Who else is planning to do a Hamsa? Hamsa wanted asylum, C4 needed to boost revenue, West/UN needed a topic to politicize, foreign funded NGOs needed a topic for survival & funding & a bunch of others needed a reason to cover their guilty conscience regarding knowing but not doing anything to prevent Easter Sunday. These ingredients mashed together produced what was promised to be a sensational documentary that was all about weakening & demoralizing the armed forces & intelligence of Sri Lanka by targeting a key official. That drama became a washout when the directors themselves admitted they had no evidence. Quite a number including the UNHRC must render their apologies but to divert that we have another asylum seeker – this time it’s a magistrate. Another minority member claiming to be under death threats. This is getting really interesting.
This particular magistrate is having a bevy of cases against his biased judgements pending hearing and isnt it timely that he should wish to dart off before he is exposed. How artful it has become to cook up ‘death threats’ share a few posts on social media, engage a few foreign funded NGOs to do the publicity and it’s a piece of cake to carry out a campaign demonising the Sinhalese. There are veterans at this game.
The Western nations, themselves in economic decline, having subjected their citizens to shoulder an useless war in Ukraine, are already at the receiving end of verbal displeasure as Trudeau himself found out recently. Not too many Europeans & Americans are happy with immigrants nowadays. Therefore, western embassies may well have to think twice about accepting crocodile tear asylum seekers to their climes, though of course they do perform well after training to appear in the halls of the UN/UNHRC and deliver deadly statements against their motherland.
But shouldn’t these Western embassies wonder why these asylum seekers do not seek asylum in India or go to Tamil Nadu that is always wailing for their brothers & sisters in Sri Lanka? Why is it that the asylum seekers only want to go to UK, Europe, US, Canada or Australia? Is this question not asked by the western governments?
The problem with the Western governments, their media & the locals they fund is that what is presented to them as news” is false data, fake history and distortions aligned to their political agendas. At some point in time these tales backfire as C4 found out recently. You can repeat the truth but a lie has to be sustained and more often than not one lie leads to another and then it gets out of hand when the liars compete with each other!
The news accounts of some of the cases the judge in question has presided over is full of falsehood. This is no time to be giving history lessons but ignoring historical facts is where the judge has erred. The defense of this is the current theatrics. What is the defense for denying & ordering police to prevent worshipping of flowers that it contravenes existing orders, in a land where Buddhism is state religion? Magistrates are meant to go by the law not play politics.
While the gist of the issue is to harp upon the fact that he is threatened because he is a Tamil, his claim that the AG asked him to reverse his judgement conveniently omits to mention that the AG is himself a Tamil. Then there is another facebook post by a journalist in Norway, also a Tamil, actually finding fault with the judge in question for cooking up a complaint against him & the colossal amount of money he ended up having to pay. These are not plus points to this grievance asylum case!
It has become very fashionable for the minority to cry foul & claim ethnic” discrimination if they are found fault for anything. The message being conveyed is that they can do any wrong & get away because they are Tamil! The law of the land cannot apply to them and the moment they are questioned they go tapping at embassy doors, shedding crocodile tears & then claiming asylum, while the West is happy to use the case, print it to paper & use it as diplomatic demarches against Sri Lanka.
This ugly practice needs to stop. If the judge has received threats, he must produce evidence & present these in a form of a complaint lodged to the police. In the meanwhile, he must be ready to face the complaints against him for biased judgements that have been filed. His judgements have been challenged at a higher court, which is the legal & accepted norm. He cannot take offence over that.
However, if the embassies set precedents by giving asylum to anyone creating a Hamsa like drama, their embassy doors will be pretty busy and with long queues & more fairytales.
Maybe its better for all the bad applese to leave, anyways
Prof. A.D.T.E. Perera Prof. A.D.T.E. Perera, eminent scholar of Buddhist Art and Archeology, passed away on 2023.09.16. at the age of 87 years.
A.D.T.E. Perera was born on 1936.04.29 at the Sarikkamulla village, Panadura in Sri Lanka. His father was D.B. Perera, a planter, and his mother was Perl Danthanarayana.
Perera had his primary and secondary school education at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, and attended Sunday school (Daham Pasela) which was close to his house. It was at an impressive age and at this venue i.e., Sri Taksala Vidyalaya, that Perera was able to form a close bond with a well-known archaeologist and scholar monk Ven. Medauyangoda Wemalakirthi Thero, who resided at a nearby temple named ‘Sirinandana Pirivena’.
University of Peradeniya
In the late 1950s Perera gained entry to the University of Peradeniya. He studied Pali, Sanskrit, and Buddhist philosophy for a Bachelor’s degree in Arts. He was in the last batch of students of Prof. Senarath Paranavitana, who served as the Professor of Archeology at the University of Ceylon from 1957 to 1961.
Upon leaving the University in 1962 Perera served as a teacher at both the St. Sebastian College and Sri Taksala Vidyalaya for a short period of time. Thereafter he worked as a Press Officer for a limited period and also as a Deputy Editor of the ‘Ceylon Daly News’, during the era of Esmond Wickremesinghe.
He obtained his Master’s Degree from the University of Kelaniya and the DLitt degree (Doctor of Letters) from the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Nikaya.
His scholarly interests in Buddhism led him to establish contact with Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero, then Head of the ‘Odey Pansala’ at Maradana. Also known as Sri Lanka Vidyalaya. He did some lecturing at this temple cum school.
In the mid-1960s Perera married Sujatha Perera, whom he had first met at the Sri Taksala Vidyalaya.
Assistant Editor of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism
During the 1960s Perera had a rapid rise in his career when he was appointed as an Assistant Editor of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism with the approval of Prof. Gunapala Malalasekara who was the Chief Editor. The Office was based at the Peradeniya University. During the 1970s A.D.T.E. Perera’s articles were published in English and Sinhala newspapers on topics relating to Archeology and Buddhist Art. He delivered lectures at the National Museum, the Royal Asiatic Society, and the YMBA. He also took part in a Radio Ceylon program moderated by LucienBulathsinhala, a reputed playwright, author, and stage drama producer. Perera’s writings dealt with concepts underlying Asanagara, Sandakada Pahana, and the rock carvings at Isurumuniya and Sigiriya, etc.
He drew wide public attention with his pronouncements based on pioneering research that Sigiriya was built by the legendary King Ravana whose name finds mention in the Hindu Sanskrit epic ‘Ramayana’. Arthur C. Clarke, the world-renowned Science fiction writer, upon reading the writings of A.D.T.E. Perera obtained some ideas from Perera for his popular television series ‘Mysterious World’. Their friendship continued since then.
Australian National University (ANU)
In 1979 Perera travelled to Canberra, Australia with his family to pursue post-graduate studies at the Australian National University (ANU) under the supervision of Prof. A.L. Basham. He submitted his thesis entitled ‘Evolution of Buddha Image’. He was asked to re-submit it with corrections after he returned to Sri Lanka. He was caught up with the work in Sri Lanka to spare time for revising and resubmitting his thesis to ANU. During his stay in Canberra, he delivered Guest Lectures at the ANU and attended several international conferences held in Australia.
In the early 1980s upon returning to Sri Lanka, Perera participated at various International Conferences held in Nepal, India, Hong Kong, etc.
‘World of Buddhism’ Journal
In 1984 A.D.T.E. Perera co–founded the international Buddhist journal ‘World of Buddhism’ together with the famous monk Venerable Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera (1925 – 2000), who was both an Artist and Sculptor (primarily Buddha statues). He continued with the ‘World of Buddhism’ Journal as the Editor until his wife passed away in 2012. It was an indefatigable effort on his part to create Buddhist Opinion via this Journal.
Prof. Perera’s articles were regularly published in various international journals such as ‘East and West’ in Rome, ‘Studies in Indo – Asian Art and Culture, New Delhi, and CHISSAN, Tokyo, and also in Magazines the Buddhist’, ‘World Buddhism’, and newspapers e.g., Sunday Observer, Daily News, Island, etc.
In the 1990s his path crossed that of the well-regarded Scholar monk and the First Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Ven. (Prof.) Paravahera Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thero, who resided at the Padanaga Viharaya, Maradana. It was a propitious meeting. Favourable for in-depth Buddhist scholarly work.
‘Buddhism in Ancient Arabia and Israel’
Thereafter both scholars began to work and conduct research jointly on esoteric topics. Through intense research, they were able to discover that Buddhism was the earliest religion in the Arabian region. This finding caused a sensation in academia. In 2013, A.D.T.E. Perera’s book named ‘Buddhism in Ancient Arabia and Israel’ won the Buddhist literary award in 2014. It was later translated into Sinhala.
Perera also kept close contact with leaders of other religions. In the late 80s, he visited the Ambassador College, U.S.A, founded by Herman W. Armstrong, on the invitation of the late. Dr. Hoeh of California and delivered several Lectures at this institution. In the 1990s he also delivered several talks at the Sai Baba Center at Barnes Place, Colombo 07, and visited Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India, the residence of Sai Sathya Baba in 1992.
In the early 90s, A.D.T.E. Perera was appointed as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico, USA. There too he continued his scholarly work.
Upon returning to the Island in the late 90s he joined the ‘Island’ newspaper as a Deputy Editor and in addition, he served as an Editor of the Etymological Sinhala English Dictionary with the collaboration of Dr. Saddhamangala Karunarathna, former Commissioner of Archaeology (1979 – 1983).
All Buddhist Congress of Democrats
In 2000 A.D.T.E. Perera founded a Buddhist organization named ‘All Buddhist Congress of Democrats’, (‘ABCD’) at the Padanagara Viharaya, Maradana.
Here is a news report published in the ‘Asian Tribune’ (now defunct) on the 10th of December 2002. http://asiantribune.com/news/2002/12/10/establish-national-museum-honour-heroes-buddhist-revival-lanka
‘ Establish a National Museum to honour heroes of the Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka
At a public seminar sponsored by the All Buddhist Congress of Democrats on the topic ‘Sinhalayo — The Great Heroic Nation Nurtured by the Sinhala Bhikkhu Fraternity’ and held on November 18, 2002, at the J. R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre, Colombo, the following Resolution was adopted unanimously:
“Considering the courageous role patriotic elements have played in the revival and restoration of Buddhism in the face of a ruthless policy of discrimination and suppression on the part of the Western Christian colonial powers, and considering the undying debt of this nation to remember the heroic struggle of the Bhikkhu fraternity and supportive laity to protect and preserve the Buddha Dhamma in its pristine form,
This House resolves to call on the Govt. of Sri Lanka to establish a National Museum dedicated to honouring the heroes of the Buddhist revival whose valiant efforts against the dark forces of Western colonialism and bigotry, helped to safeguard and sustain Buddhism for the benefit of countless numbers of future generations.”
The resolution was proposed by Senaka Weeraratna and seconded by Professor A. D. T. E. Perera.
Most Ven. Aggamahapanditha Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera presided at the Meeting.
Ven. Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Mahanayake Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Nayake Thera, Dr. P. R. Anthonis, the well-known surgeon, Dr. Harischandra Wijetunga, Kalasuri Arisen Ahubudu and Professor A. D. T. E. Perera, Hony. Secretary of the All Buddhist Congress of Democrats, addressed the meeting.’
Courtesy: Asian Tribune
Olcott Gunasekera
Olcott Gunasekera (the founder and President of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, founded in 1977 and now known as Ven. Vajiraramaye Ñãnãsiha Thero) made the following observation:
There are many noble Resolutions like this but have not materialized. The recommendations of the Buddha Sasana Commission of 2002, the 20 Point Action Plan of the 2600 Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, and the ten-year programme handed to His Excellency at the end of the term of office of the Sambuddhatva Jayanti Presidential Committee are recent events. There are resolutions passed by the Buddhist Leaders’ International Conference held in 1982 and the International Buddhist Conference sponsored for the first time by the State in 1998. There are enough warnings given by the members of the Maha Sangha, and especially Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera. Buddhists seem to be taken for granted and their tolerance is misused by all governments. The Buddhist leadership has to think of a way out of this impasse.”
Professor Perera delivered monthly lectures under the auspices of the All Buddhist Congress of Democrats, (‘ABCD’) at several temples, in Bambalapitiya and elsewhere. In 2004 the Annual General Meeting of the ABCD was held at the J.R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre, Colombo 7, and awards were handed over to the eminent surgeon, Deshamanya Dr. P. R. Anthonis and Ven. (Dr.) Telagapatha Dammakirthi Thero, in recognition of their services to the wellbeing of the community.
Prof. Perera performed an immense service at the Buddhist Cultural Centre (BCC) at Nadimala, Dehiwala on the invitation of Ven. Kirama Wimalajhoti Thera. There he translated several books into English namely Buddhavamsa-aṭṭhakathā (also known as The Lineage of Buddhas) (in 2011), Chriyapitaka Atthakatha, Vimanavatthy Aṭṭhakathāand Jataka Aṭṭhakathā.
German Dharmaduta Society
Prof. Perera also served as the Vice – President of the German Dharmaduta Society which maintains the Berlin Vihara in Germany and visited Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya (all three institutions of which were founded by Asoka Weeraratna later known as Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanissanti Thero).
Professor Perera leaves behind a son and daughter. The son Dr. Harsha Perera, Attorney at Law, is a famous writer and scholar, while the daughter Priyanwada Perera is a science graduate teacher. His wife the late Mrs. Sujatha Perera, who gained her Master’s degree, passed away in 2012.
Professor A.D.T.E. Perera spent his entire life devoted to the cause of both the nation i.e., Sri Lanka, and the Religion i.e., Buddhism. He supported the idea of ‘Rata, Jathiya, Agama’ with great conviction. His services are unparalleled.
Despite my repeated writings highlighting what has happened to the Dry Zone tanks, the life blood of the people, no action has been taken and today- 2023, there is no proper method of distributing water. This is a matter of great urgency that needs the attention of the Ministry of Agriculture. In entire Sri Lanka today the tanks are neglected and before long we will face starvation, as it is the Dry Zone that is our granary. May this plea reach the ears of our leaders
May my publication in 2017 get some attention from the Government authorities.
His Excellency, Ranil Wickremasinghe President of Sri Lanka
Your Excellency,
I would like to draw your attention to the annexed article written by Shenali Waduge pointing out the invalidity of the Indo-Lanka Accord and the implementation of the 13th Amendment creating Provincial Councils is null and void for the same reasons.
We too have on numerous occasions brought to the notice of the highest in the land the fact that this statute altering the pattern of governance in the country was taken up and passed in parliament without reference of such an important package of laws for public consultation. Even the government party which had a 5/6th majority resorted to use unorthodox methods to force a favourable vote through threats of presenting ‘letters of resignation’ previously obtained from the MPs to terminate their term of election to parliament. In fact they were held in confinement in hotels and bussed into parliament like shackled prisoners to cast their vote in favour of the Indian imposed constitutional amendment.
Your recent efforts to win the consent of the political party leaders for implementation of the 13th Amendment in full, including Land and Police Powers is a misplaced decision, as firstly the consent of the people needs to be obtained prior to parliamentary action.
If you wish to decide on its validity and needs as determined by the public, it must be referred to a national referendum where the people may express their opinion on it.
You are no doubt aware that it is referred to as a white elephant eating into the public purse the limited funds available to the state. On receipt of the decision of the public, you may proceed to either revoke the 13th Amendment or fully implement it with the consent of the people. The Provincial Councils could be replaced with
10 Multi-District
Councils with the Premiers and Provincial Ministers being replaced by an Executive Chaiman and Executive Committee Members together with designated powers instead of devolved powers.
There is also the risk of either the northern or Eastern Provincial Councils breaking away to form a separate state towards which a three decade war was instituted by the militant Tamil groups designated as terrorist movements which even resorted to suicide terrorism.
You are also aware that several of the political parties representing the Tamils including the TNA accepted the LTTE as the sole leader of the Tamils, and continue to uphold the activities of the LTTE and the views of the former terror leaders.
You and your government should ensure that without trying to win over the party leaders and grant further rights to an invalid statute, at least now, you have a public discussion and act in accordance with the public viewpoint which was not done in the first instance.
Yours sincerely,
Mahinda Gunasekera
Encl. Article by Shenali Waduge re Indo-Lanka Accord
This rejoinder sent to Sunday Island to articles appeared there criticizing changes post 56 was not published.
The articles on English language in your Sunday issues are intriguing.
Today I play a senior professional role in my occupation in the kingdom of the English.
I obtained a credit pass at my English O/L and the required level at the ILETS.
However my entire education was in Sinhala up until entry to the University.
Though I had some initial difficulty that was overcome by the necessary application.
I am correct if I say I owe my current position to the post 56 changes brought into education.
I found it much easier to have my primary and secondary education in my mother tongue that was our only line of communication in the family at home.
By the time you come to Uni education you have developed the skill set needed to tackle any such challenge.
Do not forget many students have to learn a foreign language during their overseas Uni course.
If that the case why not English for us, I wonder.
Wales have a population around three million.
Many schools teach primarily in Welsh particularly where many people speak Welsh everyday
though London is only a couple of hundred miles away by road.
Sign boards are in most places in both languages.
Those who point Sinhala is used only by a miniscule of world population should see the patriotic aspiration of a much smaller nation just on the borders of London.
Don’t we have that ourselves?
The English education was not available to the vast majority in the country.
The change in language policy while English continued to be taught enabled the youth in the remote areas of the country to enter the universities correcting a social anomaly.
Devotees gather at Aluthgama Kande Vihara to pay homage to the Sacred Omniscient Relics of Deegawapiya Stupa and the Crest-Gem
The exposition of the Sacred Omniscient Relics of Deegawapiya Stupa and the Crest-Gem takes place at the Kande Vihara today (Oct. 2) for public veneration. Afterwards, the revered articles will move in a religious procession to Waskaduwa Rajaguru Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, tomorrow (Oct. 3).
The relics unearthed from the Deegawapiya sacred site during the excavations as well as the Crest Gem embedded with precious stones will be in exposition for public veneration at Waskaduwa Rajaguru Sri Subhuthi Viharaya during the next two consecutive days (Oct. 3 and 4).
Further, arrangements have been made for the exposition of these revered articles at the Kahawa Sri Samarasinhamathindraramaya on October 5 and Baddegama Sri Wijayawardhanaramaya on October 6. Devotees are invited to witness and worship the Sacred Omniscient Relics and Crest-Gem. They also have the opportunity to support this meritorious act by making financial contributions to the restoration project
All government agencies are geared in all respects to face the prevailing adverse weather condition
All government agencies are geared in all respects to face the prevailing adverse weather condition around the country, the State Minister of Defence Hon. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon said in a news brief held at the State Ministry in Colombo today (Oct 02).
All amenities have so far been provided at 07 disaster relief centres for 267 victims from 66 disaster-affected households, with the assistance of district secretaries, divisional secretaries and other relevant officials from Galle and Matara districts.
Required funds have been allocated for twenty three (23) districts as a quick response. Arrangements will be initiated to allocate required funds from the treasury to compensate the damages occurred to houses due to adverse weather.
One sluice gate each of Kukuleganga and Polgolla reservoirs has been opened so far. Therefore, the residents of the low-lying areas near the reservoirs are warned to be alert. Flood warnings have been issued for the river basins of Attanagalu Oya, Ging Ganga and Nilwala Ganga and the sub-basin of Kalu Ganga. Therefore, Motorists passing through those areas are informed to take special care in case of sudden floods.
Apart from this, level 2 Landslide warnings have been issued for the Divisional Secretariats, such as Neluwa in Galle District, Ingiriya in Kalutara District, Pasbage in Kandy District, Pitabeddara and Kotapola in Matara District, Kalawana, Aheliyagoda, Ayagama, Palmadulla, Nivithigala, Kiriella, Ratnapura, Alapatha and Kuruwita in Ratnapura District by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).
According to Met Department reports, heavy rains are predicted to continue for the following two days. The State Minister of Defence further stated that the Disaster Management Centre, Disaster Relief Service Centre, District Governor’s Offices, Divisional Secretariat Offices, the Armed Forces and the Civil Security Department have been prepared to deal with any emergency situation that may arise in the future
Sri Lanka has confirmed receiving further compensation for pollution from the lost container ship X-Press Pearl, which burned and sunk off Colombo in 2021. Speaking to local media over the weekend, Sri Lankan Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the interim payment made by the vessel’s insurers would help to cover beach cleanup activities and compensate fishermen affected by the disaster.
Sri Lanka Treasury has received $890,000 and 16 million Sri Lankan rupees (around $49,200 dollars) as interim payment for costs incurred by the Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and for the affected fisherfolks,” the Minister said.
Since the disaster happened, Sri Lanka has received payments totaling $7.85 million. Its government received the first payment of $3.6 million in July 2021. Another $1.75 million followed in January 2022, and a third payment of $2.5 million arrived in September.
Sri Lanka initially filed for a compensation claim of $40 million shortly after the vessel sank off Colombo in June 2021. However, a 40-member expert committee convened by MEPA put the price of the environmental disaster at $6.4 billion in an interim report early this year.
On April 25, Sri Lanka announced that it had formally filed legal action before Singapore’s International Commercial Courts (SICC) to claim compensation for the massive environmental damage. At the time of the disaster, X-Press Pearl was registered in Singapore and operated by the container line X-Press Feeders.
The choice of filing suit in Singapore was controversial, as a Singaporean court could limit the total liability of the shipowner to the value of the vessel, about $14 million. If the suit had been filed in Sri Lankan courts, national environmental-protection laws would have applied, and the potential damage claim could have been higher.
In July, a nine-member Sri Lankan delegation led by the Attorney General held meetings in Singapore with lawyers representing X-Press Pearl’s owners and insurers. The discussions centered on compensation claims and expedient removal of the fore section of the vessel’s wreck, which is still submerged offshore Sri Lanka.
X-Press Pearl was carrying 1,486 containers when it caught fire, with eighty-one of those containers labeled hazardous. Some of the cargo included nitric acid, which is blamed as a possible factor for the fire. Over 50 billion plastic pellets that were also onboard leaked, contributing to what has come to be known as the worst marine plastic pollution event in the world.
Sri Lanka will not fulfill its renewable energy commitments under current economic conditions. But what if the government could simultaneously tackle its climate, energy, and debt crises?
October 02, 2023
Sri Lankans wait in a long line to refill liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, May 23, 2022.Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ AntanO
Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently appointed a Green Finance Committee to pioneer a roadmap for sustainable finance and emphasized the need for resource mobilization from multilateral development banks and the private sector to achieve climate change targets.
As part of Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), updated in 2021, the government committed to supplying 70 percent of its domestic electricity with renewable energy sources by 2030, with the longer-term goal of achieving a full renewable electricity supply by 2050. However, given the current fiscal constraints imposed by the economic crisis and the scale of investment required to address structural imbalances in the energy sector, it is becoming increasingly challenging to achieve this target. Therefore, policymakers must explore innovative financing solutions to maintain investments in this sector and facilitate the essential green energy transition.
The recent agreement between the governments of Portugal and Cabo Verde signals to Sri Lanka that there may be such a solution. In early 2023, it emerged that Portugal had agreed to forgive a portion of Cabo Verde’s bilateral debt in exchange for commitments to biodiversity conservation and renewable energy development. Although these negotiations are in their early stages, they demonstrate that incentive frameworks exist and that there is an intersection point between debt, climate, and renewable energy priorities.
A debt-for-renewables” swap would reallocate foregone debt repayments toward public sector investments in renewable energy infrastructure and support the diversification of the energy sector. Much like debt-for-nature swaps, a debt-for-renewables” swap would reallocate debt repayments to a more productive sector and generate significant economic multiplier effects as a result of a more reliable, efficient, and autonomous energy sector.
Debt-for-nature swaps enable heavily indebted countries to restructure a portion of their external debt onto more favorable terms in exchange for environmental commitments. This typically involves creditors canceling or reducing unsustainable debt while creating obligations to protect the local environment using freed-up funds. This eliminates the significant opportunity cost of debt repayments by redirecting funds to mutually agreed conservation projects with more concessional repayment terms.
Servicing foreign debt is incredibly expensive for developing countries not only because of the absolute cost associated with repayments but also due to the significant opportunity costs. Developing countries forgo investments in essential infrastructure, social services, and public investments that have high economic and social returns to service debt obligations without direct economic outcomes.
In recent years, these opportunity costs have also materialized through environmental challenges and limiting essential investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation. This new dimension exacerbates the costs of the global debt crisis, as developing countries risk falling into a debt-climate” trap if they are unable to finance climate-resilient investments due to unsustainable debt burdens. Debt-for-nature swaps provide governments with an opportunity to finance investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation without taking on new debt. ADVERTISEMENT
Recent debt-for-nature swaps in Belize and Seychelles primarily targeted marine projects and reallocated funding to long-term biodiversity and conservation projects. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) financed the repurchase of external debt from creditors at a discounted rate and provided more concessional repayment terms, which was combined with a commitment from debtor governments to finance conservation projects using the freed-up funds.
Belize and Seychelles also leveraged their strong blue tourism sectors to incentivize investors to engage in debt-for-nature swaps, as funding marine conservation preserves natural assets that are vital to ocean tourism. The tourism industry guaranteed a sustainable source of government revenue and assured creditors that debtor governments would be able to service their debt obligations alongside environmental commitments.
The success of debt-for-nature swaps in Belize and Seychelles was driven by already established commitments to marine conservation and the economic multiplier effects associated with fulfilling them. Rather than prioritizing debt relief, debt-distressed governments must identify debt swaps as an instrument to maintain investments in environmental conservation and climate-resilient infrastructure by removing the opportunity costs of debt repayments. Strong, ambitious, and achievable environmental targets give debtor governments credibility to pursue debt-for-nature swaps; without clear targets, they risk overcommitting to environmental obligations and falling short, which could create further debt problems in the long run if commitments are not fulfilled.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) provide a strong foundation for targeted, productive investments and must be leveraged to reassure creditors that a long-term approach to finance is sustainable. At the recent Sustainable Development Forum, Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of finding resources to achieve the SDGs and combat climate change. Debt swap instruments must play an important role in financing sustainable investments, especially to address some of the pressing challenges in Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable sectors.
Sri Lanka’s Green Energy Transition
Addressing structural imbalances in the domestic electricity sector is vital for both climate targets and economic development. The economic crisis demonstrated Sri Lanka’s unsustainable dependence on fuel imports from abroad (around two-thirds of the national energy supply comes from imported fossil fuels); because Sri Lanka relies so heavily on international markets that trade predominantly in U.S. dollars, foreign exchange reserves are required to purchase fuel. When the government exhausted those reserves, fuel supply was limited, and this posed significant challenges to households and businesses on the island.
This overdependence on imported fuel is also exacerbated by inadequate energy diversification and a lack of renewable energy infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Between 1991 and 2014, Sri Lanka’s net energy imports as a share of total energy consumption increased from 25 percent to 50 percent, while the share of energy generated by renewable energy sources plummeted from 80 percent to an all-time-low of 45 percent of total final energy consumption in 2016. Sri Lanka has shifted away from domestic hydroelectric power toward fossil fuels in recent decades, which has created a fragile energy sector that is overdependent on imported fossil fuels.
Unpredictable access to fuel and electricity poses significant challenges for economic development, as energy is essential for businesses and households to function. Creating a more sustainable electricity sector requires significant investment in energy infrastructure to create more energy autonomy, as well as stabilizing and managing the cost of energy in the domestic market. Given that Sri Lanka is not naturally endowed with fossil fuels and other traditional sources of energy, renewable energy infrastructure is essential to build the capacity to supply electricity to the national grid.
Energy sector diversification must come through a blended finance approach; public investments in domestic energy infrastructure and the establishment of strong regulatory frameworks and governance signals to private investors that the government is committed to its NDCs and will reward private sector involvement in its pursuit of a green transition.
Swapping Debt for Renewable EnergyADVERTISEMENT
As part of diversifying the energy sector and supplying clean electricity to the national grid, creditors stand to benefit from revenues generated through the sale of electricity and thus secure guaranteed debt repayments in this form. This can make debt servicing more sustainable in the long run as more generous interest rates, longer-term repayment schedules, and improvements in the productive capacity of the economy relieve pressure on the government to overextend itself to service external debt. Much like how tourism taxes and revenues reassured creditors in Belize’s and Seychelles’ debt-for-nature agreements, the Sri Lankan government can leverage revenue shares from renewable energy sales as a guarantee of creditor repayment and thus improve their credibility in the markets.
To maximize the effectiveness of debt swaps, the government must target the domestic energy sector. Structural imbalances at the heart of the energy sector require serious government intervention and a debt-for-renewables” swap provides a unique opportunity to finance essential investments without taking on more debt. A reliable and affordable domestic electricity supply, powered by renewable energy, is an essential component of sustainable economic development and the economic multiplier effects of this approach go far beyond the intersection of debt, climate, and energy priorities.
The Need for Climate Finance
Sri Lanka will not fulfill its renewable energy commitments under current economic conditions. The government must explore innovative solutions to the climate, energy, and debt crises; a debt-for-renewables” swap exists at the intersection of these challenges. The government must establish a coordinated response across ministries to properly evaluate the potential of debt swaps, focusing specifically on sectors with significant economic multiplier effects that offset the transaction costs of such complex negotiations.
Previous case studies and ongoing negotiations in several highly indebted countries demonstrate that incentive structures exist for such agreements, so Sri Lanka must engage holistically with creditors to explore comprehensive solutions to the ongoing crisis. Debt swap instruments have the potential to unlock funding for renewable energy investments, but the government must establish credibility through strong commitments to its energy sector NDCs. This must be complemented by strong governance and regulatory frameworks that create a more attractive environment for private creditors.
As the government contends with debt and climate crises, climate finance must be at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring processes. However, it must be part of a comprehensive, transparent, and coordinated response from all lenders to create a more sustainable debt structure for economic recovery, without undermining global campaigns for debt justice.
Around fifty percent of the population in this country is contributing at least one rupee to the international Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) diaspora daily, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said.
He told the Daily Mirror exclusively that the LTTE and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist organisations are currently the most funded organisations.
He said this fact was revealed following an analysis done by him. He said most of the financial companies are run by funds from the LTTE.
They give the collected money to local politicians, government officials and trade unions to depend on them, and it has become a serious problem to the country.
This is not even being investigated into by the police because the police attempts are also being foiled by the LTTE and ISIS.
“That is why there is a huge objection to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act and to the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Commission legislation. This is a result the country has faced after the LTTE war, and any war cannot be defeated by just killing people,” Wijeratne said.
Also, he said that he will reveal all the details if anyone gives him a chance. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended sixteen priority actions in its recently released Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA) on Sri Lanka to address systematic and severe governance weaknesses and deep-rooted corruption vulnerabilities across State functions in order to unlock the country’s growth potential.
Sri Lanka became the first country in Asia to undergo an IMF governance diagnostic under the global lender’s rescue package. Accordingly, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission undertook a governance diagnostic assessment from the 9th of March to the 31st of March this year.
The technical assistance report released last week revealed widespread corruption vulnerabilities and governance weaknesses originating from ad-hoc tax policy practices, half-baked approaches to Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), lack of a robust legal framework and poor processes utilised in SOEs, the absence of public procurement legislation, ad-hoc tax policy practices frequently modifying tax laws, conflict of interest concerns of Central Bank managing EPF and regulating NBIFs, and absence of clear mechanisms for information sharing among tax authorities.
Despite the widespread public outcry leading to mass protests and social unrest last year, the report pointed out that the authorities were yet to take action on recovering stolen funds, while civil society participation remains discouraged.
Current governance arrangements have not established clear standards for permissible official behaviour, acted to deter and sanction transgressions, nor pursued individuals and stolen public funds that have exited the country. Regular civil society participation in oversight and monitoring of government actions is restricted by limited transparency, the lack of platforms for inclusive and participatory governance, and by the broad application of counter-terrorism rules,” it said.
GDA stressed that the impunity for misbehaviour enjoyed by officials continues to undermine trust in the public sector and compounds concerns over limited access to an efficient and rule-based adjudication process for resolving disputes, and hurts the integrity of the judiciary.
Although the new Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) is in force, it noted that key accountability institutions, including the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC), lack both the authority and competency to successfully fulfill their functions.
Improvement brought about by the passage of the ACA needs to be complemented by the drafting and enactment of a modern law on Asset Recovery. Rapid operationalising of the ACA will be critical to address current corruption vulnerabilities associated with the lack of a functional system for receiving, publishing, and reviewing asset declarations by public officials, and procedural and competency issues in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases,” it added.
Among priority actions, the GDA has recommended the government abolish or suspend the application of the Strategic Development Projects Act until the promulgation of an explicit and transparent process for the evaluation of proposals and costing of investment promotion conditions.
There is no definition of what criteria need to be satisfied for a project to be of strategic relevance, and the revenue forgone from such projects is not systematically contrasted against their potential benefit in a transparent process. Crucially, the Department of Fiscal Policy (DoFP) is not involved in the selection or evaluation of projects, and any data that may exist is not shared with the department. While the specific concessions given to companies benefiting from provisions of the SDP Act differ, the revenue consequences are likely significant,” it pointed out.
It noted that a holistic, impartial, and transparent analysis is required to decide whether a specific project is viable and whether the potential benefit exceeds its social costs – which include revenue forgone, an increase in administrative costs, market distortions, and potentially perceptions of unfairness.
While the BoI is likely well-positioned to understand the investment potential of specific projects, it lacks an understanding of the wider fiscal framework and budgetary needs which are necessary to evaluate the net social value of a specific project. The DoFP should evaluate and guide the design of all tax incentives, including those based on the SDP Act and the Port City Act,” it added.
The analysis also scrutinized the high corruption vulnerabilities in public procurement due to the absence of a procurement law, which has led to high levels of political engagement in the selection of procurement winners, poor contract management, limited transparency, and a number of other issues. Hence, it has been suggested to enact a Public Procurement Law that reflects international good practice by December next year.
In addition, it was highlighted that the lack of information on beneficial ownership of companies increases the risk of conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts.
While anti-money laundering mechanisms have the potential to reduce corruption vulnerabilities, the report was critical of current approaches to Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), which has largely failed to support effective state action.
Issues in legal definitions and processes to capture and share information on the beneficial ownership of companies have not been addressed, since they were first observed in 2015.
Current practices by financial institutions largely fail to identify suspicious transactions and prevent money laundering. At the same time, weaknesses in the legal framework, problems in domestic cooperation on corruption-related issues between competent authorities, and issues in establishing effective protocols for collaboration with foreign jurisdictions impair sanctioning corrupt officials for money laundering offenses or recovering stolen assets,” it added.
Meanwhile, it also highlighted governance weaknesses associated with increased risks of corruption around Contract Enforcement and Property Rights, which has constrained private sector development.
Multi-year waiting times for the resolution of contract disputes prevent reliance on courts for effective and fair resolution of disputes and encourage disputants to find ways, not always legal, to speed up adjudication. Widespread confusion over the allocation of property rights and the lack of progress in digitizing property records generate extensive long-term legal disputes and similarly promote resort to opaque means to influence the resolution of disputes.
Corruption risks around state-owned land, estimated at approximately 80 percent of the country, are particularly severe due to the combination of lack of clarity around titles, the absence of a property registry, and ambiguity in processes for the divestiture of state property,” it elaborated.
As a result, it noted that the integrity of the judiciary has eroded over time and private parties have moved to use illicit payments to resolve disputes.
…the strong incentives of private parties to use illicit payments as a way to solve legal problems that have little chance of being resolved in the near term, and have focused attention on the need to strengthen the independence and competency across the legal sector,” it added.
The recommendations are expected to contribute to the formulation of governance and anti-corruption policies and programmes, improvement of the legal and institutional frameworks, as well as governance and anti-corruption reform measures agreed to in the Staff Level Agreement for an Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Sri Lanka.
As a result, it noted that the integrity of the judiciary has eroded over time and private parties have moved to use illicit payments to resolve disputes.
…the strong incentives of private parties to use illicit payments as a way to solve legal problems that have little chance of being resolved in the near term, and have focused attention on the need to strengthen the independence and competency across the legal sector,” it added.
The recommendations are expected to contribute to the formulation of governance and anti-corruption policies and programmes, improvement of the legal and institutional frameworks, as well as governance and anti-corruption reform measures agreed to in the Staff Level Agreement for an Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Sri Lanka.
Before you study the economics, study the economists!”
‘I was there at Torrington Square when we received Independence.
I watched with contempt our PM arriving there in top hat & tailcoat.
I was there at the Town Hall when Bandaranaike formed his party.
I was on the streets of Kandy cheering away when the ’56 victory
was announced. I was in depths of despair when JR Jayewardene
hoodwinked the entire nation with his Dharmista slogan and pushed
his neoliberal economic policy on us which resulted in 2 insurrections,
one in the South & one in the North.’
– Gunadasa Amarasekera
From Gamanaka Mula to Gamanaka Aga – the Wayward Journey of the Middle Class gathers Gunadasa Amarasekera’s reflections over the last 75 years, in the home, on the street, across the seas, and on the page. As Colombo’s anglomaniacs prepare to launch yet another ‘international’ (minus Sinhala, actually a white) literary farce at a colonial Southern fortress, only open to what the sea drags in, for whom Booker is a delicious prize not another Caribbean (oops, West Indian) slave plantation owner, here is the real story, and it ain’t novel:
Politics as such has been outlawed from our serious fiction”, Amarasekera declares. He places today’s modern fabling in dire perspective: His novels forecast Sri Lanka’s trajectory into ‘a colony of India or USA or of both!’ It is important to remember, World Bank (and IMF) interference in the world and Sri Lanka precedes and prepares for ‘independence’ (see 10 August 2019, Central Bank Special).
Here then is 1977 times 10: JR’s media & other strategies, carrot&stick – and more. Such tactics are usually credited to the ‘Old Fox’, yet we know those games too were and are prompted by the USA’s IMF, seeking to bribe and fatten certain fractions.
Here then is the saga of those who sought a ‘Socialism with Sinhala Buddhist Characteristics’. A tale also of a narrow ‘middle class’ who lost their way on the journey from village to town, to university & abroad. Their attempts to recover their roots & their Buddhist civilization through white foreign-funded institutions returns them as strangers in their own land: Alienated & marooned abroad, then disillusioned at home, a colonial mentality still imprisons them…and not just them.
*
This ee also examines ‘The Common Dream’ of the present President and a secessionist Tamil leadership, forged and massaged by colonialism. A dream that remains unchanged. ee has recalled the international merchants of rice and money who have underwritten this leadership process (see ee 07 July 2021, Maharaja’s MTV, Chettiar Bankers & Killer Import Mafia).
Some recall ‘Sir’ Ponnambalam Arunachalam’s call to the Ceylon Tamil League in 1922 to propagate ‘precious ideals throughout Ceylon, Southern India and the Tamil Colonies, to promote the union and solidarity of Tamilakam, the Tamil Land…we have been proud to call Tamil Eelam’.
Kalyananda Thiranagama examines the founding of the ITAK from 1949. Called the Federal Party in English, ‘the name of the Party – Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (or Tamil State Party of Ceylon) itself reflects this dream’ A dream ‘reiterated in various resolutions passed at their conferences and public declarations at different times.’ It is no surprise therefore that the President, most aware of English and its dissembling histories, has spoken of a ‘final solution.’ – a dream to annihilate us all (see ee Focus).
*
• Seeking a real Way Forward, an alarm is being sounded by the Communist Party of Sri Lanka. They point to auguries of ‘an ungovernable state of anarchy’. ‘Rightwing forces will not hesitate to allow extra-legal or even military intervention.’ The CPSL is calling on all ‘progressive, Left & patriotic forces’ to urgently fulfil ‘their historical responsibility’.
There are organized interests and forces pushing this ‘anarchy.’ Those politicians & thinktanks who have promoted the chaos of further colonial control of the economy, are now acting contrite:
Verité Research Head lambasts Government and IMF
for ‘privatising profits & socialising losses’
Verité, a US-funded thinktank, is now trying to deflect from their former reports promoting Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR). US Verité were the first to put out a paper on DDR, note astute observers. ‘Now that their own advocacy is coming to bite them in the ass, Verité’s headman De Mel is trying hard, but is yet to reach any clarity such as Marx’:
The only part of the so-called national wealth
that actually enters into the collective possessions
of modern peoples is their national debt.
– Karl Marx, Capital Vol 1
Other US-funded somebodies & nobodies are fiddling the same coy violins as Verité. A future SJB government will ‘refine’ Sri Lanka’s agreement with IMF, promises SJB (actually Trans-UNP!) MP Harsha de Silva. President Ranil Wickremesinghe ‘hints’ that the IMF’s ‘ways of negotiation are old’.
Those who invited the IMF in, are now backtracking as the people’s anger grows. Having declared a fertile & rich country, bankrupt. Having bankrolled an ‘Aragalaya’ (Rs250billion, the published ‘advertising spend’ by capitalists in 2022? Advertising what??) to drive out a popular government, accusing it of all the old sins of colonialism. After escalating the intrusion of the USA’s economic war machinery (notice the US’s Fitch & S&P’s generous ‘ratings’ on the state of the currency). The World Bank is given headlines for providing more aid (loans?) for ‘welfare’, even as the IMF is throwing even more people out of work! The US is also providing ‘thriposha’ to combat malnutrition. The USA’s World Bank are funding a National Debt Management Centre, etc, even as they provide loans (bribes) to the country’s political mercenaries to pursue their commands.
*
• So-called diasporas, members of a transnational ‘middle-class’ who have helped the colonial master rob their country’s resources, are those given ‘permanent’ residency in those lands.
The feeble response by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Canada’s revelations about India’s assassination of a separatist Khalistani leader in Canada, only exposes how our capitalist leaders have no interest in truly setting the record straight. Certain ‘national questions’ are beggars’ wounds, meant to fester until amputation. Indeed, some warn the Minister not to interfere in Canada’s affairs, even as they observe Canada’s blatant interference in Sri Lanka.
This week also saw revelations of Canada’s role as a haven for Europe’s & Asia’s fascists & terrorists. It is no surprise that both Europe & their white settler states have become a refuge for this world’s contras – their ‘bastard children’ of nondescript shades. Canada’s own great expertise in manufacturing (after decimating) ‘tribes’ & identities, derives from their genocide of the original peoples – which contrary to the Canadian envoy’s utterances gulped by Colombo’s supine media – continues to this day, and has long been a model for the fascists of this world. Canada has also played a lead role in the ousting of such independence leaders as the Congo’s Patrice Lumumba (assassinated), Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah (couped), Haiti’s Jean-Bertrand Aristide (kidnapped & couped), etc, etc, and opposed anti-colonial struggles (from Korea to Vietnam, etc).
As for the actual surreal diaspora, the truth of their day-to-day lives, as ultra-exploited & terribly insecure workers, is yet to be exposed…
*
• A recent parliamentary debate on the April 2019 attacks, heard ‘reports that those who were in the Aragalaya… are training militarily in remote locations’.
At the same time, Madame Julie Chung is seeking to recruit the leadership of sacred Mihintale to lead the ‘Nava Aragalaya’. Those readers who follow the twitterings & other targeted meanderings of the US Envoy across the country, observe Chung met the Mihintale Thera recently. They were spotted ‘seated with… a Galle Face priest who was with Omalpe & the Cardinal’. The Thera is as usual, most honest. A few months ago, the Mihintale Thera justified the entry of the IMF, declaring, ‘It was the IMF that ruled Sri Lanka… there are financial issues in the country…the government needs to take drastic measures to address them.
These moves make clear that it is the US that is pushing the ‘anarchy’ from the so-called Left and the Right. They have the rock’n’roll for it.
*
No pirates, no digital salesmen: US Envoy Julie Chung also recently met ‘Cyber Security Advisor & Educator’ Asela Waidyalankara – ‘Technocrat, Cyber Security Crusader, Privacy Advocate, Futurist, Techcelerator, Proud Sri Lankan’ – on 27 September 2023. Midst all this hoha about ‘digital economy, disruptive cyber attacks, draft online safety bill’, Chung twittered:
‘Had a good chat w Asela Waidyalankara on the latest cybersecurity law & critical ways the USA can further support Sri Lanka’s proactive steps to develop its digital economy & mitigate disruptive cyberattacks. Also discussed concerns & far-reaching implications of the draft Online Safety bill on citizens & tech companies.’
At the onset of last year’s ‘Aragalaya’, on 9 April 2022 Waidyalankara twittered with a purported photograph of: ‘A high powered Wi-Fi/GSM jammer spotted near Presidential Secretariat’, hinting at covert state surveillance. On 20 April 2022, ‘Anonymous Hacker Collective’ launched cyberattacks ‘against the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.’ Waidyalankara was quoted as pointing to the ‘incredibly fragile e-Government system’ (see ee Random Notes)…
There are two major impressions that the discerning reader will not miss while reading Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy? –Politics, Religion & Culture in a Time of Terror”,writtenby Sena Thoradeniya. One is the vast amount of information it carries regarding the machinations that the US imperialists employ when they decide to change the regime of a country of strategic importance, and the other is the dirty face of the two-faced so called Aragalaya”. It is very unfortunate that this book has not received the attention it deserves from those who love this country and who are aware of the peril it faces. The perilous position is due to two reasons; one is the geopolitical importance of the maritime geography of our Island and the other is its history of struggles against imperialism, both very vital considerations for the US. They will leave no stone unturned to defeat the nationalist spirit of the people to gain a foothold on the Island, which is the southernmost land in the strategically important Indian Ocean. This is the reason why the so-called Aragalayists” were encouraged to ridicule our national and religious symbols. If they can destroy the national fervour that is built on Buddhism half their battle is won.
I feel that the book has not received the attention it deserves because the people have not yet recovered sufficiently from the shock, they went through in the last few months. They have lost their nationalist leader in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis and they don’t seem to know what hit them; they don’t know whom or what to believe. This is very unfortunate for this book which is an eye opener; it tells us what really happened and also what may be in store for us if we are not alert and informed of the danger that awaits us. Thoradeniya’s book is a revelation on all these aspects.
The book has a Preface titled, Taking the Lid off the Golden Bowl” by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera who succinctly tells us about the value of the book. The Introduction, which consists of 43 pages, deals with the conspiracy to oust the President. The role played by the US Ambassador is revealed with great detail and substantiated with evidence. It also talks in a detached way about the obvious mistakes committed by the President on the advice of dubious experts. How the President played into the hands of his adversary is shown clearly. Straight talking Thoradeniya does not spare even the Cardinal; his role is described in clear terms and one wonders about the intentions of the Catholic Church. The author has seen with his own eyes the Mirihana Outrage” which is portrayed as a harbinger of evil to come. The intentions of the so-called Aragalaya” which was supposed to be the epitome of peace was on display, road tarmac on fire, buses on fire, President’s house on siege, under the eyes of the police.
In a chapter titled Who Were Not Afraid of the Galle Face Protesters” Thoradeniya deals with the supporters of the so-called Aragalaya”. According to him there were two groups, local and foreign. This chapter is very important for it reveals the forces behind the phenomenon, some active in the open, others hidden. Some belonged to political parties, others were anti-nationalist elements; they would announce their arrival, shout a few slogans and then would leave the site to dine at the OneGalle Face”. Infighting among these groups were not uncommon every day. Thoradeniya lists twenty sub-groups who were involved in the so-called Aragalaya” revealing that they were an assortment of groups with no common doctrine or ideology.
The foreign support that was available to the so-called Aragalaya” is described in the chapter titled US Footprints at the Galle Face ProtestSite”. The author makes reference to MP Wimal Weerawansa’s disclosures and Ms Shenali Waduge’s letters published in LankaWeb. The latter’s revelations about the CIA created organisations, International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute and their activities in Sri Lanka form the basis for the discussion in this chapter. Reader is informed of the ramifications and wide networking capabilities of these organisations. Waduge appears to be quite knowledgeable and well informed supported by research publications of repute. How these organisations provide funds, train various groups and NGOs on subversive methods and activities are given in detail. How groups were mobilized using the hashtag called GoGotaHome” and why these placards could not have been the spontaneous outcry of a people deprived of a living but the work of a well-organized, well-funded outfit like the US orgaization Generation Democracy” form compulsive reading. What these US organizations have achieved in other countries in Latin America and Africa are described to support the contention that US was behind the so-called Aragalaya”.
Author very importantly deals with the culture that was manifest at the Galle Face Protest site in the chapter titled Group Formation andCulture of Galle Face Protesters”. He says that this culture is not going to be a permanent feature of the Sri Lankan main cultural milieu and he has been proved right. He discusses the possible means and causes of formation of this culture. There was no uniformity in this culture, the unifying force being the intention to chase out Gota. There was no leadership or hierarchical organization. There was group rivalry and conflicts among the different groups. The use of filthy language in their banners and placards was a common occurrence which reflected on an uncultured culture”. When they surrounded Ranil Wickremasinghe’s residence the placards that referred to him were utterly filthy reflecting on the lack of culture. Author says the The Galle Face culture was anti-national, anti-Sinhala, anti-Buddhist, Federalist and Ealamist”. The village farmers who were deprived of their living would not stoop so low. Author gives a comprehensive account of the culture or lack of it of the Galle Face Protesters.
Thoradeniya bludgeons the arm-chair critics who theorised on the Galle Face Protest with articles under whimsical titles like Mirihana Momentand Movement” and United We Stand”. A vivid description of the theorist including his pedigree is given leaving no room for mistaking the identity of the theorist. Another such theorist is taken to task, an ex-High Commissioner, who has accused the security forces of setting fire to the bus at Mirihana. Author identifies ten groups of such theorists who attempted to valorise the Galle Face Protesters and he also identifies the commonalities among these theorists. This chapter of the book has some very important facts about the anti-national, misguided, rootless groups who operate under various legends like KuppiCollective/Talks”.
In the chapter titled Galle Face Protests and how Operation 2.0 wasFoiled” the author briefly traces the history of the JVP insurrections and then he clearly explains the strategy of the JVP in hijacking the so-called Aragalaya” and attempting to capture state power. May 9th was the dress rehearsal for the real revolution” that was to follow. How meticulous preparations were carried out for the arson attacks by the Helmet Brigades” is vividly described. Molotov cocktails were available to be thrown into Prime Minister’s residence; who has the knowhow to make those bombs” the author asks. The reader has memories of the 1971 and 1989 insurrections and he knows. Author explains what 2.0 means, an advancement on 1.0, in other words a bigger event than May 9th version.
Thoradeniya analyses the failure of the JVP to capitalize on the economic crisis and the resultant suffering of the people. He makes reference to the repeated failures of the JVP in the past. The author gives eight reasons for the failure of the JVP and the main reason is that the JVP has not developed their political links with the masses well enough to succeed in any upheaval they launch. This was evident in all their insurrections and in the attempt to capture power in 2022.
In the chapter titled Ex-President in Retrospect….” the book looks at the reasons for GR’s failure to take action against the protesters who were slandering him in filth, stamp his authority endowed by 6.9 million voters, and chase away the rioters. Dealing with the various theories put forward by various writers the author says he was trapped by the US. On the question whether GR was a dictator the author disagrees saying that GR was a practitioner of abdicracy as opposed to autocracy. Well GR’s term was too short to make a judgement; however, it was evident that he was vacillating in the face of grave provocation and challenge to his authority. His inaction, particularly when Hirunika was protesting and besieging, would have sent wrong signals to all those who were plotting his ouster and also the security forces. The author sympathetically analyses the shortcomings of Gota and answers the question whether GR was a politician. Author asks the question why the security forces on their own initiative did not act against the rioters when the very existence of the state was at risk. Well they finally did act when the Parliament was attacked.
Author thoughtfully has included a chapter on what protesters and politicians should know about systems, systems theory and types of change. The Marxist view on these matters are dealt in detail. Sacrilegious behaviour of the protesters, insulting Buddhism and its sacred symbols under the very eyes of a prominent Buddhist monk who visited the site regularly should be an eye opener if nothing else is and be aware of the peril the country may face due to the action of these revolutionists” who have attempted to grab state power for the third time.
Thoradeniya in his comprehensive analysis of the Galle Face Protest analyses MP Wimal Weerawansa’s book Nine; The Hidden Story”. Weerawansa’s book reveals lesser known important facts. For instance, the reason why the army trucks parked near the Galle Face Protest site were suddenly moved out. The US Ambassador at this stage of proceedings were calling the shots. She called this book pure fiction.
Thoradeniya draws parallels between the Galle Face Protest and other similar phenomena that took place in foreign lands, in a comparative study, such as the Arab Spring”, Iranian women protesters, Brasilia in Brazil and Andean Mountains in Peru supplying much valuable information to the reader.
All in all Sena Thoradeniya’s book titled, Galle Face Protest; SystemsChange or Anarchy? with the cover page depicting a rioter climbing on to the statue of former Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranayake to blind fold him with a black cloth, is indeed a must read for all Sri Lankans who love their country and would rise up against any adversary without hesitation.
What is more is your excellency I feel that this is a big coup d’etat against you and your government, to destabilize the government and send you home” (this last comment I made only to him)
Sarath Wijesinghe (President’s Counsel Solicitor in England and Wales, former Ambassador to UAE and Israel and President Ambassador’s Forum.)
Tourism and hospitality are interconnected and interwoven to each other in many ways linking contributing and interacting with and benefiting each other. Tourism is the visits to other countries for various purposes for a short stay they say less that limited to one year and more than one day. Official definition of WTO tourism is travelling to strange places outside the usual environment more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or any other purpose used often. Presently tourists visit other destinations in large number due to the fast developments on the IT transport and communication systems fast and spread world over, and some figures on movement today are as follows. Travelling within the country and overseas are as a part of the life style anywhere in the world including Sri Lanka and tourism from and to Sri Lanka is increasing in a rapid phase . tourist influx as leading tourist destinations are France 48.1 million, Spain 71.7 million, USA 50.9 million, Turky 50.5 million Italy 49.8, Mexico 38.3, UK 63 million, Germany 28.5, Greece 27.8 receive tourists and it continues as an industry , trade, and mode of pleasure to the citizen to rest and relax after hard work for some time. Tourism and Hospitality are largest industries and trades directly connected to each other which is a fast growing and a largest trades and industries world over. It contributes to the income and GDP in all the countries proportionately as a barometer of the development and the image of respective nations. Some companies in the West give compulsory leave to employees for holidays as a requirement to get the maximum services from the employees. Doctors advice the workers to take leave for long live and health of the body short and long term relaxation as a holiday as a prerequisite of longevity. As defined by the world on tourism, it is a concept and a practice that reaches from generations from biblical times to 1800 also via Europe and Switzerland and many other destinations to date which has transformed to be a worldwide novel concept with the modern developments and the fast way of life in the new generation. It short term movement of a location for pleasure, education, sightseeing including visiting places of interest and historic or archaeological locations , explore wild life experience different climatic conditions may be some of the many reasons of the short stay of a traveller. Tourism is a necessity and a boom for economy of the countries and the world over, that will be discussing in the proceeding paragraphs in fair detail which is most resilient adoptable with dynamism with the tourism that is industry easy to spread on the planet developed in underdeveloped or poor destinations equally. It is developed as a part of the economy at large scale which is a maim portion of the GDP which is used in the world economic calculations and interactions of the world business platforms. Tourism and hospitality are an industry/trade adjustable innovative interchanged and technological spread easily adopted to and environment and circumstances with the touch of the modern technology. Concepts and the tourist industry is ever changing and easily approached developed and easily embraced by any group of the society in the world to benefit themselves and their economies if properly utilized. Friendly, warm, helpful, comfortable and safe environments are factors in Creating more jobs and avenues in the hospitality in large numbers as a worldwide largest trades benefiting job creations that in return will boost the economy that will attract much needed foreign currency for underdeveloped and developing countries equally in addition of many benefits that will be discussed later preceding paragraphs. These factors and requirements are equally applied to upcoming tourist nations such as Sri Lanka that needs more education , training, and facilities such as schools, training centres, ,modern equipment and more teachers in the trade. There are tourist countries generation tourism income and fame and It is expected and projected to generate 1.3 million jobs from tourism which is an ambitious aim if no unexpected drawbacks and disasters reach the world such as covid19 that has retarded the growth in all areas for a considerable period. Tourism creates opportunities and contributing to respective economics immensely with the many more benefits and advantages to the country and the world economy world over, with world turnover of the industry has reached 7.6 trillion where every 10th person will benefit from tourism in some way directly or indirectly. Tourism is a trade easy to commence, train and spread anywhere in the world which is the fastest and most productive trade with common language and technical skills that are similar worldwide via world languages and the technical knowhow which is spread world over. There are schools, training centres, and institutions dedicated to the subject and the concept all over the globe, unfortunately lacking in Sri Lanka and developing and upcoming tourist nations. Good climatic conditions, environment, places of visit, hotels ,transport, proper and train guides and translators, health care systems, proper IT and WIFI facilities all combined are main requirements in a tourist country to attract tourists of quality. All these may not be of use if the people are nor well mannered and friendly and if the country appear to be not safe and clean to the visitor arrived incurring a substantial sum for travelling and hotels in addition to the precious time allocated for the holiday. Tourism and tourist and hotel trade in Sri Lanka is dominated by the private sector and partnership with state and private is essential for innovations, risk sharing and to introduce the modern trends as in competing tourism countries. It is essential for the tourist industry to have closer links with the international cruise , shipping and leading tourism companies for the development with modern shipping and airlines looking to have links with the tourist countries, that will enhance economic activism and image building for publicity for the prospective tourists and it is a justified aims to have a target of 1.3 million jobs in 2031 on jobs related to tourism and hospitality sector by improving the education and training facilities through the tourism machinery with the assistant of the public and private sector, where every 10th world citizen is scheduled to be an employee in the tourism/hospitality trade when the world caters to 7.6 trillion from tourism In addition to the indirect benefits to the world. German fetched 41 million dollars in2019 on tourism which is a recorded sum which is almost same in EU and west when the peaceful situation continues with so many additional benefits and advantages such as business development of all sectors due to travel and hospitality trade are directly unseen yet effective benefits to any country benefiting from tourism and hospitality trade in which 70% are females. Peace is a basic requirement in a good atmosphere for tourist and tourism with the motto on tolerance patience and love towards the visitor expecting to be recognized and treated, benefiting the local community, creating job, opportunities, as by-products of tourism hospitality in addition to the direct benefits on economy and the reputation and image building that are needed to the host country, requiring to safeguard the wild life and the places of worship and religious and historical significance. These are job oriented industries creating millions of jobs with skilled labour encouraging food chains, beverages, travel, communication, and all kinds of by products with the developments and enhance of the economy and the GDPof the host nation.
Bonded with Hospitality
Tourism is bonded with the hospitality trade as a trade of treating visitors with skills generated from the training of skills, customer service talent, flexibility and adaptability to any tourist the trade gives priority as a consumer and the main subject in the trade to be looked after as the person bringing funds reputation and the livelihood to many in the host country. Flexibility, the cultural awareness, team work technical skills are main ingredients to be a successful tourism regime that offers standard hospitality package to the tourists to their satisfaction. Hospitality is tourism as and tourist is attracted to a destination due to the hospital of the host country inherently and voluntarily or for trade and business. They say Sri Lankans are inherently hospitable which is gradually fading aways due to the economic hardships and busy life due economic hardships. But any tourist in the receiving country is bound to be treated in a friendly way in addition to providing him with the necessary requirements and facilities.
World went through a different period due to Covid 19 economic hardships and political uncertainty linked to economy in the members of the world family. Today tourism is picking worldwide and look forward for 2024 expecting a leapfrog developments to surpass the difficulties undergone during Covid and economic downturns. Covid recovery is in the process and the forecast for the year 2023 is 9.5 trillion income and even WTO expects and predicts smooth run on the tourism and steady growth expecting more 41% tourist movements world over. The world tread is bound to spread worldwide if no unfortunate natural or manmade disasters strike the world as Covid19 where the recovery has been slow. Wishing and expecting the present and present trend to continue when the tourism hotspots are planning for a successful new year with the expected tourism boom. Now that the tourism is in an upward trend in world and Sri Lanka it is the duty of the governance, the Embassies and Sri Lankans to receive the message and the goodwill of the world inactivation the tourist industry which is connected to hospitality easy to create, adopt and practice that will bring a better lie and a future of every citizen if work together as a group having received the message of goodwill and the
Economic boom using tourism and hospitality as a vehicle towards prosperity.
Tourism flourishes in countries with requirements or reasons for the visitors to visit the host country for the purposed of travel on various factor and interests, and countries consist of such factors will begiven preference by the visitors. Sri Lanka is famous and known for the beauty, climatic conditions, and places of interest and importance in abundance. Sigiriya is famous as a historic, beautiful, religious, significance world famous in the map of tourism a safe and beautiful rock city with an interesting and historical legend, of the dispute among the father, brothers and the people fought for the kingship, where any average visitor is bound to visit the rock city full of legendary and historical stories. Israel, India and few tourist countries are known on this area tourists visit in search of religious sites and Israel is attracted by Christians Muslims and those interested in agriculture and innovations as a leader of agriculture, innovations and a country with most visited cities and religious monuments such as the Great Wall, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and many more. Temple of tooth and the oldest known tree attached to the ‘’Kandy Prehara’’ are world famous and a place of worship of Buddhists world over. ‘’Pollannuruwa’’ is a historic city close to’’Minneriya’’ to watch hundreds of elephants at one sight are rare in any standard a visitor can view with least effort and expenditure. Botanical Garden in Sri Lanka is full of rare species and the Zoological Gardens are full of rare collection of animals that can be viewed in one place.
HOSPSTIALIATY INDUSTRY – Two sides of the same Coin of tourism
Tourism and hospitality are two sides of the same coin interconnected and interwoven as a part and parcel of each other. It is a trade providing positive experiences to the explorers that has a broader range of services of varied kinds giving positive entertainment to the guest. It is the relationship of host towards the explorer seeking a novel experience, which is the relationship of a host towards a guest and reception and entertainment towards the visitor, opening the door to be the biggest employer in the world, of a business providing food and other wide range of amenities facilities and treatments of various kinds. In the circumstances the tourism could be popularized with the Sri Lankan traditional food in different tasks and the fruits and vegetables to the world via the tourists promoting tourism and the hospitality trade. The opportunities on the hospitality trade are unlimited varies that could be expended with no borders. Hospitality is a necessary ingredient and a source of income and many other advantages to the host country where the visitor expects a hospitable people in a hospitable environment fulfilling their needs and requirements up to the expectations as planned at the journey plan on information collected. Tourism in Sri Lanka fluctuates from time to time depending the country situation on security and economic conditions. War that prolonged for 29 years retarded the improvements on tourism based on many factors in favour of Sri Lanka to be a best destination with the advantages on natural historical and geographical factors. Then came the Covid19 the world too suffered followed by the economic downtown and the crisis now in the verge of recovery. PPP is a necessity in the development of any industry in the current economic conditions which varies from country to country with Sri Lanka not an exception, where tourism and hospitality is managed and controlled by the private sector and the governance as a regulator with powers to regulate and frame rules and regulations to the industry and the network of tourism outlets completely owned and manned by the private sector and public private partnership is the proven example world over in successful tourist nations which are successful competitors of Sri Lanka. Hospitality is a multibillion dollar industry that is so broad and easy to commence and manage anywhere in the world in any part of a country if properly studied managed and practices in a scientific way on any area of hospitality. The basis of the hospitality is providing a positive experience to the prospective guest who has come to you for various reasons of your environment. It is a lucrative industry easy to learn, initiate, manage if learnt well with commitment wherever you are. UK has computed that they have 207,000 eating houses in UK alone and in the world the eating houses may be in billions in various grades. It is an industry based on the relationship of the host towards the guest. Guest travels to he host or the host can provide the service where the guest is depending on the circumstance showing how easy it is to operate the industry wherever you are. Sri Lanka fits into this category as a compact island ideally suited for the travellers visitors and tourists as mentioned by Marco Polo in 13th century who said ( Ceylon then) as a compact island with all requirements for a traveller/tourist that applies to date that has not been properly and fully made use of by Sri Lanka despite the beauty, climate, natural resources, places to visit and access to the entire country so easily only lacking the need, knowledge, commitment with imagination and innovations as in other tourist nations, with an example of Maldives which is destined to go under water in 100 year that has been transformed to an expensive tourist hot spot exploiting the geographical position though vulnerable to be an industry attracting high end tourists is only an example of many beautiful women on the beach, out of whom Sri Lanka too is leading in the competition of tourism and hospitality trade which is booming and expanding daily.
Modern trends
It appears that tourism and hospitality are the modern trends for the exposure of the small tourist nations and bond with the leading tourist giants with interactions and working together on exchange of knowledge and the man power which is the most important necessity which is provided by the developing nations and the small tourist nations for the world to maintain the equilibrium with exchange of knowhow knowledge resources and the man power. The top tourist countries need the assistance of the small tourist and the developing nations for their survival, man power and some row materials which are in short supply and goodwill and also business that derives with the interactions and good will of the world community. Therefore it is time for the trade to plan out a joint programmes for the development of the trade and industry locally as well as globally. (Sarathdw7@gmail.com)
A decent man with childlike innocence, he will be remembered by all those who treasured his company and sagacity.
I would like to end this tribute to Tilak with a plea to his family and friends to strongly consider reprinting a facsimile edition of the Buddhist Youth magazine originally published in 1969 for general distribution, to keep Tilak’s memory alive. His idealistic writings and his youthful images in photographs all in one document would be hard to find anywhere else.
May Tilak attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Tilak Gunawardena Scholarship Fund launched by Sri Lanka – Malaysia Business Council
Two Scholarships for two outstanding students to pursue higher education at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka – Malaysia Business Council (SLMBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has launched the ‘ Tilak Gunawardena Scholarship Fund ’.
The announcement of the scholarship was made at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the SLMBC held at Hilton Residence, Colombo recently. The fund will provide an opportunity for two outstanding students to pursue their higher education at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. The scholarship is available to Sri Lankan students who have showcased exceptional academic prowess, and demonstrate a strong commitment to the field of law and a clear vision of how their legal education will contribute to the betterment of the country.
The High Commissioner of Malaysia in Sri Lanka Badli Hisham Adam handed over the Scholarship to students at this ceremony. The President of the Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council M.H.K.M. Hameez and members were also present.
The death of Tilak Narendra Gunawardana on June 11, 2021, at the age of 77 years removed from our midst another old boy of Royal College drawn from a batch that straddled both the primary and secondary school scene of the 1950s and first half of the ’60s.
Tilak was from a distinguished family. His father, Don Charles Rajakaruna (DCR) Gunawardana, was a scholar, an outstanding student at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, a civil servant, Clerk to the House of Representatives, and later High Commissioner of Ceylon to Malaya (1958 – 1961). His mother was Chitra Gunawardana (nee Wijetilleka).
There were six children in the family – Anoma, Kapila, Tilak, Kumar, Vajira, and Kumudini. Anoma died in a tragic accident with her husband Dr. Sumanasiri Alahendra in the USA.
Tilak was the elder brother of my classmate Vajira who joined the RC 1960 Group in 1961 upon returning from Malaya. All his brothers attended Royal College. Tilak’s family connections to Royal College were further strengthened by virtue of his uncle Professor (Dr.) Carlin (DC) Gunawardana having become a reputed teacher of Botany at Royal, having set up the Botany Department in the pre-war years of the school. The Royal College magazine has paid a handsome tribute to Prof. Carlin in its 1938 edition.
I have known Tilak since schooldays, in several capacities. He used to supervise our drill class on the school grounds, counsel us as a senior student, and later interact with me every now and then on professional matters. He used to cycle to school like most students of that era.
He was a gentleman to the fingertips, a man of high integrity and scrupulous honesty. He was outspoken when the need arose but harmless in every sense of the word epitomizing the ideal ‘Arya’ (noble and dignified) person envisaged in Buddhism. He had a stubborn character stemming from his overzealous commitment to high principles.
He earned a General B.Sc. degree specializing in Zoology from the University of Ceylon (Colombo) and thereafter served briefly as an instructor in the Zoology Dept. of the University. Subsequently, he joined the Fisheries Corporation in Tangalle and worked for a few years there.
Inspired by his maternal grandfather Arthur Wijetilleke, a leading Advocate in Ratnapura, and another close relative, Sir Ukwatte Jayasundera, Q.C., Tilak returned to Colombo to pursue law studies. He graduated with an LL.B. degree as an external student of the Colombo Law Faculty and joined the Attorney General’s Dept. as a State Counsel. He received good training in both the criminal and civil aspects of the law. His next stint was at Mackwoods where he was the Company Secretary. Finally, he joined the unofficial Bar as an Instructing Attorney and served in that capacity until retirement.
Tilak had a strong altruistic bent and found himself engaged in Charity work to his heart’s content. He served as the Vice-President of the Buddhist Youth Forum (BYF) which was founded by Sepala Amarasuriya at his residence at Park Road in November 1968. It had the following objects:
To further the Buddhist Way of Life, and
To establish greater cooperation and unity among the Buddhist Youth.
Sepala Amarasuriya and Anura Bandaranaike served as the Joint Secretaries. Hiranthi Jayasuriya, an old girl of Visakha Vidyalaya, then a Medical student and now a Medical Doctor, was the first President of the Buddhist Youth Forum.
Senaka Weeraratna served as the Editor of the First Magazine of BYF titled ‘ The Buddhist Youth ‘ which was first published in November 1969.
BYF made a memorable trip to the newly opened Aranya – now renowned as the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya’ in December 1968. Tilak was one of the members who went on that one-day trip and his image is captured distinctly in a group photograph taken on that occasion. The Magazine also carries photos of Tilak on the visit made to a Home for the Invalids at Ragama where the BYF members distributed food to the infirm. Tilak was a proactive member and made valuable contributions to discussions at meetings.
Tilak wrote a resounding article under the title ‘ The Role of a Buddhist Youth Forum’ that was published in the Buddhist Youth Magazine.
In this article, Tilak spelled out the necessity for such Buddhist organizations in a rapidly changing society to protect Sinhala Buddhist values which are threatened by decadent Western materialistic lifestyles that can uproot the young from their Buddhist civilizational consciousness.
He writes:
” In the Buddhist way, the Sinhalese were a peaceful, compassionate, and kind-hearted nation. Though we had our own wars and differences the feeling deep within was essentially Buddhist and for this reason, Buddhism and its teachers enjoyed a position of respect second to none. With the onset of foreign influences Buddhists began to be inhibited. They were scorned by the foreign rulers both for reasons of ignorance of the great teaching and of course for reasons of strategy because they i.e. colonial rulers, believed that the golden thread (religion)
that held the pearls (people) together had to be removed. This was the beginning of the decline which has brought our country to this dangerous state.”
Tilak adds:
” Today with the gradual transition of power once again to our hands after 20 years of full independence and in spite of the proclamation giving Buddhism its old status, has the country improved?
I feel it has not. Though it is a dying idea, the fact still remains that Ceylon is still being run by the city and urban ‘elite’. It is they who lay the pattern for the country. In this ruling elite, we have heterogeneity. We still have in them a class of people who have imbibed the foreign way of life, who benefit from that way of life, and most dangerous – a class of people who still abhor the quiet and calm Sinhala Buddhist way of life. This trend with all its excitement and adventure is indeed too much of a temptation for our youth. It is the time for Buddhist organizations to awaken and rescue the nation from this very cancerous influence by arresting it “.
Tilak’s insights enshrined in this essay written over 53 years ago are as relevant today, perhaps more now, than at the time of its publication in 1969.
Tilak participated in many charity projects as a member of the Lions Club. He chaired the project to celebrate Chitrasena’s 50 years of performance, which had the current Prime Minister ( now President) Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Chief Guest on one of the days of the celebrations. The project meetings, sometimes thrice a month, were held at Tilak’s residence at De Fonseka Road, Colombo 5, supplemented by a lavish spread of refreshments. He received a reward from the Alliance Française. He was also an active member of the Sri Lanka – Malaysia Business Council.
Tilak remained a bachelor to the end. He was a bachelor in the old sense of the word, preferring to have close friendships and indulge in passions of his choice but then come home and read his favourite books. A decent man with childlike innocence, he will be remembered by all those who treasured his company and sagacity.
I would like to end this tribute to Tilak with a plea to his family and friends to strongly consider reprinting a facsimile edition of the Buddhist Youth magazine originally published in 1969 for general distribution, to keep Tilak’s memory alive. His idealistic writings and his youthful images in photographs all in one document would be hard to find anywhere else.
Outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda paid a farewell call on the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal (29/9) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
During the call, High Commissioner Moragoda recalled the continuous interactions he has had with the Minister and expressed his appreciation to the latter for the support extended during his tenure in Delhi. The High Commissioner particularly thanked the Minister for his contribution towards the resumption of the negotiations on Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka. The next (12th) round of negotiations on the ETCA are scheduled to be held in Colombo from 30 October-01 November 2023.
In this regard, they welcomed the virtual meeting of the Chief Negotiators of Sri Lanka and India on 19th September to discuss the way forward in resumption of ETCA negotiations, as agreed by the leaders of the two countries in the “India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision” July this year, and stressed the importance of completing the negotiations within the agreed timeframe.
As a token of appreciation and goodwill, High Commissioner Moragoda presented to Minister Goyal a stone obtained from the stream flowing besides the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya (Ashoka Vatika), a significant Ramayana site in Sri Lanka.
Acting Defence Minister Thennakoon ordered a formal internal investigation
As elephants from different parts of the country participate in the annual Mahiyangana Perahera, the chief prelate of the Mahiyangana temple has made a request to the Wildlife Department to establish a wildlife team in the temple to drive out wild elephants as there is frequent roaming of these animals in the area.
In response to the request, a team of Wildlife Department officers along with one Civil Security Department (CSD) personnel had been entrusted to drive away the wild elephants.
On 30.09.2023 at around 3.15 am, an incident was reported of rubber bullets been fired at an elephant named Sita, which had been kept near the banks of the Mahaweli River presuming it to be a wild elephant. The CSD has commenced an internal disciplinary investigation on this incident.
Further, the Acting Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has ordered relevant authorities to conduct a formal internal investigation in this regard.
Disciplinary action will be taken against the CSD personnel for misconduct if he was found to have committed any disciplinary offense while on duty.
A Sri Lankan delegation embarked on a four-day study tour to Indonesia to draw insights from its journey in establishing a holistic social security framework, placing specific emphasis on their acclaimed unemployment insurance mechanism.
Headed by Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry Secretary R.P.A.Wimalaweera,this immersive experience granted the delegation the privilege to understand the nuances of Indonesia’s social welfare blueprint. Through in-depth dialogues, collaborative knowledge exchange and observational studies, the team garnered invaluable insights. These lessons promise to profoundly influence and shape the evolution of Sri Lanka’s own social security system.
One of the landmark outcomes from this tour is Sri Lanka’s prospective launch of a comprehensive national social security model. A noteworthy feature of this initiative is the introduction of an unprecedented unemployment insurance scheme. The goal is clear: to fortify a more robust, just, and secure employment landscape for Sri Lankans across both formal and informal sectors.
Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara expressed his gratitude to the International Labour Organization (ILO) for orchestrating such an enriching learning experience in Indonesia. He further emphasized the Sri Lankan government’s staunch commitment to mirroring similar successes in their homeland.
The Government is confident that it will be able to reach a staff level agreement this week on the release of the second tranche of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to be provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.
An IMF mission team led by Peter Breuer and Katsiaryna Svirydzenka visited Colombo from September 14 to 27, 2023 to discuss economic and financial policies to support the approval of the First Review of the programme under the EFF arrangement.
The IMF team had constructive and productive discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on economic performance and policies underpinning the first review under the IMF, EFF arrangement.
The Government expects it will be able to reach the staff level agreement, which was not reached during IMF delegation visit. The Sri Lankan and IMF authorities also discussed ways on regaining debt sustainability through the execution of the domestic debt restructuring and advancing discussions with external creditors and increasing Government revenue.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the talks with the IMF is continuing and Sri Lanka hoped to enter into a staff level agreement soon on the release of the second tranche of EFF facility.
After obtaining the agreement at staff level, the delegation will forward the programme with recommendations for the next steps to be taken regarding the release of the second tranche to Sri Lanka to the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund.
Sri Lanka received an extended fund facility of US$ 2.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund. US$ 333 million was given to Sri Lanka as the first installment. Sri Lanka will receive US$ 300 million as its second installment.
With this credit facility possibility for Sri Lanka to obtain financial facilities from institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other foreign lenders will increase.
In addition it will also boost foreign investor confidence.
The Central Bank Governor expressed hope that through all this, the economic growth of this country will overcome the negative level and attain a positive growth.
Sri Lankans are being psychologically trapped into believing the Indo-Lanka Accord is still valid. It is not. It never was. It is not because it violated international norms by being signed under duress thus violating Article 51 & 52 of Vienna Convention. The Accord was never valid because India failed to fulfil the 5 obligations that bound its validity. The Citizens MUST REJECT any claims that Indo-Lanka Accord is valid.
How can the nation that trained & armed Sri Lankan Tamil militants since late 1970s draft a peace accord & be genuine about disarming the groups they created & funded?
This is the same nation that was toying about invading Sri Lanka in 1984 and could not pursue this objective ONLY BECAUSE its PM was assassinated in October 1984.
However, her son Rajiv who forced Sri Lanka to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord 3 years later in 1987 assuring to disarm the militants his mother created but he was assassinated by them 4 years after signing the Accord.
This same nation after forcing Sri Lanka to sign Accord, began training another militant group in Sri Lanka headed by their stooge Varatharaja Perumal & decided to assassinate Prabakaran, with orders given on 15 September & IPKF declarign war on LTTE on 8 Oct 1987.
This is the same nation that prevented the capture of Prabakaran in Vadamarachchi in May 1987 & violated Sri Lanka’s airspace on 4 June 1987 & threatened Sri Lanka if action was taken against Indian jets.
Had Prabakaran been caught in May 1987 all of the innocent people LTTE killed since May 1987 would have still been alive.
The main architect of the Accord is dead – Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by LTTE in May 1991
The 2 signatories of the Accord are also dead
Indo-Lanka Accord was signed under Coercion/ Duress violating Artciel 52 of Vienna Convention. A treaty is void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. Indo Lanka Accord violated Article 52 of Vienna Convention & is not valid.
India threatened Sri Lanka via its Foreign Minister – India gave Sri Lanka just 30 minutes notice before violating Sri Lanka’s territory & Indian Airforce dropped 25 tons of food
India protected terrorists – demanded Sri Lanka cease hostilities against LTTE
India prevented the capture of a terrorist in May 1987 in Vadamarachchi
India safeguarded a terrorist – Prabakaran whisked to India by helicopter – this was a crime of aggression & crime of flouting international norms & diplomatic protocols
India gave safe haven to a terrorist – Prabakaran & family taken in Indian planes & kept in Delhi & made to watch signing of Accord on 29 July & arrival of Indian troops on 30 July & Prabakaran & family flown back only on 2nd
Indo Lanka Accord draft not shown to Parliament or Cabinet – UNP MP Gamini Jayasuriya resigned in protest / PM R Premadasa did not attend signing
Indo Lanka Accord signed under Emergency Law
Indo Lanka Accord signed under curfew
Indo Lanka Accord signed without presence of media
Cessation of hostilities did not happen within 48 hours of signing agreement
LTTE & other militants did not surrender weapons within 72 hours
Accord resulted in only Sri Lanka Armed Forces confined to barracks
The Indo-Lanka Accord does not mention amending the Constitution
The Indo-Lanka Accord not mention Provincial Councils for other Provinces
The Indo-Lanka Accord only mentions North & East Provinces & an adminstrative system for them. If the Dutch & even the British kept Sri Lanka separate from India – why do our locals want to continue with 13th amendment?
India that created LTTE, provided it refuge & logistics, used LTTE to force Sri Lanka to sign Accord under duress, next orders IPKF to assassinate Prabakaran on 15 Sept because India was training ENDLF / Tamil National Army to replace LTTE
India training & arming a militant group INSIDE SRI LANKA led by Varatharaja Perumal & India even armed this group. IPKF declares war on LTTE on 8 October
Indo-Lanka Accord factually incorrect – North & East provinces are NOT and NEVER WAS areas of historical habitation of Sri Lankan Tamil speaking people” – the term Sri Lanka came after 1971 – the term Ceylon Tamils came in 1911 and before that Tamils were referred to as Malabars coming from South Indian coast.
India cannot decide via an Accord the official language of a sovereign country – the 1978 Constitution states that Sinhala is the Official Language of Sri Lanka, while Sinhala & Tamil are the National languages (thus protecting the national identity)
Indo Lanka Accord assured PEACE– it did not. Peace came in May2009 by Sri Lanka’s war heroes
India sent Peace Keeping Force – but IPKF went on to kill Tamils, Muslims & Sinhalese even raping Tamil women. IPKF was asked to leave Sri Lanka in 1989 & last batch left in March1990.
The key reason Indo-Lanka is VOID clearly states that Sri Lanka’s obligation to the Accord was CONDITIONAL to India committing to 5 obligations. India FAILED TO OBLIGE ALL 5 CONDITIONS.
India assured Indian terroritory was not used for activities prejudicial to Sri Lanka– Tamil Nadu was LTTE’s logistics hub
India assured Indian Navy would cooperate with Sri Lanka’s Navy to prevent Tamil militant activity – LTTE freely travelled to India for supplies, medical treatment & even had offices in Tamil Nadu
India assured to provide mitliary assistance to implement Accord on request of Sri Lanka – IPKF was ordered to kill Prabakaran only to replace him with an other Indian trained military group
India assured to repatriate Indian citizens living in Sri Lanka – long overdue but was never done
India assured physical security & safety of all communities in the North & Eastern provinces – IPKF killed Tamils, Muslims & Sinhalese & even raped Tamil women & chased out Sinhalese & Muslims from villages.
India did not preserve unity, sovereignty & territorial integrity of Sri Lanka as promised
India did not provide ‘peace & normalcy’ after signing Accord
Traditional friendship between Sri Lanka & India did not intensify – hatred towards India did
India did not make Sri Lanka safe or prosperous
Accord envisaged merging of North & East as one administrative unit to separate via a referendum held on or before 31 Dec 1988 for Eastern Province to decide if it wished to continue to be merged (election was not held – 1st eleciton held only in 2008)
India did not resettle displaced Sinhalese or Muslims – in fact IPKF chased them out
Annexure to the Agreement had 6 points
Referendum in East will be observed by representatives of election commission of India
Election to the Provincial Council (only East) will have all paramilitary withdrawn from both provinces
President of Sri Lanka to absorb paramilitary to regular security forces
Tamil militants to surrender weapons in the presence of SL Red Cross & Indian Red Cross
Joint Indo-Lanka Observer Group from GoSL & GoI to monitor cessation of hostilities from 31 July 1987
Indian Peace Keepers may be invited by the Sri Lankan President to guarantee & enforce cessation of hostilities.
Exchange of Letters between Sri Lanka’s President & Indian Prime Minister dated 29 July 1987 is not mentioned as an Annexure to the Indo Lanka Accord.(Indo Lanka Accord – 1 Annexure – Exchange of Letters)
Indo Lanka Accord does not mention Trinco Port / Trinco Oil Tanks – these are mentioned ONLY in the exchange of letters between Indian PM & Sri Lankan President
Exchange of Letters- Trinco Port / Trinco Oil Tanks have nothing to do with an ethnic conflict & LTTE nor Tamil leadership demanded both. This is what India wanted.
Exchange of Letters – SL & India not to allow their territory to be used for activities prejudicial to each others UNITY, TERRITORIAL INTEGRIY & SECURITY – India continued to allowLTTE to use Tamil Nadu
Exchange of Letters – no foreign military/intel personnel prejudicial to Indo-Lanka relations – India has signed QUAD & SL has signed ACSA
Exchange of Letters – Trincoamlee or any other ports in Sri Lanka not to be made available for military use by any country prejudicial to India’s interest – violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereign rights
Exchange of Letters – JV to restore & operate Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm
Exchange of Letters – SL’s agreement with foreign broadcasting organizations to be reviewed by India – violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignt rights
Exchange of Letters – Indian PM Rajiv promises to deport SL citizens engaged in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism in India
Exchange of Letters – India to provide training & miltiary supplies to SL forces
Exchange of Letters – Joint consultative mechanism to review & monitor implementation
Legal case must be filed against India for saving Prabakaran & allowing him to go on a killing spree until Sri Lanka’s War Heroes eliminated him in May 2009.
What India did not allow Sri Lanka to do in May 1987, Sri Lanka did in May 2009 (after 22 years of innocent people getting killed by LTTE)
It is good news that the IMF has agreed to release the second tranche $ 3 billion. I was worried when I read the news of the two specialists that came who voiced that we had not fulfilled all the conditions. However we should be lucky that the IMF decided to release the funds.
Now we come to the next problem- how will we disburse the funds. The current model of economic development-that of liberalizing imports, limiting development initiatives to the private sector, confining the public sector that did develop Sri Lanka before 1977 to the barracks, abolishing development oriented programmes like that of the Marketing Department and finding elusive foreign investors has not worked since it was commenced in 1977. This Neoliberal Model has seen a country that had no foreign debt in 1977 gaining a foreign debt of $ 56 billion by 1923! MP Marikkar recently reported that Sri Lanka’s total debt has increased to $ 96 billion by July 2023 and that the debt had rapidly increased since President Ranil took power last year.
We must find an aglorithm of measures to get people out of poverty. The newspapers tell us of infants who have no proper food and are in severe malnutrition. Government servants are assured of a salary at the end of the month, but there are many- a few millions who have no employment whatsoever and most of them have to forgo a meal.
Forgoing a meal is fairly a difficult task. Try to forgo a meal and when the pangs of hunger set in life becomes unbearable. I know this because on most days when I went on circuit as the Addl GA, the GA or an AC Agrarian Services I become hungry by about one or two o’clock and my normal meal is a bun a banana, both handpicked by me at a wayside boutique and a plain cup of tea. Luckily I had the funds but I know of many in the city of Colombo who have to forgo a simple frugal meal due to the lack of funds.
That is sad. It is also very sad to note that since 1977 the Governments have not addressed this aspect- of having programmes to train the unemployed and get them to become productive, earn a living. We have forgotten that Mother Nature blessed a country that was fertile and full of downpours of rain. The failure is ours.
Before 1977 our Governments have tried hard to provide avenues for training the unemployed and the poor and get them to become productive, but since 1977 we have forgotten them- mind you they are the majority and it behoves our rulers to please address this subject.
I would plead of our President and Prime Minister- our two leaders to kindly address this subject and immediately implement a programme to train people to get productive and to earn an income.
It is an easy task to spend the $ 3 billion- and we will be again at square one and begging on the streets if we do not make our people productive and make what we need.
In living memory we can recall how Premier Sirimavo tackled this problem. She handpicked the best economist of the day, Professor HAdeS Gunasekera of the University of Peradeniya, commenced a new Ministry- Ministry of Plan Implementation under her and gave him ample funds even placing a helicopter at his disposal to get the programme off the ground quickly.
The Government Agents were put in charge of operating this Divisional Development Councils Programme. Dr NM Perera was behind this programme and he would come again and again to Matara inquiring about the progress. That Programme brought training in agriculture, livestock or industry to 33,300 youths making them scientific entrepreneurs and their produce- vegetables , fruits, mammoties etc came to the market and the youths made good incomes. That number would have been far more if the JVP did not interrupt development activities with their 1971 Insurrection.
In certain districts headway was made in establising medium sized industries. This was at the discretion and the interest of the officers. The Divisional Secretary at Kotmale collected all the waste paper he could find in the Nuwara Eliya District and established a small paper factory at Kotmale. This is something that can be done immediately in every District. We import paper and cannot find the funds to import. Producing Paper from wastepaper is an easy method and can be done in a few weeks.
In Matara I suggested making seaworthy fishing boats and managed to get approval and set up the Matara BoatYard which turned out some forty seagoing fishing boats every year. This was a great success. I can recollect that we established this within two months.
The Ministry was highly satisfied with this Boatyard that they did not want me to establish any more. I wanted to do more but could not get any approvals. I therefore commenced work on my own without the knowledge of the Ministry.
I was lucky to have a chemistry grad as my Planning Officer, Vetus Fernando, and I goaded him to try to find the art of making crayons. It started at my Residency, helped by science teachers at Rahula College. Before long we needed equipment and I managed to get the approval of the Principal of Rahula College to use his science lab after school hours. Thereafter everyday for three full months we were there experimenting to find the art of making crayons from six to twelve every night. In fact my Planning Officer the chemistry grad attempted to get the help of his professors at the University of Colombo – he spent three days begging of them but was turned away. We continued our experiments and in three months we found the art of making crayons- we and got it to be equal to Reeves, the best of the day.
Then I had a problem of how to start it. I had no funds nor any method of getting funds. Finally I summoned the member of parliament for Deniyaya who happened to be the President of the Morawak Korale Cooperative Union . In the days of premier Dudley Senanayake the GA was gazetted a Deputy Commissioner of Cooperatives . That was for the paddy production programme. I usurped that right and instructed Sumanapala to use his cooperative funds. I had no authority but for the sake of our Motherland we have got used to bed rules.
Sumanalapa was great In two days he got going, bought the equipment and five of us – the Planning Officer and us- moved to take up residence at the Coop Union where we got going making crayons – the Officers were training the youths to make it and we worked day and night for two weeks not stop till we filled two large rooms with crayoins.
Then we wanted to get to the open- we had to sell the crayons. Sumanapala and I took off to meet the Minister for Industries Mr Subasinghe and showed him the crayons we made. He was surprised at the product and agreed to open sales. We rushed back and within a week opened sales. This brought us to legitimacy.
One ingredient- dyes were costly and we had to buy it in the open market. The Ministry of Industries refused to give us an allocation of foreign exchange to import it as we were a cooperative. They had funds for private people- not for cooperatives. I argued and lost the battle.
Then we heard that the Ministry of Imports was about to authorize imports of crayons and Sumanapala and I moved in. We managed to convince the Controller of Imports to give us a fraction of the foreign exchange he was allocating for imports on condition that we will step up production. But he wanted us to get the approval of the Hon Minister, as it was never done earlier. Sumanapala and I moved in to meet Minister Illangaratne. He was so surprised at the quality that he approved a cross allocation- to import dyes for an industry which had never been done earlier. He shouted at the Controller to stop all imports of crayons. Then Coop Crayon was sold islandwide. Minister Illangaratne made me agree to open a Crayon Factory in Kolonnawa, his electorate.
I have given this long tale of how we succeeded. . Finally the Ministry of Planning had to accept Coop Crayon and that was the flagship Industry of the Divisional Development Councils Programme.
In 1981-1983 as the Commonwealth Fund Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Manpower in Bangladesh I managed to established the Youth Self Employment Programme- enticing and training youths to take up to industry, agriculture and livestock. I was denied funds as the ILO had failed in an earlier attempt and I had to find savings for training workshops etc. I trained youth workers in economics to implement this programme. I also trained the members of the elite Bangladesh Civil Service to continue to implement it after my two year spell was over. This is a continuing development programme that has by now made entrepreneurs of three million youths- the largest programme of employment creation the world has known. This is the type of production oriented development that we have to concentrate on to bring economic development to Sri Lanka
To the Hon Prime Minister and the President of Sri Lanka, Please sirs, approve a programme similar to the Divisional Development Councils Programme and we can easily have one industry like Coop Crayon going withing a few months in each District . Later we can expand further to the Divisional level, training thousands to become productive, also alleviating their poverty.
Please do consider this proposal
Garvin Karunaratne, former G.A. Matara
Center for Global Poverty Alleviation, London & Colombo
The international outlook is uncertain again amid financial sector turmoil, high inflation, ongoing effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and three years of COVID – The IMF
Global growth is projected to slow significantly amid high inflation, tight monetary policy, and more restrictive credit conditions. The possibility of more widespread bank turmoil and tighter monetary policy could result in even weaker global growth and lead to financial dislocations in the most vulnerable emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) – The World Bank
The IMF and World Bank statements highlights the international economic status of the world in the immediate term. Sri Lankans would be Ostriches with their heads in the sand if they believe that this scenario does not affect them. Based on such a misplaced and misguided view, politicians in Sri Lanka, especially the Opposition parties continue to pander to this view and promote it, as it is a vote attracting, populist view.
In reality, the following news item in the Daily FT sums up the economic situation in Sri Lanka as observed by the recent IMF delegation who visited the country.
Acknowledges Sri Lanka’s economic progress amidst challenges
Says sustaining reform momentum critical to put economy on path towards lasting recovery
Expresses concern over significant disparity between Govt. spending and tax collection
Predicts revenue mobilisation gains will fall short of initial projections by 15% by year end
Govt. is tasked to raise revenue equivalent to 12% of GDP by end-2024
Commends steady progress in implementing structural reforms
Says no fixed timeline for second tranche of $ 2.9 b facility
Notes banks will suffer from restructuring, despite financial stability maintained
Opines people are experiencing consequences of past policies, significant tax cuts in 2019
IMF staff mission team led by Peter Breuer and Katsiaryna Svirydzenka says The objective for the Government in 2024 is to raise revenue, equivalent to 12% of GDP. So there is some way to go to get there. We are looking to the benefits of the tax reforms that were introduced last year to bear full fruit and to be supplemented with appropriate conditionals, in Sri Lanka, there is a big gap between State revenue and expenditure. The expenditures are 19% of GDP and the revenue is 9% of GDP–https://www.ft.lk/top-story/IMF-gives-mixed-scorecard-for-SL/26-753484
The Titanic obviously cannot sink again. It’s lost at the bottom of the sea. Disturbingly, several reports mentioned here and columnists writing in newspapers have given dire warnings of an impending economic gloom in Sr Lanka and a second sinking of the country. One can only hope these do not come to pass and Sri Lanka will continue to sail in the stormy waters and reach calmer surroundings sooner than later. However, neither the global economic outlook for 2024 nor the economic outlook for Sri Lanka gives any room for complacency when it comes to chartering a tough economic policy in Sri Lanka. With export markets shrinking, local production showing a decline, the imperative of raising revenue without hurting people who are already hurting looks bleak. If adequate revenue is not generated, the need to curtail expenditure becomes even more crucial. The recent relaxation of imports, including luxury items, does not give the impression that curbing expenditure is a priority when it comes to imports the country can do without at least till after 2024.The absence of incentives for exporters, as claimed by many exporters, gives the impression that the government is not focused on promoting exports although the rhetoric is different and loud.
In the backdrop of the IMF assessment, the following statements are worthy of repetition. They question the seriousness of an appreciation of the state of the country’s economy.
Sajith slams govt. over failure to unlock IMF’s second tranche (https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=93715)
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa says that the government has failed to fulfil the task they have undertaken in terms of restoring the country’s economic stability. Addressing an event in Akkaraipattu today (28), Premadasa emphasized that he will ensure an era of economic development under his governance. Now they are asking why the IMF has delayed in unlocking the second tranche.” We do not need to respond to that. The IMF itself says that the government has failed to achieve government revenue targets.” They took the challenge pretending that they are economic experts. It was said that funds will overflow after he [Ranil Wicremesinghe] becomes the President.” Furthermore, Mr. Premadasa mentioned that the government has failed to achieve at least the revenue targets. They are unable to fulfil the job”, he alleged.
Petitioners MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Prof. G.L. Peiris maintain DDO and tax hikes will have a disproportionately negative effect on working population
Claims discussions and negotiations conducted by Govt. in relation to DDO were subject to secrecy
Requests SC to declare actions of CBSL and Monetary Board as a violation of fundamental rights
The collapse of the rule of law was also instrumental in the recent economic crisis in the country, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday
He told this while speaking at the inauguration of the National Law Week 2023 at the Supreme Court premises yesterday. The Minister said people’s awareness of the law is required to achieve the objectives expected by the people from the rule of law in a democratic society.
The economy of Sri Lanka shrank 11.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, marking a fifth consecutive quarter of contraction, as the country is experiencing its worst financial crisis in decades. (Trading economics (https://tradingeconomics.com/sri-lanka/gdp-growth-annual)
The industrial sector sank 23.4%, with manufacturing falling 14.2%, namely basic metal and fabricated metal products and machinery and equipment; construction went down 38.3% and mining and quarrying plunged 45.7%. Also, the services sector went down 5%, mainly dragged down by insurance and financial services. On the other hand, agriculture rose 0.8%, led by rice, fishing, and cereals. The central bank sees the economy contracting by 2% this year while the IMF sees it shrinking 3%, before registering a modest growth of 1.5% in 2024. The IMF said in May that Sri Lanka is showing tentative signs of improvement, with inflation moderating, the exchange rate stabilizing, and the central bank rebuilding reserves buffers –
30 percent of the population are experiencing acute food insecurity and will likely deteriorate further unless urgent assistance is provided. An estimated 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka are facing moderate to severe acute food insecurity and their situation is expected to worsen if adequate life-saving assistance and livelihood support is not provided, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today in a new report.
Finally, a very Titanic” columnist item appearing in the Island Politicos junketing while ordinaries are sinking in COL mire_ Cassandra cry (http://island.lk/politicos- junketing-while-ordinaries-are-sinking-in col-mire/)
These few extracts from amongst many news items and columnist articles seems to illustrate the strong possibility of a notional second sinking of the Sri Lankan Titanic. Many if not all Opposition political parties and some within the governing combine as well, appear to be on the deck of the sinking Titanic, oblivious to the catastrophe about to unfold before their eyes. The string quartet of criticism becomes louder, akin to the band that was playing on the deck while the Titanic was sinking. Offering no specific alternative solutions, the Opposition is drowning in their own criticisms, while leading the public to their misery.
What we need today, are not pompous statements of how badly the masses suffer -it is the masses who are living it, and they know it. We need to know how parties in opposition plan to bring down the cost of living. We need to know if they plan to raise wages without increasing inflation. Workers need a wage where they can afford to provide their children with a quality food and education. We want to know how the opposition expects to raise the earnings of the Exchequer so that we do not need to borrow more and more to meet our import bill, without increasing taxes on a long-suffering people If they have a plan for import substitution, let’s hear it. Our people need to see a specific plans, so that they can make an enlightened choice in the event an election is called.
What the country badly needs and would benefit greatly, is an agreement between the government and the Opposition parties to forge a national multi-party consensus, irrespective of which party is in power, on the following six areas as a minimum, for a period of at least 2 years.
a. Agreement on the local and foreign debt restructuring program. This is too vital a necessity for the country and its future, for political posturing and points scoring. A country in debt for more than 125% of its GDP and unable to meet its debt repayment obligations, is a major problem for the entire country and its current and future generations.
b. Agreement on an income tax policy – A fundamental premise should be that high income earners would be taxed more, in percentage terms, and real terms, than low-income earners
c. Agreement on an indirect tax policy – While revenue raising is critical and central, the tax on lower income earners should be proportionate to their income.
d. Agreement on an expenditure policy – it is unlikely that significant income generating tax reforms could be introduced for lower income earners considering that the tax burden is already very high on lower income earners. Government expenditure on some goods and services will have to be curtailed for a period of two years. All subsidies will have to be considered under this agreement and a determination made on a temporary pause on some of them for a period of two years.
d. Agreement on a food security policy – Some determinants like the weather obviously is beyond the control of any political party in the short term. It would be ideal and truly patriotic if all political parties could agree on a broad climate change and environment protection policy. However, food security in the short term should include a policy setting on how security could be assured in the event local production of basic food items, as predicted by the WFP and the FAO comes to pass.
Finally, on the subject of junkets, the government has to put a stop to them. Besides this, while not labelling the Presidents many overseas visits as junkets, he too needs to determine the value of doing them and speaking at international forums, based on a cost benefit analysis. At this juncture, what direct benefits accrue to the country is one main criterion that should be used. For example, what benefits accrue to the country and have accrued over the many previous heads of State addresses at the UN General Assembly? What value has some other international fora addresses accrued to the country? There has to be a direct benefit such as signing trade agreements, opening export markets, increase in foreign investments in Sri Lanka, supporting climate change initiatives, educational, research and job opportunities for Sri Lankans in countries visited by the Head of State, that must determine the worth of such visits.
In the context of advancing foreign investments, expanding export markets via investments in Sri Lanka, what matters at the end of the day is the question of confidence that such would be investors have and will have with governance in Sri Lanka. A bankrupt country, with a collection of unruly, unprincipled and unethical politicians, a similar group of civic society and religious leaders who influence politicians and the political process, corruption rampant at all levels of the society, a lop-sided law and order enforcement that reinforces the adage that some are more equal than others”, does not and will not provide the confidence that would be investors need.
The statement by the Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe aptly describes the situation in the country the collapse of the rule of law was also instrumental in the recent economic crisis in the country”. One correction that needs to be made to this statement is that the rule of law has always favoured some over others and it is one key area that has dissuaded long term investments being made in the country and given rise to imperfect, unequal playing fields for local investors as well.
The question that should be uppermost in the minds of all Sri Lankans is whether the Opposition political party leaders would meet the President and government leaders to discuss the above mentioned six imperatives and agree on them for the proposed 2 year period. A high-level multi-party monitoring committee could be formed thereafter to make sure all signatories to the agreement abide by it for the duration of the 2 year period. If this happens, international lending agencies such as the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and many friendly countries, as well as potential investors would be more encouraged than now to prevent the Sri Lankan Titanic from sinking again.
When the Mont Pelerin Society first met, in 1947, its political project did not have a name. But it knew where it was going. The society’s founder, Friedrich von Hayek, remarked that the battle for ideas would take at least a generation to win, but he knew that his intellectual army would attract powerful backers. Its philosophy, which later came to be known as neoliberalism, accorded with the interests of the ultra-rich, so the ultra-rich would pay for it.
Neoliberalism claims that we are best served by maximum market freedom and minimum intervention by the state. The role of government should be confined to creating and defending markets, protecting private property and defending the realm. All other functions are better discharged by private enterprise, which will be prompted by the profit motive to supply essential services. By this means, enterprise is liberated, rational decisions are made and citizens are freed from the dehumanising hand of the state.
This, at any rate, is the theory. But as David Harvey proposes in his book A Brief History of Neoliberalism, wherever the neoliberal programme has been implemented, it has caused a massive shift of wealth not just to the top 1%, but to the top tenth of the top 1%. In the US, for instance, the upper 0.1% has already regained the position it held at the beginning of the 1920s. The conditions that neoliberalism demands in order to free human beings from the slavery of the state – minimal taxes, the dismantling of public services and social security, deregulation, the breaking of the unions – just happen to be the conditions required to make the elite even richer, while leaving everyone else to sink or swim. In practice the philosophy developed at Mont Pelerin is little but an elaborate disguise for a wealth grab. More @ https://www.theguardian.com/profile/georgemonbiot
ඇත්ත වශයෙන්ම සිදුවූයේ කුමක්දැයි නොදැන විවිධ පුද්ගලයින් නිගමනවලට පැනීමට උත්සාහ කිරීම සහ මෙම ප්රශ්නය ගැන අදහස් දැක්වීම ඉතා කණගාටුදායක ය.
