Tough days ahead for Govt. and the public

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday assured the public that the Government has taken several steps to prevent an energy crisis and that the focus is on providing an uninterrupted supply of fuel, maintaining essential services, and providing relief to the people who become vulnerable due to the current situation.

However, such words seem to have little impact on the Sri Lankan public because the long queues to get fuel, as well as to stock up on whatever essential goods they can obtain, are growing as they fear that the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf States will not end anytime soon.

The reality is that while the President can try to assure the public, what is unfolding now is beyond the control of the Government to a large extent, and even if fuel supplies are procured, prices will rise and shortages should be expected on multiple fronts, including gas, fertiliser, medicine, and other essential goods that are procured from overseas.

Already, the cost of essential goods has begun to increase, with food prices among them. Those who use taxis and three-wheelers have also begun to feel the pinch, with rates going up rather steeply as surcharges. Given that they also have to stay in queues to get their stocks of fuel, such hikes can be expected.

During the 2022 economic crisis, it was those in the lowest tier of society who were dealt the worst blows. Many thousands were pushed into poverty as a result of the crisis. Slowly, Sri Lanka was on the road to recovery when Cyclone Ditwah hit the country. The Government is yet to provide the necessary relief to the people impacted by the cyclone, though there have been many public assurances of relief.

It is on top of that that the current conflict has begun, which will hit Sri Lanka once again. While it is obvious that what happens in other countries is beyond the control of the Government, the price for being in power is that the people will not accept excuses. What they want are solutions and better planning so that they will not go from the frying pan into the fire, with more economic woe thrust upon them.

There is an obvious trust deficit between the public and politicians in this country. No amount of assurances will make them stop fearing the worst. The Government, now one and a half years in office, has not exactly done much for people to place their trust in it. There are numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement against ministers, policies have been announced and rolled back at the same speed, and most Ministers and Government MPs have been shying away from directly addressing public concerns, instead hiding behind the official spokesman to give a weekly update on Government matters. However, Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa is often defensive, and his words do little to placate the public. In fact, his attitude often increases public mistrust in the Government.

The President has put on a brave face so far and still remains the only person in whom the public seem to place their faith. It is tough days ahead for him and his Government. How the Government handles this crisis will make or break it. Sri Lankan voters are unforgiving, and blaming past rulers for all the country’s ills is already beginning to wear thin. What the public expects is for the Government to show it is in charge and take decisive action so that the people come through this with the least amount of inconvenience.