Reports have emerged that the Sri Lankan Army is ready to distribute and sell fruits and vegetables, as thousands of farmer protested against a new law requiring plastic crates to be used in their transportation.
The protests took place as 40 lorries were seized by the government’s Consumer Affairs Authorities, after they were found to be transporting these fruits and vegetables without the proper packaging. A shortage of fruits and vegetables was later reported in Colombo’s Manning Market due to the raid.
Army Spokesman Brigadier Nihal Hapuarachchi was alleged to have said that the Army would be willing to step in and take over the sale and distribution of the goods.
Having been involved in selling vegetables since January, just last month, the military also announced that they would now also be maintaining the three biggest cricket stadiums in the country. They Army has also been involved in running an domestic airline, reconstruction work in the North, running restaurants along the A9 highway to Jaffna and even supervising the private companies that collect rubbish in Colombo.
See a piece in the Economist earlier this year, entitled "Sri Lanka's Army - In bigger barracks".
Commenting on the Sri Lankan Army’s ever-expanding influence over civilian affairs, Vijay K Nagaraj, research director at theInternational Council on Human Rights Policy, wrote in the Guardian in January.
“All too stressful? Tune into Ranaviru (war-hero) Real Star, a reality TV show reserved for military personnel.
If you prefer a holiday, the Sri Lankan army will be pleased to pamper you with "luxurious comforts at very reasonable rates" at the new Thalsevana beach resort – the second army-owned and managed resort – in Kanakesanthurai on the Jaffna peninsula, long part of the Tamil homeland. According to some, the resort is in a "high security zone", so peace is assured – no annoying Tamils (they are all gone, somewhere) or dissident noises.
Forget war. In Sri Lanka it is peace that is really turning the military establishment on.”
