In a recent episode of the Derana 360 TV program, Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), declared his readiness to traverse a “vine bridge” in order to offer remedies for the nation’s challenges. The “vine bridge” notion was initially brought up by President Ranil Wickremesinghe following his appointment as Prime Minister under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration.
Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as Prime Minister on May 9, 2022. Two days later, on May 11, Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed the role of the Prime Minister. On May 16, in his first address to the Nation as Prime Minister, he spoke of a “vine bridge”.
“I have embarked on a perilous journey. Just as Grusha carried another’s child across a vine bridge, I now face an even greater challenge. The abyss is deep, the bottom unseen. The bridge, a fragile sheet of glass, offers no support. With no handrails in sight, I tread cautiously, burdened by shoes with sharp iron nails.
I must safely guide the child to the other side. I have embraced this challenge for our nation’s sake. My goal and dedication extend beyond individuals, families, or factions. It is about safeguarding our entire populace, preserving our nation, and securing the future of our youth. I confront this peril with my life on the line, but I am determined to prevail. Your unwavering support is vital. I am fulfilling my duty to our country. That is my pledge to you,” he said.
Caucasian Chalk Circle
Some political enthusiasts may not be aware of this, but the narrative of Grusha’s crossing of the vine bridge is depicted in Henry Jayasena’s stage drama “Hunuwataye Kathawa.” Adopted from the German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s work “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” Henry Jayasena staged the play in 1967.
In the narrative of “Hunuwataye Kathawa,” amidst a rebellion in the kingdom where the young ruler succumbs to defeat and death, his wife, nanny, and others flee, abandoning the child. Grusha embarks on a challenging journey to rescue the child and seeks refuge with her sister. The drama unfolds as Grusha fights for the child’s rights, leading to the reappearance of the mother and others who fled, adding layers of complexity to the storyline.
The scene depicting Grusha’s crossing of the vine bridge to save the child is a poignant and memorable moment in the story. It evokes a sense of suspense and tension, leaving a lasting impression on the audience as they witness her daring act to safeguard the child amidst perilous circumstances.
By drawing parallels to Grusha’s perilous journey across the vine bridge, Ranil Wickremesinghe vividly illustrated the gravity of the challenges confronting him and the nation. His description of the country’s situation mirrored the treacherous path Grusha navigated, emphasising the daunting nature of the task at hand. Through this analogy, Wickremesinghe underscored the urgency and significance of his mission to ensure the safety and well-being of the country’s citizens, much like Grusha’s determination to protect the child amidst adversity.
“In November 2019, our foreign exchange reserves stood at US$ 7.5 billion. But today (2022), the Treasury is unable to find even US$ 1 million. The Ministry of Finance is not able to secure the required US$ 5 million needed to pay for the gas shipment at this time. Among the myriad crises we are confronting, some demand urgent attention. We urgently need to secure approximately US$ 75 million to address queue management within the next few days. Currently, we only have a day’s worth of petrol. Starting today, there will be some alleviation to the diesel shortage predicament,” he said.
“Two additional diesel ships are slated to dock on May 19 and June 1, while two petrol ships are scheduled for May 18 and May 29 as part of the Indian loan assistance program.
Three ships carrying petrol, crude oil, and fuel oil have been stranded in Sri Lankan waters for over 41 days. Efforts are underway to acquire dollars from the open market to settle the payments. Fuel accounts for a quarter of the electricity generation, and as a result, daily power cuts could escalate to 15 hours in the near future,” he said.
Crucial mission
Wickremesinghe, in his recent speech in Parliament on May 9, 2024, highlighted the urgency of the situation, suggesting that it was akin to a crucial mission requiring him to traverse the vine bridge to rescue the nation’s populace. He emphasised that Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves had surged to over US$ 5 billion by that point, indicating a potential source of stability and aid in tackling the country’s challenges.
In Wickremesinghe’s address to the nation upon assuming the Prime Ministership, he candidly revealed the dire financial straits of the country, stating that even the modest sum of US$ 5 million needed to cover the gas shipment was beyond the capabilities of the Ministry of Finance to procure. This admission painted a stark picture of the financial challenges facing the nation at that time. Comparing this situation to the present can provide insight into the progress made in addressing the country’s economic issues.
Securing US$ 5 million to facilitate the arrival of a gas tanker presented a formidable challenge during that period, exemplifying the severity of the crisis confronting the nation. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe likened his endeavour to resolve this crisis to crossing a bridge with dry vines, a task more daunting than the one faced by Grusha. His analogy underscores the magnitude of the challenges he encountered, suggesting that his journey to navigate the complexities of the crisis was exceptionally arduous.
A nation that once struggled to procure even US$ 5 million for essential needs managed to boost its reserves to a staggering US$ billion within two years. Despite this remarkable achievement, the President maintains that the crisis is far from over and anticipates encountering further challenges ahead. Against this backdrop, I will now present an excerpt from the dialogue between Kalindu Karunaratne and AKD on the Derana 360 program aired on May 6.
AKD – If the debt restructuring has not occurred by the time we assume office, we must step in to ensure a fair restructuring process. If Ranil Wickremesinghe likened our situation to crossing a vine bridge, then indeed, we find ourselves in the midst of this precarious journey. We cannot afford to falter; there’s still a long way ahead of us…
Karunaratne – So, you acknowledge that the remaining stretch of the vine bridge must be traversed?
AKD – We cannot leave without restructuring. Now, we must proceed in this direction to address the crisis that has emerged in the financial sector.
Karunaratne – If an agreement is reached, it will be the ultimate pact between the Sri Lankan Government and its creditors. It is crucial that creditors express their willingness to engage in debt restructuring under your Government. Otherwise, we risk facing bankruptcy once more?
AKD – What I mean is, if we fail to secure the agreement we desire, we will inevitably plunge into another debt crisis. Once more, we will have to pursue debt restructuring.
Karunaratne – So, if you take office, debt restructuring…
AKD – No, that is not feasible. It is not viable to propose that. If the Government and creditors agree to certain payment time frames, we cannot later renegotiate for more favourable terms.
In this context, it is clear that both President Wickremesinghe and NPP leader AKD are willing to undertake significant challenges to address the country’s financial crisis. While Wickremesinghe likened the situation to crossing a vine bridge, AKD is now prepared to traverse the same vine bridge. However, it is worth noting that Wickremesinghe has already traversed it and has already navigated through similar challenges.
In a press conference on May 7, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said: “If the program presented by the Government in agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) follows the same trajectory, the economic stability achieved can be solidified into lasting stability.”
The reference to the song of the vine bridge echoes this sentiment: “We have no other path, my son, except this one.”
