The Sunday Morning yesterday (15) reported that the Government had allocated $ 10,000 to assist an estimated 8000 Sri Lankans trapped in the conflict zones of Israel, facing an onslaught of violence. Yes, you heard that right. $ 10,000 to assist nearly 8,000 Sri Lankan nationals, many of whom work and send their hard-earned remittances back to bail us out from the bankruptcy, we Sri Lankans have voted ourselves into. That is on average $ 1.25 per Sri Lankan who is trapped in a conflict zone, where both sides seem to be hell bent on killing the other. Why are our hardworking “Rata Viruwo” treated so poorly?

However, over the last two months, multiple delegations of Sri Lankan policymakers, state officials and their jet-set entourage have toured the globe, from Morocco, to New York, to Japan and Australia, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Dollars, which Sri Lankans such as those trapped in Israel send us each month as remittances. Surely the Government could do more? The Sri Lankans who are trapped in a conflict zone should receive priority assistance. How much would hotel rooms cost for days in New York, Washington, Tokyo and London? How many ministers and officials tagged along for the ride to these destinations?  

The sheer lack of empathy and accountability for our citizens residing overseas, who keep us on home soil afloat, shown by the Government is clearly articulated by the measly funds ($ 10,000) which has been allocated thus far. In the defence of the Government, perhaps this amount is an initial disbursement, issued from the Sri Lankan mission in Tel Aviv. We hope that that is what is happening, and that the paltry $ 10,000 for assisting thousands who may need support and possibly a way-out of the conflict zone, is just a start. Many other countries have begun to airlift, sea lift their citizens out of the area, and some have managed to clear land corridors for their nationals to evacuate to neighbouring countries. Let’s hope that the Government of Sri Lanka has considered some arrangement such as the others, to swiftly move our citizens to safety if needed.  Neighbouring India last week launched 'Operation Ajay' last week to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel and the Palestinian territories following battles between Israel Defence Forces and Hamas. By yesterday (15), India had airlifted nearly 900 citizens who volunteered to leave. While it is clear that Sri Lanka doesn’t have the capacity to do what India can, surely it can do more than issuing $ 10,000?

The Sri Lankan state, and a sizable part of our populace are reactionary. Few, including key officials are seen to have a history of making contingency plans. Let’s be honest, perhaps this is learned behaviour, as many Sri Lankans expect the State to “take care” of them and provide for them. Thirty years of conflict, two Gulf wars (where thousands of Sri Lankan workers were affected), a massive tsunami in 2004, multiple global crises, the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, and bankruptcy - Hasn’t any of it taught us nothing? Many countries, including small littoral states like Sri Lanka, plan for contingencies and routinely put them into practice. Many, when issuing licences to private airlines, include clauses for the airline to provide emergency flights to key destinations as part of their agreements. Countries like the United Kingdom and others have similar arrangements with large-scale ferry operators, and commercial shipping lines, which allows the State to mobilise and utilise them for such humanitarian missions.  Also, should there not be an emergency fund to support Sri Lankans who are facing crisis situations overseas? The Government must answer and do more to prioritise assisting Sri Lankans who live and work overseas. After all, they have, throughout this financial crisis, been our ‘dollar-lifeline’.