Sacrifices-need of the hour

To day our country is confronted with one of the worst crises in known history. At a time of this magnitude we as Sri Lankans should forget our differences and rally round as one group irrespective of caste, creed, religion, ethnicity and politics. Even if it means, to the extent of hiding our pride when there is a national crisis affecting both rich and the poor, big and small.

We have to do our utmost to get these terrorists to accept a democratic way of living and lay down the arms. To a certain extent this was successful in the Eastern Province. If that is true, we don't see any reason as to why it cannot be achieved in the Northern Province.

Therefore Government and the LTTE and other concerned parties should meet at a round table discussion to find out ways and means of lessening the burdens faced by the people and arrive at practical and workable solutions.

Example of simple living at low cost to be propagated first by the politicians giving the lead without double standards and insincerely. Since everyone has to share the national burden, sacrifices are needed from all sectors and bigger sacrifices from the leaders of the country.

All subsidies, free houses, electricity, free fuel etc. should be immediately curtailed and those who enjoys such benefits to bare 50% of the cost, so that they too will feel the burden carried by rest of the population. Those who are exempted from Income Tax should pay at least 50% of the Tax.

All essential food items including fuel which are imported must be sold at cost +10% basis to be more realistic and lessen the direct and indirect burdens of the people. As a matter of fact we should not tax the innocent people twice and rob them of their right to live equally with others. The idea of tax at import and at sale should be avoided. And we should be more objective minded in our taxation policy.

We should consider the halt of imports of all luxury items for a period of time while discouraging import of food items and other related items which can be grown and manufactured in the country and provide reasonable incentives to such farmers and industrialists.

The following measures should be taken.

Curtails big public functions, lavish parties and unnecessary foreign travels by the politicians and the public officers and encourage austerity for a period of time until we recover our economy.

Compulsory electricity cut of at least 3 hours a day preferably between 9 a.m. to 12 noon everyday until the fuel crisis is minimized.

Encourage alternative sources of energy and provide incentives for such innovations. Reduced transport cost to encourage people to frequently use public transport in their day to day affairs.

Increase punishment for bribery and corruption of public funds and consider life imprisonment for those who are guilty of robbing public funds for example over ten million.

Government should accept the policy of leading from front by avoiding corruption and partiality.

Gerry A. Hidelaratchi

Past President of Institute of Supply and Materials Management and Past President of the Organisation of Professional Associations