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| Saturday, 01 January 2005 |
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Tsunami and the politics of devastation We've just begun to pick up the pieces after the massive disaster that struck this country last Sunday. In a few hours we saw what must be the biggest ever destruction in the history of our country. Nature struck us with such unexpected force and fury which, through its vast loss of life and massive destruction, may hopefully lead us to the will, strength and courage to rise above the levels that we lay at the time when an angry and destructive ocean swept through most of our coastline, and parts of the hinterland too. As the death toll rises and the extent of damage to property and infrastructure is known to be larger than now believed, we cannot lay all the blame for this devastation on Nature alone. It is important for us to realize there have been other forces at work too for very long, to make this a disaster one of such magnitude. The forces of politics It is evident from the large number of homes washed away from the very edge of our coastline in many parts of the country that the forces of politics have conspired with those of Nature in the making of this disaster. While the country has a very good Coast Conservation Act and equally good laws to protect our environment, politicians of every party and colour that have held the reins of power singly or in coalition, have paid scant regard to these laws. Had the laws that prohibit any construction on the identified coastline been implemented with no fear or favour, the numbers that lost their lives or have been made destitute would have been in much lesser numbers. This reality is not confined to those of the fishing communities that live on the beaches, as well as others who have little to do with fisheries. It includes the hotel industry too. For far too long, laws have been bent under pressure of politicians, influenced in turn by the pressure of entrepreneurs whose love of profit transcends their respect for law and love for the country, to allow the construction of beach hotels far too close to the beach. The recommendations to protect the environment and the need to ensure a truly palm-fringed beach, spoken so much in tourist brochures, which were included in the original Tourist Master Plan of the 1960s have been observed largely in the breach. It is the same with the standards of construction of beach hotels. The greased palm or the shadow of a politician has often led to local authorities approving such constructions lacking in the basic requirements of safety and environmental protection. The best test If we are to learn what we need to from this disaster now is the best time to make a change of direction. The best test of our success will be seen in how well the relief measures intended for the victims actually benefit them, and not the stooges of any politicians or any profiteering traders on the way. The elimination of political favouritism, influence and corruption in the many relief and reconstruction measures that have been announced will be the best proof of the necessary change of attitude. The suffering of so many thousands should not be made a cavalcade of publicity for various organizations, especially media institutions that seek to make capital of this disaster. Rather, it would be best if all media organizations, whether private or State, join in having a common programme of relief that is managed and implemented in the most efficient and effective manner. The media that takes the message to the people should realize it has a duty not to seek the expansion of viewers, listeners or readers through this national calamity, but be the true watchdogs of how all the donations that come from a shocked, saddened and generous public in fact reach those most in need of them. The President's call President Chandrika Kumaratunga struck the right note in her address to the nation on the prevailing situation. She said this was the time to eschew all differences of politics, community, caste or creed in a common effort at meeting the challenge posed by this devastation. She asked the people living on the beach who lost their homes not to return to the same places, promising them suitable accommodation away from the beach very soon. It may be necessary and helpful to use the President's Executive powers to prohibit all unauthorized constructions on the coastline. Similarly, a greater show of force must be made to stop the looters, the widespread human vermin that seeks to profit from this crisis. She pointed to the correct direction that we all have to move in, when she said: "This is a moment of great humility for us all. We have been incredibly humbled by Nature's great forces. "An ineluctable truth has been laid bare before us all. The mighty forces of Nature have compelled us to learn a lesson that some of us refused for long to learn. We have to act together, if we are to emerge from the ashes of this destruction. She added: "It is not possible to deal with a massive natural calamity of this magnitude separately as Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims. We must all stand together. It is not possible for any one community alone to rebuild this country. It is also a difficult task for political parties to provide solutions to this great challenge on their own." Emphasizing the reality of the current situation she said: "In a country where every aspect of life has been politicized, the building of such a feeling of unity may not be an easy task. However, this is a good opportunity to achieve such an end, even though difficult. It is my belief that however great the tragedy we face today, we Sri Lankans possess the courage and strength to overcome it." The media, both State and private have a major role in building this unity. Japan rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to stand among the world's leading economic powers. Germany, albeit with Marshall aid also recovered from the destruction it suffered in the carpet bombing by the Allies in World War II. By the time the final count is made of those killed, missing or made refugees in this extended moment of nature's fury, the number of victims may be higher than the total so far in 20 years of war. A New Year has already dawned upon us. It is necessary that we make it a new year of genuine change in our attitudes and lifestyles, our politics and governance, our senseless rivalries in the lust for power, if we are to learn the lessons that Nature in all its fury seems to have attempted to teach us. Let us transform adversity into the necessary challenge for progress. |
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