Protect the people

Every Government must always be with the people. The Government over the last few days has rolled out over a dozen measures to protect the public from COVID-19 and this must be applauded. Cooperation and coordination between different branches of Government in Sri Lanka is usually weak, but there have been concerted efforts during the past week to change this and proactively share information with the public. This is an important and essential step in inspiring confidence in the public and encouraging them to have faith in the public sector. This effort needs to be supported by the public as well as all politicians, and continued into the future on other aspects of governance as well.

Concerned members of the public have already roundly trounced the Royal-Thomian Big Match and the stupidity, entitlement, and short-sightedness in holding what is essentially a social gathering does not need to be repeated. Reports that two people diagnosed with COVID-19 did not declare their status to authorities upon their return from Italy has raised red flags of others who may have done the same. Therefore it is positive that the Government, at least at this point, has decided to check on all returnees from Italy in the first nine days on this month. It is hoped that many of these people have already self-quarantined, but for the sake of the rest of the population, it is a good move to make sure.

The Government has also sensibly declared Monday a Public, Bank and Mercantile holiday and indicated they are open to extending the holiday even further. This makes sense as parents will be better equipped to deal with children home from school and protect their elderly parents better. The private sector should encourage all who can to work remotely to do so, and roll out fresh measures to see how many more roles can actually be completed without needing to be in office. Telecommuting has long been a practice elsewhere in the world, and Sri Lanka has the capacity to adapt, upgrading infrastructure where necessary.

Understandably, one of the biggest concerns of a slowdown in the private sector is that companies will be burdened with salaries, while profits could suffer. This could set off a chain reaction where public income could shrink, whilst public expenditure increases. It has been estimated that Sri Lanka could face a Budget deficit of 7% or more this year, and a prolonged shutdown could be more difficult to recover from. The possibility of the General Election being postponed opens up even more concerns, as Sri Lanka desperately needs a Budget once the current Vote on Account expires in April, and without a new Parliament, it will be impossible for an interim Budget to be passed.

Perhaps the wishful thinkers at this point would remember that the Government is negotiating with the China Development Bank for a $1 billion loan, which was expected to be finalised this month. However, this was earmarked for bolstering reserves and debt repayment, and using it for recurrent expenditure may be ill advised.

The Government also has to keep its party members in line, and prevent them from getting in the way of essential decisions. Establishing a quarantine centre in Wattala would have been beneficial to many, but this plan was abandoned after a ruling party politician whipped up the public against it. This is unacceptable behaviour, and surely the need for discipline extends to politicians and political parties as well.

The battle against COVID-19 has just begun. We are all in it together.