And if Boucher?s assessment was to be discussed in terms of a report card, the government would have got a ?f? for human rights, democracy and good governance.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia not only called on the authorities to rein in the para militaries, improve the human rights situation and ensure media freedom but also to negotiate a political settlement.
'We are watching the situation closely. We have seen reports of government power being used on the media. We will always speak out in defence of the media,' Boucher said.
Thus, it is evident, internationally, the government is being not so slowly walked to the dog house with only countries as Japan turning a Nelsonian eye due to their economic interests in Sri Lanka.
Of course the President also has the support of the odd European Union Parliamentarian such as Niranjan Deva Aditiya who has wide business interests in Sri Lanka and was instrumental in getting Rajapakse?s son to a college in Wales.
Deva Aditiya who was once described as a banquet beggar for soliciting invitations to state functions from former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, however is a bad lobbyist for Sri Lanka since it is no secret he uses his political clout to promote his business interests.
Dubious business
During the premiership of Ranil Wickremesinghe he pleaded for a title as 'Prime Minister?s Advisor' to the European Union and insisted on one of his close aides Reza to be afforded a table and a chair at Temple Trees. Wickremesinghe gave him the title but refused office space for his assistant who nevertheless went around distributing visiting cards stating he was advisor to the prime minister.
Deva Aditiya subsequently brought in a dubious business project from China which then Trade Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Wickremesinghe vetoed after a huge block of land was demanded in Kotte for a pittance.
Given this reputation, Deva Aditiya is not taken too seriously in the EU and where the President has failed in wresting the international initiative is by not using more influential persons in the form of Ministers Milinda Moragoda and Sarath Amunugama.
Be that as it may, none of these issues were discussed at Wednesday?s cabinet meeting with the micro picture taking centre stage particularly in relation to dealing with the escalating cost of living.
And even on that score the government could not keep its focus, with the meeting descending into a battle over vegetable oil and coconut oil prices. It was Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena who detailed the cost of living problems and the rising prices which saw Plantation and Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne taking up cudgels over the cooking oil prices.
Jayaratne argued that vegetable oil was used only by the elite and should be priced higher while a reduction in the price of coconut oil be made which was the common man?s choice.
To do that, Jayaratne argued, a higher export duty should be levied on coconut oil, thereby ensuring greater supplies in the market to drive the prices down.
With arguments going to and fro on this issue, no finality was reached with a discussion deferred for a later date, as was the case with the price of flour and action against Prima.
The President however was not too keen on criticising Prima and told the ministers he will study the agreements and revert to the cabinet.
Thus in the overall context, the country is drifting aimlessly with no clear direction, even as the Tigers have once again seized the initiative by forcing the government into a defensive position following the air attacks.
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