But then the fruit does not fall from the tree does it. The tree been that beacon of democracy, the US. Just a few weeks ago there were calls for regime change, including assassination of a world leader, not just by some nonentity but by the leader of the "free" world and one of his senior member in the government.
Then of course there is the history, much to do with oil
Eg 1: Overthrow Assassination of the democratically elected Iranian PM Mosaddegh and the Shah being installed. When there was a popular revolution and a democratic government kept getting elected under theocratic oversight (no much different from UK monarchy) sanctions against were done done with the hope of regime change.
Eg 2 : Venezuela. Conspiracy theories of Chavez being murdered. However, very clear the US has continued using sanctions to attempt regime change and install a client Guido (is he from South Jersey). Note: Venezuela and Iran have been able to live with US sanctions because they are energy independent.
Eg 3: Korea the first division a la a possible Ukraine Vietnam, Kosovo, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria almost all still occupied by the US/NATO
In Sri Lanka this is a class struggle, which the west oriented urban elite hope to regain power by other means That is not by democratic vote. The small vocal (in English) is extremely against the current regime. Not just against, a visceral hatred of the rural types, (godayas or bumpkins), much like visceral hatred of Russia or the rural Evangelicals and deplorables who support Trump. It is very evident in the language used against them, extremely discourteous to say the least. The Rajapakses have continued the pro rural people, socialist policies started by the Bandaranaike in 1956..The rural people (80 % of SL) are not happy. Who likes power cuts and shortages of diesel. But not to the extent of doing protest. They just need to cut firewood to cook.
The whole do a little protests and then go for sushi meal sums up the depth of these protests. Urban, affluent and no depth or "deep hunger" for change, so no real staying power or commitment. Much like Occupy Wall Street it will fizzle out.
Now the US connection: It's no coincidence Victoria Nuland the architect of the Ukraine Maidan revolution visited Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan trying to drum up support for US sanctions against Russia. India said it was neutral and continued to import Russian crude. Same with Pakistan and Sri Lanka commenting they were neutral. Lo and behold a few weeks later a no confidence motion against Imran Khan the Pakistan PM, with rumors his party MP's were bribed. The hope was that the pro US Pakistan army (they get lots of goodies from the US) would takeover. In Sri Lanka so called grassroots protests by the urban affluent for which none of the opposition parties claim responsibility.
So why the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Lanka is being hit by a perfect storm.
a) The consequences of 2019 Easter bombing by Islamics and loss of tourism for three years (20% FX)
b) Economic shut down by a 1+ year lockdown because of Covid (30% FX, eg Garments)
c) Loss of mid east remittance for 2 years, as workers were sent back because of COVID fear. (30% FX)
d) And now having to pay for refined fuels and diesel shortages. Our only refinery Sapugaskanda built by the Iranians is to process Iranian crude or Russian crude.
In my opinion, fuel shortages are the biggest problem. 10 hour power cuts in urban areas. Lines to get diesel, petrol, kerosene and LPG if available. Again not too bad in rural areas. i.e. use firewood. I just built an outdoor fireplace.
Mid east workers started going back starting around Dec 2021. About 40 have left so far from the village.
Tourism
had picked up in March. I was getting about 2 visitors a week, about a
USD 200 income. Pre easter bombing in 2019 it was USD 600+. The rioting and
power cuts are going to kill that goose.
Anyway
this is democratically elected govt. Mob rule regardless of how urbane
or affluent (and NOT representative of greater Sri Lnka) should not be
allowed to stage coup or color revolution.
I looked you up Sereno Barr Kumarakulasinghe. Lots and lots of inconsistencies in your stories. You say that you “did a Bachelor in Chemistry and Physics in Sri Lanka.” Not true. Based on your age, 60+, you have what they call a general degree. I don’t understand your opposition to our protesting the economic mess created by President Gotabya Rajapakse who has his own relatives appointed to the cabinet. While you may not like it, we have the right to protest a government we elected.
ReplyDeleteAfter living in a western country you are now bitter about the west. Looking through your writings it is obvious that you tried to make a living, failed, returned to our country, tried to go back to the US, failed and are now bitter. Seems like you are trying to find a reason to blame the west for your woes by cooking up connections.
Back here, you tried to join the “educated urban affluent flock” with your investment advise and failed. Result? Hostility towards “educated urban affluent flock”. Looks like you get angry when you can’t get what you want and create reasons to blame whatever country or group you desperately tried to join. Entitled aren’t you?
If you are so much of a patriot, join us in the struggle to make Lanka a better place where the government doesn’t run the economy into the ground or reward relatives with government positions.
Get an education, work hard instead of writing nonsense, do something useful to make this country a better place.