suddenly Rs. 30 from 65. And this has diddly squat to do with the elections. It is everything to do with the middleman and the kind of profits they make. I recall a chat with someone in FMCG about the margin percentage supermarkets like Keells and Cargills ask for – 55% of the retail price. So you can imagine the margin the seller has to slap on as well as the profit the supermarkets make. In this scenario, giving people discounts at supermarkets is nothing. It won’t even dent their profits. This is why the cost of food is still so high. A milk carton is still 500+ lkr though the dollar is down (assuming they import the tetra pack) and the milk is locally sourced. So why no reduction in price? Because businesses love fleecing the consumer. And this is the mentality regardless of who is in power.
Say we strengthen the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to be more stringent – check expiry dates, imported foods that are near expiry, re-labelling and correct nutritional information – among others. What do you think these big businesses will do? Their sales teams will be given the “challenge” to convince the CAA not to prosecute – ie. gifts and bribes. As it is, well known business heads have been accused of using force with the CAA officials and Health inspectors. What makes this time different?
I want to cling on to that glimmer of hope tantalizingly dancing so close and yet I know that realistically, it is going to be a long road ahead. Cleaning up can happen if we replace the old with new. But who is going to replace the government sector with new people? Who is going to replace the greedy corporates with ethical heads? To make insane amounts of money off the common man you need to be doing things that are not the most ethical. And that is exactly what we see around us. To change that greed will take time and a concerted effort.
I sincerely wish for Hope to be triumphant but I shall be reserved till we see how things unfold.