Economic struggle ahead
Even as the Government and the medical authorities grapple with the multiple logistical problems of managing a national economy amid a pandemic not yet under control, the continued experience of a life-threatening contagion has Sri Lankans torn between their instincts for immediate collective survival and their long-term livelihood needs.
The vast majority of citizens applaud the President and the Government for their management of the health crisis, and the degree of public compliance with the strict social hygiene requirements has risen. Unlike in many of the ‘advanced industrialised’ nations, the Sri Lankan public very quickly adapted to the tight social and economic activity restrictions despite the hardships.
The social pressures have focused on the livelihood difficulties of the low-income groups and business difficulties all-round rather than on loss on social entertainment and sharply curtailed sports and leisure activities.
In the first two months of the epidemic in Sri Lanka, the spread of infections emanated from foreign returnees. But despite stringent measures taken by health authorities and the efficiency of all active institutions in implementing the epidemic counter-measures amid the constraints of a developing economy, the contagion has slowly taken root on the island. The total number of infected persons has quickly increased within the pace of two weeks to 471 as at yesterday evening, although the number of fatalities remains at seven.
The health authorities have candidly acknowledged the lack of resources and all indications are of initiatives under way to speedily acquire sufficient volumes of equipment and other resources to enable a more comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the epidemic, from detection to treatment to prevention.
However, the Government is under huge pressure to address the serious ongoing economic dimensions of the pandemic. What is at stake is the bread and butter (or, rice and curry) issues.
The struggle to slow down the contagion, however successful so far, still cannot alleviate the emerging economic repercussions of the lockdown so wisely implemented at a relatively early stage. As an increasingly expanding part of the world halted economic activities and mass transit of people both locally and internationally, Sri Lanka’s economy began to suffer along with the rest of the world.
The hope is that the contagion will still be brought under control within the next few months as a result of the counter-measures now in force. In the meantime, however, some risks must be taken to begin expanding economic activity from the bare minimum that has so far been allowed to function, mainly in the rural areas.
After a month and more of lockdown of urban industry and services, the national economy needs some element of revival if the damage is not to get worse and recovery time and costs not to balloon.
This is why the Government has authorised a lifting of the curfew in the urban regions from Tuesday and a restricted system of public participation in economic activity. The President’s Office has, once again, issued a detailed programme of ‘Regulations to maintain normalcy in civilian life during curfew period’ to enable a carefully phased opening up of public life, especially in employment and livelihoods.
The public must carefully read and absorb these new requirements in public movement and behaviour and, in engagement in livelihood. The news media is circulating this and other governmental announcements to ensure public awareness and compliance.
After experiencing the epidemic first hand and observing the efforts and failures and their frightening outcomes in other countries, the citizenry should be under no illusion that everything is now ‘OK’ or even beginning to be ‘OK’. Rather, the challenge to the nation is to begin to lead a new life in a high-risk environment with much extra effort required to work under tightly restrictive conditions that will neither bring immediate relief nor a full guarantee of safety.
Fortunately, unlike the comfy affluent societies that today are wallowing in the morass of their complacence, Sri Lankans have the advantage of much experience of poverty, lack of luxuries, and most importantly, the experience of major national crises of war, social violence and immense natural disasters. The nation has toiled toward development goals during decades of war and social conflict. We have survived and recovered from massive tsunami disasters and sudden acts of terrorism.
With the strength of such experience, we will know the degree to which we must yet again bear burdens and toil amid numerous pressures. What we need is the assurance of sound political leadership that can mobilise and deploy our national energies in the right direction while ensuring that the toilers are adequately looked after.
The private sector has already stepped forward in both innovative collaborations and generous philanthropic contributions. The public also seeks the assurance that the political class will respond with diligence and self-sacrifice rather than laxity and corruption. The Presidential leadership demonstrated so far no doubt gives confidence that the politics will also be managed in a manner that is conducive for post-pandemic recovery.
Even as the Government and the medical authorities grapple with the multiple logistical problems of managing a national economy amid a pandemic not yet under control, the continued experience of a life-threatening contagion has Sri Lankans torn between their instincts for immediate collective survival and their long-term livelihood needs.
The vast majority of citizens applaud the President and the Government for their management of the health crisis, and the degree of public compliance with the strict social hygiene requirements has risen. Unlike in many of the ‘advanced industrialised’ nations, the Sri Lankan public very quickly adapted to the tight social and economic activity restrictions despite the hardships.
The social pressures have focused on the livelihood difficulties of the low-income groups and business difficulties all-round rather than on loss on social entertainment and sharply curtailed sports and leisure activities.
In the first two months of the epidemic in Sri Lanka, the spread of infections emanated from foreign returnees. But despite stringent measures taken by health authorities and the efficiency of all active institutions in implementing the epidemic counter-measures amid the constraints of a developing economy, the contagion has slowly taken root on the island. The total number of infected persons has quickly increased within the pace of two weeks to 471 as at yesterday evening, although the number of fatalities remains at seven.
The health authorities have candidly acknowledged the lack of resources and all indications are of initiatives under way to speedily acquire sufficient volumes of equipment and other resources to enable a more comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the epidemic, from detection to treatment to prevention.
However, the Government is under huge pressure to address the serious ongoing economic dimensions of the pandemic. What is at stake is the bread and butter (or, rice and curry) issues.
The struggle to slow down the contagion, however successful so far, still cannot alleviate the emerging economic repercussions of the lockdown so wisely implemented at a relatively early stage. As an increasingly expanding part of the world halted economic activities and mass transit of people both locally and internationally, Sri Lanka’s economy began to suffer along with the rest of the world.
The hope is that the contagion will still be brought under control within the next few months as a result of the counter-measures now in force. In the meantime, however, some risks must be taken to begin expanding economic activity from the bare minimum that has so far been allowed to function, mainly in the rural areas.
After a month and more of lockdown of urban industry and services, the national economy needs some element of revival if the damage is not to get worse and recovery time and costs not to balloon.
This is why the Government has authorised a lifting of the curfew in the urban regions from Tuesday and a restricted system of public participation in economic activity. The President’s Office has, once again, issued a detailed programme of ‘Regulations to maintain normalcy in civilian life during curfew period’ to enable a carefully phased opening up of public life, especially in employment and livelihoods.
The public must carefully read and absorb these new requirements in public movement and behaviour and, in engagement in livelihood. The news media is circulating this and other governmental announcements to ensure public awareness and compliance.
After experiencing the epidemic first hand and observing the efforts and failures and their frightening outcomes in other countries, the citizenry should be under no illusion that everything is now ‘OK’ or even beginning to be ‘OK’. Rather, the challenge to the nation is to begin to lead a new life in a high-risk environment with much extra effort required to work under tightly restrictive conditions that will neither bring immediate relief nor a full guarantee of safety.
Fortunately, unlike the comfy affluent societies that today are wallowing in the morass of their complacence, Sri Lankans have the advantage of much experience of poverty, lack of luxuries, and most importantly, the experience of major national crises of war, social violence and immense natural disasters. The nation has toiled toward development goals during decades of war and social conflict. We have survived and recovered from massive tsunami disasters and sudden acts of terrorism.
With the strength of such experience, we will know the degree to which we must yet again bear burdens and toil amid numerous pressures. What we need is the assurance of sound political leadership that can mobilise and deploy our national energies in the right direction while ensuring that the toilers are adequately looked after.
The private sector has already stepped forward in both innovative collaborations and generous philanthropic contributions. The public also seeks the assurance that the political class will respond with diligence and self-sacrifice rather than laxity and corruption. The Presidential leadership demonstrated so far no doubt gives confidence that the politics will also be managed in a manner that is conducive for post-pandemic recovery.
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