• Upon the cusp of a new year, the public voices their expectations of the new year following the annus horribilis of 2022  

In terms of time, Sri Lanka is going forward, but in terms of the economy, it is regressing.

This is a sentiment expressed by many Sri Lankans, who, this year (2022), wrestled with a devastating economic crisis, witnessed historic changes in the political and social spheres, and experienced the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic-related developments. Instead of optimistic plans and expectations that come naturally at the beginning of a new year, Sri Lankans are wondering whether they could expect to achieve the quality of life they had a few years ago.

2023: A hopeful or hopeless year?

While the country may have regressed by years as claimed by the people, what is more worrying is the lack of hope among them about any considerable economic or political progress in the coming year. These sentiments are based on this year’s experiences.

“I suggest that people do not have excessive hopes about next year and then be disappointed,” 47-year-old public sector employee, Kamal Fernando*, said, opining that if the country has the potential to achieve considerable recovery, it would have already been evident. 

Noting that the economic crisis began impacting the people almost a year ago, he queried: “Thus far, have you seen the Government taking any decision that is advantageous to the people and at the same time disadvantageous to the Government? Any politician admitting their corruption and incompetence and apologising to the people? The country’s legal system punishing any bigwigs for their role in the economic crisis? Any politician or public official volunteering to forgo the perks that they are entitled to, or is the present Government making any effort whatsoever to take back the money or assets it claimed that the previous Government stole?” 

If the answer to the above questions is no, Fernando opined, it would be extremely foolish to expect the Government or politicians to take any such step in the coming year. 

He explained: “Most of the time, the past is the best indicator of future behaviour, and the main reason that Sri Lankans had to struggle with the worst year of their lives so far is that they did not learn from the past. That very mistake is what created a situation where politicians’ incompetence and corruption were allowed to put an entire country in a crisis without having to face any repercussions. 

“Therefore, I think that the people should be vigilant about the detrimental things that could happen next year and be ready to face them, instead of remaining hopeful about economic development or genuine efforts that are highly unlikely.”

However, some people’s idea of being ready for the said eventualities involves leaving the country, and that seems to be the only hope some people have regarding the coming year.

In this regard, 50-year-old former businesswoman K.A. Saparamadu said: “Had the economic situation improved during at least the past two, three months, I would have stayed. But, it seems like it is merely normalising, not improving. Therefore, I too opt for what any Sri Lankan would do. I have made arrangements to leave the country in February 2023, and I would be happier if I could leave sooner.”

One of the reasons why she is strongly determined to leave the country is because this year impacted her in a unique manner. 

“There is no reason to be here. As soon as I realised that the economic situation was going to worsen, I sent all three of my children abroad. One of them migrated to study, while the other two found jobs. I spent almost all the money that I had saved and used all the contacts I had to see to it that my children received those opportunities. Except for a few relatives and friends, many of whom are also contemplating leaving the country, I am all alone in Sri Lanka. I have sold everything that I have and am ready to leave with no expectation of returning unless for a holiday.” 

According to Saparamadu, with her children leaving the country, losing interest in living in Sri Lanka, and having to sell her business, this year has meant a year of losses, which she said were great and unpleasant.

2022: A year of awakening?

However, some were of the opinion that this year was a historic one that completely altered the citizens’ role in the economic, political, and social environments. They opined that this year, 2022, empowered the people in an unprecedented manner.

“This year, the citizens understood how strong they could be and how important unity among them is and learnt that politicians’ power depends on the people, not vice versa,” according to 26-year-old entrepreneur, Ishitha Namal. 

Adding that the challenges faced this year are a blessing that ultimately helped the people understand their power as citizens, he noted that the fear that the Government and the President have towards the people and people’s movements is a sign that the rulers, too, have understood the people’s power. 

Although the events that led to that realisation were unpleasant, he added that this realisation would, in the long run, play a major role in ridding the country of a political culture that is not sensitive to the people’s interests. 

Namal further said: “I personally think that this year, 2022, was an extremely important one as far as the citizens are concerned. They now know that even the so-called, all-powerful Executive Presidency is answerable to the citizens and is below the citizen’s power. Until this year (2022), we did not know how much people’s unity can achieve, and most importantly, how hunger and frustration could turn even ordinary citizens into heroes that stand against corrupt politicians and their armed lackeys.”

Meanwhile, Fernando too pointed out how the challenges posed by the economic crisis changed the people’s mindsets, adding that in that sense, this year was a turning point in Sri Lanka’s history. 

“The people had heard a lot about their power as citizens. However, distracted by the little economic stability that prevailed during the past few years, they had chosen to remain complacent. I am glad that it came to an end. Although we no longer see organised anti-Government rallies, the rebellious ideas that were planted through these rallies remain intact. All it requires for those ideas to rise again is a little support, which I think we will surely get to see next year.”

However, some were of the opinion that this year, the country’s social movements achieved their peak and that it is unlikely that a bigger movement would emerge next year. The economy has started stabilising and the political environment has started providing more space for scientific decisions, therefore, there would not be a need for the people to take to the streets, according to them. They explained that although slow, the country is in the process of recovery and development.

Carrying 2022’s biggest issue into 2023

However, despite the fact that some level of stability could be observed as far as economic activities are concerned, the issue that the people identify as the most pressing one, i.e. inflation, is far from being resolved. Emphasising this matter, several persons further said that inflation is the most unpleasant impact of the economic crisis that the country carries into the next year.

“To ordinary people like me, economic recovery could mean only two things: Either the people should have a sufficient income to make ends meet, or the accessibility to or affordability of goods should improve,” 33-year-old employee of a private institution Surendra Witharana said, stressing that unfortunately, this year, the people’s income did not increase and neither did the prices of goods and services decrease. “The Government does not seem to care about inflation, which means that we are fated to endure and get used to the same struggles that we dealt with this year. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and hardworking labourers lack a nutritious meal, and that I think is an issue that we are carrying forward from this year to the next.” 

Witharana explained how inflation affected him in 2022: “Inflation is the worst part of the economic crisis, as it has impacted almost all sectors and citizens. In my case, I had to prioritise my parents’ food and medicine, the prices of which have soared, over my own food and other needs, and therefore I could buy only the essential clothes and I’ve had to take public transport at all times and find a second job. Without addressing inflation, there is no point in boasting about economy-related statistics conveyed in economic jargon, and economic recovery cannot be complete if inflation is not addressed.” 

He expressed hope that the authorities would prioritise reducing inflation in the coming year, noting that that is the main form of economic recovery that matters to ordinary citizens.

In addition, as far as the cost of living is concerned, many noted that 2023 will be a more challenging year compared to 2022, in a context where the Government has planned to increase the charges for electricity and impose increased income tax rates.

In this regard, 58-year-old tailor V.E.A. Ranatunga said: “Usually, the end of a year is a time when people talk about how things can get better in the next year. I think that this year is quite different because small-scale businessmen like me have had to worry about how the increased income tax rates and electricity charges, which are to come into effect next year, would further weaken us. As pessimistic as it sounds, we do not have too many reasons to be happy about the coming year.” 

He opined that while the crises that emerged this year posed many challenges with regard to the cost of living, the Government has taken over the duty of taking as much money as possible from the people to supposedly help the people. The culture of the people having to cover the losses and waste caused by the decisions of high-ranking officials and politicians should come to an end by next year at the very least, according to Ranatunga.

Meanwhile, some opined that in order to improve the quality of life of Sri Lankans in 2023, the people should start acting as responsible citizens instead of blind voters. That is the duty of every citizen who expects to see a better future for their children, according to them.