Dr Sarath Obeysekera

I was watching the tv on today and on another day and saw hundreds of port workers planning to stage a strike against a decision of corrupt politicians to sell part of the port. 

They were mercilessly threatening the nation which had been battered by Corona. 

SAGT sale was also marred with corruption similarly  ECT sale too.

But the reason why Port workers are on strike because a private sector taking over management will deprive them of earning illegal money by demanding kickbacks during unloading and releasing cargo. Crane operators forklift operators in the port take bribes. 

Port in Sri Lanka is synonymous with corruption. Except for a few Engineering staff at a higher level almost everyone has been and are corrupt Security service is most corrupted and work hand in hand with customs where most of them are corrupt.

Few chairmen appointed by the ministers in the past were involved in corruption 

Nothing can be done without paying them.

Private sector send applications for annual entry passes to get into port to do business and the security handling the passes harass you and delay issuing passes to get kickbacks.

If you want to do business in the port you need to be ready to pay someone. 

Authorities involved in approving the usage of tugs and other service vessels have to pay underhand to survive. 

The whole country is corrupt and now most important agency which is police narcotic bureau is openly corrupt.

We are a nation of politicians state officers and corporate bosses who are corrupt and it looks like we will never get rid of it. With Corona where bribe-takers had to lie low are now back in business

Only army navy and airforce  may be above board and we should salute them 

Dr Sarath Obeysekera
CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard
Colombo
Sri Lanka