Avurudu rantings
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The popular ‘Avilla…..….avilla, Sinhala Avurudda avilla (the Sinhala New Year has arrived)’ song could be heard blaring from a radio in a neighbour’s home, heralding the April 13-14 joyous festival, traditionally celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus across the country.For sure, this year’s ceremonies in temples and kovils would draw attention to numerous crises the country is facing on the local and international fronts which have led, in some extent, to a drop in the popularity of the government, a feeling of helplessness amongst the people and a fervent wish that good things will prevail during the rest of the year.
At the margosa tree, the trio was in conversation, while sharing a plate of kavum and kokis with plain tea. “Me sare, Avurudu godak hondai, giya serata wediya, jeevana viyadama wedi wunata (This time, the Avurudu is much better than last year, even though the cost of living has gone up),” said Kussi Amma Sera. “Giya avurudda harima naraka kalayak ne, rata nevathuna ne lockdown nisa, kovid hethuwen. Me gamana avurudu hondai. Gam wala weda kata-uthu hondata kerigena yanawa (Last year was a disaster due to the lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year is a definitely better season and lots of things are happening in our villages),” added Serapina.
“Eth mata hithenawa wena saamanya avurudu wage nemei kiyala, athavashya badu-wala mila wedi-wena nisa (However, I feel it won’t be as good as a normal year because prices of essential commodities are rising),” noted Mabel Rasthiyadu. “Aei ara Bandula Gunawardena amathige ………badu malla pavul-walata thiyenawa-ne (Why, what about Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s subsidised pack of essentials for families?)” asked Serapina. “Mama hithanne ne eka hari-yayi kiyala. Eh deval ikmanata ivara-wei (I don’t think so. They are sure to run out of stocks),” said Kussi Amma Sera.
As I watched the trio in conversation, my mind also wandered to last year’s rather subdued celebrations…….and then the phone rang. It was ‘Reconditioned’ Ranjith, a know-all in the second-hand car market, to whom I hadn’t spoken to in a while.
“Hello Ranjith, long time… no see! How are you my friend and what’s happening in the country?” I asked.
“Well…well many things are happening, As far as our business is concerned, we are in the doldrums due to the import ban on vehicles. Tough times but I was also wondering how people will celebrate Avurudu this year because of the high cost of living. What do you think?” he asked in return.
“Well the government keeps repeating the theory that the cost of living has risen and that is a load of bunkum. If that is the case, why has the Trade Minister introduced a subsidised family pack of essentials for this season through Sathosa outlets?” I asked, again. “You may be right. Whether everyone gets this pack is anybody’s guess,” he said. We discussed various other issues and ended the conversation.
While the festivities would be celebrated on a much grander scale, notwithstanding the high cost of living, the mood would be sombre in some sections of the community given the problems at a personal level and in the country at large.
Consider the issues that the public is confronted with:
- Widespread protests over alleged deforestation.
- Farmers are protesting in various parts of the country over the continuing human-elephant conflict.
- The statement by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena that 3 kg of rice per family are enough for two weeks. Some say this amounts to just between 16 and 25 grams per meal. Is that enough?
- The controversial reservoir in the Sinharaja forest. Will the Government abandon this idea??
- Controversy over the Tourism Minister’s plan to consolidate all three state tourism institutions into one authority. The private sector is vehemently opposed to this.
- Allegations that officials are not listening to the President’s directions and, thereby, there is no follow-up to such orders, even though the President once said that his ‘word’ is enough and that circulars are not required to implement verbal directions from him.
- Concern that Provincial Council elections will not be held.
- The rising cost of living.
- Confusion over the announcement on banning imported palm oil: Now the Government says selected imports would be permitted for industry use.
- Order to uproot palm oil plantations, some of which have existed for more than 50 years since 1968.
- The widely-discussed sugar and coconut oil scams.
- Controversial statement by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute Director-General that there are harmful substances in the market and that if these are exposed, large companies would collapse. So the Government is prepared to risk people’s health at the expense of protecting companies?
- Fracas at meetings chaired by government politicians, some of whom have also been ridiculed and jeered at some of these events.
- The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. With many economies in Europe going into lockdown amidst a third wave of infections, this is impacting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry which has seen just a trickle of visitors (fewer than 4,000 at the end of March).
- Last but not least, the Geneva fiasco where a resolution against Sri Lanka on human rights violations was presented and approved.
While the koha prepares to make its annual strident call, there are many more issues that the country is facing amidst a breakdown in governance and transparency. Ugly behaviour by a beauty queen at a recent beauty contest is a reflection of growing indiscipline and a drop in values in the country.
On the economic front, the world economy is expected to recover faster than expected, with China in particular expecting record high growth levels this year. In the local case, the Sri Lanka rupee is volatile and being traded at over Rs. 200 per US$ 1 and expected to rise further in the coming months.
As I waited for my second mug of tea while completing the column, I reflected on the wishes of the majority of this country that the Sinhala and Hindu New Year will be a period of peace and sanctity – before the country reverts to its usual rumblings of discontent!