Is it time to drink our tea without sugar?

Is it time to drink our tea without sugar?

For my four decades of existence in this world, Sri Lanka has set an example for the region and the world with our population control. We have grown as a population during this time from 17million to 21million. Four million over 40 years is to be lauded. Kudos to the Family Planning Association and their famous ‘Preethi’ campaign in the 70’s.

Even at a leading school in Colombo I remembered we went to the college milk bar at interval to receive our free bottle of fresh chocolate or vanilla milk. A small bag of Marie biscuits accompanying it. The 90’s saw the advent of mainly imported milk powder and the slow but sure death of cows farmed for fresh milk. The milkman stopped their early morning visit to households. Elephant House diaries among many others withered, soft drinks were the norm. All in the name of ‘defined’ progress.

We had other things to worry about. Mainly the LTTE headlined three decades of my existence. I left the island, came back and the finally in this decade migrated. Everyone celebrated the sovereignty of Sri Lanka: at the cost of the past two years seeing passionate pleas from our commander in chief to tighten our belts. In the aftermath of our famous victory in May 2009 over the LTTE we didn’t care about anything else. The predominant populace in Sri Lanka, the happy Sinhalese still glow in victory. Media folk, Elections and Generals all came and disappeared. Some I believe are still missing with the General still incarcerated. But we’re a happy bunch. Un-noticed by many the two hundred and two thousand rupee notes came into circulation. Un-noticed by the popular masses as they did not have any need for it or the capacity to warrant withdrawing these denominations from their bank. This New Year the central bank proudly released newly designed notes and a brand new five thousand-rupee note.

I am neither an Economist nor a popular pundit, but every time I visit home, every commodity has gone up in price. But honestly not peoples salaries in proportion to these prices, nor warrant the use of a Five Thousand-rupee note. Other than for the INGO expatriates and the kultarr in Colombo who shop at Keells Super or Cargills Food City in Fort and Staples street. What worries me more is that in the near future commodity prices in Sri Lankado warrant the need for big currency notes, but missing from people’s pockets.

So is it time to drink our daily cuppa sans the sugar? Recession in the west nor the war can’t quite be completely blamed for the rising cost of living. The Arab countries, Brazil, our neighbour India, the new economic superpower China’s economies continue to perform exceptionally. In the west Germany has finally recovered and their economy is in positive growth. We try our best to change our economic policies to suit markets in China, India and the Arab countries. But our best industries: tourism and garments best cater to the west. Tourism thankfully sees a better Chairman with a strong marketing background who has realised the folly of looking for new markets. Why? Traditionally it is the people in the west whose work ethic and habits are to take at least one - two to three week holiday a year. UK alone has 22 million people taking a holiday annually. So while exploring new markets it is sound economic strategy to retain our traditional markets in the west.

Garment Industry, we managed to lose the European General System of Preferences Plus, a useful tax benefit for garments made in Sri Lanka for export. Why? Because of bad PR. When we do hire a proper international PR agency to help us move forward and regain the GSP+, the opposition scream in protest.

But all these factors due to war is no excuse for the rate the cost of living is rising. Tighten our belts we must, if we do see those in government following suit. The luxury lifestyles, the security detail or rather the huge sizes of it, the excesses of Ministers and their brats, government sponsored thugs and violence must stop. Democracy is not a must, Singapore and Lee Kuan Yu is an outstanding example. Even currently regimental laws exist in Singapore. 5 to 10 people who commit violent acts meet their death by hanging every month. Where is Amnesty International? Why do the west not boycott Singapore City, a financial capital in the world second only to New York and London? Because above all for good or for bad, the rule of law applies to anyone and everyone in Singapore, and all share its success. Not some. All Singaporeans have the same chance of being strangled to death.

Stop the violence Mr. President. Give our country free and fair governance. I am a staunch supporter. I will always be. Please reward my loyalty and 75% of the rest of Sri Lanka who stand behind you.

Tea? No sugar please. Do you have fresh milk?