Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services Bimal Ratnayake downplayed the public outrage over the ongoing coconut and rice shortage, suggesting that if citizens could tolerate the governance of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe for 76 years, waiting another six or seven months shouldn’t be a big deal.
Speaking to the media about the escalating food crisis, Ratnayake quipped, “People aren’t crazy; they’re just struggling. But patience is key.” He then compared the current situation to planting a coconut tree, asking rhetorically how long it takes for the tree to bear fruit—hinting that solutions to national issues cannot be rushed.
His remarks come at a time when skyrocketing food prices and shortages of essentials like rice and coconuts have fueled public frustration. Critics argue that the government’s response has been slow and inadequate, leaving families grappling with unbearable living costs.
While Ratnayake’s metaphor aimed to urge patience, many found his comments dismissive of the immediate hardships faced by ordinary Sri Lankans. Calls for swift governmental action continue to grow, with citizens demanding tangible solutions rather than analogies.
