by Jehan Perera

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement that the government will not permit the erosion of its mandate for accountable government in the context of the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament is on track with the promises made during the course of the elections that brought the NPP to power. The President reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining public trust, stating his government will take decisive action against any wrongdoing, regardless of rank, and emphasised the government’s mission to uphold the people’s mandate and ensure accountability at all levels. This is an indication that the government will be pursuing its anti-corruption agenda which will help it to retain its support base amongst the people. It will also offer the opportunity to legally and legitimately neutralize or incapacitate political rivals who will stoop to any level to come back to power, if they can be proven to have engaged in corruption.

Tackling the problem of corruption will be advantageous to the government in other ways, too. It will improve the climate for business in the country and, thereby, make Sri Lanka more attractive to foreign investors who have been unreceptive to the allurements, including tax breaks, that successive governments have been offering. The recent US government decision to sanction two Sri Lankans for involvement in corrupt government deals out of only 14 individuals sanctioned worldwide is significant. The sanctions target specific individuals rather than the government, signalling that the US is not against Sri Lanka’s leadership but is, instead, committed to upholding universal principles of justice and transparency. By acting against these individuals implicated in corruption, the US is indirectly reinforcing the government’s mandate to clean up its institutions.

Sri Lanka’s most recent position on the Ease of Doing Business Index (as of its final publication in 2020 before the World Bank discontinued the report) was ranked 99th out of 190 economies. Among the issues highlighted is the pervasive corruption in both public administration and regulatory bodies which leads to delays and demands for unofficial payments, discouraging both domestic and foreign investors. Despite attempts to streamline processes through digitization and one-stop services, corruption often shifts to more sophisticated forms rather than being eliminated. The international community appears to be willing to support the government to overcome the systemic corruption that has permeated society, to take on corrupt former government leaders and to improve the investment climate necessary for rapid economic development.

FLEXIBLE POLICY

Before the presidential election, critics argued that the NPP’s opposition to the IMF agreement risked plunging the country into another economic collapse. Concerns centered on a potential devaluation of the rupee, fuel shortages, and a recurrence of the dire conditions seen during the 2020-2022 crisis. There was a massive political campaign against the ruling NPP on economic grounds. There was a propaganda barrage that claimed that the old-school Marxists in the NPP would take the country to another economic collapse by rejecting the IMF agreement. They also claimed that the Sri Lankan rupee would plummet to a new low again and that there would be long lines outside petrol stations, and shortages of essential commodities that the country had seen three years ago. There was justification that the NPP had no viable alternative to the IMF agreement and yet was contemplating its rejection.

Indeed, at the outset of the presidential election campaign, the NPP (along with other Opposition parties) had been extremely critical of the IMF agreement, negotiated under the supervision of the former President, on the grounds that it was adverse to the interests of the working people and the national interest. Just before the elections, however, the NPP changed its stance to one of accepting the basic structure of the IMF agreement as negotiated under the former President, which it is now sticking to, though not in full measure. It has not, for instance, agreed to the wholesale privatization of state enterprises or to the undermining of the state education and health systems, as might have happened if the previous government continued in power for longer. There is now a discussion on private-public partnerships and as time passes, and the new government gains in confidence about the stability of the economy, there are likely to be more innovations.

The government’s settlement with private international bondholders reflects its commitment to continue on the economic course set by the agreement with the IMF and with the larger international community, including creditor countries, such as China, India and Japan. The government has now gained support from private creditors to restructure its international bonds. Investors, representing close to 98 percent of the country’s USD 12.6 billion in dollar bonds, are expected to agree to swap their securities for new notes. The widespread support would mean that the debt restructuring should be completed before year-end. The debt rework with private creditors was a necessary step under the agreement with the IMF. This appears to be the best option in an economic world in which Sri Lanka is but a small player.

MONEY SHORTAGE

The government’s biggest problem, at the present time, is the lack of money to meet the various expenditures it has to incur. The recent floods and the shortage of rice and coconuts are not of the government’s doings and there is little it can do due to the financial constraints it is under. However, by securing private bondholder cooperation, the government has demonstrated its ability to address complex negotiations. The successful negotiation with private creditors is a positive signal to global investors, bolstering Sri Lanka’s credibility and being better positioned to gain future investments. This can counter the Opposition criticism that the government has reneged on its promises made in its election manifesto and during the election campaign.

The mandate that the government sought was contained in a manifesto publication of 231 pages. There were a large number of promises in it on a wide array of subjects, ranging from arts and culture to economic development and good governance. At the core of the promise was to change the prevalent system in the country to be uncorrupt and to respect the rule of law. These were also the demands of the Aragalaya protest movement of 2022 that drove the then President and government from office through the power of mass movement and street protest. Those protests were motivated by the complete collapse of the economy which the NPP pledged to restore in its manifesto. But this is providing to be difficult in the short term.

Fortunately for the government, the absolute disillusionment of the general population with the other mainstream political parties has meant that the people are willing to be patient and give the government more time to get the economy back on track. Most people accept that the sins of the past cannot be laid at the doors of the present government and that more time is needed for them to be corrected. The government is continuing to maintain its credibility by adherence to its anti-corruption and accountability mandate. The claim to have university qualifications that cannot be shown to be true, has fallen into the realm of accountability that the government has now shown it will demand of its members. The resignation of the Speaker of Parliament, the third ranking member of the government, due to his inability to back his claim of academic achievement, is a sign of this commitment.

Next Wednesday (25th) we celebrate Christmas, and a week later…yes, another year has ended and the dawning of a new one (January 1st).

Once the Christmas celebrations are over, 31st night revellers will all be looking forward to stepping out…to usher in 2025.

This year there’s plenty of activity, connected with New Year’s Eve, but, I guess, those who are in the mood to celebrate would like to do it differently.

The talk of the town, at the moment, is the James Bond Gala Dinner Dance at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, in Colombo. And dance enthusiasts do have plenty of good reasons to be discussing this special night.

For a 31st night event to be a huge success, two important aspects have to be look at – the music and, of course, the cuisine – and there is no doubt that Cinnamon Lakeside has got it all…and well planned out, too.

The Hotel has got a superb lineup of top artistes to help guests say a nostalgic ‘bye’ to 2024 and usher in 2025 with gaiety.

In the spotlight will be Judy De Silva, Monique (of Gypsies fame), Falan Andrea, Sohan, Geoffrey Fernando (Purple Rain fame) and J-Pal, along with Sohan & The X-Periments and the band AROH.

Doing the needful as compere will be Kumar De Silva. And, for the record, Kumar celebrates his birthday on Friday, December 20th.

I’m told that the entertainers have planned out a repertoire that would keep the guests dancing, and having fun, all night long.

In addition to the top class entertainment, guests would have the opportunity to check out the longest 31st night buffet in the city…with variety plus, plus!

With all his experience in the hotel scene in the UK, Nazoomi Azhar, the new General Manager at Cinnamon Lakeside, is working on making the James Bond Gala Dinner Dance the number one 31st night dance party, in the scene here…with excitement and memories galore!

Sohan, too, indicated that it’s going to be the dance of the year.

Dr B. J. C. Perera
MBBS(Cey), DCH(Cey), DCH(Eng), MD(Paed),
MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Lond), FRCPCH(UK),
FSLCPaed, FCCP, Hony. FRCPCH(UK), Hony. FCGP(SL)
(Specialist Consultant Paediatrician and Honorary Senior Fellow,
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka is grappling with a surge in leptospirosis cases at present. It is a bacterial disease often transmitted through contaminated water and soil. Following the recent devastating floods, the number of infections has skyrocketed, with over 10,000 cases reported so far, with a significant number of fatalities. In 2023, there were around 9,000 cases with over 200 deaths. In medical terminology, Leptospirosis is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, commonly found in the urine of infected animals, particularly rodents. The disease is also known as “Rat Fever” as rats carry this organism and excrete it in their urine. When floodwaters contaminate the environment, these bacteria can spread widely. The organism is also found in agricultural plots such as paddy fields. People can contract the disease by wading through floodwaters, consuming contaminated food or water, or handling infected animals. Children are particularly vulnerable to catching the disease as they love to play in water-logged paddy fields and flood waters.

The organism enters the body of humans through breaks in the skin, and mucous membranes, or through the gastrointestinal tract. There has been an alarming spike that came in the aftermath of severe flooding in recent months, which has created ideal conditions for the spread of this potentially fatal disease. Floodwaters often mix with waste, animal urine, and other contaminants, creating an environment ripe for the proliferation of Leptospira bacteria. People’s unavoidable exposure to these waters, especially in rural and suburban areas, has significantly increased infection rates. Additionally, inadequate drainage systems, poor sanitation in flood-affected areas, and delayed medical interventions have amplified the crisis. The heavy toll on Sri Lanka’s healthcare system due to other ongoing challenges has also strained resources for managing the outbreak.

The symptoms of leptospirosis can range from a mild flu-like illness to a severe, life-threatening condition. In its early stages, it may present with fever, headache, chills, rigors or shaking episodes, vomiting, muscle aches which could be quite severe, and redness of the whites of the eyes due to bleeding. Some moderate to severely affected patients start to pass reddish urine due to bleeding from the genitourinary tract. The organism is labelled as icterohaemorrhagiae because the name implies two of the most devastating complications of the disease; ictero meaning jaundice signifying liver involvement, and haemorrhage implying a bleeding tendency. The initial mild phase of the illness often resolves on its own or with minimal treatment. Yet for all that, some patients progress to a more severe life-threatening form of the disease characterised by major bleeding tendencies, kidney failure, liver damage, brain involvement, respiratory distress, and end up in death. However, the real problem is that at the onset of the disease, it is impossible to predict the subsequent course the disease will take. It could be mild or it could sometimes end up in death, as seen at the two extreme ends. Therefore, once a firm or likely diagnosis of leptospirosis is made, the full course of treatment must be given, irrespective of even the initial mild nature.

If detected early, leptospirosis can be very effectively treated with appropriate antibiotics. The secret is to refrain from disregarding symptoms and taking meaningful steps to seek medical care early. This should be very clearly conveyed to the general public. In the more severely affected patients and those who present late and have complications of the disease, even intensive care management in a tertiary care hospital may be necessary. Severe liver and kidney failure need specific treatment to ensure recovery. Severe kidney failure may even need renal replacement therapy such as dialysis.

The best way to prevent leptospirosis is to avoid exposure to contaminated water and soil. This can be done by wearing protective gear such as waterproof high boots, gloves and long-sleeved clothing, particularly when working in flood-affected areas, avoiding wading through or swimming in floodwaters, drinking boiled or treated water, maintaining personal hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after any activity that may have exposed one to contaminated water or soil, vaccinating pets against leptospirosis and controlling the rodent populations.

The government and public health authorities play a crucial role in preventing and controlling leptospirosis outbreaks. The measures to be taken include closely monitoring the number of cases and identifying areas at high risk, early detection and treatment of affected patients by providing timely diagnosis and treatment, educating the public about the risks of leptospirosis and the preventive measures that should be taken, and improving sanitation and hygiene as well as developing and implementing a comprehensive leptospirosis control programme.

The leptospirosis outbreak in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and prevention. By understanding the risks, taking necessary precautions, and supporting public health efforts, we can effectively mitigate the impact of this deadly disease. While individual actions are vital, controlling a public health crisis of this magnitude requires coordinated efforts by health authorities, local governments, and communities. Public Awareness Campaigns are vital and authorities should disseminate information through media about the risks, symptoms, and preventive measures for leptospirosis. Improving sanitation, addressing waste management and improving drainage systems can reduce contamination in flood-prone areas. This crisis also highlights the need for long-term investments in infrastructure, sanitation, and healthcare to build resilience against future outbreaks.

For now, raising awareness and taking immediate action are the most powerful tools to save lives. If you suspect you may have been exposed to leptospirosis or are experiencing any of the symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery. By working together, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the dangers of leptospirosis.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as binding medical advice. The general public must consult appropriate medical personnel without any delay, as and when required.