Sri Lanka should be the Hong Kong of India
Posted on September 5th, 2015
Chanaka Bandarage
No one would disagree that Hong Kong rode to its prosperity on the back of China (after the Chinese Revolution, Hong Kong underwent a rapid and successful process of industrialization, from the late 1940s, and became a rich nation).
After the liberalisation of China’s trade (Chairman Deng’s Open Door Policy’ in the late 1970s), Hong Kong grabbed the opportunity and increased its trade with China by tenfold. Within few years, the tiny Hong Kong’s exports to China surpassed its imports from China.
When it comes to India, Sri Lanka is today placed in a similar position as that of Hong Kong.
India is a significant global player and it is estimated that economically it may surpass China (given China’s fast ageing population and the gender imbalance), and it has the ability to become the world’s biggest economy.
Unlike how Hong Kong prospered thanks to China (Hong Kong is located in very close proximity to China); Sri Lanka (located in very close proximity to India), has thus far been unable to grab the opportunity and capitalise on India’s growth.
India had closer to a double digit GDP growth in the past decade, but, as stated before, Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on this.
In the past ten years Sri Lanka ‘put all its eggs only in the China basket’. After the war, it sadly developed a relationship of mistrust and annoyance with India (true, Thamilnadu created the problem, but, Sri Lanka diplomatically failed to secure New Delhi’s support).
Sri Lanka failed to relaise that it cannot rise to prosperity solely on the back of China, but, it could comfortably do so on the back of India.
Indeed, China is an excellent friend for Sri Lanka. This has been the case historically. Sri Lanka should be ever grateful for China’s help afforded to Sri Lanka during many difficult times. But, China is too far away from Sri Lanka and it is very ‘different’ than that of Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Sri Lanka and India are very similar when it comes to many things such as the culture, food, attire, language (English is well spoken in both countries; also, Sinhala (a Sanskrit) and Tamil, an Indian language), sports, religion, values and traditions and physical characteristics of the people. The fact that Sri Lanka’s first King (Prince Vijaya) was an Indian (from Bengal) and that Sri Lanka’s third King, Panduwasdewa, was married to a blood relative of Lord Buddha (Princess Bhaddha Kachchayana of the ‘Shakya Wangsha’), are notable and significant features of the relationship.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka and India are separated only by a short stretch of the sea and apart from the examples in the preceding paragraph, excellent, brotherly relations have existed between the two nations from time immemorial (of course, despite animosities between Sri Lanka and Thamilnadu). India as a nation has never invaded Sri Lanka in a war like manner. Sri Lanka’s Anagarika Dharmapala was a person who recently brought the two countries closer. Another was Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
In the past decade, India’s exports to Sri Lanka almost doubled, Sri Lanka failed to keep pace with the growth of its exports to India.
The recent Sri Lankan governments (in the past 20 years), rather than building a manufacturing and productivity based economy, focussed on a service based economy (it was the ‘easy way out’). Thus, such unproductive and non-manufacturing ventures like communication centres, beauty palours, trishaw taxis (there are over one million of them in the country), importation and distribution of illicit drugs such as heroin and ecstasy, betting centres, lottery sales centres, small-scale casinos, massage parlours in the guise of Ayurveda centres, private tuition centres (even Sinhala, Buddhism and History are taught for school children in these centres), variety of international schools and tourism based industries (the latter is somewhat good) mushroomed in the country. They became the wholemark of the country’s economy. These ventures, though created jobs, generated no or less GDP for the economy. The governments by trying to reduce the country’s unemployment, gave jobs as public servants to thousands of people who supported them politically during elections (these were not merit based appointments, hence the lethargic and corrupt public service that we have today).
The governments not knowing how to create employment for its citizens (both skilled and unskilled workers) encouraged them to leave the country in search of the ‘greener pastures’. Lots of women ended up working as domestic maids in Middle Eastern countries (stories have emerged that some of them have been treated like slaves) and lots of men were found jobs in South Korea. The governments were unconcerned in paying attention to the adverse socio, cultural and psychological effects of the family members that were left in the country, caused as a result of the mass migration of people to overseas countries. Drastic stories have emerged about the plight of children and elderly who were left in their respective homes helpless. The governments liked the idea that its citizens left its shores as their remittance became the biggest source of revenue for them. The rulers plundered and mismanaged the public wealth from the left, right and the centre.
The governments borrowed heavily, especially in the past 10 years, the injection of such monies to the economy created somewhat an artificial growth in the GDP (of 6%). Today, Sri Lanka is a hugely debt ridden country, its foreign debt alone has exceeded US$25 billion (?), which is far too much for a country of the size of Sri Lanka. The country owes money to other sources too, including local banks and various employee trust funds.
Unlike in the 1960s and 70s, where governments helped to build a strong manufacturing/productivity base economy, in the last 35+ years, large numbers of small factories, textile mills and small businesses were compelled to be closed down. Local businesses were unable to compete with the influx of cheap Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian exports to the country. Like few third world countries have done in the past 20 years, Sri Lanka failed to become a newly developed country (apart from corruption, mismanagement and maladministration, the effects of the war was a major impediment for the country’s development).
Today in Sri Lanka, almost everything is imported, including the country’s main staple diet, rice. Basically Sri Lanka today has very few items available to export to India (or to any other any country); except things like fish harvested from the sea, some agricultural/horticultural products and a few value added items imported from other countries for the sole purpose of re-export. The irony is that this is a country that once produced fine electrical and electronic items, textiles, furniture, handicraft, confectionaries, tyres, bicycles, batteries, razor blades, perfumes and even motor cars.
During 2011/12, India’s exports to Sri Lanka amounted to $4.3 billion, Sri Lanka’s exports to India during the same period amounted to only $721 million. The total bilateral trade is earmarked to reach $10 billion in the near future; the trade balance will continue to be very much in favour of India.
Since of late, India has been pressurising Sri Lanka to sign CEPA – ‘Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’. No doubt that such an agreement would provide Sri Lanka preferential access to the very large Indian market, but due to CEPA, the country could be flooded with cheap Indian exports. They can destroy the country’s remaining, very small scale production/manufacturing based economy. The writer does not say that Sri Lanka should flatly say ‘no’ to CEPA, he states Sri Lanka should use CEPA as a bargaining tool to obtain more favourable trade advantages from India. For example, Sri Lanka should ask India to rectify the anomalies (several) in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that both countries signed in 1998. Sri Lanka should demand that it should be given export access to the entire Indian market, with zero tariffs (1.2 billion people!). If the latter could be achieved (a difficult task, but a possibility), Sri Lanka should be able to sign CEPA.
Furthermore, prior to signing CEPA, Sri Lanka should implement adequate measures to protect its local industries from the possible massive scale intrusion of Indian products into the country. An intelligent and a tactful Sri Lankan leadership should be able to successfully achieve this.
This is the time for Sri Lanka to negotiate with India on trade and obtain the best economic outcome for itself. Sri Lanka should seriously ask India to stop poaching on her waters which causes US$1 billion loss to Sri Lanka per year (this could be a pre-condition to signing CEPA).
If Sri Lanka foolishly enters into trade agreements, international contracts etc with overseas countries (including that of India), without obtaining competent legal counsel (some of the past foolish examples are the Hedging deal, Air Lanka agreement, Cairns oil contract, Shell gas deal, IOC deal etc), it is the innocent public who will pay the ultimate price for the huge misdeeds of the politicians. The few examples cited herein brought forth billions of dollars of losses to Sri Lanka.
Now that Sri Lanka has a new government and India’s Mr Modi has extended the true hand of friendship to Sri Lanka, if wise and intelligent, this is the opportunity for Sri Lanka to grab and try to become the ‘Hong Kong of India’ (note the remarkable turnaround in the relationship between the two nations – in 2013 India even boycotted CHOGM; the year prior to that it co-sponsored a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva).
If Sri Lanka (still, very much a third world country), wants to become rich capitalising on India’s massive economic growth (the Indian middle class alone is more than 250 million, by 2025, this number is likely to increase to 550 million); it should evaluate (before signing CEPA) what goods it could and should produce for the Indian market. For example, if properly planned, Sri Lanka can be a large scale food and agro business supplier for India (notably, things like tea, spices, fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers (true, India is the world’s largest tea producer, but, there is a scarcity of tea in India, and there is the tremendous potential to introduce ‘Ceylon Tea’ (the world’s finest) in India, in a very big scale).
If Sri Lanka is to sign CEPA, Sri Lanka should ask as a precondition that India should assist Sri Lanka to become the logistic hub to various production chains in India. Few industry examples that come to the writer’s mind are automobile and IT components, manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, electrical machinery and parts and food processing products.
In this regard, the new Sri Lankan government must work hard in creating these opportunities for Sri Lankan companies. Creating new economic zones solely for the purpose of manufacturing products for India is a good idea. Since land is in scarcity in most parts of Sri Lanka and they being closely located to India, such economic zones can be established (with Indian aid) in the North, South and East of Sri Lanka (for example, in Kilinochchi, Hambanthota port area and Trincomalee respectively), but, all Sri Lankans should be able to work in those ventures.
India has agreed to spend money on Sri Lanka’s Railway projects, massive scale housing developments in the North and the Sampur Power plant project. It has offered millions of dollars as lines of credit to Sri Lanka, also a massive currency swap agreement that is currently in place. Sri Lanka should accept these gifts with gratitude. This is in addition to the US$5 billion (or more) that India’s private sector is earmarked to invest in Sri Lanka in the coming years. India is Sri Lanka’s largest source of foreign tourists.
But, it is still too early for Sri Lanka to say ‘yes’ to the rail and road link that India wants to build at its own cost (an ADB loan project) over the Palk Strait from Dhanushkodi to Talaimannar. Naturally, due to Thamilnadu hostility, the people in Sri Lanka has a strong reservation about this proposed mega-project; despite the fact that it could bring huge and unprecedented level of economic benefits to Sri Lanka, including a tenfold increase in tourist numbers, especially thousands of new European and US tourists that will travel from India to Sri Lanka by rail or road. It is up to the new Sri Lankan government to convince its people as to why this new rail/road bridge is necessary and that it is not harmful to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. For this, the new government will have a lot of explaining to do to its people.
srilankasupportgroup@bigpond.com
September 5th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
The FIRST Ray of HOPE for Sri Lankan Patriots EMERGES as MPs of MINOR constituents parties and SOME SLFP MPs move to form a NEW Opposition block in Parliament.
Hopefully this GOAL will be realized, and the move will continue to GATHER MOMENTUM and ATTRACT more and more SLFP MPs to desert the National Government as the DANGER POSED by it to Sri Lanka’s INTEGRITY becomes MORE OBVIOUS every day!
If 50 UPFA MPs form a new opposition, R. Sampanthan’s role as “Leader of the Opposition” as, I hope, will his proposal to DIVIDE Sri Lanka into 3 ETHNIC BANTUSTANS! But why should he worry, his role as “Traitor in Chief” will continue!
The Lion Flag flutters proudly aloft,
To remind us this freedom’s day!
Our duty to keep thee, safe and strong,
As our forefathers did yesterday!
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Some UPFA MPs opt to be in the opposition
By Kelum Bandara
DailyMirror.lk
September 9, 2015
In the wake of the two main parties agreeing to form the national unity government, some United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MPs are hoping to inform Speaker Karu Jayasuriya that they would function as part of the opposition, a party leader said yesterday.
The UPFA and the United National Party (UNP) which agreed to form the national government had also agreed to share Cabinet portfolios.
Against this background, the UPFA MPs who are opposed to the formation of a national unity government are preparing a petition to be sent to the Speaker.
National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerwansa told Daily Mirror said he believed that at least 50 MPs would sign this petition which would be handed over within the next two weeks.
He said he had learnt of attempts by the government to suppress dissent in parliament.
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Talks to form a new opposition in Sri Lanka parliament
Colombopage.com
Sept 05, Colombo: Minor constituent parties of former ruling party United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are in discussions to form an opposition alliance after the main constituent, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) decided to join the United National Party (UNP) in the national government.
Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa said that discussions have been held by five political parties of UPFA represented in parliament on forming a common opposition.
Minor constituent parties of the UPFA Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, National Freedom Front, Communist Party, Democratic Leftist Front and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya are represented in Parliament.
Two other minor parties, Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Douglas Devananda and Ceylon Worker’s Congress (CWC) led by Arumugam Thondaman have joined the national government.
Weerawansa said parties will further discuss next week with regard to forming a new political front to contest future elections.
September 5th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
LIES, MORE LIES, and MORE GOD-DAMN LIES howled in venomous rage by the Choura Rajina CBK pursuing her Personal Vendetta against President Mahinda Rajapaksa to MAKE CERTAIN he NEVER RISES AGAIN!
But, the BEST LAID PLANS of this FAILED POLITICIAN and TRAITOR to her people, like those of MOST MICE and MEN, will DEFINITELY GO ASTRAY because between her and her DEVIOUS PLOTS stand MILLIONS of Patriots of Mother Lanka!
What is WORSE, is she makes these PRONOUNCEMENTS in India, responsible for fomenting the terrorist war that consumed the lives of over 150,000 of our fellow citizens! SHAME on YOU Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga …. your revered Father and Mother would CURSE you for these DISHONORABLE and TREACHEROUS Collusion with Foreign Enemies!
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Sri Lanka would have experienced massive killings if Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to power: Chandrika Kumaratunga
Sept 05 (TOI) NEW DELHI- Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure as the President of Sri Lanka ran a police state and if he was successful in returning to power as Prime Minister in recent parliamentary polls the country would have experienced massive killings of innocents, according to Chandrika Kumaratunga, former President of the island nation.
Kumarantunga, who played a key role in unseating Rajapaksa in last January’s Presidential polls, announced on Saturday that her visit to India would be followed by that of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremansinghe on Sep 15 as his maiden visit abroad since reelection.
Talking to a select group of journalists here Kumaratunga, however, warned that Rajapaksa who muzzled voices of Sinhalas and Tamils during his decade-long-rule has not given dream of returning to power. “His primary aim of returning to power is to ensure that corruption charges are not pressed against him,” noted the former President who was in Delhi to participate in the just concluded Hindu-Buddhist conference organized by the Vivekananda International Foundation.
Asserting that role and preeminence of India in the region cannot be wished away, fiery Lankan politician pointed out that Rajapaksa had supposedly tried to balance India in her country by promoting other powers. “But India is special to Sri Lanka and we need Indian support in form of investments among other things. India’s role in South Asia has been acknowledged globally. Its strategic position cannot be undermined,” noted the former President who was instrumental in bringing anti-Rajapaksa faction in Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and opposition United National Party to jointly oppose the common enemy – Mahinda Rajapaksa.
She admitted that the Chinese funded projects in Sri Lanka had incurred huge debts on Colombo as the cost of such projects were high due to commissions paid to the Rajapaksa regime.
Dismissing Rajapaksa’s claim of India’s hand in his defeat in Presidential polls last January, she said that the former head of state was looking for scapegoats after he was voted out of power. “The people of Sri Lanka can manage their democracy on their own.”
Recalling the process that ousted Rajapaksa from power Kumaratunga informed that protests were launched by the civil society two years ago and there was demand that she take the lead in ousting the tyrant regime. “Rajapaksa created enormous hurdles in this journey and even did not allow any SLFP leaders or Ministers to meet me. But as demands grew for an alternate leader I zeroed on Maithiripala Sirisena who has a clean image among the SLFP leadership. I also got in touch with Opposition leader Ranil Wickremansinghe and the common enemy brought us together,” recounted the former two-time President as she did not rule out possibility of returning to active politics at a later stage.
On the issue of reconciliation with the Tamil minorities Kumaratunga, who is also the chairman of the national reconciliation commission noted that the period provides golden opportunity to address the issue permanently. “We are working towards handing over land back to Tamils, addressing the disappearance issue and devolution package. India understandably has a dynamic role to play in this process,” she said, adding that both sides are responsible for the fishermen impasse and need to address the issue earnestly.
September 5th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
It doesn’t work this way.
China and Hong Kong did not mix before handing back.
We have mixed with Indians too much , we have been already infected with Indian deceases. For example, if there were causeway joining to India all the Bajaajs from India will come and clog our roads. We have Shocker Leylands and TATAs polluting our country and WE HAVE NO PROPER LEADER.
Before we have the links, we MUST DEVELOP our country – specially culturally and law and order (Vinaya) or to use a Kunuharupa , Yahapaalanaya. Our island should be so developed that it could attract Indians to come and work but with Laws to protect integrity of our Nation.
At the moment we are as bad or worse than Indians.
September 5th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
In a TOTALLY IMPARTIAL statement (!!!) the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (aka DMK) chimes in that R Sampanthan as Leader of the Opposition gives Hope to Tamils!!
But, the QUESTION IS, HOPE of WHAT??
An impending CREATION of an IndeLAM in SRi Lanka soon to be INCOR{ORATED in thhe DMK’s Vision of a GREATER TAMIL NADU perhaps?
Hey,dear old Karunanidhi has prepared and published the PLANS for this GREATER TAMIL NADU including the North and East of Sri Lanka LONG LONG TIME AGO! All the DMK has to do is to present PLANS with a note to the Yamapalanaya Govt to VACATE the LAND and MOVE OUT forthwith! I am SURE that TREACHEROUS Yamapalanaya Junta will be HAPPY to OBLIGE!
Meanwhile, the OPPOSING FACTION, the MDMK, under the leadership of that unrepentant communal racist Vaiko is bringing a Resolution against a domestic probe of the war-crimes allegations against Sri Lanka in favor of an international probe more helpful to his getting UN assitance for a Unilateral Declaration of Independence for the EELAM his late unlamented SunGod Vellupillai Probhakaran failed to achieve through murderous war.
<bNEEDLESS to say, the Yamapalanaya Govt WILL NOT request extradition of this very same aiko to Sri Lanka, to stand trial for illegally entering Sri Lanka and "teaching" motivational classes to the brainwashed LTTE cadre in the Vanni when he was not plotting other crimes against Sri Lanka with the now defunct Sun God!
We NEED a Patriotic Government in Sri Lanka both ABLE & WILLING to PUSH BACK against India, to pursue these CHARGES against the MULTITUDE of Eelamist INdian Tamil criminals hiding out in Tamil Nadu! These are INTERNATIONAL CRIMINALS no different from the also late and unlamented Osama bin Laden!
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R Sampanthan as Lankan opposition leader gives hope: DMK
Sept 05 (TOI) CHENNAI- DMK President M Karunanidhi today welcomed the appointment of Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan as the Leader of Opposition in Sri Lankan Parliament, saying it has given hope for the Tamils in the island nation.
“Sampanthan being elected Leader of the Opposition at a time when Tamils were for long looking forward to a resurgence gives us all hope,” he said in a statement here.
Greeting the Tamil leader on his being chosen for the important post, he said, “Sampanthan has said that the TNA would strive for getting Tamils their rights and powers and it gives joy.”
“It is joyous that a Tamil has become Leader of the Opposition in Sri Lanka after a gap of 38 years,” he said.
Sampanthan heads the TNA sine 2001 and he has been a Member of Parliament for more than 22 years.
TNA comprises Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation(TELO), the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and the People’sLiberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE).
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Indian Tamil party leader to bring resolution against Sri Lanka’s domestic probe
Colombopage.com
Sept 04, Colombo: The pro-LTTE Tamil Nadu political leader, the general secretary of the MDMK, V. Gopalasamy aka Vaiko has asked the chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa to bring a resolution against a domestic probe in Sri Lanka.
The MDMK leader has called upon the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to initiate steps to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing any move to carry out a domestic investigation into the alleged war crimesin Sri Lanka, The Hindu reported.
“If such a resolution is passed, I will be the first person to support the same,” he has said while paying a lightning visit to the site near Palladam where the party planned to hold a conference later this month.
Mr. Vaiko told The Hindu that only an inquiry by an independent non-domestic body could bring out justice and truth.
September 5th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
“India is a significant global player and it is estimated that economically it may surpass China (given China’s fast ageing population and the gender imbalance), and it has the ability to become the world’s biggest economy.”
India is a global player because of Indian colonial parasites who colonized the tropical British-Indian colonies under the cover of British guns. It also ha a lot of Indian vermin in the West mainly in the US surpassing the Jewish lobby and the donations to the Democrats in the US. India has a much more gender imbalance than that of China’. Chania will not have a problem with its ageing populating as it is a already a leader in automation. Indian economy is thriving because of the massive influx of money back to Indian from Indian Colonial Parasites and Indian vermin oversea in particular the West and the poor in the West realize this sooner or later. Think of the wealth the Indian colonial parasites have taken and are still taking away from Ceylon. That is why Indian Empire appointed Chandrika the Governor, voted in Sirisena the Coolie and now Ranil the Kankaani who was the one appointed from Jan 8 to 17 August and now voted in by the Indian colonial parasites’ block vote.
India’ the so called middle class is the high caste Indians and the they will not allow the one third of low castes and the other one third of Scheduled Casts that is Untouchables and Adhiwasis to enjoy life. This week almost half a million pf Patels in Gujarat protested against the Dalists.
So in Sri Lanka the Hong Kong of India the Sinhalese will be the Sheduled Caste officially. (Note they are the scheduled caste now. And finally the Sinhalese will follow the path of Bo people in Andamans
September 5th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Since MR was the leader of UFPA he shall be the leader of opposition immediately after the election, as I think as appropriate. There is no other choice for him (assuming he is an honest man). But , again , as I expected (suspicion of course), he has been blackmailed yet again.
Now the real opposition in dumbfounded. The got caught believing MR and hence MY3. So the result is 82 year old OL. I have no objection to it , him as a Tamil, but as a totally pathetic situation. Had people have voted more for JVP to get 20 seats, then UFPA would have got less seats and we could have had a good opposition to fight the expected Avajataka government.
September 6th, 2015 at 5:32 am
Will not happen in Sri Lanka as we have an inactive professional sector who are living off the productivity of blue collar workers like housemaids, garment makers, farmers and plantation workers. Alas poor public investing their hard earned money in free higher education for more than 60 years has resulted in them getting free loaders who cheat on them while languishing in influential positions
September 6th, 2015 at 8:00 am
It is a good article but I have still not finised reading it. India is paranoic. Whay has it got to be frightned of China. It should build a better relationsip with China and Russia. They are far gretaer good friends than USA and the west. USA and West are parasitical . They are not genuine democr
September 6th, 2015 at 8:16 am
It is a good article but I have still not finised reading it. India is paranoic.
Why has it got to be frightned of China. It should build a better relationship with China and Russia. They are far greater good friends than USA and the west.
USA and West are parasitical . They are not genuine democritically or as political partners. They aim at getting benefits and not in generous giving for other nations. They are global trouble makers and they have no friends beyond their own circle.
India has lot of problems within even if they are becoming economically noteworthy. They should stop political interference against neighbours, but instead be genuine friends. USA and the Westdo not like China because the people are different and more clever than they are. It is the same vis a vis India, but USA and the West wants India in their political strategy to isolate and weaken China and Russia. India are foolish fall a victim the USA and West”s scheming.
I do not see why Sri Lanka be a Singapore, or a Hongkong. Sri Lanka should remain what it is and develop as Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse was the correct man to develop Sri Lanka . His ideas were genuine and visionary. It is true there should have been a change in economic development. But given time Mahinda Rajapakse would have changed things. It is a pity we have the wrong government after Mahinda Rajapakse. They are incapable of bringing positive changes to Sri Lanka in any field.
September 6th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Hong Kong & Singapore are British creations.
And who is going to ENTER LANKA to create Lanka in the image of HK & S’pore ?
Lankans are very sensitive to the possibilities of NEO-COLONISATION. Repeat : Having gone through some psyche crushing 500 yrs of Colonisation, what are we about to face here ?
Do we feel Safe & Secure with rule from CBK/MY3/RW ? What have they delivered so far ?
September 6th, 2015 at 11:11 am
Dream on….
India has little potential to grow economically from where it currently is. Chinese goods are everywhere in the world, Indian goods are virtually absent from the rest of the world besides a few countries (like our unfortunate country) that have been forced into unfair trade agreements with it. The Bangladesh economy grew better after distancing from Indian junk imports.
The only way we have is to have better ties with China and Russia. Indians promised a lot but can’t do anything, remember the coal power plant in Sampur? Look what we have got from China, starting from the Hambantota port. India can only influence regime change to gain access to Hambantota. Everythiing India did in the past was to our detriment starting from the LTTE.
So as I said, dream on……
**I do not see why Sri Lanka be a Singapore, or a Hongkong. Sri Lanka should remain what it is and develop as Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse was the correct man to develop Sri Lanka . His ideas were genuine and visionary. It is true there should have been a change in economic development. But given time Mahinda Rajapakse would have changed things. It is a pity we have the wrong government after Mahinda Rajapakse. They are incapable of bringing positive changes to Sri Lanka in any field.** well said Charles!!!
September 6th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Hi Friends and the writer:
Ceylon is like another Indian State or a Colony. In Indian States you get low castes and high castes. But in Indian colonies it is only the high castes. All Indians in Ceylon, Guyana, Mauritius, Malaysia, Fiji, UK and others aree high castes.
September 6th, 2015 at 10:22 pm
I DISAGREE.
Endia cannot offer anything good for SL.
HK did well because HK was under the UK until 1998. China could NOT dictate terms to HK because of UK.
Now China continues HK’s development and some autonomy.
Don’t forget HK protested against CHINESE RULE last year!! China put it down violently.
SL should NOT be a part of Endia in ANY shape or form.
SL is SL. Not Singapore or Hong Kong (recently created CITY STATES).
September 6th, 2015 at 11:42 pm
I am not suggesting that Sri Lanka should become a satellite state of India. What I have outlined is purely an economic arrangement – supplying goods and services to the huge Indian market of 1.2 billion people. This is creating a Win/Win situation for both countries, the benefits to Sri Lanka will be huge. This has nothing to do with our sovereignty.
When we are only 20 km away from India, and when Mr Modi is extending the hand of genuine friendship, why not grab it and create opportunities for all Sri Lankans?
We cannot continue to live in 3rd world conditions, it is time that we become a rich nation. This Indian opportunity that I am proposing is the best available one at the moment.
It is a shortcut to prosperity.
If we miss the ‘bus’ (again), there may be no other bus to catch. Either Nepal or Bangladesh can become the ‘Hong Kong of India’; so. again, we should not let this golden opportunities go by.
We could do this only now as India was not friendly with the previous regime. Emphasis added – we have to do this in friendship and co-operation with India (that is how Hong Kong did it with China, especially during China’s ‘Open Policy’ period). And now is the best time to do it. India is ready, are we ready also? I am not sure about us.
We have to revive many things – CEPA, the new rail/road project, the Indian economic zones in Sri Lanka, incentives for Sri Lankan exporters are just a few to mention here.
The Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to India is very important. This will be a groundbreaking visit.
I am not proposing Sri Lanka should stop trading with other nations like China, Russia, US, Japan etc. We should trade with the whole world. I am saying it is only for India that we can become a hub to export goods and services. There is no other country available (proximity is the key).
The biggest problem at the moment is that we do not have enough products (and services?) to offer to India. We cannot do this with the many thousands of communication centres, beauty palours and the one million three wheeler cabs we have now. We must build a strong productivity/manufacturing base. Sadly, the country is producing very few things. During the past 35 years we almost destroyed everything what we built after the independence – during the 50s to 70s. But, there is a lot of potential in Sri Lanka to build,rebuild and improve, and to ‘take off’ to become the ‘Hong Kong of India’. The biggest asset we have is our remarkable workforce.
One can say hundreds of negative things about India (Lorenzo’s Endia), but, they will not take us anywhere. India today is vastly different to what it was 25 years ago.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:08 am
Oops! CORRECTED Version …….
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With a Yamapalanaya Govt “National” in name only, and propped up not with consent of the UPFA MPs but technical dictats, is Somarama Sirisena SHIVERING IN FEAR that his National Government JUNTA of BACKSTABBERS and SHIP-JUMPERS may fall apart??
Is he WORRIED that having SOWN the WIND with TREACHERY, he may REAP the WHIRLWIND of JUST RETRIBUTION???
UNEASY lies the head that wears the CROWN of THORNS STOLEN in the dead of the night with DESPICABLE TREACHERY!
The Stampede of the Ship-Jumpers!
Half-a-Jump, Half-a-Jump
Half-a-Jump, Onward!
Into the Valley of Treason
Into the Jaws of Dishonor
Jump the Ship-Jumpers!
Bribes to the Left of them
Jobs to the Right of Them
Power in Front of the Them
Cudgels to the Rear of Them
Jump the Ship-Jumpers!
Half-a-Jump, Half-a-Jump
Half-a-Jump, Onward!
Into the Valley of Tears
Driven by Nameless Fears
Jump the Ship-Jumpers!
Jostled from the Left of them
Jostled from the Right of them
Massed Asses to the Front of them
Hoots of Rage to the Rear of them
Jump the Ship-Jumpers!
…………………………….
President: National govt. under threat … from Rajapaksa loyalists and separatist forces
by Zacki Jabbar
Island.lk
September 6, 2015
Admitting that the national government formed between the UNP and the SLFP would face survival challenges, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday called on members of both parties, especially at grass roots level, to ensure that their historic partnership continued for the betterment of the country.
Addressing the UNP’s 69 anniversary celebrations at Sirikotha, the President who is also leader of the SLFP, described his participation in the celebrations of the SLFP’s main opponent as an unprecedented occasion.
Describing his presence as an outcome of consensual politics, Sirisena warned that forces connected to the last Rajapaksa government and those with separatist agendas were doing their utmost to scuttle the UNP-SLFP Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the national interest in mind.
Appealing to members of both parties, he said that it was with their support and cooperation that the conspiracy to destabilise the National Government could be overcome.
Acknowledging that he could not have become President without the UNP’s support, Srisena expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the UNP leadership and rank and file.
He also personally thanked the then Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga for their encouragement and support, at a time when he and his family’s very existence was under threat.
Among those present on the occasion were leaders of the constituent parties in the UNP led United National Front. They included Rauff Hakeem, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Palani Digambram, Rishard Bathiudeen and Mano Ganeshan.
Convenor of the National Movement for a Pure Tomorrow, Athureliya Rathana Thera and Democratic Party Leader, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka also graced the occasion.
Leader of the UNP and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recalling the difficult times that the party had to face in its history, thanked the membership for their efforts to making the UNP victorious once again.
“We have ended nepotism, anarchism and corruption,” he noted while urging all those committed to good governance and the rule of law to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka, where all its citizens would have equal opportunities to succeed in life.
Deputy Leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa, Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake and General Secretary Kabeer Hashim addressed the gathering.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:52 am
all Indian colonial parasites who have taken and are still taking our wealth to India and the West.- All agrred My Sinhala Sakodaraya but What We both community done against non for last 2000 years or more ….. kaput , Sinhala Mala ….
September 7th, 2015 at 11:53 am
Arch CONSPIRATOR Somarama Sirisena of Gang-of-Three INFAMY, now FEARS CONSPIRACIES!
He DID UNTO and now FEARS BEING DONE UNTO!
UNEASY lies the HEAD that Wears the CROWN of TREACHERY!
September 12th, 2015 at 6:20 pm
Christie Says:
September 12th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
මෙම ඉන්දියානු ගැති කයිය ගැන ෆේස් බූක් වල පලකල පිලිතුරක් එම අඩවිය විසින් අයින්කර ඇතිලු. ඉන්දියානු අදිරදයේ බලපුලුවන්කාරකමත් උන් ලෙවකන අයගේ යැපීමත් එයින් විදහා දක්වයි.
Facebook has removed a response to this article. It shows how powerful the Indian Empire is and the dependence on Indian Imperialism of such suckers.
Christie Says:
September 12th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
බ්රහ්මනයිනේ: සින්හලය කොහොමද චීනයේ හොන්කොන්ග් වෙන්නෙ? ඒක මැකෞ වගේ චීනයේ කොටහක්, ඉන්දියානු පරපෝසිතයො සින්හලයට. සින්ගප්පූරුවට මැලේසියාවට යන්න ඉස්සර ඉඳල.
Braamans: how can Ceylon be a Hon Kong of India? It was a part of China like Macau long before the Indian colonial parasites went to Ceylon, Singapore and Malaysia.
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September 13th, 2015 at 6:06 am
Christie Says:
September 13th, 2015 at 6:03 am
මෙය අදාල වන අයටත්, ඉන්දියානු අදිරදයට එරෙහියන්ටත් ලෙවකන්නන් වෙතයි. මගේ අදහස් උදහස් කියවා හිත් අමාරුවක් උනානම් සමාවන්න. කියවා යමක් දැනගත්තානම් මමත් ඔබත් සතුටු වෙමු.
සින්හලයෝ විජයාගෙන් එන උන් යයි කියන අය රාමායනය, ඉන්ග්රීසි ඉතිහාසය හෝ බලන්ගොඩ මිනිසා ගැන කියවා හෝ අසා නැත.
චීනයේ කොටසක් වන හොන් කොන් මෙන් අපිද ඉන්දියානු අදිරදයේ කොටසක් වීමෙන් අපිද හොන් කොන් වැසියන් මෙන් වියහැකියයි කීම 2014 අපේ ඉන්දියානු වෙලඳ හිඟය වන අමෙරිකානු ඩොලර් මිලියන් 3,353 ට කරන අවමානයකි.
ඉන්දියානු අදිරදය අපිට කෙලින්ම කෙලින්න පටන්ගතේ චන්ද්රිකාගේ තාත්තාගෙන්ය.
To whom it may concern and those who stand up to Indian Empire and who suck to it. My apologies to who are hurt by my views. If you have learned I am happy as you are. Those who believe in Vijaya may have not read Ramayana, history of the English or the Balangoda Man.
Hong Kong is a part and parcel of China and those who think we should be the same insult our trade deficit of US$ 3,353 with the Indian Empire.
By the way there was no India (Indian Empire in the days of Vijaya, it was lot of countries like Europe.