කීර්ති රත්නායක චමුදිත සමරවික්‍රම සමග Keerthi Ratnayake On Truth with Chamuditha

Even as the United States of America counters Russia’s claim that Ukraine might be involved in the Moscow terrorist attack while killed over 140, Washington has been contradicted by its own military ally. A member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, has claimed that such terrorist attacks cannot be carried out without the help of another country. Watch the full video for more.

අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මාධ්‍ය අංශය  

අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධන මහතා අද (2024.03.29) චීනයේ ෂැංහායි නගරයේදී ෂැංහායි නගරාධිපති ගොන්ග් සෙන්ග් (Gong Seng) මහතා සමග දීර්ඝ සාකච්ඡාවක නිරත විය.

ලොව වරාය නගරවලින් ප්‍රථම ස්ථානයට පත්ව ඇති චීනයේ ෂැංහායි සහ ඉදිරි කාලයේදී නැගෙනහිර සහ බටහිර අතර නාවික ගමනාගමන කේන්ද්‍රස්ථානයක් වීමට සැලසුම් කර ඇති කොළඹ සහ හම්බන්තොට නගර අතර සවිමත් සම්බන්ධතාවයක් ඇතිකර ගැනීමට මෙහිදී එකඟත්වය පළ කෙරිණි.‍

කොළඹ සහ ෂැං හායි අතර සහෝදර නගර ගිවිසුම අත්සන් කර බොහෝ කාලයක් ගත වී ඇති අතර තම සහෝදර ප්‍රසන්න ගුණවර්ධන නගරාධිපති ධුරයේ සිටින කාලයේ අත්සන් කළ මෙම ගිවිසුම යටතේ  තවදුරටත් විශාල වැඩ කොටසක් සිදු කළ හැකිබව අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරයා මෙහිදී පෙන්වා දුන්නේය.

ෂැං හායි නගරය භාණ්ඩ ප්‍රවාහනයේදී කන්ටේනර් ප්‍රවාහනය අතින් මිලියන 49.5 ක් සම්පූර්ණ කර පසුගිය වසරේ භාණ්ඩ ප්‍රවාහන ලෝකයේ ප්‍රථම ස්ථානයට පත් වී ඇති අතර එම ක්ෂේත්‍රයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට උගත හැකි පාඩම් අතිමහත් බව මෙහිදී අවධාරණය කෙරිණි.

යුවාන් ට්‍රිලියන  4.72ක වාර්ෂික නිෂ්පාදන ආදායමක් ලබන ෂැංහායි නගරය ඊට අමතරව ලොව පළමු පෙළේ ව්‍යාපාරික මධ්‍යස්ථානයක්ද මූල්‍ය ගනුදෙනු සඳහා වූ කේන්ද්‍රස්ථානයක් වශයෙන්ද ලබා ඇති අත්දැකීම් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ලබාදීමට ෂැංහායි නගරාධිපතිවරයා මෙහිදී සහතික විය. මිලියන 25ක ජනතාවක් සහිත ෂැං හායි නගරය සැලසුම් සහගත නාගරික සංවර්ධනයෙන් ලබා ඇති ප්‍රගතිය තුළින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ලබා ගත හැකි පාඩම් අති විශාල බව අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරයා මෙහිදී පෙන්වා දුන්නේය.

එම සෑම ක්ෂේත්‍රයක් සඳහාම ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට සහය දීමට ෂැංහායි නගරාධිපතිවරයා මෙහිදී එකඟත්වය පළ කළ අතර ඒ ඒ ක්ෂේත්‍රවල නිලධාරීන් ෂැංහායි වෙත පැමිණ එම ක්ෂේත්‍රයන් අධ්‍යයනය කරන ලෙසටද ආරාධනා කළේය.

යුනෙස්කෝ උරුම ගණනාවක් සහිත ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරය කිරීමට චීන ජනතාව දක්වන උනන්දුව වැඩි වී ඇති අතර දැනට කොළඹ සහ ෂැංහායි අතර සිදු කෙරෙන ගුවන්ගමන් වැඩි කිරීමේ හැකියාව සොයා බැලීමටද මෙහිදී එකඟත්වය පළ කෙරිණි.

මෙම අවස්ථාවට රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍යවරුන් වන ශෙහාන් සේම සිංහ, අශෝක ප්‍රියන්ත, අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය ලේකම් අනුර දිසානායක ඇතුළු පිරිස සහභාගී වූහ.

Manusha Media

විදේශ රැකියා ක්ෂේත්‍රය ඩිජිටල් කරණයට ලක් කිරීමේ සුබ පණිවුඩය රැගෙන මාතලේට ගිය ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා වැඩසටහන අද (29) සහ හෙට (30) යන දින දෙකේදී වව්නියාව ගාමිණී විද්‍යාලයීය ක්‍රීඩාංගනයේදී පැවැත්වෙයි. 

මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයට ‘ස්මාට් හෙටක්’ නිර්මාණය කර දීම වෙනුවෙන් පසුගිය සතියේ මාර්තු 22 -23 දෙදින බොහෝ කලකට නොපැවුත්වුණු පන්නයේ වැඩසටහනක් සංවිධානය කරනු ලැබ තිබුණේ කම්කරු හා විදේශ රැකියා අමාත්‍යාංශය විසිනි.

මාතලේ එඩ්වඩ් ක්‍රීඩාංගණයට රැකියා අපේක්ෂිත තරුණ තරුණියන්, විදේශගත ශ්‍රමිකයින්, විදේශගත වීම අපේක්ෂාව කර ගත් උපදේශනය සහ දිරිගැන්වීම් අවැසිවූවන් මෙන්ම පාසල් දූ දරුවන් සහ රජයේ නිලධාරීහු ඉහත දෙදින තුළ බොහෝ සංඛ්‍යාවක් ආ ගියහ. සිය අපේක්ෂා සාර්ථක වූ බව සනිටුහන් කෙරුණු මුහුණු සමග බොහෝ දෙනෙක් එඩ්වඩ් ක්‍රීඩාංගණයට පැමිණ ගියහ. කම්කරු හා විදේශ රැකියා මනූෂ නානායක්කාර මහතාගේ මගපෙන්වීම ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ සඳහා එහිදී නිබඳව ලැබී තිබිණි. 

මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කය යනු ඉතිහාසයේ පටන් රට තුළ වූ නිදහස් හා සාධාරණය සඳහා කළ කැරලිවලට නිරන්තරව දායක වූ වීරයින්ගේ භූමියකි. රටේ නිදහස් අරගලය සඳහා සේනා සංවිධානය කළ ඉතිහාසයක් ඇති මාතලේ යටත් විජිත විරෝධී අරගලවලට නායකත්වය ගත් මුතුන් මිත්තන්ගේ පරම්පරාවට අයත් පිරිසගේ දායකත්වය ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තවදුරටත් ජයග්‍රාහී රටක් බවට පත් කිරීමේ ගමනට ඉතා වැදගත් අත්වැලකි. ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ වැඩසටහන් ගමන්මගේ මූලික ස්ථානයක් ගෙන රට දිනවීමේ කර්තව්‍යයට අත්වැල් බැඳගනු පිණිස මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයට අමාත්‍ය මනූෂ නානායක්කාර මහතා එහිදී පොදුවේ ආරාධනා කළේය. 

මාතලේ වීර කැප්පෙටිපොළ අදිකාරම, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ එකම නාමික ජනාධිපති විලියම් ගොපල්ලව, ලෝක ප්‍රකට ක්‍රිකට් ක්‍රීඩක කුමාර් සංගක්කාර, ජනකාන්ත නළු හේමාල් රණසිංහ මෙන්ම හිටපු හමුදාපති ශවේන්ද්‍ර සිල්වාද මාතලේට අයත් වටිනා පුරවැසියන් බව අමාත්‍යවරයා සියලු දෙනා හමුවේ සිහිපත් කළේ වැඩසටහනේ පළමු දින (22) ‘මගෙන් පටන් ගමු – ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්මාට් වැඩ්ඩන්’ සමාරම්භක අදියරේදීය. එම අවස්ථාවට ක්‍රීඩා සහ තරුණ කටයුතු රාජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය රෝහණ දිසානායක, මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික් පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී එන්. නාලක බණ්ඩාර කෝට්ටේගොඩ, මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික් එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂ නායක ප්‍රියාන් විජේරත්න යන දේශපාලන නියෝජනය සහ කම්කරු හා විදේශ රැකියා අමාත්‍යාංශ ලේකම් ආනන්ද විමලවීර, රජයේ නිලධාරීහු සහභාගි වූහ. 

අවිධිමත් අංශයේ රැකියාවල නියුක්ත පිරිස් සඳහා සිය කුසලතා සහතික කරගැනීමට අවශ්‍ය සහතික ලබා ගැනීමට එහිදී පහසුකම් සලසා දී තිබිණි. එදින සවස්භාගයේ ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා – ගරුසරු’ අදියර පැවැත්විණි. සමස්ත ශ්‍රම බලකායට සමාජ ආරක්ෂණ වැඩපිළිවෙළක් සකස් කිරීම කම්කරු හා විදේශ රැකියා අමාත්‍යාංශයේ අපේක්ෂාව ය. සිය වෘත්තීයට හිමි වැටුපේ පටන් සියල්ල අවිධිමත්ව පවතින තත්ත්වයක පසු වන අවිධිමත් අංශයේ රැකියා සඳහා නිසි වටපිටාව, ප්‍රායෝගික සුදුසුකම්, අසීරුතාව, ස්ථාවරභාවය, වෘත්තීය හිමිකම් පමණක් නොව ඒ සඳහා හිමි විය යුතු ගරුත්වයද බොහෝ විට අහිමිය. එවන් රැකියා කිරීමම අසාර්ථකත්වයක්, අවවරප්‍රසාදිත තත්ත්වයක් නිර්මාණය කරයි නම් එම රැකියාවට හිමි හැඳින්වීම වෙනස් කිරීමද ඉතා වටිනා සංකල්පයකි. අවිධිමත් අංශයේ රැකියාවල නියුතු සියලු දෙනාගේ ශ්‍රමයට ගරුත්වයක් ලබා දීම පිණිස ආරම්භ කළ ‘ගරුසරු’ වැඩසටහනද කම්කරු හා විදේශ රැකියා අමාත්‍යවරයාගේ සංකල්පයක් මත ක්‍රියාත්මක එවැනි තවත් එක් වැඩසටහනකි. 

‘ශ්‍රම වාසනා’ අරමුදල් වැඩසටහන මගින් විදේශගත ශ්‍රමිකයන්ගේ පවුල්වල පාසල් දූ දරුවන් සඳහා පාසල් උපකරණ කට්ටල ලබා දීම සිදු කෙරුණු අතර මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ සෑම ප්‍රාදේශීය ලේකම් කොට්ඨාසයක්ම නියෝජනය කරන අඩු ආදායම්ලාභී පවුල්වල පාසල් ළමුන් 1200ක් සඳහා පාසල් උපකරණ ප්‍රදානය කිරීම එහිදී සිදු කෙරිණි.

පළමු දින ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ වැඩසටහන් දිනයේ රාත්‍රියේ පැවති සංගීත ප්‍රසංගයටද ප්‍රදේශයේ ජන සහභාගීත්වය ඉහළ මට්ටමේ පැවතිණි.

‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ මාතලේ වැඩසටහනේ දින දෙකෙහිදිම විදෙස් රැකියා අවස්ථා පිළිබඳව ජනතාව දැනුවත් කෙරෙන විදේශ රැකියා නියෝජිත ආයතන පනහකට අධික සංඛ්‍යාවක සේවයද වැඩසටහනට සහභාගි වූවන් සඳහා සැපයුණ අතර තරුණ ප්‍රජාව වෘත්තීමය වශයෙන් සවිබල ගැන්වෙන උපදෙස් ලබා දීම, ජනාධිපති අරමුදලේ අනුග්‍රහයෙන් සිදු වන දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ තරුණ තරුණියන්ගේ වෘත්තීය පුහුණුව සඳහා ප්‍රතිපාදන ලබා දීමට කටයුතු කිරීමට අවකාශ සලසා දීම සිදු විය. දේශීයව මෙන්ම විදේශ රැකියා අවස්ථාවලදීද වන ප්‍රධාන අසමත්කමක් වන මූල්‍යමය අසමත්කම මැඩලීමට ලබා දෙන සහාය පිළිබඳව මේ වන විට බෙහෙවින් ප්‍රශංසා ලැබිණි. එම දිනයේ ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්මාට් යූත් ක්ලබ්’ තරුණ ප්‍රජාව දිරිගැන්වීමේ දේශනයේදී අමාත්‍යවරයා විශේෂයෙන් අවධාරණය කළේ ‘ඊශ්‍රායලයෙන් රස්සා මල්ලක් රැගෙන තමන් එන විට කයිවාරු රතු රැළිවල විදෙස් රැකියා දීම ගැන විවේචන සිදු වන බවත් තාරුණ්‍යය වළ පල්ලට රැගෙන යාමට එම පාර්ශ්ව කටයුතු කරන’ බවත්ය. ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්මාට් යූත් ක්ලබ්’ තරුණ ප්‍රජාව දිරිගැන්වීමේ එම අදියරට අමාත්‍යවරයාගේ උපදේශක වශයෙන් කටයුතු කරන ශ්‍යාම් යහම්පත් මහතාද සහභාගි විය.

ජාතික ඵලදායිතා ලේකම් කාර්යාලය විසින් සපයනු ලබන සේවා පිළිබඳ දැනුවත් වීමේ වැඩසටහනක්, තරුණ තරුණියන්ට දස දහසකට ජනාධිපති අරමුදලේ ප්‍රතිපාදන යටතේ වෘත්තීය පුහුණුව ලබා දීමට සැලසුම් කර තිබීමත්, විගමණික ශ්‍රමිකයන්ගේ දරුවන් ඉගෙනුම ලබන පාසල්වල සුහුරු පන්ති කාමර පිහිටුවීමට ‘ස්මාට් බෝඩ්’ ලබා දීමත් ප්‍රශංසාව හිමි වූ තවත් කටයුතු අතර පැවතිණි.

විදේශ රැකියාවල නිරත වී මෙරටට පැමිණ සාර්ථක ලෙස ව්‍යාපාර කටයුතුවල නිරත වන පස් දෙනෙකු විශේෂ ඇගයීමකට ලක් කිරීම පිණිස එක් අයෙකුට රුපියල් පනස් දහස බැගින් වූ මුදල් තෑගි පිරිනැමීම, විගමණික ශ්‍රමිකයන් 11 දෙනෙකු හට මුදල් ආධාර ලබා දීම, විගමණික ශ්‍රමික පවුල්වල දරුවන්ට පාසල් උපකරණ ලබාදීම, එවැනි පවුල්වල පහ ශ්රේණිය ශිෂ්‍යත්ව විභාගය, අපොස සාමාන්‍ය පෙළ හා උසස් පෙළ සමත් දරුවන් 70 දෙනෙකුට ශිෂ්‍යත්ව ලබා දීමද සිදු කෙරුණු අතර මාතලේ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ පාසල් 11ක් සඳහා සුහුරු පන්ති කාමර පිහිටුවීමට ස්මාට් බෝඩ් ලබාදීම සිදු විය. ශ්‍රී ලංකා විදේශ සේවා නියුක්ති කාර්යාංශයේ ලියාපදිංචිව, රැකියා සඳහා පිටත් වු 40 දෙනෙකු ඇගයීමට ලක් කෙරිණි.

විගමණික සේවක සේවිකාවන් ඇගයීම, විදෙස්ගත ශ්‍රමිකයන්ගේ පවුල්වල දරුවන් සඳහා ශිෂ්‍යත්ව ලබාදීම, අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ‘ගරුසරු’ වැඩසටහනට සමගාමීව අසංවිධිත වෘත්තීන්වල ජාතික මණ්ඩල පත්කිරීම, කම්කරු දෙපාර්තමේන්තු නීති වෙනස් කිරීම හා මිනිස් වෙළඳාම යනාදී කාරණා පිළිබඳව දැනුවත් කිරීම, මාධ්‍යවේදීන් දැනුවත් කිරීම, බලපත්‍රලාභී රැකියා ඒජන්සි සමග සම්බන්ධ වීමේ අවස්ථා ලබාදීමදා මෙම දෙදින තුළදී පැවැත්විණි. 

අනුරාධපුරයෙන් ආරම්භ කර අනතුරුව වැල්ලවාය, කෑගල්ල, මහනුවර, කුරුණෑගල, පොළොන්නරුව සහ මාතලේට ආ ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ සාර්ථක වැඩසටහන්වල මීළඟ එළඹුම වන්නේ වව්නියාවය. මාර්තු 29 සහ 30 වව්නියාව ගාමිණී ක්‍රීඩාංගණයේදී පැවැත්වෙන ‘ජයගමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා’ රට පුරා යන ජංගම වැඩසටහන සඳහා දෙස් විදෙස් රැකියා අපේක්ෂිත පුරවැසියන් වෙත විවෘත ආරාධනයක් කම්කරු හා විදේශ අමාත්‍යාංශයෙන් සිදු කරයි. මෙම ස්මාට් අරගලයට වව්නියාවේ ඔබත් දායක වීම රටේ ජයග්‍රහණයක් නොඅනුමානය!!!

Russia has said that it has arrested a suspected financier” of the Moscow terror attack in which around 140 people were killed last week. The Kremlin claimed that it now has verifiable information” about Ukraine’s link to the Moscow attack. Russia’s Investigative Committee said that the perpetrators received large amounts from Kyiv including payment in cryptocurrency.

RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan has posted a video clip of the interrogation of one of the suspected terrorists behind Friday’s shooting spree at Crocus City concert hall near Moscow. Earlier on Saturday, Russia’s FSB security service confirmed that eleven suspects, including four of the alleged perpetrators, had been detained in Bryansk Region, not far from the Ukrainian border. The footage shows a bearded man lying on the ground and describing in broken Russian how he’d been paid to commit the terrorist attack.

The Islamic State has revealed how Russia caught its gunmen who went on a rampage inside a mall in Moscow on March 22. In the latest issue of its magazine, ISIS said that the terrorists were hunted down on the ground and by air by Russian forces and that they were eventually caught in a forest. Meanwhile, a Moscow court has remanded a 9th suspect in custody. Russian forces and Tajikistan security services also nabbed 9 more suspects for allegedly knowing the perpetrators of the attack. Watch for more details.

Courtesy Frontline The Hindu

Disclosure of massive donations, heavily favouring BJP, has triggered a debate on the relevance of transparency, fairness, and honesty in politics.

On March 14, the Election Commission of India (ECI) published details of crores of rupees worth of political donations, confirming the immense financial advantage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) weeks out from the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election.

In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India (SBI) stated that a total of 22,217 electoral bonds of varying denominations were purchased by donors between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024, out of which 22,030 bonds worth Rs.12,769.40 crore were redeemed by political parties.

The SBI, the nation’s top lender that was in charge of the electoral bond issuance system, was ordered by the court to furnish the details of the electoral bonds to the ECI by March 12, or possibly face contempt charges. 

Consequently, the top court had given the ECI time till 5 pm of March 15 to upload the data on its website, and the data released by the poll panel runs into hundreds of pages. The ECI released the details on Disclosure of Electoral Bonds Submitted by SBI” in two parts—one listing the buyers and the other listing the beneficiary parties—on its website a day before the court-mandated deadline.

Electoral bonds have been a key method of political funding, allowing donors to give anonymously through certificates purchased from the SBI. But on February 15, a five-judge Constitution Bench had scrapped the Centre’s electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous political funding, calling it unconstitutional”, saying it violated the right of voters to know who was financing parties. The court also struck down the amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of the People Act that made the donations anonymous.

Donors and beneficiaries

Data from March 14 showed that the BJP was far and away the single biggest recipient from April 2019 to January this year. The BJP had received slightly less than 48 per cent of all election bonds cashed by parties up to March 2023, amounting to around Rs.6,060 crore. The second biggest beneficiary was the Trinamool Congress, which received Rs.1,609.50 crore (12.6 per cent). The Congress, India’s main opposition party, had by contrast received around Rs.1,421 crore (11 per cent). 

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received Rs.1,214 crore, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) got Rs.775 crore, followed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) at Rs.639 crore. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got only Rs.66 crore and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Rs.6.05 crore. The Communist parties were a notable absence from the list of beneficiaries.

As ECI reveals electoral bonds data, BJP tops beneficiary list; biggest donor is little-known Future Gaming – Frontline (thehindu.com)

Prime Minister’s Media Unit

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon the Asian countries to rededicate themselves to building an Asia, free from poverty where prosperity is equitably shared. Addressing the BOAO Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Hainan in China, he praised China’s “miraculous success story of lifting millions of people from poverty to a higher living standard under the able leadership of President Xi Jinping,” and added that concept provides a pathway for other countries faced with the problem of poverty.
The Prime Minister called for new initiatives to ensure agricultural growth and food security, as it would not only ensure poverty eradication but also social harmony and peace. He emphasised the imperative need for harnessing renewable energy   resources.
Explaining Sri Lanka’s expansion of Colombo Port, and Hambantota Port as well as Colombo Port City, of which new Colombo Financial Center, he said it could be a major financial hub ensuring rapid progress of not only Sri Lanka but also the countries in the region.
Addressing the conference the Prime Minister commented as follows –
For us from Sri Lanka, we take this special opportunity to participate in an international event that looks to the future, an international event that accepts the reality of climate change, the wants of renewable energy, and to work together within the Asian borders but working together with all nations around the world.
Firstly, I would like to thank President Xi Jinping, who has given him tremendous strength in the strong economy that grows and the leadership that has dedicated itself to the economic growth of China. Economic growth of China is economic growth of the world. Economic growth of the world will have to be addressed as we see, as mentioned by the Distinguished speakers of a new order. The new order comes on realities of what we can achieve and what we have achieved.
Renewable energy, climate change has to be met, and other changes of a blue economy which are the important areas for the Asian countries. We have to work together in order to achieve these and succeed.
From Sri Lanka, we have been participating in these programs that have been initiated and supported by our fellow leaders, countries across Asia. I would like to take one example of a success story that we all could carry together and carry to implement in order to reach better standards of living. The experiment, though it has been called a success story of bringing millions of Chinese people from poverty to better and high living standards, we all face issues of poverty. We all have faced issues of improving our agricultural produce in order to achieve food security. The miracle rice that has been produced in China today can increase production, higher levels of income for the farmers, as well as guarantee a strong future for our food security problems.
I raise these two issues because over the years, over the decades, over the centuries, population has faced the challenges of food security, security of better environment and aspirations in order to achieve it.
Today, we all know the BOAO conference represents the countries that produce almost 50% of the new investment that has flowed into renewable energy. Mr. Chairman, it is a promise for the future. It is a great trust that has been laid by the BOAO conference, countries that have joined to take forward the responsibility of sharing the future that can be on a trusted basis and targets that we can reach. With this, I would like to thank all the delegates who carried this message from today, once again, to our areas.
Relax trade barriers, open areas for more tourism of different forms of tourism, new requirements on emissions, new plans and programs for renewable energy. These can take our planet to a future that is more secure and confident.
With these few words, on behalf of Sri Lanka, I pledge our support to continue to work together as we have committed ourselves to the maritime lanes of the Indian Ocean to keep it free for all trade to flow from West East Africa to East of Asia.
Sri Lanka’s port development has taken a new turn of an advanced port development with the assistance of China, for which we appreciate. Sri Lankan, Colombo port will become a hub of a new developed port with financial instruments that could cater to the new demands that are growing among ourselves, among our countries, for development and investment, which is essential.
This will change the present scenario from East Asia to East Africa, and the blue seas that we all could work together for the future that we face in a successful and a great joint program is what we look forward to.”
President of National People’s Congress of Chinese Communist Party, Zhao Leiji inaugurated the Conference which was attended by Presidents  of Kazakhstan, Nauru and several others and former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who is currently the President of the Global Green Growth Institute, attended the Conference.

Kaarige Channel Eka | Dharmasri Kariyawasam

CGIAR Initiative on Fruits and Vegetables

A balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables is key to preventing malnutrition and diseases worldwide. Yet, globally, fruit and vegetable intake remain far below recommended levels. To effectively bridge this gap, it is important to gather country-specific evidence that can inform the development of targeted interventions. 

The CGIAR Research Initiative on Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) is working to understand dietary intake patterns across four focal countries (Benin, Tanzania, the Philippines and Sri Lanka). Recent studies examined dietary intake among young children in Benin and adults in Sri Lanka.  

Addressing nutritional gaps in Benin 

The first two years of a child’s life are crucial for growth and development. In rural Benin, FRESH focused on the diets of young children (6-23 months). Despite diversity in the types of foods consumed, diets lacked several essential micronutrients. This could be explained in part by low F&V intake. The average daily F&V intake among young children was estimated to be about 50 grams, falling short of recommendations.  

Looking closer at micronutrient intake, FRESH researchers pinpointed gaps. Most vegetables were under-consumed, and most fruits (except for bananas) were largely missing from the diet. Identifying priority F&V in terms of contribution to micronutrient intake can help improve the diets of young children in Benin​​. This study provides a starting point for understanding dietary patterns, including F&V intake in this region, helping FRESH identify potential entry points for increasing F&V intake.  

Diversifying Sri Lankan diets 

In Sri Lanka, FRESH investigated dietary patterns and micronutrient intake in adults. The findings were equally concerning: average F&V intake was significantly below the national and global recommendations. Inadequate micronutrient intake levels were also reported, with most nutrients reported, falling below 20% of the recommended intake.  

While increasing F&V intake is an important step toward sustainably addressing micronutrient gaps in Sri Lanka, diversifying diets with nutrient-dense options like animal-sourced foods (ASF) and fortified foods is also likely necessary given the shortfalls in iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and calcium intake, for example. Additional research is needed to better understand the barriers to F&V consumption among Sri Lankan adults. 

Global impacts 

Though focused on particular regions, FRESH’s analyses in Benin and Sri Lanka hold global significance. This research is part of a broader effort to improve diets and associated nutrition and health outcomes, while mitigating environmental impacts and empowering women and youth​. The collaborative efforts of FRESH researchers and their partners demonstrate a commitment to tackling diet and nutritional challenges holistically. 

Learn more about these studies by downloading the research briefs below.

BENIN RESEARCH BRIEFSRI LANKA RESEARCH BRIEF

The FRESH Initiative is being implemented by CGIAR researchers from IFPRI, CIMMYT, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, IWMI, and CIP in close partnership with the World Vegetable Center, Applied Horticultural Research, the University of Sydney, the Institute of Development Studies, Wageningen University & Research, the University of California, Davis, Borlaug Institute of South Asia, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and the Philippines Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, along with other partners.  

We would like to thank all funders who support this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund: www.cgiar.org/funders. 

Cover image: Woman and her child at a market in Benin. Photo by IFPRI/ M. Cooperman. 

Courtesy Sputnik

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The investigation has obtained evidence of the connection of the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue with Ukrainian nationalists, the Russian Investigative Committee said on Thursday.

“The initial results of the investigation fully confirm the planned nature of the terrorists’ actions, careful preparation and financial support from the organizers of the crime. As a result of working with detained terrorists, analyzing the technical devices seized from them, analyzing information about financial transactions, evidence of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists has been obtained,” the Russian Investigative Committee said on Telegram.

The investigation has information about the receipt of significant sums of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine by the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Crocus, reports the Russian Investigative Committee.— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 28, 2024

The terrorists received significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, Russian investigators added.

“The investigation has confirmed data on the receipt of significant amounts of money and cryptocurrencies from Ukraine to the perpetrators of the terrorist attack, which were used in the preparation of the crime,” the report said.

A shooting occurred last Friday in the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the city of Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow, followed by a massive fire. A Sputnik correspondent who witnessed the attack reported that a number of gunmen in camouflage broke into the music hall, shooting people point-blank and throwing incendiary bombs. The Russian Investigative Committee said that at least 143 people were killed as a result of the terrorist attack.

 By AJITH SIRIWARDANA Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, March 28 (Daily Mirror)-  Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has no suitable Presidential candidate at the moment, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said Namal Rajapaksa can contest for Presidency only after another five to ten years’ time.

“My stance is that we need to go for a Presidential election first and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who can take up the challenges and who revived the economy, should win,” he said.

Minister Ranatunga told reporters in Colombo that he stressed the need to go for a Presidential election first as no one will be able to form a stable government after a parliamentary election which could lead to anarchy in the country similar to that in Pakistan.

“We need to take decisions for the sake of the country. The country is first. The party is second. If we think of the country, we need to go for a Presidential election and allow the person who wins to form a government without going for a Parliamentary election and forming an unstable government. The SLPP must work for Ranil Wickremesinghe and if he wins the election, he should be allowed to form a government. If anyone else wins, he should be allowed to form a government. Then the country will not run into anarchy,” he said.

Courtesy Adaderana

The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on year-on-year basis has recorded a significant decrease in the month of March 2024, according to the most recent figures published by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

The CCPI-based inflation was calculated as 5.9% for the month of February.

According to the DCS report, the year-on-year inflation of Food Group was recorded at 3.8% in March, showing a minor increase from the 3.8% recorded in February, while the inflation of Non-Food Group decreased to -0.5% in March from 7.0% in February.

For March 2024, the contribution of inflation by food commodities was 1.19% while the contribution of Non-Food items was -0.32%. The DCS attributed this to the price decreases in groups of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, transport, health, clothing and footwear, furnishing household equipment and routine maintenance, as well as the price increases in groups of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, education, restaurants and hotels, miscellaneous goods and services, recreation and culture and communication, compared to March 2023.

CCPI March 2024 by Adaderana Online on

https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717925647/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-gNxf66yyAmlB2DHsCYnH

Courtesy Adaderana

The world’s largest refiner, China’s Sinopec plans to start work on a refinery in Sri Lanka by June, the power minister said on Thursday, advancing a project earmarked as the biggest investment in the crisis-hit island nation.

Sri Lanka is looking to attract investment in the battle to stabilise its economy and return to growth following a financial crisis caused by a severe shortfall of dollars in 2022 that led the economy to contract 2.3% last year.

Officials of Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding are visiting Colombo for talks with Sri Lankan authorities.

The officials indicated that the management of Sinopec has decided to double the capacity of the refinery from the original proposal,” the minister, Kanchana Wijesekera, wrote on social media platform X.

They intend to sign the agreements for the project and commence work by June 2024.”

Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved the project in November, an investment that Wijesekera has earlier tagged at $4.5 billion.

China is Sri Lanka’s biggest two-way lender, with its companies building highways, sea and air ports and other infrastructure on the island off India’s southern coast.

The investment by Sinopec, one of the largest producers of petrochemicals, is part of an effort to expand beyond China, in which it has acquired refinery assets in Saudi Arabia and petrochemicals production in Russia.

Iran built Sri Lanka’s only refinery at Sapugaskanda in the western region in 1969. It can process 38,000 barrels of crude a day.

Source: Reuters

–Agencies 

Courtesy Adaderana

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to make a statement in court on 04 April on his recent comments over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

The order was issued today (28) after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had reported the relevant facts to the court, on the instructions of the Attorney General.

Sirisena had recorded a statement for around five-hours with the CID on Monday (05) over his recent comments regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

The CID had summoned the former President in order to record a statement over the controversial statement he recently made on the Easter Sunday attacks, after Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles had instructed the IGP to carry out an investigation into Sirisena’s remarks.

On Friday (22), former President Maithripala Sirisena had stirred controversy when he claimed he was aware of the true masterminds of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and that he was prepared to disclose the information to the judiciary if inquired from him or if an order is issued regarding the matter.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, Sirisena had claimed that he is ready to disclose the relevant information and that at the same time, it is the responsibility of the judges to keep the information strictly confidential.

The comments sparked controversy in the political arena with some accusing the former President of allegedly willfully concealing crucial information about the heinous bombings that claimed the lives of more than 250 people.

Amidst the controversy, however former President Sirisena had later claimed that his statement was based on certain information he had received three weeks ago.

Courtesy Adaderana

Amidst growing pressure to amend its travel advice to Sri Lanka which was deemed overly harsh”, the United Kingdom (UK) has defended its decision and said it would continue to keep the island nation’s travel advise under close review.

UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon made this remark in the UK Parliament responding to a question raised on plans to update the travel advice to Sri Lanka to reflect the security situation in the country.

He defended the move, saying that the safety of British people is the main factor when determining UK’s travel advice for all countries, including Sri Lanka.

Our advice is designed to help British people make informed decisions about foreign travel and remains under constant review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks when travelling abroad.

Our travel advice is based on objective assessments of the risks to British nationals. These assessments are made by drawing on expert sources of information available to the government including local knowledge from our embassies and information provided by the local authorities in each country.”

Earlier this year, leading tourism providers including the Experience Travel Group published an open letter with 35 signatories calling for FCDO advice on Sri Lanka to be amended.

It criticized the mentioning of fuel and food shortages in the country dating back to the 2022 political unrest and continued references to the 2019 terrorist attacks and said the UK the government was systematically undermining the travel industry” in Sri Lanka.

By Sena Thoradeniya

1. How the Speaker Was Pressured?

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena deserves plaudits of all anti-imperialist, anti-fascist, anti-hegemonic, anti-anarchist Sri Lankans for the bold statement he made immediately after the No Confidence Motion of the joint opposition on 21 March 2024. He revealed for the first time foreign powers (it is obvious who they were although he has not named them), some local politicians, a prominent Buddhist priest and a Catholic religious leader have pressured him to take over the Presidency during the Galle Face Protest.

He disclosed how he received telephone calls from various anti-state forces.He said that the objective of those who made the request was not to resolve the crisis, or restore law and order and protect the country, but to aggravate the problems and make Sri Lanka another Libya or an Afghanistan. He further stated that he was determined to uphold democracy and safeguard the country.

According to his statement, among those who exerted pressure on him were leading Bhikkhus and leaders of other religions. Some prominent religious leaders – popular Buddhist priests and others had surrounded his official residence to harm him if he failed to take over the Presidency and form a new government – in other words if he refused to adhere to the conspirators’ proposal.

Both internal and external forces influenced me to take over the Presidency and form a new government even violating the Constitution.” According to his statement, he was asked to name a Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers to rule the country.

The Speaker for the first time revealed how the protesters tried to march towards the Parliament to set it ablaze.

2. Who Were They?

Omalpe Sobitha and Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the two godfathers of the Galle Face marauders, and Korean American Julie Chung, the self-appointed Viceroy of Sri Lanka are in the dock again, although the Speaker has not named names.

There were people who could not achieve what they wanted for more than 30 years”, was the most important reference he made in his accusation. Who were they? Obviously, the party that thinks that it has already won the Presidential and Parliamentary race, the Malimawa grandees who play a hide-and-seek game showing its duplicity.

3. Wimal Weerawansa’s Nine: The Hidden Story”

The Speaker’s statement confirms what Wimal Weerawansa stated in his book, Nine: TheHidden Story” published in 2023 and what this writer has stated in his book Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy, Politics, Religion and Culture in a Time of Terror in Sri Lanka” (2023), Julie Chung’s direct intervention in the regime change. After the publication of Weerawansa’s book, many political analysts said that the Speaker had not denied or acknowledged what Weerawansa had stated. With the Speaker’s statement, the matter has been settled, although the Speaker fails to name names. He confirmed the direct intervention of Chung and other external forces. But the Speaker maintains an apologetic silence about Weerawansa’s main allegation, that Chung had visited him.

Thus, the Speaker does not reveal the visit of the unanticipated visitor” Julie Chung to his official residence, how she pressured and commanded him to accept the Presidency. It should be reminded that the JVP called for an Interim Government headed by the Speaker as the acting President. This happened immediately after Anura Kumara met Chung for the first time.  We cannot dismiss the fact that the JVP was used by Chung to carry out her plan. Lal Kantha had admitted US intervention in the Galle Face protest.

The international conspirators wanted GR to sack Ranil Wickremasinghe as the Prime Minister with the connivance of Sri Lankan envoys in New Delhi and Washington respectively. Two letters were prepared for GR’s signature, one declaring GR’s resignation and the other sacking RW. At this time, plans were set afoot to storm the Parliament, capture it and occupy Supreme Courts Complex, signifying the fall of the national state, seats of the executive, legislature and judiciary falling into the hands of anarchic elements. A separate village was set up in front of RW’s private residence with the slogan Ranil Go Home” and his private residence was torched forcing him to resign. Against this backdrop installing the Speaker as the President would have hastened the destabilization process compelling the Security Forces to be mere onlookers.

Speaker has not answered another allegation made by Weerawansa that the Army Commander asking him to request RW to step down as he opined that bringing back normalcy was an uphill task to the security forces.

Weerawansa stated that after killing Muhammad Gadhafi, Americans installed an interim government in Libya headed by Speaker. Mahinda Yapa in his statement said that the conspirators wanted to make Sri Lanka another Libya or an Afghanistan.

Weerawansarevealed a leader of a very influential religious denomination (non- Buddhist) visiting the Speaker at his official residence and having a discussion with the latter and asking him to accept the Presidency after GR’s resignation. Weerawansa does not name this religious leader, but the Speaker in his statement some prominent religious leaders – popular Buddhistpriests and others”, confirms what Weerawansa had stated.

4. GR’s Action or Inaction?

The Speaker further stated that GR called him and sought his opinion on transferring power to him (the Speaker). However, I knew that if I have accepted the position without powers vested in me by the Constitution to do so, this country would have ended in anarchy”. What the Speaker says is that he has declined the offer as he was not sure that he will be able to appoint a new President within a month. 

It is interesting to note that GR does not discuss this crucial constitutional issue in his book, The Conspiracy” (2024). He says: After reaching Singapore, I informed the Speaker of Parliament Mahindra Yapa Abeywardena that I would step down from the Presidency in the coming few days respecting the request made of me by the political parties. I had by this time, made up my mind to hand over the mantle of President to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe because I saw him as the only person capable of restoring law and order in the country” (Pp. 156-157). He has miserably failed to disclose the role Julie Chung played in his ouster. We ask why? 

At this juncture we raise few pertinent questions: (1) Why does he respect the request made of him by the political parties”? (2) What are those political parties? SJB, JVP or Pohottuwa dissident groups? (3) Does he think that these parties have given him a mandate to be elected as the President of Sri Lanka? (4) Was he aware that RW and his close confidantes were playing an active role in the Galle Face ghetto? (5) Was he convinced that the only person capable of receiving Indian and American support was Ranil Wickremasinghe?  (6) Was he pressured again by Chung & Co. to accept the Plan B of the conspiracy by handing over the Presidency to RW? (7) Can an elected President hand over the reins of power to another as he distributes his household silver?

5. Presidential Aspirants Among the Conspirators?  

The greatest accusation made by the Speaker was that he was surprised to see some of those local politicians who imposed undue influence on him to become the President were among the signatories to the no-faith motion against him and voted in favour of the motion. How can that be? A person who was fit enough to become the President of the country a few months ago becoming unsuitable to be the Speaker of the Parliament a few moons later. Although the Speaker has not named names, we know that two of them are Presidential aspirants. The Speaker should have asked whether these two conspirators are fit to become the President of Sri Lanka.

The Speaker describes how he took action to safeguard the mace; what we infer is that he had sent the mace out of the Parliament, like Kandyan Kings hid the dalada to safeguard it (the sacred relic) from foreign invaders. The Speaker was not rightly advised by his advisors; if the protesters stormed the Parliament, elected their own government and passed legislation they can do it without a mace; what legitimacy they need after storming the Parliament and conducting sessions in an occupied Parliament?  When they abrogate the Constitution who needs a mace? An arm of a broken chair is enough if they want to have some decorum.

The Speaker does not disclose what really happened at the party leaders meeting that day. The party leaders who are privy to the deliberations keep mum. Why? It’s another political game they all conveniently play. What they demanded from the Speaker was drowned in pollical deception and hypocrisy. These are the people who cast themselves as paragons of virtue, devoid of any human foibles.     

The Speaker was the only person who has remained in the Parliament that day. It is apparent that other party leaders, guardians of parliamentary democracy” have left leaving the Speaker alone. I had to see the safety of all political party leaders in the Parliamentary Complex when it was surrounded by the protesters. They surrounded the Parliament during the party leaders meeting. I sent out all party leaders safely while I had to remain. It was also decided to send the mace out of the Parliament to ensure its safety. The Speaker does not say among the party leaders were those who pressured him to take over the Presidency.

In my book Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy, Politics, Religion and Culture in a Time of Terror in Sri Lanka” (Pp 153- 174 ), I have stated how JVP and FSP had succeeded in becoming the leading force at Galle Face and other protest sites and how they were preparing for their third upheaval.  JVP stalwart Lal Kantha’s plan was to close all roads, besiege the Parliament, demand all MPs passing a motion to dissolve the current Parliament; MPs would not be allowed to come out from the Parliament without voting for a motion to dissolve the Parliament.

According to this plan two new protest sites were established at Polduwa Junction and Diyatha Uyana respectively. Slogans changed from Aragalaya Diyawannewen obbata” to Aragalaya Diyawannawata”, Anthima satana” and Last 24 hours”.  Pathum Kerner, a self-appointed leader warned the public to get ready for the 2.0 stage of their struggle. Lal Kantha called to bring Parliament under their control and that victory over the Rajapaksa dictatorship” would not be completed without seizing the Parliament. IUSF Convener too announced that they would take over the Parliament.  

The Speaker correctly stated that if the Parliament (we add: and the Courts Complex; already the seat of the Executive occupied by the protesters) was occupied by the rioters and forming of a new administration was delayed the country would have broken into divisions, riots would erupt in every part of the Island and various forces would have taken over different areas of the country.

The readers are reminded that after May 09, 2022, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) called for the formation of regional insurgent groups.

This is what happens in Haitinow.

6. Haiti: American Test Run Proposed for Sri Lanka?

In Haiti, former main rebel leaders in 2004’s overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide called for Haiti Prime Minister to resign. Heavily armed gang leaders have begun shooting and killing seeking to expand their territorial control as political groups in Haiti are attempting to take over from an absent government after the Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to announce his resignation, forcing deployment of an International Security Mission”. E-con E-News in its 25 February – 2 March issue reported, Increasing evidence links Julie Chung, the then US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and her boss Victoria Nuland to the murder of Haitian President Jovenal Moise in July 2021 by Columbian gangsters. Chung had met with Moise just before his assassination, nearly one year before the almost murder of GR, just after Chung was posted from that Caribbean crime scene to a new coven here in Sri Lanka”.

After the assassination of Moise, Ariel Henry was selected as the Prime Minister by a group of diplomats called Core Group” (remember Sri Lanka also had Core Groups”) consisting of ambassadors to Haiti representing Brazil, the EU, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and of course the US. Ariel Henry was accused of having links to the killers of Moise.

Head of Delma 95 gang, Jimmy Barbeque” Cherizier’s Viv Ansanm Alliance” are fighting to take control of Haitian cities. Cherizier has threatened reprisals against politicians and their families.  Armed gangs threaten politicians who join Transitional Council. Gangs continue to pillage homes and attack state institutions. State has become disintegrated; police stations torched; courts occupied by gangs. Capital’s bases/ brigades and homes of judges, Central Bank were attacked; Business District of the capital overrun by armed groups, paralysed by gang violence; power supply disrupted; sub-stations destroyed; gangs control roads; people in their thousands fleeing the capital Port- Au- Prince to find refuge in the countryside. Gang attacks began on February 29, gunmen targeting police stations. The main international airport remains closed. Gangs stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons and released more than 4000 inmates. State banks have stopped operations.

7. Avatars of 1988/89   

This reminds us JVP/DJV (Deshavimukthi Janatha Vyaparaya) killing spree during 1988-89) in Sri Lanka. As PRRA (Peoples’ Revolutionary Red Army) emerged in Sri Lanka to counter JVP/DJV attacks, vigilante groups have emerged in Haiti too. Vigilante groups blocking off their neighborhoods with felled trees began killing gang members; their charred bodies lying on the streets, hands cut off, metal wires wrapped around charred bodies; their houses set on fire.

If the Speaker had accepted the Presidency and protesters occupied the Parliamentary complex Warlords” of different regions would have emerged, – for example JVP/NPP Anuradhapura warlord, Badulla warlord, farmer warlord, trade union warlord, Ethera Api warlord, medical warlord, just to name a few – and run roughshod over the masses. Laurels to the Speaker for preventing such a catastrophe, for the simple reason for preventing such a blood bath as happening just now in Haiti. If not, Sri Lanka should have been the testing ground for the conspirators such as Chung, Nuland and Blinken to test a new ploy that they have invented.

8. Pied Pipers and Rats

Evidently two parties have prevailed in the protest movement, Protesters and Conspirators. The protesters were unaware of the conspirators’ agenda. We do not believe any protester wanted the Speaker to take over the Presidency. Conspirators knew if their plan succeeded total collapse and disintegration of   the State will pave the way for their military intervention.

We are not foolish enough to believe that RW, the American – Indian puppet installed by GR,  Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, when he was the External Affairs Minister under GR, who treated the Swiss Ambassador and others involved in the Garniar Barrister aka Sriyalatha Perera   fiasco with kid gloves and the present Foreign Minister, who plays a roaming role from Justice and Finance to Foreign Affairs  will initiate an inquiry, ask the Speaker to reveal the names of the foreign and local bigwigs who  pressured him, declare Julie Chung persona non grata or nominally ask the US government to recall her.

We urge the capitalist press and politicians to treat that the insinuation of foreign involvement in the ouster of GR is not merely a canard and not to dismiss it as a baseless conspiracy theory, an easy trick employed to dismiss anything and everything worthwhile as conspiracy theories, a fashion of the less informed and the prejudiced.         

By Raj Gonsalkorale

Political ethics requires leaders to meet higher standards than would be necessary for private life. They may have less of a right to privacy than ordinary citizens do, or no right to use their office for personal profit. Personal or private morality and political morality are often viewed as a conflict of interest – Andrew Stark, Conflict of Interest in American Public Life. (Harvard University Press, 2003

A senior politician said recently that he would like the SLPP, SJB, UNP and the NPP to work together. Of course working together does not necessarily mean entering into political coalitions. So far, efforts made by President Ranil Wickremasinghe for political parties to work together on a common program, especially an economic program, has not materialised and all Opposition parties have declined to work together with the government on such a program.  Working together on a common program without political coalescing requires personal sacrifices on the part of politicians as a common program has no personal political winners and losers. There can be only one winner, and that is the country.

On the other hand, political coalitions are power sharing models which are not necessarily altruistic models where the interest of the country supersedes personal interests. Politicians are interested in power and the public should not fool themselves and not allow them to be fooled by others who would like the public to believe in an imaginary world of working together for the sake of the country and the betterment of the country.

In the context of pursuit of power, and the justification of any means to achieve some political ends including engaging in corrupt activity and unethical behavior, the following three quotes by Mahatma Gandhi are of relevance today in Sri Lanka on the eve of presidential and general elections to be held in 2024 and 2025.

• When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall… think of it, always.
• It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
• My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest… no country in the world today shows any but patronizing regard for the weak… Western democracy, as it functions today, is diluted fascism… true democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting at the center. It has to be worked from below, by the people of every village.

Mahatma Ghandi epitomised the need for leaders to adhere to core human values of honesty, decency, love and kindness and service to each other. He did his utmost to change the political culture of India for it to reach its goals within the parameters of these core values.

Many believe, genuinely in most cases, that the political culture of Sri Lanka has to change as the present political culture is so sullied and a new breed of politicians are needed to resurrect something out of the mud everyone is in. It is uncertain though whether those who vocalise the need for a change in the political culture in fact are willing or even able to change it as they are representing a public who themselves appear to have distanced themselves from these core values. Religions have become so institutionalised, the teachings of the founders of religions have been overshadowed by ritualism that has no bearing on these core values.

The culture of a country plays a significant role in shaping its political system. A culture encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, and values that individuals have and hold towards each other in a society. A political system does not evolve by itself but from these attitudes, and the quality of a political system has a direct relationship to the quality of the country’s culture, therefore the values of its people. Mahatma Gandhi and leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr, were living embodiments of such values during their political struggles and these served to guide the destiny of their political movements.

Transfer of values and beliefs from one generation to another happens through political socialization, and this is a crucial factor in shaping the evolving political culture of a country. Various social institutions such as the family, education, religion, political parties, and media contribute to the formation and construction, and the evolution of political cultures. The development of political cultures is influenced by the changes in political consciousness and behaviour, as well as the values and attitudes prevailing in society.

In theory, political coalitions are welcome as an instrument to increase wider participation of those with diverse opinions on political governance and lessen tensions and inequities that lead to an uncompromising political culture often leading to extremism. However, if coalitions are entered into without any desire or intention of changing a political culture that is sullied with immorality, unethical behaviour, abject corruption and lack of any political standards, such coalitions will only lead to a country falling from a frying pan to a fire in respect of unjust, inequitable governance devoid of any morality and ethics.

It appears that there is unanimity in the public perception of an overwhelming number of Sri Lankans that Sri Lanka has gone beyond the point of resurrection when it comes to immorality, unethical behaviour, corruption, lack of law and order and poor governance. Paraphrasing Albert Einstein, they also appear to believe that it would be madness and suicidal for the country if the same people are elected to govern in the same way expecting different results. In such a climate, political coalitions formed for the sake of just power are bound to keep a lid on all these negatives and would be a means of perpetuating them as coalition agreements are bound to shield the corrupt and the dregs of society.

The problem for the country however is that those who are offering a new way of governance has not, as yet produced a document that outlines how they would govern differently and address the ills of the political culture and shortcomings in governance in the country. The absence of a specific, realistic plan of action to address these is a serious drawback to the country as any political combine riding the crest of a wave of popularity arising solely from the unpopularity of others, will not be any kind of panacea to address the ills facing the country. There is also the inherent consequential danger of what might happen if such a group fails to deliver on promises made on political platforms and on media interviews. Such a danger is even more acute if such a group, with a record of serious, series of violent political struggles, which they have not rejected as a possible weapon to gain power should a need arises for that, gains power simply on promises but not specific realistic solutions.

The oncoming elections, Presidential and General, poses a significant challenge for the future of the country. They will be called upon to decide between a popular group that has not presented any specific written plans as to how they would govern should they win one or both elections, and possibly a coalition of political parties opposed to the popular group, but who may coalesce just to oppose the popular group and to pursue power for themselves. It is highly unlikely that such a coalition will be able to change the sick political culture of the country as their coalition agreements will shield the many perpetrators who are in abundance in every party.

None of the Opposition parties have so far presented a realistic plan to the people as to how they would reduce the debt of the country which now exceeds the GDP of the country. The debt to GDP ratio stands at 120% now. In laymen’s terms this means that even if the entire country is sold today at its GDP value, it will still owe 20% of its value (GDP). None have presented specific alternate plans as to how the country could live within its means without resorting to more borrowings. None have spelt out the way they would settle outstanding foreign debt of some USD 52 Billion. None have spelt out a plan as to how they would change the political culture of the country and bring back morality, ethics, equitable law and order and address corruption that appears to be beyond a stage 4 cancer now. None have spelt out specific plans as to how they would reduce the ever widening gap between the haves and the have nots.

Promises made on political platforms and media interviews dot the political landscape today. One is reminded of a quote from Nikita Khrushchev, one time Soviet Union Prime Minister that politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.

අසෝක ඩයස්, ඇඩ්වොකාටා ආයතනයේ ප්‍රධාන විධායක නිලධාරී ධනනාත් ප්‍රනාන්දු මහතා සමග පැවැත්වූ පැතිකඩ සංවාදය Asoka Dias interviews, Mr. Dhananath Fernando, Chief Executive Officer, Advocata Institute මරණ තුනක් ඇති මිනිසා පැණි කයි ද? – ධනනාත් ප්‍රනාන්දු

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was held today (27.03.2024) at Great Hall, Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

Both countries agreed to continue to act under the friendship, peace, mutual respect and fivefold principle in international affairs that do not interfere in the internal affairs of a country. It was emphasized that bilateral relations should be based on mutual respect and mutual productivity between the countries, and acting according to that policy would set a good example for both countries.
The Chinese President also assured that China will support the schemes necessary for the development of Sri Lanka as soon as they are presented.
Chinese President assured continuous support of China to Sri Lanka’s efforts for political and socioeconomic progress. Chinese President said that China will always stand for safeguarding independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
The Chinese President thanked the Prime Minister’s father’s ancestry for their support to China during these discussions which lasted for almost an hour. The Chinese President also stated that the party representing the Prime Minister and other parties in Sri Lanka hope to further increase cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party.
Prime Minister thanked the President for assistance provided during the unprecedented economic crisis and extending debt restructuring facilities. He explained the progress in implementation of decisions taken during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to China. Prime Minister also thanked President Xi Jinping for the support extended to sectors such as school education, agriculture, health, technology, culture and religion.
State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Chines Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and senior officials also participated in this event.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

By Palitha Ariyarathna

In the intricate dance of religious syncretism, where diverse traditions intermingle, Buddhists find themselves at a crossroads. As they engage with other faiths, they must tread carefully, ensuring that their core teachings remain untainted. The allure of blending practices can be enticing, but hidden agendas and power dynamics often lurk beneath the surface. Buddhists must remain vigilant to avoid such manipulation. Let us explore this delicate balance, where vigilance becomes paramount.

No Matter Who’s Show Off: Religious syncretism, whether practiced by individuals or groups, often involves grand displays—visiting various religious sites to demonstrate openness and knowledge. However, true understanding lies not in showcasing diversity but in respecting the common practices adhered to by locals for centuries.

Aragalaya Ground – ”Extrime Religious Syncretism” Thease actions are legally and ethically flawed

Religious syncretism, the blending or merging of different religious traditions, has been a topic of debate and discussion throughout history. While some argue that mixing various religions enriches society, mindful individuals have increasingly recognized its potential dangers. In many places, syncretism has led to nuanced interpretations of religion. As a Buddhist, it is crucial to focus on its impact on Buddhism and consider the implications for adherents.

Buddhism, renowned for its adaptability, seamlessly integrates with local customs and beliefs. As it spread across Asia, it absorbed elements from indigenous traditions. For instance, in Japan, Buddhism harmoniously blended with Shinto practices, resulting in a syncretic phenomenon known as Shinbutsu-shūgō. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhism incorporates elements from Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet.

However, in Sri Lanka and many other countries, Buddhists grapple with a delicate challenge: how to maintain their core teachings while engaging with other faiths. Syncretism, when not approached with care, can inadvertently impact the essence of Buddhism. Legal implications loom large, as countries’ constitutional rights often prioritize the protection of Buddhism. The foremost place accorded to Buddhism should not be compromised by introducing concepts from other religions.

Governments and individuals must refrain from oversimplifying religious diversity by claiming that all religions are the same.” History reveals instances where Buddhist nations faced conversion pressures, leading to the erosion of their Buddhist identity. Such actions are legally and ethically flawed. Buddhism stands apart—it cannot be compared to any other religion. Even the founders of other faiths never made such claims.

As the author of this article, I have observed and explored the phenomenon of Religious Syncretism.” In this intricate dance of blending diverse religious traditions, I’ve tracked individuals who often exhibit certain behaviors—behaviors that carry hidden agendas and cultural hegemony. Their motivations, however, are not always rooted in valid reasons; rather, they seek popularity in today’s era through various means.

These individuals may suffer from what we can term maniac syndrome,” a mental and behavioral disorder characterized by abnormally elevated arousal. Their actions are driven by a desire to see others comment on their posts or articles, engage with popular Emoji” icons on their social media, and gain recognition. But upon closer observation, it becomes evident that many of these individuals harbor hidden agendas in their lives.

Syncretism, unfortunately, often occurs not out of genuine spiritual exploration but due to political or cultural motives. Throughout history, colonial powers have imposed their religious practices on indigenous communities, resulting in syncretism driven by power dynamics rather than sincere dialogue. As Buddhists, we must remain vigilant, guarding against any manipulation that threatens the millennium-long Sinhala Buddhist civilization.

As Buddhists engage with other faiths, vigilance becomes essential to preserve the authenticity of their teachings and navigate the complexities of syncretism. The delicate balance lies in appreciating cultural exchange while safeguarding the core tenets of Buddhism. Syncretism can be manipulated for political or cultural gain, as historical examples reveal when colonial powers imposed their practices on indigenous communities.

Once popular Dr. D. Large has been said ‘’Religious Syncretism like a poisoned cake cover with ice’’.

Let me elaborate on that quote: Imagine a cake—its exterior pristine and inviting. From the outside, no one suspects deception. But once tasted, its hidden poison reveals itself. Similarly, in the intricate dance of religious syncretism, appearances can be misleading.

Also, these activities are advantageous for propagating and reaching the goal of the Goodish Doctrine, as well as the hidden activities of Proselytization

Warning: Religious syncretism practitioners must critically evaluate its impact. As Buddhists, we seek neither popularity nor a diluted path. Instead, we foster open dialogue, respecting diverse perspectives. Let us remain vigilant, safeguarding the timeless wisdom of Buddhism.

Keep in mind that separatism, operating through the hidden agenda of geopolitical cartography, is quietly and secretly infiltrating our country via geopolitical, geo-economics, and maritime channels. It serves as a reminder of the Axis Powers’ Tordesillas Treaty, which caused immense suffering and claimed millions of lives. This evil historical event underscores Europe’s historical domination over much of the world, driven by a belief in their God-given right to divide the globe. Additionally, in a different context, ‘Religious Syncretism’ has victimized Asia through its multifaceted cultural activities. Ultimately, this marks the decline of the ‘’Light of Asia’’ Buddhism.

Nearly two decades ago, we lost Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero, a learned monk and a social reformer. His tireless efforts in propagating the Dhamma and revitalizing Buddhist practice within Sri Lankan society left a lasting impact. Ven. Soma Thero emphasized diligence, observance of the Five Precepts, and letting go of false views. His advocacy for vegetarianism and opposition to killing animals for meat continue to inspire many of us.

However, it is disheartening to observe that some young people, while standing up to protect Buddhism, inadvertently contribute to the erosion of our rich Buddhist culture. Their participation in multi-cultural, multi-religious environments may unknowingly facilitate the impact of Religious Syncretism” and proselytizing activities. These practices, overseen by certain churches and Arab-oriented mosques, pose challenges to the preservation of our Buddhist heritage.

As we reflect on Ven. Soma Thero’s legacy, let us remain vigilant in safeguarding our traditions and values while amidst a changing world.

As Sinhala Buddhists, we must remain vigilant. While cultural exchange enriches us, we must safeguard our core teachings.

Conflict and controversy often arise in this interplay. Clashes occur between traditionalists and innovators, and controversies emerge when syncretic practices challenge established Sinhala Buddhist Culture in Long Thousands of Years. Buddhists must remain vigilant, discerning genuine exploration from manipulation. Let us honor our tradition’s essence while engaging with the world.

By Palitha Ariyarathna

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

It is imperative to have a proper plan to face natural and other emergencies within the country and also build capacity to assist other countries faced with such calamities, said State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon making a visit to CBRN Response Regiment at Mattegoda.

State Minister Tennakoon arrived at the Sri Lanka Army Engineers in Mattegoda on a familiarization visit to observe the specialized capabilities and response preparedness of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) on Tuesday (26 Mar).

The State Minister was received by the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Engineers Major General M K Jayawardena on his arrival at the 14 CBRN Response Regiment at Mattegoda. He was accorded a Drive Past on his arrival by SLE troops.

During the briefing held at the Convention Hall, a comprehensive presentation on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Humanitarian Demining capabilities and operations of the SLE was presented. Minister Tennakoon after inspecting the CBRN/ EOD/ HDM kit and equipment on display at the facility also observed a demonstration of CBRN/ EOD/ HDM capabilities.

Senior Army officers including Colonel Commandant of the SLA Corps of Engineer Services Maj. Gen. Lanka Amarapala, Chief Field Engineer Maj. Gen. Shewanth Kulatunge, GOC 59 Engineer Division Maj. Gen. Kapila Dolage and Director General Disaster Management Centre Maj. Gen, Udaya Herath (Retd) were also present at the occasion.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang assured Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that China would assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy. During the high level bilateral talks held today in Beijing, the Chinese Prime Minister praised Sri Lanka’s economic progress after a period of economic downside. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena staying, “You and your family continuously worked for strengthening friendship between China and Sri Lanka”. He pointed out that Sri Lanka consistently followed ‘One China’ policy and supported China at international forums. Premier Li Qiang said his country world also extetend assistance to develop Katunayake International Airport, Hambantota Port and Colombo Port City. Premier Gunawardena thanked China for standing for Sri Lanka’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty and helping Sri Lanka when faced with international political issues or economic problems

Vichara

President Directs Completion of Urumaya” Program Granting Free Land Rights to 2 Million People by June ( President’s Media Division 22 March 2024).

President RW has declared his intention to contest the upcoming Presidential Elections. According to his supporters, there is a block vote of 2.4 million Asswesuma beneficiaries who are obliged to vote for him. Now the net is cast to capture another 2 million land owners who are to be given freehold titles to land they now occupy as LDO permit holders. If the dependants of the Aswesuma beneficiaries and land grant holders are taken into account UNP supporters estimate that the total would exceed 6 million votes. Whatever the optimistic statistics are, RW is on a grand fishing expedition. The fresh baits are free meals for school children and free rice to the poor during the festive season. There will be more in the next few months.

The doctrine of the Crown trusteeship of land has prevailed from the days of King Devanampiyatissa who was advised by Arhath Mahinda that even the King did not own the land but was only a trustee of the land. The President’s project of granting of free land rights is an irrevocable measure that needs careful examination.

According to our Constitution, the President is bound to abide by its provisions and written law enacted before or after the commencement of the Constitution. This is clearly stipulated in Article 33 of the Constitution which states:

33. In addition to the powers and functions expressly conferred on or assigned to him by the Constitution or by any written law whether enacted before or after the commencement of the Constitution, the President shall have the power 33(f) to do all such acts and things, not being inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution or written law as by international law, custom or usage he is required or authorized to do. is is further confirmed in:

APPENDIX II to The 1978 Constittion

Land and Land Settlement

State land shall continue to vest in the Republic and may be disposed of in accordance with Article 33 (d) and written law governing this matter.

A President is not above the law and is responsible to the Parliament.

The President of the Republic in terms of Article 32 of the Constitution must takean oath stating that he would uphold and defend the Constitution. Therefore it is seen that the President of the Republic is subject to the Constitution. In Mallikaarchchi Vs Shivapasupathi, Attorney General [1985] 1 SLR 74 wherein Sharvananda CJ at page 78 held thus: the President is not above the law” (SC_fr_351_2018)

The exsing law on State land is the CHAPTER 300 – LAND DEVELOPMENT  ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT AND ALIENATION OF STATE LAND IN SRI LANKA.

A layman’s view is that the President cannot violate the existing law on the alienation of State land. The proposed measure is completely contrary to the objectives of the 1933 Ordinance of the UNP government of D.S. Senanayake of which the key principles were to:-

1. Prevent the disposal of Crown land by outright sale.
2. Land to be alienated by a system of selection and not by auction.
3. Prevent land alienated to a particular class passing into the hands of other classes.
4. Prevent the fragmentation of land.
5. Ensure succession and keep the new owners out of courts of law in that aspect.

 Even the British administrators accepted the need for a protected tenure for state land given to landless peasants. Colonial administration’s Government Agent C.V.Brayne in 1920 envisaged a peasant proprietor system in which State land would be distributed to growing numbers of landless farmers under a form of inheritable but protected tenure, which disallowed sub-division as well as trading of alienated State land”.

The present flawed policy is inspired by the annulled draft agreement between the MCC and the government of Sri Lanka, MCC funding would be used to provide titles to state-owned land held by individuals, mostly smallholder farmers, thereby facilitating the sale of their lands to any buyer. Conversion of state lands to the private domain, creates a marketable and bankable title to this land in the name of the land holder allowing the use of land as collateral for loans and the free transfer of this land without government restrictions”.

One of the serious outcomes of the President’s political project is land fragmentation. When land consolidation is the proven policy in land administration we are on reverse gear discourging consolidation.

Handing over a piece of paper to poor permit holders giving them legal title over the land does not bring an end to the poverty, indebtedness and many other social problems traumatizing them. Once they get freehold titles the present holder will be forced to divide the land among the children or sell part of the land to outsiders. There will be disharmony among the children and litigation on land ownership and Parate executions will be common. Only the lawyers would benefit by never ending litigation on land.

While Sri Lanka is opening the doors to land fragmentation rest of the world is making every effort on land consolidation.

Many countries in Western Europe have a long tradition for the implementation of land consolidation projects. In most Western European countries, land consolidation has in the last decades developed into a multi-purpose instrument.

Land consolidation and land banking instruments started to develop in Central and Eastern Europe after 1990 and most of the countries have introduced land consolidation while only few already have ongoing national land consolidation programmes. The introduction of land consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe has been driven by the political aim to facilitate agricultural development by reducing land fragmentation and facilitating a structural development towards larger farms. (FAO REU: http://www.fao.org/europe/en/)

The importance of land consolidation for Sri Lanka is identified as the

fundamental measure for facilitating agriculture productivity, rural

development, and making land administration more efficient (FAO, 2003).

It also provides positive grounds for environment management (Crecente et

al., 2002). Conflicts on borders, water, and roads are one of the biggest

issues among farmers in rural areas where the lands are small.

Consolidation enables farmers to improve their spatial and economic

conditions by reducing the number of separate plots on a farm while

alternating the shape of the farm plots allowing mechanization

In Sri Lanka, particularly in the paddy sector, land fragmentation and micro

holdings are among the major issues that impede agricultural and land

productivity.” (www.harti.gov.lk”

National Security

Most of them under economic and social pressure make them easy victims of land grabbers. With the depreciation of the rupee, foreign parties would have a bonanza in purchasing these lands. Sri Lanka should learn a lesson from how the Jews became the major landowners in Palestine and how the Palestinians were confined to refugee camps. The land grab was funded at the beginning by-

  ewish National Fund

  Palestine Jewish Colonization Association

  Palestine Land Development Company

and later by organizations such as the Palestine Jewish Colonization Association (PJCA), Palestine Land Development Company and the Jewish National Fund.

The rich Tamil diaspora has only to buy some peasant lands to disturb the delicate ethnic balance in the Trincomalee District. Some of the Divisions in the Vavuniya District are as vulnerable.

This project is ill conceived and also contrary to prevailing National Land Policy. One of the selling points of the project is that the landowner is enabled to mortgage the land which was not there earlier. This is a deliberate falsehood. Article 43 of the LD ordinance (as amended in 1975) allowed the mortgage of the land to the Peoples Bank or the State Mortgage and investmen Bank.

Let the government refrain from rushing into irrevocable mesures harmful to the intended very beneficiaries and against national land policy and endangering national security for narrow polical advantage.

Vichara

By: Pramod Thomas Courtesy Eastern Eye

Dinesh Gunawardena said China would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external deb

Dinesh Gunawardena speaks during a press conference in Colombo. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

PRIME MINISTER of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (27) announced that China has committed to enhancing the strategic deep-sea port and the capital’s airport of the island nation following discussions with his counterpart in Beijing.

Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena said China — the island’s biggest bilateral creditor — would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external debt, a key condition to maintaining a $2.9 billion IMF bailout.

Beijing’s position on debt restructuring has not been made public, but Sri Lankan officials have said China was reluctant to take a haircut on its loans but could extend the tenure and adjust interest rates.

Sri Lanka in 2022 ran out of foreign exchange to finance essential imports and declared a sovereign default on its $46 billion foreign debt.

Months of protests forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office.

Gunawardena’s office said Premier Li Qiang had promised China would assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy”.

Gunawardena said Beijing had offered assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port, the statement added, without giving further details.

A Japanese-funded expansion of Colombo airport had been on hold since Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt default.

The southern sea port of Hambantota was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a 99-year lease for $1.12bn, sparking security concerns in Beijing’s regional rival India.

India and the US are both concerned that a Chinese foothold at Hambantota, on the island’s southern coast, could boost its naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka has insisted its ports will not be used for any military purposes, but New Delhi has objected to Chinese research vessels calling at Hambantota fearing that they could be used for espionage.

By Rathindra Kuruwita Courtesy The Diplomat

It underscores yet again the inconsistent and ad hoc foreign policy under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry recently confirmed allowing a German research vessel, the Sonne, to dock at Colombo Port.

This raised eyebrows among some observers, considering that just a few months ago, the Sri Lankan government announced a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels docking at its ports.

At the time of the ban, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry insisted that the country was only attempting to maintain stability in the region and that the South Asian nation will use this time to develop its own marine research capabilities so that it can take part in future foreign research expeditions as an equal partner.

A few months before the moratorium, China had sought permission to dock a research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, in Colombo in early 2024. It was widely acknowledged that the Sri Lankan ban had come after pressure from India and the U.S. and was aimed at Chinese vessels. China was likely frustrated, but Sri Lanka stressed that the ban applied to vessels from all countries.

However, by allowing the German research vessel, the Sonne, to dock, Sri Lanka has signaled that the ban was indeed selective.

Although the foreign ministry’s announcement about the Sonne’s docking at Colombo port came on the third week of March, some members of the Colombo diplomatic community were made aware of it in early March. Diplomatic sources claim that a senior People’s Liberation Army delegation was in Colombo when the Chinese found out about the docking of the German research vessel. The Chinese delegation, reportedly furious, sought to depart the island immediately.

The Sri Lankan foreign ministry is now attempting damage control by stating that the ban on foreign ships is for research purposes, not on replenishment” and that the country will allow research vessels to dock for such purposes. There were also reports that the Sri Lankan cabinet will discuss how to handle foreign research vessels in future and [that] the Foreign Ministry is in the process of drafting a cabinet paper for the policy.”

However,  the government announced in September last year that it had already finalized the standard operating procedure (SOP) it would use to grant permission for foreign warships, military aircraft, and research vessels. In November 2023, Sabry told journalists that the ministry has communicated” the SOP to the missions who have made such port calls to Sri Lanka during the last 10 years.”

In the circumstances, the decision to revisit the issue raises questions about the necessity of reinventing the wheel.

If anything, allowing the German research vessel in is another indication, among many others in recent months, that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration has indeed thrown its lot behind India and the U.S.

A day before Sri Lanka’s Independence Day on February 4, the Indian Navy submarine INS Karanj docked at Colombo Port and left after the Independence Day celebrations. The symbolism of the docking as well as the timing of the arrival and departure was not lost among those in Colombo’s political and diplomatic circles.

Earlier this month, the United States concluded a three-day training session with Sri Lankan troops, focusing on instructing the Sri Lankan Air Force in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight operations. The Air Force said this collaboration underscores the evolving military partnership between the two nations and that this ultimately encourages greater interoperability between the United States Department of Defense and the Sri Lanka Tri-Services.” Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s participation in U.S.-led naval missions in the Red Sea reflects a shift that comes at the expense of its traditional allies.

At an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York in September 2023, Wickremesinghe described the strategic tripartite Aukus security pact that includes the U.S., Australia and Britain as a strategic misstep” and a mistake,” and went on to dismiss concerns over Sri Lanka.

In January 2024, Wickremesinghe announced his decision to deploy a Sri Lankan Navy ship to the Red Sea. About a month and a half later, Sri Lankans learnt from a speech given by the U.S. ambassador in Colombo that Sri Lanka had indeed sent a ship to the Red Sea to support the U.S.-led anti-Houthi operations. The Houthis, who have launched their latest series of attacks on selected ships on behalf of the Palestinians, are allies of Iran, Russia and China. Not only is Sri Lanka drawing the ire of these two countries, but also it risks losing its friends in the Muslim world.

Since 1977, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy has not only been inconsistent, but also irrational if we go by the definition of American political scientists John J. Mearsheimer and Sebastian Rosato, who said that rational decisions in international politics rest on credible theories about how the world works and emerges from deliberative decision‑making processes.” This is the opposite of how the Wickremesinghe government makes foreign policy decisions.

Instead of a deliberative decision-making process, it appears evident that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is predominantly shaped by Wickremesinghe and a select group of his close associates.

Moreover, international politics is an information-scarce environment, which often leads to misunderstandings. When a country makes decisions on well-known principles, it helps other nations to rationalize their own policies. This was one of the main benefits of the non-alignment policy that Sri Lanka adhered to before 1977. These well-known principles allowed both sides in the Cold War to determine Sri Lanka’s behavior in international politics with a degree of certainty.

Given the unpredictable shifts in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy under Wickremesinghe’s leadership over the past year, it raises the question of whether any foreign country, lacking access to Wickremesinghe’s inner circle, can accurately ascertain Sri Lanka’s stance on various issues.

Given that China and its allies have many ways to retaliate against Sri Lanka, the vagueness of potential benefits of band-wagoning with India and the U.S. axis, the ad-hoc changes in the direction of policy and the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, it is safe to argue that the foreign policy of the Wickremesinghe government is not only bad but irrational.

Courtesy CGTN News

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, with the two sides agreeing to deepen friendship and promote greater cooperation.

Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and that the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples.

Xi said China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by “independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support,” to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

He said China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship.

China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and exploring the path of modernization in line with the country’s national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development to the best of its ability.

He urged joint efforts to deepen cooperation in logistics, energy and industry and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture and tourism and marine economy.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of Sri Lankan specialty and high-quality products, Xi told Gunawardena. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and hopes that the Sri Lankan side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for them, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in rural poverty alleviation and help Sri Lanka realize economic transformation, upgrading and sustainable development, Xi continued.

He also called on the two sides to further promote the five principles of peaceful coexistence, strengthen collaboration in international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of China and Sri Lanka and international justice, and promote the building of a global community with a shared future.

Prime Minister Gunawardena, for his part, said Sri Lanka unambiguously adheres to the one-China principle, unambiguously pursues a policy of friendship and cooperation with China and has always prioritized China in its foreign relations.

He said the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi have injected new impetus and positive energy into world peace and development, adding that Sri Lanka will actively support and participate in these initiatives.

Gunawardena also said Sri Lanka is keen to deepen friendly relations, promote building the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation in the economy, education and poverty alleviation.

Courtesy The South China Morning Post

• Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Premier Li Qiang had promised Beijing would also help the South Asian nation’s debt restructuring process continuously
• New Delhi and Washington are concerned that a Chinese foothold at Hambantota could boost its naval advantage in the Indian Ocean

The Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka’s prime minister said on Wednesday that China has pledged to develop the island nation’s strategic deep seaport and the capital’s airport after talks with his counterpart in Beijing.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said China – the island’s biggest bilateral creditor – would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external debt, a key condition to maintaining a US$2.9 billion IMF bailout.

By Pranjal Pandey Courtesy Eurais Review

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has worsened due to IMF deals, causing social unrest, unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity, and posing significant challenges for its people.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on March 21, 2024, that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka regarding the next phase of financial assistance, granting access to $337 million from the previously approved $3 billion bailout allocated in 2023 for the financially strained nation. A staff-level agreement represents an initial consensus achieved between the personnel of the IMF and the governing authorities of a member nation concerning economic policies and reforms.

Over two weeks starting from March 7, a team from the IMF, led by senior mission chief Peter Breuer and deputy mission chief Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, conducted the second review of the bailout program in Colombo. The initial bailout, totaling $2.9 billion and spanning four years, was approved in March 2023. Two tranches of $330 million each were disbursed in March and December 2023.

Upon approval by IMF management and subsequent completion by the IMF executive board, Sri Lanka will now gain access to SDR 254 million (approximately $337 million) in financial assistance.

Sri Lanka had declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 in April 2022.

The Sri Lankan Uprising of 2022

The 2022 protests in Sri Lanka, popularly referred to as Aragalaya (The Struggle), began in March of that year as a response to the government’s policies. Criticisms were aimed at the government’s handling of the country’s economy, which had plunged into a severe crisis. The crisis, which sparked widespread unrest, was fueled by a combination of factors, including rampant inflation, frequent power cuts, and shortages of essential goods like fuel and domestic gas. 

Massive protests culminated in a governmental collapse in Sri Lanka on July 13, 2022. A significant number of demonstrators had marched toward President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence asking for his resignation. Rajapaksa left the country for the Maldives, leaving Ranil Wickremesinghe to assume the role of acting president due to his position as prime minister. By evening, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe too had resigned, paving the way for the establishment of an all-party government. 

Wickremesinghe, who had previously held the position of Prime Minister on six occasions and was serving as acting President, was elected as the eighth executive President of Sri Lanka following a parliamentary vote on July 20, 2022.

Crisis in the Sri Lankan Economy

Sri Lanka finds itself embroiled in a severe economic crisis, exacerbating the already pressing issue of food insecurity within the nation. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 6.2 million individuals, constituting 28 percent of the population, are somewhat food insecure, with an additional 66,000 facing severe food insecurity.

The crisis, fueled by soaring inflation and prolonged political turmoil, has reshaped the landscape of governance in Sri Lanka, disproportionately affecting its impoverished communities. Once spending 32 percent of their income on food in 2019, in 2022, the same figure was a staggering 75 percent. The brunt of this crisis is borne most acutely by informal sector workers, with 86 percent of households reducing food intake, and some even skipping meals.

The food security challenge in Sri Lanka has been compounded by a significant decline in food production, impacting the 26.41 percent of the population dependent on agriculture. The United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’s (OCHA) Needs Assessment Reporthighlighted a serious decline in domestic agricultural output stemming from an unsuccessful transition to organic farming. In April 2021, the former government had imposed a ban on importing chemical fertilizers, which, even after being lifted in November, led to a 40 to 50 percent reduction in agricultural outputs for both Maha and Yala monsoon seasons.

Two in three households adjusted their children’s eating habits during the crisis: over half of all children (54 percent) had to eat cheaper or lower quality food; over one-third (35 percent) had to reduce the quantity their children were eating; and about one in ten children (12 percent) had to reduce the frequency of their children’s food intake.

In 2022, the youth unemployment rate in Sri Lanka reached a staggering 24 percent, reflecting a concerning trend in the labor force ages 15 to 24. Poverty levels have been on the rise since 2019, increasing from 11.3 percent to 12.7 percent in 2020, which equates to over 300,000 new individuals falling below the poverty line during that period. This trend continued into 2021, with poverty rates doubling between 2021 and 2022, soaring from 13.1 percent to 25.0 percent. This sharp increase has pushed an additional 2.5 million people into poverty in 2022 alone. Households have been profoundly affected by this economic turmoil, facing multiple challenges such as a 46 percent increase in prices, a contraction in service and industry jobs (forcing workers into lower-paying agricultural roles), a decline in remittances, and negative impacts on agricultural incomes due to the ban on chemical fertilizers implemented in 2021.

Austerity Measures and the IMF

IMF packages in Sri Lanka have negatively impacted the people. Austerity measures and structural reforms have led to cuts in public spending, increased unemployment, and reduced access to essential services. Privatization and deregulation have resulted in higher costs of necessities, exacerbating poverty and inequality. While these packages offer short-term financial aid, their long-term effects deepen social hardships for the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.

With the imposition of various bailout packages, the Sri Lankan government has also implemented a series of austerity measures, increasing the challenges faced by its citizens amidst the country’s severe economic crisis. These measures entail significant reductions in government expenditures across different sectors, including critical areas such as social protection measures, and essential public services like healthcare and education, further undermining the well-being of the population. Notably, each ministry’s annual budget has been slashed by 5 percent.

In addition to these detrimental cuts, Sri Lanka’s tax system has come under scrutiny for its regressive nature, characterized by a disproportionate reliance on indirect taxes such as the value-added tax (VAT), which accounts for 80 percent of tax revenue. This disproportionately affects lower-income individuals, who end up paying a larger share of their income in taxes compared to their higher-income counterparts.

Furthermore, the government’s decision to privatize state-owned enterprises as part of its austerity measures has had negative consequences for both employees and consumers, leading to job losses and reduced access to essential services. Similarly, recent economic policy initiatives promoting labor flexibility” have resulted in the erosion of workers’ rights and welfare, exacerbating income disparities and labor exploitation.

Changes in pension regulations, such as the gradual reduction of pension gratuities for retirees, have further increased the financial insecurity faced by vulnerable segments of the population, particularly retirees relying on fixed incomes for their livelihoods.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s adoption of a significantly tighter monetary policy stance, characterized by successive increases in policy interest rates has had adverse effects on borrowing costs of both industries and citizens and economic activity in terms of production and consumer expenditure.

• About the author: Pranjal Pandey, a journalist and editor located in Delhi, has edited seven books covering a range of issues available at LeftWord. You can explore his journalistic contributions on NewsClick.in.
• Source: This article was produced by Globetrotter