The surge in the world oil prices to an all time high of US $ 107 a
barrel is bound to deal a knock out blow to most Third World economies
considering the overwhelming reliance on this vital commodity for
domestic purposes.
Sri Lanka too is placed in a grave predicament given that 65 per cent
of the country’s power generation is through fuel driven thermal power.
A decision on whether to increase electricity tariffs were to be taken
last night at Cabinet.
Even if domestic consumers are spared an immediate power hike it will
only be a matter of time before the crunch will begin to bite.
With our hydro power projects that are now under commission, several
years away from completion and the prospecting for oil in the Gulf of
Mannar too still in the research stage, how long can the economy,
already debilitated by a costly war, take the recurring blows dealt by
oil price hikes in the world market is no doubt a daunting prospect
which the Government would do well to address without delay.
Apart from the overall implications on the larger economic picture
the knock down effect the present oil price hike would have on day to
day living could be more disturbing with even the price of a humble pol
roti bound to go into a tailspin.
The spin off effect will also be felt in the domestic kitchen with
the prices of fish, vegetables etc. all determined by the transport
factor bound to escalate.
The predicament the country is confronting today is similar to the
one that befell us in 1976 at the height of the OPEC crisis which was
beyond the control of the Government of the day as everyone knew but
nevertheless inflicted it with dire electoral consequences.
The Government should look for ways that would cushion the effect of
the present hike on vulnerable sections of society and also ensure
present subsidies on certain essentials remain in tact. This would mean
sacrifices by the rest of the population such as reducing domestic power
consumption and truncation of other creature comforts.
We have been saying this in these columns ad nausem but it merits
repetition. The authorities should enjoin state sector institutions to
lead by example by switching off nightly illuminations, turning off idle
fans and air conditioners and other electric appliances that can be done
without.
The appeals have yet to be driven home to many such bodies including
the Colombo Municipal Council whose bulbs were captured burning well
into high noon in a picture caption we produced the other day. Such
crass indifference is also witnessed in other Government institutions.
There was once a time when late night film shows were banned to
overcome the power crisis. The time may come when similar drastic
measures may be necessary. It is however prudent that the Government
takes the people into its confidence on the unfolding scenario and
elicit their cooperation to tide over the present emergency until the
abatement of the crisis.
Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva’s move to commence an awards
scheme to appreciate and reward the services by the health sector minor
staff is a timely move considering the important role played by this
segment of workers in the overall success in the health administration.
Addressing the Media on Wednesday the Minister said “the Health
Ministry has turned a new leaf by recognising the health staff for the
first time in the country’s history”. Inherent in the Minister’s
statement is the acknowledgement that the second level staff is a vital
cog in the health administration wheel that inexorably revolves to keep
the pulse of ailing and suffering ticking.
More than in any other field the Health sector assumes a great
importance by the very nature of its calling. While doctors naturally
assume the pre-eminent position in the hierarchial structure, by virtue
of the sheer organisational capacity needed to run the health sector as
an institution, the role of its secondary staff cannot be overemphasised,
belittled or taken for granted.
This is more so in a field dedicated to the noble task of healing the
sick and the suffering. It goes without saying that a happy and
contended health staff would go a long way towards improving the service
in our hospitals and bring the necessary care and solace to the
patients.
It is hoped with the move to appreciate their worth the health sector
staff would apply themselves with extra diligence and devotion in
assisting in the noble endeavour of healing and work as a team to make
the tasks of the doctors and the medical staff that much easier.
This move to acknowledge their services in a tangible form is also
hoped would stem the wave of strike action in Government hospitals and
persuade them to perform their duties with more responsibility, keeping
in mind the welfare of the patient.
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