Ranil is Taking Sri Lanka Backwards
Posted on April 1st, 2015
Metteyya Brahmana
Ranil is indeed moving the country backward, and the basic problem is ‘lack’ of good governance and democracy. It is simply unbelievable in a ‘democracy’ that Ranil Wickramasinghe is essentially running Sri Lanka without his name ever being on the ballot. Far too many voters who typically do not vote for the Western oriented UNP really did cast their vote for Maithripala because they believed he would be running the country, so now they feel defrauded by Ranil elevating the office of Prime Minister to a superior position to that of the President, and making all of the cabinet appointments so that the important positions are all controlled by the UNP. These voters are also angry that Ranil has pretty much stopped all of the economic development that was occurring under the former government, and is engaged in the same sort of dictatorial, authoritarian government that he had accused Rajapaksa of doing.
Only an authoritarian government would tear-gas students protesting hikes in their fees or enact a full-face helmet ban that compromises the safety and health of millions of motorists and does nothing to stop bank robbers (the alleged purpose of the ban) who are free to use other means (oxypura and sunglasses?) to cover their faces.
The non-UNP Buddhist voter is also concerned about Ranil’s de-militarization of the North without a ‘plan’ to make sure terrorism does not re-emerge, and believe his statements that suggest that he wants to fully devolve police and land powers along racial and religious lines in the North and East will permanently divide Sri Lanka.
The business community is pissed off at Ranil for raising their taxes and changing the investment climate from “full steam ahead” to “let’s wait and see” after several projects were arbitrarily stopped and government agreements and commitments were abandoned. They do not know if they can trust this government with their investment dollars, as some minister (or Ranil) might object ‘after’ deals are signed, and even after the project is started, and then the whole project unravels and their investment goes down the drain.
There is also concern among the academic community and the more educated voter that Ranil just doesn’t understand the new emerging geopolitical reality and is operating on a 30-year-old post-colonial reality in which kissing the behind of the United States seemed to be all one needed to do to grow as a country. The US had configured the world (world order) with them on top and every other region in-check to extend their own dominance. In this geopolitical scheme, they attempted to pit India against China to divide-and-rule, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that it is in both China and India’s best interest to unite, not divide. China is India’s number one trading partner, and China has just surpassed the US as the largest economy in the world. A Free Trade Zone that would include China and India (SAARC + China) would simply dwarf the US-EU, and comprise a 3 BILLION person market. Both China and India are also the key reason Iran is able subvert economic sanctions by the US-EU, and represent 55% of Iran’s exports. All of this trade passes right through Sri Lanka, and therefore military cooperation between China, India, and Sri Lanka to safeguard this trade is imperative.
This was clear in the latest state visit to China when the Chinese president offered ‘trilateral’ military cooperation between China, Sri Lanka AND India, as he knows China has ZERO interest in invading or attacking India, especially from Sri Lanka. The “String of Pearls – Encircling of India” theory was an American fabrication by US defense and intelligence operatives to convince India (through RAW – India’s intelligence service that is trained by the US CIA) that they ought to be concerned about Chinese presence in Sri Lanka.
Ranil/Maithripala, Mangala, and Ravi expressed ‘surprise’ at the Chinese offer of trilateral military cooperation that would include India, which means they really aren’t paying attention to the shifting interests in their own region and do not have a good grasp of the new geopolitical reality. GSP+ is a drop in the bucket compared to a SAARC + China free trade zone, or even a Sri Lanka-China Free Trade Agreement. The US-EU know this and are therefore trying to use Ranil/Maithripala/Mangala/Ravi’s naivete and lack of knowledge concerning the shifts in the interests underlying the geopolitical reality to forego this kind of regional unity in favor of the old divide-and-rule divisions in a self-serving international order they created that keeps them in a dominant position in the world.
For all of Mahinda and his family’s faults, at least he understood the new geopolitical reality, and was positioning Sri Lanka to be a Chinese offshore manufacturing center with all of the infrastructure development which is necessary to make this a reality. It is too costly to move goods around the country if Sri Lanka is to become a manufacturing center if there are no modern highways, bridges, dams, airports and ports. The Chinese president re-iterated this fact in the recent state visit that he wants to help develop Sri Lanka’s infrastructure so Sri Lanka can become one of their offshore manufacturing centers, as the factory wages in China are now twice what they are in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has no manufacturing base at all (unless you call sewing clothing ‘manufacturing’), so it should be welcoming the Chinese offer, as this would greatly expand Sri Lanka’s exports beyond the garment business and accelerate economic growth.
The key question is whether the voter will be able to figure all this out before the next series of elections in June? The economic and political cracks in the new government’s policies are beginning to show, but will they widen fast enough before the election? Ranil is counting on the pain from his policies being felt ‘after’ the election, so the country will be stuck in reverse for six long years. We will see if that is indeed the case. Although the voter may not be sophisticated enough to understand complex geopolitical reality, they do understand what ‘fraud’ means, and right now they think Ranil is defrauding them by inserting himself as the leader instead of the leader most voters want to run Sri Lanka. In a real democracy, Sri Lanka belongs to the majority of voters in the country, not Ranil. At some point this reality will assert itself either at the polls or through harsher means.
April 1st, 2015 at 9:14 am
Ranil is Taking Sri Lanka Backwards- what else one can expect from him?
April 1st, 2015 at 11:08 am
MS never expected to win. He never had a plan. Very doubtful whether he was able to digest the foreign written manifesto even. The two most unelectable politicians in the country RW and CBK’s only ambition is to divide the country to please the white man, to hell with the people living in this beautiful island. Out of all the terrorist wars around the world, it was only MR and GR of mother Lanka who gave leadership to eradicate terrorism from the island. This government came without a plan for the country other than dividing it. They are slowly (not so) but surely doing it.
How shameful of RW to lash out the Australian PM in the foreign press? Hasn’t he got any diplomacy or was it deliberate?
China has never attacked or invaded another country. Look around the world to see what the west has done to stable, developed countries (Iraq, Libya, Syria). I only hope the fate that befell these countries will not follow SL. Russia is fighting back. May all the gods help you Mr. Putin. To erase the stupidity of the 100 days we will need 10 MRs.
April 1st, 2015 at 3:20 pm
Good article.
But what can be DONE?
People will not JUST vote for MR for nothing. They want THINGS in return.
1. economy – what MR will DO to save the economy? Get more Chinese help? Good. So TELL the people.
2. corruption – what MR will DO to stop corruption? People think MR govt. was VERY corrupt.
3. division of country – Tamils want SL divided. SO MR will NOT get Tamil votes unless he says he will divide SL. Others want SL UNDIVIDED. What MR will do for that?
Only thing that can make MR WIN is to promsie to SCRAP 13 amendment. Economy benefits, corruption does down, division of country will not happen.
Otherwise NO CHANCE for MR.
April 1st, 2015 at 5:32 pm
Namaste: Emperor of India got Chandrika the Governor, Ranil the Kankani and Sirisena the Coolie. It is all Indian colonialism and Imperialism. Jai hind
April 1st, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Namaste: Hi Kumari, everything is going according to Indian Imperialists Plans with Governor Chandrika, Kankani Ranil and Coolie Sirisena. Jai Hind.
April 1st, 2015 at 9:56 pm
>>>Lorenzo Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 3:20 pm<<<
I don't think the purpose of the article is to advocate voting for MR, but to vote for 'someone' who can carry on MR's positive economic development and geopolitical worldview. Certainly, this could include MR assuming he is cleared of corruption before the election, but it is doubtful that with Ranil in control of the government that he would want to move very fast on corruption charges against MR so the cloud would still be over his head in June.
I like GL Peiris, Gamanpilla, or even Champika if he can get over his hatred toward MR and get on with doing what is in the best long term interest of the country. I also think Gamanpilla and Champika would have to bone up on development economics and foreign relations, as they appear to be weak in these areas.
April 1st, 2015 at 10:01 pm
>>>Kumari Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 11:08 am<<<
I really do not know what Ranil was thinking with the outburst against Australia, other than saying out loud what the American Embassy folks have been thinking all along. Clearly, Sri Lanka does not need 'another' white country pushing the human rights button so it is a bit perplexing why Ranil would do this at this particular time.
Australia is one of the few white countries (and maybe New Zealand) that realize that China's rise is not containable by the United States, and they are positioning themselves to rise with China even while they give lip service to the US China Containment Policy.
April 1st, 2015 at 10:08 pm
>>>Christie Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 5:37 pm<<<
Like Australia, it is not clear that Modi is buying into the US China Containment Policy either. He seems to be giving lip service to it to get US investment, but at the same time changing the dialogue with China so that India can rise with China as well.
We must not confuse RAW with official India policy. RAW is a CIA front that has ALWAYS been anti-China, as this was part of its founding purpose. At some point Modi is going to have to engage in serious reform of RAW so they can better serve the new alliance India is forming with China. As stated in the article above, China does not have any interest in attacking India at all, so one has to question RAW's relevance in the 21st Century.
April 1st, 2015 at 11:00 pm
Vimutti,
No WAY! Not that Charm-paka again! Now he is like the cat that crapped on a rock (like me!).
You should know better about his character.
GL Peiris is another traitor.
MR’s days are over. That is why we need GR. NO OTHER Rajapaksha please.
April 1st, 2015 at 11:33 pm
Ranil is taking SL backwards because he came from back door. People should Kick Ranil and his UNP Ministers out of parliament.
UNP should remain as a minority party, but should not hold any Ministerial positions.
April 2nd, 2015 at 3:15 am
>>>Lorenzo Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 11:00 pm<<<
Not following your comment. Is not GR a Rajapaksa? I thought 'GR" was Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
April 2nd, 2015 at 8:18 am
Lanka needs some govt Spine & Backbone in Ethics and Life Supportive thinking. Bring back proven MR & GR. MR knows the terrain well. In fact, in a recent interview MR did talk of ‘pitakonda nathi minissu …..’ !! MR’s post war time was spoilt by greedy others in govt jobs, plus SCARE TACTICS from the UNP & minority parties. MR’s post war times went well in spite of that. Cheated elections followed ousting the MR govt.
The fast drama and trauma of the present times was to go Westward Ho ! when the west has now come Eastward. What a waste of time and effort and upheaval in Lanka !
Bring back MT & GR for sane governance for all.
April 2nd, 2015 at 8:19 am
read as ‘Bring back MR & GR for sane governance for all’.
April 2nd, 2015 at 10:03 am
Kumari, you said it all. Thanks.
Lorenzo,there’s lot to be done. First we must prepare our selves to face the on slaught from the US(the state of the devil).
All they can do is to impose sanctions and eventually if they can’t get what they want will do it and I’m sure we’ll survive it.
We are no strangers to hardships unlike the yankees!
You are wrong and very wrong in writing off MR. Now the biggest question in the 19A is giving more powers to the PM over maru sira and MR will grab those powers as PM instead of RW. What ever happens GR will always be behind MR.
April 2nd, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Vimutti,
GR OK but NO other Rajapaksha.
NO Namal. NO Basil, etc.
To beat GOOD GOVERNANCE, GR should promise DASA RAJA DHARMA.
That way he can turn REVENGE (part of good governance as you can see) of the My3 govt. into a vote winner!!
April 2nd, 2015 at 4:05 pm
NAK,
NO. USA will NOT impose sanctions on SL. If they put sanctions, SL will easily slip on to China’s lap.
MR should approach USA and promise to look after US interests INDEPENDENT of Endian interests. That way Americunts will be happy ENOUGH. They don’t fully trust Endia and Pakistan.
We have to MANAGE Americunts for another 20 years when its ethnic composition changes to a more LATINO, AFRICAN and ASIAN dominated country from a COW BOY dominated country. By then CHINA will DECISIVELY beat USA in military and economy too.
MR has been DISCREDITED by the UNP badly. GR still has the CLEAN IMAGE.
MR has NOT said anything against 13 amendment. But GR has. WITHOUT a promise to get rid of 13 amendment, MR has NO CHANCE.
April 2nd, 2015 at 7:06 pm
UNP & CBK failed badly with the LTTE wars. People have not forgotten. Now the same UNP & CBK team up trying to concoct stories that the one person who succeeded,MR, failed ! This sounds ridiculous to ordinary folk of Lanka, both Sinhala & Tamil, when the MR govt and the armed forces had the political will to win through. MR opted for a third term because he knew that this was not the time to abandon the country as matters were not settled enough either politically or economically. Anyway, foreign powers stepped in to make the 3rd term not a reality. I am glad in a way that the people of Lanka have now learnt what life is like without a proper leader who can be trusted. In the past, the UNP & CBK duo have proved that they were not trustworthy by the people. They have continued to play that role even now – proof seen in many actions and the 19-A attempting to feed into the drastic 13-A. Their interests and loyalties appear to lie outside the country. When I read CBKs actions during the wars with the LTTE, I have to say that I am greatly disappointed in her as a leader. She is totally unsuitable as she appears to be affected adversel emotionally
MR is a tried and trusted leader for Lanka. GR will always be withh MR. Both are needed for stability and trustworthiness. When elected, MR will do what needs to be done, including what needs to be done with the illegal (done under Duress) 13-A.
April 2nd, 2015 at 7:21 pm
>>>Lorenzo Says:
April 2nd, 2015 at 4:05 pm
MR has been DISCREDITED by the UNP badly. GR still has the CLEAN IMAGE.<<<
Not sure MR has a 'clean' image (Google: "Gotabaya Rajapaksa's New House in USA"), but it may be cleaner than MR.
The smear campaign is against the Rajapaksa FAMILY, so this will be difficult to overcome without a strong counter campaign.
April 2nd, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Typo in last post – should read:
Not sure ‘G’R has a ‘clean’ image (Google: “Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s New House in USA”), but it may be cleaner than MR.
April 2nd, 2015 at 8:04 pm
>>>Fran Diaz Says:
April 2nd, 2015 at 7:06 pm<<<
CBK is focusing on her own legacy which is why she is engaged in a revisionist history campaign. She could care less about the welfare of the country as long as she is NOT remembered as someone who was incapable of defeating the LTTE, which is the current sentiment.
The sad fact is that she was too influenced by Western countries in their quest to divide the country in a so-called "political solution" and really did not believe that the military was capable of defeating the LTTE.
At best, CBK will be a mere footnote in history – the daughter of a famous Sri Lanka leader who had no leadership skills of her own.
April 3rd, 2015 at 6:03 am
Vimuti,
I agree with you re CBK.
She has suffered two great losses, her father and her husband, to rough political action in Sri Lanka. She is not fit to govern considering the damage done to the country and the people during her time in power. Same goes for RW. Yes, they both take their cue from colonial masters.
Colonnisation of some 500 yrs, Cold war/s, Tamil Caste wars transferred to Lanka from Tamil Nadu, Sinhala political ideology divide/class divide, have taken their toll on Lanka leaders. It is a wonder we have any leaders (sane ones) left at all.
—–
Time for CBK to permanently retire. Same for RW.
Time for MR to come back with GR.
April 3rd, 2015 at 7:46 am
Re the Tea Industry, Tamil illegal migrants and the Tamil languaage :
The Upcountry Tea industry which was lucrative at one time is no longer so. The Tea Industry started by the British flourished earliar and brought in foreign exchange. Tea was the top foreign exchange earner for quite some time. However, now the tea industry is no longer lucrative. In those times when the tea industry flourished, Tamil folk of low caste came illegally in droves to serve the Tea trade, for work as tea pluckers and other work connected to the tea industry. This is why the Tamil language was made a National/Official language, so that Tamil workers were comfortable coming to Lanka and work. This is why Lanka authorities always turned a blind eye on illegal Tamil migrants. There was plenty of cheap labor coming illegally from Tamil Nadu.
However, with such large numbers of Tamils coming from Tamil Nadu, and these folk being of low caste Dalits (high caste Tamil folk do not come to Lanka to pluck tea leaves), Tamil leaders of Lanka saw further enormous possibilities for a separate state for Tamils only. The large numbers were an added bonus for the demand for a separate state. With the V’koddai Resolution (1976) the stage was set for Tamil militancy and the LTTE to flourish and join together the higher caste Vellala Tamils and the Dalit Tamils in one resolve, to get Tamil Eelam. Except for a few Tamils, the rest joined in to create Eelam, making the governments of Lanka the people of Lanka the common enemy to fight against. I am sure Tamil Nadu leaders plugged in and were delighted to export their caste/poverty issues to Lanka.
As tea plucking machines are now available and is cost effective and such machines are used effectively in India, China, Japan and S.Africa, Lanka no longer needs illegal Tamil labor. It is time the Tamil language was removed as a Official/National language in order to stop illegal Tamil migrants. Illegal Tamil migrants come to Lanka to lose Caste/poverty. They embrace any of the other religions in Lanka. Eastern Province Muslims are ethnic Tamils speaking the Tamil language. North, East and Upcountry are predominently Tamil. These were all predominently Sinhala areas earlier.
Yes, it is time to stop the Tamil language as a National/Official language. Or be prepared to divide the country on linguistic lines ! Act now to stop the division of the country.
April 3rd, 2015 at 9:47 am
contd.
How does RW come into all this ?
Easy ! The UNP was the businessman’s political party.
How does CBK come into all this ?
Because she botched up the war with the LTTE , I think due to her emotional problem with the political assassinations of her father and husband. After that, CBK had no option but to join up with the pro-west UNP.