“Sri Lanka” hope you have heard about this country even once in your lifetime. For those who does not know I will show you in a map. Without searching for any information,just look at the map and predict on the country’s economy. I will give you few hints.Ocean ,Biodiversity ,Climate,Population ,Land mass and Air space
Now just Google “ Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka”. Surprised? you should be. Sri Lanka is the first country that refuses to give fuel to the general public. We experience endless fuel queues during the last few months.
Sri Lanka is a small country, with 65,650 square kilometers of land mass. Population 22 million. It has a healthy workforce engaged in both government and private sectors. We work 8 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week. We do not have climate problems. We work during the whole year. As we are located just above the equator we have an excellent climate. To be more specific we enjoy temperatures averaging 16 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year. If someone starts traveling from the most northern tip of the country to the most Southern tip, he will experience several climatic zones inside the country. We experience the rich biodiversity, a Natural harbor in Trincomalee, approximately 196,950 square kilometers of sea area, and air space of the same size as the sea area.
We have endless tourist destinations such as rainforests, beautiful beaches, mountains, rivers and waterfalls, ancient history towns, wildlife, different types of foods, vegetables and fruits, also one of the world's wonders, “the Lion’s Rock /Sigiriya Rock”. Also, we are strong in the IT sector, Apparel sector, and exports, especially spices, tea, coconut, and rubber.
And yet we are still a developing country. I am 33 years old now. Even my parents who are now close to their 70s had learned about Sri Lanka as a developing country. In a few more years, my children will know this country as a bankrupt, bottom-line third-world country.
We were ruled by 3 countries till 1948. After the independence, this year February month we celebrated the 74th anniversary of our independence. In 1948, the 1$ was equal to 1 LKR, which is our local currency. Today 1$ is equal to 370 LKR.
What had happened within the last 74 years?. As a nation, we owe the world billion dollars as debts. But we don't have assets worth debt. How come?. The simple explanation is corruption. Ruling governments have stolen the money given from other countries and they stole our future too. Today we are so poor that we don't have essential medicines for children, or our parents. We don't have LPG as we don't have enough dollars to buy them. Schools are closed, and power cuts are becoming a tradition. Public Transportation is on the brink of collapse. The economy has shrunk to its maximum. People refuse to pay loan installments. As I heard the news today International economists have declared that our inflation rate is 122%.
Even during a situation like this, citizens in this country have one massive problem, “FUEL”.Everyone is so devastated to fill up their fuel tanks no matter how long they wait in the queue. If people get fuel, will this crisis come to an end?. Will we get dollars? the Last solution to this mess is revolution. A revolution of attitude change. Unless people understand their rights and responsibilities countries like Sri Lanka will never develop.
How could a government refuse or ban the general public from purchasing fuel?. Is it ethical, or democratic?. How could the government declare a few entities essential and others non-essential?. Every citizen has an essential job, providing for his/her family. Restricting the general public from purchasing a good is a fundamental human rights violation.
But, health sector employees think about this issue from a different angle. They believe they are superior to the rest. So they have been given a token to purchase fuel as the emergency service providers. My question is, what about the service receivers?. How are they going to reach the service provider?, By flying?
Anyway, my wife asked me to join the fuel queue the next day. I have to pack my bag.
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