Ayesha Naseem Mirza, UK

Islam is embarking on a critical era, and Muslims must remain vigilant and open their eyes to the looming threats. At the very least, we must unite to ensure that the legacy of Prophet Muhammad^sa remains untarnished, come what may.” (The Unity of Muslims, p. 44)

These were the words of the Khalifa that were written and published several decades ago but their truth and their significance is so relevant and timely that one is left to wonder whether anything really changed or was any heed given by Muslims and the Islamic world since. 

If we glance at the Muslim world today, the answer is, certainly not. 

Most Muslim countries are deeply mired in conflict, division, and unrest. The Middle East, in particular, remains an extremely volatile region. As I write this, any hope for peace feels like a distant dream—something far out of reach for its struggling nations. This time, though not for the first time, the focus is on Syria.

If anyone were to predict that the launch of an offensive by the Syrian Rebels against the Assad regime on 27 November 2024 would result in the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the change of power in the heart of Damascus in the matter of just ten days, it was almost laughable and absurd. However, as is the case with the Middle East and its unpredictable geopolitics, today Syria has seen an unprecedented transition of power with regime change. 

The rebels led by Islamist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), alongside its umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army, initiated this offensive by capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. They swept across Syria taking over other cities and towns and eventually claiming Damascus. As for President Bashar al-Assad, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed, in the first official confirmation, that he had stepped down” and left Syria”. 

This is a huge turning point. 

The rise and fall of Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who ruled the country for 29 years. Assad inherited a strictly controlled and repressive political structure, where opposition was not tolerated. In the initial years of his rule, he promised open media access to Syria, a progressive economic approach and appeared to pursue a path of politics that differed significantly from his father’s style of rule – it was short-lived, however. Assad’s legacy is that he will be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, triggering a civil war. The brutal civil war resulted in the displacement of fourteen million people, six million of which became refugees – a catastrophe that is considered the world’s largest refugee crisis, according to the UN. (From eye doctor to dictator – the rise and fall of Assad’s presidency”, Sky News, 8 December 2024, www.skynews.com)

In the previous rebellion against his regime, he managed to survive with the help of Russia and Iran. Russia used its air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters. This did not happen this time. Assad’s allies were preoccupied with their own affairs and in the last few days, essentially abandoned him. Due to the lack of help from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, his troops were generally unable to stop the rebels led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). (End of Assad rule will reshape region’s balance of power”, BBC News, 8 December 2024, www.bbc.co.uk)

Who are the rebels in Syria?

Syrian rebel militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led by Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani has come forward as the figurehead of the new governmental rule in post-Assad Syria.  Al-Jawlani’s HTS was set up under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011. It was named and set up in direct affiliation to al-Qaeda. The leader of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was also involved in the formation of Jabhat al-Nusra. This rebel movement was regarded as one of the most effective and deadly of the groups ranged against President Assad. 

Although proscribed by the UN, the US, Turkey and other countries as a terrorist group, al-Jawlani publicly broke ranks with al-Qaeda and dissolved Jabhat al-Nusra to set up a new organisation with the name of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Despite al-Jawlani’s campaign and claim over his organisation to be dissociated ideologically from al-Qaeda, doubts remain over whether HTS has completely renounced its links and how safe would the minorities in Syria be should there be more repression. 

Analysts and writers agree that HTS’ sudden and destructive advance on Aleppo and Hama played a decisive role in the swift collapse of Assad’s regime. However, many also highlight that other rebel groups contributed significantly to the momentum, as various factions from across Syria appeared to unite and advance together. 

Among these groups are rebel factions that operated under the banner of the Free Syrian Army from southern towns and cities that had been inactive for years. To the east of Syria were the Kurdish-led forces who have benefited from the collapse of the Syrian army to take full control of the main city, Deir El-Zour. 

In the huge Syrian desert, the remaining traces of the so-called Islamic State can also take advantage of the situation. Further in the north of Syria, along the Turkish border, the Syrian National Army – backed by Ankara – may also prove to be a significant player in what happens next. (Sebastian Usher, Who are the Syrian Rebels in Syria”, BBC News, 30 November 2024, www.bbc.co.uk)

What happens next? 

During this rebel offensive in the past weeks, hundreds of prisoners have been released prompting celebration and joy among the Syrian people. But even if united by the desire for change against Assad’s regime, Syria, as a whole, is an extremely divided nation. With different rebel factions that often work as rivals and often as allies, and with foreign powers picking sides according to their interests and alliances means that much remains uncertain and undecided for Syria.

Again, HTS and its previous affiliation with al-Qaeda also means that there are concerns regarding the kind of rule Syria would now face and whether other minorities would get their due rights under the new leadership of al-Jawlani.

With the ceasefire between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel already crippling, and with the continuing of brutal Israeli aggression in Gaza, Syria is another key front in the conflict. 

Just hours after the collapse of Damascus to the rebels, Israel seized” territory in Syria-controlled areas of the Golan Heights, as its military warned Syrians living in five villages close to the Israeli-occupied portion of the strategic area to stay home”. 

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israeli forces to seize the buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. Netanyahu said that the ceasefire agreement was no longer in function as the Syrian soldiers had left their positions, requiring the Israeli takeover. Israel captured a portion of the Golan Heights in the 1967 war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as illegally occupied Syrian territory.

Moreover, the Israeli Air Force bombed weapons depots in Southern Syria and Damascus to prevent opposition groups from seizing them. They attacked ammunition depots in southern Syria and in the Damascus airport area. As seen in the past year and beyond, Israel was allowed to intervene and extend its aggression now to the borders of Syria, without any repercussions or consequences from Western leaders. 

The unprecedented impunity continues to destabilise the region and the wider world. 

The disunited Muslim world

When Israel launched its catastrophic and bloody aggression against Gaza, the lack of Muslim unity was glaring. Not once did all Muslim states unanimously and categorically condemn the attack. Instead, there were scattered voices, isolated statements, and fragmented conferences, but no collective display of solidarity.

On the front lines of resistance, it was Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Gaza’s Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis – supported militarily and economically by Iran – that attempted to confront Israeli aggression. These resistance groups targeted military facilities and assets to undermine Israel’s military power in their struggle to end the war. However, no decisive victory was achieved. Backed by the US and its allies, Israel successfully disrupted the leadership structures of Hamas and Hezbollah through targeted assassinations of key figures, including Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Now, as the war turns to Syria once again, not only are the wealthier Muslim nations silent bystanders, some of them, like Turkey, are backing militant forces to cause further division and discord inside Syria. 

The Unity of Muslims – An address of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra

In 1952, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II^ra delivered an address on the subject of the unity of Muslims. In his address, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra stated:

When a sovereign and powerful country comes under attack, its people have confidence and faith in their ability to mount a solid and resolute response to the attacker; they possess both material and moral strength to not only repel the enemy from their borders but also penetrate their territory and strike back with equal force. But as evident, no Islamic country at this time can defend itself without foreign assistance, much less retaliate in enemy lands. Every Muslim state is forced to seek help from America, Great Britain, or some other European power.” (The Unity of Muslims [English], p. 3)

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra further said:

In this age, world powers include Russia, America, and the United Kingdom, with France, Italy, and Germany following close behind. Among new countries, Australia and Canada are also rising in power. Even Japan is emerging as a significant player. The question is whether any Muslim state or alliance can compete with these world powers in wealth, military strength, trade, and commerce. Can any Islamic country claim to have a comparable number of tanks, bombs, war supplies, production facilities, and businesses as these nations?” (Ibid, pp. 4-5)

Although the address is from the post-World War II era, much of the subject and the insights are still as relevant as back then. Even though some powerful Muslim nations have now established military and weapons for its defence, they are still largely dependent and also reliant on the West for aid and concessions. 

Regarding the meaning of the Arabic term, ittihād, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra explained that the word derived from wahdat” which means to adopt solidarity. It implies that various entities have decided to merge into a whole, losing their individuality. A salient feature of Arabic is that the entire philosophy behind a concept is encapsulated in one word. As a cognate in Urdu, ittihād has lost its meaning. When uttered in Arabic, a listener who knows its context instantly perceives the speaker’s position: Muslims are divided into various independent sects, but with planning and resolve, they can rally for particular objectives. Therefore, a call for unity among Muslims means that the Islamic world will adopt coherence and harmony despite its divides that stretch across nations and individuals.” (Ibid, p. 5)

Providing two main principles that could help establish Muslim unity, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra stated: 

Thus, the first principle for establishing Muslim unity is acknowledging our differences. An individual who aims to eliminate these differences to foster unity is unlikely to succeed. Only those who can look past secondary differences can prevail.” (Ibid, p. 36)

The second principle of unity entails prioritising major concerns over minor ones. If unity cannot be attained in every aspect, focus on significant matters and overlook trivial issues.” (Ibid, p. 41)

Urging the Muslim nations to adhere to the invaluable pursuit of unity, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra emphasised:

Currently, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Iran, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia are eleven independent Muslim countries, each with their own mutual differences. If these states are interested in unifying, it is incumbent upon them to consider common points around which to unite, whilst overlooking their differences. If such a point is found, they should ally and work to achieve its aims. For instance, they can collaborate on the goal of not permitting any Muslim country to remain subjugated. Rather than waiting for their internal disputes to be resolved, they should join forces in preventing any Islamic land from being enslaved and make concerted efforts for its liberation. Just as Prophet Muhammad^sa invited Jews and Christians to unite based on a shared belief in Tauheed, all Muslims ought to unify in liberating enslaved subjects, with differences being resolved later.” (Ibid, p. 42)

He continues:

I have observed that Muslims focus entirely on their differences and disregard what binds them. Every sect declares the others it disagrees with as wajib-ul-qatal [punishable by death], even though it contradicts the practice of the Holy Prophet^sa. Are they greater believers than Prophet Muhammad^sa who invited the Jews and the Christians to stand in solidarity with Muslims on the shared belief in the Unity of God? Yet, the believers fail to extend the same invitation to their fellow adherents […] refuse to move an inch without carving out each other’s flesh. The same call for solidarity will unite the world of Islam. If Muslim countries wish to achieve unity, they must rally around the principle of joining forces, regardless of their contentious issues, and stand together to fight the enemy. Let us agree that, despite our mutual differences, we will not engage in conflict with each other.” (Ibid, p. 43)

Hakam and Adl: The one to unify the Ummah

Given how volatile the state of the region and the wider world is, just recognising the significance of Muslim unity is one of the many paths that must be pursued immediately. 

Unity that is free from all vested interests of individual nations and one that acknowledges the necessity of dialogue for the sake of peace and stability and unity that overlooks the differences that sets us apart. 

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established for this purpose as well. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V^aa delivered a Friday Sermon on the subject of the Hakam and Adl and explained:

The Ahmadiyya Jamaat has not been established on the basis of differences that exist between various sects and groups, or owing to their differences of opinion, or their difference in their interpretations and commentaries. Rather, this Community has been established in the latter days by the true servant of the Holy Prophet^sa, in accordance with the prophecy made by the Holy Prophet^sa and the promise of Allah the Almighty. Having pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiah^as, it is this Community which will bring an end to the disputes between the Shias and Sunnis or between any other group or sect for that matter; and thus, enable them to become united under one Ummah. We are to establish a single Ummah by informing Muslims of the true teachings of Islam. The Promised Messiah^as was commissioned for this purpose and established this Community in accordance with the commandment of Allah the Almighty. In order to fulfil this task, Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiah^as that he should, ‘gather together all Muslims who are on the earth upon one religion’.” (Hakam and Adl: The One to Unify the Ummah, pp. 2-3) 

Conclusion

Essentially, the global political theatre, where Syria’s fate is being discussed, is already in shambles itself. A lot will be suggested and proposed (and imposed). The Muslim World – although more of a cliché now – might also want to consider backing Syria. What Muslim leaders might think is again expected to be under the heavy influence of the Western political agendas. Will unity be on the cards of the Muslim world? Is such a concept still achievable? If so, how is it to come about? 

Sunil Kumar

It appears Somewhat compelling and perhaps belated that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged the SJB-led Opposition to act responsibly and help ensure the continuity of the IMF bailout program for which all Sri Lankans need to be totally indebted for at a time it was needed most when the country was headed for dire straits on the verge of collapse, which has enabled the economy to regain some stability. Something he was solely responsible for creating in a brilliantly composed mindset and a phase in the country’s history which was unprecedented. 

Thanking the NPP government for having kept the IMF program on course was in all probability in perfect order albeit the realization it was he who originated it a heavy hearted one where he was no longer part of the Administration.

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s exhortation to the Opposition and unsolicited advice to the Government are timely and not entirely devoid of politics as the political intonations are perfectly visible. 

He is obviously seeking the credit for what the country has achieved through the ongoing IMF program, which got underway in earnest under his presidency but now taken to a higher level  under the new presidency.

In fact, it is doubtful whether any other President would have had the courage to make a host of seemingly unpopular yet essential decisions to address the economic crisis amidst a barrage of opposition for which a heavy price was undoubtedly paid albeit with favourable results. In so doing Mr.Wickremesinghe is not without a moral right to ask the Government and the Opposition to act prudently and help the country make the most of the IMF program where hopefully it will augur well in the best interests of Sri Lanka.

There are signs already that it is, given the state of the country today as life returns to a degree of normalcy already and people are breathing easier on many domestic issues and their existences in a Country which was embroiled in huge impasses not too long ago.While not completely out of the woods yet the prospect of better days ahead are quite promising as long as the present Administration stays a firm course that will not bent or digress under pressure from undesirable sources .

It is hoped indeed that the Opposition and the Government will heed Mr. Wickremesinghe’s advice and act accordingly.

Somewhat bewilderingly the SJB has chosen to “play to the gallery”, asking the Government to renegotiate the IMF program.

Bearing in mind that It could not even sort out an internal dispute over its National List appointments, and one of its constituents resorting to legal action this seems somewhat fickle and feeble minded to say the least. So how can such a political party claim to be able to make the IMF bend to its will? One ponders over what the objective might be beyond a self centred quest for worthless recognition at a time when the greater priorities towards collective national needs by far outweigh individuality.

While the IMF program is no economic panacea it will surely help Sri Lanka gain economic stability in the short-term as cited by the scribe who inspired this concept it has already yielded some tangible results. However, much more remains to be done to ensure Sri Lanka’s long-term economic well being, and it is up to the current hierarchy as well as future governments to develop the economy and achieve debt sustainability.

Nobody likes IMF bailout conditions, which can be extremely harsh, but they are a pre-requisite for a bankrupt country’s economic recovery. If Sri Lanka managed its economy properly, it would not have had to ask for IMF help, which comes with constricting conditions. However, what the IMF has prescribed is what Sri Lanka should have done on its own a long time ago.

When a country spends more than it earns and goes on borrowing recklessly from external sources to meet its revenue shortfall, it runs the risk of facing an economic crisis. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government indulged in wasteful expenditure; it spent a great deal of borrowed money on utopian projects. The UNP-led Yahapalana government also borrowed heavily. The JVP backed that administration to the hilt. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, in its wisdom, slashed taxes and tariffs, oblivious to the disastrous consequences of its harebrained action. The Covid -19 pandemic came, necessitating prolonged lock downs, which took a heavy toll on the economy.The Nation was in a shambles. The rest is history.

Sri Lanka found herself in dire straits having ruined the economy and ended up at the bottom of an economic pit. Thankfully, in answer to its pitiable pleas, the IMF threw a lifeline, which has enabled it to come halfway up. Needless to say, nothing will be more obsolete and vague than for it to let go of that lifeline which is wisely said indeed as once again reiterating to the scribe referred to previously the concept outlined is fully endorsed in all conventional wisdom.

By P.K.Balachandran Courtesy NewsIn.Asia

Colombo, December 17: The Anura Kumara Dissanayake government in Sri Lanka, which was sailing smoothly despite unsolved economic issues, suffered the first jolt since coming to power, when parliament Speaker Ashoka Ranwala resigned on Friday amidst accusations that his Ph.D” was fake.

Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake and  Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara were also assailed for falsely  claiming that they had doctoral degrees.

Ranwala maintained that he had acquired a Ph.D, and said that he had no documentary proof of the doctorate. He said he would produce it on getting it from the Waseda University-affiliated institution in Japan he was registered with. In the case of Nanayakkara, it came to be known that it was the parliament’s fault. It had appended Dr” to his name deviating from the text he had given them.  In the case of Karunatilake, he was not a doctorate and yet was using the prefix Dr”. He said that he was a Ph.D student about to complete his programme. Because of the public exposure, all three dropped Dr” from their on-line platforms.

However, the squeaking clean image which the ruling National Peoples’ Power (NPP) government had, was sullied. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa urged government MPs to resign if they failed to provide evidence of their educational qualifications. Taking to X, he criticised the NPP for misleading the people saying that they would give an honest and transparent government with people having good educational qualifications. People voted for the NPP in the Presidential and parliamentary elections this year impressed with the high” qualifications of the NPP candidates in contrast to their challengers, many of whom could have been mere high school graduates.

Root of the Problem

Fake degrees are not confined to Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament and pushy politicians trying to impress the public. It is widespread in society in Sri Lanka, South Asia and even in the UK and USA. In all these countries there are those who falsely claim they have a university degree. There are others who have a fake degree, and there are yet others who provide fake degrees for a hefty fee. There is also a tribe of ghost writers of Ph.D dissertations.   

The craze for fake degrees reflects the rarity or expensiveness of education in a society. A tight job market makes it necessary to have a degree, fake or real. Among a population of uneducated people, flaunting a university degree, whether real or fake, helps gain recognition and opens the doors to jobs when jobs are scarce.  

When politics became popular and intensely competitive in South Asian countries, politicians began to add educational qualifications, real or false, to their CVs as additional feathers in their cap. They also began to use their political clout in local universities to get honorary doctorates which they unethically deemed to be doctorates got after pursuing a rigorous doctoral programme.

The number of politicians getting such doctorates increased exponentially after universities, to curry favour with governments and politicians, starting giving doctorates to Chief Ministers, Ministers and other political bigwigs. The number of political doctorates in India ballooned with the politicization of the universities. Both state and private universities were in this racket as both needed State funds ad political patronage to conduct their educational business.”

All countries in South Asia developed economically, especially after they liberalized, but job opportunities did not grow commensurately. The new needs arising from a liberalized economy and the intense competition that the needs generated resulted in a craze for getting higher qualifications” no matter how dubious these qualifications might be.

Degree Shops

To meet the needs of these wannabes”, shops came up selling degrees from nice sounding but dubious universities, both local and foreign. In 2022, the Colombo-based Roar Media carried a story on the degree racket in Sri Lanka. It cited the case of the director of a sanitary ware company, who while scrolling through his Facebook page, saw a message from a local representative of a university based in the US.” The gent offered honorary doctorates for LKR 390,000 each.

Manav Bharti University was a private university in Himachal Pradesh state in India which had sold 36,000 degrees for US$1,362 each, South China Morning Post said. Offers of fake degrees came from the US and Nigeria also. The prices for a doctorate varied from USD 62 to USD 1400. Even convocations” were held in expensive places to impress the recipients and others, but at an extra cost of USD 626 per client.

Some of the known fake universities are: Indian Virtual University; Universal Tamil University, Chennai; Kings University, U.S.A.; International Peace University, Germany; International Tamil University; and University Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The fake degree agents claim high connections. According to India Today, a Chennai man ran an International Coaching Centre under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation/United Nations Development Programme for getting Ph.Ds. MBAs and MBBS degrees from New York University and Stanton University

American fake degrees are, of course, the most sought after. The United States Education Foundation in India (USEFI), Chennai, run by the US Education Department, had said that most of the US universities” giving degrees” were fake. The list includes International University, California, Stanton University and City University of New York.

Some shops touting fake degrees really seek research work. One India-based entity gave a PhD certificate in 45 days for USD 1065 after a 250-page thesis was submitted. To help write Ph.D. dissertations there arose ghost writers.

In 2019, 11 professors at government arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu state were suspended after their PhD certificates were found to be fake. The same year, the Education Ministry launched an investigation into six universities – including three public ones – that had been accused of selling fake degrees.

Fake Degrees in UK

In 2018, the BBC reported that one of its staff was offered a degree from the fake Nixon University for US$ 3,600. Thousands of UK nationals have bought fake degrees from a multi-million pound diploma mill” in Pakistan, a BBC Radio 4’s File on Four” programme investigation found. Buyers included National Health Service Consultants, nurses and a large defence contractor. One British buyer spent almost £500,000 on bogus documents.

Axact” which claims to be the world’s largest IT company”, operates a network of hundreds of fake online universities run by agents from a Karachi Call Centre. With names such as Brooklyn Park University and Nixon University, they feature stock images of smiling students and even fake news articles singing the institution’s praises.

In 2015, Axact sold more than 215,000 fake qualifications globally, through approximately 350 fictitious high schools and universities, making US$ 51 million that year alone.

According to documents seen by BBC Radio 4’s File on Four” programme, more than 3,000 fake Axact qualifications were sold to UK-based buyers in 2013 and 2014, including master’s degrees, doctorates and PhDs.

A trawl through the list of Axact UK buyers reveals various National Health Service clinical staff, including an ophthalmologist, nurses, a psychologist, and numerous consultants also bought fake degrees,” BBC said. Defence contractor FB Heliservices bought fake Axact degrees for seven employees, including two helicopter pilots, between 2013 and 2015

Extortion

Fake degree agents have also taken to extortion and blackmail. One could get a telephone call that looks like it’s coming from your embassy or local law enforcement, threatening to arrest or deport you unless you get some additional documents to help support the phony diploma you already have.

The BBC mentions the case of Cecil Horner, a British engineer based in Saudi Arabia, who kept getting threatening calls from Axact agents after paying nearly £500,000 for fake a fake degree. Sometimes, these fly-by-night operators would pocket the money and disappear without issuing a certificate.  

Rajib Ray, president of the Federation of Central Universities’ Teachers’ Associations, told South China Morning Post that most fake degree scams in India involved private institutions – a sector that has been booming since the 1990s following a surge in demand for IT and management courses.

END

උපුටා ගැන්ම  ලංකා ලීඩර්

අධිකරණ ඇමැති හර්ෂණ නානායක්කාර මහතාගේ නම ඉදිරියෙන් ‘ආචාර්ය’ යනුවෙන් පාර්ලිමේන්තු වෙබ් අඩවියේ පළ කිරීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් පාර්ලිමේන්තුව සකස් කරන ලද වාර්තාවක් ජනාධිපති අනුර දිසානායක මහතාට හා අපරාධ පරීක්‍ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට බාර දී ඇත.

සභානායක කාර්යාලයෙන් එවන ලද ලිපියක ‘ආචාර්ය’ ලෙස සඳහන් වීම මත පාර්ලිමේන්තු වෙබ් අඩවියට එම දත්ත ඇතුළත් කරන ලද බව එම වාර්තාවේ සඳහන්ව ඇතැයි පැවසෙයි.

හර්ෂණ නානායක්කාර මහතා පාර්ලිමේන්තු කටයුතු පිළිබඳ කාරක සභාවේ සාමාජිකයකු ලෙස නම් කරමින් ඔහුගේ නම ඉදිරියෙන් ආචාර්ය ලෙස යනුවෙන් යොදා තිබූ බව එම වාර්තාව විසින් පෙන්වා දී ඇත.

මේ අතර මෙම සිදුවීමට අදාළව අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව විසින්ද පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ නිලධාරීන් තිදෙනෙකුගෙන් ප්‍රශ්න කර ඇත.

ඒ අමාත්‍යවරයා විසින් කරන ලද පැමිණිල්ලක් අනුවයි.

Courtesy Adaderana

Adani Power is exploring ways to sell the Bangladesh-bound power, produced at the Godda plant in India’s Jharkhand state, to neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka.

The Jharkhand plant with 2X800 MW capacity is a dedicated project of Adani Power to supply electricity to Bangladesh. The company has reduced the quantum of power supply from the plant to Bangladesh amid some issues due to political changes in Bangladesh. 

Although the Indian government recently allowed the sales of power in the domestic market to sustain the project, a fresh transmission network is necessary in this regard, according to The Hindu Business Line.

However, the selling power to Sri Lanka from the Godda plant will require consent from the Bangladesh government.

I believe they will require the consent of the Bangladesh Power Development Authority for sales of power to Sri Lanka from the Godda plant,” Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, the adviser for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, told the Indian news outlet.

Source: Financial Express
–Agencies

Courtesy Adaderana

A high-level discussion on the critical preparations for Sri Lanka’s upcoming Mutual Evaluation (ME) by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) was held today (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The meeting focused on preventing money laundering and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) and included participation from cabinet ministers, ministry secretaries, officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

The FIU highlighted the urgent implementation of cabinet-approved action plans involving 24 key institutions, including regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies. These plans prioritize legal reforms, capacity building, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and maintaining comprehensive records to meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations effectively.

President Disanayake directed the establishment of dedicated teams to ensure compliance and closely monitor progress. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability in strengthening Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT framework, the PMD said.

He underscored the need for a robust and effective system to secure favourable evaluation outcomes, maintain financial stability, and bolster international confidence in the country’s economy, it added.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake also attended at the meeting.

–PMD

Courtesy Adaderana

Credit ratings agency Moody’s on Monday raised Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign currency issuer rating to ‘Caa1’ from ‘Ca’ with a stable outlook, after the country’s creditors approved a $12.55 billion debt overhaul last week.

Sri Lanka’s credit profile reflects the reduction in external vulnerability and government liquidity risk, and prospects for fiscal and debt sustainability, Moody’s said in a report.

Sri Lanka’s credit fundamentals have improved over the past two years… external vulnerability and government liquidity risk have both declined from elevated levels,” Moody’s said.

The island nation had defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in May 2022 due to its high debt burden and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

Its bondholders last week signed off on the government’s proposal to restructure its international bonds as the island nation recovers from its worst financial crisis in decades.

The rating action marked the conclusion of a review Moody’s initiated last month, in which it had indicated a possible upgrade.

Ratings agency Fitch on Friday raised Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign-currency default rating to ‘CCC+’ from ‘restricted default’.

Source: Reuters
–Agencies

Shenali D Waduge

We often hear Indian leaders pressurizing Sri Lankan leaders that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy must ensure the security interests of India. At no point in time has Sri Lanka ever thought or even planned to threaten India in any way. In fact, it has been none other than India who has compromised its own security.

It was India who decided to train Sri Lankan Tamil youth to become militants & fight Sri Lankan government passing pillow of likely self-determination quest commencing from Tamil Nadu. Eventually, this backfired to not only result in LTTE killing an Indian Prime Minister, but even taking on the Indian army until the IPKF was asked to unceremoniously leave Sri Lanka. Eventually, the LTTE that India thought it could control became fostered by Western interests & functioned to Western geopolitical agendas. It was the colonials who transported mainly Tamils to all corners of the world including Sri Lanka under settler colonization” & these are the same entities today demanding self-determination in both Tamil Nadu & Sri Lanka plucking clauses from the West controlled UN.

When Sri Lanka was forced under virtual duress to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord, merge the North East as one administrative unit, bring a constitutional amendment (13^th) and turn Sri Lanka into a quasi-federal state, as well as through Rajiv Gandhi’s letters to the then President commit Sri Lanka to not allow US ships or US military or US voice of America in Sri Lanka, that scenario since 1987 has changed to India becoming best of friends with the US post 2015 & even becoming a QUAD strategic partner. Nevertheless, this partnership has of late been waning with the unexpected regime change in Bangladesh together with US funding of all types of Islamic militants even inside India, now set free to cause calamity in nations where US propose to destabilize. India looks to be a key target.

Who invited this trouble-maker to Asia? None other than India. Therefore, India has much to answer for all the problems South Asia is currently witnessing.

If India has been following the US envoy in Sri Lanka closely, she has been specifically targeting Tamil communities breaking each down into segments that US can influence. Of course, this will pose challenges to Sri Lanka, but it is India that will have to face the eventual tune.

India may well have mastered the art of destabilizing its neighbors but has India thought about how destabilized neighbors will impact India in return? What is India’s contingency plan in such a scenario?

With US influence over Tamils, Muslims & segment groups of Sinhalese, how far will their loyalty tilt in favor of India? Already the Northern Tamils are showing growing dissent over Indians bullying them, while many Indians now residing in Sri Lanka have displayed open arrogance, sufficient for people to easily oppose ECTA or any other connectivity with India. If ties between US & India are now on the decline, India will know that any animosity brewing against India will be elevated with the support of US. So much for strategic partnerships!

Be that as it may, inspite of the lofty Arkhand Bharath greater India agenda, how far will this converge with the West’s plan to create balkanize India, create pro-West buffer micro-states, (what US eyes in Sri Lanka’s North & East) India cannot ignore the rising Christian political dominance in Tamil Nadu where the BJP political presence is fast declining.

What signal or message was delivered using Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday attacks & by whom to whom?

The West has been able to penetrate to South Asia societies using several of its foot soldiers – the Church, Christian-NGOs, USAID-NRI-IRI-NED led public programs which also target key segments of society – judges, lawyers, key public servants, media, civil society leaders, professionals and now they have managed to penetrate to nationalist organizations as well. A green card, scholarships, western training, jobs & promotions can easily swallow the prey & people who lack integrity & patriotism. The same elements are operational across India & in particular Tamil Nadu as well.

Thus, how far will forcing Sri Lanka to hold provincial council elections be of any advantage to India at this point in time? The Sri Lankans who can comprehend the larger picture can see that the risk of losing part of its island to the West or India looms with the holding of PC elections, but does India think that it can secure the North or East of Sri Lanka or both when even Tamil Nadu can easily be influenced away from India’s Central Government? Just as India’s Centre played Tamil Nadu card against Sri Lanka, the West has penetrated the model & can do the same against India. Let us not forget the North Indians hate South Indians & vice versa. How US legally slapped Modi’s best friend Adani is a case in point!

It is also important to note that while the LTTE only hijacked the quest to separate Sri Lanka from the Tamil politicians who had been moving for this even before independence, these Tamil politicians are now working hand in glove with LTTE Diaspora who are all operating from the West & are obviously working to Western geopolitical goals. The Himalayan Declaration is obviously one such initiative which has managed to hire a few men in Buddhist robes to give it the air that the Buddhists are agreeable to separating Sri Lanka, which is hardly the case. Therefore, India may well be able to dictate to Sri Lanka’s Tamil politicians but their overall preference has always been West-inclined given that they have families living in the West & they are treated well by the West, therefore India would only be fooling itself to think these Tamil politicians are working in India’s interest. They will only do so, so long as they personally benefit. In fact, they may even be wooed by the Chinese using this same premise too.

Therefore, by forcing Sri Lanka to hold PC elections thus opening the doors to secessionism is not going to be safeguarding India’s security, it will in fact speed up India’s disintegration. Is this a risk India wishes to take? Of course, how many of Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry hierarchy or even the present political set up understand the dynamics at play to even advise India of the likely scenarios, is left to be seen, however, at this juncture Sri Lanka does not need to hold provincial council elections primarily because it is a waste of public money, all these years the country has functioned without the PC’s operating and the nation can be saving a lot of money completely doing away with the PC system altogether.

India’s national security has been compromised by its own short-sighted foreign policy, made with intent to destabilize its neighbors & bully them but backfiring on India to eventually weaken & make India itself vulnerable.

It is for India to decide whether it wishes to continue to weaken its neighbors/Sri Lanka & destabilize its own turf or help strengthen its neighbors/Sri Lanka’s national security without attempting to federate Sri Lanka allowing the enemy to use this turf to eventually balkanize India.

It is for India to decide if it wants to head for trouble by weakening Sri Lanka via holding of PC elections & encouraging the Eelam project by Tamil politicians & LTTE Diaspora.

Shenali D Waduge

Sugath Kulatunga

Flaunting with doctorates has become a passionate fashion leading to musrooming of bogus doctorates. Today one can buy a Doctorate on line. A report in the Indian media has shown that an original PhD thesis can be purchased in India for 50,000 Indian rupees (about £540), with payment in installments. https://thomaslancaster.co.uk/blog/can-you-really-buy-a-phd-online/

Even a genuine doctorate has a direct value only in Research, Academic and Professional fields. In Sri Lanka most doctorates in these fields are funded by the state. In that context the country expects a return in the form of an enhanced contribution by persons who benefit from the munificence of the state. The two institutions in the country where PhDs are galore are the Central Bank (CBSL) and the Universities. CBSL has nearly 1000 professionals out of which at least 500 them would have a doctorate. One of a main functions of the CBSL is Bank supervision. Continuous monitoring of the foreign exchange operations of licensed commercial banks and National Savings Bank and Authorized Money Brokers is a major function for which there is a separate department.

On bank supervision the Foreign Exchange Act of 2017 provides the responsibility of the commercial banks to make prompt reports on foreign exchange transactions. In Article 80. (1) Every commercial bank shall, as soon as may be after the close of business at the end of such period as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board, make a report to the Central Bank setting out the volume and composition of its purchases and sales of foreign exchange during that period, and shall furnish such additional information as the Central Bank may require with reference to such purchases and sales and to the movements of its accounts in foreign currency. According to a Global Integrity Reported during the last 22 years export proceed that should have been repatriated back to the country but not sent back was USD 53.5 billion. There is also rampant mis-invoicing at the Customs with the collusion of the Commercial Banks which is ignored by the CBSL.

The CBSL is responsible for the biggest scams in the country. The country lost a huge amount of dollars when CBSL purchased a load of Greek Bonds at a time when they were on the decline.  The worst scam was the Bond scam maneuvered by CBSL Governor Arjuna Mahedran. The last swindle of the investment in ISBs at high rates of interest has bankrupted the country. The CBSL with all those Doctors is collectively responsible for these frauds.

Pl.refer: https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2024/07/05/the-central-bank-has-failed-the-nation/

The next hoarde of PhD s is in the Universities. Hardly no socially relevant research is done by them. Particularly in the Arts faculties they continue to produce unemploable graduates. Since the Kanngara Educational Reforms no structural changes have been made in the educational system. When other countries in East Asia gave high priority to technical and vocational education which supported rapid economic development we have only played with scool level syllubuses. The PhDs in the Universities who are reluctant to leave their comfort zone are averse to change. They only demand better pay in the guise of a 6% investment on educattion.

The value of a doctorate to the society depends on its social relevance and its potential contribution to the development of the country. Othewise it is only of ornamental value and fulfilling a perons personal aspirations. There is a hevy investment in time in money to obtain a PhD which involves an opportunity cost. In State funded training if the higher qualification is not relevant to the field of work or if the training is not applied to the work it is a waste of investment. There are many jobs in the Public Service where a PhD is not of much use. It is a poor use of time and money to toil for a doctorate. That time is better spent in contributing to his/her work. It must be accepted that all SLAS officers who enter the service through highly competitive examinations have the potential to secure a PhD but at the cost of application to their substantive responsibilities.

Even in posts where a doctorate is relevant in the public service or politics it is valuable when it complements leadership skills, practical experience, and a clear vision for public good. It’s not a necessity for success, but for those passionate about blending expertise with governance, it can be a powerful tool for influence and impact. The acquisition of irrelavant higher degees at state expense should be avoided.

PL.see:

https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Faking-Degrees:-A-Thriving-industry-in-South-Asia/231-298260

https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Faking-Degrees:-A-Thriving-industry-in-South-Asia/231-298260

VEHICLE IMPORTS

With the blessings of the IMF the government has decided to import motor vehicles in stages starting with commercial vehicles and vehicles for tourism. It is part of the free trade policy of the IMF. The government expects to generate considrable amount of revenue by this measure. Stage one import is justified as it is an essential investment but importing fuel guzzling motor cars is not a wise move. It is not a felt need of the vast majority of the population. What is more important is to improve the rundown rail and bus trasport services.

When new motor cars are imported it is not only the immediate (FE) cost which has to be taken into consideration. There will be an instante increase in fuel consumption and a commitment for spare parts. It will add to the already acute traffic congestion.

It iso a good opportunity to decide on a standard policy on importing vehicles and sustaining a national fleet in the best interest of the country. There is a need for standardization of a vehicle fleet in electricity powered vehicles and progressive manufacture/ assembly of those vehicles in the country creating savings in FE and employment and even exports in addition to the protection of the environment. There should be only two categories of motor cars -economy and utility.

India was happy with only the Ambassordor car for many decades. We should negototiate with countries like China, Japan, South Korea and even India to get the best offers. Without planning to export our excess electricity to India we must make use of our electricity to elctrify both road vehicles and the railway.

It may be necessary to allow the import of a limied number of luxury vehicles for theuse of visiting foreign dignitaries.

Gemunu Jayantha Wanninayake

Bro – බ්රෝ

https://youtu.be/cXXbYtLM9To

By Connor Echols

A half-baked report highlights the double standard US officials use for Israel
May 13, 2024

On NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken struck back at claims that U.S. officials let Israel dodge American laws regarding weapons transfers.

We don’t have double standards,” Blinken said. We treat Israel, one of our closest allies and partners, just as we would treat any other country, including in assessing something like international humanitarian law and its compliance with that law.”

Luckily for observers, Blinken has left a substantial public record against which one can test this claim. His own department’s statements and actions undercut this supposed impartiality. Indeed, all available evidence indicates that U.S. officials hold Israel to a lower standard than just about any other country.

Take the State Department’s long-awaited report on Israel’s compliance with international law in Gaza, which came out late last week. The administration found that Israel had likely used U.S. weapons to commit war crimes but said there wasn’t enough evidence to draw clear conclusions about specific incidents. The upshot is that, from the Biden administration’s perspective, there is no legal reason to cut off U.S. arms transfers to Israel at this time.

In Blinken’s telling, any more forceful conclusions would have been impossible given the incredibly complex military environment” in Gaza. It’s very, very difficult in the heat of war to make a definitive assessment about any individual incident,” he said Sunday.

But that very, very difficult” operating environment didn’t stop the State Department from drawing strong conclusions about Hamas’ actions in the very same report. In a three-page defense of Israel’s campaign — a feature not present in similar reports on other states — U.S. officials found with great clarity that Hamas uses human shields, intentionally targets civilians, and consistently violates” the laws of war.

Observers are left to conclude that the U.S. has somehow attained more definitive inside information about Hamas than Israel, one of America’s closest military partners. This is in part why an independent panel of legal experts and former officials said the report was at best incomplete, and at worst intentionally misleading in defense of acts and behaviors that likely violate international humanitarian law.”

Once again, the Biden Administration has stared the facts in the face — and then pulled the curtains shut,” the panel, which includes two former senior officials at the State Department, wrote in a statement.

Notably, Blinken’s ‘fog-of-war’ standard only appears to apply to Israel. In other contexts, the U.S. does not find it difficult at all to assess violations of international law,” Sarah Yager, the Washington director at Human Rights Watch, told reporters Monday.

Yager pointed to the case of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, about which it took Blinken less than a month to announce that war crimes had been committed by Putin’s forces.” Based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine,” he said.

Indeed, Blinken has even accused Russia of ongoing war crimes in Ukraine, suggesting that he’s capable of making such determinations on the fly. Russian forces and officials have committed – and continue to commit – war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine,” he said in early 2023.

The standard also doesn’t seem to apply to the warring factions in Sudan. Seven months after the start of a brutal civil war in that country, Blinken declared that both sides have committed war crimes” in the latest conflict, a conclusion he based on the State Department’s careful analysis of the law and available facts.”

In the cases of Sudan and Russia, the State Department leaned heavily on reports from NGOs and human rights advocates, who conducted key investigations of alleged crimes. As it happens, those very same organizations have repeatedly found that Israel is violating international law in its campaign in Gaza, but Blinken has apparently chosen to ignore their conclusions.

What the [report] says is that it’s very difficult in these circumstances where security partners are engaged in armed conflict for the United States to assess violations of international law,” Yager said. We know it’s difficult because we did that work, and we presented the evidence to the U.S. government.”

* Connor Echols is the managing editor of the Nonzero Newsletter and a former reporter for Responsible Statecraft. Echols received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where he studied journalism and Middle East and North African Studies.

We remind our readers that publication of articles on our site does not mean that we agree with what is written. Our policy is to publish anything which we consider of interest, so as to assist our readers  in forming their opinions. Sometimes we even publish articles with which we totally disagree, since we believe it is important for our readers to be informed on as wide a spectrum of views as possible.

By Alan Macleod

Dec 12, 2024

Corporate media is heralding the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the emergence of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani as the new leader of Syria, despite his deep ties to both al-Qaeda and ISIS.

How Syria’s ‘diversity-friendly’ jihadists plan on building a state,” runs the headline from an article in Britain’s Daily Telegraph that suggests that Jolani will construct a new Syria, respectful of minority rights. The same newspaper also labeled him a moderate Jihadist.” The Washington Post described him as a pragmatic and charismatic leader, while CNN portrayed him as a blazer-wearing revolutionary.”

Meanwhile, an in-depth portrait from Rolling Stone describes him as a ruthlessly pragmatic, astute politician who has renounced ‘global jihad’” and intends to unite Syria.” His strategic acumen is apparent,” writes Rolling Stone, between paragraphs praising Jolani for leading a successful movement against a dictator.

CNN even scored an exclusive, sit-down interview with Jolani, even as his movement was storming Damascus. When asked by host Jomana Karadsheh about his past actions, he responded by saying, I believe that everyone in life goes through phases and experiences…As you grow, you learn, and you continue to learn until the very last day of your life,” as if he were discussing embarrassing teenage mistakes, not establishing and leading the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda’s franchise in Syria.

This is a far cry from the first time CNN covered Jolani. In 2013, the network labeled him one of the world’s 10 most dangerous terrorists,” known for abducting, torturing and slaughtering racial and religious minorities.

Still on the U.S. terrorist list today, the FBI is offering a $10 million reward for information about his whereabouts. Washington and other Western governments consider Jolani’s new organization, Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as one and the same as Al-Qaeda/Al-Nusra.

This poses a serious public relations dilemma for Western nations, who supported the HTS-led overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. And thus, Politico and others report there is a huge scramble” in Washington to remove HTS and Jolani from the terrorist list as quickly as possible.

The Making of a Radical

Jolani has sought to distance himself from his past and present himself as a moderating force that can attempt to unite an intensely divided Syria. While he has, in recent years, displayed a willingness to compromise with other forces and factions, it is far from clear whether the tens of thousands of soldiers he commands – units made up primarily of former fighters from al-Qaeda/al-Nusra and ISIS – will be in a charitable mood once they cement their power.

Syria is being purified,” he told a crowd in Damascus on Sunday. This victory is born from the people who have languished in prison, and the fighters broke their chains,” he added.

Jolani – whose real name is Ahmed Hussein al-Shar’a – was born in 1982 in Saudi Arabia to parents who fled the Golan Heights area of Syria after the 1967 Israeli invasion. In 2003, he went to Iraq to fight against American forces. After three years of war, he was captured by the U.S. military and spent over five years in prison, including a stint at the notorious Abu Ghraib torture center.

While in Iraq, Jolani fought with ISIS and was even a deputy to its founder. Immediately upon release in 2011, ISIS sent him to Syria with a rumored $1 billion to found the Syrian wing of al-Qaeda and participate in the armed protest movement against Assad that arose out of the Arab Spring.

Realizing the extremely poor reputation al-Qaeda had in the region and across the world, Jolani attempted to rebrand his forces, officially shuttering the al-Nusra Front in January 2017 and, on the same day, founding HTS. He claimed that HTS preaches a very different ideology and that it will respect Syrian diversity. Not everyone is convinced of this, least of all the British government, who immediately proscribed HTS, describing it as merely an alias of Al-Qaeda.

Al-Qaeda/ISIS man didn’t ‘reinvent himself.’ He had the whole propaganda and intelligence apparatus of the ‘West,’ including the BBC, doing it for him,” remarked co-founder of The Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimah.

The New Government: Likes Israel, Hates Hezbollah

The name al-Jolani” translates to From the Golan Heights.” And yet, the leader appears distinctly unconcerned with the Israeli invasion of his homeland. The IDF has taken much of southern Syria, including the strategic Mount Hermon, overlooking Damascus. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that this is part of a permanent operation. The Golan Heights…will forever be an inseparable part of the State of Israel,” he proclaimed.

Jolani has already said that he has no intention of confronting Israel. Syria is not ready for war and does not intend to go into another war. The source of concern was the Iranian militias, and Hezbollah, and the danger has passed,” he said – a strange thing to say while Israel is carrying out the largest Air Force operation in its history, pounding military targets all over Syria. Other HTS spokespersons have also categorically refused to comment on Israel’s attack on the country, even when pressed by incredulous Western journalists.

Jolani’s comments, singling out two Shia forces rather than Israel as enemies of the state, will have many concerned that this could signal a return to the process of Shia slaughter ISIS waged over much of Syria and Iraq. In 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 383-0 to classify this process as a genocide.

Fortunately, the new government will likely be a coalition of disparate and moderating forces. However, these groups seem to share a common thread: they all appear to be pro-Israel. A commander of the secular Free Syrian Army, for example, recently gave an interview to The Times of Israel, where he looked forward to a new era of friendship” and harmony” with its neighbor to the south. We will go for full peace with Israel… Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, we have never made any critical comments against Israel, unlike Hezbollah, who stated they aim to liberate Jerusalem and the Golan Heights,” he said.

The commander added that Israel will plant a rose in the Syrian garden” and asked for the country’s financial support in forming a new government.

Other anti-Assad forces have gone even further, with one individual stating that Israel Isn’t hostile to those who are not hostile toward it. We don’t hate you, we love you very much…we were quite happy when you attacked Hezbollah, really happy, and we’re glad that you won.”

Statements like these might surprise a casual observer. But the reality is that Israel has been funding, training and arming much of the Syrian opposition since its inception. This includes Al-Qaeda, whose wounded fighters are treated by Israel.

And while radical Islamist forces appeared to be enemies with everyone, the one group they fastidiously avoided any confrontation with was Israel. Indeed, in 2016, ISIS fighters accidentally fired upon an Israeli position in the Golan Heights, thinking they were Syrian government forces, then quickly issued an apology for doing so.

From the Golan Heights, the year-long Israeli campaign against Hezbollah and Syrian Army positions also seriously weakened both forces, aiding the opposition in their victory.

Al-Qaeda and the U.S.: A Complicated Relationship

While both journalists and politicians in the U.S. are scrambling to change their opinions on Jolani and HTS, the reality is that, for much of its existence, Washington has enjoyed a very close relationship with al-Qaeda. The organization was born in Afghanistan in the 1980s, thanks in no small part to the CIA. Between 1979 and 1992, the CIA spent billions of dollars funding, arming, and training Afghan Mujahideen militiamen (like Osama bin Laden) in an attempt to bleed the Soviet occupation dry. It was from the ranks of the Mujahideen that bin Laden built his organization.

During the 1990s, bin Laden’s relationship with the U.S. soured, and it eventually became a principal target for al-Qaeda, culminating in the infamous September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

The Bush administration would use these attacks as a pretext to invade both Afghanistan and Iraq, claiming that America could never be safe if al-Qaeda were not thoroughly destroyed. Bin Laden became perhaps the most notorious individual in the world, and American society was turned upside down in a self-described effort to rout Islamic extremism.

And yet, by the 2010s, even as the U.S. was ostensibly at war with al-Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was secretly working with it in Syria on a plan to overthrow Assad. The CIA spent around $1 billion per year training and arming a wide network of rebel groups to this end. As National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a leaked 2012 email, AQ [al-Qaeda] is on our side in Syria.”

Thus, while many casual observers may be shocked to see the media and political class embrace the leader of al-Qaeda in Syria as a modern, progressive champion, the reality is that the U.S. relationship with the group is merely reverting to a position it has previously held. Consequently, it appears that the War on Terror will come to an end with the terrorists” being redesignated as moderate rebels” and freedom fighters.”

Who Gets to Define Terrorist”?

Of course, many have argued that the U.S. Terrorist List is entirely arbitrary to begin with and is merely a barometer of who is in Washington’s good books at any given time. In 2020, the Trump administration removed Sudan from its state sponsors of terror list in exchange for the country normalizing relations with Israel, proving how transactional the list was.

A few months later, it removed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (a Uyghur militia currently active in Syria) from its list because of its hardening attitude towards China, seeing ETIM as a useful pawn to play against Beijing.

Washington also continues to keep Cuba on its terror list despite there being no evidence of the island supporting terror groups.

And the U.S. refused to remove Nelson Mandela from its list of the world’s most notorious terrorists until 2008 – 14 years after he became President of South Africa. In comparison, Jolani’s redesignation might take fewer than fourteen days.

A giant rebranding operation is taking place. Both corporate media and the U.S. government have attempted to transform the founder and head of an al-Qaeda affiliate organization into a woke, progressive actor. It remains to be seen how exactly Jolani will govern and whether he can maintain support from a wide range of Syrian groups. Given what we have seen in the past week, however, he can be confident of enjoying strong support from the Western press.

Feature photo | Illustration by MintPress News

* Alan MacLeod is Senior Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent, as well as a number of academic articles. He has also contributed to FAIR.org, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, and Common Dreams.

Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China for talks in January, he said on Saturday, days after completing a long-delayed foreign debt restructure.
 
China accounted for more than half of Sri Lanka’s bilateral debt at the time of the 2022 economic crash, when Colombo ran out of foreign exchange to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel and medicines.
 
Its economy is recovering after receiving an International Monetary Fund rescue package and imposing austerity reforms aimed at repairing the government’s ruined finances.
 
Leftist Dissanayake came to power in September on a pledge to fight corruption and tightened his grip after his party won a landslide in snap parliamentary polls.
 
I will be going to China mid next month”, he told reporters, without setting an exact date.
 
Dissanayake’s first overseas visit as head of state was to neighbouring India, where he was given a red-carpet welcome by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 16.
 
Regional powerhouse India is competing fiercely with China for influence in the Indian Ocean region.
 
Sri Lanka sits astride the world’s busiest shipping route, which links the Middle East and East Asia, giving its maritime assets strategic importance.
 
New Delhi has been concerned about Beijing’s growing toehold in Sri Lanka, which it sees as being within its sphere of geopolitical influence.
 
Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to CCC+ on Friday.
 
Fitch said that while debt restructuring had reduced the government’s debt service burden and liquidity risks”, it noted that the general government debt/GDP and the interest/revenue ratio are likely to stay high in the medium term”.
 
Source: AFP
–Agencies

Courtesy Adaderana

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘RD’ (Restricted Default), citing the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators.

Fitch typically does not assign an Outlook to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below.

Fitch has also upgraded the Local-Currency IDR to ‘CCC+’, from ‘CCC-’, to align with the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR, as the risk of another default on local-currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators. 

Sri Lanka completed the local-currency portion of its domestic debt optimisation in September 2023, following the exchange of treasury bills and provisional advances held by Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s into new treasury bonds and bills.

The upgrade of the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR reflects Fitch’s assessment that Sri Lanka has normalised relations with a majority of creditors, after the announcement of final results of the invitation to exchange the outstanding stock of international sovereign bonds with a 98% participation rate. 

One bond series with non-aggregated collective action clauses did not meet the required 75% level. Without this bond series, the acceptance results imply a restructuring of 96% of total commercial external debt, it said.

The debt exchange will convert 11 international sovereign bonds and accumulated past due interest (PDI) into a mix of four macro-linked bonds, one governance-linked bond and one PDI bond. 

Bondholders can choose the local alternative governed by domestic law, with rupee-denominated bonds and a US dollar bond with step-up coupon payments.

 AJITH SIRIWARDANA  Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, December 21 (Daily Mirror)- People have the complete right to convince others that something true is false or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said today.

Speaking at an event in Kalutara, she said people also have the right to see the negative side of good things the government is doing and that the government will never block that democratic right.

“You have the complete right to convince any truth as a lie and any lie as a truth. That is your democratic right. You have the right to see the negative side when the government is doing something good. And also, you have the right to praise when a leader, government, institution or an individual is doing something harmful to society,” she said.

The MP said it takes time to see the results of something and said it is better to wait till the results come before criticising something.

She said the NPP members never lied during the election campaign to bring Anura Kumara Dissanayake to presidency and that they did not want to do so either.

“Some people claim that NPP members lied on political stages to bring Anura Kumara to presidency. Any NPP member including me did not want to tell lies and mislead the people to bring Anura Kumara to presidency because we are not a bankrupt political force to do so. It is the others who were bankrupt. Because of their bankruptcy, people trusted Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP. We will not foul that confidence,” she said.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

While standing by former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra Himalee Arunatilaka, who faced a lawsuit over a salary issue of a domestic aide, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Arunatilaka had not committed any financial fraud and that it was due to an issue with Sri Lankan salary scale.

The Minister said as a standard practice, the diplomats are facilitated by the Foreign Ministry to take domestic assistants, and they are paid by the Foreign Ministry according to the Sri Lankan salary scale.

He said in this incident, a case had been filed because the salary paid to the domestic aide according to the Sri Lankan salary scale is less than the standard salary scale in Australia.

The Minister said not only Sri Lanka some other countries like India have similar issues as their salary scale is less than European countries and Australia.

He said the government regrets the inconvenience caused to Arunatilaka and added that a policy decision must be taken regarding the matter.

The Minister said the government will take a policy decision on the salary scale of domestic aides working in foreign missions.

AJITH SIRIWARDANA

The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

He told a news conference that the FTA with India needs to be updated and continue as the market has expanded now.

The Minister said Sri Lanka brought to the notice of the Indian government the need to discuss the matter during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to India.

Referring to the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), the Minister said the government did not sign the ETCA as claimed by some opposition politicians and that the government only agreed to continue discussions on the matter further.

“No final decision was made or set dates for discussions on ETCA. We will not sign any agreement detrimental to our economy,” he said.

Minister Herath said Sri Lanka signed only two MoUs with India during the recent visit, which included an MoU for training and capacity-building of 1,500 civil servants of Sri Lanka and a Protocol for amending the Agreement of Avoidance of Double Taxation.

He refuted claims that Sri Lanka agreed to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka and added that Sri Lanka only agreed to continue the discussion initiated by the previous government on the matter.

By Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

Sri Lanka’s Paddy Production: Yala vs. Maha

Sri Lanka’s annual paddy production revolves around two seasons:

1. Maha Season (Major Crop):

• Contributes ~65-70% of total annual paddy output.
•  Cultivated during the north-east monsoon (October to March).
•  Harvested in February-March, making it the country’s largest source of rice supply.

2. Yala Season (Minor Crop):

•  Accounts for ~30-35% of total output.
•  Grown during the south-west monsoon (April to August).
•  Harvested in July-August, with stocks typically depleting by late November.

The disparity between the seasons leaves a supply gap during December and January, exacerbating shortages when Yala harvests underperform or Maha cultivation faces delays.

Statistical Evidence (2020–2023)

Year Total Paddy Production (Metric Tons) Maha Contribution (% of Total) Yala Contribution (% of Total) Key Challenges

2020 ~4.1 million 2.7 million (66%) 1.4 million (34%) Balanced production ensured stable rice availability.

2021 ~3.8 million 2.6 million (68%) 1.2 million (32%) Fertilizer shortages impacted yields, increasing dependency on imports.

2022 ~3.3 million 2.2 million (67%) 1.1 million (33%) Severe drought during Yala worsened seasonal shortages. 

2023 ~2.6 million 1.7 million (65%) 0.9 million (35%) Fertilizer bans and weather disruptions led to Sri Lanka’s worst rice shortage. 

Core Reasons Behind the Shortages

1. Demand-Supply Imbalance:

• Annual rice consumption averages 2.4–2.6 million metric tons, with demand remaining constant throughout the year.
• The Yala harvest, contributing only one-third of total production, is insufficient to cover consumption needs until the Maha harvest in February-March.

2. Climate Vulnerabilities:

• Irregular rainfall, droughts, and floods during critical growing periods disrupt yields, especially in the Yala season.

3. Fertilizer and Input Challenges:

• The 2021 fertilizer ban and subsequent shortages significantly reduced productivity during both the Yala and Maha seasons.

4. Storage and Buffer Failures:

• Lack of adequate buffer stock policies and modern storage facilities leads to post-harvest losses and price volatility during shortages.

5. Market Speculation and Hoarding:

• Traders often hoard rice during the shortage months, artificially inflating prices and reducing market availability.

Proposed Solutions

To mitigate these seasonal shortages, a multifaceted approach is essential:

1. Enhancing Yala Season Productivity:

• Introduce drought-resistant paddy varieties and expand irrigation systems to stabilise Yala output.
• Provide incentives for farmers to increase Yala cultivation through targeted subsidies and improved seed distribution.

2. Buffer Stock Management:

• Establish strategic rice reserves using surplus Maha production, ensuring controlled releases during shortages.
• Invest in modern storage infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses.

3. Policy Reforms:

• Develop a timely import strategy to fill supply gaps during critical months without destabilizing local markets.
• Strengthen the Paddy Marketing Board to regulate distribution and pricing.

4. Diversification and Sustainability:

• Encourage alternative cropping systems during off-seasons, including fast-growing rice varieties.
• Promote consumption of other staples, such as millet and maize, to reduce pressure on rice.

5. Improved Risk Management:

• Implement climate-resilient farming practices and crop insurance schemes to safeguard farmers against losses.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s rice shortages during December and January are a direct result of its reliance on the seasonal Maha harvest and the insufficient output of the Yala season. By adopting a combination of enhanced agricultural practices, strategic policy interventions, and robust infrastructure investments, the country can bridge the seasonal production gap and achieve year-round rice security.

As we move forward, prioritizing sustainable agriculture and ensuring equitable market systems will be vital to addressing this perennial challenge. 

By Sena Thoradeniya

1. Lumpen Elites”

Another myth propagated by the capitalist press, NGO coterie and deplorably by some activists in the nationalistic movement who have not severed their umbilical cord with the old JVP womb yet, is that the voters have rejected elite politics and transferred power to a non-elite political camp at the 2024 General Election. Is this true or false?  The latter group has descended into a lower level[U1]  calling all former rulers as Paadada Praboon” (my translation as Lumpen Elites”), some propelled by themselves from time to time. They have lived in conjugal relations” as Marx said, but allowed the bride to be prostituted”! Nothing more than that!

In our previousessay posted on December 1, we have stated that we know only about lumpen proletariat (in Sinhala Paadada Nirdhana Panthiya”) because ofthree reasons. Firstly, in Sri Lanka the term lumpen proletariat is being used for a very long time, from the days Marxist discourse began in this country.Secondly, there is no evidence that the terms Lumpen Bourgeoisie” or Lumpen Elites” has been used in our political discourse. Thirdly, we were unaware that thewriters who used the term Paadada Praboon” in their analysis of the 2024 election, used it knowing the theoretical undertones of what is meant by Lumpen Elites” or Lumpen Bourgeoisie” or they have a definition of their own to what Paadada Praboon”  does mean.

They have not given either a theoretical definition to Lumpen Elites”, or identified attributes of Lumpen Elites” through a class lens. In general, they do not seem to understand what Lumpen means to bring it into their analyses. It was sheer anger and bewilderment playing with words. 

2. Lumpen Proletariat

A detailed explanation of what is meant by lumpen proletariat is needless, as itis well known. But some definition about it, is justified to move ahead to explain what are meant by Lumpen Bourgeoisie” and Lumpen Elites”.

Marx and Engels in Manifesto of the Communist Party” (1848) described the lumpen proletariat as the dangerous class”, the social scum”. This term was coined by Marx and used by him in many of his writings. In The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte” (1852), Marx identifies nearly two dozen categories with dubious means of subsistence and of dubious origin”, such as vagabonds, discharged soldiers, discharged jailbirds, swindlers, gamblers, pickpockets, brothel keepers, pimps, prostitutes and beggars, in short the whole indefinite, disintegrated mass”.  A class of outcasts, all declassed, degraded and degenerated elements, refuse of all classes”.    

Mao in his Analysis of the Classes in Chinese Society” (1926) said that the lumpen proletariat was made up of peasants who lost their land and handicraftsmen who cannot get work.They lead the most precarious existence of all”. One of China’s difficult problems is how to handle these people”.

3. Politics of the Lumpen Proletariat

Marx said that from the above categories Louis Bonaparte formed the core of the Society of December 10, which helped his coup d’état.  Hefurther described that Bonaparte himself was the Chief of the Paris lumpen proletariat, a princely lumpen proletariat”, that the political power base of Louis Bonapartewas lumpen and theSociety of December 10 remained the private army of Bonaparte. In Paris the lumpen proletariat organized as the Mobile Guard were with the side of bourgeois republic, along with the aristocrats of finance,industrial bourgeoisie, middle class,high dignitaries of the army, the university, the Church,the bar, the academy and the press, those who have impounded the Republic. Thus, Marx considered forms of aristocratic power to be lumpen.

In China lumpen proletariat had secret societies bearing esoteric names, in every part of the country. Some possessed arms. They were destructive and controlled and used by landlords and local tyrants. Chiang Kai-shek used them to disrupt the unity of the people. 

4. Lumpen Proletariat of Sri Lanka

With the above analysis we can easily identify the Lumpen Proletariat of Sri Lanka. We may add elements of underworld, bootleggers, drug dealers, drug peddlers, illicit gun makers, dealers in illicit firearms, contract killers, goons employed by politicians and members of private armies of politicians etc.  to the above lists.

In earlier days underworld elements were used by politicians and industrialists to disrupt strikes. UNP was notorious for this. In earlier days roads were blocked preventing voters of depressed castes (as all of them were supporters of Left parties) coming to polling booths. General elections and bye-elections in certain electorates were like turf wars”, fought with using intimidation and thuggery; shooting and killing were parts of this game. General election in Kandy in 1947, Agalawattabye-election in 1967,Maharabye-election in 1983, Northern District Development Council elections, Southern Provincial Council elections, Referendum were marred with violence; the so-called universal suffrage was abused by the ruling party using their paid lumpen elements. Election victorieswere celebrated with arson, destruction of property, intimidation, use of strong-arm tactics, mass scale transfer of public servants to difficult areas” and discontinuing the services of hundreds of public servants. We witnessed the peak of this in 1977.  

The members of this underclass were used for thuggery and intimidation of supporters of opposing parties; preventing them from coming to polling booths; destruction of private property and burning private residences after election victories; election rigging, voter impersonation, stuffing ballot boxes at the Referendum and presidential elections; to stone Supreme Court judges private residences; to attack 1980 strikers; for arson and looting in 1983 communal strife;  to burn Jaffna library etc.

It is an undisclosed fact that many members of the Lumpen Proletariat joined the ranks of JVP/DJV in 1988/89 and engaged in a killing spree carrying out inhuman punishment to their adversaries. Parliamentarians belonging to the ruling party and the opposition had their own private armies, body guards were detailed and firearms issued to them by the government. Some parliamentarians acted as patrons of paramilitary forces such as PRRA (Peoples’ Revolutionary Red Army). People like Gonawela Sunil, Soththi Upali, Baddegana Sanjeewa, Wambotta and Julampitiye Amare became household names. Some Ministers were notorious for organized terror, crime and assassinations.

Drug barons having cryptic names who held sway after the introduction of free economy are an integral part of this segment who rose to the ranks of Lumpen Bourgeoisie” within a very short period.   

5. Lumpen Bourgeoisie”

 Lumpen Bourgeoisie” is a term used to describe members of the middle class, upper class merchants, industrialists and lawyers who support colonial masters. This term was popularized by Andre Gunder Frank in his book, Lumpen Bourgeoisie and Lumpen Development, Dependency, Class and Politics in Latin America” (1972), although many writers have used it some decades ago. This neologism was created coining lumpen proletariat and bourgeoisie.

Mao in his class analysis in Chinese society (1926), described Comprador Bourgeois class as a wholly appendage of the international bourgeoisie, depending upon imperialism for their survival and growth, who represent the most backward and most reactionary relations of production in China and hinder the development of China’s productive forces. A Comprador was the Chinese Manager or the Senior Chinese Employee in a foreign commercial establishment, who served foreign economic interests and had close connections with imperialism and foreign capital.

Gunder Frank described Lumpen Bourgeoisie” as colonial and neocolonial elites in Latin America, like European Bourgeoisie. But their mentality is akin to lumpen proletariat, often supporting capitalism, resorting to crime. He termed this as lumpen development and countries affected by it as lumpen states.

6. Lumpen Bourgeoisie” of Sri Lanka

This leads us for a detailed analysis of the Lumpen Bourgeoisie” of Sri Lanka, its class characteristics, class interests, class relationships, economic and power bases, political affiliations and culture it represents and advocates. Main players of this class are the industrialists and exporters who park theirexport earningsabroad, racketeers, swindlers, drug barons, those engaged in illicit money earning activities and trade, rice mafia, destructors of natural resources, money launderers, media moguls who are behind Eurocentric cultural aggression, lawyers and doctors who fleece their clients and patients and many more.

A new set of people who joined this rank are the so-called think tanks, somegroomed by the Catholic Action, some funded by the US agencies; they invariably represent the interests of the US and play a pivotal role as agents of economic, political and cultural slavery. 

Private sectorbusiness conglomerates and oligopolies who are engaged in bribery, corruption, frauds, scams, price wars, under invoicing, accounting irregularities, tax avoidance, market manipulations, insider trading and causing artificial behviours in the stock market, criminality and sexual abuse, easily qualify to be members of this class. They give kickbacks to politicians and government mandarins to get approvals and licenses, government contracts and are famous for political lobbying. They are powerful enough to manipulate activities of professionals – doctors, engineers, lawyers and academics, professional bodies by sponsoring their events, celebrations and anniversaries, providing foreign trips and educational facilities in foreign universities to their children.

As stated above the Lumpen Bourgeoisie” is closely linked with politicians and the bureaucracy.They fund various political parties and politicians; some control the activities of politicians. They in return are being benefitted by grant of multi-million contracts, diplomatic appointments, top positions in corporations and banks etc. This class was expanded and thrived after 1977; many of its members entered politics, appointed as MPs and powerful Ministers. Executive presidency became the manifestation of all conquering power.

In this manner politics in Sri Lanka became a handmaiden of Lumpen bourgeoisie. They made laws to protect themselves and engage in corruption; constitutional amendments were made to be in power.

Religionwas prostituted by them; establishing a Buddha Sasana Ministry, Ministries for Hindu, Muslim and Christian Affairs, providing Benz cars to Mahanayakes and official residences for them in Colombo were merely deceptive; rogue politicians, murderers, charlatans visiting Dalada Maligawa, Asgiriya and Malwatta chapters and now Anuradhapura with television crews, baskets of imported fruits and atapirikara, Mahanayakes listening to the homilies of these rogues(and now to JulieChung)without querying anything, Mahanayakas tying pirith nool (and now to JulieChung),donating Buddha statues and other religious emblems to rogues, bestowing esoteric titles (honorifics) to politicians, resemble an African masquerade, actors wearing different types ofmasks, costumes with elaborate headpieces decorated with animal hair, horns, teeth, sea shells, feathers, straw and grass.  

In many of the so-called Third World countries,political clientelism, paternalism, providing opportunities to the cronies to plunder national wealth and resources, such as illegal sand mining, rape offorestlands, mining quarries and other minerals,in the shadow of legality,with tax privileges as in Sri Lanka, have turned states into Lumpen States”, keeping states underdeveloped.

Political parties have become private, family or corporate enterprises. Registering political parties with the Elections Commission has become a lucrative business leading to horse trading.  From the very inception the oldest political party in Sri Lanka was known as Unge Nedayinige Pakshaya” (party of their relatives).

7. Lumpen Elites”

To make this more complex we would add that there is a class called Lumpen Elites” who bastardized politics and governance. Who are Lumpen Elites”? In Sri Lanka we have had many politicians whose power base was lumpen. But they were not described as Lumpen Elites”.  This segment shares all what we havedescribed underLumpen Bourgeoisie”.

Who are real” elites or enlightened elites”?  

Many dictionaries give several definitions and synonyms to the term elite. Upper crust or the highest social class, socially superior segment of a society, members of a ruling class, a group of persons by virtue of position or education who exercise much power or influence, superior in quality, rank and skill, the richest, most powerful, best-educated or best-trained group in a society and super-achievers are some definitions we have selected for this purpose.

Sociologically an elite may be defined as a person belonging to a social category having any one of the following attributes and functions, many interrelated and overlapping: high” castes, land, wealth; comprador bourgeoisie, land owners, office holders, professionals; access to commerce and trading and political power; having unique life styles, Western consumption patterns, proficiency in English, access to higher education; intellectual pursuits and cultural achievements; social status, rank and marriage ties. There can be traditional and village level elites and urban elites as in Sri Lanka. In the colonial setting colonial agents were regarded as the top most above the local elites.   

Status and rank of a person within a group or organization or society are closely associated with elitism.  Status and rank give recognition, acceptance and honour. Status and responsibilityare bound together.People attempt to protect and enhance their status and rank. These are visible and detectable externally attached to a person. Loss of status bring stress and trauma.

Then who are Lumpen Elites” (Paadada Praboon”)? Or the people who use Paadada Praboon” have a definition of their own to this? We do not think that this concept has been widely discussed by our political theorists although the concept has a long history. They may have used this neologism, Paadada Praboon” just to show their anger and frustration.

In Sinhala many including this writer have used Paadada Desapalanaya” (Lumpen Politics), Paadada Samskruthiya” (Lumpen Culture”) to describe the decadent, moribund politics and culture of the capitalists,that took firm rootsafter 1977, vulgarization and bastardization of art, literature and culture. The year 1977 marked the rise of a new super-rich Lumpen Elites”,isolated from the society, not dependent on the society.

At the 1956, 1960 and 1970 General Elections, verti clad, betel chewing, Sinhala speaking, non-elite (nirpraboon), politicians, Sinhala school teachers, clerks and middle level officers, trade unionists, Sinhala poets and literary figures, local level leaders such as Village Committee (VC) members or Chairmen, farmers,entered the Parliament. They used public transport and resided at Sravasthi” during parliamentary sessions. It was a common sight several MPs travelling to Kandy in the Friday evening train. But some of them reached heights that they have never imagined or dreamt of during the last stages of their political careers. One MP of lumpen origins, who later became a Junior Minister was fortunateto become the Basnayake Nilame of one of the Sathara Maha Devalayas” (four ancient devalayas) in Kandy. This is a case of men of lumpen origins embellishing themselves witharistocratic trappings.Big businessmen of depressed castes who bought old walauwas continued to call their abodes walauwas. A postal peon who was elected from Colombo Central multi-member constituency (as its third MP) in 1956 (SWRD’s MEP) became a big businessman in no time, later switched allegiance to UNP and was defeated.      

This was totally changed in 1977, opening the floodgates allowing the lumpen elements to enter the Parliament. In 1977 UNP fielded some members of the Lumpen Proletariatas its candidates and they were elected to the Parliament.We refrain from naming them and the constituencies they represented.

Drug lords, some operating from abroad, lawyers, politicians and rogues in the police are in league with Lumpen Elites”.They havedealings with the underworld, some controlled by the underworld, or controlling the underworld. Several prominent members of this coterie who held powerful portfolios come to mind.

8. Lumpen Elites” of Sri Lanka, its Characteristics and the NPP

Lumpen Elites” are a set ofPretenders; false pretense for recognition is a characteristic of Lumpen Elite of Sri Lanka.

People by birth who belonged to so-called depressed castes changed their family  names to show that they belong to top Walauwa clan; this enhancedtheirchances to move up the social ladder, to associate big people”, to marry from elite families;their children were admitted to elite schools like Ladies, Royal,

St.Thomas’, Trinity, Girls’ High School and Hillwood; this gave the opportunity for them to move with upper class/caste peers; among this category are retired revolutionaries, academics and bureaucrats. 

Many pretend that they have studied in elite schools and prestigious universities, holders of fake degrees, that they are kith and kin of famous people in the top rung of the society; that they have connections to well-known people in the society.

The newest characteristic of this class is having an army of self-proclaimed intellectuals”, pretending that they have higher degrees and posing as Ph.D. s, Professors, Advocates (defunct after Felix Dias’s 1973 reforms and all known as Attorneys-at -Law), and engineers; this has grown into an epidemic level with the formation of the NPP as it wanted to purify” the parliament of illiterate” politicians.Tuition masters engaged in shadow education who fleece parents and children and challenge the educational system of the country joined this charade.

They were beneficiaries of free and Swabhasha education up to university level, proliferation of Maha Vidyalayas in the villages by Sirimavo governments, and Mahapola scholarships. Schools were upgraded as Madya Maha Vidyalayas (in addition to the original Kannagara era Central Schools) and Jathika Pasal (National Schools) by successive governments, providing more and more opportunities to rural students to study in science and math streams. Science education was the preserve of elite schools in urban areas and some Central Schools. Tambuttegama school is one such school upgraded, the alma mater of Anura Kumara. Opening of more and more universities led to an unprecedented upsurge in education, providing hitherto unknown opportunities to the underprivileged. Many of these were able to become academics obtaining higher degrees. Some of these academics became the nucleus of the NPP.  

So, it is a blatant and unpardonable lie to say that nothing had happened in the last 74 years; they cannot deny the upsurge in education, the key factor which propelledthem into power even if they fail to observe the development in health care, social services, agriculture, irrigation and communication, changes in peoples’ livelihood, housing and even dress.

If not for the above facilities and massive changes that took place in the political, social and cultural landscape, most of them would have ended as  coconut pluckers in the villages; they suffer from an inferiority complex, because of their backgrounds, parents, Sinhala education, cursing everything and the past; there is little information that these academicscontributing anything to the existing knowledge; all have failed to raise the standards and university rankings, solve student problems; unknown in the island, with no international recognition or publications in prestigious peer-reviewed academic journals.

As educated middle-class academics they are a set of declassed intellectuals cautious not to join either the UNP, SJB or the SLPP. They all found that the NPP as the haven for them to further their ambitions. As non-elite actors” they with a band of lawyers, other professionals and technicians and teachers began to challenge traditional power structures. Most of them were able to get elected to the parliament, some getting appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Anti-incumbency and popular discontent with mainstream politicians were the key factor that propelled these Lumpen Elites” to power, with the catchwords end patronage, corruption, public sector waste, bring back stolen money and punish the culprits. Thus, the lumpenized class has become the elite and the ruling class has been lumpenized.

Men and women who spent most of their time in the streets, paddy fields and village bazars inciting workers, teachers, university students and farmers to protest, agitate and other provocative activities suddenly appeared in TV and parliament wearing lounge suits, signifying the metamorphism of the lumpens as Lumpen Elites”.

All the people mentioned under Lumpen Bourgeoisie”, includinghoarders, rice mafia, corporate enterpriseshave supported and funded the NPP. NPP benefited from slush funds from Western Embassies, Diaspora, business conglomerates and rice millers.

NPP has become the party of corporate enterprise.A careful look at the appointments made to top positions by the NPP government, their connections to MNCs (Aitken Spence, CTC, Dialog Axiata, MTV Networks) and international capital, logistics giants, business conglomerates (Hayleys, Browns), Chambers, foreign banks (Citibank N.A.) and internationalaccounting firms (Ernst & Young, PricewaterHouseCoopers), provide ample clues to this bizarre phenomenon.

It is interesting to note that Anura Kumara did not appoint bumpkins, rusticyokels of Lal Kantha, Vijitha Herath, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sunil Handunnetti, Bimal Ratnayaka (son of MR’s buddy), Nalinda Jayatissa, Samantha Vidyaratna, Namal Karunaratna, Mahinda Jayasinghe, Nalin Hewage or Ranjan Jayalal types or NPP Youtubers to top positions (Please see my article posted on 9 November 2024).

We have a strong suspicion that almost all the appointments made by Anura Kumara to top posts, are nominees of hidden hands of the NPP, corporate enterprises, diaspora and Western Embassies. It is extraordinary that Julie Chung, the self-proclaimed Viceroy of Sri Lanka meeting all these appointees and discussing her agenda with them. It is our contention that Anura Kumara, a village boy from Tambuttegama with no strong links to the upper echelons of the society cannot make these appointments on his own.  

Thus, lumpenization of politics and culture began under different matriceswithin a new milieu. With this analysis we will be able to identify the lumpen ideology of them. The signal flares were seen at the run-up for the presidential and parliamentary elections. NPP Ministers, Deputy Ministers and certain MPS are now behaving as intoxicated with power. After a landslide victory we witness it raising its ugly head. Making of another Ranasinghe Premadasa could be witnessed at Anura Kumara’s meetings with top bureaucrats.

When Shehu Shagari won the Presidential election in Nigeria in 1983 this writerwas working in Nigeria. Newspapers supporting Shagari described his victory as alandslide, seaslide” and an airslide”. Very soonShagarigovernment was toppled by the military headed by Muhammad Buhari, which paved the way for a string of coups and counter coups thereafter staged by Buhari’s co – conspirators. So, the people who live in the glory of landslides should beware that there is an enemy within! JVP-NPP now hidden, now open” confrontation will come into the surface very soon. Bourgeois writers who described NPP victory as a Political Tsunami, a Political Earthquake are not aware that both Tsunamis and Earthquakes are disastrous to people and the environment.

Some bourgeois writers who write in English say that it is the responsibility of Anura Kumara to see that the elite class will not raise its head again as all these Anglophiles have become proletarian! It is only a daydream, empty talk made without understanding how parliamentary politics behave.  They completely ignore or fail to comprehend which class is in power now. They are shy to think that lumpens have turned into elites overnight.

We do not want to comment on the disgraced Speaker, Deputy Speaker elected by the NPP, and many other Ministers and MPs pretending that they have Ph.D.s, that they are specialist doctors, professors, engineers, graduates etc. for the simple reason that as explained above, pretending is a major attribute of the Lumpen Elites”.

Anura Kumara at an election meeting said that they are no paupers; he said that Vijitha Herath’s wife owns a row of buildings at Narahenpita, Lal Kantha’s father was a big landlord in Mihintale (in Rajarata land was owned by families of Nuwarawewa, Thamarawewa, Thalgahapotane, Hurulle, Kiralawa, Palugaswewa families and aristocratic chieftains who held positions of Wanni Unnahe; Kuragamage Don Lalkantha’s father  who migrated from elsewhere to Anuradhapura cannot be a big landlord.) and Wasantha Samarasinghe’s father was a Gambharaya,(there were no Gambharayas in the NCP; Gambharaya System was an agrarian system which was in existence in Giruwa Pattuwa in Hambantota District). So, the greenlight for the NPPers to lie about their credentials was given by Anura Kumara himself to his fold. Falsification is an attribute of Lumpen Elites” we said.

Sunil Handunnetti addressing the Parliament on the other day said that the Minister of Justice and Social Integration is a Presidents’ Counsel, which is a total fabrication. But the irony of this whole episode is this Minister going to the CID to complain that some mischief-maker had added the prefix Dr. to his profile!

9. Tilvyn Silva’s Re-emergence as an Apostate

In a press interview published on 29 November 2024 Tilvyn Silva, the General Secretary of the JVP has stated that, ours is not a leftist government; it is a government of leftist, democratic and progressive forces”. We should thank Silva for telling the whole world the truth, shedding its ‘‘Marxist”, ‘‘Revolutionary” costume loaned to them by the capitalist dressmakers (press) here and abroad. Silva renouncing Marxism-Leninism suits NPP core group and its Lumpen Elites”.  This again shows us JVP-NPP divide, that Silva or the Loku Ayya” was pressurized by the NPP to make such a statement! 

10. ABBA Tribute Band ARRIVAL

Tilvyn Silva, Harini Amarasuriya, Vijitha Herath, Harini’s female friend and many other NPP socialites (some cuddling old Tilvyn Silva who was in his virile make-up), attended ABBATribute Band ARRIVAL from Sweden at Mt. Lavinia Hotel on 23November 2024.  Rustic Tilvyn was in high spirits when the singing went as, With a bit of rock music everything is fine”. Harini and her female friend in a hijab were seated next to Tilvyn. Who’s the Dancing Queen/ Young and sweet, only seventeen” when the Night is young and the music’s high”! Vijitha Herath made a speech in English bringing amusement to the crush” generation!

Tilvyn Silva in a newspaper interview said afterwards that, if there is an invitation from an organization for an event, we are duty bound to attend it”. We attended it. We enjoyed it. We are people with a palate for enjoyment”.  He admitted that the tickets had been priced at Rs. 50,000, 30,000, and 15,000.

According to this logic Ranasinghe Premadasa attending a birthday party of a daughter of a drug baron is correct, what they have vehemently criticized when they were a two-pence party.

What they have criticized earlier – what other politicians enjoying, was because they were deprived of those opportunities, envious of those enjoying; what they have suppressed  are now erupting out as molten lava from a volcano which was dormant for years; now is the time for them to feast, killing the fattest calf when the prodigal son” returned home.

When the prodigal son returned home, his father said to his servants: Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and get a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet”. And bring hither the fatted calf and kill it and let us eat and be merry”. For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”. And they began to be merry” (Luke: 15:11-32).  

The people who criticized Tylvin and his entourage were like the prodigal son’s elder brother who was angry. The father answered: It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead and is alive again; and was lost and is found”.

Maxim Gorky described Europe’s bourgeois writers as apostates, the prodigal sons of their class” (1934). 

Gone are the days the JVP mobilized its killer gangs with Nanda Malini’s Pavana” and Sathyayaye Geethaya” and later with Gunadasa Kapuge’s Kampana”. But Vijitha Herath answering his critics said that they were fans of Abba and Boney M from their school days and they listen to Abba hits while travelling in their cars!

Are we to believe thatHerath at the height of the insurrection appreciating ABBA music when all of them preparing thousands of youth ascannon fodder, pushing Pavana” and Sathyayaye Geethaya” down their throats?

ABBA and Boney M were active in the years between 1972-1982 and 1974-1986 respectively. During this period ABBA and Boney M were not popular in Sri Lanka, having only Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) to air music. So Herath cannot be an ABBA and Boney M fan during his school days; there was not a remotest possibility ABBA and Boney M reaching a remote area in Uva Province (Herath’s birthplace before migrating to Gampaha after the 1988/89 insurrection, as a cover), considered as one of the least developed areas of Sri Lanka. Boththe lyricist and the nightingale of Pavana” and Sathyayaye Geethaya”,fled to India when thousands of Pavana” and Sathyayaye Geethaya” fans were massacred!

Now Herath says that music is a universal language. If it is so why did they kill songstressSagarika Gomes, lyricist Premakeerthi Alwis and actor/ singer Vijaya Kumaratunga?

We should not forget thataddressing a meeting of ordinary village folk at Uda Dumbara, Anura Kumara lamented that there are no Sinhala films in Netflix!

If Herath was a real connoisseur and a shrewd politician, he would have evaded the journalists firing questions at him cutting short that ABBA’ s hit Fernando” was his favourite song because of its political overtones!

Can you hear the drums Fernando”/ We were young and full of life and none of us prepared to die”/ There was something in the air that night”/ The stars were bright Fernando”/ They were shining there for you and me”/ For liberty  Fernando”/ I can see it in your eyes”/ How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land”.

How can he do that, without listening to Fernando” and understanding the lyrics of Fernando” as a kid in Uva Province?

11.Vijitha Herath Wearing a Lounge Suit and a Bow Tie Attending US Marines Ball

On November 2, 2024 Vijitha Herath to match the Americans – wearing a custom-tailored lounge suit and a bow tie attended the 249^th Birthday Marines to celebrate the legacy of US Marines at the USMC Ball. This was a case of Lumpen Elite embracing all what they have rejected sometime back.

12. Anura Kumara’s Address to the Parliament

Anura Kumara in his Address to the Parliamentquoting Martin Luther Kingcannot be considered as an accident or he loves quotes from Martin Luther King. No quotes from Marx, Engels, Lenin or theirformer mentor Che Guevara!This was a case of Lumpen Elite rejecting all what they have embraced sometime back.

This was the person who discarded chanting traditional Jayamangala Gathas as a manifestation of pomp and pageantry and extravagance and racial and religious prejudices. But Jayamangala Gathas are chanted with the aim of ending negativity and generating auspiciousness, promoting happiness and prosperity in an important event.

13.Rise of a Parvenu Class

This writer argues that although people like Anura Kumara have proletarian origins with upward mobility they have risen to the upper class. A parvenu class.All NPPers except Harini Amarasuriya belong to this group of upstarts, nouveau riche, social climbers.Look at how the NPP academics, lawyers, doctors and other professionals behave after entering the parliament.  Not even Casanovas in SWRD’s and Sirimavo’s cabinets, mavericks in Sirimavo’s, JR’s and CBK’s cabinets did wear braces likeAnura Kumara’s Minister of Justice, son of a third-grade commercial film producer and CBK’s London benefactor.

Former goni billas, all Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MPs, including street agitators and paddy field fighters, except a few rustics wearing full suit are signs of upward mobility.

Anura Kumara said that he sold fruits and cigarettes in the trains, an academic elected from Anuradhapura electoral district said that his father was a bothal paththarakaraya, (collector of old bottles and newspapers),new Cultural Minister academic said that his father was a carpenter at Hiniduma Calvary Church, another Peradeniya academic, an NPP Central Committee member said that he mixed concrete at building sites, all for propaganda purposes. All have climbed up to the highest layer of the pyramid. The best yardsticks to measure their upward mobility are the types of mansions they live, motor cars they use, elite schools, international schools and private universities their children attend. Unashamedly they utter that nothing has happened during the past 75 years!

14.History Repeating: A Grotesque Mediocrity” Playing A Hero’s Part”?

Opening remark of Marx’s The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte” is quoted widely by all and sundry knowingly or unknowingly. The historical entities appear two times, the first as tragedy, then as farce”. Here Marx refers to Napoleon I and his nephew Loise Napoleon (Napoleon III). On December 2, 1851 a counter-revolutionary coup d’état was carried out by Loise Bonaparte (Napoleon’s nephew) and his followers, broke up the Legislative Assembly and established a dictatorship, and a year later proclaimed himself as Emperor Napoleon III. Marx in his Preface to the second edition (1869) says that Napoleon III demonstrates, how the class struggle in France created circumstances and relationships, that made it possible for a grotesque mediocrity to play a hero’s part”.

Similarly, are we witnessing in our own country, a grotesque mediocrity” playing a hero’s part”?

Marx wrote: Historical tradition gave rise to the French peasants’ belief in the miracle that a man named Napoleon would bring all glory back to them.” We change this to voters’ belief in the miracle that a man named” Anura Kumara and his outfit Malimawa catching thieves, bringing back money horded abroad, reducing prices of rice and other foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity and would bring all glory back to them”.

Marx explains the divisions and alliances among the bourgeoisie and the lack of dominance of any one led to the re-emergence of monarchy in France despite the Revolution of 1848. Same thing happened in Sri Lanka. Electoral victory of the NPP in the Northern and Eastern Provinces (excluding Batticaloa) was due to divisions among Tamil political parties.

Marx said, the change concerned the table of contents, not the contents, the name, not the subject matter”.  Heroes without heroic deeds” have taken the center stage; history without events” is unfolding. Victory to the Struggle of the Orators of the Platform”!

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 [U1]

By Nalliah Thayabharan

Boeing currently maintains a 40% market share, while Airbus dominates the other 60% of the industry. Both of these firms hold incredible leverage over the entire airline industry, allowing them to maintain a somewhat relaxed relationship with oversight bodies like the FAA.

The first ever Boeing 737 entered service 56 years ago in 1968.

Ending the production of the 737 with the NG or Next Generation family – 737NG,  Boeing 737 would have still been in production for over 50 to 52 years, making it a true aviation icon with more than 10,000 aircraft built.

But instead, in August of 2011, Boeing decided to launch yet another re-engined version – 737 MAX.

Why did Boeing stop making the 757, but not the 737?

Why Boeing chose to launch Boeing 737 MAX 9 which was involved in two tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019 ?

Boeing didn’t pick the 737 over the 757. In the mid 2000s, Boeing actually intended to replace both of those aircraft with new ones.

The Boeing 737 just stayed in production for a little bit longer, because Boeing still had orders for it and kept getting more, whilst that wasn’t the case for the Boeing 757.

During that time, the nemesis of the Boeing 737 was the Airbus A320 family, and in the 1990s, Boeing had actually designed the Boeing 737NG just to make sure that they could compete with the Airbus A320 family successfully, which the Boeing NG also did.

But both Boeing and Airbus knew that newer, better engine technologies were just around the corner by then, with both CFM and Pratt & Whitney working on designs that would be able to achieve double-digit percentages of efficiency gains.

For Airbus, the choice was relatively simple, at least on the technical side. In 2010, the Airbus A320 had only been in service for around 22 years, meaning that there was still plenty of life left in it, so a re-engined version seemed like the obvious way to go.

Also, besides being younger, the Airbus A320 family has a taller landing gear, meaning that it sits much higher off the ground than the Boeing 737 family does, giving it much more room under its wings for larger diameter Turbofan engines. Now that’s super important, because newer, more efficient turbofan engines all have a bigger diameter for a larger fan, which is needed to achieve higher bypass ratios and those double-digit efficiency gains.

For the Boeing 737 however, the re-engined option was much less attractive as it sat low close to the ground like its ancestor, the Boeing 727, had done, and it had been constructed in that way in order to make boarding and disembarking with air stairs easier and also to facilitate manual ground handling.

In the years since though, manual ground handling  had just basically stopped being a factor, because basically all smaller airports eventually got the baggage handling equipment that they needed.

Anyway, this low stance meant that fitting larger turbo fan engines to the Boeing 737 wasn’t going to be easy. Boeing had actually already struggled to fit the first CFM56 Turbofan engines to the Boeing 737 Classic back in the 1980s, where it had required fitting the engines further forward of the wing instead of under it, like on the original 737s.

And even after doing that, those CFM56 Turbofan engines engines themselves had to be changed in order to fit the Boeing 737. That’s the reason why they have that noticeably flat bottom, which gives them another few inches of ground clearance, and because of that redesign, several other systems also had to be relocated inside of the engine.

But even after that, the fan diameter of those engines still had to be made smaller than on other versions of the same CFM56 engines.

In the 1990s, the Boeing 737NG family then got a further improved CFM56 with a slightly larger diameter, which required even more modifications of the engine, the pylons, and some other systems.

Now, the engines on the Airbus A320 still had a larger diameter and a higher bypass ratio than those on the 737NG, but Boeing still managed to make the 737NG competitive with the Airbus, but only just.

Now, obviously, any further re-engine attempt would involve using even larger engines on an aircraft that simply wasn’t made for them.

So why would Boeing even consider that?
Well, the answer is that another 737 re-engine would allow the aircraft manufacturer to avoid something that Boeing’s CEO at the time, Jim McNerney, called a moonshot.

Most explanations around why Boeing developed the MAX instead of an all-new aircraft concentrate on a large aircraft order made by American Airlines, who surprised Boeing by selecting the Airbus A320 over the 737 back in 2011.

This happened after Airbus had announced its decision to re-engine the Airbus A320 family and at that time, Boeing had basically decided
on designing an all-new aircraft instead.

But that surprise order by one of the largest and most loyal customers forced them to instead abandon those plans and quickly refocus on developing another 737.

Now to be clear, that explanation isn’t completely wrong. Before hearing about the American Airlines deal, Boeing’s engineers and a lot of the company’s management really had been favoring an all-new airplane, which would borrow a lot of fresh technologies and features from their brand new Boeing 787.

In February of 2011, over four months before that American Airlines contract, Boeing’s CEO, McNerney, told analysts, “We’re going to do a new airplane instead of a re-engined 737,” although he then clarified that the final decision about that hadn’t really been made yet.

Then American Airlines forced Boeing’s hand, except there are a couple of really important details missing from that explanation. Airbus had pursued that deal with American Airlines specifically to force Boeing to re-engine the 737NG.

In 2010, when Airbus decided to re-engine their A320s, the 2008 financial crisis had just happened, a few years before and it was less than a decade after 9/11.

So with the financial reality that existed at the time, Airbus weren’t sure if they could even afford to develop an all-new airliner. But if Boeing decided to go ahead with an all-new plane, Airbus would have no choice but to do the same.

Airbus believed that an Airbus A320neo would be much more efficient than a 737 with newer engines, which as it turns out wasn’t quite true, but there was no question that an all-new Boeing aircraft would be even more efficient, making the Airbus A320neo obsolete.

This strategy was a gamble for Airbus, because if Boeing hadn’t taken the bait and instead gone ahead and designed a new plane, then they would be caught between a rock and a hard place literally.

But this is where the idea that the American Airlines order was the decisive factor in Boeing’s decision-making starts to make a little bit less sense.

Losing an order for 200 planes from a loyal airline customer was a big deal, but we’re talking about aircraft designs for the very heart of the market, with potential production runs of over 10,000 jets.

Those types of aircraft pay back for their investment over many decades, not by a single order, so would it really be worth risking such a long-term strategy only on this?

Well, this is where we get back to the then Boeing CEO, Jim McNerney, and his aversion to moonshots. A moonshot is what McNerney called the design of a new aircraft.

Boeing’s decision to make what we now call the 737 MAX came just after the 787 was about to enter service after what had been a very problematic development, full of delays and cost overruns.

The 787 had been supposed to enter service faster and cheaper than Boeing’s previous all-new widebody, the 777, but that hadn’t happened, and McNerney wasn’t in the mood for a repeat of that process.

McNerney’s motto for Boeing at the time was More for Less, which applied to his view towards suppliers and workers, but as it turns out, also towards aircraft development.

Every 25 years a big moonshot, and then produce a 707 or a 787 is the wrong way to pursue this business.

The more-for-less world will not let anyone pursue moonshots.

The thought of just squeezing the last bit of water out of every rock instead of boldly looking forward and solving new problems is almost always the penny-pinching beginning of the end for the leader of any industry.

When you stop innovating and start relying on only defending old wins, you basically start dying.

But as for the 737 MAX, it looks like that American Airlines order came at just the right time, or wrong time, to sway Boeing’s board back towards a re-engined 737.

The way that decision came has led some to assume that Boeing rushed the development of the MAX in order to beat Airbus, because when Boeing learned of the imminent Airbus contract, their sales teams scrambled to come up with this new plane’s key details, contract terms and conditions in just one day.

When all of this was happening, Boeing had been studying and comparing the performance of a 737 re-engine versus a new plane for many years. Boeing’s efforts to squeeze bigger engines under the 737’s wings had not started with the MAX. So they probably thought that they knew what they were doing when that decision was taken.

Another important detail in Boeing’s choice was the fact that many airlines really wanted a re-engined 737 instead of an all new aircraft.

American Airlines, Southwest and many others were keen to get a newer and more efficient version of the aircraft that they already knew, but there was a catch to that.

Those airlines would only really want another 737 if Boeing could promise to make it really easy for their pilots to transition over to it. That had actually been a key point for Airbus and its A320neo family.

For their pilots, the new version would basically fly exactly like the existing A320s.

Sure, the new engines came with some new procedures, but those could be taught without the pilots spending any time in a simulator, which was super key. So that’s what the airlines wanted to hear from Boeing too.

All 737s apart from the very first 737-100 and 200 models can be operated on the same pilot type rating, so that’s what the airlines now also demanded from the MAX.

But even for aircraft variants within the same type rating, there is often a requirement for what we call difference training, which often also can involve some simulator training.

The airlines really wanted to avoid that if at all possible.

So in other words, they wanted pilots to have been trained to fly on the 737NG to be able to transition directly over to the 737 MAX with only some computer-based training or CBT, basically a training session that the pilots could complete at home with an iPad.

If Boeing could pull this off, airlines would be able to immediately use their existing pool of 737 pilots for this brand new variant, and these pilots would then be able to switch back and forth between all the new 737 variants as well, which is a super big deal, since it would take many years for an airline with 737NGs to fully transition over to a whole MAX fleet.

Again, Airbus already offered this to their airline customers who were ordering A320neos, but the A320 is a fly-by-wire aircraft which can be programmed to mimic the flight characteristics of another variant using just some code.

That’s very handy, since another requirement that aircraft have to satisfy in order to keep the same type rating is that they share almost exactly the same handling characteristics.

Now again, this is obviously something that Boeing had had to deal with before,since the 737 has changed and grown a lot over the decades, but in the case of the MAX, this is where we get to the part in this story that many people think they understand, but most really don’t, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS.

The CFM LEAP-1B engines of the 737 MAX are bigger than the previous CFM56s are, and this meant that they, again, had to be moved slightly more forward and further up in front of the wing than the previous engines.

But contrary to what you might have heard, the engine position of the 737 MAX does not make the aircraft unstable. Actually, aside from some military jets, all aircraft have their center of gravity in front of the center of pressure of the wing.

So having more weight further forward actually makes the plane more stable, not less.

However, it is true that under certain conditions,like when the aircraft was flown at high angles of attack, those large, flat-bottomed engine nacelles actually started producing a certain amount of lift.

And while that lift was not enough to make the aircraft unstable, it did change the feel of the aircraft’s control slightly. In technical terms, it changed something known as the stick force gradient.

The aircraft would still fly fine, it wouldn’t be any more prone to stalls or anything, but in these very specific circumstances, when the aircraft was flown manually at high angles of attack and with flaps up, its yoke would feel slightly lighter than the yoke of a 737NG. So that just needed to be sorted out.

But what if something could trim the aircraft’s nose forward a bit under these circumstances, trim it to effectively cancel out that lightness in the controls and make the airplane behave more like any other 737?

As it happened, Boeing had recently developed another aircraft that needed exactly this kind of system.

And this was the KC-46A Tanker, which was basically a military 767 freighter.

Now, thanks to its use as both a tanker and a freighter, the KC-46 was created to be able to fly with a wider center of gravity envelope than a regular 767 and it, therefore, required this MCAS system as well.

After Boeing’s engineers decided to include this system in the MAX, it was originally only supposed to be available at higher speeds and with a very small trim input, which is what the original specifications given to the FAA also said.

But Boeing’s test pilots soon found that it probably was needed at slower speeds as well, so the scope of the system kept growing.

This meant that MCAS went through a number of evolutions as Boeing’s engineers and test pilots tested the aircraft’s handling during development, and that meant that while the FAA knew of the existence of MCAS in its original version, they didn’t know what it eventually became.

And what it eventually became was quite disturbing. The idea was that if the aircraft was placed under the conditions that would activate MCAS, then the system would operate just once to simulate that stick force and it would then reset itself when the pilots trim the aircraft manually.

But in practice, the fact that the system reset itself also meant that it would be able to repeat its input again and again and again, if the underlying activation criteria was still sensed.

And not only that, but in low-speed situations, Boeing had allowed each trim input from MCAS to be a staggering 2.5 degrees, which is a very substantial input and more than what a pilot would trim in one go under most circumstances.

On top of this, when a risk assessment was made, the risk that MCAS was deemed to have after failure was initially deemed as major on a scale including minor, major, hazardous and catastrophic.

And since major was on the bottom half of that scale, MCAS was deemed safe to form part of the normal speed trim system, which was already fitted to the 737, and that was a system that relied on only one single angle-of-attack sensor at the time.

So what ended up happening with the version of the MCAS that first entered service was that an erroneous activation would not only trim the plane’s nose down again and again, but each activation could also be bigger than the opposite trim that the pilots would be comfortable with inputting, leading to a successively higher and higher nose down trim.

And this could all be triggered by a single fault in one single sensor.

The way that the system was supposed to work with a small single activation would have represented a risk akin to a cat in a cage in a room. But with these potentially repeated large activations, it added up to something akin to a loose tiger in a room instead.

Boeing believed that this system would be activated very rarely. It would only come on during manual flight, with the flaps retracted and at high angles of attack, which almost never happened, so functionally, as a system, Boeing didn’t think that it was a really big deal.

Even if something did go wrong, they thought that the pilots would quickly recognize the problem and react in time to fix it by first inputting the opposite elevator, then stopping the movement with their trim switch and finally, if needed, disabling the whole system with the stabilizer trim cutout switches.

And that was already part of something known as a runaway stabilizer non-normal checklist, used if the stabilizer trim would start misbehaving.

But in order to react on time, the pilots would have needed to know that this system existed, and initially, at least, pilots didn’t, because Boeing left the details of MCAS out of the MAX manuals.

Why did Boeing do all of these things? Why did they cobble together a system like this and why did they keep it secret from the plane’s pilots?The FAA has come under a lot of scrutiny for allowing Boeing to do this and rightly so, but why did Boeing and its employees go along with it in the first place?

Obviously, the motivation behind all of these decisions was to make sure that no SIM training would be required for existing 737 pilots in order to fly on the MAX, but the company’s culture, at this point, meant that they prioritized meeting deadlines and commercial commitments like no SIM training over basically everything else.

And a series of emails between Boeing test pilots and other employees who were released in the aftermath of the crashes made this clear to everyone.

Now, initially, a lot of people placed the blame for the MAX crashes with the airlines as well as with the pilot training in Indonesia, Ethiopia and elsewhere.

Lion Air had actually been uneasy about letting their pilots fly on the MAX without simulator training. So in 2017, over a year before the first MAX crash, they had asked Boeing for an option to do so.

And Boeing’s employees found this request alarming. They quickly rushed to shut down this idea so that it wouldn’t create a precedent for others to follow and actually, a few weeks earlier, Boeing’s chief technical pilot had indicated in another internal memo that the company expected requests for SIM training to come from regulators, not from the airlines.

He said that the company will not allow that to happen, and will go face to face with any regulator who tries to make that a requirement.

After the first MAX crash, a lot of airlines reached out to Boeing for information about MCAS, since remember they didn’t previously even know that this system existed.

One of those airlines was Ethiopian, whose chief pilot emailed Boeing’s chief pilot, asking specifically what to do when confronted with multiple faults and how to prioritize them.

Now after receiving that, multiple Boeing employees had an email discussion on how to respond to this very direct technical series of questions
and basically, their approach reads like an effort to reply to the Ethiopian Airlines chief pilot in the most vague way possible, citing the ongoing investigation of the first crash.

And, of course, Ethiopian Airlines was then going to be the next airline to suffer a devastating crash. Boeing had a very different attitude towards pilots from the US-based airlines, which made comparisons between pilots around the world even less meaningful and just added to the resentment towards Boeing.

The released emails are full of insulting comments towards Boeing, towards the FAA and the airlines, quite extreme even considering that they were never meant for publication.

But more importantly here, these emails revealed just how little faith Boeing’s own people had in the way that the company was operating.

Perhaps the most famous line was that the newest 737 was designed by clowns who, in turn, are supervised by monkeys.

But it’s quite clear that a lot of Boeing workers understood where the basis of the problem was.

Someone else had written,
“I don’t know how to fix these things. It’s systemic. It’s culture. It’s the fact that we have a senior leadership team that understand very little about the business and yet are driving us to certain objectives.”

Anyway, going down the rabbit hole of all Boeing’s decisions which led to the design of MCAS and everything else around it is something that the FAA and other regulators have been trying to do for over five years, because we do need to know that this cannot happen again.

But it is equally important to understand that Boeing did fix MCAS. It’s now connected to two angle-of-attack sensors which will kill MCAS if they feel that they disagree, and the system is now only able to activate once per flight, never more.

So it now really is that cat in a cage that we talked about before and that it was always supposed to be.

Boeing 737 pilots today do simulator training to learn how to fly the MAX and how to deal with problems that they might encounter, including more detailed training around the speed trim system, how the aircraft will react and feel with and without MCAS, and how to deal with any anomalies.

The 737 Max is so much more efficient than the NG, but it does take so much time to start the engines, but that’s a different story.

But these disasters was also the reason why the industry reacted so strongly in January of 2024 when the door plug blowout happened to an Alaska Airlines Boeing MAX 9, because that showed that Boeing still had some potential problems to fix in their culture, which is why they have undergone so many management changes since then.

On May 5, 2007 Kenya Airways flight 507-  a Boeing 737-800 carrying 108 passengers and crew members tragically vanished from radar and crashed leaving no survivors – the shock of this disaster echoed around the world shaking confidence in Boeing. In the wake of this tragedy China saw an opportunity to rethink its approach to Aviation while Boeing’s 737 series continued to soar alongside Airbus China quietly began plotting a new course determined to reduce its Reliance on foreign manufacturers and motivated by the need for safer, more reliable alternatives.

The Comac C919 is a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac. The development program was launched in 2008 to break the Boeing and Airbus duopoly by introducing a narrow body jet that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family. Production began in December 2011, with the first prototype being rolled out on Nov 02, 2015; the maiden flight took place on May 05, 2017. On Sept 29, 2022 the C919 received its CAAC type certificate. The first production airframe was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on Dec 09, 2022 and was put into commercial passenger service on May 28, 2023.

The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is powered by CFM International LEAP turbofan engines and carries 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km. In 2023, COMAC announced that it would develop both a shortened and a stretched version of the passenger jet – similar to the sub-variants offered for the competing Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family.

The COMAC CJ-1000A engine is a new jet engine that has been developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for use on its C919 narrow-body airliner. This advanced engine is a game-changer in the industry, featuring cutting-edge technology and superior performance.

The COMAC C919 is China’s homegrown airliner which is hoped to offer an alternative to the Boeing/Airbus duopoly in this section of the market. The CJ-1000A engine is pivotal to making this an all-Chinese product.

One of the key features of the CJ-1000A is its high-bypass ratio. This means that a larger percentage of the air passing through the engine is used to generate thrust, rather than being used to cool the engine or provide other ancillary functions. This makes the engine more efficient and reduces fuel consumption, which is a major benefit for airlines looking to save money on operating costs.

In addition to its high-bypass ratio, the CJ-1000A also utilizes advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. The engine’s fan blades, for example, are made from a composite material that is both lighter and stronger than traditional materials. This allows the engine to be more efficient and reliable, while also reducing maintenance costs over the life of the engine.

The CJ-1000A also features a state-of-the-art digital control system, which constantly monitors and adjusts its performance. This system ensures optimal efficiency and reliability at all times, making it easier for maintenance crews to diagnose and repair any issues that may arise with the engine.

The modular design of the CJ-1000A allows for sections of the engine to be replaced rather than the whole engine having to be removed for maintenance or repair.

The CJ-1000A is being developed for the Comac C919 narrow-body airliner with a thrust of 98 to 196 kN. It has a diameter of 1.95 m and a length of 3.29 m. It uses a similar two-spool configuration to the General Electric LEAP-1C, with a one-stage fan, three-stage booster, 10-stage high-pressure compressor, two-stage high-pressure turbine and six-stage low pressure turbine. Its 18 wide-chord fan-blades are made of hollow titanium like those of Rolls-Royce engines and its single annular combustor uses 3D printed fuel nozzles.

The COMAC CJ-1000A engine is a cutting-edge piece of technology that offers superior performance and efficiency, and is poised to be used on the C919 airliner, which is set to make waves in the aviation industry. As the first aircraft designed and built entirely in China, the C919 represents a major milestone for COMAC and the Chinese aviation industry as a whole.

Prof. Hudson McLean

Killing of Brian Thompson CEO of UnitedHealthCare Insurance by Luigi Mangione a young affluent highly educated American.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14213815/luigi-mangione-fans-executed-sparking-fears-martyr.html?openWebLoggedIn=true&logi

I present this to the readers of LankaWeb due to the fact, Sri Lanka has had first hand experience of Assassination of Leaders,  SWRD Bandaranike, Ranasinghe Premadasa, and many others.

In your opinion. 

Do you consider the Assassination of Brian Thompson CEO of UnitedHealth Insurance by  Luigi Mangione Justified or Not?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14213815/luigi-mangione-fans-executed-sparking-fears-martyr.html?openWebLoggedIn=true&login

9/11 terrorists didn’t get death penalty for 2997 lives murdered but this 1 death of a CEO warrants the death penalty? I guess only the financially elite get a proper police investigation AND imposition of death penalty if someone offs them. Outrageous. 

Prof. Hudson McLean

Good valid point!                                                                            WrenchFactSocks

Bogota, Colombia

Jury NULLIFICATION … they will never get a conviction.  No juror is obligated to vote against his or her conscience … even if the law says otherwise. A judge cannot force a juror to follow the law if it goes against his or her conscience. 

Prof. Hudson McLean

3 minutes ago

We live in Hope! 

How can this young man get the Death Penalty, while certain school shooters, with a lot more victims, got life? With or without parole… Up untill now LM did nothing wrong, good citizen, no record, highly intelligent, so…

USA is a country where anyone with a same mind may purchase a gun legally and the National Rifle Association (NRA) has a huge influence in politics!

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

MMBL-Pathfinder Group

MMBL-Pathfinder Group has entered into a strategic partnership with HCLTech, a leading global technology company, to introduce innovative IT training programs in Sri Lanka. This collaboration is set to be a game-changer, with the newly established Pathfinder EdTech Institute at its core, aimed at creating a skilled workforce ready for the digital age.

At the Launching ceremony held in Colombo Taj on Friday (19) evening Mr K Balasundaram CEO MMBL Pathfinder Group and Ms Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of EdTech, exchanged the agreement of establishment of the Pathfinder HCLTech Institute. Ms Devika Lal, Fist Sec. of the Indian High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest. Waruna Sri Dhanapala act. Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy the guest of honor of the Event.  Special discussion held on IT development opportunities in Sri Lanka and, Mr.Oshada Senanayake ( Brandix ) , Mr.Nishan Sembacuttiaratchy ( ESOFT ) , Mr.Hasitha Karunarathne ( KPMG ) , Mr.Bimal Gunapala ( SLASSCOM ) represented the Dialog.

Central to this partnership is the HCLTech Career Shaper platform, designed to seamlessly connect academic learning with industry requirements. By incorporating HCLTech’s acclaimed training methods, expertly curated curriculum and state-of-the-art tech tools, this initiative promises to equip individuals with practical, job-ready skills.

The program will debut with two training centers in Colombo and Jaffna, with plans to expand across the country. The first courses will cover essential topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, with more subjects to follow. The blended learning approach will combine tech-driven coursework, hands-on projects and internship opportunities, offering participants a comprehensive and immersive educational experience.

Our collaboration with MMBL-Pathfinder Group reinforces HCLTech’s commitment to empowering communities through transformative education. By bringing Career Shaper™ to Sri Lanka, we aim to nurture a generation of IT professionals ready to lead in the global digital economy,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, CVP and Global Head of EdTech, HCLTech.

This initiative aligns with HCLTech’s vision of enabling accessible, high-quality tech education worldwide. Operating in over 59 countries, the company is a global leader in workforce transformation, leveraging emerging technologies to create impactful career pathways.

Pathfinder EdTech Institute’s launch underscores Sri Lanka’s potential as a future hub for IT innovation. This partnership is poised to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the country, contributing to its aspirations of becoming a regional leader in digital excellence.

pics

4.     Participants of the event of the launching of the Pathfinder HCLTech Institute.

5.     Mr K Balasundaram CEO MMBL Pathfinder Group and Ms Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of EdTech, had exchanged the agreement of establishment of the Pathfinder HCLTech Institute.

Kaarige Channel Eka | Dharmasri Kariyawasam

මගේ මල්ලී ඝාතනය කිරීමට වගකිව යුත්තා රනිල් – SI රෝහිත ප්‍රියදර්ශනගේ අයියා කියයි 1987 – 90 භීෂණ සමයේ දී රාජකාරියේ නිරත ව සිටිය දී අතුරුදන් වූ සපුගස්කන්ද පොලිසියේ අපරාධ විමර්ශන අංශයේ ස්ථානාධිපති උප පොලිස් පරීක්ෂක රෝහිත ප්‍රියදර්ශන අබිරහස් ලෙස ඝාතනයට ලක් විය. ඔහුගේ ඝාතනයත් ඉන් පසු ව පොලිසිය ක්‍රියාත්මක වූ ආකාරයත් ඝාතනයට වගක්ව යුත්තන් නීතිය ඉදිරියේ අනාවරණය වූ ආකාරයත් මේ වීඩියෝවෙන් විස්තර කෙරෙයි

Kaarige Channel Eka | Dharmasri Kariyawasam

N.Sathiya Moorthy Ceylon Today 20 December 2025

Shorn of the frills, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s India visit this week has demonstrated continuity in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy independent of the expectations and anticipation that followed twin elections in three months. Earlier, by accepting the IMF agreement, as negotiated by the predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, the current NPP dispensation had clearly indicated that it was not a ‘disruptor’ who would put the nation’s medium and long-term interests in jeopardy.

In many ways, the Joint Statement issued at the end of President Dissanayake’s talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministerial colleagues was a rather a reiteration of what all was said in the bilateral ‘Vision Document’ brought out at the end of Wickremesinghe’s Delhi visit in July last year. Together, the two documents may provide the blueprint for future relations between the two South Asian neighbours. As a stand-alone, the visit and the Joint Statement were reassuring, full and proper.

The Joint Statement goes beyond the Vision Document’s commitment to pursue cooperation on the economic and development fronts, including aid, assistance and energy security, in both conventional and non-conventional sectors, connectivity, digitalisation and people-to-people contacts. Yes, some specifics from the previous document, like a land bridge, have not been specified in the Joint Statement now, but that does not have to mean that it is not on.

On specifics, suffice, is to point out that President Dissanayake told an Indian media interviewer how his government would approach an otherwise controversial Indian conglomerate Adani Group as a stand-alone Sri Lankan issue. He recalled how the group had brought in their own money for work on the Colombo Port’s Western Container Terminal after withdrawing an application for funding from an American international agency. In particular, he clarified that on the Adanis’ green energy project in the North, environmental concerns were as important as investments, which was required after all.

The Adani group’s dealings in other countries were of no concern to Sri Lanka, the President said. In particular, he claimed that no commitment had been made at Delhi and they would only be reviewing past decisions inherited from the predecessor.  Naturally, specific issues and projects like those of the Adanis did not find a place in the Joint Statement.

Where the Joint Statement adds significantly to what was not mentioned in the Vision Document but iterated on earlier occasions is what PM Modi mentioned as a ‘defence cooperation agreement’, which he said the two nations should conclude early on. For the uninitiated, such an effort found early mention in Track 1.5 consultations in the week after the conclusion of the ethnic war in Sri Lanka or a little before that.

It is possible that the two sides moved very cautiously in the matter, given the domestic dynamics, especially in Sri Lanka. Today, with a JVP-NPP regime in power, Sri Lanka could not have hoped for a better environment to carry the local constituency with it.

When taken forward, such an agreement can provide a framework for regional security and keep extra-territorial powers out of the picture, though not out of the reckoning. In context, it remains to be seen how far such an agreement would go beyond India’s continued supply of security platforms and training more defence personnel of Sri Lanka, and how it would coalesce with the existing Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), in which other regional nations are also partners.

Putting the past behind

India rolled out the red carpet for Dissanayake in the form of a State visit – which is how it should have been and which is what it was. In line with the precedent set by his predecessors, the President chose India as his first overseas destination when some supporters expected it to be anything but India, even if not China. New Delhi too was ready to wait as it understood his compulsions and priorities, in the form of the impending parliamentary election, which conferred greater legitimacy on his presidency and government.

Especially from an Indian and more so Indian strategic community’s perspective now, President Dissanayake’s reiteration of his pre-poll commitment, that they (too) were concerned about India’s security and would not allow Sri Lankan territory to be used for anti-India activities, adds value.  As a prospective presidential candidate, he had said as much during a February visit to India, on a rare invitation by New Delhi.

In context, his reiteration of the earlier view as President reaffirms that his JVP-NPP had put their blinkered perceptions from the past, both as an insurgent group and a democratic party, behind, with a promise to look at the future with realistic responsibilities of a ruling party sans ideologies that had been rendered irrelevant both in the country and elsewhere, too. In more ways than one, the JVP and in continuation, the NPP, needed ‘closure’ and they initiated the same after full realisation that they might have been wrong all along.

First, it was the economy, where the Dissanayake government went back on its pre
-poll commitment to ‘renegotiate’ the IMF deal originally negotiated by the Wickremesinghe government, and signed the inherited piece of document. Now, it’s the nation’s foreign and security policy that hinged on the Indian neighbour, where they had made no such illogical commitment.

They might have felt too shy to acknowledge it until their moment arrived, but over the past two years, they too have been witness to what India did and did not do to Sri Lanka, and not just in matters of sovereignty and security, once their perceived prime concern. Haltingly, the process had started two decades ago to the month, when India rushed military assistance for post-tsunami rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations at the shortest possible notice, and the troops that landed here defied the JVP campaign and returned home as fast as they came.

It was also proof that India would not demand a military base hereabouts for all times to come, unlike the likes of China, which, for instance, used decoy developmental projects, to drive the nation into debt and at the same time come in possession of Sri Lankan territory – first in Hambantota, and now in the Colombo Port City (CPC) project.  Instead, India’s commercial projects are commercial projects, good and proper, where in the case of the promised refurbishment of the Trincomalee oil tank farms, New Delhi would end up pledging its own energy security in the face of Sri Lankan sovereignty.

Today, as President, Dissanayake would have had the occasion to reminisce about the recent past and recall how India was the only nation or institution to rush economic and financial assistance when Sri Lanka needed them the most in the midst of the multiple crises of 2022. With aragalaya (protests) at times threatening not only political stability but also nationhood at one stage, there was no guarantee that Sri Lanka would at all be able to repay the debt to India any time soon, if at all. Yet, India was the only nation to put its money and more so faith in the country as none other, including many Sri Lankans to date, were ready to bet on.

Of greater significance, though in theoretical terms and hence not acknowledged enough, was the way India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took time off during her Washington visit at the time, to argue Sri Lanka’s case for a ‘bail-out package’ with the IMF. It is possibly only one of its kind in the history of IMF that any one nation was kind of standing guarantee, even if oral guarantee, for another nation, which was already down in the dumps with no hopes of an early and full recovery.

De-hyphenating ties

Briefing newsmen after the summit talks, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri indicated that President Dissanayake’s declaration that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory (including Ocean territory) for anti-India activities would have a bearing on granting permission for foreign ‘research vessels’, starting with Chinese ships. Considering that the year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels, imposed by the previous government, comes up for revocation or review in the New Year, the Dissanayake dispensation’s decision in the matter will be keenly watched, and not just in New Delhi and Colombo, and not necessarily in that order.

Yet, it is time for the Indian strategic community to de-hyphenate neighbour’s relations (Sri Lanka or whoever) with China or other nations. They should learn from their nation’s experience vis a vis the US, whose de-hyphenation of India-Pakistan relations, contributed much to the fast-tracking of bilateral ties with New Delhi. Yes, the argument that the US also snapped its strategic ties with Pakistan too, helped, but bilateral, regional and geo-strategic priorities were the guiding matters.

It does not mean that there were/aren’t any differences. The Joint Statement mentioned the fishers’ issue in some detail, but at the end of the day, it did not come out with any solution. It did not mention the ethnic issue. PM Modi made a brief reference to the same and expected the new government in Colombo to address their ‘aspirations’ without using the term ‘Tamil’.  President Dissanayake, whose JVP-NPP had won substantial votes and parliamentary seats in the Tamil areas of the North especially, skipped the topic altogether.

However, that does not mean that the President does not intend to offer a solution acceptable to all stakeholders, if not now but when his government starts work on a promised new Constitution. He is on record that he does not intend to kick-start the process any time soon, before addressing the current issues (on the economic front), two of his three predecessors in a row, starting with one of their own and not completing it in their time!

Reaffirming Continuity, the Anura Way

(N.Sathiya Moorthy is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst and Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@nsathiyamoorthy.com)

by Palitha Senanayake Courtesy The Island

The United Nations Human Rights Council at its 57th session adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Project on Sri Lanka Accountability by one year. Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, has commented extensively on this resolution.

International perversion

The source of these allegations of human rights violations against Sri Lanka is the controversial report called the ‘Dharusman (UNPOE pr United Nations Panel of Experts.) report,’ which the UN Secretary-General commissioned in 2010 after Sri Lankan forces defeated LTTE terrorism. The Secretary-General justified the commissioning of this report, stating that ‘the report is for his personal knowledge.’ This is a strange move to start with because in the UN, HR violation investigations are commissioned by resolutions of the UN Security Council and never by the UN Secretary-General ‘for his knowledge’ in his personal capacity. However, since the report was published, it received authenticity and UN and international blessings to make a case against Sri Lanka.

This ‘international perversion’, however, does not end there. In its mandate, the report further maintained that its task was to look into the ‘accountability to the International Humanitarian and Human Rights law, on the final stages of the Sri Lankan conflict’. This, again, is twisted advocacy to suit one’s agenda as what logically applies to the situation is only international humanitarian law and certainly not Human Rights law.

Expert Opinion

Confronted by these allegations of the UNSG and his ‘experts’, the Sri Lankan government in 2012 hired a team of independent experts, whose expertise in international conflicts and international law was beyond question. This team comprised

Professor DM Crane
Sir Desmond De Silva QC
Rodney Dixon QC

Professor Michael Newton -Professor of the Practice of law, Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Major General Sir John Holmes DSO OBE MC- UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs 2007-2010

These eminent persons had served on various international investigation panels. After studying the issues in detail, they submitted their reports to the government of Sri Lanka. They were all in agreement that the Sri Lankan case should be viewed under International Humanitarian Law and not under International Human Rights law.

The applicability of IHRL and its relevance can be explained as follows. It is an accepted fact that the LTTE was the most organized terrorist unit in the world. This fact signifies that the conflict in Sri Lanka was an armed conflict between two sets of forces, namely the SL security forces and the LTTE.

In such a context, international law, as spelt out by the ICRC statute, is very clear in stating that the law that applies to an armed conflict is international humanitarian law, and not International Human Rights law.

Further, as the above experts on international law have pointed out, International law provides civilian protection while simultaneously allowing for military objectives to be fulfilled, which is the central goal of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The death of civilians during a conflict, no matter how grave or regrettable, does not in itself constitute a war crime. In particular, the three principals

1. Distinction

2. Military necessity and

3. Proportionality

should guide the legality of action under IHL.

Distinction means that no civilians should be targeted intentionally, Military necessity means that targeting of the particular object should be necessary for the advancement of the troops, and Proportionality is that, the collateral damage (civilian and property) should be justifiable to the military advantage anticipated to be achieved’ – Sir Desmond de Silva QC Page 23.

Therefore, if Sri Lankan forces are to be made guilty of war crimes, charges may have to be brought either on the grounds of intentionally targeting civilians, attacking with no military necessity or for disproportionate killings, over and above the military advantage.

Tendentious allegation

In addition to the above, the Darusman report, makes another tendentious allegation against the Sri Lankan forces. It says in paragraph 137:

137. In the limited surveys that have been carried out in the aftermath of the conflict, the percentage of people reporting dead relatives is high. The number of credible sources has estimated that there could have been as many as 40,000 civilian deaths. Two years after the end of the war, there is still no reliable figure for civilian deaths, but multiple sources of information indicate that a range of up to 40,000 civilian deaths cannot be ruled out at this stage. Only a proper investigation can lead to the identification of all of the victims and the formulation of an accurate figure for the total number of civilian deaths.

Now, this is the figure that is widely quoted to discredit Sri Lanka’s armed forces. Further a figure of 40,000 appears somewhat ‘disproportionate’ in a conflict of this nature and therefore it can be used to make the Sri Lankan forces out to be guilty under international law although the claims made by the UNPOE have not been substantiated.

The Darusman report contradicts the number of ‘dead persons during the conflict’ furnished by the UN country team stationed in the conflict zone for that specific purpose. The US State Department report says the number of deaths is 6,710 from January 2009 to April 2009. The UN’s Country team report prepared by Gordon Weise, the country team leader, states that the figure of casualties is 7,714 from January 2nd to 13th May 2009. The two reports have a basis on daily counts, and they were prepared on the current basis while the conflict was raging, whereas this Darusman report, having come after two years since the end of the battle, presents a figure of 40,000 casualties without a basis or naming a source for the same.

Here is how the Panel justifies its reasons for questioning the first COG (UN Country team) figure:

135.

The number calculated by the United Nations Country Team provides a starting point but is likely to be too low for several reasons. First, it only accounts for the casualties that were observed by the networks of observers who were operational in LTTE-controlled areas. Many victims may not have been observed at all. Second, after the United Nations stopped counting on May 13th, the number of civilian casualties likely proliferated. Due to the intensity of the shelling, many civilians were left where they died and were never registered, brought to a hospital, or even buried. This means that, in reality, the total number could easily be several times that of the United Nations figures.

The country team was stationed in the war zone to prevent and record violations of the international laws of conflict, and the most crucial part of that operation was recording the number of dead in the fighting.The members of this panel, before casting aspersions on the quality of the information found on the Country-Team report, should do well to re-examine the authenticity of their own information sources because their sources, such as the Tamil Diaspora and the ‘Peace’ NGOs, could be highly partisan since they have lost their relevance (and also contributions) since this conflict came to an end.

Lord Naseby

On 01 November 2017, Lord Naseby, a member of the British House of Lords, moved a resolution in the British Parliament to the effect that the number of civilians killed in the final stage of the Sri Lankan conflict was around 7,000 and not 40,000. Accordingly, he suggested to the Parliament that Britain should change its perspective towards the Sri Lankan issue at the UN Human Rights Commission.

Even though Lord Naseby’s assertion is based on the reports of the Defense Attaché of the British Embassy in Colombo at the time of the war, it needs loads of optimism to expect that the British Government will accept these statistics and change its official position towards Sri Lanka at international forums, especially at the UN Human Rights Council where they have co-sponsored the US resolution against Sri Lanka.

Lord Naseby, subsequently airing his views to Mandy Clerk of the British media, stated, I went into the civilian factor of this war because the figures I had did not add up to the official figures. So, I applied under the freedom of information, requesting the reports of the Defense Attaché of our embassy in Colombo at the time of the war. I received 26 reports, but that did not include the final few days of the war situation. So, I made another appeal, and there I received a further 12 reports. These reports had enough evidence to prove that nobody in the Sri Lankan government ordered to kill people and that was not the intention. The reports said that the casualty figure is around 7,200 civilians and the report further mentioned that a quarter of those casualties could be the LTTE cadres because they did not wear a uniform towards the last stages of the conflict. Then I went to the University Teachers of Jaffna, which is a professional organization of Tamil University teachers, and they said, ‘ it is about 7000’.

Verified Official Statistics

The Department of Census and Statistics performs its customary population survey for the whole of Sri Lanka every 10 years, but due to the LTTE activity, it has not been able to collect data in the North and East since the 1981 survey. Thus, during these years, the officers of respective kachcheries have been issuing population estimates when required for official purposes. However, since the conflict ended in 2009, and given the conflicting claims made by interested parties, including the Catholic Church, the Department commenced an exclusive survey for the northern province in June 2011. This survey was specially designed to ascertain, with verification, the number of people living as well as those who have died, especially during 2009 so that death certificates could be issued on account of them to their next of kin.

This survey was spearheaded by the following officers for each of the regions as follows,

Jaffna – S Udayakumaran (Head of the District Statistics office)

Mannar – M. Vithiyananthaneshan (Head of the District Statistics offic)

Kilinochchi – K.Velupillai (Head of the District Statistics office)

Vavuniya – M. Thyagalingam (Head of the District Statistics office)

Mullaitivu – N. Gangatharan (Head of the District Statistics office)

Following are the results of this survey

Thus, the above schedule gives the death toll as 8,998 during the period, including 1,067 who died due to old age/sickness, and the numbers are enumerated on the house-to-house survey regarding the cause of death. Death certificates were issued to all persons in this schedule and even those that did not explain their cause of death and stated as ‘not stated.’ People do not disclose the cause of death for various reasons, and most of such undisclosed deaths fall into the category ‘other’, meaning deaths due to terrorism. Therefore, it is possible that the number of deaths due to conflict situation was 7,442 (6,858+ 584).

Now, these death counts are reported of persons who were born and lived in the five districts where the conflict raged and also in the districts from where the LTTE used human shields. Therefore, when the Darusman report claims 40,000 deaths, such additional deaths have to be of people who were not born or did not live in these districts.

In modern times, dominant nations do not have to use weapons to subjugate others. They could just as well ‘Weaponize human rights’ to achieve the same end. That way, they could wear the cloak as the Champions of Human rights,” hiding their authentic characters as killers, decimators and dominators.

Shenali D Waduge

Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda is pushing for the full implementation of the Indo-Lanka Agreement, an agreement that was signed under virtual duress in 1987 after India secretly trained & armed Tamil militants & they began unleashing terror after hijacking the elite Tamil politician’s quest to create a separate Tamil state. It is no secret that the threat of Tamil Nadu seeking self-determination was what prompted India to transfer that quest to Sri Lanka, while the Agreement cleverly merged several districts into 2 provinces namely North & East as the much-eyed Trincomalee harbor was in the East. Sri Lanka had only a district system till the 13^th amendment created 9 provinces in 1987. The most important take away from the Indo-Lanka Accord is that it does not mention the creation of a Provincial Council System, amending Sri Lanka’s Constitution with 13^th amendment or even Devolution. The Agreement only refers to North East Provinces & merging them & holding an election & referendum in them. The 13^th amendment is separate to the Indo-Lanka Accord. Both were forced on Sri Lanka by India. Why should Moragoda promote its full implementation?

Whose side is Moragoda on?

http://island.lk/implement-indo-lanka-agreement-as-soon-as-possible-says-moragoda/

Anyone with a knowledge of the background to the Indo-Lanka Accord would realize the intervention that took place going so far as to even violate Sri Lanka’s sovereignty while also threatening Sri Lanka, not to take action.

This is a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter refrain …. from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”.

India prevented the capture of Prabakaran in May 1987 by forcibly halting the Vadamarachchi military operation, this was followed by the infamous parippu drop in June 1987 violating Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, Sri Lanka’s Tamil militants were freely using India as a logistics hub. India even airlifted Prabakaran & family to Delhi in special aircrafts & kept him there till the Accord was signed. Prabakaran was flown back only on 2 August 1987. Rajiv Gandhi even gifted Prabakaran his bullet proof vest. However, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on Indian soil under orders of Prabakaran on 21 May 1991 & since, the LTTE has asked India to forgive & forget what LTTE did. India banned LTTE in 1991 & has continued the ban even after defeat of LTTE showcasing India continues to regard the threat of separatism impacting India via Tamil Nadu.

It was in the background of above actions that the Indo-Lanka Accord was signed on 29 July 1987 forcing Sri Lanka to even tweak its constitution & create the 13^thamendment & dividing Sri Lanka into 9 provinces based on a bogus history and making Tamil the official language as well. Indian army arrived on 30 July 1987 & went on to commit grave crimes that included raping of Tamil women.

The primary reason for the signing of the Accord was to defeat LTTE in 48 hours which India assured Sri Lanka but failed to do.

It is important for readers to refer the Indo-Lanka Accord as well as the exchange of letters between Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi & Sri Lankan President J R Jayawardena. A country of 1.4billion laid out strict demands to the nation of 20million. Where is the respect for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty?

6 point annexures make up the Indo-Lanka Accord.

The letter drafted by PM Rajiv is not part of the Accord though signed on the same day.

The letter does not even mention Indo-Lanka Accord”. Therefore, contents of this letter cannot claim to be part of the Accord.

Trinco Port / Trinco Oil Tanks/reference to foreign broadcasting (Voice of America) is not mentioned in the Accord but only in Indian PM’s letter.

Accord does not mention letters being part of the Accord. Thus, Sri Lanka is not bound by these letters signed between 2 former heads of State who are no more.

India did not establish peace & normalcy” in Sri Lanka as assured while India only raises concern for one community (Tamils) though India assured safety, well-being & prosperity of people belonging to all communities in Sri Lanka”.

The objectives of the Agreement are broken down

• says India only desires” to preserve unity, sovereignty & territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. There is no firm commitment.
• / 1.3 / 1.4 refers to Sri Lanka as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual plural society, recognizes that each ethnic group has a distinct cultural & linguistic identity / recognizes North & Eastern provinces as areas of historical habitation of Sri Lankan Tamil speaking people. The then Govt & advisors should have presented facts on colonial settler colonization” that resulted in South Indians being brought & colonized in these areas while displacing the Sinhalese who lived originally. If Muslims are included as Tamil speaking, they were chased out of the North in 1980s/1990s.

1.5 Reference to plural society” has always been to sheepishly remove the Buddhist civilizational identity of Sri Lanka. The draft uses aspiration” which connects to different people possessing different dreams. Everyone’s dreams cannot be fulfilled by any document.

2. Thereafter 1.1 to 1.5 objectives are turned into Resolutions, thus

2.1 The Agreement claims the GOSL agreed to joining two provinces into one administrative unit till 31 December 1988 & thereafter holding a referendum to separate from each other. No such referendum was held. In fact, in 1990, President Premadasa had to annul the merger after Varatharaja Perumal Chief Minister of the merged NE declared unilateral independence. Democracy for the North prevailed only after 2009 & PC elections was held in 2013 (a gap of almost 25 years).

2.2 Until Dec 1988 the merged NE would function as 1 Provincial Council with 1 Governor & 1 Chief Minister & 1 board of Ministers.

What was the reason to merge 2 provinces / hold elections & a referendum when the Accord was signed to preserve the sovereignty of Sri Lanka by defeating LTTE?

2.3 This clause of the Indo-Lanka Agreement gave discretion to the Sri Lankan President to indefinitely postpone the referendum in the East. Only in 2006 that the merged NE was de-merged. Indian army failed to defeat LTTE in 48 hours. Sri Lankan Army defeated LTTE in May 2009.

2.4 India assured necessary conditions” to enable the displaced to return to areas from where they were displaced. Muslims & Sinhalese were chased out from the North but no measures were taken to rehouse them.

2.5 of Agreement says the Referendum when held was to be monitored by a Committee headed by Chief Justice, Presidential nominee, nominee of GOSL & a member representing the Tamil speaking people of the East.

2.6 of Agreement claimed a simple majority sufficient to declare results

2.7 of Agreement was regarding meetings & propaganda ahead of the referendum

2.8 of Agreement stated that the referendum was to be held 3 months prior to 31 Dec 1987 with Indian observers present.

Clauses 2.1 to 2.8 & 2.17 of the Indo-Lanka Accord was only about merging NE provinces, holding PC elections before Dec 1987 & a referendum before 31 Dec 1988 which Sri Lankan President could postpone.

Why should only 2 provinces of Sri Lanka continue to get prominence & preference over the other 7 provinces?

2.9

• Declared emergency will be lifted only in the N E by 15 Aug 1987 but not the other provinces.
• Declared cessation of hostilities within 48 hours of signing Agreement & militants had to surrender arms
• Sri Lankan Army were to be confined to barracks from 25 May 1987

2.10

Allows the GoSL to use the same law enforcement & security mechanisms in the NE as used in the rest of the island.

2.11

Allows President of Sri Lanka to grant a general amnesty to political & other prisoners in custody under the PTA & other emergency laws as well as to combatants. GoSL agrees to rehabilitate militant youth & India is to co-operate”.

2.12

Commits the GoSL to accept & abide by the provisions

2.13

If framework for resolutions is accepted, GoSL will implement relevant proposals immediately. This offers a window of opportunity for GoSl to object to clauses of the Agreement & it is the failure of GoSL not to have removed the detrimental clauses that continue to haunt Sri Lanka.

2.14

India guarantees by the resolutions & to cooperate in the implementation of the proposals. guarantees” holds India accountable for its commitments.

2.15

An important clause as the proposals are conditional to proposals negotiated between 4 May 1986 & 19 Dec 1986. Residual matters were to be finalized within 6 weeks of signing the Accord & proposals are condition to India cooperating DIRECTLY with Sri Lanka in the implementation of the Accord.

2.16

This clause claims proposals are conditional to India taking following actions if militant groups in Sri Lanka do not accept the framework” of proposals.

a) India to ‘take all necessary’ steps to ensure Indian territory is not used for activities prejudicial to the unity, integrity, security of Sri Lanka. (India failed)

b) Indian Navy/Coastguard to cooperate with Sri Lanka Navy in preventing Tamil militant activities from affecting Sri Lanka (India failed)

c) If Sri Lanka requests India for military assistance to implement the proposals, India would provide if & when requested (India failed)

d) India will expedite repatriation of Indian citizens in Sri Lanka alongside the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu (India failed)

e) Both Sri Lanka & India will cooperate to ensure physical security & safety of all communities inhabiting North & East provinces (Sri Lanka & India failed)

Clause 2.16 sets further actions by the Government of India if Militant Groups do not accept the outlined framework of proposals (NE merger/NE Elections/Referendum)

Condition A:

India assures Indian territory is not used for activities prejudicial to the unitary, integrity & security of Sri Lanka.

India did not keep assurance.

LTTE used Tamil Nadu as its logistics hub with even support of the TN govt.

Condition B:

Indian Navy/Coastguards did not cooperate with Sri Lanka Navy to prevent Tamil militant activities against Sri Lanka

India did not keep assurance

Condition C:

Indian Govt committed to providing military assistance to implement proposals upon request by Sri Lanka.

President Jayawardena used 2.16 (C ) to request Indian Peace Keepers to disarm LTTE.

Condition D:

Indian Govt commits to expediting repatriation of Indian Citizens living in Sri Lanka while repatriating Sri Lankan refugees to Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu.

India did not keep assurance.

Condition E:

Both Govts to cooperate to ensure physical security & safety of all communities living in N E provinces.

Both India & Sri Lankan Govts failed as the Sinhalese & Muslims who were living in the North were chased out by militants.

India failed because the Indian army began arbitrarily killing & raping people of all communities as they could not identity who was who & IPKF soldiers did not speak Tamil.
IPKF rapes & killings have never been investigated.

2.17 Sri Lanka assures a free, full & fair election with cooperation of India.

2.18 Note this clause.

The clause says official language of Sri Lanka shall be Sinhala” while a COMMA separates Tamil & English will also be official languages”. What is the legal implication of writing Clause 2.18 in this manner & how has it been written in Sinhala?

The Agreement & Annexures were to come into force upon signature.

Clause 3 stipulates that the above clauses plus annexures will come into effect with the signing of the Agreement on 29 July 1987.

There were 6 Annexures to the Indo-Lanka Agreement

1. Both leaders agreed that the referendum mentioned in para 2 & subparagraphs will be observed by a representative of the Election Commission of India. Para 2 was dedicated to merging NE & holding referendum observed by Election Commission of India – is this not undermining Sri Lanka’s Election Commission?

• Both leaders agreed that elections to Provincial Council mentioned in para 2.8 will be observed, and all para military will be withdrawn from N E. How was all para military to be withdrawn from NE when the Sri Lanka Army was confined to barracks?

• President of Sri Lanka was given discretion to absorb para military into the regular security forces of Sri Lanka. What was the purpose of this insertion?

• Both leaders agree that Tamil militants shall” surrender their arms to authorities designated by Sri Lankan President & shall take place in the presence of a representative from SL Red Cross & Indian Red Cross. There was no clause that addressed the question of Tamil militants not surrendering arms & what to do thereafter.

• Both leaders agreed that a joint Indo-Lanka Observer Group consisting of qualified representatives of both Govts would monitor the cessation of hostilities from 31 July 1987. Who comprised this Group & how were they selected and where is there report?

• Both leaders agreed that terms of para 2.14 & para 2.16(c) regarding Indian Army is on invitation by the Sri Lankan President to guarantee cessation of hostilities.

Noteworthy is that annexure 6 aligning to 2.16C of Agreement was with intent to deploy Indian soldiers in Sri Lanka.

Now that we have gone through the Accord & the 6 Annexures, we come to the most controversial part – the exchange of letters between the two heads of State.

The letter from PM Rajiv to President Jayawardena dated 29 July 1987

• Did not mention that the letter was part of the Indo-Lanka Agreement.

Areas highlighted in the letter:

Joint agreement:

1. Not allow territories of both nations to be used for anything that impacts the unity, territorial integrity & security of either country

Sri Lanka makes 4 commitments (addressing India’s concerns) subject to Sri Lankan President confirming commitment via response to PM Rajiv’s letter which is not available.

1. Foreign military & intelligence personnel to not prejudice Indo-Lanka relations
2. Trinco or any other port in Sri Lanka to be given for military use by any country against India’s interest
3. Restore & operate Trinco Oil Tank as a joint operation between India & Sri Lanka
4. Sri Lanka’s agreement with foreign broadcasting organizations reviewed are only used for public broadcasting & not military or intelligence purposes.

India’s commitment

1. Deport all Sri Lankans in India who are engaging in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism (India did not fulfil this)
2. Provide training & military supplies for Sri Lanka security services

India & Sri Lanka to set up a joint consultative mechanism to review matters & monitor implementation.

If the letter is not part of the Accord, Sri Lanka is not bound to abide by them.

• Eternal use of India’s security concern”
• Giving Trinco Port to any party & not requiring to seek ‘permission’ of India
• Not bound to operate Trinco Oil Tank as a Joint venture (an error that successive Sri Lankan govts continue to make – SL first leased 99 oil tanks to India for 35 years in 2003)

The most important take away from the Indo-Lanka Accord is that it does not mention the creation of a Provincial Council System, amending Sri Lanka’s Constitution with 13^th amendment or Devolution.

The Agreement only refers to North East Provinces & merging them & holding an election & referendum in them.

India forcing Sri Lanka to sign Indo-Lanka Accord is a violation of Article 51 of the Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties:

 expression of a state’s consent to be bound by [a] treaty which has been procured by coercion of its representative through acts or threats directed against him shall be without legal effect.

India has also violated Article 52 of the same Convention

a treaty is void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.”

India committed to 5 clauses under the Indo-Lanka Accord. India did not honor any of them. This is a violation of Pacta Sunt Servanda’ (pacts are meant to be honored for agreements to be valid) If India did not honor the pact, that pact is no longer valid under this legal maxim.

The political dynamics of the 1980s/1990s do not exist presently.

Both leaders are no more.

LTTE leader is dead

LTTE terror outfit was defeated in May 2009.

Only the Tamil political/LTTE Diaspora secessionist/political separatist quest exists.

India was a closed economy at the time of the signing

India was not pro-US during this period which is why clauses referred were directly applicable to US.

Fast forward to 2020s … India is now a key ally of the US. India has no issue with US using Trinco harbor which it opposed in 1987. India has no issue to US military planes landing in SL. India did not object to Sri Lanka’s signing of SOFA, ACSA or even MCC. Yet, what if this honeymoon between US & India collapses? Many of the clauses in the Indo-Lanka Accord were written directly targeting the US. Does Sri Lanka have to dance to double standards & diplomatic hypocrisies?

There is absolutely no requirement to continue with the Indo-Lanka Agreement leave alone honor it as the clauses were only relevant to the North East. It is a violation of the Constitution to treat one community above the rest of the communities and some provinces given prominence over the others. There is no mention of any other provinces in the Accord. The Accord does not mention a word about 13^th amendment or devolution or even provincial councils in other parts of the island. Take the Accord & read it to see for yourself.

The Accord or Annexures do not mention Trinco Port, Trinco oil tanks – these are only appearing in the letter from Rajiv Gandhi to President JR. Read the letters for yourselves.

Why would diplomats push for the implementation of an Accord that is defunct and legally non-binding in view of India not honoring any of its commitments?

Shenali D Waduge

ජයන්ත හේරත්

කුමාරයා 

ආසනේ ඉඳ ගත්ත ගමන්

හා හා පුරා ආරාධනාව

ආවේ

ඉන්දියාවෙන්ය

මේ ඉන්දියානු ගමන

විජේය මහප්පා

අවුරුදු 60 කට පෙර

දෙසූ

පංචාර්‍ය සත්‍යයේ

ඉන්දියානු ව්‍යප්තවාද සත්‍යයට 

ඉඳුරා පටහැණිය

මහප්පාට තිබූ නුවණෙන්

අරික්කාලක්

කුමාරයා 

ආසනේ ඉඳ ගන්නට පෙර තිබුනා සේ පෙනුනේය

දැන් ඒ කාලත් කොහේ ගියාද නැත

කුමාරයා  ට

ආසනය වෙන් කර දෙන්නට

ඉන්දියානු ව්‍යාප්තවාදය

බලපෑවේ නැතැයි කියා 

කියන්නට බැරිය

මෙතැන්

පටන් මේ ලැබෙන්නට යන්නේ

මහප්පා දුටු

ඉන්දියානු ව්‍යාප්තවාදය

තහවුරු කර ගන්නා තෙක්,

හාල්

බිත්තර

එළකිරි ආධාරය

ගුරුහරුකම්ය

හිතවත්කම්ය

කරේ අත දා ගත් සහයෝගයන්ය 

මට හිතෙනෙව්වා,

අම්මප!

චන්ද්‍රසිරි විජයවික්‍රම, LL.B., Ph.D.

පාත් ෆයින්ඩර් මිලින්ද මොරගොඩ ට්‍රෝජන් අශ්‌වයෙක්ද?
Lanka Web, April 19th, 2020

Implement Indo-Lanka agreement as soon as possible, says Moragoda 

Island Newspaper, 2024/12/19

Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has emphasised the pivotal importance of Colombo and Delhi quickly moving to the implementation phase of the agreement on ‘fostering partnership for a shared future.’ The former Minister said that the implementation should begin as fast as possible.

He said so in response to The Island queries regarding the Indo-Lanka relations in the wake of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s meet with Indian Premier Narendra Modi. Referring to the joint statement that had been issued on 16 Dec., Moragoda said: It is a comprehensive statement that covers a number of areas that are important to the Indo-Lanka relationship and Sri Lanka’s own economic development.

The statement has a significant number of action points, the execution of which can now be monitored by the two leaders during their future summits to ensure timely implementation.

 The statement blends the positive foundations and trajectory set by previous joint-statements with aspects that are important components of President Dissanayake’s own policy agenda. One such example is the focus on people-centric digitization.

Speedy economic integration and connectivity with India while safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity is the only way in which Sri Lanka can become a fast growth economy and come out of the present crisis. Sri Lanka needs to grow at 6% -7% pa to deliver a better life for our people. This understanding between the two leaders is a good beginning.

It is now important that the two sides move to the implementation phase as fast as possible.

The financial resources required to achieve these objectives are available and can be mobilized and harnessed.

The joint statement indicates that the UAE has expressed interest in investing in the multi-product pipeline. This is an important development towards trilateral cooperation in investment between India, Sri Lanka and third countries.

Trilateral cooperation of this nature could be explored with other countries, including Japan, the US, etc., as well.” (SF)

======

පාත් ෆයින්ඩර් මිලින්ද මොරගොඩ ට්‍රෝජන් අශ්‌වයෙක්ද?
Posted on April 19th, 2020

චන්ද්‍රසිරි විජයවික්‍රම, LL.B., Ph.D.

මෙහි පහතින් දැක්‌වෙන්නේ මිලින්ද මොරගොඩ ගැන අන්තර්‌ජාල විකිපීඩියාවේ සඳහන් වා‌ර්‌තාවකි. මෙහි ඇත්ත-නැත්ත මම නොදනිමි. එහෙත් ගින්නක් නැතුව දුමක් නඟින්නේද නැත. ඒ කාලයේ තමන්ට එල්ලවූ අල්ලස්-දූෂණ චෝදනා වෙනුවට අද රටේ විශාල ඩොලර් බලයක් සහිතව මහ ඉහළින් වැජඹෙන මිලින්ද ගෙන් ප්‍රවේශම් වන ලෙස හාමුදුරුවරු වත්මන් ආණ්ඩුවට ප්‍රසිද්‌ධියේම අනතුරු ඇඟවීමක් කලේය. නිදහස් සංවාද වැඩබිමේ චපා බණ්ඩාර විසින් මිලින්දව සළකන්නේ මිලේනියම් උගුලේ ඔත්තුකරුවෙකු ලෙසය. මෙහි පහතින් ඇති ඇමෙරිකන් තානාපති කාර්යාලයේ රහස් කේබල් පණිවුඩය අනුව මිලින්ද නියමම, කදිම ඇමෙරිකන් ඒජන්ත කෙනෙක් බවට විවාදයක් නැත. මිලින්ද ගැන තොරතුරු රට වැසියාට පෙන්වාදීමට වගකීමක්, යුතුකමක් ඒ ගැන යමක් දන්නා අයට ඇත. මිලින්දට කරුණු පැහැදිලි කිරීමට අචස්‌ථාවක් ලැබෙන්නේද මෙසේ ඔහු ගැන ලිව්වොත් පමණය.

ඇමෙරිකාව ඒජන්තලා සොයා ගන්නා ආකාරය විෂ්මය දණවයි. එය ඔවුන්ගේ දක්‍ෂතාවයයි. උදාහරණයක් වශයෙන් 2010 රොබට් බ්ලේක් ගෙනා සරත් ෆොන්සේකා වෙනුවට 2019 දී හදිසියේම කඩාවැටුන මහේෂ් සේනානායක, ඇමෙරිකන් තානාපතිනියගේ ඉත්තෙක් බව දැනගන්නට ලැබුණේ චන්දයෙන් පසු මහේෂ් ඇමෙරිකා යුද කඳවුරක පරණ රක්‍ෂාවට පලාගිය පසුවය. සර්වෝදයේ වින්ද්‍යා ආරියරත්න හා තවත් ඉංජිනේරුවෙක් සමඟ මහේෂ් තානාපතිනිය මුණ ගැසී තුන්වන බලවේගයක් වශයෙන් නොමිනේෂන් දුන්නේය. සිදුවූයේ ඒ නිසා ගොඨාභයගේ චන්ද කැඩීයාම නොව තව තවත් වැඩිවීමය!

මිලින්ද උපන්නේ ඇමෙරිකාවේය. මිලින්ද විවාහ වුනේ ඇමෙරිකන් කාන්තාවක් සමඟය. ඒ කාලයේ කතාව වුනේ ඇය ජනාධිපති බුෂ් පවුලටද දුරින් සම්බන්‌ධ කෙකෙන් යනුය. මිලින්ද සුරතලෙක්‌වූයේ ඇමෙරිකන් රිපබ්ලිකන් පක්‍ෂයේ සෙනේට් සභිකයින් අතරය. ඔහු ප්‍රසිද්‌ධකල, විත් අ වෝම් හාර්ට්, අ කූල් හෙඩ් ඇන්ඩ් අ ඩීප් බ්‍රෙත්, (With a warm hart, cool head and a deep breath)  නම් ලිපි එකතුවට (2003) පෙරවදනක් ලිව්වේ 2008 ජනාධිපති අපේක්‍ෂක‌වූ ජෝන් මැකේන්‌ය. සරත් ෆොන්සේකාට, රොබට් බ්ලේක් හෝ මාදුළුවාවේ සෝභිත හිමියන්ට මිචෙල් සෙසන් හෝ රංජන් රාමනායකට ඇලිනා ටෙප්ලිස් හෝ මෙන් නොව මෙවැනි මිලින්දගේ සම්බන්‌ධකම් හොඳින් අක් මුල් සහිතය. උදාහරණයක් වශයෙන් සමන්තා පවර්ස්ගේ මුද්ද ඉම්බ මංගල සමරවීරව, ඇමෙරිකන් රහස් සංදේශයේ සඳහන් කර තිබෙන්නේ ජෝකර් කෙනෙක් කියාය.

බිම් බෝම්බ ඉවත් කිරීමේ, පාත් ෆයින්ඩර් ක්‍රියාවෙන්, ලංකාව හැදීමේ පාත් ෆයින්ඩර් කමට මිලින්ද ඉබේම පාත් විය. මිලින්ද හා කෙළින්ම සම්බන්‌ධ දෙන්නෙක්ම (ජෙනරාල් දයා රත්නායක හා අද්මිරාල් මහාචාර්ය ජයන්ත් කොළඹගේ) ගෝඨාභය පාලනයේ ඉහළම තනතුරු දෙකක් දරණ බව චාපා බණ්ඩාර එලිකලේය. හාමුදුරුවරු එකනමක් වත් (ඔහුගේ සංවිධානයේ පඩි ලබන?) මිලින්දට ස්ත්‍රොත්‍ර ගායනා කලත් (ලිට්‍රෝ ගෑස් සල්ලි ලබාගෙන දඹරාවේ අමිල හිමි යහපාලන වේදිකාවේ සිවුර ගැලවෙන තරමට යකා නැටුවා මතකද), 2019 නොවැම්බර් 18 දා ගෝඨාභය දිනවා රටේ හාමුදුරුවරුන් කල විප්ලවය බකල් කිරීමට, මිලේනියම් හුටපටය කෙසේ හෝ රටට රිංගවීමට ඇමෙරිකාව ගන්නා නොනවතින උත්සාහයට ජනාධිපති අසුවේද යන සාධාරණ බියක් රටේ සිංහල බෞද්‌ධයින්ට ඇත. මහින්ද රාජපක්‍ෂ මහතා නම් දැන් නැතත්, අතීතයේ නම් හොඳ මිලින්ද වාදියෙකි. [ගෝටාභය ජූලි චුංගේ යාඥාවට (ඇමෙරිකන් ඥායා මෑණියෝ? ) රැවටී මිලින්දට අරුම පුදුම බලයක් සහිත  ඉන්දියන් තානාපතිකම ලබා දුන්නේ ලණු කෑමේ සීමාවද ඉක්මවාය. ඔහු ලංකරගත් කොළඹගේ ද ඔහුගේ විනාශයට පිටිපස්සෙන් සිට පිහියෙන් ඇන්න දුෂ්ඨයෙකි].

මිලින්දගැන ඇති බියට හේතුව නම් ඔහුගේ අතීත හා වත්මන් ක්‍රියා යුරෝපය උතුම්‌ය යන ආකෘතිය මත පදනම්‌ව තිබීමය. ඔහු යෝජනා කරණ පාත් එක (ප්‍රතික‌ර්‍ම) ලෝක බැංකු පාරය. කොරෝනාවට පෙර තිබූ දුප්පත් රටවල් සූරා කෑ කොම්පැනි ධනවාදයට, මොන අන්‌දමින් හෝ පැලැස්තර දමා කොරෝනාවට පසු ලෝකයේ ඒවා දිගටම ගෙන යාමේ ඇමෙරිකන් ප්ලෑනට අඩතැබීම මිලින්දගේ අළුත් ප්‍රොජෙක්ට් එකේ අරමුණ බව පැහැදිලි වන්නේ, දැන් ඒ අළුත් උපක්‍රමය සඳහා ඔහු පත් කල 20 දෙනාගේ කොමිටියේ සාමාජිකයින්ගේ වතගොත සොයා බලන විටය. ඉන් බොහෝ දෙනෙක් යහපාලන කාලයේ රනිල්-මංගල-මලික්-රවි ගැත්තන්‌විය. මේ අය ඇල්ලේ ගුණවංශ හාමුදුරුවන් කියන බුදු අම්මෝ අයද, ඕ මයි ගෝඩ් අයද? පැහැදිලි එකම දේ නම් රටේ සිංහල බෞද්‌ධයින් වෙනුවෙන් ප්‍රසිද්‌ධියේ කතාකරණ එක් අයෙක්‌වත් මිලින්දගේ කොමිටිවල නොසිටීමය. එවැනි සුදුස්සන් නැද්ද, එවැනි අය ආරාධනාව ප්‍රතික්‍ෂේප කලාද,එසේත් නැත්නම් එවැනි අයවළුන් මේ වැදගත් කොමිටිවලට සහභාගි කරගන්නවාට විරුද්‌ධ බලවේගයක් යටින් තිබෙනවාද?

උදාහරණයක් වශයෙන් සංවර්‍ධනය සඳහා, නාස්තිය, කුණු කසළ හා වස-විස කළමනාකරණය පිළිඹදව ධර්‌මපාල පරපුරේ නිර්‌මාතෘ ඉඳුරාගාරේ ධම්මරතන හිමිඳුන් හා, අතුරැලියේ රතන, බොදු බල සේනාවේ ඥානසාර යන හාමුදුරුවරුන් ඉදිරිපත් කරණ පාත් එකට මිලින්දගේ පාත් එකේ ඉඩක් තිබේද? ග්‍රාම රාජ්‍ය සංකල්පය ගැන මිලින්දගේ අදහස කුමක්ද? රට යායුතු මෙග ව්‍යාපෘති පාරේද, නැත්නම් කර්‌ක් පැට්‍රික් සේල් ගේ හියුමන් ස්කේල් නම් පරිසරවාදී තිරසර සංවර්‌ධන පාරේද? මේ සියල්ලටම වඩා වැදගත් වන්නේ මිලින්ද, ජනාධිපතිට දෙන සංදේශ ප්‍රසිද්‌ධ නොකරන්නේ මන්ද යන කරුණය. ඒවා රහස් ලියවිලි වන්නේ මොන ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රය යටතේද?

තවද මිලින්දගේ ඩී.එන්.ඒ (ජානDNA) වල මහාවංශ විරෝධී අංශු තිබිය හැකිය. ඔහුගේ සීයාගේ පියා රෙස්ට්‌හවුස් කීපර් කෙනෙකුගේ පුතෙකි. මේ පුතා (එන්. යූ. ජයවර්‌ධන) ඉගෙනගෙන අන්තිමේදී මහ බැංකුවේ අධිපති විය. ජේ. ආර්.මුදල් ඇමතිව සිටියදී නීති විරෝධි වැඩක් කරණ ලෙස ඔහුට කල ඉල්ලීම ඔහු ප්‍රතික්‍ෂේප කලේය (සර් ජෝන්ට එංගලන්තයේ වත්තක් ගන්නට විදේශ විනිමය දීමට). මේ නිසා ඔහුගේ රක්‍ෂාව අහිමි කලේය. ඔහු ලුනාව දේවාලයේ භාරයක් වෙමින් දේවාල මිදුල දිනපතාම අතුගෑවේය. පසුව බණ්ඩාරනායක අගමැති ඔහුව එම බොරු අල්ලස් චෝදනාවෙන් නිදොස් කලේය.

එහෙත් මේ දක්‍ෂ, අවංක සීයාගේ පුතා (ලාල්) හා ලේලි (විශාඛා කුමාරි සොයිසා) යුවල රට කැඩීමේ ඊළම් ව්‍යාපාරයට වක්‍රව හෝ දායක විය. තම්බයියාගේ (බොරු කරණාද ඇතුලත්) බුඩිසම් බිට්‍රේයිඩ් (1992) යන පොතේ පිටකවරයට තරුණ මාදුළුවාවේ සෝභිත හිමියන්ගේ යක්‍ෂාරූඪ වූවා වැනි පින්තූරය සැපයූවේ සුදු මවක් සමඟ එංගලන්තයේ හැදී වැඩුණු මේ විශාඛා තොමෝය. සමහරු හිතුවේ ආනන්ද තිස්ස ද අල්විස් ගේ නම මෙන් මැයද ඇගේ නම අනුව හොඳ සිංහල බෞද්‌ධ උපාසිකාවක් කියාය! බෞද්‌ධයින් කුහකයින්‌ය යන ලේබල් [chauvinist) එක ගෙනා ආ ඈ උග්‍ර මාක්ස්වාදියෙකි (ඒ පොත ලංකාවේ තහනම් කිරීමට මේ පින්තූරයද හේතුවක් විය. ගණනාත් ඔබේසේකරලා පොත තහනම් කිරීමට විරුද්‌ධ ලිපි ලියුවේය). ලාල්, ඊට යූ. එන්. ඕ. සරසවියේ වයිඩර් ආයතනය හරහා අරමුදල් සපයා, දිග පෙරවදනක්‌ද ලිව්වේය.

ඇන්.යූ. ජයවර්‌ධනගේ දුවගේ සැමියා, පින්තු මොරගොඩ (මිලින්දගේ පියා) ලෝක වාර්‌තාවක්ද තැබු අයෙකි. ගුණපාල මලලසේකර මහතා යූ.එන්.ඕ. සභාපති ධූරයට චන්දය ඉල්ලූ අවස්ථාවේදී එවකට එහි සේවය කල පින්තු, මලලසේකරට චන්දය දෙන ලෙස ඉල්ලා, ඔහුට පක්‍ෂ යයි සිතූ රටවලට යැවීමට පිලියෙල කල සංදේශය, මලලසේකරට විරුද්‌ධව චන්දය දේය සිතූ රටවලට යවා, මලලසේකරට පක්‍ෂව චන්දය දේයයි සිතූ රටවලට, ඔහුට විරුද්‌ධව චන්දය දේ යයි සිතූ රටවලට යැවීමට පිලියෙල කල අනිත්, වෙනස් සංදේශය යැව්වේය! මෙසේ පින්තු සිදුකල බරපතල අකරතැබ්බය අත්වැරදීමක්ද නැද්ද යන්න ගැන මලලසේකර මහතා සිතුවේ කුමක්දැයි අපි නොදනිමු. දිණන්නට සිටි මලලසේකර පැරදුණේය. පින්තෝ තවමත් ජීවත්‌ව සිටින නිසා ඔහුට අවංකව මෙය පැහැදිලි කල හැකිය. යූ.එන්.ඕ. වනාහි ලෝක හොර ගුහාවකි. යම් රහසක් කතාකරන්න ඕනෑ නම් ඒ සඳහා බිල්ඩිමෙන් ඉවත්‌ව මිදුලට එන්නේ චරපුරුෂ සේවය ඒතරමටම උග්‍ර නිසාය!

Political career of Milinda Moragoda

United National Party
During his political career of almost 10 years, Moragoda has worked in a number of key areas. He was a principal Government negotiator in the peace talks of 2002–2004. He was Minister of Economic Reform. He also gave leadership to the development and implementation of Sri Lanka’s ICT policy, E-Sri Lanka.
Moragoda was first entered to Parliament as a National List Member in 2000 with the United National Party (UNP) and was re-elected in 2001 and in 2004 from the Colombo District.[6]

Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Upon crossing over the government Moragoda was appointed as the Minister of Tourism by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. During his tenure, he was able to successfully implement the Tourism Act of 2001. In July 2009 he was appointed as Minister of Justice and Law Reform. Even though he sat and voted with the government, he remained a member of the opposition UNP until 2010 when he started the Sri Lanka National Congress (SLNC). The SLNC was disbanded in 2011 when Milinda joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the main party of UPFA led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In the 2010 general election he lost his parliamentary seat.

In 2011 he became the UPFA’s mayoral candidate in the October 2011 municipal election in Colombo. He was elected to Colombo Municipal Council, becoming its opposition leader.

Allegations of Corruption
In 2007 Moragoda’s party was in the opposition having lost the 2005 elections to the UPFA. As the UPFA Government sought to expose corruption during the UNP regime the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) released a report accusing Moragoda of widespread corruption and abuse of power.
Mercantile Credit Ltd, a subsidiary of Mercantile Merchant Bank, founded by Moragoda was found to defaulted on loans of 4.7 Billion Rupees (which had been obtained by providing false information) while Moragoda was Minister for Economic Reform. COPE conducted three inquiries into these loans and their defaulting but on each occasion the investigations were never allowed to reach the final stages due to political pressure.
In 2002 Lanka Marine Service (Pvt) Limited owned by state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation which sat on an 8.5-acre plot in the Colombo harbour was sold to the Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings. The Supreme Court ruled that as then PERC chairman, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and Executive Director of JKH Susantha Ratnayake had acted with dishonest intent in the sale of LMSL shares. The Bribery Commission also began investigations into criminal charges against Dr. Jayasundara, former Ministers Milinda Moragoda (PERC was under him) and Karu Jayasuriya (CPC was under him) on the charge of abusing public property in connection with this deal.
Before the investigation could reach conclude both Moragoda and Jayasuriya crossed over to the government. Reporting on the privatisation of Lanka Marine Service COPE stated that by his actions Moragoda had at the very least incurred a loss of 1.7 Bn rupees for the government.

The COPE report also alleged severe irregularities in the privatisation of Sri Lanka Insurance which happened under the tenure of Moragoda. The report stated that Moragoda created a loss of over 3 Bn Rupees for the government solely through non-compliance with the 4th term of the contract. These investigations too were not concluded before Moragoda crossed over to the government.

Links to the USA
US Embassy cables released by WikiLeaks show Moragoda to be a long-time information source of the US Embassy in Colombo. The cables also state the US Government’s interest in Moragoda as their key partner in Sri Lanka. Writing to Washington in 2003, then US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ashley Wills says of Moragoda:

[Regarding] the U.S., the intelligent, articulate Moragoda is a perfect fit. born in Washington, D.C, he is a dual national Amcit (please protect) married to an American, with plenty of Washington connections, many from his days as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and at Harvard. A big picture” person, Moragoda is also highly aware that the U.S. is the most powerful country in the world, and he feels that it is better that Sri Lanka recognize that fact and work within it.

Other work
Moragoda has served as a member of the Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, which was co-chaired by Madeleine Albright and Hernando de Soto.
He has founded a number of non-profit organisations. Among them is the Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment, under whose aegis operates a humanitarian de-mining programme in the North and East which has been in operation since 2002 and Apeksha, a free English Education Programme for children of low income families.

Honors….

One Response to පාත් ෆයින්ඩර් මිලින්ද මොරගොඩ ට්‍රෝජන් අශ්‌වයෙක්ද?”

1. Hiranthe Says:
   April 19th, 2020 at 11:07 pm

This Moragoda cannot be considered as a son of the land and a true son of Mother Lanka.

I agree 100% with Chapa of Nidahas web programme. MM is a dangerous virus you should not associate closely. I also feel very uncomfortable to see this fellow with the President because his organisation is like Corona Virus, waiting to infect and grab the land of Mother Lanka for their masters in the US.

Path Finders are very clever in recruting Kolambage and Daya Ratnayaka. Who knows how many other patriots have been recruited by them??? Traitors never rest.