By Rohana R. Wasala

Poson was celebrated throughout the island by Sri Lankan Buddhists on the full moon poya day of June 21, 2024. Sri Lanka’s mainstream media including state media available online offered me little information about islandwide Poson observances that were held. It looks like state sponsorship of devotional activities connected with Poson was either absent or hardly publicised. However, according to what I gathered through personal communication with friends from Sri Lanka the Buddhist public’s participation in the ceremonies along with thousands of monks and nuns was the most enthusiastic and was on the grandest scale ever for the past five or six years. Facing as they are the most daunting existential threat to date in the history of their unique island civilization (I sincerely hope I am wrong in this assumption formed on the basis of what I read, hear and watch on available online media), the Sinhalese Buddhists are awakening to a renewed awareness of the incomparable legacy of Arhant Mahinda Thera. The following is a reflection, in this context, on the past history and modern significance of the annual Poson ceremony. I humbly offer it for the critical examination of my well informed readers as a personal opinion for what it is worth;

The first three months of the lunar calendar of the Sinhalese: Bak, Vesak, and Poson (roughly corresponding to the months of April, May and June in the Gregorian calendar which is in common use today) are each marked by one of their three most important annual celebrations. The month of Bak has the Sinhala Aluth Avurudda, an age-old harvest festival organized  according to traditional astrological beliefs based on the idea of the sun completing an annual circuit across the twelve signs of the zodiac from Aries to Pisces, and resuming another  (marking the end of one lunar year and the beginning a new year); hence it is also called the Surya Mangalyaya (Sun Festival); the Aluth Avurudda is a secular festival marked by feasting and recreational activities that usually go on for days in normal times. The Vesak is an entirely religious  ceremony that pays homage to the Buddha, marking the full moon day of the month as the day that his Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana (Passing) are traditionally believed to have taken place; this is the most important religious celebration of the year for Sri Lankan Buddhists. Colourful illuminations and the unique dansaelas (alms centres that offer free food and beverages to all who are willing to accept them). The third most important annual national ceremony is held on the Poson full moon poya day, which this year (2024) fell on June 21. It is also a completely religious event that is hardly less significant than Vesak. If Vesak is dedicated to the Buddha, Poson is held in honour of Arhant Mahinda, who is revered as the Anu Budu or Surrogate Buddha, for it was he who brought Buddhism to Lanka and established it as the country’s state religion in the 3rd century BCE as recorded in the Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle composed in the 5th century CE, thus officially  initiating the still predominant Sinhalese Buddhist religious culture of the island nation. 

The social and religious cultural significance of these apolitical celebrations is inexhaustible, irrespective of the secular or spiritual nature of each ceremony. They are not  meaninglessly fun and frolic based. Though these events are sacred only to Buddhists, they unobtrusively inspire fellow feeling and goodwill among the multiethnic population and project the country’s image to other nations as worthy of their courteous accommodation, friendship and formal and informal recognition (i.e., a state of mutual respect and acceptance formally called the ‘comity of nations’). Apart from this, within the island, the Aluth Avurudda, Vesak, and Poson events are of inestimable historical and contemporary significance particularly for the majority Sinhala Buddhist community. For them the three festive or celebratory occasions are massive national morale-boosters, so to speak.  

The Sinhala word ‘poya’ comes from the Pali ‘uposatha’ (which means ‘to fast’); in the Sinhalese lunar calendar, the full moon day of every month is considered by the Buddhist public as their main poya day or fasting day, which they are recommended  to spend, as Buddhists, engaged in religious rituals and practices. The special  significance of the Poson poya day for Buddhists derives from the fact that  Arhant Mahinda Thera (son of Emperor Asoka Dharmasoka of Jambudipa/India) arrived at Mount Missa and stationed himself ‘on the rocky peak of the delightful and celebrated Ambastthala’ in the island of Tambapanni or Lanka along with four other bhikkhus, a samanera or novice bhikkhu named Sumana (young son of Sangamitta, Mahinda Thera’s sister), and an upasaka (a lay follower) by the name of Bhandu, who was a grandnephew of Devi of Vedisa in the Avanti country. Devi was none other than Mahinda Thera’s mother. This historic event has been dated to 247 BCE in terms of information given in ancient Chronicles such as Dipavansa and Mahavansa composed respectively in the 4th and 5th CE, the latter relatively more sophisticated than the former. 

Chapter 13 of the Mahavansa deals with the arrival of Arhant Mahinda Thera in Lanka and Chapter 14 with his meeting with the ruler of the island king Tissa/Devanampiya Tissa, and the royal reception of the missionaries and their simultaneous introduction to the populace in the capital Anuradhapura. From the various incidental scraps of information that can be gathered from the previous and following Chapters, it can be inferred that this obviously formal introduction of Theravada Buddhism to Lanka was as much an instance of peaceful political intervention as a religious-cultural event. For example, Arhant Mahinda lived for some time at Vedisa visiting his mother and other relatives just before proceeding to Lanka on his mission. In Chapter 13 of the Mahavansa (contained in the first part of the book translated by George Turnour in 1836, which Mudliyar L.C. Wijesinghe added, with notes and emendations, to his own  Government of Ceylon commissioned translation of the Mahavansa in two parts published in 1889), we have the following detail concerning this brief stay of Arhant Mahinda in the Avanti country: ‘At this period (of Mahinda’s visit) she (the queen) was residing there, in Cetiyanagara (LCW emends this as ‘Vedisa’). 

While the thera was sojourning there, he thus meditated: The period has arrived for undertaking the mission enjoined by my father. May the said Devanampiyatissa, having already solemnised his inauguration with utmost pomp, be enjoying his regal state. May he, after having ascertained from my father’s ambassador the merits of the three blessed treasures (sent by my father), acquire a right understanding of them (the doctrines of Buddha). May he on the full moon day of the month of ‘jettha’ visit Missa mountain (Mihintale), for on that very day shall I myself repair to renowned Lanka”’. 

So, Mahinda Thera’s mission was a royal command to be carried out. The Lankan ruler, Devanampiyatissa, on the other hand, was required by Emperor Asoka to ‘acquire a right understanding of the three blessed treasures’ (which LCW interprets as the ‘doctrines of Buddha’) earlier conveyed to the former through ambassadors sent to him by the latter (i.e., Asoka). The fact that Mahinda Thera was his son also means something: that is, it indicates a relationship that was valued at a personal level (enhancing the political aspect of the mission). Mahinda Thera waited till the death of the aged king Mutasiva, the revolutionary Pandukabhaya’s son. The Thera was waiting for Mutasiva’s son Devanampiyatissa to ascend the throne. This suggests that Emperor Asoka had envisaged the introduction of a lasting change of order in the country by way of converting the ruler and the people to the new spiritual way shown by the Buddha. The old Mutasiva, being his father’s son, was probably too independent minded to give up his traditional ways (which, undoubtedly, are suggestive of our own native ancestors’ resistance to foreign domination and their love of independence. Apparently two hundred and fifty years of colonial subjugation under Vijaya had failed to completely deaden this spirit!).

Chapter 11 gives hints about the nature of the relationship that had existed between Emperor Dharmashoka of Jambudipa and DevanampiyaTissa of Tambapanni or Lanka, who was thought more amenable to the friendly persuasion of the emperor. The chapter is titled ‘The Inauguration of Devanampiya Tissa’. Mutasiva dies an old man after a sixty year reign, leaving ten sons and two daughters. Devanampiya Tissa, the second son, is crowned king. He sends a delegation of ambassadors led by his chief minister Maha Arittha, his maternal nephew, accompanied by the Brahman of the Hali mountain, a minister of state by the name of Malla, and a retinue, bearing royal gifts to the court of Dharmashoka in Pataliputra (Patna, today). They are well received there, and after a five month stay, they return to Anuradhapura, along with Dharmashoka’s own ambassadors bearing valuable gifts and royal advice to the Lankan monarch, asking him to accept the treasures of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. Dharmasoka’s ambassadors also bring requisites for Devanampiya Tissa’s coronation a second time. 

What made that a necessity? It is possible, as knowledgeable historians have already suggested, that the relationship between the two monarchs was unequal. It could be that it was an empire vs vassal state relationship. Even the title ‘Devanampiya’ (Pali lit. ‘beloved of the gods’) belonged to Emperor Dharmashoka. It is found in his rock edicts. It could have been conferred on the Lankan king as a special honour or a special mark of recognition. This connection laid a firm foundation for the evolution of Sri Lanka as a celebrated centre of commerce and culture on par with the territorially much larger and more powerful nations in the east.

The fact that the Mahavansa itself refers to this highly formal  exchange of deputations of ambassadors between the two kings prior to the arrival of Arhant Mahinda suggests that the story of the monk on the mount with his sacred mission surprising the monarch on the chase in the wilderness is a dramatic fictionalisation of a real historical event found in the ‘epic poem,’ which the Mahavansa is, according to one interpretation. Probably there was no better way of recording a profound gradual process for posterity that must have spread over a long period of time marked with disputes and debates and even violence between the adherents of local animistic forms of religious belief and the ‘newfangled’ (so to say) Buddhists (the process here being the weaning of the rulers and the common people of their primitive modes of religion). The miraculous aerial passage of Mahinda Thera and group from Jambudipa to Lanka, and from Mount Missaka (Mihintale) to the capital (Anuradhapura) must be a similar piece of fiction. There is no doubt that the ambassadors travelled between the two countries by sea and land. The missionaries must have used the same modes of travel. The famous ‘intelligence test’ given by the monk to the king could be a part of the drama. The diplomatic interactions between the two monarchs made it evident that Devanampiya Tissa didn’t lack intelligence. Could we say that Bhikkhu Mahanama, the author, in this context, mythologised history to make it more memorable and popular, instead of doing the reverse (historicising myth) as normally held? 

 According to the historical account, Arhant Mahinda addressed people in the latter’s own language (the ancestor of today’s Sinhala). With apologies to expert historians, could this mean that he spoke in Pali first and then explained what he said in the local language? This implies that  the local tongue had been a sophisticated enough medium for them to communicate the new doctrine, and that the audiences were intellectually advanced enough to be receptive to its message. So, the ‘introduction’ of Buddhism by Arhant Mahinda was not the case of a hardly civilized primitive people being led from total darkness to clear light in spiritual terms, but  an inspiring example of an increasing number of people of an obviously civilised community being rationally and compassionately persuaded to embrace Buddhist teachings in place of their less rational traditional beliefs. It is significant that Arhant Mahinda Thera began his missionary preaching with the profound Cullahatthipadopama Sutta or the ‘Discourse on the Shorter Elephant Footprint Simile’ . The Mahavansa text contains similar references to other discourses of the Buddha. Reading them is essential for a fuller understanding of the book. The Cullahatthipadopama Sutta contains the story of how brahman Janussoni, while riding out of Savatthi, at the time the Buddha  was living in Jeta’s Grove near that city, sees the Wanderer Pilotika Vacchayana coming towards him after a visit to the great sage. Janussoni is greatly impressed by what he hears about the Buddha from Vacchayana, and he calls on the Buddha. The Buddha teaches him the rational way of his teaching. If an elephant hunter finds one big footprint of an elephant in the forest and concludes that it is the footprint of a big male elephant, he is not necessarily right. There are many other points to consider before arriving at the right conclusion. Janussoni is taught about the ‘footprints’ of the Tathagata (Buddha), which involves his teachings about virtue, sense restraint, mindfulness and alertness, abandoning hindrances, the Four Jhanas, and the Three Knowledges. Buddha in this discourse makes an incidental reference to ‘cosmic expansion and cosmic contraction’ (two thousand five hundred years before modern physicists came out with the theory that the universe expands and then contracts, in the second decade of the 20th century, i.e., just a century ago!). We are now in the expanding phase of the universe according to this theory).  A ruler and a race capable of responding to profound doctrinal concepts and explanations like this were certainly not an uneducated and intellectually unsophisticated people.

So, we were a civilized people even before the formal introduction of Buddhism. This is being confirmed by recent archaeological discoveries and revolutionary new methods of exploring the past. We can be truly proud of our long history that is distinguished in its various aspects, of our beautiful country, of our language and literature and our multilingual legacy of the past centuries, the democratic system of government which is getting stronger by surviving unprecedented trials, and above all, of our humanistic and humanitarian spiritual tradition that eschews violent extremism, and that finally ‘aims at creating a society where the ruinous struggle for power is renounced; where calm and peace prevail away from conquest and defeat; where the persecution of the innocent is vehemently denounced; where one who conquers oneself is more respected than those who conquer millions by military and economic warfare; where hatred is conquered by kindness, and evil by goodness; where enmity, jealousy, ill-will and greed do not infect men’s minds; where compassion is the driving force of action; where all, including the least of living things, are treated with fairness, consideration and love; where life in peace and harmony, in a world of material contentment, is directed towards the highest and noblest aim, the realization of the Ultimate Truth Nirvana’ (The words within quote marks are from Ven. Dr Walpola Rahula’s ‘What the Buddha Taught’, pp. 88-89. The apt relevance of these sentiments to the conflict-ridden world of today including our country need hardly be pointed out.)

The formal introduction of Theravada Buddhism by Arhant Mahinda from Jambudipa or modern India that the Poson ceremony commemorated on June 21 this year (2024) is the ever enduring cornerstone of our unique island civilization. The Sinhalese initiated it under the Thera’s guidance and, disciplined by the teachings of the Buddha, gradually built it up over the past twenty three centuries. The most hospitable and humane Buddhist cultural fabric of our country that offers equal protection to all Sri Lankans of diverse ethnicities and religions is the great legacy that Arhant Mahinda has left us.

KAMALIKA PIERIS

Tamil Separatist Movement has shown an open lack of respect for Kurundi. Tamil activists entered Kurundi twice, while conservation was going on. They successfully disrupted the ceremony for enshrining relics, and then sometime later, said they wished to conduct a Pongal on the stupa premises.

They behaved in a rowdy manner showing disrespect to Buddhism.  The building of a stupa and placing relics in it are acts of religious significance, which should not be mocked or disturbed.  The Buddhist lobby must insist that the Tamil Separatist Movement   apologize for its behavior at Kurundi.

The Antiquities Ordinance and the Forest Reserve Act clearly state that no one can enter an archaeological reserve or forest reserve without permission. Kurundi vihara is in its own reserve which lies within the larger Norochcholai forest reserve.

Tamil Separatist Movement has trespassed into the Norochcholai forest reserve and the Kurundi archaeological reserve. They have deforested Norochcholai and destroyed Kurundi artifacts. Both are punishable offences.

Tamil Separatist Movement has   entered Kurundi vihara premises during Eelam war, and damaged Buddhist ruins including inscriptions .They entered the pilimage, removed Buddha statues and substituted a trident in order to turn the pilimage into a Hindu temple. They    also added a korowak gala and yupa gala to the Hindu worship.

Tamil activists entered Norochcholai forest reserve without permission, and   cut down 5 acres of valuable forest, dug up the ground, and made it look like a paddy field. Then they  parked tractors on the land to indicate possession. They did not dare cultivate it. The area they dug up had archaeological value. It was the   site of ancient iron manufacture. The five acres of bogus paddy field should be taken back by the Forest Department and the Raviharan group should be charged in court.

Tridents have been placed in many of the Buddhist ruins. Ellawela Medhananda found many such tridents placed in the Buddhist ruins of the east. This is trespass and meddling. The Department of Archaeology should remove these tridents.

Tamil Separatist Movement showed contempt not only towards Buddhism but to the Department of Archaeology as well .They spoke rudely to the Archaeology Officer in charge when they barged in to Kurundi to   conduct a Pongal. They were allowed to conduct a Pongal some distance away from the stupa. Then they said that they wished to conduct another Pongal close to the stupa. The Archaeology Officer was at first very conciliatory to the Tamil group, saying you have   carried out one Pongal, is that not enough, to which he got a rude reply. The archaeology official then spoke back equally strongly.

At the Pongal ceremony, the Tamil group, looked as though they would love to give Santhabodhi a good beating. Santhabodhi, unaware of this, went to speak to the Tamil group waiting to do Pongal close to the stupa. The police quickly removed Santhabodhi, not the Tamils. We saw this on television news. They had a reason.

The main concern of the police and the army at this event was not the stupa, the pongal or the Tamils, it was getting Santhabodhi out of the way. They knew that if Santhabodhi was given   one good slap by the Tamil group, who were dying to do so, there would be a mighty commotion all over the island.

 When the Kurundi stupa was getting excavated and conserved, there were two earlier functions where also Santhabodhi, who had pioneered the work, was asked to stay away .He watched the proceedings from the army camp.  This was also done to prevent anything bad happening.

Far too much recognition has been given to the Tamil Separatist Movement where Kurundi is concerned. They have nothing to do with Kurundi and their objections should have been firmly crushed. Instead, the Tamil opposition to Kurundi has been recognized and even dignified.

Udaya Gammanpila strongly supported Kurundi, when Kurundi badly needed support. Then in June 2023 he went to Kurundi where he met Raviharan. Television news showed them greeting each other cordially. Gammanpila told television news that the cultivation rights of the Tamils in Kurundi should also be looked after.

Bauddhaloka Foundation held an English language   webinar on Kurundi   in October 2023. https://youtu.be/Z9bzYgdFpAI. Bauddhaloka Foundation said they had received many requests for such a webinar especially from those living abroad.   There were two very comprehensive presentations   stating everything about Kurundi. Then came question time. There were no questions about Kurundi.   All the questions were slanted towards Hindu kovils.

First question was is there any plan to   include a Hind temple at Kurundi. Answer, there is discussion, but nothing has been decided.  Next question, how old is the kovil at Kurundi, what its history is   and what is being done for it.

 Answer from Department of Archaeology, Kurundi is in the middle of a 1600 acre forest.

There was no ancient Hindu temple there. The Hindu temple at Kurundi was started in 1981 when Cyril Mathew began to take as interest in Kurundi.  In this Hindu temple, they have placed part of a korowak gala for worship.

In the Bell report there was mention of a bull figure in Kurundi village. Was that found? Reply from Department of archaeology, we could not find a Kurundi village. Our work was confined to excavations at Kurundi temple. How close as the nearest village? It is more than 7 or 8 km away.

Next query, religious ceremonies were held before they started excavation at Kurundi. Was this also done before excavation at Hindu temples in Sri Lanka? Answer, Yes, we have started conserving two Hindu temples at Pooneryn and we had Hindu prayers before starting work.

Mention was made to the Hindu temple at Vallipuram, then to Tirukeethesvaram at Mantota. It was pointed out that Mantota   has a Buddhist temple and church as well. Recent attempts to expand the buildings of the church and Buddhist temple were halted by the Department of Archaeology.

The last speaker clinched the issue. He introduced himself as   Dharmakulasingham, a retired foreign service officer. He had earlier lived in Colombo. Kurundi, he said, is a simple issue made big by interested parties. The Tamil political parties have made a big issue out of this small matter. There is sufficient archaeological evidence, so why was it allowed to become an issue.  Why the correct situation was not presented at the start, he asked.

 A very small thing has been made big and the western media have taken it up as discrimination against the Tamils. .This has happened because the proper representaiotn was not made at the correct place at the correct time, he concluded. Tamils are a small population living among a much larger Sinhala population, he added.

Hindu temples belonged to two categories, one where there was a Brahmin priest to conduct the ritual of the temple. these are less than a thousand in number. Other small temples were under rule of madaalayam where no Brahmin poosaries and pandarams officiated. My impression was that more than 70% of the Hindu temples were these, said K.C.Logesawaran.  These temples were not rich. Colombo and Jaffna temples in contrast had rich and powerful devotees.

In India courts have ruled that   Hindu temples belong to the gods, in Sri Lanka courts have ruled that the Hindu temples belong to the trustees, said K. Kanag Iswaran. In Jaffna the ownership of the Hindu temple is vested not in the priests but in the persons who built the temple and pays for the rites, observed B Pfaffenberger. The trusteeship of the kovil stays with the family throughout        generations. it was a very lucrative trusteeship.  The owner of the temple got all the donations, which came not only from worship but also requests for passing exams and other such requests.

There is no legal provision for registering Hindu temples, said K.C.Logesawaran. The Buddhist lobby should call for control over the building of Hindu kovils in Sri Lanka. The kovils should be registered and there should be a register of kovils   maintained by the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs

Jude Lal Fernando has spoken of the need to introduce special laws to govern the construction of religious sites as there are hundreds of such constructions. Demands to remove them have led to religious disharmony in the country he said. (continued)

Courtesy Adaderana

Minister of Foreign Affairs and President’s Counsel Ali Sabri, has stated that the successful debt sustainability process with bilateral creditors will provide Sri Lanka with an advantage of approximately US $ 17 billion.

The minister also stated that this situation will facilitate successful negotiations regarding international sovereign debts.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry revealed this addressing the Media briefing yesterday (28) at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) under the theme Collective Path to a Stable Country.”

The Minister further commented,

On April 12, 2022, Sri Lanka decided to temporarily suspend the payment of a portion of its foreign debt. At that time, some parties predicted that the value of the rupee would surge to 600, 700, or even 1000 against the dollar. However, we managed to control the situation.

Following an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), we were instructed to restructure the debt. Lazard was appointed as our financial advisor, and Clifford Chance as our legal advisor for this process.

Initially, we focused on restructuring domestic debt while continuing to meet our obligations to multilateral organizations.

We have now successfully completed debt restructuring with bilateral creditor countries. India, Japan, and France formed an Official Creditor Committee (OCC) for managing bilateral debt and we also held talks with China. As a result of these efforts, Sri Lanka has achieved a sustainable debt repayment situation, gaining an advantage of approximately US $ 17 billion and numerous other benefits.

Furthermore, this achievement is expected to facilitate successful negotiations with international sovereign bond holders. Discussions on this matter are currently on-going.

Additionally, it’s important to note that the comprehensive debt restructuring must adhere to a specific timeline set by the International Monetary Fund. The total debt burden should be reduced to 95% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the current interest payments on foreign loans should be limited to 4.5% of the GDP”.

Source: PMD

Dasatha News

හරෂ කුමාර් සුරියආරච්චි

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ වර්තමාන ව්‍යවස්ථාවට අනුව ජනාධිපති ධුර කාලය වසර 6 කි. 5 ක් නොවේ. මක්නිසාද යත්, ජනාධිපති දුර කාලය වසර 6 සිට 5 දක්වා අඩු කිරීමට යෝජනා කල  ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත වූ 2015 වසරේ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කල 19 වන ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත ජනමතවිචරනයකින් ජනතාව අනුමත කර නැති බැවින් තවමත් ව්‍යවස්ථාව බවට හෝ නීතියක් බවට හෝ පත්වී නොතිබීමයි.. මෙම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පතෙහි ජනමත විචාරණයකින් තොරව සම්මත කල නොහැකි යෝජනා කිහිපයක් ම අඩංගු වේ. එවන් අවස්ථාවක එවැනි කෙටුම්පතක් පාර්ලිමේන්තුව 2/3 ක ඡන්දයෙන් සහ ජනමතවිචරනයකින්ග් සම්මත කල යුතුය. නමුත් මෙම  19 වන  ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත සදහා පාර්ලිමේන්තුව 2/3 ක ඡන්දය ලබා ගත්තද මේ වනතුරුත් අදාළ  ජනමතවිචාරණය පවත්වා නැත.  එම නිසා, ශ්‍රී ලංකා ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 78,79,80(2) යන ව්‍යවස්ථා වලට අනුව 19 වන ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත තවමත් ව්‍යවස්ථාව බවට පත් වී නැත. එසේනම් එය ජනමතවිචරනයකින්ග් සම්මත වන තුරු ජනපති ධුර කාලය වසර 5 ක් වන්නේ නැති අතර එම ධුර කාලය තවමත් වසර 6 කි.

මේ අනුව  අවසන් වරට පැවැත්වූ 2019 ජනාධිපතිවරයෙන් ජනතාව පත් කල ජනපතිගේ ධුර කාලය වන වසර 6 කට කලින් ජනපති ධුරය සදහා ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්විය නොහැක. එමනිසා වර්තමාන ජනපති සිය ධුරයේ 2025 නොවැම්බර් වන තුරු රැදී සිටිය යුතුය. ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්විය හැක්කේ ඉන් අනතුරුවයි. යම් හෙයකින් වර්තමාන ජනපති සිය කැමැත්තෙන් ධුර කාලය වසර 5 කින් අවසන් කලද ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්වීමට මැතිවරණ කොමිසමට ව්‍යවස්ථානුකුල බලයක් නොමැත. එවන් අවස්ථාවක සිදු කල හැක්කේ පාර්ලිමේන්තුව් මගින් ඉදිරි වසර සදහා ජනපතිවරයෙකුව තෝරා පත් කර ගැනීමයි. ඒ අනුප්‍රාප්තික ජනපතිවරයෙකුට තම ධුර කාලය දීරඝ කර ගැනීමේ අරමුණෙන් වසර 6 පුරණ වීමට පෙර  ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්වීමට කටයුතු කල නොහැකි බැවිනි.. මේ අනුව  මැතිවරණ කොමිසමට 2025 වසරෙහි මිස ඉන් පෙරාතුව ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්විය නොහැකියි.

යම් හෙයකින් 2024 වසරේ ජනපතිවරණයක් පැවැත්වීමට අවශ්‍යතාවක් ඇත්නම් කලයුත්තේ පළමුව 19 වන ව්‍යවස්ථා  සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත අරභයා ජනමතවිචාරණයක් පවත්වා එය ජනතාව අනුමත කළහොත් ඉන් පසුව 19 වන ව්‍යවස්ථා  සංශෝධන කෙටුම්පත නීතියක් ලෙස සම්මත වූ බවට ජනාධිපති අත්සන් තැබීමයි. එවිට එම නව නිතිය අනුව ජනපති ධුර කාලය වසර 5 ක් වන  බැවින් එවිට 2024 වසරේදී අවශ්‍ය පරිදි ජනපතිවරණය පැවැත්වීම කල හැකි වනු ඇත. එහෙත් එහිදීද වෙනත් ව්‍යවස්ථාපිත ගැටළුවක් පැන නැගෙන නමුත් ලිපිය කෙටි කිරීමේ අරමුණින් මෙහිදී ඒ ගැන සාකච්චා නොකරමු.

මෙම කරණය පිලිබදව අප විසින් 2018 වසරේ සිට ලිපි රාශියක් පල කර ඇති අතර මේ පිලිබදව එකල නීතිපතිට, ජනපතිට සහ මැතිවරණ කොමිසමට ද දැනුම් දී තිබුණි. ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරනයටද පසුව ආ ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනයක් පිළිබදව විමසන අවස්ථාවේ මෙම ප්‍රශ්නය පිළිබද කරුණු දැක්වීමට ඉදිරිපත් වුවද කතානායකට ලබාදෙන පිටපතෙහි අඩුවක් තිබෙන බව පවසා නීතිපති විසින් එම අවස්ථාවට් විරුද්ධ වූ නිසා ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ව්‍යවස්ථාවෙහි ඇති නීති විරෝධී ස්වභාවය නිවැරදි කිරීමේ අවස්ථාවක් අපටත් පොදුවේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවාසි ජනතාවටත් අහිමි විය..

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ව්‍යවස්ථාව  අරථ  දැක්වීමේ බලය ඇත්තේ නොඑසේනම්  යම්කිසි කාරණයක් ව්‍යවස්තානුකුලද නැතිනම් ව්‍යවස්ථාවට පටහැනිද යන්න ප්‍රකසහ කල යුත්තේ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණයයි. එසේම ව්‍යවස්ථාව වෙනස් කිරීමේ හෝ වෙනයම් පනතක් නීතියක් ලෙස පාර්ලිමේන්තුව තුල සම්මත කල හැක්කේ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය ලබා දී ඇති තීරණ වලට අනුකුලව පමණයි. .  ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය විසින් යම් කිසි ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනයක් සදහා ජනමතවිචාරණයක් අවශ්‍යයි තීරණය කර ඇත්නම් පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට වෙනත් උපක්‍රම භාවිතයෙන් හෝ අතපසුවීම් නිසා හෝ එම සංශෝධනය ජනමතවිචරනයකින් තොරව ව්‍යවස්ථාවට ඇතුල් කර නීතියක් බවට පත් කල නොහැකියි. එවැන්නක් කිරීම ජනතා පරමධිපත්‍ය උල්ලංගනය කිරීමක්, ව්‍යවස්ථාව උල්ලංගනය කිරීමක් සහ ව්‍යවස්ථාපිත  යුතුකම පැහැර හැරීමක් ද වේ. එවන් ක්‍රියාවක් හිතාමතා යම් පාර්ලිමේන්තුවක් සිදු කරන්නේනම් එම පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ කතානායක, කැබිනෙට් මණ්ඩලය, සහ සියලුම මන්ත්‍රී වරු  ජනතා පරමධිපත්‍ය උල්ලංගනය කිරීමක්, ව්‍යවස්ථාව උල්ලංගනය කිරීමක් සහ ව්‍යවස්ථාපිත  යුතුකම පැහැර  හැරීමක් කරන්නන් වේ. යම් කිසි පාර්ලිමේන්තුවක් එවැනි වරදක් අතපසුවීමකින් හෝ චේතාන්විතව නොවී හෝ සිදු කර ඇත්නම් එම වරද දන ගත් වහාම එය නිවැරදි නොකරන්නේනම් එම නිසාද ඔවුන් ව්‍යවස්ථාපිත  යුතුකම පැහැර හැරීමක් කරන්නන් වේ.

26.06.2024

ධර්මන් වික්‍රමරත්න

පෞද්ගලික වෛද්‍ය විද්‍යාලයට එරෙහි සටන 1987 මාර්තු 18 සටන පටන් ගනී. මෙහි ලොකුම සටන ඇති වුණේ අම්බලන්ගොඩ කහව පද්මසිරි ත්‍රීමාවිතාරණ ඝාතනයයි. ඒක සිද්ධ වුණේ 1988 ඔක්තෝබර් 22 රත්නපුරේදී. එකම දින එකම මොහොතක පැහැරගැනීමට සහ ඝාතනයට ලක්වූ තිදෙනා වන වෛද්‍ය සිසු ත්‍රීමාවිතාන, ඔරුවල වානේ සංස්ථාවේ රංජිත් පෙරේරා සහ ඇඹිලිපිටිය කඩදාසි කම්හලේ ගබඩා අංශයේ බී.ඩී බන්දුවර්ධන සේවයේ යෙදී සිටියේය. අවසානයේ පෞද්ගලික වෛද්‍ය විද්‍යාල සටනට ක්‍රියාකාරීව මැදිහත් වුණු පේරාදෙණිය(22), රුහුණ(2) හා කොළඹ(9) වෛද්‍ය සිසුන් 33 ක් ඝාතනය වුණා. ත‍්‍රීමාවිතාන ඝාතනය කළේයැයි චෝදනා ලැබූ පිරිසෙන් සිව්දෙනෙකු කැරලිකරුවන් විසින් රත්නපුරේ දොරේකන්දේදී ඝාතනය කරන ලදී. රියදුරු සංඝදාස පමණක් එහිදී දිවි බේරාගැනීමට සමත් විය. මේ ඒ කතාවය…. @ මෙම youtube නාලිකාව අසුව දශකයේ ධවල භීෂණය පිළිබඳව සත්‍ය තොරතුරු ගෙන එන්නකි.

අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මාධ්‍ය අංශය

 අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරයා මේ බව සඳහන් කළේ  දිවයින පුරා විමධ්‍යගත අයවැය වැඩසටහන,විශේෂ ව්‍යාපෘති, උරුමය වැඩසටහන සහ කඳුකර දශකය වැඩසටහනේ  ප්‍රගතිය විමසා බැලීම සඳහා 2024.06.27 දින ස්වදේශ කටයුතු අමාත්‍යාංශයේ පැවති විශේෂ සාකච්ඡාවකට එක්වෙමිනි.  
විමධ්‍යගත අයවැය වැඩසටහනේ සම්පූර්ණ ව්‍යාපෘති ගණන 33 362ක් වන අතර ඒසඳහා වෙන්කළ මුළු මුදල රුපියල් මිලියන 11250කි.  දැනටමත් දිස්ත්‍රික්ක වෙත නිදහස් කර ඇති මුළු මුදල රුපියල් මිලියන 11 022ක් වන අතර එය ප්‍රතිශතයක් ලෙස එය 97.98% කි. නිදහස් කිරීමට ඉතිරි ප්‍රතිපාදන ප්‍රමාණය රුපියල් මිලියන 227කි.
මෙහිදී අදහස් දැක් වූ අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරයා –
මෙම වැඩසටහන ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමේ ප්‍රධාන වගකීම දිසාපතිවරුන් සතුයි. ඔබත් අපත් ඒ වගේම විශේෂයෙන් ජනාධිපතිතුමා පත් කළ කමිටුවත් මාස තුනක් පුරා යෙදුණු සාකච්ඡාවල ප්‍රතිඵල සමාලෝචනය කිරීමටයි අද එක්වන්නේ. අනුගමනය කළ යුතු සාම්ප්‍රදායික විමධ්‍යගත ප්‍රතිපාදන වෙන් කිරීම ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමේ පිළිවෙතින් සම්පූර්ණයෙන් බැහැර වී පසුගිය දවස් 45 තුළ ජනාධිපතිතුමා ඒ සඳහා අපට ගමන් කිරීමට ඉඩකඩ ලබා දුන්නා. ඒ අනුව දිස්ත්‍රික් ලේකම්වරු, දිස්ත්‍රික්  සංවර්ධන කමිටු සභාපතිවරු,  ප්‍රාදේශීය සංවර්ධන කමිටු සභාපතිවරු අන්තර්ගතව මෙම වැඩපිළිවෙළ මෙහෙයවීමට අවශ්‍ය ප්‍රතිපාදන ලබා දී තිබෙනවා.
තොරතුරු නිවැරදිද, සම්පූර්ණ වී තිබෙනවාද කියන දේ භාරවෙන්නේ ඔබ සියලු දෙනාටයි. විමධ්‍යගත   වැඩසටහනේ ප්‍රාථමිකය ක්‍රියාත්මක කර ගැනීමට ප්‍රමාදයක් තිබෙනවා. එක සාමාන්‍ය ස්වභාවය. කලින් යෝජනා කර, නිර්දේශ කොට අනුමත කිරීම කළ හැකි නම් ඒවා ක්‍රියාත්මක කරන ආයතන හැටියට එලෙසම කඩිනමින් ක්‍රියාත්මක කරවා ගත යුතුයි. මේ වෙලාවේ අපි ඉක්මනින් අපට භාණ්ඩ  ලබාගන්න පුළුවන්. ඉදිකිරීම් වල ඉංජිනේරු සහතිකය වැනි රාශියක් තිබෙනවා. මේ සියලු වැඩසටහන් ඉවර වුණාට පස්සේ තමයි ක්‍රියාත්මකද නැද්ද කියලා බලන්න වෙන්නේ. මෙම වැඩසටහන් පිළිබඳ සියලු වාර්තා ඉතා පැහැදිලිව ලබාදීමට දිසාපතිවරුන් කටයුතු කළ යුතුයි.
සංවර්ධනය කරමින් තිබී නවතා දැමූ මහා මාර්ග යළි සංවර්ධනය කිරීම ආරම්භ කළා. මේ වැඩසටහන් පිළිබඳ සහයෝගය මදි කියන එක ප්‍රකාශ කරන්න වෙනවා. සියලු බිම් මට්ටමේ තොරතුරු තියෙන්නේ දිසාපතිවරුන්ගේ අතේ. ගිය මාසෙම වැඩ කරන්න බැහැ කිව්වා වැස්ස කියලා. දැන් කියනවා දුවන වැස්සක් කියලා. සෑම දිසාපතිවරයෙක්ම පවතින යථා තත්ත්වය වාර්තා කරන්න.  
රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය අශෝක ප්‍රියන්ත, අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය  ලේකම් අනුර දිසානායක, රාජ්‍ය පරිපාලන අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් ප්‍රදීප් යසරත්න, නාගරික සංවර්ධන අමාත්‍යාංශ ලේකම් එස්. සත්‍යානන්දන්, අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය සම්බන්ධීකරණ නිලධාරී කේ.ජී විජේසිරි, මෙම අවස්ථාවට සහභාගී වූ අතර දිස්ත්‍රික්  ලේකම්වරුන් සූම්   (Zoom) තාක්ෂණය ඔස්සේ මෙම අවස්ථාවට එක්වූ අතර  භාණ්ඩාගාර නිලධාරීන්, උරුමය සහ කඳුකර ප්‍රගතිය වැඩසටහන්වල ජනාධිපති විශේෂ කමිටු සමාජිකයින්,  මෙම අවස්ථාවට සහභාගී වූහ.
අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මාධ්‍ය අංශය

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

A group of disabled war heroes retired on medical grounds while in active service met the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo on June 26 to discuss several issues they face.

The veterans while expressing their views requested the State Minister to make necessary arrangements to increase their disability allowance from the present 10 percent to 20 percent.

The State Minister responding to their request said that the government is incurring a huge expenditure in paying their salaries and allowances for the duration of their lives, paying the salaries and allowances of disabled war heroes after their death to their families and paying salaries and allowances to the spouses of war heroes who die after the age of 55 years. He emphasized that these payments will be continued in the future as well. He also said that he expects to look into the matter regarding any discrepancies of salaries of these war heroes after looking into the statistics and discussing them with the relevant officials.

Several officials from the Defence Ministry were also present at the discussion.

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

The Defence Advisor (DA) for the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka Colonel Amanda Johnston and the Commanding Officer of Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), Government of Australia, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Webbe, visited the Institute of National Security Studies on 27^th June 2024. The Director of Media (Ministry of Defence) and Overlooking Director General and Acting Director Research of the Institute of National Security Studies Colonel Nalin Hearth RSP, warmly welcomed the delegation. Subsequently, a round table discussion was conducted with the participation of visiting delegation at the Institute of National Security Studies. Also, Director (Administration) of the Institute of National Security Studies Ms Nilmini Ulluwishewa and members of the Institute of National Security Studies, participated in the discussion.

Beginning of the discussion the Director Media (Ministry of Defence) and Overlooking Director General and Acting Director Research of the Institute of National Security Studies Colonel Nalin Hearth RSP, RSP explained Sri Lankan Military Force’s contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operations since the year 1952. In particular, the discussion was more focused on topics of the Exchange of ideas on Australia and Sri Lanka’s approach to UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKO) and the exchange of ideas on Australia and Sri Lanka’s interactions with INGOs including de-mining organisations. Also, during the discussion consideration was given to the Exchange of ideas on Australia and Sri Lanka’s approach to Women’s Peace and Security issues under UNSC Resolution 1325. Indeed, during the discussion special emphasis was given to seeking strategic-level opportunities to more strengthen the Australia-Sri Lanka security relations.

On completion of the round table discussion, the Defence Advisor (DA) for the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka Colonel Amanda Johnston appreciated the Sri Lankan Military Force’s contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the Defence Advisor elaborated Government of Australia’s continuous support for the Sri Lankan armed forces in future as well. Finally, the Director Media (Ministry of Defence) and Overlooking Director General and Acting Director Research of the Institute of National Security Studies Colonel Nalin Hearth RSP, RSP expressed sincere gratitude with thanks for the visiting delegation of the Government of Australia and highlighted the success of the bilateral initiatives for counter illegal migration and importance of strengthening the by lateral relationship in future as well. Also, the new edition of Defence Review Magazine published by the Institute of National Security Studies was presented to the delegation.    

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe was declared as the common candidate of the United National Party led front

As the presidential elections draw near, uncertainty still looms large over the possible contenders except for two prospective candidates- Anura Kumara Dissanayake of   National People’s Power (NPP) and Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya who have already announced their candidature.
What is currently happening is nothing but political strategising, maneuvering and groundwork preparation for the elections.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not yet declared whether he will be a candidate or not. Still, all indications from his political camp point to his prospect of contesting as a common candidate.

The concept of a ‘common candidate’ in Sri Lankan politics refers to a political strategy where a candidate runs for office without being directly affiliated with a political party. Instead, the candidate is supported by a coalition of political groups and individuals who come together despite their different political ideologies. The goal is to present a united front, often to challenge a dominant political party or figure, and to appeal to a broader spectrum of the electorate by emphasising shared goals and values over party loyalty.

Broader consensus 

This approach can be particularly effective in a situation where no single party has overwhelming support, allowing the possibility of building a broader consensus and attracting voters who might not align strictly with one party’s platform.
Political strategists who work on the President’s election campaign are currently in the process of cobbling together an alliance. Buoyed by the success story of debt restructuring, the President will formally announce his electoral prospects soon.   Nevertheless,   in the formation of his alliance, he is currently faced with challenges in reconciling competing interests.

Already, he has secured the support of two Tamil parties – Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC). A section of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has also thrown its weight behind him. Also, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by Nimal Siripala de Silva and directed behind the scenes by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is also on board with him.  However, his camp is now confronted with the challenge of striking a deal with the SLPP organised by its founder Basil Rajapaksa and led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In the aftermath of the Aragalaya, the SLPP and the President joined forces to form the current government. It was a political marriage of convenience warranted under the circumstances rather than a reconciliation of political ideologies and interests.

At a recent meeting, Basil Rajapaksa lashed out at those who advocated the exclusion of the Rajapaksas in the formation of an alliance with the SLPP. The call for the exclusion of Rajapaksas appears to have created a tiff with the President’s camp.  
The SLPP has now begun working to field its candidate instead of supporting the President at the election. This is a new development which will further exacerbate political uncertainties involving the upcoming presidential elections. 

Double-edged sword 

The prospect of the Rajapaksas participating in the election is a double-edged sword. While their involvement could secure a strong base vote, it may also alienate Tamil and Muslim voters, crucial for any candidate’s success. The ability to attract minority parties and their supporters is pivotal. These groups can significantly influence the outcome, particularly in a fragmented electoral scenario. 

Political strategists are keenly aware of the delicate balance required. The President’s camp must weigh the potential gains from minority party support against the risks of losing the SLPP base. The SLPP’s consideration of an independent candidate might be a tactic to negotiate better terms with Wickremesinghe’s alliance. 
The influence of minority parties can be significant in a closely contested election. The ability of these parties to mobilise votes in their respective communities can tip the scales in certain electoral districts. Still, the SLPP too has a base that can matter a lot in a closely contested election.   

Ahead of the election, it is apparent that all the main parties court Tamil and Muslim constituents. The President, Premadasa and NPP leader Dissanayake toured the North and engaged with party representatives there.  Power sharing, the implementation of the 13th Amendment, the possible re-merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces and addressing human rights issues linked to wartime were among the main issues that used to swing Tamil votes in favour of any candidate in the past. The President and Premadasa are clear on the implementation of the 13th Amendment which is anyway part of the Constitution. However, Dissanayake is not clear on any of these issues making it difficult for him to convince Tamil constituents. 

Political uncertainty 

Amid such political uncertainty, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also visited Sri Lanka- his first in the region after assuming office for the second time- at a time when the country’s political scene is replete with a flurry of activities in view of the presidential elections. 
In the wake of the economic crisis and the subsequent declaration of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy in April, 2022, Indo-Lanka ties reached an all-time high. The extension of US $ 4 billion financial assistance and the launch of connectivity projects are the main pillars of bilateral ties today.  His visit is mainly for the understanding of Sri Lankan politics ahead of the vital elections and to ensure that the vital projects, which are now at various stages of implementation, are carried out unhindered by any incoming government.
The upcoming presidential election is marked by strategic alliances, the balancing of minority and majority interests, and significant external influences. The interplay of these factors will shape the electoral strategies and potentially determine the next president.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, June 28 (Daily Mirror) – Former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who has been jailed for 3 years by the High Court of Colombo for her involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender, is expected to seek bail from the Colombo High Court.

President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda, appearing for Hirunika Premachandra, informed the Colombo High Court that the defense is expecting to file for bail pending appeal for the accused. 

The defense can seek bail in terms of Section 20(2) of the Bail Act (No. 30 of 1997), requesting the release of the accused on bail since an appeal has been filed against the conviction.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, June 28 (Daily Mirror) – The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has conducted a widespread operation resulting in the apprehension of 137 Indian nationals suspected of being involved in a large-scale online financial scam across multiple locations in the country.

According to Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa, the arrests took place in Negombo, Kochchikade, Madiwela (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte), and Thalangama (Battaramulla).

In Negombo, 55 suspects were detained along with 55 mobile phones and 29 computers seized. Similarly, in Kochchikade, authorities apprehended 53 individuals and confiscated 31 computers and 58 mobile phones

The operation in Madiwela led to the arrest of 13 suspects and recovery of 8 laptops and 38 mobile phones, while in Thalangama, 16 suspects were taken into custody with 8 laptops and 38 mobile phones recovered.

Accordingly, a total of 158 mobile phones, 16 laptops, and 60 computers were seized from the suspects.

All the arrested suspects are males, said the Spokesman

Courtesy Adaderana

Under the Aswesuma” Welfare Benefit Payment Program, the Welfare Benefits Board has disbursed a total of Rs. 11.6 billion to the bank accounts of 622,495 beneficiaries in the transitional and vulnerable categories yesterday (27) for the payments of June 2024.

In the first phase of the program, eligible beneficiaries in the vulnerable category received Rs. 5,000 from July 2023 to March 31, 2024. Meanwhile, those in the transitional category received Rs. 2,500 from July 2023 to December 31, 2023.

In response to the current economic situation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Welfare Benefits Board to extend the payment period of special allowances for beneficiaries in the transitional and vulnerable categories under the Aswesuma” Welfare Benefit Payment Program until December this year, the President’s Media Division said.

As part of this initiative, a special allowance was disbursed to these categories for June 2024, followed by monthly payments of Rs. 5,000 each from July 2024 to December 2024.

Additionally, Mr. Jayantha Wijeratne, Chairman/Commissioner of the Welfare Benefits Board, confirmed that the existing payment system for the extremely poor and poor categories will continue without changes.

Courtesy The Hindu

​India’s fisherfolk must be weaned away from bottom trawling

The resumption of fishing off India’s eastern coast including the Palk Bay, after the annual 61-day ban on fishing, has led to the death of a sailor from the Sri Lanka Navy. The Sri Lankan Navy had carried out an operation on June 25 morning to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers” in Sri Lankan waters off Kankesanthurai, near Jaffna. A trawler-vessel was impounded and 10 fishermen apprehended, of whom eight were from Tamil Nadu and the rest from Andhra Pradesh. There have also been several cases of Indian (Tamil Nadu) fishermen dying too. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, sought the intervention of the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, in releasing the vessel and the men. In his reply sent to the Chief Minister on Thursday, Mr. Jaishankar said the Indian High Commission had been seeking the early release of 34 fishermen in judicial remand and six others who were serving sentences.

This is an opportunity for the two countries to revive the negotiation process, exclusively to deal with the fisheries dispute, which became aggravated in the wake of the 1974 and 1976 bilateral agreements to demarcate their maritime boundary lines. Mr. Stalin has done well to remind Mr. Jaishankar to convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group, last held (virtually) over two years ago. The acts of Indian fishermen crossing the international maritime boundary line are clearly illegal; factors relating to protection of livelihood opportunities cannot be delinked from the importance of the preservation of the marine ecosystem. A gradual replacement of bottom trawlers being used by the Tamil Nadu fishermen is a must, but the fisherfolk require time to prepare for diversification — deep sea fishing, marine cage farming, seaweed cultivation and processing, and sea ranching. The experiences of the deep sea fishing project, being executed by the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, are clear enough to conclude that it is a failure. After nearly seven years of implementation, only 61 deep sea fishing vessels have been handed over to beneficiaries, with 19 more under construction. It would be thoughtful if the Union government clubs the project with an all-India programme, where the unit cost of a deep sea fishing vessel is ₹40 lakh higher, at least to get a better response even at this stage. The unit cost of a deep sea fishing vessel under the Central-State project is ₹80 lakh. New Delhi and Colombo can devise additional schemes to help the Northern Province’s fishermen even more. But what is more important is that the two countries, representatives of the fishing community and officials from Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province should meet soon to find a way out of the dispute.

Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lanka’s agreements with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion in bilateral debt brought it a step closer towards restoring debt sustainability, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday.

The island nation signed deals with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion in bilateral debt on Wednesday, helping it approach the end of a restructuring process that began in September 2022 after its reserves hit record lows and forced it to default on foreign debt for the first time.

Sri Lankan officials in Paris inked the agreement with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) co-chaired by Japan, India and France that have lent a combined $5.8 billion.

The committee is now awaiting details of a separate agreement that was signed with China EXIM Bank to rework $4.2 billion to be shared with them to ensure comparability of treatment, OCC said in a statement.

Sri Lanka, however, still needs to convince bondholders to restructure about $12.5 billion in international bonds.

We hope that there will be swift progress on reaching agreements with external private creditors in the near future,” Peter Breuer, IMF’s senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, said in a statement.

Bilateral lenders said they hoped an agreement with bondholders would be on terms at least as favourable as the terms offered by the OCC.”

The restructuring of bilateral debt agreements was one of the key conditions set by the IMF under a $2.9 billion bailout programme that helped Sri Lanka tame inflation, stabilise its currency, and improve government finances.

The central bank estimates the economy will expand 3% in 2024 after contracting 2.3% last year.

Sri Lanka, whose total external debt is $37 billion, also has to finalise arrangements with China Development Bank to restructure debt of $2.2 billion, according to latest finance ministry data.

Under the restructuring plan, Sri Lanka can delay repaying bilateral creditors till 2028. During this period, the government and creditors can arrange new loans out to 2043.

Once the restructuring is completed, Sri Lanka aims to reduce its debt by $16.9 billion, the government said.

It will seek approval from parliament on July 2 to proceed with the deals, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during an address to the nation late on Wednesday.

The debt restructuring will help the cash-strapped nation more than halve its foreign debt repayments to 4.5% of gross domestic product between 2027-2032, from 9.2% in 2022 at the peak of the economic crisis.

But the country has to still improve governance and stay on the path of reforms, including implementing legislation to lock in IMF-stipulated fiscal targets, impose a property tax, and limit lending by state banks to loss making state-run companies, according to analysts.

Recovery could also face headwinds from upcoming presidential elections scheduled to be held before mid-October.

There is now the chance Sri Lanka can access undisbursed loans from bilateral lenders, particularly for infrastructure projects that were stalled, or get new loans,” said Thilina Panduwawala, head of research at Frontier Research.

But it could be next year by the time they get these up and running because elections can also delay that process.”

Source: Reuters
–Agencies

BY BINOY KAMPMARK Courtesy counterpunch

Image by Samuel Regan-Asante.

One of the longest sagas of political persecution is coming to its terminus. That is, if you believe in final chapters. Nothing about the fate of Julian Assange seems determinative. His accusers and inquisitors will draw some delight at the plea deal reached between the WikiLeaks founder’s legal team and the US Department of Justice. Others, such as former US Vice President, Mike Pence, thought it unjustifiably lenient.

Alleged to have committed 18 offences, 17 novelly linked to the odious Espionage Act, the June 2020 superseding indictment against Assange was a frontal assault on the freedoms of publishing and discussing classified government information. At this writing, Assange has arrived in Saipan, located in the US commonwealth territory of Northern Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific, to face a fresh indictment. It was one of Assange’s conditions that he would not present himself in any court in the United States proper, where, with understandable suspicion, he might legally vanish.

Full Report

The Release of Julian Assange: Plea Deals and Dark Legacies – CounterPunch.org

තිස්ස ගුණතිලක

අපි සද්ධර්මය තුලම තියෙන සුළු සුළු කාරනා කිපයක් පැහැදිලි කරගනිමු. එය සද්ධර්මය තේරුම් අරගෙන ඉදිරියට යන්න පහසු වේවි.

බුදුන්වහන්සේ ‘සද්ධම්මෝ පරම දුල්ලභෝ – ධම්මපදය’ යයි පැවසුවේ සද්ධර්මය ඇසීමට ලැබීම ඉතාමත් අසීරු නිසයි. එහෙනම් උදේ හවස අපට රේඩියෝ එකෙන් ටෙලිවිශන් එකෙන් ඇහෙන්නේ සද්ධර්මය වෙන්න බැහැ. එය ඇසීම එතරම්ම දුල්ලභ කාරනයක් බවයි බුදුන්වහන්සේ දේශනා කලේ. 

අපිට එහෙනම් උදේ සවස ඇසෙන බන මොනවාද බලමු?

1. එක බනක ඉපදීම නිසා දුක ඇතිවෙන බවත් ඒ නිසා නැවත ඉපදීම නැවැත්විය යුතු බව කියනවා.
2. තවත් බනක විපාක දෙන කර්මයක් ගැන කියනව.
3. තවත් බනක අද්භූත බල විශ්වාසයක් ගැන කියනවා. ගස් ගල් වලින් යම් යම් දේවල් ඉල්ලනව. දෙවියන් ගෙන් දේවල් ඉල්ලනවා. රතන සූත්‍රය කියල අසනීප හොද කරගන්න හැකිබව කියනව. මේ කියන්නෙ අද්භූත බල ඇතිබවට විශ්වාශකරනවා කියන එකයි.
4. තවත් බනක දෙවියන් බ්‍රහ්මයින් ඇතිබවත් සතර අපායක් ගැනත් කියවෙනව. දිව්‍ය ලෝක, බ්‍රහ්ම ලෝක ආදි තිස්එක් ලෝක ධාතුවක් ගැන කියනව. මරනෙන් මතු දෙවියන් ඉන්න තැනකට යන්න පිං කරන්න කියනව.
5. තව කෙනෙක් සමත භාවනාව තුල ධ්‍යාණ වඩල රහත්වෙන ක්‍රමයක් ගැන කියනව.

අපට උදේ හවස ඇහෙන්නේ මෙන්න මේ වගේ බන. මේ බන සද්ධර්මය නම් බුදුන්වහන්සේ දේශනාකල පරිදි සද්ධර්මය එතරම් දුල්ලභ වෙන්න බැහැ. මේ බන වල කතංදර මිස සද්ධර්මය නැහැ.

1. බුදුන්වහන්සේ ‘දුල්ලභංච මනුස්සත්තං’ කියල කියා තියෙනවා. යමක් දුල්ලභ නම් ඒක තමයි ලෝකයේ තියෙන වටිනාම දෙය විය යුත්තේ. මැනික් දුල්ලභ නිසා එය වටිනාම පාශාණය වෙනව. රත්තරං දුල්ලභ නියා එය වටිනාම ලෝහය (metal) වෙනව. මනුස්සත්වයද දුල්ලභ නිසා මනුසත්වය ලෝකයේ වටිනාම සම්පත්තිය වෙනව. ඉපදීම වටිනාම සම්පත්තිය යයි දේශනාකල බුදුන්වහන්සේ ඉපදීම නැතහොත් මනුසත්වය දුකයි කියයිද?. ඉපදුනොත් විතරයි නිවන් දකින්න පුළුවන් වෙන්නෙ. නිවන්‍ දකින potential එක ප්‍රවනතාවය එහෙමත් නැතිනම් විභවය ඇතිවෙන්නේ ඉපදුනොත් විතරයි. එහෙනම් බුදුන්වහන්සේ ඉපදීම දුකයි කියයිද? ඉපදීමෙ වටිනාකම වටහාගත්ත විශාකාව වගේ සෝවාන් තත්වයට පත්වුන අය දරුවන් 30ක් මෙලොවට බිහිකලබව ධර්ම ග්‍රන්ථවල සඳහන් වෙනව. එහෙම කලේ ඉපදීම දුක හින්ද වෙන්න බැහැ.

ඔය බනේම අඩංගු වෙනව නැවත උපදින කතාවකුත්. මේ කතාව හරියටම පැහැදිලි කරගන්න වෙනව සද්ධර්ම මාවතේ ඉදිරියට යන්න. බුදුන්වහන්සේ නැවත ඉපදීමට සෘජුවම පිලිතුරු දීල තියෙනව කිප වතාවකම. හොදම තැන හම්බවෙන්නෙ ‘මහා තන්හා සංකය (සඬ්ඛය) සූත්‍රය තුල. මෙතනදි තමයි අපට කේවට්ටපුත්ත සාති හම්බවෙන්නෙ.

කේවට්ටපුත්ත සාති කිය කිය යනවා බුදුන්වහන්සේගේ තම ධර්මය තුල ‘විඤ්ඤාණය භවයෙන් භවයට සැරිසරනා බවත් එසේ සැරිසරනා විඤ්ඤාණය මිස වෙනත් විඤ්ඤානයක් නැති බවත්’ දේශනා කරනවා කියල. සූත්‍රය තුල පාලියෙන් මේක තියෙන්නෙ ‘විඤ‍්ඤාණං සන්‍ධාවති සංසරති  අනඤ්ඤන්ති’ කියල. එනම් ‘විඤ්ඤාණය continuosly transmigrate වන බවත්, අනඤ්ඤන්ති – ඒ හැර වෙනත් විඤ්ඤාණයක් නැත’ යයි බුදුන්වහන්සේ දේශනා කර ඇතැයි කේවට්ටපුත්ත සාති කියනවා. 

සත්වයා කියන්නේ ගත හා සිත යි. සිත කියන්නේ විඤ්ඤාණයම තමයි. එහෙමනම් සත්වයා කියන්නේ භෞතික ශරීරය සහ විඤ්ඤාණයේ එකතුවක්. සම්මත මරණයෙදි වෙන්නේ සිත (විඤ්ඤාණය) නවතිනවා. එතකොට කය නැතිනම් භෞතික ශරීරය වලලනවා. දැන් ඉතිරිවන විඤ්ඤාණය නැවත නැවත ඉපදින බවත් එය බුදුන්වහන්සේ දේශනා කල බවත් තමයි කේවට්ටපුත්ත සාති කියන්නේ. 

බුදුන්වහන්සේ මෙයාව කැදවල මේ බව විමසන කොට එයා ඒකම නැවත කියනවා. බුදුන්වහන්සේ කේවට්ටපුත්ත සාතිගෙන් අහනවා

 ‘මෝඝපුරුෂය, තෝ කවරක්හට නම් මා මෙසේ දහම් දෙසුවා දනිත්ද? මෝඝපුරුෂය, මා විසින් විඥානය ප්‍රත්‍යයසමුත්පන්න ය යි, ප්‍රත්‍යය විනා විඥානසම්භවයෙක් නැති යි වදාරන ලද්දේ නො වේ ද?’ ඇසු සේක.

මෙම දෙබසින් අදහස්වන්නේ බුදුන්වහන්සේගේ සද්ධර්මය තුල විඤ්ඤාණය අඛන්ඩව හෝ වෙනත් අයුරකින් transmigrate වන බවක් දේශනාකර නොමැති බව නේද? මෙම සූත්‍රය ඉතාමත් වැදගත් සූත්‍රයක් වනවා වගේම ප්‍රත්‍යයෙන් විඤ්ඤාණය හටගන්නා අයුරු ඉතාමත් ලස්සනට පැහැදිලි කරල තියෙනවා. විඤ්ඤාණය ප්‍රත්‍යවන්නේ ඇතිවන්නේ ‘පෙර නොතිබීම හටගත් ගර්භාෂක්‍රාන්තියකින් බව’ ලස්සනට පෙන්නලා තියෙනවා. ඉඩ ලැබෙන වෙලාවක මේ සූත්‍රයගැන දීර්ඝව පස්සෙ සාකච්ඡා කරමු.

එහෙනම් නැවත උපදිනවාද නැද්ද යන්න දැන් ඔබට පැහැදිලි වෙන්න ඕනෙ. නැවත උපදිනබව දෘශ්ඨියක්ම පමනක්බව මතක තබාගන්න. එම දෘශ්ඨිය භයානක, සත්‍ය වසනා දෘශ්ඨියක් බවද මතක තබාගමු.

2. ඊට පස්සෙ තවත් බනක විපාක දෙන කර්මයක් ගැන කියනවා. විපාක දෙන කර්මයත් අද්භූත බල වලටම වැටෙන සංසිද්ධියක්. 

අපි ගමනක් යනකොට අනතුරකට භාජනයවෙලා පන අදිමින් ඉන්න කෙනෙක් දැක්කා යයි සිතමු. අපි ඉක්මනින් මෙයාව ලඟ තියෙන ඉස්පිරිතාලකට අරගෙන යනවා. ඒ නිසා මොහුගේ පන බේරෙනවා යයිද සිතමු. කාලයකට පසුව අපිටද කරදරයකින් බේරෙන්න හැකි වෙනවා. දැන් හිතෙනවා අපි ඒ කරදරයෙන් බේරෙන්නේ කලින් දවසක අර පුද්ගලයාගේ ජීවිතය බේරාගන්න උදව්කල නිසායයි කියලා. විපාක දෙන කර්මය කියන්නෙ මෙන්න මේ වගේ සංසිද්ධියකට. මෙය අද්භූත බලයක් නෙමෙයිද? එදා අර පුද්ගලයාගේ ජීවිතය බේරුනේ ඔබ ‘හරි වෙලාවට හරි තැන’ හිටිය නිසයි. මේකත් හරියට ඔබ ‘වැරදි වෙලාවක වැරදි තැනක’ හිටියොත් ටිපර් එකක් ඇවිල්ල ඔබව යටකරගෙන ගිහිල්ල ඔබගේ ජීවිතය නැතිවෙනවා වැනි ස්වභාවික සංසිද්ධියක්. එවැනි ස්වභාවික සංසිද්ධීන් විපාක දෙන කර්මයක් ආස්‍රයෙන් පැහැදිලි කිරීමට උත්සාහ කරනකොට තමයි මේ පැටලවිල්ල සිද්දවෙන්නෙ. කෙසේ වෙතත් විපාකදෙන කර්මය නිඝංඨ දහමේ අරටුව බවත් මතක තබාගන්න.

බුදුන්වහන්සේත් එදා සමාජයේ භාවිතාවුන වචන සද්ධර්මය පැහැදිලි කිරීමට යොදාගත්තා. එදා බුදුන්වහන්සේ ධර්මය දේශනාකලේ නිඝංඨ, ජටිල, බ්‍රහ්මණ ආදීවූ පිරිසටයි. බෞද්ධයින් හිටියේ නැහැනෙ බුදුන්වහන්සේගේ මුල් කාලයෙ. ඉතින් මේ නිඝංඨයින්ට ජටිලයින්ට තේරෙන භාෂාවෙන් සද්ධර්මය පැහැදිලි කිරීමට එදා ජන සමාජයේ විශේෂයෙන් තාපස (ascetic) සමාජයේ භාවිතාවුන වචන බුදුන්වහන්සේ යොදාගත්තා. හැබැයි වෙනස් අර්ථ වලින්. උදාහරනයක් හැටියට බුදුන්වහන්සේ ‘හේතු ඵලය’ නැතිනම් ‘ප්‍රත්‍යයෙන් උපදින’ බව පැහැදිලි කරන්න ‘කර්මය හා විපාකය’ කියන වචන දෙක යොදාගත්තා. උදාහරනයක් හැටියට, කර්මය ‘උත්සාහයෙන් වන ක්‍රියාවට’ ප්‍රත්‍ය හැටියටද විපාකය ‘නූත්සාහයෙන් වන ක්‍රියාවට’ ප්‍රත්‍ය ලෙසද ‘පඨ්ඨාණප්‍රකරණයේ’ සූවිසි ප්‍රත්‍ය පැහැදිලි කරන කොට කියල තියෙනවා. එතකොට එහෙනම් සද්ධර්මය ඇතුලෙ කර්මය සහ විපාකය අරගෙන තියෙන්නෙ ප්‍රත්‍යයක් හැටියට මිස විපාක දෙන කර්මයක් හැටියට නෙමෙයි.

එසේනම් ‘විපාකදෙන කර්මයක්’ සද්ධර්මය තුල හමුනොවෙයි.

3.අද්භූත බල ගැන කියවෙන බනත් මේවගේම තමයි. දෙවියන් බ්‍රහ්මයින් ඉන්නවා නෙමේ, ඒවා අපේ සිතේ පෙර මතකයේ තැන්පත් වෙච්ච නැතිනම් කවුරුහරි දාපු දත්ත (data) ඇසුරෙන් මැවෙන දේවල්. අපි පන්සල්වල බිත්තිවල ඇදපු දේව රූප දැකල ඒවා මතකයේ store කරගෙන ඉන්නවා. ඒ රූප කලින්කලට මනො සංකාර වෙලා දෙවියන් ඉන්නවා කියලා හිතෙනවා. දෙවියන් කියන්නෙම සිතේ මැවෙන රූපයක්, සිතුවිල්ලක් පමනයි. ඉතින් තමන්ගේම මනසේ මැවෙන රූපයකින් පිහිට ආධාර ඉල්ලන එක විහිළුවක් නෙමෙයිද?

රතන සූත්‍රය කියපුවහම ලෙඩ හොද වෙනවා කියලා මතයක් තියෙනවා. කවුරුහරි කියලා තියෙනව බුදුන්වහන්සේ රතන සූත්‍රය දේශනා කලේ විශාලා මහනුවර තුන්බිය දුරුකරන්න කියලා. ඉතින් රතන සූත්‍රය පැහැදිලි කරගන්න හදනවා භූත බිය ඇතුලෙ ඉදලා.

රතන සූත්‍රය වගේ මහා ගාම්භීර දේශනාවක් භූතබිය වගේ දේකට ලඝුවීම ගැන අපි ඔක්කොමල ඇත්තටම කනගාටුවෙන්න ඕනෙ.

රතන සුත්‍රය කියන්නේ සොවාන් මාර්ගය පැහැදිලි කරන දේශනාවක්. සූත්‍රය ඇතුලෙ 1වැනි ගාථාවේ ඉදලා 8වන ගාථාව දක්වා තියෙන්නෙ ජීවිතය (අට පිලිවෙත-අශ්ඨාංගික පිලිවෙත) භවය සකස් නොවන එනම් ‘මම’ -ඉත්ථභාවය ඇතිනොවන විදිහට සකස් කරගන්නෙ කොහොමද කියලා.

එහෙම භවය සකස් නොවන විදිහට අට පිලිවෙත සකස්කර ගත්තහම;

 9 වන ගාථාවෙ කියනවා 

‘යෙ අරියසච්චානි විභාවයන්ති, ගම්භීරපඤ්ඤෙන සුදෙසිතානි;

කිඤ්චාපි තෙ හොන්ති භුසං පමත්තා, 

න තෙ භවං අට්ඨමමාදියන්ති’

ඒ අනුව යමෙක් ආර්ය දර්ශනය ප්‍රකට කරයිද

හේ 

භවය සකස් නොකරන අටමග (අශ්ඨාංගික මාර්ගය) ප්‍රගුන කරයි. ඔහුගේ සිහිය පමා නොවීමට (සෝතාපන්නයට) මෙය හේතුවෙයි.

‘න තේ භවං අට්ඨමමාදියන්ති’ කියන්නෙ අටවන භවයක් නැතිබවත් හේ හත්වන භවයේදි නිවන් දකින බවත්‍ යයි දේශනා නොකල දේශකයෙක් නැතිතරම්ය.

‘නතේ භවං අට්ඨමමදියන්ති’ යනු භවය සකස් නොවන අටපිලිවෙතයි. බුදුන්වහන්සේ සත්වයාගේ දිවි පෙවත අර්ථ දැක්වූයේ ‘අට පිලිවෙත නැතිනම් අශ්ඨාංගික මාර්ගය’ හැටියටයි. ඒක භවය සකස්කරන අට පිලිවෙතක් නම් ‘අනාර්ය අශ්ඨාංගික මාර්ගය’ හැටියටද, භවය සකස්නොකරන අට පිලිවෙත නම් ‘ආර්ය අශ්ඨාංගික මාර්ගය’ හැටියටද බුදුන්වහන්සේ අර්ථ දැක්වුවා.

රතන සූත්‍රය භූතයින් එලවීමටවත් ලෙඩ සුව කිරීමටවත් කල අද්භූත බලයක් අඩංගු දේශනාවක් නොව එය සෝතාපන්නය මාර්ගය හෙලිකරන දේශනාවකි.

4. තවත් බනක දිව්‍යලෝක දෙවියන් බ්‍රහ්මයින් වසන තිස්එක් ලෝක ධාතුවක් ගැන කියවෙනවා. දෙවියන් සිටිනවානම් ඒ අය බුදුන්වහන්සේ ගයාවේ බෝධිමූලයේදී බුද්ධත්වයට පත් වෙච්ච වෙලාවේ බුරුතු පිටින් එන්න තිබුනා. නමුත් එවෙලේ බුදුන්වහන්සේ අසල කිසිකෙනෙක්‍ සිටියේ නැත.  සත්සතිය ගතකරල කැලෑවෙන් එලියට එනවිට කිසිම සත්වයෙක් හෝ උන්වහන්සේ අසල සිටි බවක් ධර්මග්‍රන්ථවල සටහනක් වත් නැහැ.

‘බුද්ධත්වය’ තමයි ලෝකයේ මෙතෙක් ඇතිවුන උතුම්ම සංසිද්ධිය. එහෙම වෙලාවක දෙවියන් බඹුන් මේ චක්‍රාවාටයේ සිටියානම් ඔවුන් බුරුතු පිටින් රැස්වෙන්න මෙය හොඳම අවස්තාව නොවෙයිද?

තනිවම මහමග වඩිනා උන්වහන්සේට හමුවූයේ එකම එක පුද්ගලයෙක් පමනයි. උපක නම්වූ ආජීවකයා බුදුන්වහන්සේගේ ශාන්ත විලාසය දැකලා වික්ශිප්තවෙලා ‘ඔබ කවුදැයි’ විමසුවා. බුදුන්වහන්සේ  ‘ඔබ මේ දකින්නේ බුද්ධ ස්වභාවය’ බව පැවසුවා. දෙවියන් මේ උතුම් වෙලාවේ හිටියෙ කොහේද? තිස්එක් ලෝක ධාතුවම නිදිද?

5. සමතය ප්‍රකට කරගෙන බන කියන අයද ඉන්නවා. සමත භාවනාව එදා දඹදිව ප්‍රචලිත භාවනා ක්‍රමයක්. සිදුහත් තවුසාත් ආලාර කාලාම හා උද්දකාරාම පුත්‍ර එක්ක අවුරුදු හයක් වැඩුවේ මේ සමතයම තමයි. බුදුවූනාට පස්සෙ දේශනකල ‘අර්ය පර්යේෂණ සූත්‍ර’ දේශනාවේ කියනව තමන්වහන්සේ ඔවුන් ඇසුරෙන් නික්මුනේ ‘කලකිරීමෙන්’ බව. 

ඒ වගේම, එදා සමාජය තුල තිබූ කිසිම දෙයක් තමන්වහන්සේ සොයාගත්ත සද්ධර්මය තුල අන්තර්ගතව නැතිබව දොලොස් වතාවක්ම පලමු දේශනාවේදීම බුදුන්වහන්සේ සඳහන් කරනවා. ‘පුබ්බේ අනනුස්සුතේසු ධම්මේසු’ – මාගේ ධර්මය තුල ඔබ ආරංචියකින්වත් ඇසූ කිසිවක් අඩංගු නොවේ’ යයි ධම්මචක්කපවත්වන සූත්‍ර දේශනාවෙ සඳහන් වෙනවා. එසේනම් එදා දඔදිව සමාජය තුල විශේෂයෙන්ම තාපස (ascetic) සමාජය තුල පැවති සීල හා භාවනා (සමතය) තම සද්ධර්මය තුල නොපවතින බවයි බුදුන්වහන්සේ මේ පැවසුවේ.

සමතය හරහා ධ්‍යාන වඩනා අය තවමත් කරන්නේ එදා බුදුන්වහන්සේ කලකිරීමෙන් අතහැරිය භාවනාවයි. ධ්‍යාන තුලින් අත්කරගන්න හැකි නිවනක් හෝ දුක නැතිකිරීමක් සද්ධර්මය තුල හමුවන්නේ නැත.

මෙම ලිපියේ අඩංගු කරුනු හා එම කරුනුවල දිගුවකට ඔබට ‘භවය සකස් කරන හා භවය සකස් නොකරන විඤ්ඤාණය‘ නැමති  YouTube ධර්ම සාකච්ඡාව තුලින් සවන්දිය හැකිය. එයට පිවිසීමට පහත සඳහන් link එක භාවිතා කරන්න.

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පළාත් පාලන ආයතන තුළ තාවකාලික, අනියම්, ආදේශක, කොන්ත්‍රාත් සහ සහන පදනම මත සිටින සේවකයන්ට ස්ථිර විශ්‍රාම වැටුප් සහිත පත්වීම් ලබා දීමට කැබිනට් අනුමැතිය ලැබී ඇත. ඒ, අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය සහ රාජ්‍ය පරිපාලන, ස්වදේශ කටයුතු, පළාත් සභා හා පළාත් පාලන අමාත්‍ය දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධන මහතා ඉදිරිපත් කළ අමාත්‍ය මණ්ඩල සංදේශයටකට අනුවය.

මෙමගින් දිවයින පුරා ප්‍රාදේශීය සභා, නගර සභා, මහ නගරසභා වල සේවය කරන තාවකාලික, අනියම්, ආදේශක, කොන්ත්‍රාත් සහ සහන පදනම මත සිටින 8435 දෙනෙකුට ස්ථිර පත්වීම් ලබෙනු ඇත.

එම පත්වීම් ලිපි කඩිනමින් ලබා දීම සඳහා විශේෂ සාකච්ඡාවක් අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධන මහතාගේ ප්‍රධානත්වයෙන් පාර්ලිමේන්තු සංකීර්ණයේදී  පසුගියදා පැවැත්විණි. ඒ අනුව ජූලි මාසය තුළ එම සියලු පත්වීම් ලිපි ලබා දීමට තීරණය කරන ලදී.

පළාත් සභා හා පළාත් පාලන රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය ජානක වක්කුඹුර, ස්වදේශ කටයුතු රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය අශෝක ප්‍රියන්ත, රාජ්‍ය පරිපාලන, ස්වදේශ කටයුතු, පළාත් සභා හා පළාත් පාලන අමාත්‍යංශයේ ලේකම් ප්‍රදීප් යසරත්න,  බස්නාහිර, වයඹ, උතුර ආණ්ඩුකාරවරු සහ ලේකම්වරු මෙන්ම ඌව පළාත් ප්‍රධාන ලේකම්වරියද, පළාත් සභා හා පළාත් පාලන අමාත්‍යංශයේ අතිරේක ලේකම් මහේෂි කොඩිප්පිලිආරච්චිද මෙම සාකච්ඡාවට සහභාගී වූහ. 

Courtesy Adaderana

Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera, announced that a national week for the implementation of the Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Village Program will be held from July 01st to 07th.

He also stated that the government has decided to provide free MOP fertilizer for paddy cultivation to farmers for the next two seasons.

Minister Amaraweera made these remarks during a press briefing themed Collective Path to a Stable Country”, held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday (26).

Addressing the press briefing, the minister further elaborated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has launched various programs to attract youth to the agriculture sector and as part of this effort, 160 villages across the 25 districts in the country have been selected to become Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Villages.

To support this initiative, a national week for the Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Village Program will be held from July 01 to 07. In the first phase, Rs. 10 million will be allocated for projects in each village, totalling Rs. 1,600 million, he said.

In 2022, the country faced a rice shortage and had to import 800,000 metric tons of rice and the government had to spend about USD 300 million. However, in 2023, the country was able to produce its entire rice requirement. For 2024, the national rice requirement is 4.1 million metric tons, and the total rice production in 2023 was 4.5 million metric tons, Amaraweera said. 

Our goal is to double rice cultivation over the next five cropping seasons. To achieve this, we are introducing a technical package for paddy cultivation,” said the minister. 

He added that in order to increase the productivity of paddy cultivation, special programs will be implemented to boost rice yield across 100,000 hectares in various areas. Recent years have seen an increase in crop damage due to climatic effects, he pointed out.

Minister Amaraweera further stated that they have not yet achieved self-sufficiency in egg and milk production. Poultry and cattle farming have been impacted by the decline in maize production used for animal feed, resulting from the fertilizer shortage in 2021.

The national maize requirement in the country is 600,000 metric tons. In the Maha” season of 2023, maize production increased to 221,249 metric tons.

He further said: We have launched a new program to boost egg production. In the next two months, 160,000 chicks will be distributed to entrepreneurs in 160 Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Villages.

Additionally, we are addressing the rise in the price of coconut oil in the market.

Currently, the government charges Rs.150 per liter of imported coconut oil. As the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, I will propose a reduction of this amount to the Cabinet. The Coconut Development Authority states that the country’s annual coconut oil requirement is 25,868 metric tons, and currently, there are 51,457 metric tons of coconut oil available.

Furthermore, the increase in fertilizer prices has impacted other crops, including paddy.

As a result, we requested the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to obtain MOP fertilizer. The organization has agreed to supply 55,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer. The government will distribute fertilizer free of charge to farmers for paddy cultivation for the upcoming two seasons.

Additionally, we have arranged fertilizer subsidies used in tea cultivation. Government-owned fertilizer companies are producing tea fertilizer and offering it at a 50% discount compared to market prices. The expenditure on this fertilizer subsidy amounts to Rs.12 billion”, said Minister Amaraweera.

–PMD

Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lanka Navy says that the 10 Indian fishermen who were arrested while poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kankesanthurai in the early hours of Tuesday (25) will also face charges for causing the death of a naval person and for causing damage to naval property.

The Sri Lanka Navy had conducted a special operation off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna in the wee hours of June 25, to seize an Indian fishing trawler poaching in Sri Lankan waters. 

During this operation, a senior sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler, resisting its seizure, the navy said. 

Unfortunately, the senior sailor succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The seized Indian trawler along with the 10 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they were handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal proceedings. 

The Kankesanthurai Police has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking prosecution of ten Indian fishermen. They face charges for illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, causing the death of a naval person during the operation and for causing damage to naval property, the navy said.

On 25th June, the Jaffna Magistrate conducted a post-mortem examination of the deceased senior sailor. The examination determined that the sailor’s death was an accident, resulting from spinal code damage.

The body of the deceased senior sailor was handed over to the next of kin for last rites last morning (26) while his funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held today (27) in Ibbagamuwa with full honours of the Navy. 

Following the tragic loss of this senior sailor during active duty, the Commander of the Navy posthumously promoted him to the rate of Fleet Chief Petty Officer, the navy media unit said. 

Sri Lanka Navy has also ensured that all necessary arrangements have been made for his family to receive the appropriate compensations and allowances, it said.

The Magistrate of Mallakam Court on Wednesday (26) conducted an on-site inspection at Kankesanthurai Port. The inspection had focused on the Indian fishing vessel detained by the Navy and the Navy’s Fast Attack Craft, which was damaged during the operation. 

Meanwhile, the initial hearing of the case over this incident is scheduled for July 22 at the Mallakam Nmagistrate’s Court, Jaffna.

Courtesy Adaderana

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Chief Prelate of the Malwatu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera and the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Nayaka Thera during his visit to Kandy, a short while ago, and received their blessings.

The President engaged in progressive discussions on the country’s economic and financial progress and presented the Greater Kandy Urban Plan to the Chief Prelates, the President’s Media Division said.

Courtesy  Hiru News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of teachers being present in schools during school hours for the education of the nation’s children. He warned that if this commitment is not upheld in the future and school children are deprived of their education as a result, necessary measures will be taken to designate the teaching profession as an essential service.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe mentioned this during his visit to the Asgiri Maha Viharaya. The President received blessings from the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero, the Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter. President Wickremesinghe also participated in a cordial conversation with the Maha Nayaka Thera.

The President emphasized that teachers and principals should be role models for children and prioritize their future. He highlighted the need to consider the impact on children when teachers participate in protests and strikes, stressing the importance of their ability to provide guidance and advice to students.

The President clarified that this crisis does not affect the entire teaching profession. He noted that information received indicates only certain politically aligned teachers are involved, attributing the damage to the entire profession to the actions of this specific group.

Highlighting that this situation is confined to Sinhalese schools, the President commended Tamil, Muslim, and private schools for ensuring uninterrupted education for children.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also mentioned that reports have indicated school guards are sending the children home, and he has directed the Inspector General of Police to enforce the law in response to these incidents.

This morning (27), President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the historic Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. During his visit, the President paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and received blessings. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed by the Chief Custodian, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela.

The Maha Sangha recited Seth Pirith and blessed the President as he participated in religious ceremonies at the Dalada Maligawa. During his visit, the President inspected statues of a king and a queen crafted by artist Atula Herath using Artificial Intelligence technology at the Dalada Maligawa premises.

While at the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa premises, the President engaged in cordial conversation with the people present, inquiring about their well-being.

The President’s first stop in Kandy was at the Malwatu Maha Vihara, where he received blessings from the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera. The President inquired about the Chief Prelate’s well-being and held a brief discussion.

This is President Wickremesinghe’s first visit to the Chief Prelates following his special statement yesterday. During this visit, he also presented the Mahanayakas with the Greater Kandy Urban Development Plan. In response to the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera’s request to address the demands of protesting groups, the President assured that a formal system will be established to increase the salaries of government officials, ensuring no salary disparities prevail, starting in 2025.

The President highlighted that the Cabinet has focused on increasing the salaries of government officials and announced that a committee has been appointed to address this matter. He further commented:

Upon assuming office as President, my priority was to visit here first. Following your guidance, we have stabilized the country and averted bankruptcy. Today, my foremost objective is to update you on these developments. We have successfully concluded two agreements and will proceed with foreign debt restructuring until 2032.

Teachers will be provided with the necessary means to increase their salaries again next year, and we have already communicated this to them. Before proceeding with the salary increments for teachers, we must also consider adjusting the salaries of other government officials. In 2022, teachers experienced salary increases ranging from LKR 3,000 to 17,000. On average, this equates to about six to seven thousand rupees. Additionally, this year they received an additional LKR 10,000 increase, resulting in total raises ranging from LKR 13,000 to 27,000 for teachers. Hence, the salaries of other government officials need to be deliberated upon accordingly.

Currently, Tamil and Muslim schools are operational, whereas only Sinhala schools engage in such trade union actions. This matter has garnered the Cabinet’s attention, leading to plans to implement a unified approach to increase government officials’ salaries starting from 2025. A committee has been tasked with studying and recommending appropriate measures in this regard.

Furthermore, under the Kandy city development plan, the administrative city is slated for relocation to Kundasale. Discussions are underway regarding the establishment of an Indian IIT University in Kandy, along with plans for a new building complex at Peradeniya University. Concurrently, initiatives such as the Aswasuma and Urumaya programs have been undertaken to provide relief to the population.&rdquo

Following this, the President proceeded to the Asgiri Maha Vihara and received blessings from the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thera, the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter. President Wickremesinghe also engaged in a cordial conversation with the Chief Prelate.

President Wickremesinghe further added:”The reconstruction of this nation cannot proceed solely through traditional political divisions. If we continue to operate along these lines, economic recovery within two years will remain unattainable. Various factions from all parliamentary parties have supported us in bringing the country to its current state, while segments of each party have also moved into opposition. Had the entire parliament collaborated with the government, our nation could have achieved far better outcomes.

I have extended an invitation to all parliamentarians to join the government’s economic revitalization program. Globally, political landscapes are evolving; major parties in nations like England, America, and France are fragmenting. Hence, the fragmentation of Sri Lanka’s main parties comes as no surprise.

We have successfully negotiated foreign debt restructuring agreements. Furthermore, the government has prioritized salary increases for teachers and other government officials.

Despite the presence of more than four government officials in villages, their economic impact remains limited. Despite the existence of institutions related to coconut production, Sri Lanka’s coconut yield has been declining. In contrast, Kerala has seen an increase in coconut production and is rapidly transitioning to an export-oriented economy. Despite the operation of Mahaweli zone offices and the Irrigation Department, the yield from the Mahaweli zone is only around three metric tons per hectare.

Over the past 50 years, countries like India and China have significantly benefited economically from the plantation industry. Historically, Sri Lanka had an economy based on tea, coconut, and rubber during colonial times. Following the introduction of an open economy in 1977, the garment industry became crucial in preventing further economic decline.

Efforts are underway to develop Gadaladenia, Lankatilakaya, and Ambakke into a tourism zone, with infrastructure development initiatives in progress. Plans include establishing a Buddhist cultural centre to attract a large number of tourists to the Kandy area. Tourists visiting the historic Dalada Maligawa, Udawatta Kale, and Victoria Dam will often spend several days in the Kandy area.

Under the Greater Kandy Urban Development Plan, efforts are underway to transform the Bogambara Prison area into a hotel complex. Additionally, plans include relocating the city’s administrative functions to Kundasale and establishing a technology zone in Digana to foster advanced technological development.

Discussions have been initiated to complete the Colombo-Mirigama section of the Kandy-Colombo Expressway with assistance from China, and the Kurunegala-Kandy section with assistance from Japan. We seek the support of the Mahanayaka Theras to ensure the success of our initiative to modernize agriculture in rural areas.

The Anunayake Thera of Asgiri Chapter and the Chief Incumbent of the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Murundeniye Dhammarathana Nayaka Thera, stated:

“We reflect on the events of the past two years. Before assuming office as President, you sought blessings from the Maha Sangha. At that time, our country faced significant challenges. Amid attempts to besiege and breach Parliament, you made decisive decisions that have led the country to its current state of stability.

Sri Lanka cannot thrive in isolation; collaboration with the international community is essential. You have a good understanding of that. Your adept negotiation with the International Monetary Fund to stabilize the country’s economy underscores this understanding. Your recent statement inspires hope for our nation’s future, and we offer our blessings. This is a pivotal moment that demands leadership, not testing.

The protests, driven by political motives ahead of upcoming elections, disregard the economic and financial realities of the country. In this context, the involvement of teachers undermines the dignity of the teaching profession and sets a negative example for children.

In a village, several government officials are present, such as those involved in coconut cultivation, where about four officers are assigned per village. However, their impact on both the village and the local economy warrants reassessment.”

Subsequently, President Wickremesinghe visited the Selvam Vinayagar Hindu Kovil in Katukele, Kandy, where Hindu Priest S. Krishnamurthy conducted religious ceremonies and blessed the President. Following this, the President proceeded to the Meera Makam Mosque, where he received blessings and held a brief discussion with Maulavi Dasheem Mohammad.

The event was attended by Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, State Ministers Lohan Ratwatte and Dilum Amunugama, Members of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena and Mahindananda Aluthgamage, as well as Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, among others.

By Raj Gonsalkorale

The Treasury is aware that the country is in a difficult place. But that difficulty is not visible on the surface. Fuel is available, electricity is available and public and private transportation is in place. It’s the mirage that seems to matter to most rather than reality

At the Treasury we are aware that the country is in a difficult place. But that difficulty is not visible on the surface. Fuel is available, electricity is available and public and private transportation is in place. As public servants, we got our salaries because the government didn’t impose s pay cuts like in Greece during the bailout program of the International Monetary Fund. That’s a good thing. But we still pay the salaries with difficulty -Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance (https://island.lk/treasury-secretary-urges-public-to-have-a-pragmatic-view-of-economy-and-fiscal-discipline/)

The Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance has, in a nutshell, given a picture of the overriding ethos in the country when it comes to its economy. While there are signs of some economic stability as noted in the two reports mentioned below (ECONOMYNEXT and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka), it’s the mirage rather than the reality that seems to be what matters for most. There is hardly any discussion about the debt level of the country at a public level although the high level of debt did not happen overnight. Besides this, there is no discussion about how this debt is to be paid and there seems to be a pervading indifference about this and an expectation that fuel has to be available, electricity has to be available and public and private transportation has to be in place irrespective of whether such provisions are funded with debt or with the country’s own funds.

To be fair by the public, their attitude has a direct connection with their lack of confidence as to how governments manage expenditure although perversely, this also has a connection with the public attitude that governments are there to provide all what they need and also want, irrespective of the cost of such provisions. This catch 22 situation is a major challenge facing the country as the means to economic growth and stability, which necessarily must be strategic and long term, are not viewed as such by the public. Political parties that promise   overnight short term benefits from political platforms win elections.

Currently, there is data that shows the country has achieved some economic stability in the last 2 years under the stewardship of President Ranil Wickremasinghe. The following two reports, no doubt among many others, provides some evidence to this effect.

ECONOMYNEXT (https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-govt-debt-to-gdp-at-100-pct-by-march-2024-168424/) in an assessment of the economy says that Sri Lanka’s central government debt has fallen to 100.56 percent of gross domestic product by March 2024, down from 105.49 percent, amid an economic recovery and exchange rate stability. Sri Lanka’s economy grew 8.4 percent nominally in the March 2024 quarter, taking the rolling GDP up to 28,249 billion rupees from 27,629 as the central bank provided monetary stability through deflationary policy, for economic agents to work and generate value. The central bank also allowed the rupee to appreciate to 301 by March from 323 in December amid deflationary policy. It is suggested that this report by ECONOMYNEXT and also the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2023 https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/annual-economic-review/annual-economic-review-2023) are examined by discerning readers as they present the economy of the country as heading towards a healthier situation.

This is important as the pessimism and doom and gloom felt by many and promoted by some for political purposes, may not all be true and as there is room for some degree of optimism. However, unless the current trajectory is maintained and long term and strategic thinking takes over from short term quick fixes, the economy is bound to run into quicksand sooner rather than later.

The following Central Bank table for Q1 2024 also supports the annual review for 2023 that a degree of economic stabilisation has indeed occurred https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/national_accounts_estimates_2024_q1.pdf

These data sets need to be recognized and given publicity, the contents discussed and debated, as it is important to provide some degree of confidence to the people of the country and possible investors who otherwise will only hear the doom and gloom political platform speeches by Opposition leaders. The fact that no alternative plans, leave alone strategic plans, but even one-year plans, are yet to be presented to the public by them, makes it all the more important to examine the long-term policies and plans of the current government.

However, despite these somewhat optimistic reports, the World Bank in its biannual update for 2024 titled Bridge to Recovery says that Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to see moderate growth of 2.2% in 2024, showing signs of stabilization, following the severe economic downturn of 2022. But, the country still faces elevated poverty levels, income inequality, and labor market concerns. The poverty rates continued to rise for the fourth year in a row, with an estimated 25.9% of Sri Lankans living below the poverty line in 2023. Labor force participation has also seen a decline, particularly among women and in urban areas, exacerbated by the closure of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Households are grappling with multiple pressures from high prices, income losses, and under employment. This has led to households taking on debt to meet food requirements and maintain spending on health and education.” (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/04/01/sri-lanka-s-economy-shows-signs-of-stabilization-but-poverty-to-remain-elevated#:~:text=COLOMBO%2C%20April%202%2C%202024%E2%80%94,severe%20economic%20downturn%20of%202022

The World Bank update possibly shows the reality in the country and the need for serious discussions by all responsible persons as to the need for long term strategic thinking and economic planning. So far, even the Presidential aspirants from the major opposition political combines, who regularly criticise the President and the government about failures and shortcomings, are yet to offer their alternatives to the government’s trajectory.

In regard to the debt to GDP ratio, Investopedia, a leading global financial media website headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1999, and providing investment dictionaries, advice, reviews, ratings, and comparisons of financial products, such as securities accounts.  says that the debt-to-GDP ratio is the metric comparing a country’s public debt to its gross domestic product (GDP). By comparing what a country owes with what it produces, the debt-to-GDP ratio reliably indicates that particular country’s ability to pay back its debts. Often expressed as a percentage, this ratio can also be interpreted as the number of years needed to pay back debt if GDP is dedicated entirely to debt repayment. The higher the debt-to-GDP ratio, the less likely the country will pay back its debt and the higher its risk of default, which could cause a financial panic in the domestic and international markets. Investopedia further states that a study by the World Bank had found that countries whose debt-to-GDP ratios exceed 77% for prolonged periods experience significant slowdowns in economic growth.

(https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debtgdpratio.asp)

Challenges for sustainable economic management

Whilst appreciating the efforts of the President, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, who have no doubt made a significant effort to stabilise the economy over the last two years, sustainability and growth of the economy is still on shaky grounds as expressed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance.

Surmounting challenges ahead are even beyond the scope and ability of the central bank and the ministry of finance who are compelled to follow the path taken by their political masters and unfortunately, experience shows that the political masters of all hues have generally failed the country. This failure is about the lack of or absence of long-term strategic thinking and planning on the part of political leaders. The tragedy of bankruptcy that befell Sri Lanka was not the fault of bodies like the Central Bank or the Ministry of Finance but the ignorance and lack of economic knowledge and common sense on the part of politicians and the general attitude of most of the public in the country, It is customary to blame only politicians for the country’s economic woes while not admitting that the public, through their short term expectations and focus solely on short term gains, have contributed to these woes. The country has been living beyond its means, but the public, even the more economically literate individuals, have not attempted to change their own thinking, let alone the thinking of politicians. The population has shown a high degree of ignorance and selfishness and politicians have taken advantage of that, making promises to the public with the only goal of being elected to office.

The strategic thinking and planning that is badly needed, and which has eluded the country, should have focused on two key areas. Firstly, its Debt to GDP ratio. As mentioned earlier, the Debt-to-GDP ratio is the measure comparing a country’s public debt to its gross domestic product (GDP). By comparing what a country owes with what it produces, the Debt-to-GDP ratio reliably indicates that particular country’s ability to pay back its debts. A high ratio and low foreign reserves translate to a country’s inability to pay its debts, and in turn lowers investor confidence. Sri Lanka has had this unfortunate experience on both fronts as all are fully aware.

The second key economic measure is the country’s foreign reserves. Even where the debt to GDP ratio in a country is high, it could still attract investors if it has high foreign currency reserves. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has failed to have a low debt to GDP ratio and its foreign currency reserves have been abysmally low. The table below shows the foreign reserves of some countries in the Asian region, and in comparison, how low Sri Lanka’s reserves are.

Source – https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/foreign-exchange-reserves?continent=asia

Sri Lanka will have to ensure it does not borrow more than an agreed maximum percentage of its GDP. The World Bank recommendation of 75% of the GDP as the maximum is a measure that all political leaders should agree on. Secondly, it will have to increase its foreign reserves in net terms, after deducting borrowings, and have a target to build up foreign reserves that will be able to fund imports at least for 12 months if not more. Following Singapore’s very successful management of foreign reserves by the (GIC), the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation which now boasts of a portfolio of USD 770 billion, Sri Lanka should seriously consider setting up a similar body and assign its management to GIC for an agreed period of say 10 years.

By Garvin Karunaratne

 Professor Paul Krugman said in 1999 , in the short run. The World is lurching from crisis to crisis, all of them crucially involving the problem of generating sufficient demand. Japan is finding that  conventional monetary and fiscal policies  aren’t enough.  If it can happen to Japan how sure can we be  that the European economy or even the still booming economy of the USA will not find itself in the same trap?”(Krugman: The Return of Depression Economics)

In today’s context, President Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s statement comes  of prime  importance:.

 The World needs an international economic system that works for our wage earners, works for our industries, works for our climate, works for our national security and works for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries”

(Remarks by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Renewing American Economic Leadership at the Brooking Institution:April 22, 2023

U.S. Presidential Advisor Jake Sullivan opines  that the economies of  both the USA as well as the Third World countries are in the doldrums.

Professor Gary Gerstle of the University of Cambridge, also opines that Neoliberalism that was pursued from the time of President Ronald Regan has  failed:

I discern the fall or at least the fracturing of a political order that took shape in the 1970s and 1980s and achieved dominance in the 1990s and the first decade of the Twenty First Century. I call this political formation a neoliberal order. Ronald Regan was its ideological architect; Bill Clinton was its key facilitator……the neoliberal order that arose in the1970s and 1980s and fell in the 2010s.” (The Rise and the Fall of the Neoliberal Order:)

The United Nations Development Programmes- the FAO, UNIDO, ILO held sway for development in Third World countries for around half a century, Concepts like Community Development and Non Formal Education were tried out in certain countries and Universities like Michigan State University heralded development initiatives  at Comilla in Bangladesh.  This attempt too though successful, lost steam.

The total failure we confront today could be due to the fact that  only fiscal and monetary policies were followed,  without addressing the fundamental need of people-employment and incomes.

The IMF came up with Neoliberalism in the early Seventies. No major change took place under Neoliberalism in the Developed Countries. However, under Neoliberalism, the   Third World countries  were subjected to various conditions by the IMF , if they were to be provided with financial assistance. This was the   Structural Adjustment Programme(SAP) that was enforced from the early Seventies. The SAP included , in my words, “devaluation, which  ensures that the country gets  less   foreign exchange when they export and also have to pay more for imports, high interest rates, which is designed to ensure that local manufacturing is costly, governments should curtail their activities, leading to the closure of all development programmes, privatization of State Ventures,  Free Trade, De-regulation , Removal of Subsidies, High Interest Rates, all of which are non developmental. (Karunaratne:The Way Out of the IMF Stranglehold)    

. The countries were also opened up for foreign investment.

 In the early Seventies when the Oil Sheiks increased the prices of oil four fold  almost all Third World countries had to seek IMF assistance. This was the opportunity the IMF took to enforce  the SAP  and consequently the  Third World countries gradually had their economies in flames since the  IMF, the toy of the USA to pursue its economic policy offshore” (words of Professor Rudiger Dornbusch),    succeeded in  restructuring the economies of the Third World  to depend on imports instead of producing one’s needs,  relax the use of foreign exchange to enable the rich to live in luxury,   and depend on loans from the IMF eventually falling into serious debt. Relaxing the use of foreign exchange, a cornerstone of this neoliberal concept, enabled the rich to live  in luxury- go on foreign holidays, educate their children abroad,  enjoying foreign  imports, using foreign funds made available by the IMF. This process also meant that the funds obtained on loans actually went back to the Developed Countries in some form or other, with profits, leaving the Third countries saddled with massive foreign debts.

Even large countries- India in following certain provisions of the SAP  has built up a foreign debt of $ 612 billion, Mexico built up a  foreign debt of $ 598 billion. None of these countries were earleir in debt as they had somehow to manage with their incomes. They had developed strict methods of managing  their incomes till they had  to follow the IMF dictate-  abolish their development programmes and also desist from any developmental activity and they were forced to accept the IMF’s motto: the private sector as the engine of growth. .  

  The SAP was thus  actually designed to restructure the economies of the Third World countries and eventually  fall into the quagmire of foreign debt..

.  Foreign Investment was hailed as  the mantra that was expected to bring about development in the Third World countries. However, this Investment with success  eventually brought enhanced  profits to multinationals. On this basis many multinationals like KFC and Mc Donalds went to the Third World countries taking initially some foreign exchange to establish business concerns, traded in the local currency but took away their profits in foreign currency.  This modus operandi helped the developed countries. When the foreign investors traded in the local currency and profits were taken away it went from the hard currency reserves of the country, In fact  this actually increased the debts of the countries. The Third World countries were hoodwinked to think of this as investment in their favour.

The provision that the government had to abolish all development programmes meant that industries that existed making items for local use ceased and this shortfall had to be met with imports. This process too made the   countries indebted.

 Another feature of Neoliberalism was the imposition of high interest rates. In Sri Lanka the existing bank interest rate around eight percent was increased to over twenty percent. Local entrepreneurs closed their enterprises and locked their assets in fixed deposits, earning without working. .

. At first the IMF provided loans to these countries, at reasonable interest. However the IMF gradually backed out and these countries being unable to service their debts have had to borrow funds from other sources  and even raise funds through  international sovereign bonds at high interest.  Thus these countries were inevitably saddled with a massive foreign debt, a debt they could hardly service with their incomes.

Professor Jeffery Sachs states of what happened to African countries:

Western Governments enforced draconian budget policies in Africa during the 1980s and 1990s.. The IMF and the World Bank virtually ran the economic policies of the debt ridden continent recommending regimens of budgetary belt tightening known technically as Structural Adjustment Programs. These Programs had little scientific merit and produced even fewer results. By the start of the Twenty First Century, Africa was poorer than in the late 1960s when the IMF and the World Bank first arrived on the scene, with disease, population growth and environmental degradation spiralling out of control. IMF led austerity frequently led to riots, coups and the collapse of public services and led to riots.”( Sachs: The End of Poverty)

This same dubious process also happened to countries in Asia.

It is important to note that this was   all wanton damage, as  one of the lieutenants, John Perkins who was in charge of the preparation of projects  for loans confessed: we do not want them to honour their debts since the non-payment is what gives our leverage- our pound of flesh.”( Perkins: Confessions  of an Economic Hitman)

It is important to note that In providing loans to the Third World countries, the interests of the Developed Countries  has always been   assured, as revealed by Paul Volker,

“As Chairman of the Federal Reserve along with administrative colleagues, major foreign Central Banks and especially the IMF could arrange stopgap official financing and set out appropriate conditions for the heavily indebted borrower countries(determined) out of our common concern about threats to the American and the global banking system.(Volker:Banker to the World)

Thus this neoliberal system enforced on Third World countries contributed to making the Third World countries indebted  and had no adverse effect on Developed Countries. Instead the banks of the Developed Economies benefited  through financing loans.

The creation of severe poverty and deprivation among the majority of people in the Third World was an inevitable result.

 This severe poverty has also caused a major unauthorized immigration movement of the poor from theThird World countries to the Developed Countries.

 I recall the movement of the Aryans to india that happened in about  1800 to  1500 BC..  Similarly the move of Europeans taking over the Americas took place  over three centuries- 15th to the 18 th Century.

To my mind, a similar exodus of the poor and deprived in Third World countries is happening in all Developed Countries. BBC London said,  “Global migration  to rich countries is at an all term high.”(BBC:26/2/24)There is a vast movement of the poor from South American countries and Mexico to the USA. The US Border Patrol reported over 1.6 million encounters  with immigrants on the Mexican border in 2021. Under the Biden Administration years over 6.3 million immigrants  have been detained crossing into the USA(BBC:26/2/24)

In Europe,  Italy has called for a state of emergency in response to a rise in immigrant numbers. The poor from African and Asian countries cross the Mediterrean Sea to Italy, aimed at reaching the Developed countries in Europe. Most of the immigrants  aim to get to the UK because the UK  upholds human rights concerns more than other countries.  In the year ending June 2023, 52,530 irregular immigrants entered the UK. This is the recorded number. More enter the UK  illegally. As a consequence many cities in the UK are full of immigrants, mostly entereing illegally. The population of Paris is 49% immigrant and in London 37%.  The UK is finding it difficult to cope.

This movement of the poor commenced in the past three decades and I opine that this is a direct result  of the poverty and deprivation caused in the third World countries by the imposition of the SAP  by the IMF. This move of the poor to Developed Countries  cannot be stopped.  The ONS(Office of National Statistics) even states that 10.3 million could migrate to the UK in the next 12 years. This reflects the magnitude of the problem.

Working in Adult Education in London in 1989, we greeted immigrants displaced from their countries like Somalia and found them education. Then it was the cream of those countries who sought refuge in London. Now it is the rif raf, the poor and deprived who brave the seas and even risk drowning  to get to the solitude of the Developed Countries  to find a living. The immigrants to Europe ended in Britain as it was only Britain that accepted them. Illicit immigrants in France, known to the author were  even denied    education, which we in the UK readily provided.  .

This movement of the poor and deprived people from Third World countries  seeking asylum commenced in the past two decades.  This a direct  result of the poverty and unemployment in Third World countries caused by the implementation of the SAP enforced the IMF on Third World countries..

It is time  that the IMF and the leaders of the Developed Countries realize that it is the enforcemet  of the neoliberal policies via the SAP that has caused this poverty and deprivation in the Third World countries  and has also brought about the movement of people in their millions to Developed Countries  and realize the necessity to change the present policies of the IMF.

What is required is to enable the Third World countries to attend to development tasks in producing their needs, develop their resources, bring about development and employment through , import substitution and self reliance and enable economic success so that the people in them can find earnings and live happily without migrating as illicit immigrants to Developed Countries.

This is also the only alternative available to the IMF and the Developing Countries like the USA to maintain their current populations and their economies intact, without being taken over by unwanted immigration.  

 Professor Gerstel of the University of Cambridge deserves  to be commended for his writing. It will be ideal if the academic expertise in  premier Universities were to attend to research aimed at finding a  new paradigm for development which could replace the notorious Structural  Adjustment Programme. 

It is hoped that the IMF understands its mistake in pursuing  the Structural Adjustment Neoliberal programme on Third World countries and make amends. Universities, holding  the cream of excellence in teaching, should also play a  positive role  aimed at total development.

Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D. Michigan State University,

26062024                                              garvin_karunaratne@hotmail.com

Garvin Karunaratne is the author of the following books:

Microenterprise Development: A Strategy for Employment Creation & Poverty Alleviation in the Third  World: The Way Out of the IMF Stranglehold; Sarasavi, 1997

How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka abd Alternate Progrmmes of Success, Godages, 2006

How the IMF Sabotaged Third World Development, Godages/Kindle, 2017

How the IMF’s Structural Adjustment Destroyed Sri Lanka, Godages, 2022

Dilrook Kannangara

The titanic sank over a hundred years ago and when it was sinking the captain ordered its orchestra to play. Ranil’s planned celebrations for June 26 is the same.

Ranil is fooling people that he rescued the country from bankruptcy. In reality, he made matters worse. Why people don’t feel the pain is because Sri Lanka is yet to begin repaying loans and interest on loans due from 2022. When repayments begin, it will be another 2022.

All unpaid loans and their interest have been added to the existing loans. New loans were taken by Ranil. All in all, the total foreign loan amount (hidden in various different categories) stands at $99 billion. Soon it will breach $100 billion mark. Ranil was in the government when Sri Lanka’s total foreign loans exceeded $10 billion in early 1990s and today he is also in the government when total foreign loans exceed $100 billion.

Knowing very well the temporary fun period is coming to an end, or the interval in hell is coming to a close, Ranil and his goons are trying to cover up impending hardships with a sham celebration on June 26.

Soon after June 26, the hardship period starts again as loans will be repaid. It will tighten gradually and by 2025 it will be far worse than 2022. Ranil is getting ready for it with draconian laws already introduced.

There are no plaster solutions. Sri Lanka needs deep structural adjustments, new industries and harsh import controls to overcome the crisis. Some foreign loans cannot be repaid and this fact must be accepted.

If Sri Lankans could not repay loans and interest when foreign loans were $71 billion, they have no chance in hell repaying loans and interest when the foreign loan payable is $99 billion.

Ranil’s planned celebrations on June 26 is similar to how an orchestra played when the Titanic was sinking.

KAMALIKA PIERIS

Tamil Separatist Movement is scared that Buddhism will become popular in the north and east. That it will catch on and the Hindu population will decrease. That is one of the reasons for the strong resistance to Buddhistization.

The Hindus do not permit low castes to enter their best temples. Buddhists allow anyone to worship in any temple irrespective of caste. There is a possibility therefore that the low castes in the Hindu community may readily leave Hinduism for Buddhism in the north east, if there is a Buddhist temple nearby. Tamil Separatist Movement knows this. TNA MP Sumanthiran went to Supreme Court in August 2022, saying that the Hindu heritage would disappear because of Kurundi.[1]

Those engaged in archaeological work in the north and east have repeatedly stated that the Tamil population in the north and east are not against Buddhism .The Tamil villagers do not mind the conservation work on ancient temples. They seem to welcome the Buddhist temples.

The Department of Archaeology team, who went to the north in 2010 to look at the Buddhist ruins there, found that rehabilitated LTTE had also given them information on where the ruins were to be found.

Ven .Medhananda came on You Tube in July 2022    (Talk with Sanath channel. https://youtu.be/Tmw6767lSqA )

and stated firmly that there was no animosity on the part of the Tamil villagers, to the Buddhist ruins in the north. He was certain of this. I know because I have spoken to them. They like these viharas”.

Medhananda said he first went to see Kurundi before the Eelam war started. That would be in the late 1970s probably.  A Tamil living in a nearby village had offered to show him the way and was very helpful and friendly throughout the visit.   Api atara sahodarathvayak tibuna.

After the war ended Medhananda visited Kalvilan, a town in Mullaitivu. The Tamil villagers in Kalvilan readily helped him to locate the Kalvilan ruins.  They were very cordial and hospitable. He got on well with them. He showed photos taken with them in the You Tube discussion.  Medhananda added that the Tamil villagers were prepared to leave if the Buddhist ruins were to be conserved, provided they were given land elsewhere.

Ven. Santhabodhi also said the same thing. He too said in several YouTube presentations that he had no trouble at all from the Tamil villagers who lived around Kurundi. Relations with them were cordial. They brought him curd .He had visited them. He helped the children of these villagers with their education. The archaeology team working at Kurundi also said that they had no difficulty with the villagers. They all said that opposition to Buddhist temples came from the Tamil politicians alone.

Tamil Separatist Movement observed that expansion of Sinhala-Buddhism in the north and east is not simply religious expansion but a political, economic and geo-strategic project.  Buddhist temples were built at geo-strategic locations. The Buddhist claims to ancient sites in the Trincomalee area is of geo-strategic importance.  Transformation of geo-strategic locations into a Buddhist sacred space” is another type of post-war” activity, they said. Expansion of Sinhala Buddhism in the Tamil region is a war by other means, said Jude Lal Fernando.  

As a part of the geo-strategic project, the navy has acquired land in Mātakal in Jaffna’s Vallikamam division and naval cantonments have been constructed. Authorities are transforming the region into a sacred place”; claiming it as part of the Sinhala Buddhist heritage, said Jude Lal Fernando.

There is a newly built a large Buddhist stūpa    on the A9 road, near Mankulam junction. The place is being designed as a Buddhist monastery with the aim of bringing in monks to reside there. A plan for expansion is visible. Mankulam is the main junction between Vavuniya and Kilinochchi towns.

A sampling of the Śrī Mahā Bodhi has been planted in Kanakārayakuḷam on the A9 road between Vavuniya and Jaffna. Three roads near the Bo tree area, have been given Sinhala names—Kōsala Perērā Māvata, Anura Perērā Māvata, and Pūjya Yaṭirāvaṇa Vimala Thera Māvata. The first two are names of soldiers who took part in the war, and the last is the name of a Buddhist monk. Roads from four directions meet at Kanakārayakuḷam. Mankulam and Kaṉakārayaṉkuḷam junctions are the key business locations in Kilinochchi district.

Koneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram are the two main Hindu temples in north east. A massive Buddha statue was erected near Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee some years ago. In 2021, a Buddhist shrine was erected by a monk on land belonging partly to the Thiruketheeswaram temple and partly to private ownership.

A large Buddha statue has been built near the Jaffna harbor making it clearly visible to the vessels that reach the shore. On the third anniversary of the final battle a Buddhist stūpa has been constructed at Muḷḷivāikkal. It had a Sinhala name board.

Buddhists are also holding Buddhist ceremonies in public in the north and east. The Bō sapling of Śrī Mahā Bodhi donated to Buddha Gaya in India was paraded throughout Jaffna peninsula accompanied by Buddhist monks with heavy military protection before it was sent to India. A stone inscription was set up in Mātakal to mark the occasion.

They organize Buddhist rituals and festivals in the Tamil region said the Tamil Separatist Movement angrily. Pirit ceremonies are organized for poya days throughout the night with loud-speakers, in strictly Hindu, Muslim or Catholic locations like   Jaffna town, Maṉṉār town, Muruṅkaṉ and Pesalai village.

The most celebrated moment of Buddhist rituals and festivals in the post-war” Tamil region was the government sponsored celebration of Vesak in May 2011 . There are no Buddhists in the North except the occupying army. But the whole of the North, from Vavuniya to Jaffna along the A-9 road, was full of colorful Vesak decorations, huge lanterns and flying Buddhist flags as if the people of the North are Buddhists. Vesak dansal had been set up in several places. All this was done by the occupying Sri Lanka armed forces and Police, as a sign of subjugation of the Tamils by the Sinhalese Buddhists, reported Jude Lal Fernando.

As part of its geo-strategic project, the Buddhist lobby is asking for more land for its strategically placed temples. There is an ongoing dispute as to the extent of land that should be given to ancient temples in the north and east. Anti-Eelamists see this as a way to take back the land and the alarmed Tamil Separatist Movement is frantically trying to get these requests squashed.

At the Eastern Province Development Committee meeting chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in May 2023 it was shown that land had been given to places of worship in the Trincomalee District without any formal procedures. .A request had been made for 100 acres for the Arisimale temple and a letter issued to the monk in charge of that temple. 27 perches of land have been requested for Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara to develop it as a sacred area.

3,065 acres requested by the Thiriyaya Temple was later reduced to 265 acres, by the Parliamentary Select Committee. Department of Archaeology made a case for Tiriyaya. Tiriyaya is on a hillock and the whole hill has to be protected not only the top. So it was necessary to declare over 600 acres of land at Tiriyaya as a protected site. Tiriyaya will require more and more land for the pilgrims rest, modern temple and other infrastructure connected with sacred area, Said the Department of Archaeology. It was decided in May 2023 to re-survey and settle the issue.

The name of the Jaffna peninsula is Nagadipa, not   Jaffna or Yalpanam. Ptolemy called the Jaffna peninsula   ‘Nagadiboy’.  Vallipuram manuscript (2 AD) of Vasabha called it Nakadiva.   A coin dated to 2 AD found at Ututturai in Tenmarachchi division of Jaffna peninsula confirms that the north was called Nagabumi, said P.Pushparatnam of the University of Jaffna.[2]

The British rulers probably transferred Nagadipa to Nainativu to eliminate Buddhism from Jaffna. Critics have repeatedly observed that Nainativu is far too small for the clash between the Chulodara and Mahodara factions.

The Buddhist lobby must ensure, as a part of its geo-strategic approach, that Jaffna is given back its original name ‘Nagadipa’.  Jaffna must   replace Nainativu in the list of   ‘solosmastana’. Jaffna must become part of the annual northern pilgrim route for Buddhists .Facilities must be provided for Buddhists to worship in Jaffna as part of the ‘solosmastana ‘pilgrimage.  Buddhists should have asked for this long ago.  (CONTINUED)

[1] මුලතිව් ඓතිහාසික කුරුන්දි විහාරයේ ඇත්ත කතාව | Madhura TV | 2022-07- 20 

[2] P.Pushparatnam. Festschrift for Prof. S Pathmanathan. Godage  p 384