As the Government and economists have reiterated, Sri Lanka is going through an era of crises and sacrifices, and genuine efforts by all segments of the citizenry are necessary to pull through this crisis. However, there are serious doubts and allegations as to whether those in influential places, such as politicians, the public sector and businessmen, contribute to the economic recovery as much as ordinary citizens. 

Amidst various allegations of special treatment, the Government and the public sector appear to be taking certain measures to reduce costs on their part. Last week, The Daily Morning reported that a directive has been issued for officials, who are travelling abroad for official purposes, to purchase economy class tickets with effect from 1 March. As per the reports, Judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, including the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal, are exempted from this directive. However, if a certain official wishes to travel on business class, they will be required to pay the difference between an economy class and a business class ticket. Another report regarding such a measure in the public sector noted that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has paid attention to saving around Rs. 75 million a month, by replacing printed water bills with either a chit or an electronic bill. According to the NWSDB, although this system is currently in effect only in several districts, with effect from 1 March, it will be expanded to other districts as well.  

In addition, certain members of the Government and officials of certain public institutions have claimed that various other steps are in progress in order to reduce expenses and also to curb the squandering of money. 

Although the extent to which these measures would be useful in reducing expenses remains to be seen, the Government and public institutions attempting to make some sort of sacrifice in that regard is admirable. In fact, one of the widespread criticisms against the Government and the public sector in the context of the economic crisis was that politicians and authorities are not willing to make the sacrifices they wanted the public to make and that they were almost always exempted from austerity measures. These measures are a response to those claims, and responding to those claims through actions, rather than through hollow promises or insults is something we can appreciate. However, these measures, or sacrifices, are merely a beginning. There is a lot more that needs to be done in order to ensure that these measures are methodical, and culminates in tangible, positive results.

These measures need to be organised and expanded. Cost-cutting measures should be a priority in all activities of the Government and of public institutions. In addition, identifying the long-term nature of the financial crisis, policies should also be formed to support cost-cutting measures at the institutional level. The importance of upholding such policies needs to be promoted among public sector officials as an integral part of their job. At the same time, a wider discourse on the ongoing cost-cutting measures is necessary. Even though the authorities claim that a number of such measures are being taken, those steps do not appear to be receiving adequate publicity. Publicity is crucial, because it helps convey to the public the message that the Government and the public sector are also contributing to revive the economy, and such a message has the potential to encourage the public to take their role in supporting economic recovery more seriously.

At the end of the day, actions have an equal or a bigger influence than words, and it is tangible sacrifices on the part of the Government and the public sector that could motivate the public also to make sacrifices.