Sri Lanka It's Happening

July 18, 2004

The UPFA which began to back paddle almost immidiately after coming to power, is now racing ahead (or backwards) in reverse gear.

First was the peace process, after calling the norwegians all kinds of names that cannot be repeated, they were invited to act as facilitators again. Unfortunately for them the LTTE is not biting and accused the government of duplicity.

The UPFA rose to power on the promise of lowering the cost of living. What they forgot to mention is that the cost of living cannot be lowered with out serious long term repurcussion. In any case, Sri Lankan economic policy is made not by the party in power but by the world bank and the IMF and they take a dim view of subsidies. So we are in for another round of price hikes.

Last week we had the fiftieth anniversary of the world bank's involvement in Sri Lanka and the president thanked them for the role they have played. The UPFA which was hugely critical of the world bank and IMF while in opposition is quite happy to tow their line when in power.

If you rock the boat they cut off funding, and no funding means the ministers cannot buy expensive mercedes for themselves. Worse still no funding means no development projects - which usually means the ministers don't get any kickbacks. So the world bank and the IMF are being hugged like long lost brothers.

Sri Lankan politicians not being made of high moral fiber are hugging many others besides the world bank, these includes the mafia the LTTE and the occasional Indian politician who like to meddle in Sri Lankan affairs.

Posted by raditha at July 18, 2004 1:31 PM