THE BIG PICTURE
The front pages of newspapers circulating around our paradise nearly lost tell a story of a nation in distress, battling multiple stressors on far too many fronts – no different it has to be said, to the world around us.
Among the most damning headlines in recent weeks were the riots in a prison in Negombo, more coal shipments reportedly failing the key load port tests, a case of a missing US$ 2.5 million directed towards no less than the monetary authority and finance ministry, the revocation of the business licence of a finance company by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and even news that the tax structure in place for used second hand vehicle imports may have been erroneous for a decade – following a complaint lodged with the WTO by the Americans.
According to the Sunday Times, a government source has said that “we cannot immediately do away with the existing tax structure as it would lead to a sudden decline in revenue but we’re looking at a more gradual system” – presumably to right the wrong…
Which makes one wonder whether the same reasoning would apply to taxpayers when they’re found to be in breach of tax provisions…
Capping all the news that we are privy to is the cascading outbreak of the dengue virus, which has claimed nearly 60 lives and led to more than 75,000 infected people so far this year – it is stretching our healthcare system beyond its limits and raising questions about whether the epidemic is being managed satisfactorily.
As with all else that lacks – and has lacked – effective strategies and governance, the litmus test has yet to be passed.
And since the epidemic has reached a level not seen since 2017, the million dollar question being asked in some quarters is why Sri Lanka doesn’t urgently embark on a vaccination programme that revolves around high risk districts and segments of society – especially in and around our schools.
The Sunday Island reported not long ago that a dengue vaccine has already been used in as many as 41 countries with nearly 19 million doses being administered across endemic regions – including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia in our part of the world.
And most recently, neighbouring India approved its first dengue vaccine (QDENGA) for citizens between the ages of four and 60.
It is no secret that taxpayers’ money has gone down the drain for decades and while the government has signalled the beginning of an era of tighter state spending when it presents the next budget on 12 November, the citizenry may say that ‘seeing is believing’!
Until then, we will have to assume that Sri Lanka cannot afford the cost of saving lives.
– Editor-in-Chief
