May Day or mayday?

Wednesday, 1 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

May Day is for the working people, for them to air out their demands and show the power gained with the strength of their backs and the sweat of their brows. It is doubtful whether politicians qualify under this category of the ‘working class,’ but May Day rallies in Sri Lanka have always been led by this vocal group that uses it as a dual-purpose stage.

True to form, several political parties, led by the United National Party, have decided to strike at the recently-increased electricity bills at the heart of their rallies today. The increasingly volatile subject has been kept alive an unusually long time, with media making an extra effort to support lobbies attempting to pressure the Government to reduce tariffs.

Bombarded with criticism and a possible no confidence motion in Parliament, Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi is struggling to deal with the backlash. An attempt to put the blame on her predecessor turned sour with Minister Champika Ranawaka taking a break from his new post to launch staunch denials and even present his own ideas on a topic that is no longer under his purview.

In a rather amusing intervention, Ranawaka had suggested that all public institutions shut down their air conditioners as. According to him, nearly 40% of power is being used to cool offices. He was unclear whether this would include the Parliament and clearly did not think that the move would affect the efficiency of Sri Lanka’s public service. Regardless of the validity of this estimate, Ranwaka’s ideas are unlikely to gain much traction but have made for amusing reading for the masses.

Meanwhile, in a rare show of independence, the members of the Matara Pradeshiya Sabha passed a resolution against the electricity tariff hike by seven majority votes. It was reported that eight members of the UNP and JVP voted for the resolution, which was brought in by Opposition Leader Lionel Kodikara while one UPFA member voted against. Six UPFA members also chose to absent themselves during the vote, showing that even ruling party members are feeling the heat.

The JVP has called on the public to take matters into their own hands and boycott bill payments. Despite such rhetoric being largely ignored, it is certain that the issue will take centre-stage at the rallies accompanied by other examples of the high cost of living.

Electrified by mass-scale disapproval, the public awaits with the light of hope in their eyes for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to announce relief measures during his address later today. This expectation was further bolstered by Power Ministry officials admitting that Rajapaksa was irked by the tariff revamp. The media has joined in with gusto, speculating that concessions will be given to households consuming less than 120 units a month.

However, if concessions are given, then the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be unable to recoup at least part of its losses and will continue to be mired in debt. Essentially, a reduction in the tariff only delays the inevitable as the CEB continues to totter under colossal losses. With no attempts to quell corruption and mismanagement, a reduction in percentages will only bring short-term relief. Yet, for the overburdened masses, this is better than nothing and if given would make the best May Day they have had in years.