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Putting your money where your mouth is

13 Sep 2021

We are living in an era of sacrifices. Many parties, especially healthcare workers, law enforcement agencies, and defence forces, are working day in and day out to make sure they are doing all they can to contain the pandemic. We cannot forget the sacrifices made by the common man either, ranging from those who starve as they cannot do their jobs, to those that have started spending their savings to survive the lockdowns. We cannot forget children’s education and the countless number of professions that have come to a halt because they are not considered essential services. However, that is not enough, according to our politicians. A ruling party Parliamentarian recently opined that the public may perhaps have to start having just two meals a day, instead of the three meals that they are having at present, to support the ongoing measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. He also added that such a measure would be beneficial for the future generations. The MP’s statement is a grim reminder of the gravity of the prevailing situation, and there is no reason to deny or belittle what he said. The growing economic crisis, caused by the health crisis, became more obvious during the past few weeks, when consumers had to deal with a shortage of several food items, which in turn led to sellers increasing the prices of food items unfairly. The crisis is real. The question is not whether it exists, but what measures, or sacrifices, could help us survive during this difficult time. As the abovementioned MP requested, during the past few months, the Government has been requesting citizens to make sacrifices to help the collapsing economy. The truth is, with or without consent, the public has been indirectly making sacrifices. Limiting essential needs and basic day-to-day activities, purchasing goods at increased prices, and losing their bread and butter to support the lockdowns are sacrifices, even though they are not often seen as such. The people do what they can do – as a matter of fact, they have been doing so for some time. But are the authorities ready to do the same? This is the question the public demands answers to, and they have every right to do so as taxpayers. When this question was put forward to the aforementioned MP, he gave the most obvious answer that could be expected from any MP; that the MPs are ready to sacrifice their salaries to support Covid-19 management efforts. That is something, if it actually happens. But that is not remotely enough to set an example and to be eligible to request the public to make sacrifices. Salaries, in fact, are the smallest thing the Government can sacrifice for the country, and perhaps it is high time that they come to terms with the fact that sacrifice is a too weighty word to describe foregoing their salaries. The country needs something beyond an MP’s salary. What of putting an end to corruption and inefficiency in public institutions, purchases that are not urgent or necessary, the squandering of public funds, and the favouring of families and acquaintances, and finally switching to newer strategies to reduce costs and increase profits, which have been discussed for years, if not for decades, during elections? Taking firm decisions to implement these measures despite the political pressure they may entail is the real sacrifice that can actually support the ailing economy by saving billions, not putting more pressure on the common man’s meal just to save a few hundred rupees. This is certainly the right time for politicians to set an example, instead of giving the sort of advice they would not follow.  

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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