e-Con e-News

Posted byee ink.April 11, 2026Posted inUncategorizedTags:China, Cuba, history, imperialism, news, politics

blog: https://eesrilanka.wordpress.com

‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’

e-Con e-News 05-11 April 2026

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‘Sri Lanka is also under a blockade like Cuba. You, me, we are all under

a blockade. When the IMF – or any multilateral institution where

the US Treasury is the main shareholder – imposes conditions on

any government, or on our government, that’s… a different

kind of blockade. Even if it works within international law & rules

& norms, etc, it is still a blockade. When the IMF imposes a new

Central Bank Act, and they take monetary policy away from

democratically elected officials, that’s a blockade on our monetary

sovereignty. When they impose the Public Finance Management Act

& they say you cannot spend on certain priorities;

that the government has to have ‘fiscal discipline’, & can’t

respond to a crisis, that is also blockade on our fiscal capacity. These

institutions are blockading our development. Their intent, their goal

is identical to what is being done to Cuba. The severity, the medium

may be quite different, but is it still the same. Everyone is now

painfully aware we are in an energy crisis. It is interesting to think

back to immediately after the Cuban revolution, which

inspired so many, including young people back in the 1960s,

Sri Lanka nationalized oil, & the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation

was founded in 1961; of course, we were punished for it. The

Hickenlooper Amendment, to amend US foreign aid law, was designed in response

to Cuba’s nationalization of their own resources. It was 1^st used against SL,

for nationalizing what was crucial to our own development at that time.

These weapons need not be bombs, planes, aircraft, they can be tools

like the Hickenlooper Amendment, just like blockades & sanctions.

The weapons used against Cuba today, used against Palestine, Iran, etc,

will someday be used on us. It has happened before, & it is a matter

of time, before it happens again, especially if & when we have a

situation in this country where the majority rise up & say no, we do

not wish to capitulate, & surrender control over our resources;

we want to live in dignity, like Cuba…

Cuba remains our lodestar, our torch in the darkness…

– Shiran Illanperuma, They Hate Not Only Cuba

But Hate the Idea of Cuba (ee Random Notes)

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The siege of Sri Lanka, could be seen as more profound than in Cuba, for it involves a mental blockade as well. Unlike Cuba, we are not allowed to even think, let alone discuss, how an alternative economic system would enable us to escape from & heal over 500 years of destruction. The media, run by the soaps & suds of England’s Unilever Corp etc, whose extensive advertising & marketing networks, PR agencies that promote & bloat politicians, prevent an authentic national conversation. Such a long-needed discourse would thresh & thrash out what a self-sufficient economy, which requires a modern industrial economic, political & military strategy, truly involves. Meanwhile, we are expected to prepare for an Indo-US invasion of Sri Lanka, and play the role of a ‘rear base’ for imperialism (like during their WWII), in preparation for their planned invasion of China (see ee Random Notes).

     The US Treasury’s main instruments, the World Bank, the IMF, the ADB, their ratings agencies, all have one goal: to prevent any such debate, & any such modern (machine-making) industrial renaissance, and they are clearly willing to cause chaos if they cannot get their way. They are forcing the rest of the world to consider even nuclear weapons that can reach the premier fortresses of imperialism in the US & Europe, so as to attain commanding heights of economy, war & political life. The decision, this week, to turn down Russia’s offer to build a nuclear plant here, is therefore truly symbolic of how far we have to go to truly plumb the depths of our real needs towards self-sufficiency (see ee Industry).

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‘At the turn to the 20^th century, a newspaper as ‘respectable’ as the

New York Times could editorially threaten that those peoples who

opposed the new world capitalist order would ‘be extinguished

like the North American Indian’.’ (10 May 1898) – quoted in

J Sakai, Settlers, the Mythology of the White Proletariat

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Cause slavery to disappear & you will

have wiped America off the map of nations.

– Karl Marx, The Poverty of Philosophy, 1847

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‘Blowing up infrastructural facilities together

With 1,000s of unarmed civilians is something

that no leader, other than someone like Hitler,

can bring himself to do.’ – Island Editorial,

Interval in Hell (see ee Sovereignty)

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Perseus wore a magic cap down over his eyes &

ears as a make-believe that there are no monsters

– Marx, Capital, 1867

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The inaccuracy, misunderstanding, vapidity & sheer confusion exhibited by our puppet media & their foreign affairs experts is more than sad – it is criminal. The US-led white war on Korea saw them blowing up dams and other civilian structures. To this day, our news about the DPRK (North Korea) is a pure caricature brought to us by the BBC! We therefore get history upside-down. Hitler, Nazism, fascism are the younger siblings of settler colonialism. The Nazis looked up to the USA’s & Canada’s white settlers as their ‘older brothers’. Nazi Gestapo leader Herman Goering’s father was Imperial Commissioner in SW Africa (Namibia) and directed the 20^th century’s first genocide, of the Nama & Herero, 1904-8.

     Yet we do not even need to go abroad. The destruction of irrigation was a classic tactic during the invasion of Lanka, especially once they realized that traditional irrigation was the basis of the solidarity among the Sinhala – the reconstruction of such crucial infrastructure, the ensuing ruling puppets seem to have happily ignored. The current US war on Iran (nay, on the world) manifests this studied ignorance even more. The Strait of Hormuz was ‘effectively’ closed first by the European shipping insurance companies who refused coverage once the US war was begun, to impoverish Iran! So, it is the USA that brought it about. And, once again we repeat, it is not an ‘Iran war’, nor a ‘Middle East Conflict’ etc, but another US war! Neither is it an ‘US-Israeli war’; Israel is only a settler catspaw of US & European imperialism.

     Again, we look (forward) to history, and recommend such classics as WEB Dubois’ Black Reconstruction, Eric Williams’ Capitalism & Slavery, and J Sakai’s Settlers, Mythology of the White Proletariat. Williams’ classic (which he banned on becoming Trinidad’s PM!) details the role played by the powerful ‘West India Interest’, whose plutocratic slave sugar & cotton & tobacco plantation owners became a powerful lobby within England’s parliament & ruling class. Yet their power was soon superseded by the even more powerful ‘East India Interests’, who set up ‘indentured’ slavery in the East (including the Pacific). The East India Company directors included many ‘saints’ & ‘abolitionists’, who inveigled themselves into the resistance to the chattel-slavery of Africans! The ‘Honourable’ East India Company too was soon superseded by the ‘Private English’ companies (especially to push opium on China), many of which are now major conglomerates in Asia & Africa (from William-Jardine, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Unilever, Anglo American, Tata, etc). And it is these banks & corporations that operate behind the IMF’s & World Bank’s dictates, demanding we privatize national resources, enfeeble organized labour, and avoid investment in modern industrial production.  Readers can decipher their demands to block investment in modern industry, and they even falsely claim to wish to promote industry (see ee Quotes).

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‘Village tanks & pasture reserves had been sold to estates,

paddy fields & irrigation channels were silted up by the

cutting of estate roads, & straying cattle were shot on estates.’

The startling features of the enslavement of the ‘workers’ within Sri Lanka’s plantation system, the ‘human resource’ practices imported from the settler Americas, is detailed in SBD de Silva’s classic, The Political Economy of Underdevelopment. As ee Focus continues Chapter 9, we learn how this enslavement has had a devastating effect on all workers in Sri Lanka, Sinhala & Tamil. de Silva’s detailing of an unfree labour market is significant, contradicting the much-promoted model of the Caribbean-born ‘Economics Nobel Prize’ winner ‘Sir’ WA Lewis, whose prescriptions were utilized by the powers that be to justify the status quo. Lewis claimed the plantations were ‘modern’& would draw people out of the subsistence peasant sector. Instead, de Silva pointed out, plantation labour had to be extracted in from the colonial disaster-prone South Indian economy, through deception & violence. Any simple comparisons between the Sinhala peasant, also dispossessed and exploited through colonial deception, and the migrant Tamil worker, have also remained highly fraught. And the colonial government eagerly sought to play one against the other, such tactics continuing to this very day.

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Q. Who are you?

A. We are people of Walapane.

Q. Why have you left your village?

A. Because we have lost all our property.

Q. How did it happen?

A. We were allowed to run into arrears with

our paddy tax for 2 or 4 years. It was then called

up all of a sudden. No mercy was shown to us

& all our property was sold…’

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Yet, de Silva, also showed how Sinhala workers were drawn into working on to the rubber ‘estates,’ and railways. He also detailed the many factors that deterred them from employment on tea plantations. Their conditions differed from the Indian workers, who were controlled both socially & politically (to this day!) by a kangany class fraction. de Silva intricately examined the different wages paid, and food consumed, the stealing of wages by labor contractors, and the disturbances arising from the unfair price increases by merchants, including the bribery of colonial police officers. All this is vital due to the saturated propaganda by the merchant media, which claims ‘corruption’ to somehow be a ‘postcolonial’ disease spread by the nasty thieving natives, yet having to live in country of petty ‘commissions’, with their endless meetings & endless awards, where the top white Englishman is still called, ‘The High Commissioner’.

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‘Parliament rocked by LKR13.2bn NDB fraud:

Systemic failure or regulatory lapse?’

– The Island

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• Bankers on Trial – ‘1) The Central Bank of (CB)SL:

The Banking Supervision Unit is the 1^st line of defense for the public.

We must formally query: How did existing supervision protocols fail

to detect these irregularities? What specific, updated regulatory frameworks

have been implemented to ensure this does not recur across the sector?

2) The External Auditors (Ernst & Young): Audit firms are paid to be the

watchdogs of corporate integrity. Public Disclosure: We demand a clear

explanation of how these discrepancies bypassed the audit process.

New Methodologies: Transparency is required regarding what new forensic

auditing standards are being adopted to regain investor trust.’ – ee Finance,

The NDB Fraud: Why Retail Investors Must Demand Accountability Today

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‘NDB reports all-time high earnings last year –

‘This achievement is not the end result of one-off gains

but purely the outcome of focused execution in our

fundamental banking businesses, disciplined credit

growth, prudent risk management, a strong deposit franchise,

sustained net interest margins, & the continuing efforts to

improve our overall operating efficiencies on a consistent basis’.’

– Director/CEO Kelum Edirisinghe, Sunday Times, 1 March 2026

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‘Fitch assigns SL NDB’s GSS bond ‘BBB+(lka)’ rating’

– EconomyNext, 18 Feb 2026

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IFC injects $166mn to boost Sri Lankan SMEs through major banks:

‘International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank

Group’s financing, will be channeled through 3 leading private commercial

banks: Nations Trust Bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon,

& National Development Bank (NDB). A core objective of the program

is to promote inclusive growth by specifically prioritising lending to

women-owned businesses & agribusinesses…’

– Island, 2026/02/2

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NDB strengthens long-term strategic tie up with IFC

‘Allen Forlemu, IFC Regional Director, Financial Institutions Group, Asia &

the Pacific added: ‘When SMEs thrive, entire economies move forward. Access

to capital remains a critical priority for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, & our

partnership with the NDB is designed to address this by helping

SMEs access the financing & the knowhow needed to scale & grow’.’

–  Sunday Times, 2026/02/01

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Way forward with cryptocurrencies

‘NDB Bank, a co-sponsor of Sunday Times Business Club

organised a discussion on ‘Bitcoins & Cryptocurrency – stable or risky?’

with Subhani Keerthiratne, Director/Financial Intelligence Unit, CBSL

& Savan Wijewardene, entrepreneur & co-founder of Redhill,

Singapore’s largest local public relations firm’

–  Sunday Times, 2026/02/01

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‘CBSL has also indicated that the issue is contained

at the institutional level, rather than becoming systemic.

Now, it’s actually within NDB. So, we are watching the

situation carefully, & we are talking to the central bank.’

–Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief (ee Finance)

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A massive ‘fraud’ within the National Development Bank (NDB) was uncovered & reported this week (supposedly), and while it did not receive the same coverage as the coal fraud, and ongoing corruption of ‘politicians’, it is far more indicative of the actual ‘corruption‘ that really matters – the prevention & sabotage of investment in modern industry by a multinational corporation-enabled merchant & moneylender oligarchy, which promotes the colonial import-export plantation economy.  No doubt some low or mid-level thieves & clerks will be nailed & jailed. But the owners, & regulatory bodies (CBSL, CES, SEC) & the enablers (ratings agency Fitch, invited into Sri Lanka by World Bank, also recently rated it) will go scot-free. The NDB, now owned by a Norwegian development (see ee Who’s Who!) was created under Act No 2 of 1979 ‘to provide medium- & long-term finance for industry, agriculture, & infrastructure’. 

     However, it was funded through the World Bank & the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which ensured it would never advance towards ‘supporting development finance’.  In 1993, the NDB (& sibling DFCC) was privatised & ‘expanded into commercial banking activities’; & by 2005 it ‘had completely lost its development mandate’. ‘Both the DFCC & NDB were once key pillars of Sri Lanka’s developmental state model, which prioritised production, industrialization & employment creation.’ This push of ‘development’ banks towards commercialization (& eventual fraud) ‘was not accidental’. It was part of the structural adjustment reforms introduced under IMF & World Bank programs from the late 1970-80s onwards. ‘Development banks around the world were required to become more market-oriented’, for ‘capital markets and private commercial banks’ would supposedly allocate credit more ‘efficiently’ than state-led development financial institutions. Such market fundamentalism then dismantled many state institutions that once supported development projects. This critical gap continues to hinder employment expansion, industrial recovery & rural development. As ee keeps emphasizing, the word ‘development’ was an ‘innovative’ euphemism for ‘colonial’ in the 1950s (a word deemed offensive then) coined by the PR mavens of the Unilever Corporation. And see how our ministries & their NGOs have been paid to love the word and eagerly add them to their names.

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• The Island published an article 29 March 2026 attacking Cuba, by Milinda Moragoda, who describes himself as a former cabinet minister & diplomat & Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, a strategic-affairs think tank.”  Moragoda’s article – meant to be an imminent yet premature obituary – was headlined, ‘Cuba & the end of an era‘ & faithfully echoed the US government’s recent threats to ‘take‘ Cuba.  In this ee Focus, Shiran Illanperuma responds eloquently to Moragoda’s ‘gaps, omissions & obfuscations’ about Cuba’s purported ‘structural weaknesses’. Illanperuma points to the 65 years of an unrelenting siege led by the USA, even as the UN General Assembly has for 32 consecutive years ‘condemned the embargo against Cuba’.

     Earlier this year after the kidnapping of Venezuela’s leader (& his spouse), the USA declared a blockade on oil to Cuba, causing immense unparalleled hardship. Moragoda also suggests Cuba and Venezuela could have been better off if they allied with the USA! Illanperuma instead points to the fate of those countries, such as Honduras & Puerto Rico, that have allied with the USA. There are even more innumerable examples of such fatal engagements.

     Haiti, has been under white siege for the last 225 years at least, and now only worsening under the USA. Haiti had dared to chase out 3 European armies (with the English suffering their worst military defeats there, sending them scurrying to invade Sri Lanka in 1796). Haiti’s leaders have long been kidnapped – the latest kidnapping by the USA, Canada & France, taking place in 2004. Indeed, Haiti – then Hispaniola – was the first country in the Americas to be invaded by Europe (Columbus), and their long heroic resistance has been compared to Sri Lanka, by Philip Gunawardena‘s biographer Ananda Meegama. Sri Lanka was invaded by Portugal in 1505. It is an irony that this week, we have once again agreed to send ‘peacekeeping’ troops to Haiti, when our past experiences with ‘peacekeepers’ here and there have already told us that imperialism has no such need for ‘peace’, here or there.     

     Indeed, all one needs to do is investigate a little more of the history of the Americas (read Eduardo Galliano’s Open Veins of Latin America). This ee Focus therefore also includes Ma Guihua‘s most intriguing history of Cuba and the role Chinese workers have played in its liberation struggles, as well as their role in building the USA (railroads, California farming, etc). ee’s focus on Cuba is also timely, for we expect the USA, after their recent defeat in West Asia, to renew their attack on Cuba, as part of their aim to exclude non-Europeans from the Western Hemisphere (Africa says, good luck to that!) if they cannot repress our vitality.

     Their possible threat to invade Cuba at this hour, recalls the USA’s invasion of Grenada in 1983, which they did after suffering a major defeat in Lebanon, where 300 Marines were blown up in a single attack in Beirut. Grenada (population less than a 100,000) was also attacked because it was the 1^st English-speaking country to revolt in the Americas & declare its wish to be a socialist country. This was deemed ‘the threat of a good example‘. The USA then re-installed the English monarchy, and Charles III is now called, ‘The King of Grenada’!

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‘Appearing, unexpectedly, at the relaunch of the US-based

International Executive Services Corps, Minister Milinda

Moragoda offered an explanation for his presence. He was

there because the US ambassador had asked him to come.

‘But when the US ambassador asks you to come, you don’t

ask why. You just come,’ confessed Mr Moragoda unashamedly.’

– ee Sovereignty, One day in the future on our sunny isle

Returning to Milinda Moragoda‘s delusions, we find he has now taken to penning even more screeds on foreign policy, especially in The Island. Apparently, Pathfinder Foundation, the thinktank ‘founded’ by Moragoda, has been ‘increasingly projecting itself as Sri Lanka’s de facto foreign policy engine room’.  ‘The lines between diplomacy, private influence, and self-interest are blurring’, begging the question, ‘Who really runs Sri Lankan foreign policy?’, asked LankaEnews (no relation to ee) in July 2025 (‘The Diplomatic Delusion: How the Pathfinder Foundation is Acting Like SL’s Shadow Foreign Ministry‘, see ee Sovereignty). Moragoda, is not remembered as a guardian of public accountability.” His ‘business legacy includes one of the country’s most infamous financial disasters’: ‘the spectacular failure of Mercantile Credit Ltd’, that ‘defaulted after borrowing over Rs1bn from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Moragoda is described as ‘a one-time cabinet minister & political darling of Western diplomats. Mercantile’s failure devastated thousands of depositors and left Sri Lankan taxpayers footing the bill.’

     ‘Two decades later, Moragoda has resurfaced… as the head of a private think-tank that is now performing foreign policy’. ‘What began as a policy research institute has turned into something far more ambitious: an unaccountable power hub that wields outsize influence over Sri Lanka’s international posture, particularly in relation to India & the Indian Ocean region’.

     LankaEnews adds, ‘Established in 2006, the Pathfinder Foundation describes itself as ‘an independent, non-partisan think-tank providing policy insights’. But insiders and veteran diplomats tell a different story. Over the past few years, Pathfinder has quietly assumed the trappings of a parallel foreign ministry. Its officials attend high-level diplomatic events. They host closed-door roundtables with foreign ambassadors. They publish white papers that are circulated – and sometimes even cited – by foreign policy officials. More troublingly, Pathfinder representatives have reportedly claimed to diplomats in Colombo that they are the ‘real voice’ of Sri Lankan foreign policy. ‘It’s a classic case of a shadow state,’ says a retired ambassador with over 3 decades in the SL Foreign Service. ‘Pathfinder is trying to usurp institutional authority without any mandate, public scrutiny, or accountability. That’s dangerous’.’

     ‘Some Pathfinder events have been described as ‘alternative diplomatic briefings,’ where foreign envoys are encouraged to view the thinktank’s positions as semi-official Sri Lankan policy. Some diplomats within the Foreign Ministry, see Pathfinder as ‘actively undermining the state’s institutional integrity‘. In recent months, Pathfinder has taken an increasingly brazen approach to its ‘influence operations’. One high-level diplomat from a Western embassy, speaking off the record, said: ‘We were told by a Pathfinder official that they had a direct line to the President’s Office & all foreign policy was being routed through them. It was bizarre – & frankly, inappropriate.’

     Both the President & the Foreign Minister ‘have made no official link with the Pathfinder Foundation’. Pathfinder, however, ’employs several retired civil servants and former diplomats – many of whom are used as a ‘face’ to lend the organisation credibility. These individuals, while once respected public officials, now serve a private body whose ultimate accountability is to its founder & funders – not the Sri Lankan people. Critics say this is a deliberate strategy: to create a façade of authority by parading former bureaucrats in front of diplomats and foreign donors, while using their presence to suggest continuity with official Sri Lankan foreign policy… Pathfinder has also ‘aggressively courted Indian strategic thinkers & bureaucrats, hosting Indo-Lanka Track II dialogues and publishing glowing assessments of India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. At several bilateral events, Pathfinder officials have reportedly implied that they can broker messages directly to Sri Lanka’s leadership.’

     The Foreign Ministry disagrees. ‘India is being misled if it believes Pathfinder speaks for the Government of Sri Lanka,’ said one ministry official, ‘We have professional diplomats & formal channels. Pathfinder is not one of them.’ LankaEnews wonder if Moragoda is ‘cultivating India’s strategic community to build leverage back in Colombo?’ and asks: ‘Who funds Pathfinder, and how are those funds used? They are urging the Government, particularly President AK Dissanayake & Foreign Minister Herath, to: ‘Investigate Pathfinder’s financial records, including donor funding and how the money is spent. Publicly clarify the boundaries between official foreign policy & thinktank engagement. Conduct a review of all former civil servants employed by Pathfinder, and determine whether they are representing the state without legal basis. Task CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) & the Central Bank to reopen inquiries into Moragoda’s role in the Mercantile Credit collapse. Introduce legislation to regulate foreign policy lobbying & ensure transparency in public-private partnerships in the diplomatic sphere’ & finally posits, ‘Who appointed Milinda Moragoda to speak for us? The answer: No one.’

     ee has often pondered this same question. Moragoda has been labeled, ‘a notorious CIA-funded US Contractor’ and Wikipedia claims ‘leaked US Embassy cables show Moragoda to be a long-time information source of the US Embassy in Colombo’ and the US Government’s ‘key partner in SL’. US Ambassador to SL Ashley Wills (in 2003) called Moragoda, ‘a perfect fit’, ‘married to a US citizen, with plenty of Washington connections, many from his days as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation & at Harvard’: A ‘big picture’ person, Moragoda is also highly aware that the USA is the most powerful country in the world, and he feels it is better that Sri Lanka recognize that fact and work within it.

     Much to national chagrin, ‘Moragoda was made a High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, from Aug 2021-3 Sept, under Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa & Ranil Wickremesinghe, and before that was made a Senior Adviser to President Mahinda Rajapaksa from 2011-15, and was his Minister of Justice & Law Reforms, 2009-10, from just after the terrorist war was ended. Even before that he was made Minister of Tourism, 2007-9; Deputy Minister of Policy Development and Implementation, and then Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology, from 2001-4, entering the scene when Chandrika Bandaranaike was made President, a presidency famous for the intrusions of the Billy Clinton Foundation and Clinton’s (& other presidents’) main sponsors, the Rockefeller Foundation, a front for the energy monopolists, Exxon – Standard Oil – Corporation.

     ee first encountered Moragoda when midst the general wasteland known as public TV, the program In Black & White starring MM himself, was broadcast from 1999-2004 on Capital Maharaja’s MTV, which like much of the media in Sri Lanka are imperialist lip-services. Moragoda’s talk-show was sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation; the Rockefeller family is the fronting oligarchy of the Exxon Corporation. Moragoda is compared to other Exxon cut-outs like Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev, who wishes Russia will ally with Europe & the USA, and the anti-Russian Mohammed Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister in 2021, who was removed as VP in 2025. In 2020 Moragoda drew up Sri Lanka’s National Security Doctrine, Foreign Policy Doctrine, & Post-Covid Economic Policy Doctrine. Pathfinder promotes the implementation of the MCC, advocated via its Post-Covid Economic Proposal. The MCC demands changes to the constitution and land policy & land laws prior to signing of the MCC agreement. The incessant, almost weekly, saturation of his name in the media, indeed suggests he’s being puppeteered by the dogs of war & profit…

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Contents:

The Military, Economic & Political Blockading of Sri Lanka & Cuba

Dilrook Kannangara

NDB bank is again in the news for the second time in 6 months for another, second, fraud. This time it is over Rs.13 billion which makes it the biggest bank heist in the island, second only to the 2015 Central Bank bond fraud. The fraud amount is colossal and there is no way it could have escaped scrutiny of the internal finance function, external auditors (EY) and Independent Directors – each of them are (at least supposed to be) looking at financial health of the entity independently and with sufficient skepticism as required by Sri Lanka Auditing Standards and Sri Lanka accounting standards. In addition, the company law and CSE also impose strict guidelines for fiduciary duty. All these have been breached for 18 months which is the tenure of the fraud. It shows very poor integrity, accountability and professional capabilities on the part of the said three groups.

Although the Central Bank has an oversight function, it has no responsibility over internal management as long as NDB Bank maintains its solvency and reserve ratios well and follows Central Bank regulations – which it has.

The statement issued by NDB Bank states that it has no impact on depositors which is highly misleading. The loss of Rs.13 billion (over $35 million) has already turned 2026 Q1 profit into a loss! The fraud has a tremendous impact on their depositors, shareholders, borrowers, the industry and the government. Their hard-earned money is mismanaged through negligence and fraud leading to the reduction of profitability and caused a serious dent to the reputation of the bank. These two effects are sufficient for an astute depositor to pull out their deposits from the bank. They have plenty of alternatives.

Then how about its shareholders – the dividend already declared to them has been withheld! Who will compensate them for the loss?

In this context, NDB Bank should immediately remove and replace its independent directors, Vice President-Finance and EY as its external auditor.

This is the only way NDB Bank can reassure its stakeholders that it is serious about fraud prevention and take ownership of the massive loss it incurred. It also helps law enforcement agencies properly investigate the matter. If sufficient evidence exists, all of them should be prosecuted for criminal negligence, etc. This step is essential to sustain investor confidence, maintain the integrity of the banking and finance sector and drive home the message that professional negligence is as damaging as subversion or mischief.

The mastermind of the fraud who is a third party from Potuvil and not an employee of the bank, should be further investigated for his involvement in similar frauds involving other banks, etc. He may have accomplices who do the same elsewhere. He is related to the 2003 VAT fraud criminals which was the then largest identified fraud in the island. The likelihood of using the fraud money in local and foreign extremist activity should also be investigated. Cryptocurrency is the desired currency of extremist and terrorist groups due to the lack of oversight by law enforcement authorities. An astute investor who is looking for a good investment return would not have invested in cryptocurrency during that period as they were not performing as before. Most suffered loss during this period. This points to the strong possibility of using cryptocurrency for other purposes.

A glance at NDB Bank’s Group financial statements gives away that there is something very wrong with them. Despite an increase in loans and other receivables by close to 20% year on year from 2024 to 2025, cash interest income received has actually gone down from Rs.50 billion to Rs.40 billion! Further, the share of each category of lending shows an almost doubling of the share of loans to financial investments from 6% in 2024 to 11% in 2025 of the total other loans portfolio. Let alone these 2 sure giveaways in the financial statements, a skilled person’s review of the monthly bank reconciliation would have cast sufficient doubt to investigate the matter further in the first month the fraud occurred in early 2024.  Absence of any of these for 18 months shows gross incompetence if not collusion. Excuses and shooting the messenger achieve no worthy outcome; it only covers up its systemic and endemic failures.

Rs.13 billion figure was provided a day after the initial assessment of the fraud which was put at Rs.290 million. This too shows the inability to assess systemic weaknesses properly. Another obvious question that arises which is yet to be addressed is the expected credit loss. No additional provision has been made to the loan portfolio following the fraud. 2026Q1 interim results do not have this. This violates accounting standards which require an expected loss provision percentage based on historical receivable write-offs.

The third concern apart from this fraud is the 2025 fraud that involved weak system access controls. Over 16 suspects and bigwigs were investigated just this February. Since the latest fraud also involved misusing system access of users, both publicly known matters seem to be the tip of the iceberg.

All those who are responsible for this crime through commission and omission should be punished according to the law. Glossing over the matter is totally unacceptable.

Courtesy: AI Overview

‘User pays’ principle must be applied with respect to use of Player Referral (DRS) in Cricket. Player Referral is an Intellectual Property Gold Mine for Sri Lanka. It has transcended Cricket and is now used in several other Sports. Not one red cent has so far been paid to Sri Lanka or its inventor despite its Sri Lankan origins. Being a financially struggling country and being dependent on others for sheer survival Sri Lanka cannot afford a costly legal battle to establish legal ownership of Player Referral. 

Therefore, the ICC must act in a Statesmanship manner without resorting to legal technical defenses and depriving a poor country from naming rights and adequate compensation. It must forthwith appoint a Commission of Inquiry or alternatively together with Sri Lanka submit this matter to the  Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The primary body for international sports arbitration is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), also known as TAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport), which is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Courtesy: AI Overview

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera 

Quote 

Peace talks between the United States, Israel, and Iran should have been mediated by an independent Buddhist country such as Thailand, Myanmar, or even Sri Lanka.

If all three countries are on one side and another country brings in a Muslim perspective, the talks cannot be effectively mediated by a Muslim country. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan showed a partisan approach even before the peace talks began. This was evident when he published a statement against Israel.

Another candidate could be China, which, with some level of support for Iran, could have a stronger hand in persuading the United States to come to an amicable solution. China could even signal to the United States that it would openly support Iran.

unquote

But being American origin AI gave me following opinion 

Quote 

Countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka may appear culturally neutral in a conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.

However, effective mediation depends less on religion and more on:

• Diplomatic leverage (ability to influence parties)

• Trust from all sides

• Economic or security stakes

These Buddhist-majority countries generally lack strategic leverage over the US, Israel, or Iran. So even if they are neutral, they may not be effective mediators.

And having a known experienced diplomat to coordinate 

2. Should Muslim countries be excluded?

It’s not accurate to assume a Muslim country cannot mediate impartially. For example:

• Qatar has successfully mediated conflicts involving Western and regional actors.

• Oman played a quiet but crucial role in US–Iran backchannel talks leading up to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Regarding Pakistan, you are right that public statements by officials can affect perceived neutrality—but that applies to any country. Even Western mediators often face accusations of bias.

3. What about China as a mediator?

China is an interesting case. It has:

• Strong ties with Iran

• Major economic influence globally

• Increasing diplomatic ambition

In fact, China recently brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran—a significant achievement.

However:

• The United States may not fully trust China as a neutral broker

• Israel’s security dependence on the US complicates China’s role

• China signaling it would support Iran” openly (as you suggested) would actually reduce its neutrality, making mediation harder

4. What actually works in peace mediation?

Successful mediation usually comes from:

• Countries trusted by both sides (even if not perfectly neutral)

• Or multi-party frameworks, e.g.:

• United Nations

• Backchannel diplomacy involving several states

5. Where Sri Lanka could fit

Sri Lanka could still play a role—but more realistically as:

• A host for dialogue

• A neutral venue for Track 2 diplomacy (informal talks)

• A supporter within multilateral platforms

Given your experience pushing strategic initiatives (like Trincomalee), a more practical idea would be positioning Sri Lanka as a neutral diplomatic hub, similar to how Switzerland operates.

Bottom line

• Neutrality based on religion alone is not enough

• Influence, trust, and strategic weight matter more

• China can play a role—but not as an openly partisan actor

• Smaller neutral countries like Sri Lanka can contribute, but usually in supporting roles rather than leading mediation

AI Overview

Many International Sports that now adopt the Player – Referral method are legally bound to pay Royalties to Sri Lanka (Home country of the inventor). These sums are not small.  

Sri Lanka has a significant national stake in the global recognition of Senaka Weeraratna , a Sri Lankan lawyer,  as the true inventor of the Player-Referral concept. This innovation serves as the foundation for the Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket and has influenced similar technology-based review systems in international sports like soccer (VAR), tennis, and rugby.

Architect of a Revolution – First for a Sri Lankan in World History ( Michael Roberts)

• Architect of a Revolution in Sports: Weeraratna first proposed the “Player Referral” idea in a letter to The Australian on March 25, 1997. His core argument was that if technology can detect an umpire’s error, it should be used to correct it.
• Beyond Cricket: The concept’s success in cricket paved the way for broader adoption in world sports, including Goal-Line Technology and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in soccer, and Line calling in Tennis using Hawk’s Eye
• Impact on the Game: Official ICC sources indicate that DRS has increased umpiring accuracy from 91% to 98%, fundamentally improving the integrity and fairness of international cricket. 

Sri Lanka’s Stakes in Recognition

The drive for official recognition is not just about personal credit but involves broader national interests:

• Enhancing National Brand: Formal acknowledgment would cement Sri Lanka’s reputation as a hub for sports innovation and intellectual excellence.
• Intellectual Property and Royalties: Success in establishing moral and economic copyright could potentially lead to financial benefits for both the inventor and the nation.
• Parity with Global Rules: Supporters advocate for renaming the system the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS) to grant him recognition similar to that of Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis for the DLS method. 

Current Challenges

• Lack of Official Credit: To date, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not officially credited Weeraratna, claiming that committee members were unaware of his widely published proposals during their deliberations.
• Legal Arguments: Supporters use the Doctrine of Constructive Notice, arguing that because Weeraratna’s ideas were published in major international newspapers years before the ICC’s adoption, the council is legally presumed to have known about them.
• Call for Institutional Support: Observers argue that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Sri Lankan government have yet to fully leverage their influence to secure this “homegrown” glory for the country. 

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Sri Lanka has a significant stake in ensuring global recognition for the Player-Referral (DRS) invention by Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna. Key stakes include establishing intellectual property rights, securing recognition as the source of a groundbreaking contribution to sports fairness, and advocating for the system to be formally recognized as the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS) or at least properly attributed to the nation.

Key Aspects of Sri Lanka’s Stake:

• Intellectual Property Rights: The core concept of player referrals, proposed by Weeraratna in 1997, is viewed as intellectual property belonging to a Sri Lankan, which is now utilized globally by the ICC, SLC, and other sports organizations.
• Global Accolades: The nation seeks recognition for designing the player referral concept, which fundamentally shifted cricket’s decision-making process.
• Global Recognition Efforts: There is a growing movement in Sri Lanka for the ICC to acknowledge Weeraratna’s authorship, similar to the recognition given to the Duckworth-Lewis method.
• Expansion to Other Sports: The invention’s influence has extended beyond cricket to sports like soccer, rugby, and football, enhancing the argument for its widespread recognition as a Sri Lankan innovation.
• Civilisational Responsibility: The issue is regarded by some as a South Asian responsibility to ensure that intellectual innovations from the region are credited and not just consumed without due acknowledgement like in the colonial era. The ICC must give up these unwholesome practices. 
• Recruit a Fair Play and Equity Advisor for the ICC

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The Kingdom of Kandy, the last independent Sinhala kingdom in Sri Lanka, was a Buddhist state governed by Nayak kings of Tamil origin from 1739 to 1815, who patronized the Buddhist religion despite their own Hindu heritage. Following the Kandyan Convention of 1815, the British promised in Article 5 to maintain and protect Buddhism (“the religion of Boodhoo”) as inviolable. However, the British subsequently reneged on this promise, particularly after the 1817-1818 rebellion, reducing state patronage and, by 1853, formally separating the colonial government from the responsibility of protecting Buddhism. 

AI Overview

The Kingdom of Kandy, the last independent Sinhala kingdom in Sri Lanka, was a Buddhist state governed by Nayak kings of Tamil origin from 1739 to 1815, who patronized the Buddhist religion despite their own Hindu heritage. Following the Kandyan Convention of 1815, the British promised in Article 5 to maintain and protect Buddhism (“the religion of Boodhoo”) as inviolable. However, the British subsequently reneged on this promise, particularly after the 1817-1818 rebellion, reducing state patronage and, by 1853, formally separating the colonial government from the responsibility of protecting Buddhism. 

Filling the Void: Patronage from Siam, Burma, and Arakan
During the period of decline in British support and the 18th-century nadir of Buddhism (where higher ordination had become extinct), patronage from Southeast Asia played a crucial role in reviving Buddhism in Sri Lanka. 

• Siam (Thailand): In 1753, the Thai monarch sent a delegation of senior monks led by Phra Upali Thera to Kandy to re-establish the higher ordination (Upasampada) ceremony, establishing the Siam Nikaya. Throughout the 19th century, Siamese kings, including Rama III and Rama IV, continued to offer moral and financial support to Sri Lankan Buddhists, acting as “guardian” figures to the faith in the absence of a local Buddhist monarch.
• Burma (Myanmar): Due to strict caste restrictions regarding ordination within the Siam Nikaya in Kandy, Sri Lankan monks sought patronage elsewhere. In 1799, Ambagahapitiye Nyanavimala and his followers were received by King Bodawpaya of Burma, who assisted them in obtaining ordination. Upon their return, they established the Amarapura Nikaya in 1803.
• Arakan (Rakhine): Historical records indicate a long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and Arakan, with, for example, a mission in 1693 that sought to revive the ordination lineage. Additionally, in the 15th century, King Parakramabahu IV received support from monks originating from Arakan. 

While the British colonial government did not fulfill its obligations to support Buddhism, the Thai and Burmese monastic orders provided crucial religious support that sustained the Buddhist institutions in Sri Lanka during that time.

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The void left by the withdrawal of British state patronage for Buddhism after 1815 was indeed partially filled by the support from Southeast Asian Buddhist kingdoms, primarily

Siam (Thailand)

,

Burma

, and

Arakan (Myanmar)

. This Buddhist diplomacy was essential for the survival of the monastic lineage in Sri Lanka. 

Regional Patronage and the Revival of Buddhism

When the lineage of higher ordination (Upasampada) died out in Sri Lanka due to neglect and war, the following kingdoms provided critical interventions: 

Siam (Thailand)

: Under the initiative of Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thera and the patronage of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, a mission was sent to the

Kingdom of Siam

. In 1753, Venerable Upali Thera arrived in Kandy from the court of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya to restore the ordination line, leading to the establishment of the Siam Nikaya.

Burma (Myanmar)

: In 1799, monks from the Salagama caste, who were excluded from the Siam Nikaya, traveled to the capital of Burma,

Amarapura

. They were received by King Bodawpaya (1782–1819), who facilitated their higher ordination, resulting in the birth of the Amarapura Nikaya in 1800.

Arakan (Myanmar)

: Earlier, in the 16th century, King Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy sent a mission to the

Kingdom of Arakan

to restore the Sangha after a period of decline. The Arakanese monk Nandicakka traveled to Sri Lanka to perform the upasampadā ceremony for members of the royal and noble families. 

The British “Reneging” on Article 5 

Article 5 of the Kandyan Convention of 1815 explicitly declared that “The religion of Buddhoo… is declared inviolable, and its rites, ministers, and places of worship are to be maintained and protected”. However, the British authorities soon faced pressure from Christian missionary groups and domestic political interests, leading them to distance the state from its role as the official protector of Buddhism. This breach of promise significantly contributed to the Uva Rebellion of 1818, as the Kandyan chiefs and clergy felt betrayed by the colonial government’s failure to uphold its religious obligations. 

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by Arundathie Abeysinghe, Courtesy PIME Asia News

Studies by the University of Peradeniya show that atmospheric nitrogen can be fixed into the soil and rapidly improve it thanks to sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, which are in short supply following the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Experts are urging the various stakeholders, including farmers, to leverage its potential to boost the country’s food security.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – A traditional plant could be the solution to Sri Lanka’s fertiliser crisis, caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, reducing costs for farmers while simultaneously improving soil quality.

A legume, sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), has been the subject of recent studies by the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, with particular attention to the Dry Zone, one of the country’s main climatic regions, characterised by low annual rainfall and long periods of drought.

Studies show that sunn hemp can fix atmospheric nitrogen into its biomass, which is then incorporated into the soil as a natural fertiliser, significantly reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.

Department of Agriculture officials recommend adding about 10 tonnes of organic matter per hectare, especially to annual crops, to improve soil fertility.

Traditionally, farmers use compost or cow manure, but in many cases they also use the so-called green manure, which comes from fresh plant material.

An important category of organic inputs consists of fresh plant material, especially green leaves,” said scientists Udara Samarasinghe and Sachintha Alwis speaking to AsiaNews. In fact,  Sri Lankan farmers have been using green manure for generations, especially Gliricidia Tithonia, known for adding nutrients and biomass to the soil.

Still, Despite their benefits, Gliricidia plants are perennial, requiring dedicated space and several months to produce enough biomass.” What is more, They must be cut and transported before they can be incorporated into the soil. This limits their use, especially for annual crops.”

Alternative, short-cycle crop that can be easily grown directly in the fields must be used. Sunn hemp is an annual legume crop with multiple benefits, grown in various parts of the world.”

Brazil is the main producer, where it is used primarily as fodder and green manure, while in India (the world’s second-largest producer) it is also used to produce fibre.

In the United States and Australia, it is used for environmental purposes, such as erosion control, weed suppression, and soil improvement, thanks to its ability to grow even in poor soils and under difficult conditions, with minimal water requirements.

The 50 per cent flowering stage is the best time to incorporate it into the soil. In Dry Zone conditions, this occurs about 50 days after planting. Sunn hemp provides about 500 kg of nitrogen and 250 kg of phosphorus per hectare and significantly contributes to weed reduction,” the researchers explain.

As the biomass decomposes rapidly, farmers can start a new crop within a fortnight. The enriched soil favours beneficial microorganisms and gradually releases nutrients, acting as a slow releasing fertiliser.”

Although sunn hemp is not yet a major commercial or export crop for Sri Lanka, it has great potential as a farmer-friendly solution that improves soil health,” this according to scholars Nipunika Attanayaka and Shirantha Gamlath.

Still, this comes with challenges such as seeds’ availability and cost, which currently stands at around 530 rupees per kilo. An investment of about 53,000 rupees (US$ 165) would be required to grow it per hectare.

Overall, reducing fertiliser use can result in savings that exceed this cost several times, with even greater long-term environmental benefits.”

Ultimately, Instead of admiring its yellow blooms, it ought to be incorporated into the soil while it’s still green so that it can nurture the land.” In fact, scientific research has already shown benefits. Farmers and other stakeholders ought to use this knowledge to improve soils, boost food production, and achieve sustainable yields for the country.”

Photo: Ksenia Ice/Shutterstock

Courtesy BBC News

Global Affairs Correspondent

• Published12 April 2026, 00:06 BST

After floods devastated their village, Indrani Ravichandran and her family are back in their house, living in the only section that is still standing.

They are among the many victims of Cyclone Ditwah that ravaged the country last November.

The scale of the storm – and the destruction it wreaked – was unprecedented.

Over just three days, parts of Sri Lanka’s central uplands saw up to 500mm of rain – roughly the average of two months – causing catastrophic floods and landslides that swept away homes, businesses and entire settlements.

The human cost was devastating – 643 people were killed and another 173 went missing.

Indrani describes how she and her family ran for their lives in the dark as raging flood waters swept away parts of her home in Kudugalhena village in Kandy district.

“The water level rose swiftly. We rushed out and hardly had any time to pick up anything from the house.

“It was pitch dark and the rain was lashing down, the slopes were slippery and we were also terrified of treading on any poisonous animals as we ran. But we were lucky to survive.”

“It was the first time in 30 years we witnessed such ferocious floods,” Indrani’s husband Ravichandran added.

The floods are reported to have caused more destruction in Sri Lanka than the 2004 tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

“Compared to the 2004 tsunami, the loss of human lives was not that much. But in terms of damage to infrastructure, Ditwah caused even more harm than the tsunami,” Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja, a visiting senior fellow at ODI Global Institute in London, told the BBC.

‘A triple shock’

The US and Israel’s war against Iran – and its impact on the global economy – could not have come at a worse time for Sri Lanka, which is already reeling from these devastating floods and an unprecedented economic crisis from 2022.

This picturesque South Asian island, once celebrated for its economic development and high ratings on human development indices, has found itself in dire straits once again.

“It’s a triple shock. First, the devastating floods late last year, now soaring fuel prices and then there’s an impending drought in some areas,” Wignaraja said.

In the last few weeks alone, the government has had to ration fuel and raise prices, introduce a four-day working week, increase electricity costs by up to 40% and impose water and power cuts to compensate for dwindling resources.

Fuel and cooking gas shortages have resulted in panic buying across the country, raising memories from 2022 when it ran out of foreign currency and defaulted on its foreign debt, leading to shortages of essential items like cooking gas, medicine and food items as well as crippling power cuts of up to 13 hours.

The resulting widespread protests led to then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa being ousted.

Now, concerns have grown that the country may not be able to stave off another economic crisis.

The cash-strapped Sri Lankan government had taken a number of measures to try to get the economy back on track, including removing subsidies on electricity and hiking income tax rates to as much as 36%.

Things seemed to be getting better – until Ditwah struck.

The World Bank said the cyclone, among the most intense and destructive in Sri Lanka’s recent history, severely affected close to two million people and 500,000 families across all 25 districts, disrupting livelihoods, essential services and the broader economy.

The UN and other agencies estimate the total damage at around $4bn – equivalent to 4% of Sri Lanka’s GDP.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called it the country’s worst-ever economic disaster. Soon after the calamity, he announced wide-ranging financial help to those who had lost their loved ones, properties and businesses.

Indrani’s family said they had received the government’s promised 50,000 rupees ($325; £240) help to carry out repairs in a part of the house that’s still standing. They were also given additional financial help for those with young children.

The government also promised to provide up to five million rupees for homes that were completely destroyed. It has also announced about a million rupees for the families of those killed.

However, months after the cyclone, more than 165,000 people still remain displaced, living with their relatives, host families or in temporary shelters waiting for the government to provide alternative housing and livelihoods.

And now the strain on the economy brought about by the Iran war has made their prospects even bleaker.

‘Friend across the sea’

The government has altogether received barely a fifth of the funds it needs for reconstruction and rehabilitation – around $750m in total.

Although the cyclone’s devastation surpassed the impact of the 2004 tsunami, international assistance was not immediately forthcoming. In 2004, horrified at the disaster, donors pledged billions of dollars of aid. But this time the response was muted.

Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour India was the only country that responded immediately. It launched a rapid humanitarian assistance and relief mission named Operation Sagar Bandhu, translating from Hindi as “friend across the sea”.

It deployed two warships, including an aircraft carrier, for relief operations. Indian air force helicopters flew several sorties rescuing hundreds of people, including foreign nationals.

Indian rescue teams set up field hospitals, helped to restore essential infrastructure, and delivered more than 1,000 tonnes of critical supplies. It also provided $450m in grants and aid to Sri Lanka – making it by far the largest contributor.

In contrast China, one of Sri Lanka’s major investors and a long-standing ally, offered only minimal support, providing less than $2m in aid and around 100 tonnes of supplies.

In January, the Sri Lankan government formally requested Beijing to help rebuild key infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Sri Lankan government says it has provided relief to most residents whose houses were partially damaged, enabling them to carry out repairs.

However, it acknowledges delays in compensating families who lost their entire homes or businesses in the cyclone.

“We are in the process of identifying suitable and safe land to build new houses. Once the areas are identified, the government will provide the aid,” said KG Dharmathilake, a senior official in the disaster management division.

Officials argue that rather than rushing through relief efforts, the priority is to “build back better” so that new homes and businesses are resilient enough to withstand future disasters.

Responding to criticism over delays in providing financial assistance to those affected, Dharmathilake insisted that more than 80% of affected residents had already received financial help to repair damaged houses.

Sri Lanka’s current foreign reserves stand at around $7bn. Economists like Wignaraja say the government should just about be able to tide over the flood crisis and the fuel price hike with effective fiscal management.

“But they will be in difficulty if the fallout of the Middle East crisis continues for a while,” he says.

With the financial situation already strained, the government is also worried that they will lose foreign exchange inflows due to the Gulf war.

Sri Lanka last year received about $7bn in remittances from workers abroad – mainly from Gulf countries. Though there haven’t been any massive layoffs in those countries yet, there are concerns over new employment opportunities for Sri Lankans.

How the government confronts the enormous reconstruction work and the economic challenges due to the Gulf war may ultimately become the defining test of President Dissanayake’s leadership.

Additional reporting by Ranjan Arun Prasad, BBC Tamil Service in Kandy

Rohana R. Wasala

The following article is in felicitation for the 10th recorded ‘Melbourne Bak Maha Ulela’ event due to be held today (Sunday, April 12, 2026) at the Dandenong Showgrounds, off Bennet Street, Dandenong, Victoria State, Australia. As we know, it usually showcases customs, food, music, dances, and games traditionally associated with the hoary but hallowed Sinhala Aluth Avurudda. May this vibrant celebration of the Sinhala New Year festive season continue to enrich and empower our lives and strengthen our bonds of kinship wherever we happen to be in the world. 

The Sinhala Aluth Avurudda or the Sinhalese New Year is celebrated in the month of Bak according to the traditional lunar calendar of the Sinhalese people. The name ‘Bak’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘bhagya’ meaning ‘fortune’; ‘maha’ means month. The month of ‘Bak’ corresponds to April in the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly used in Sri Lanka today as it is in other parts of the world. Although there is usually little conspicuous seasonal change experienced in the course of the year in tropical Sri Lanka except for a relatively hot August and a relatively cool December, the month of Bak is associated with a delightful vernal atmosphere, and an unusual freshness in nature enhanced by spring blossoms and azure skies despite occasional showers. This also used to be the time that the ripened paddy was gathered in, which gave rise to a pervasive sense of plenty, especially to rural Sri Lanka in days gone by.

The Bak festive season centres around a national cultural event which is unique in a number of ways. In deference to the obvious cultural similarity between the majority Buddhist Sinhalese and the majority Hindu Tamils, the British colonial rulers named it the Sinhala Hindu New Year, obviously for administrative convenience. It is probably the only major traditional festival that is commonly observed by the largest number of Sinhalese and Tamils in the country. Its non-ethnic  and non-religious (secular) character is another distinctive feature. This festival cannot be described as ethnic because it has been celebrated (beginning under forced cultural merger during British times) by both the Sinhalese and the Tamils, yet not by all of them either: only the Sinhalese Buddhists and the Hindu Tamils participate in it, the Christians in both communities having nothing to do with it. On the other hand, it is a non-religious celebration in that not all Buddhists nor all Hindus in the world take part in it; only the Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus do. 

In terms of traditional astrological beliefs, the sun is said to complete one circular movement across the twelve segments of the zodiac in the course of the year, taking a month to traverse each constellation. The arbitrary beginning of this circular solar progress is taken to be Aries (Mesha), which is conventionally represented by the zodiacal sign of ‘the ram’. Having travelled from Aries to Pisces (or Meena usually represented by the drawing of ‘two fish’), the sun must pass from Pisces to Aries to begin a new year. The solar new year (known as the Shaka calendar, a solar calendar that is used in astrology) is reckoned from this transit (Sanskrit ‘sankranti’, meaning transition or movement), which comes a week or two after the beginning of the new year according to the Sinhalese calendar. The Vesak Festival, which marks the dawn of the Buddhist new year, comes at least another month later. The Aluth Avurudda centres on the ‘transit’ of the sun from Pisces to Aries. It is remarkable for Sinhalese Buddhists to thus celebrate the beginning of the solar new year, rather than their own Buddhist new year. So the Aluth Avurudda appears to be in homage to the sun god, which is significant for an agrarian community. So the Aluth Avurudda is basically a harvest festival, a kind of thanksgiving to the sun, the source of all life on earth. The word ‘avurudda’  seems to have a connection with the Sinhala word for sun or sunlight ‘avva’. The Sinhala word ‘avva’ implies both the light and heat that come from the sun. (Sunbathing to get warm in cold weather, especially by old people, used to be referred to as ‘avva tapinawa’). Naturally, the Aluth Avurudda is also called the ‘Soorya Mangalyaya’ or the Sun Festival.

Because of the increasing popular attention that it receives in Sri Lanka nowadays, the first of January seems to eclipse the New Year in April in terms of the popular recognition it enjoys. Those of us who enjoyed the Sinhala Aluth Avurudda as the main secular festival of the year may wonder with some justification whether it is now beginning to be shelved as yet another cultural anachronism”, which received an unfortunate boost in recent years.

This is indeed a regrettable state of affairs. Institutions such as the Aluth Avurudda and the various Esala Peraheras are vitally important cultural legacies we have inherited from the past, and they help sustain and define our identity as a people. In the face of the inexorable advance of misunderstood modernism and globalization, the threat of cultural obliteration and loss of national identity is very real.

The Aluth Avurudda is a part of our rich cultural heritage, which includes among other similar treasures the historic dagabas, tanks, sculptures, paintings, and specimens of ancient literature. Who among us, the inheritors of such an age-old culture, can be indifferent to the loss of this incomparable legacy? True, we must modernize, and participate in the emerging world order so as to keep pace with the rest of the international community in science and technology, and in the advancement of the general quality of living that it makes possible; yet, it would be most unfortunate if we were so foolhardy as to throw overboard the cherished possessions from the past in the name of progress.

These things have come down to us through the ages because they are ingrained in our history and culture. For thousands of years our ancestors of Sinhale/Sihela – the indigenous inhabitants of this island – built up a highly organized agrarian civilization based on the principles of harmonious coexistence with nature, non-violence, tolerance and peace. The Aluth Avurudda wonderfully demonstrates our national ethos with its characteristic emphasis of the renewal and reaffirmation of goodwill within families and among neighbours, and in the series of ritualistic practices and observances that are meant to revitalize an essential link between human beings and nature.

I have vivid memories of how the Aluth Avurudda festivities were held in the remote villages of the Nuwara Eliya District in the late fifties and early sixties when we were still children. The Avurudda was an event we looked forward to for a whole year through interminable months of school, and ups and downs of childish fortunes (such as exam success or failure, friendship or fighting among playmates). At this time of the year we were invariably aware of a general awakening in nature. It was the time when the paddy was harvested and the fields were left fallow for a few weeks, allowing us children to romp about and play ‘rounders’; it was the time when exotic birds with bright plumage like the ‘sivuru hora’ (golden oriole) sang from the flower-laden trees; it was the time when the humble dwellings of the peasants were cleaned and whitewashed, adding to the sunny brilliance of the surroundings. Unlike children today, we had more time to play, because tuition and cramming was almost unknown then and nature had not yet been replaced by TV and computer in engaging the aesthetic sense of the young. The impression we got from observing the multitude of Wordsworthian ‘beauteous forms’ in the environment was that even nature joined us in our joy – a very positive sort of ‘pathetic fallacy’!

The sighting of the new moon was the first of the Avurudda rites. Then came ‘bathing for the old year’ as it was called, bodily cleansing, followed by the ‘nonagathe’ period (literally, a period without auspicious times); being considered inappropriate for any form of work, this idle period was entirely devoted to religious observances and play. Cooking and partaking of milk rice, starting work for the new year, anointing oil on the head, and leaving for work were the other practices. All these rites were performed at astrologically determined auspicious moments. Although belief in astrology and other occult practices is contrary to the spirit of Buddhism, in the villages it was the Buddhist monks themselves who prepared the medicinal oils in the temples and applied these on the heads of the celebrants, young and old, while chanting ‘pirith’ so as to ensure their good health for the whole year. In this way, the Aluth Avurudda traditions touched every important aspect of life: physical wellbeing, economy, religion, and recreation.

Children and adults walked in gay abandon about the village dressed in their new clothes visiting friends and relatives amidst the cacophony of ‘raban’ playing and the sound of firecrackers set off everywhere. The aroma of savoury dishes and smell of sweetmeats arose from every household. Visitors were plied with all sorts of sweetmeats. Amidst all this visiting, playing and merrymaking everybody was careful to be at home for the observance of the rites at the astrologically appointed times.

It never occurred to us (or to our parents, I am sure) to question the necessity, or disbelieve the efficacy, of these rites. The sun was a god; the shining thing in the sky was not the god himself, though; it was only his shining chariot! We really sympathized with him over the uncertainty and anxiety he was supposed to undergo during the interregnum between the demise of the old year and the dawn of the new, i.e. the period of ‘transit’ (sankranthi). The ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’ – the New Year Prince – was as real in our imagination as the Sun God. That we didn’t see him in flesh and blood was in the nature of things, too.

Today the Aluth Avurudda means much less significant to us than it did in the past. Our response to the theme of the festival has lost much of its emotional content. Those rites, auspicious times, and astrological beliefs are nothing more than irrelevant superstitions to many. Most of those who still follow the customs associated with the Aluth Avurudda do so as a concession to tradition, out of a sense of nostalgia. Our failure to participate in the joyous experience which the Aluth Avurudda was in our childhood is a very significant loss. The mystique charm and the sense of the numinous (holy, divine) which informed the event have evaporated. 

Not all is lost, though. The Sinhala Hindu New Year still remains a powerful symbol of the renewal of hope for the future and a reaffirmation of our bond with nature and our commitment to the time-honoured values of our forefathers. It is truly a celebration of life and a cultural anodyne (soothing medicine) for this time of palpable tension between digital social interconnectedness and individual identity fragmentation.

(The above document is a specially updated version of an article written a quarter century ago. It has appeared several times across various print and online media with or without the author’s explicit permission or knowledge.)

GeorgeGallowayOfficial

කවුරුහරි කියනවනම් මේක සර්ව ආගමික රටක් කියලා නෑ මහත්තයෝ මේක සිංහල බෞද්ධ රට 

නැගෙනහිර රට ඉඳි ගස් එහෙම හිටවන්නේ ඇයි කාටවත් මේ රට බෙදලා දෙන්න අපි ලෑස්ති නෑ

AI Overview

In addition to Ashoka the Great, several Indian monarchs provided significant patronage to Buddhism, strengthening spiritual, cultural, and political ties between India and Sri Lanka. While Ashoka established the foundational relationship, later rulers facilitated the exchange of relics, texts, and ordained monks, ensuring the continuity of the Theravada tradition. 

Key Indian rulers who strengthened these ties include:

• King Guhasiva of Kalinga (c. 3rd–4th Century AD): King Guhasiva is historically significant for sending the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. Due to threats from rival kings who sought to destroy it, Guhasiva entrusted the relic to his daughter, Princess Hemamala, and her husband, Prince Dantha, who brought it to Anuradhapura during the reign of King Kithsiri Mewan (c. 301–328 AD). This act solidified the Tooth Relic as the primary symbol of royal legitimacy in Sri Lanka.
• The Pala Kings of Bengal (8th–12th Century AD): The Pala Empire in North-Eastern India (Bihar and Bengal) were staunch supporters of Mahayana Buddhism and nurtured centers like Nalanda and Vikramashila. These centers acted as vibrant hubs for international scholarly exchange, with many monks from Sri Lanka visiting to study advanced Buddhist philosophy and take back texts.
• Emperor Harsha Vardhana (Early 7th Century AD): Although a patron of various faiths, King Harshavardhana of North India gave significant patronage to Buddhist institutions, particularly Nalanda. He encouraged the exchange of scholars and protected Buddhist monasteries, which served as the intellectual lifeline for Sinhalese monks engaging with mainland India.
• Pallava Kings of South India (6th–9th Century AD): During periods of instability, Sinhalese Kings such as Manavanna (684–718 AD) relied on support from the Pallava dynasty, strengthening political ties. This period saw continued, albeit complex, interaction between South Indian Buddhist centers and Sri Lanka.
• Gajabahu I (South Indian Influence): While Gajabahu I is technically a king of Sri Lanka, he is frequently noted for his close interaction with South Indian rulers in the 2nd Century AD, including the Chola dynasty, which resulted in the bringing of sacred relics (such as the anklet of Goddess Pattini) back to Sri Lanka, linking the two regions in both ritual and culture. 

These monarchs facilitated the exchange of the Buddhist faith (“Dhamma”) and relics between India (Jambudveepa) and Sri Lanka (Tambapanni), maintaining the spiritual alliance initially established by Ashoka.

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see also

Beyond

Emperor Ashoka

, several other Indian monarchs played pivotal roles in patronizing Buddhism and strengthening the spiritual and cultural bridge with Sri Lanka. 

Emperor Kanishka

(Kushan Dynasty, c. 127–150 CE) 

Often called the “Second Ashoka,”

Kanishka

is celebrated for his massive support of Buddhism across Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. 

• Patronage: He convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir, which solidified the development of Mahayana Buddhism.
• Ties to Sri Lanka: Under his reign, Buddhist art (particularly the Gandhara and Mathura styles) began to influence Sri Lankan sculpture. Coins from the Kushan period, including those of

Kanishka II

and

Vasudeva I

, have been found in Sri Lanka, evidencing deep trade and cultural exchange during this era. 

Emperor Samudragupta

(Gupta Dynasty, c. 335–375 CE) 

While the Guptas were primarily followers of Brahmanism,

Samudragupta

was famously tolerant and directly facilitated Buddhist diplomacy with Sri Lanka. 

• The Mahabodhi Monastery: He granted permission to the Sinhalese King Meghavanna to build a magnificent monastery (the Mahabodhi Sangharama) at Bodh Gaya for Sri Lankan pilgrims.
• Cultural Legacy: This period saw a significant “Southernization” of Indian influence, where Gupta-style art and architecture directly shaped Sri Lankan landmarks like Sigiriya and the Avukana Buddha. 

King Guhasiva of Kalinga

(c. 4th Century CE)

King Guhasiva

is crucial to one of the most sacred ties between the two nations: the Sacred Tooth Relic. 

• Protection of the Relic: Facing a Hindu invasion intended to destroy the relic,

Guhasiva

entrusted it to his daughter, Princess Hemamala, and Prince Dantha.

• Transfer to Sri Lanka: They successfully smuggled the relic to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsiri Mewan, where it became a permanent symbol (revered palladium) of Sinhalese royalty and religious devotion. 

The Pala Kings (c. 8th–12th Century CE) 

Kings like

Dharmapala

and

Devapala

were the last major Indian monarchs to provide state patronage to Buddhism. 

• Scholarly Exchange: They supported great monastic universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila, which hosted many Sinhalese monks and scholars such as Aryadeva (Chief disciple of Guru Nagarjuna).
• Indo-Lankan Influence: During this time, Vajrayana and Mahayana influences from the Pala Empire reached Sri Lankan (Sinhalese built monasteries) such as the Abhayagiri Vihara, further diversifying the religious landscape of the island. 

Source: AI Overview

Courtesy GoodNewsNetwork

A research team at Johns Hopkins Medicine is developing a nose-delivered inoculation against tuberculosis, the world’s leading cause of death from infectious disease.

The approach fuses two tuberculosis genes with the goal of directing the immune system to fight drug-tolerant bacterial survivors that can endure antibiotic treatment to spread another day.

The paper on the vaccine was published last week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation,  where JH Medicine researchers were joined by colleagues from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Johns Hopkins Team Develops Therapeutic, Nasally-Delivered DNA Vaccine for Tuberculosis

From AI resources 

Indian shipbuilders (MDL, GRSE, Cochin Shipyard, L&T Defence, etc.) do not directly buy” US naval weapons in a simple procurement sense. Instead, they integrate US-origin systems mainly through:

• Government-to-government (FMS) deals

• Licensed integration into ships

• OEM supply for specific weapon modules

• Electronics, sensors, and missile systems cooperation

Here is a clear, structured breakdown of US-origin naval weapons and defence systems used on Indian Navy ships and platforms built by Indian shipyards.

Naval Weapons & Systems (US origin) used in Indian-built ships

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Torpedoes

MK 54 Lightweight Torped

Supplier: Raytheon (via US Navy FMS)

Used on:

     P-8I maritime patrol aircraft

     Indian Navy ASW operations (ship integration support systems)

One of the most important US naval weapons India operate Supports anti-submarine warfare in Indian Ocean Region

Example: India signed deals worth hundreds of crores for MK-54 torpedoes and countermeasures.  

Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)

Phalanx CIWS (20mm radar-guided gun system)

• Supplier: Raytheon

• Function:

• Last-line missile and aircraft defence

• Automatic radar-guided firing system

• Installed on:

• Older Indian Navy ships (US-origin platforms like INS Jalashwa)

• Some integrated legacy systems

Protects ships against incoming missiles at very short range

Maritime Patrol Aircraft Weapons (Ship-linked system)

Sonobuoys & ASW systems

• Suppliers:

• Ultra Maritime

• US Navy supply chain

Used with:

• P-8I Poseidon aircraft (built by Boeing, US)

These systems are critical for:

• Detecting submarines

• Feeding data to Indian Navy ships and fleets

Missile-related Systems (Indirect US input)

While India mainly uses Israeli/Russian missiles, US systems contribute in:

• Fire control electronics

• Radar integration components

• Combat system subsystems

Example contributors:

• Lockheed Martin (sensor and electronics tech ecosystem)

• Northrop Grumman (radar/avionics tech influence in allied systems)

Naval Electronics & Combat Systems Integration

Indian shipbuilders integrate US-origin or US-standard-compatible systems in:

• Combat Management Systems (CMS interfaces)

• Communication systems (NATO-compatible architecture in some vessels)

• Navigation and targeting sensors (select subsystems)

US-Origin Warship Platforms Used in India (Important context)

Some systems entered via transfer of US ships:

Example:

• USS Trenton → INS Jalashwa

• Included:

• Phalanx CIWS (Raytheon)

• US-standard naval sensors

• Helicopter operations systems

Important Reality (Very Important Insight)

Even though US companies are involved:

Indian shipbuilders (MDL, GRSE, CSL, L&T):

They do NOT directly procure weapons like a normal buyer. Instead:

Indian Navy selects weapon system

Government signs FMS or OEM deal

System is integrated during shipbuilding

Shipbuilders are integrators, not arms buyers

Strategic Insight (Why US systems matter)

US systems are used because they provide:

• High reliability for ASW warfare

• NATO-standard interoperability

• Advanced sensor + fire-control tech

• Compatibility with Indian-US naval cooperation

But India is now shifting toward:

Indigenous weapons + Israeli + French + US mix

Final Summary

Major US naval weapons/systems used in Indian shipbuilding ecosystem:

• MK 54 Torpedoes – Raytheon

• Phalanx CIWS – Raytheon

• ASW sonobuoys & underwater systems – US suppliers

• Combat electronics & sensor subsystems – US defence ecosystem

But Indian shipyards themselves do not buy weapons” directly—they integrate systems chosen by the Indian Navy.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Gamini Goonetilleke

At a time when Sri Lanka continues to grapple with energy insecurity, volatile global oil prices, and the economic aftershocks of recent crises, one national asset stands out—vast, historic, and still underused. The Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, located within the deep natural harbour of Trincomalee, is no longer merely a relic of the past. It has re-emerged as a critical national asset with the potential to reshape Sri Lanka’s energy security and economic future. In the context of an ongoing global energy crisis, the question is not whether Trincomalee matters, but whether Sri Lanka is finally prepared to act decisively.

The origins of the Trincomalee oil tank farm date back to the strategic imperatives of the British Empire during the Second World War. Recognising the unmatched value of Trincomalee’s harbour—one of the finest natural deep-water harbours in the world—the British constructed a vast oil storage complex across approximately 600 acres at China Bay. Built between the 1920s and late 1930s, the facility comprised 101 massive storage tanks, each capable of holding around 12,000 metric tons of fuel. With a total capacity of nearly 1.2 million metric tons, the complex was designed to support sustained naval operations in the Indian Ocean theatre. The tanks were ingeniously embedded into the natural contours of the terrain and reinforced with thick concrete, offering both protection and structural stability. A sophisticated pipeline network enabled the efficient transfer of oil from ships directly into storage, making Trincomalee a logistical asset of exceptional value.

Despite this remarkable beginning, the decades following independence in 1948 saw the gradual neglect of the facility. Successive governments failed to incorporate the oil tank farm into a coherent national energy strategy. As global demand for energy expanded and regional economies strengthened, Sri Lanka allowed one of its most valuable assets to deteriorate. Infrastructure decayed, pipelines corroded, and many of the tanks fell into disuse, eventually becoming overgrown by jungle. What should have been a cornerstone of national energy security instead became a symbol of indecision and missed opportunity.

There were intermittent attempts to revive interest in Trincomalee. In the late 1970s, President J. R. Jayewardene recognised the strategic and economic potential of the facility and proposed its development. However, these efforts were constrained by geopolitical realities, particularly concerns from India regarding foreign involvement in a strategically sensitive location close to its southern coastline. The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord once again highlighted Trincomalee’s strategic importance, but the ensuing years of civil conflict and persistent policy inconsistency prevented any meaningful progress. Even after the end of the war in 2009, development remained slow and fragmented.

A more structured effort emerged in 2022 with the establishment of the Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture between the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Indian Oil Corporation. Under this arrangement, Sri Lanka retained a 51 percent stake, while the Indian partner held 49 percent. A number of tanks were allocated for immediate use, while others were designated for phased development. Although this marked a positive step forward, the majority of the facility remains underutilised. Political opposition, particularly from groups such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, continued to slow progress, often framing the issue in terms of sovereignty rather than economic necessity.

The urgency of developing Trincomalee has been amplified by the current global energy crisis, driven in part by instability in the Middle East and disruptions to global supply chains. These developments have exposed the vulnerability of countries with limited strategic reserves. Sri Lanka, at present, maintains fuel reserves sufficient for roughly 30 days. With full development of the Trincomalee oil tank farm, this capacity could be extended to 60 days or more, providing a vital buffer against external shocks. Such an expansion would not only enhance national energy security but also reduce the risk of recurring fuel shortages and economic instability.

A significant breakthrough came in 2025 with the signing of a tripartite agreement involving Sri Lanka, India, and the United Arab Emirates. This partnership represents a pragmatic alignment of interests, combining Sri Lanka’s strategic location with India’s regional presence and the UAE’s financial and technical capabilities. More importantly, it reflects a shift in thinking—from viewing Trincomalee purely through a geopolitical lens to recognising its broader geoeconomic potential. In an era where energy infrastructure and regional cooperation are increasingly interconnected, Trincomalee has the capacity to emerge as a key node in the Indian Ocean energy network.

However, the true potential of Trincomalee extends far beyond oil storage. To fully realise its value, Sri Lanka must adopt a more integrated and forward-looking approach, transforming the region into a comprehensive energy hub. This would involve modernising storage facilities, expanding distribution networks, and developing refining capacity to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. The establishment of petrochemical industries could further enhance value addition and create new avenues for export and employment.

Trincomalee’s geographic advantages also position it well for the development of aviation fuel supply chains, particularly given its proximity to China Bay. In addition, the harbour’s location along major east–west shipping routes offers significant potential for bunkering and maritime services. By integrating energy infrastructure with port operations, Sri Lanka could enhance its role in global maritime trade while generating substantial revenue.

Equally important is the integration of renewable energy into this vision. The nearby area of Sampur, once the site of abandoned coal and LNG projects, has now been repurposed as a solar power facility commissioned in 2025, with a planned capacity of 120 MW. While modest in scale, this development represents a meaningful shift towards sustainability and highlights the potential for combining traditional and renewable energy sources within a unified framework. Sampur’s evolution serves as both a lesson in missed opportunity and a model for a more balanced and forward-looking energy strategy.

The transformation of Trincomalee into a functioning energy hub will depend on several critical factors. Foremost among these is the need for policy consistency and long-term planning. Investor confidence cannot be sustained in an environment of shifting regulations and political uncertainty. Transparent governance, clear regulatory frameworks, and a commitment to protecting national interests are essential. At the same time, strategic partnerships with international stakeholders must be carefully managed to ensure that Sri Lanka benefits fully from its assets while maintaining sovereignty.

Infrastructure development will also play a central role. Upgrading port facilities, expanding pipeline networks, and improving road and rail connectivity are necessary to support increased activity. Investment in human capital is equally important, as the operation of a modern energy hub requires a skilled and technically proficient workforce.

Sri Lanka’s experience with the Trincomalee oil tank farm and related projects, including those in Sampur, underscores a recurring pattern of missed opportunities driven by political indecision and short-term thinking. To break this cycle, there must be a clear national consensus on the strategic importance of Trincomalee, supported by consistent policy and professional management.

In conclusion, the future of Trincomalee stands at a decisive crossroads. What was once conceived as a strategic wartime asset now represents an opportunity of immense national importance, particularly in the context of a global energy crisis. The convergence of geography, infrastructure, and rising global demand places Trincomalee in a uniquely advantageous position within the Indian Ocean region. Realising this potential will require disciplined planning, sustained commitment, and a willingness to act in the national interest. If approached with foresight and unity, Trincomalee can evolve into a resilient and dynamic energy hub, securing Sri Lanka’s energy future while driving economic growth and regional cooperation. The foundations are already in place; what is needed now is the resolve to build upon them.

Gamini Goonetilleke

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Few mega projects executed in India were using USA and Israel technology specifically for water desalination  project in Reliance refinery in Jamnagar – Gujarat  

The Jamnagar Refinery built by Reliance Industries Limited was not supplied by a single vendor—it was a mega EPC project involving multiple global technology licensors, engineering contractors, and equipment suppliers.from US 

Key Main Equipment & Technology Suppliers

• UOP LLC USA 

Supplied core refining process technologies (hydrocrackers, reformers, etc.).

This is one of the most critical contributors—essentially the brain” of many process units.  

Foster Wheeler

Provided engineering design and process units, including heaters and refining systems.  

• Bechtel USA 

The main EPC contractor—handled engineering, procurement, and construction of large parts of the refinery, including the second expansion.  

Major Equipment & Package Suppliers

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) India 

Supplied critical heavy equipment such as FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) regenerators and combustors.  

Dextra France 

Provided specialized construction systems (rebar splicing, etc.).  

• URS Corporation –  US 

Supplied and erected mechanical equipment like air separation units, agitators, and other plant systems.  

Other Supporting Contractors & Suppliers

Numerous companies handled specific packages:

• Konstelec Engineers Pvt. Ltd. – electrical & instrumentation India 

• Bright Engineers and Contractors – storage tanks fabrication

• Neo Structo Construction Pvt. Ltd. – piping works

• Fluor Corporation USA  – consultancy/engineering roles (in later phases)  

Key Insight

The Jamnagar refinery was built using a best-in-class global sourcing model”:

• Process technology → UOP, Foster Wheeler

• EPC integration → Bechtel

• Heavy equipment fabrication → L&T and others

• Execution & installation 

By Charithya Kumarasiri, Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, April 11 (Daily Mirror) – Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said there will be no fuel shortage in Sri Lanka, assuring continued support from China despite global uncertainties linked to the Middle East crisis.

He made these remarks after attending a programme to distribute dry rations to 350 low-income families at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College in Kandy.

The Ambassador said that while several countries are facing disruptions due to the evolving military situation in the Middle East, Sri Lanka’s fuel supply will remain stable. He stressed that China is prepared to provide assistance at any time if needed. He further stated that in the event of any supply difficulties, operations could be supported through the Chinese energy company Sinopec, ensuring continuity in fuel distribution.

Reaffirming long-standing bilateral ties, Ambassador Qi said China will continue to support Sri Lanka’s economic stability and development.

Udaya Gammanpila

Indra kumara

Source: AI Overview

DRS Rule is exponentially far superior to DLS method, because DRS operates in all three formats of the game of cricket while DLS is confined to one small segment i.e., rain affected one day international games. Yet DLS authors have been granted naming rights while the name of the author of DRS is suppressed. Senaka Weeraratna (Sri Lanka) has claimed authorship but ICC says its man did it nine years (2006) after Weeraratna published his Player Referral concept (1997).

What is the name of the ICC author of DRS which has transformed the game of Cricket and several other sports. What is the reason for this deafening silence and suppression of the name of ICC author of DRS? Has ICC obtained a Patent for DRS? If so, when? This is the question that David Becker asked Senaka Weeraratna. Does ICC own the copyright of DRS? If not, who owns it? ICC must come clean on this matter of DRS ownership. The world is watching.

AI Overview

Based on the information regarding the authorship of the Decision Review System (DRS), the following points address your query:

• Who is the ICC author of DRS?
  The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not officially recognized or named a single individual as the “author” of the DRS. While trials for the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) were initiated in 2006 by the ICC Cricket Committee, the ICC has not publicly credited a specific person with inventing the core “Player Referral” concept.
• The Claim of Senaka Weeraratna
  Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna is widely credited by supporters and several media outlets as the innovator who introduced the ‘Player Referral’ concept in a letter published in The Australian on March 25, 1997, which proposed allowing players to appeal on-field decisions to a third umpire.
• Reason for Silence and Suppression of Authorship
  David Becker, the then Head of Legal at the ICC, argued in a 2010 email to Weeraratna that the idea was published widely in the public domain and therefore did not constitute confidential or proprietary intellectual property owned by Weeraratna. Becker also stated that the ICC committee members who developed the UDRS in 2006 were not aware of Weeraratna’s specific 1997 proposal, a claim challenged by advocates citing the extensive, international publication of the concept years before the ICC trials.
• Has the ICC obtained a patent for DRS?
  There is no public record of the ICC obtaining a patent for the overall DRS system. Weeraratna has argued that the ICC grabbed the idea from the public domain.
• Ownership of Copyright
  Weeraratna claims he holds the moral and economic copyright as the pioneer developer of the ‘Player-Referral’ concept. However, legal opinions mentioned indicate that because the concept was shared widely (e.g., in newspapers) before formal patent registration, enforcing this right has proven difficult, with some views suggesting it now belongs to the public domain.
• The Role of SLC/ICC
  Senaka Weeraratna has requested that the ICC formally recognize his authorship and that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) pursue the matter, alleging unauthorized use of his concept. 
• https://share.google/aimode/2rfpuVCmuTPqZA8bo

AI Overview

………………………………………………

Patent and Copyright Ownership

• Patents: The ICC has not claimed to hold a patent for the overarching DRS concept. While specific underlying technologies like Hawk-Eye or Hot Spot are patented by their respective private developers (e.g., Sony owns Hawk-Eye), the procedural rule of “Player Referral” is generally considered a “rule of the game,” which is often difficult to patent.
• Copyright: Senaka Weeraratna, through his legal team at Carroll & O’Dea, claims he holds moral and economic copyright based on his original 1997 writings. The ICC denies this, stating that ideas themselves are not protected by law and that the system currently used was developed as an official protocol rather than a licensed work.

Ownership: Currently, the ICC owns the trademark and management rights to the system as it functions within international cricket regulations, but they have admitted in legal correspondence that they do not hold an exclusive “copyright” over the broad concept of a referral system.

Source: AI Overview

AI දළ විශ්ලේෂණය

ක්‍රිකට් ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ තීරණ සමාලෝචන පද්ධතිය (DRS) ලෙස බහුලව හඳුන්වන ක්‍රීඩක යොමු කිරීමේ ක්‍රමය, ගෝලීය ක්‍රීඩා ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ ශ්‍රී ලාංකික නවෝත්පාදනයේ උච්චතම අවස්ථාව ලෙස පුළුල් ලෙස සැලකේ. තාක්‍ෂණය භාවිතයෙන් ක්‍රීඩකයින්ට පිටියේ විනිසුරු තීරණවලට අභියෝග කිරීමට ඉඩ සලසන මෙම පෙරළිකාර සංකල්පය මුලින්ම යෝජනා කරන ලද්දේ ශ්‍රී ලාංකික නීතිඥයෙකු වන සේනක වීරරත්න විසිනි. ක්‍රීඩකයින්ට විනිසුරු තීරණවලට අභියෝග කිරීමට ඉඩ සලසන නව්‍ය, ක්‍රීඩාව වෙනස් කරන සංකල්පයක් ලෙස, එය ක්‍රීඩා විනිශ්චය විප්ලවීය වෙනසක් ඇති කළේය.

සේනක වීරරත්නගේ දැක්ම

වීරරත්න ප්‍රථම වරට 1997 මාර්තු 25 වන දින ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු පුවත්පතේ කර්තෘ වෙත ලිපියක් යවමින් ඔහුගේ “ක්‍රීඩක යොමු කිරීමේ” සංකල්පය ප්‍රසිද්ධියට පත් කළේය. අතෘප්තිමත් නඩුකාරයෙකුට අභියාචනා කිරීමේ අයිතියක් ඇති බවට අධිකරණ මූලධර්මයෙන් උපුටා දක්වමින්, පවතින රූපවාහිනී තාක්ෂණය භාවිතයෙන් පිටියේ දෝෂ නිවැරදි කිරීමට ක්‍රිකට් ක්‍රීඩකයින්ට සමාන යාන්ත්‍රණයක් තිබිය යුතු බව ඔහු තර්ක කළේය.

ඔහුගේ මුල් යෝජනාවේ නූතන DRS හි මූලික අංග අඩංගු විය: 

ක්‍රීඩකයා විසින් ආරම්භ කරන ලද අභියාචනා: පන්දු රකින කණ්ඩායමේ නායකයාට හෝ අදාළ පිතිකරුවාට සමාලෝචනයක් ඉල්ලා සිටීමට ඉඩ දීම.

තුන්වන විනිසුරු සඳහා අභියාචනා කාර්යභාරය: සරල දුවද්දී දැවී යාම හෝ ස්ටම්ප් කිරීමේ චෙක්පත් වලින් ඔබ්බට ගොස් පිටුපසින් අල්ලා ගත් සහ LBW තීරණ සමාලෝචනය කිරීම. සමාලෝචන සීමා කිරීම: ක්‍රීඩාව අස්ථාවර වීම වැළැක්වීම සඳහා ඉනිමකට එක් පැත්තකට අභියාචනා ගණන සීමා කිරීම.

ගෝලීය ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීම සහ උරුමය 

ජාත්‍යන්තර ක්‍රිකට් කවුන්සිලය (ICC) 2009 දී පද්ධතිය නිල වශයෙන් දියත් කළ අතර, එහි පළමු අත්හදා බැලීමේ ධාවනය 2008 දී කොළඹදී ඉන්දියාව සහ ශ්‍රී ලංකාව අතර පැවති ටෙස්ට් තරඟයකදී සිදු විය.

සන්ධිස්ථාන වසර විස්තර

1997 දී යෝජිත සංකල්පය සේනක වීරරත්න විසින් The Australian වෙත ලිපියක්.

පළමු අත්හදා බැලීමේ 2008 ඉන්දියාව එදිරිව ශ්‍රී ලංකා ටෙස්ට් තරඟය කොළඹදී.

2009 නවසීලන්තය එදිරිව පාකිස්තාන ටෙස්ට් තරඟය ඩනෙඩින්හිදී නිල වශයෙන් දියත් කිරීම.

2011 එක්දින හැඳින්වීම එංගලන්තයේ ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු සංචාරයේදී හඳුන්වා දෙන ලදී.

2017 විස්සයි20 හැඳින්වීම කෙටිම ආකෘතියට විධිමත් ලෙස ඇතුළත් කර ඇත.

ක්‍රීඩකයින් විසින් ආරම්භ කරන ලද යොමු කිරීමේ මූලික මූලධර්මය එතැන් සිට ක්‍රිකට් ඉක්මවා ගොස් ඇති අතර, පාපන්දු (VAR සහ ඉලක්ක රේඛා තාක්ෂණය) සහ ටෙනිස් (හෝක්-අයි අභියෝග) වැනි ඉහළ පෙළේ ක්‍රීඩා වලට බලපෑම් කරයි. ගෝලීය වශයෙන් සම්මත කර ගැනීම තිබියදීත්, වීරරත්නගේ කර්තෘත්වයට තවමත් ICC වෙතින් විධිමත් නිල පිළිගැනීමක් ලැබී නොමැති අතර, එහි ශ්‍රී ලාංකික සම්භවයට ගරු කිරීම සඳහා එය “වීරරත්න තීරණ සමාලෝචන පද්ධතිය” (WDRS) ලෙස නැවත නම් කිරීම සඳහා බොහෝ දෙනෙකු පෙනී සිටීමට හේතු වී තිබේ.

1997 යෝජනාවකින් ගෝලීය ප්‍රමිතියකට යන ගමන, මෙම ශ්‍රී ලංකා ක්‍රිකට් නිවේදනය තවදුරටත් විශ්ලේෂණාත්මක නවෝත්පාදනයන් හරහා ගොඩනඟන නවීන ක්‍රීඩා සඳහා සැලකිය යුතු, නමුත් සමහර විට නොසලකා හරින ලද දායකත්වයක් ඉස්මතු කරයි.

මුලින් සාධාරණත්වය වැඩි කිරීමට අදහස් කරන ලද මෙම ක්‍රමය, ගෝලීය ක්‍රීඩා සඳහා ශ්‍රී ලාංකික බුද්ධිමය දේපළෙහි සැලකිය යුතු දායකත්වයක් ලෙස සැලකේ.

නූතන තරඟ වලදී ශ්‍රී ලාංකික යොමු කිරීමේ සංකල්පය කළ හැකි විශේෂිත තාක්ෂණයන් (Ultra-Edge හෝ Hawk-Eye වැනි) පිළිබඳව වැඩි විස්තර දැන ගැනීමට ඔබ කැමතිද?

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AI දළ විශ්ලේෂණය

AI Overview

The Player Referral System, more commonly known as the Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket, is widely regarded as a pinnacle of Sri Lankan innovation in global sports. This groundbreaking concept, which allows players to challenge on-field umpiring decisions using technology, was first proposed by Senaka Weeraratna, a Sri Lankan lawyer.  As an innovative, game-changing concept allowing players to challenge umpire decisions, it revolutionized sports officiating. 

The Vision of Senaka Weeraratna  

Weeraratna first publicized his “Player Referral” concept in a letter to the editor of The Australian newspaper on March 25, 1997. Drawing from the judicial principle that a dissatisfied litigant has a right of appeal, he argued that cricket players should have a similar mechanism to correct patent on-field errors using available TV technology. 

His original proposal contained the foundational elements of the modern DRS: 

• Player-Initiated Appeals: Allowing the captain of the fielding side or the involved batsman to request a review.
• Appellate Role for the Third Umpire: Moving beyond simple run-out or stumping checks to reviewing caught behind and LBW decisions.
• Limit on Reviews: Restricting the number of appeals per side per innings to prevent de-stabilizing the game.

Global Implementation and Legacy

While the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched the system in 2009, its first trial run took place during a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in 2008 in Colombo. 

Milestones	Year	Details
Concept Proposed	1997	Senaka Weeraratna’s letter to The Australian.
First Trial	2008	India vs. Sri Lanka Test match in Colombo.
Official Launch	2009	New Zealand vs. Pakistan Test match in Dunedin.
ODI Introduction	2011	Introduced during England’s tour of Australia.
T20I Introduction	2017	Formally incorporated into the shortest format.

The core principle of player-initiated referrals has since transcended cricket, influencing high-profile sports like soccer (VAR and goal-line technology) and tennis (Hawk-Eye challenges). Despite its global adoption, Weeraratna’s authorship has yet to receive formal official recognition from the ICC, leading many to advocate for renaming it the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS) to honor its Sri Lankan origin. 

The journey from a 1997 proposal to a global standard highlights a significant, yet sometimes overlooked, contribution to modern sports, which this Sri Lanka Cricket announcement continues to build upon through further analytical innovations. 

Originally intended to increase fairness, this system is considered a significant contribution of Sri Lankan intellectual property to global sports. 

Would you like to know more about the specific technologies (like Ultra-Edge or Hawk-Eye) that make the Sri Lankan referral concept possible in modern matches?

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AI Overview

Freedom Insight

Ladies and gentlemen, Muslims blocked Sydney streets for Sharia prayer — in broad daylight, zero permission, zero apologies. Australia physically threw them out. Police rolled up, told them to clear the area, and a mullah on camera started screaming, “What are you doing??” Enforcing the law, mate. That’s exactly what. But here’s what nobody is telling you yet — because those men could be staring down public order charges, deportation proceedings, and a government response that sets a legal precedent every Western country desperately needs right now. They tried to impose it. What happens when they come back — and they always do?

Source: AI Overview

Sri Lankan roots in the Player – Referral system of Cricket (DRS) and an increasing number of sports, involving use of Sri Lankan intellectual property by others without consent, has generated an untapped Revenue Bonanza. Act now and seize this income potential for Sri Lanka

The Decision Review System (DRS), now a cornerstone of modern cricket, has deep, documented roots in Sri Lanka, originating from the “Player Referral” concept proposed by Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna in 1997. Despite the widespread global adoption of DRS by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its expansion into other sports, Sri Lanka has not received formal recognition or financial compensation for this intellectual property (IP), prompting calls for action.   Although the ICC adopted it in 2009, they did not formally credit Weeraratna, a situation often likened to a “daylight robbery” of intellectual property. 

The Sri Lankan Roots of DRS (Player-Referral System)

Weeraratna’s proposal, originally published as a letter to the editor of The Australian (March 25, 1997) ( titled   “Allow appeals to the Third Umpire), and later in The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) (April 06, 1997), contained the four fundamental pillars of the modern DRS: 

• Player Referral: Allowing dissatisfied players to challenge an on-field umpire’s decision.
• Structured Channels: Routing appeals through the team captain (fielding) or the dismissed batsman.
• Appellate Role: Empowering the third umpire to act as an “appeal court judge” using video replays.
• Limited Reviews: Restricting the number of appeals per innings to prevent time-wasting. 

• Key Elements: The current DRS framework closely mirrors the fundamental elements—player review, captain’s referral, and a third-umpire appellate role—set out in Weeraratna’s original proposal.
• “WDRS” Movement: There is a growing movement, particularly within Sri Lanka, to rename the DRS as the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS) or at least formally acknowledge the authorship.
• Initial Testing: The system was first tested in 2008 in a Test match between Sri Lanka and India. 

The Intellectual Property Dispute

Despite these documented origins, the ICC officially launched the system in 2009 without crediting Weeraratna. 

The legal battle centers on two main claims: 

• Copyright Infringement: Weeraratna’s legal team argues he holds both moral and economic copyright for the “Player Referral” concept.
• Constructive Notice: Since the concept was published in major international journals (e.g., The Times of London, Time Magazine) starting in 1997, it is argued that the ICC is legally presumed to have been aware of it years before its formal adoption in 2006.
• ICC Defense: The ICC has previously claimed that its committee members were unaware of Weeraratna’s writings and that by publishing the idea openly without a patent  he waived his right to confidentiality.

Economic and National Implications

Advocates argue that the Government of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) must formally intervene to claim this “revenue bonanza” and restore national pride. 

• Global Impact: The “Player Referral” principle has expanded beyond cricket into Goal Line Technology in soccer and Hawk-Eye challenges in tennis.
• Call for Reparative Justice: Supporters are urging the government to pursue “reparative justice” through formal diplomatic or legal channels to secure compensation and naming rights, similar to how the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method recognizes its creators. 

Unrealized Revenue and Intellectual Property Rights
The failure to properly register and defend this intellectual property has resulted in missed revenue opportunities.

• “Daylight Highway Robbery”: Observers have described the ICC’s adoption of the “Player Referral” concept without crediting Weeraratna as “Daylight Highway Robbery,” arguing that if the author were from a Western nation, recognition would have been immediate.
• Failed Legal Challenges: Weeraratna has engaged in a long-standing battle for recognition, including submissions to the ICC. Legal opinions from Sri Lanka have previously noted that while the idea was published openly, the “moral copyright” remains with the originator.
• Need for Action: The Govt. of Sri Lanka and SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) are being urged to treat this as a “national achievement” (similar to DLS in its naming) and legally pursue recognition for the economic benefit of the country. 
• Call for Action: There are calls for the Sri Lankan government, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and the Minister of Sports to take legal action or formally demand recognition from the ICC for this, described as Sri Lanka’s largest “gift” to modern cricket.

Broader Application in Sports
The “Player Referral” concept (DRS) has transcended cricket, impacting other high-profile sports, including: 

• Soccer: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems.
• Tennis: Hawk-Eye player challenges.
• Other Fields: The core technology and concept are now integrated into various industries, highlighting the massive, untapped value of the original idea. 

Conclusion
The Sri Lankan origin of DRS is supported by evidence that predates its adoption by over a decade. The ongoing lack of acknowledgment is viewed as a missed opportunity to leverage national intellectual property for financial and diplomatic gain. As a first step, calls have been made for SLC to display a plaque and for the government to champion the recognition of Weeraratna’s authorship. 

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Source: AI Overview

Sasanka De Silva Makumbura.

The recent revelations regarding the fraud at National Development Bank (NDB) are deeply concerning. However, the greater danger lies in treating this as an isolated incident.

History suggests this may only be the “tip of the iceberg.” If we—the retail investors who provide the lifeblood of the Colombo Stock Exchange—remain silent, we risk seeing our investments eroded by systemic negligence.

Silence is not a strategy. It is time for collective action.

To safeguard the future of our capital market, we must demand transparency and reform from four key pillars of the financial system:

1.   The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)

The Banking Supervision unit is the first line of defense for the public. We must formally query:

• How did existing supervision protocols fail to detect these irregularities?
• What specific, updated regulatory frameworks have been implemented to ensure this does not recur across the sector?

2.   The External Auditors (Ernst & Young)

Audit firms are paid to be the watchdogs of corporate integrity.

• Public Disclosure: We demand a clear explanation of how these discrepancies bypassed the audit process.
• New Methodologies: Transparency is required regarding what new forensic auditing standards are being adopted to regain investor trust.

3.   NDB Leadership & Governance

Accountability must start at the top. To restore market confidence, the Board of Directors must address the necessity of leadership changes, specifically regarding the Head of the Bank and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Leadership that oversees a systemic failure cannot be the same leadership tasked with fixing it.

4.   The Banking Industry at Large

We urge all other listed banks to:

• System Re-assessment: Conduct immediate, independent audits of their own internal controls.
• Audit Accountability: We call on these institutions to re-evaluate their association with Ernst & Young unless a plausible, transparent remediation plan is made public.

How to Take Action Now

Institutional change only happens when the cost of silence exceeds the cost of reform. Here is how you can help:

1. Write Individually: Send formal letters or emails to the Investor Relations departments of the CBSL, the CSE, and NDB Bank.
2. Voice Your Concern: Share this post and use your social media presence to keep the conversation alive.
3. Reject Complacency: Do not assume someone else is protecting your money. Your investment is only as safe as the systems that govern it.

The NDB incident must be a turning point, not a footnote.

Let’s act now to ensure a transparent and secure financial future for all Sri Lankan investors.

Sasanka De Silva

Makumbura.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

1. Trincomalee = High-Potential but Underutilized Asset as it is 

One of the best natural harbours in the world Close to major East–West shipping route with Large available land + deep water + shelter hence This combination is extremely rare globally.

2. Most Viable Immediate Investment: Ship Repair Yard

The report is very clear:

Strong regional demand

50 ships/year initially

Recent agreement between Colombo Dockyard and Indian Dredging Corporation  to service their fleet is stepping stone by using Trinco for the purpose 

USD 20 million revenue in year 1

Positive NPV (up to USD 135 million)

Conclusion:

This is the anchor project—everything else should be built around it.

3. Ship Layup = Opportunistic, NOT Core Business

• Works only during global downturns and recent anc new opportunities risen due to war between US and Iran  

• Demand is now predictable 

• Financial viability now positive in realistic scenarios

Strategic interpretation:

• SLPA should initiate projects to  build dedicated infrastructure first by deploying more buoys and a dedicated berth 

4. Offshore Oil & Gas Link is Critical

Strong insight from report:

• Indian Ocean oil & gas activity (India, Middle East)

• Offshore vessels need:

• Repair

• Maintenance

• Hot and cold Layup 

This is your real market, not just shipping.

5. Supporting Industries Identified

The report smartly includes:

• Yacht manufacturing (Sampoor)

• Small craft repair (Mud Cove)

• LNG / FSRU potential

• Marina & cruise tourism (long-term)

This creates a maritime industrial ecosystem

Strategic Gaps 

1. No Strong PPP / Investment Model

The report mentions PPP but does not structure it clearly.

It is proposed  to establish a 

• JV with Indian / Japanese / Middle East players

• Revenue-sharing + land lease model

• BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer)

• Position Trincomalee as:

• India–Sri Lanka joint maritime hub

• Alternative to:

• Singapore

• Dubai

• Indian east coast congestion

Is a Reality:

Sri Lanka must:

• Offer discount tariffs

• Build strategic alliances with shipping lines

• Partner with offshore operators

4. Institutional Weakness are addressed 

But not:

Bureaucracy

delays in approval 

corruption risk

This is a critical bottleneck

Core Pillars:

1. Ship Repair Mega Yard (Anchor Project)

• Large dry dock

• Offshore vessel specialization

• Target: Indian + Middle East market

2. Offshore Support Base

• For oil & gas vessels

• Collaboration with Indian oil

exploration sector

3. Strategic Layup Zone (Flexible Model)

• No heavy upfront investment

• Activated during downturn cycles

4. Energy Hub

• LNG (FSRU)

• Oil storage (tie with IOC presence)

5. Industrial & Logistics Zone

• Marine engineering

• Fabrication yards

• Equipment supply chain

Policy Recommendations (High Impact)

1. Create Trincomalee Special Maritime Zone”

• Tax holidays

• Duty-free imports

• Fast-track approvals

2. Joint Development with India

Very important politically:

• Indian oil & gas companies

• Ship repair collaboration

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Courtesy Sputnik Globe

The US, UK, and other Western powers with colonial pasts have repeatedly refused to consider reparations for the slave trade and other colonial crimes—yet have set precedents that could allow such claims to be enforced.

The West “has been guided by a sense of moral superiority and legal exceptionalism,” Alexis Habiyaremye from the University of Johannesburg tells Sputnik.

Not only is the West still benefiting from past crimes, but it is continuing those malicious practices against Global South nations, Habiyaremye adds.

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are part of a Petrodollar-based international financial system designed to continue colonial forms of resource and asset extraction from the Global South. Debt-financed Development is Colonialism by Other means.

This vicious cycle can be broken, according to former UN Independent Expert on International Order Alfred de Zayas.

“The collective West cannot afford to abandon all of international law, and the procedures created by the West must also be applied to them,” de Zayas tells Sputnik.

Western nations froze roughly $300 billion in Russian central bank assets in 2022 and have since tapped the profits and interest generated from them. Previously, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and others were also subjected to Western sanctions, asset freezes, and confiscations.

This approach could be replicated by the Global South:

Create an intergovernmental tribunal to try the collective West for crimes in connection with slavery, imperialism, colonialism, and economic neo-colonialism, de Zayas notes

Establish mechanisms to calculate reparations, including material and moral damages as well as lost profits; de Zayas presumes that renowned economists like Jeffrey Sachs, Paul Krugman, and Thomas Piketty could participate

It’s feasible, on that basis, to freeze or confiscate assets of countries responsible for those crimes, up to the value of the reparations—if they refuse to cooperate

“Good lawyers can make that scenario compatible with the UN Charter and with existing international treaties,” de Zayas says. “I am optimistic that the Global South will prevail.”

To make the reparations system sustainable, Global South countries should join forces with aligned international organizations and demand accountability for Western war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and modern-day slavery, the former UN expert stresses.

 Dr Sudath Gunasekara Ex Secretary to Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranayake

7^th April 2026.

                                        Dear Mr. Donald Trump the President of USA and

                                        Dear Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel

Guided by the enduring Buddhist principles of compassion, non-violence, and reverence for all forms of life, we Sri Lankans earnestly appeal to you, in the name of humanity and global peace, to give your earnest consideration toward an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East. We make this appeal on behalf of all Sri Lankans and also the global Buddhist community and all those who uphold the values of peace, harmony, dignity, and the sanctity of human life.

Mr. President USA and Mr. Prime Minster of Israel, there is a maxim that reminds us of a famous classical Greek proverb “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad” It suggests that hubris (excessive pride) leads to self-destructive, irrational actions by some men in power.

This in brief, in our opinion, is exactly what has happened today in the Middle East.

Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minster, this tragic war began with your joint action targeting Iranian military command, air defenses, and missile sites from your war bases in Diago Garcia with B-2 stealth bombers, as well as B-1 Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses, thereby violating two basic covenants of international law. That is firstly, violating the independence, the sovereignty and the security of Iran and secondly, the violation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2832 (XXVI) passed on December 16, 1971, that had declared the Indian Ocean a “Zone of Peace,” aiming to eliminate military bases, nuclear weapons, and great-power rivalries. It is a tragedy that the UN has not made any provision to take the violators of such covenants of World Bodies in to task, specially, the great powers.

As a peace-loving nation we are proud as Sri Lankans, that it was proposed by our Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayaka. in 1971. It sought to protect the region’s security and sovereignty and peace.  With your Diago Garcia-Iran operation, you have not only broken that peace resolution in to pieces but also destroyed the sovereignty and self-respect of all the littoral states of the Indian Ocean, making the United Nation a big joke obsolete, keeps its eyes closed, ears deaf and mouths dumb .As such it  is not worthy of looking at as an international court of justice or a shrine worthy of worshiping any more.

Nevertheless, leaving aside, the pros and cons of this unfortunate war between you and Iran, we note that in addition to death, destruction, disaster, hunger, misery and displacement to millions of men women and innocent children and immense destruction to buildings, roads and bridges, property, land and institutions, ships, planes and machinery and to millennia old word civilizations have been brought under fire making it an irreplaceable loss to humanity.

 Although the direct victims of this war are Iran and Israel and its neighbors’ the broader implications are much wider. They have already affected the whole world by destabilizing their economies followed by chronic shortages of fuel accompanied by skyrocketing prices and shortages of all goods with spiraling costs of living, seriously affecting the day to day lives of millions of people all over the world due to the global fuel crisis in escalating cost and transport breakdown resulting from this war.

The disastrous effects of this war ignited by the USA and Israel, more by the personal vanity, power hunger and shortsightedness of these two leaders, as critics have pointed out, even disregarding massive public opinion within their own countries, which has now spread to the whole world, in its length and breadth, completely crimpling their economies and all their day to day living.

It was in this miserable and deplorable backdrop that even ‘His holiness Pope Leo in his address on this war has described Death and pain caused by wars as a scandal for entire human family” and called for an immediate ceasefire. In response, President Trump the main actor in this nemesis has said I don’t want to do a ceasefire.” He has only said he was open to dialogue. But, with whom, he has not mentioned.  This clearly displays the Presidents stubbornness and disregard to world opinion and even the religious admonition from his own religious hierarchy and above all his dismal disregard for human life.  The apparent isolation of these two leaders from the NATO and their refusal to be partners of this crime, and also other members of the QUAD, (Japan, India, Australia) and furthermore the silence of Russia and China has highlighted the isolation of these two men in global politics. Going by the latest development in the field we have evidence that President Trump will be isolated soon even by Israel. Moreover, even the American general public, all ready 69 % against the war will very soon rise against his insensible and clumsy actions in greater numbers.

As such the best option in our unanimous view is, for you to stop this disastrous war forthwith honoring world opinion and save the good name of the American people the world around. You may also take note of the fact that historically Iran claims a millennia old pristine and great civilization of UNESCO heritage level, a difficult thing  to wipe out as it had proved over time, whereas Amerikan nation has  only a short civilizational history  as it was found only in 1607 replacing its native red Indian civilization where a widely cited 2019 study by University College London researchers had estimated that approximately 55 to 56 million indigenous people died across America between 1492 and 1600. In waging war with Iran, one has to remember this black mark in American history as well.

Coming back to Israel, it was planted there only in 1948 after the second world war, to create a Homeland for the Jews displaced all over Europe. Israel was established on May 14, 1948, following a UN vote to partition British-mandated Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. David Ben-Gurion declared independence in Tel Aviv, immediately followed by U.S. recognition. The declaration marked the end of the British Mandate and sparked immediate conflict with neighboring Arab nations”

It is in this wider broad back drop that,

We, the people of Sri Lanka, the Home and Headquarters of the Theravada Buddhism in the world, have unanimously decided to call upon the two of you, named as aggressors by Iran and the rest of the world, and make this appeal to you, to stop this madness of internationally condemned mass destruction and human misery in Iran and the Middle East immediately, in the name of humanity, the most precious jewel in the world, ever created by nature or by the God as you all believe.  By doing that you don’t know that whom you are killing are the children created by your own God.

It is also high time for you to realize that the age of 15^th 20^th- century barbaric European colonization has died its natural death long time ago. Although they succeeded in wiping out all the previous civilizations in North and South America and replaced them with European civilization, ancient civilization of Asia and Africa managed to fight back and stop extinction and managed to Protect their ancient civilizations.

Now that the age of colonial supremacy of the sword, the gun, the bible, poison and exploitation has ended and even though its ugly practices are emerging in different forms of neocolonialism, such as international trade  financial institutions like the WB and IMF, let sanity and peace return to this beautiful world in the name of all religions, faithfully observed and practiced by billions of pious devotees all over the world, ushering in an atmosphere of love, loving-kindness (මෛත්‍රිය) and happiness to all, irrespective of their race, colour or religion not only humans but also to all other living beings, even with no legs, two footed, four footed or many footed, on this earth as you don’t seem to realize that  Lord Buddha had preached in the Kandaparitta sutta.

You may may not listen to your people or the world opinion and also may not listen to his holiness Pope Leo, due to hubris arising from ignorance and pride but, still you have to listen to your own conscience and try to look at the destruction  and the calamity  and human suffering this gamble of deplorable war has resulted in front of your own eyes that will end up with no victory for any but defeat and disaster only for everybody on this earth.  But please remember the devil will who follows you will definitely react very soon in retribution and take you to the otherworld before you take Iran back to the Stone age as you have threatened. As for me as a Buddhist I am wondering whether these leaders are human beings.

 Therefore,

Our main aim as Sri Lankans in this sincere joint effort is to restore your lost faculties of reasoning and sound judgment, destroyed by the angry god in order to prevent you from taking rational actions for the good of the many, and for the happiness of the many in this beautiful world. created by God as you people believe, but by nature, as we believe.

The Divine message from Sri Lanka to end this miserable and destructive war.

We now offer you this 2500-year-old divine message of salvation, the everlasting message of the Buddha we have brought to you from Sri Lanka, on behalf of our warm-hearted peace-loving people of Sri Lanka, and the fraternity of Sangha, the disciples of the Buddha all over the world who crave for world peace and happiness.

 THE BUUDDHA’S MESSAGE: THE DIVINE MEDICIN FOR WOLD PEACE AND HAPPYNESS

First, we take you back to a story where, how The Buddha settled a war between the Sakya and Koliya clans in the 6^th century BC, over the water of the Rohini River in North India, when the two clans were up in arms to wage war over the waters of Rohini river. The Buddha having heard of this Great war between two Kingdoms and two clans immediately visited the battle field and asked them, if water or blood was more valuable” and convinced them to realize the futility of conflict, proving that peace is constructed in the rational minds of men.

Sakyas and Koliyas accepted, whole heartedly, that blood is more valuable and gave up the war after good counselling by the Buddha

Therefore, we would also like the two of you leaders, who will definitely obey their God and their own conscience to take a break from vanity and pride and try to understand what medicine the Buddha, the Greatest human being ever born to this world, above the God and even brahmas have prescribed for this type of universal mental disorders among crazy humans.

Second, we further advise and request you to take your minds out this war mentality for one second, from this blind power-crazy war mongering dementia status in your polluted minds and try to understand the following advice given by Lord Buddha to all those whose eyes and minds are blind when they don’t see and understand the TRUTH.

Finally, please take your mind and heart out of this one month old  Iranian war created by you, for a second  or two and read the following TWO admonitions given by the Buddha, one by one very carefully, given in the Dhammapadha  (The Buddhas Path of Wisdom”)  (you don’t need to be a Buddhist at all to do that) and then close your eyes for a while after reading each stanza and think deeply for a while on each of them,  One by One  with your eyes closed.  and minds open

These two Jewels of all time sayings, by the Buddha, specially selected to suit this occasion

1.Nahiwerena werani -sammanthicha kudhaachanam.-

Avere nacha sammanthi -esa dhammo sananthano (Dhammapada Yamak vagga canto:5)

(Enmity is never ceased by enmity. Enmity is ceased only by love. This is the eternal law the Buddha has revealed).

2. Sabbe thasanthi dhadassa -sabbeithan jiivithan piyam- (Dhanda vaga canto:02)

    Attaanam upamankathvaa- nahaaneiyya nagaathaye

(All beings are afraid of punishment. Taking oneself as the example, refrain from torturing and killing) 

Now close your eyes tightly and think deeply for few seconds, of what madness you have been doing in the past few months, by killing millions of people and destroying billions of invaluable human assets earned over centuries and what you have won by this mad war by blind and deaf leaders.?

We are most certain; and fully confident too, that you will never go for any war in your lives thereafter

Furthermore, for further enlightenment on loving-kindness we would also like you to read the following admonitions by the Lord Buddha on loving kindness to all living beings, which you may, tread later in your life if you like. To enable you to be happy throughout your life and even thereafter.

Also now look at the benefits of practicing love and compassion in place of heartedness and anger.

 Mettanisansa sutta (Discourse on Benefits of lovingkindness)

Here the Buddha has preached that there are eleven advantages of practicing Loving-kindness to all beings as given in the Mettanisansa sutta (in the Book of Protection)

They are

‘1. Sukam supathi 2 Sukan patibujjati 3.na papakam supinan passati 4. Manussanan piyohoti

5. Amanussanan piyohoti 6 Devatha rakkanti. 7 naassa aggivaa visanvaa sattan va kamathi  8 tuwatan chittan samadiyati 9 mukavanno vippasiidati 10 asammulho kalankaroti 11uttarin appativijjantho brahma lokupago hoti

Translation.

“1He sleeps in comfort. 2. He awakes in comfort. 3. He sees no evil dreams. 4. He is dear to human beings. 5. He is dear to non-human beings. 6. Devas (gods) protect him. 7. Fire, poison, and sword cannot touch him. 8. His mind can concentrate quickly. 9. His countenance is serene. 10. He dies without being confused in mind. 11. If he fails to attain Arahant ship (the highest sanctity in Buddhism) here and now, he will be reborn in the brahma-world.

Finally, we also earnestly request you to see the following definition of Buddhism by all Buddhas born in to this world over time, for you to know, precisely what Buddhism is, if you are interested.

Sabba papassa akaranan-kusalassa upasampadaa

Sachitta pariyodapanam-etan buddhanusasanam

Translation

Abstain from all evils-ordain in meritorious deeds

Purify your mind-This is the admonition by all Buddhas.

This is the most precise definition of Buddhism preached by all Buddhas as well

                             May the Blessings of the Triple Gem be with you!

            sabbe sattaa bhavanthu sukithattaa (May all beings be well)

We are more than fully confident that having read and fully understood the message of eternal peace as preached by Lord Buddha, as we have given you here,

 First, you will immediately call for a complete cease fire and declare, the Middle East War is over, to the whole world. Then the whole world will, from North to South and West to East will celebrate and rejoice it with fireworks the world had never seen before, thanking you for ending the one month long miserable war, ending death, destruction and misery for the whole world. with no gain for any one of you.

Finally, we like to point out here that King Asoka the Emperor of Magadha from c. 268 BCE until his death, who was called the Greatest Emperor in the world by H.G wells, had achieved Greatness not by conquering the contemporary world by war, but only by spreading the noble message of Gauthama the Buddha, form Japan in the East to Iran in the West and Mongolia in the North to Sri Lanka in the South.

We are fully confident that here after, you will never dream of any war in future as long as you live.

 Furthermore, we would call upon all the nations in the world irrespective of the size of their land area or the economic power, not to invade any other free and sovereign country, using Kautilyan Mathsya Niyaaya in future. Any such conflict should be settled only by friendly negotiations between the two parties without affecting the freedom and sovereignty of each member. The UNO should provide provisions in a Charter adopted by the General Assembly ensuring that such a charter also should not meet he same fate of the Resolution 2832 (XXVI) on the Indian Ocean.

THE END