The nation was deprived of its most versatile military leader with a gentle heart on 8th August 1992 at Araly Pont. Jaffna when Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa was killed by a remote-controlled bomb of the LTTE terrorists. If he survived, the threat paused by the separatists to the unitary Sri Lanka and her 21 million people would have been controlled much earlier than it took to root out the LTTE terrorists.
A quote from the well-known book, The Lost Art of War reminds us of Lt Gen Denzil K. The commanders must be JUST. If they are not, they will lack dignity. The commanders must be HUMAN. If they are mot, they will not be effective. The commanders must have INTEGRITY, if they are not, they will not have power”. Lt Gen Kobbekaduwa possessed all above qualities and was recognized as a true soldier who led his troops by example.
He was born in 1940 and had his secondary education at Trinity College, where he excelled as a rugby player captaining the team and was a prefect of the college. He joined the SrI Lanka army in 1960 as a second lieutenant. He then proceeded to the UK and received military training at Sandhurst.
His service period in the Army was not a bed of roses. He had to handle two-armed instructions of the JVP and then to combat LTTE terrorism from the late 70s. The war against the LTTE was critical as the aim of the terrorists was to carve out a separated country from the territory of Sri Lanka. Lt Gen Kobbekaduwa exhibited his skills in the strategy of warfare in pushing back the LTTE armed carders and defeating them in many a place such as in the East, Vanni and some vital areas in Jaffna in the Vadamarachchi operation and under his extremely skilful leadership the capture of Jaffna fort. He would have finished the war against the LTTE, if not for the intervention of India in 1987 when they violated the airspace of our country.
He was a man whose aim was always to protect the ordinary civilians and consider options to rehabilitate them to lead them back to normalcy. In fact, when he was commanding the Vanni forces. he worked with Ven Wimalagana thero of Tantirimale Raja Maha viharaya, a dedicated social service leader and initiated several welfare schemes. I met Lt Gen Kobbekaduwa in the 80s in Vavuniya when a team from Dharmavijaya Foundation. Colombo went to assist to provide housing to the Sinhala people who were driven away from Jaffna town. Under the able leadership of the Lt Gen and Wimalagana thero , we built a village called Sandamala Eliya. Lt Gen was involved actively giving directions and supervising connected activities and we were amazed how he was managing time while planning the war against the terrorists.
He arranged to supply basic food, planting material, fertilizer etc to the farmers in the area and repaired many small tanks and built about 250 wells. 1400 houses in Vanni area including the Veerapuram village for homeless Tamil people.
He won the hearts and minds of his fellow soldiers and the ordinary citizens, He was very close to his troops and called the soldiers ‘putha’ (son) and he provided solutions to their personal issues such as a sick person, at home, a problem regarding a child in the family of a soldier.
His services to the nation were recognized by the nation and was the recipient of a number of medals awarded for excellence such as Poorna Bhumi. Veera Wickrama, Uttaraseva and Desha Putra medals
On the 8th of August, the grateful people of Sri Lanka should resolve to remember Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa, a man of steel and a golden heart along with 29,000 armed personnel who sacrificed their lives and 14,000 maimed in defending the nation. Unfortunately, we seldom hear from our present-day youth or their social media about our war heroes as their mission and vision vary from the aspirations of the earlier generation.
When the sun rises, by its magnificent rays-
the dense darkness of the world gets dispelled but only during the day.
The deep sorrow of darkness both internal and external
Vanish at the mere sight of a noble leader, equally during day and night.
Anagarika Dharmapala is undoubtedly one of the greatest strategic thinkers; certainly the best ever in his community. His ability to strategize his plans for the optimum impact baffles an inquisitive thinker even today and is at times beyond belief. None of his contemporaries seems to have understood him fully as he was light years ahead of them in intellectual ability. Though came out as brash at times, he chose his words carefully considering the impact they had. He deliberately refrained from saying the obvious at times to make room for his strategies. But considering the context, unsaid words have the greatest meaning then and today.
His most famous clarion call was Sinhalas Awake! Save Bodh Gaya”. Save it from whom?
Was it from the British, the Christians, the Muslims? None of them posed any threat to Bodh Gaya and none showed any adverse interest towards it. In fact, the shrine was reestablished to its past glory by two British persons from Christian families.
Bodh Gaya had to be saved from Hindus.
He also included all Sinhalas in his call; not just Buddhists taking into account the context of the matter. Having experienced it first hand at Christian schools, he was aware that non-Buddhist Sinhalas during British time had little regard for Hindu religious beliefs.
Anagarika Dharmapala initiated legal battles to save Bodh Gaya from Hindus. It never fully succeeded.
Hindus have a long history of animosity towards Bodh Gaya and Buddhism in general. Chinese explorer Hsuan Tsang who visited the area now known as India around 631 to 645 AD describes how Hindu ruler Shashanka (590 to 625 AD) cut down the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya and removed a Buddha statue and replaced it with an object used for the worship of Shiva.
This has direct relevance to today and Hindus in the island seem to be at it again in an attempt to replace ancient well-established Buddhist shrines with Hindu shrines (e.g. Kurundi Viharaya) and the practice of phallus worship which was not practiced by ancient islanders. History records just one instance of constructing a phallus for worship during King Panduka Abhaya’s time who established Anuradhapura, named after a person named Anuradha who arrived from the area now known as north India. It was part of a series of construction of shrines for visiting foreign trade parties at a time when foreign trade was significant.
A senior official of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC),under investigation for massive losses, suffered over a period of time, has resigned after having gone abroad, authoritative sources told The Island yesterday (07).
The former Deputy General Manager, responsible for the commercial and supply chain had been investigated for what sources called ‘out turn losses’ (difference between what the crude oil tanker pumped and what Sapugaskanda refinery received)
Sources said that it was going on for years and the then debt-ridden CPC had been compelled to pay huge amounts as ‘out turn losses’ to suppliers.
Informed sources said that contrary to the CPC’s claims, none of those responsible for the huge losses had been properly investigated. The Power and Energy Ministry and CPC would now place the entire blame on the ex-Deputy GM while his associates side-stepped the law.
Sources asked how the DGM concerned had obtained permission to leave the country if he had been under investigation.
Trade union sources said that a senior employee holding such a critically important position couldn’t have resigned without obtaining security clearance and properly relinquishing his duties. Sources said that one person couldn’t have perpetrated the alleged frauds, under any circumstances. Therefore, a thorough investigation was required to identify all persons responsible.
Responding to another query, sources asked how the senior employee concerned sent his letter of resignation through his wife. The CPC and Power and Energy Ministry owed an explanation whether the officer would be asked to come back to assist the ongoing investigation. He is believed to be in Canada (SF).
The tally of Dengue cases reported for 2023 has surpassed the 58,000 mark while one more death was reordered, according to the Epidemiology Unit.
Accordingly, as of July 07, a total of 58,138 cases have been reported so far in 2023, with the highest number of cases being recorded from the Gampaha district as 8,970. In addition, the fresh death pushed the total fatalities to 38.
Further, the Western Province has recorded over 28,000 cases, the highest in terms of provinces.
Moreover, the Epidemiology Unit has identified 47 high-risk MOH areas where dengue breeding places have been found in abundance.
The month of July has so far logged 1,449 Dengue cases.
The continuous practice of reusing single-use plastic bottles for drinking water will bring people to their own deaths, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr. Sarath Edirisinghe said.
Meanwhile, addressing the media, the Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Dr. G. Wijesuriya said a trend has been again created among the people over the re-use of single-use plastic bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE).
The water in these bottles is not suitable to be exposed to direct sunlight after its seal is broken, as there are possibilities of the chemicals in the bottle mixing with the water.
With the reuse of these one-time-use plastic bottles, there is a possibility of people getting infected with various diseases, such as cancer.
Therefore, the doctor requested the people to use only the recommended bottles for drinking water. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
A fake history was created & promoted by Tamil politicians who fooled Tamil youth to take up arms and resulted in 30 years of brutal bloodshed & put Sri Lanka into $200billion debt. That bloodshed was ended by the sacrifices of our heroic armed forces. Yet, that debt together with unplanned governance has resulted in further debt & bankruptcy. While the Tamil political leadership & LTTE Diaspora has to be held to account for this $200b debt, a key factor negates the Indo-Lanka Accord clause & the demand for 13A as a foundation stone for self-determination & a Tamil Homeland quest. This key factor is that 50% of the Jaffna peninsula population are Koviyar caste who are in reality Tamilized Sinhalese, implying that they were originally Sinhalese.If 50% of the current population living in the Jaffna peninsula are in reality Sinhalese, this negates the Tamil homeland myth. President Ranil should be seeking justice for these koviyas who are considered untouchable” dalits before signing any land or police powers.
These are ground realities that President Ranil, holding executive powers for the 1sttime has to come to terms with. He could promise anything when not in power, but holding executive powers he cannot sign to give into racist demands based on a false history promoted for over 100 years.
Instead the President should take up a more important human rights violation. The koviars being Sinhalese are treated as untouchable dalits” – Justice for these Sinhalese untouchables” must be addressed first by the President.Of course, these Sinhalese are unlikely to get any assistance from the $ seeking human rights organizations & the usual mouthpieces. The Concise History of Tamils by MP Channa Jayasumana gives a detailed account of the caste system.
When did Tamils arrive to Sri Lanka?
Prof. Kartigesu Indrapala claims Tamils arrived 600 years back. This tallies with the Yalpana Vaipava Malai which claims Tamils were brought from South India during reign of a Sinhala king & majority returned after the Kings death as the Sinhalese who were living in the North did not like them. The book confirms the Sinhalese were original inhabitants of the North.
Capt Robert Percival’s book ‘An account of the island of Ceylon’ published in 1803 puts the arrival of Tamils to 300 years back and claims Tamils to be Malabars & not natives of Ceylon. The Tamils brought by Sinhalese King Jayatungka V and those brought as coolies differ.
The 1st invasion by Sena Guttika (2 horse traders) in 237BC was during the rule of a Sinhala King, whom they killed.
The 2nd invasion by Elara was during rule of King Asela (9th son of King Mutuseewa). Both invasions took place during the rule of Sinhalese kings. There was no Tamil independent kingdom when Sena Guttika arrived first to Sri Lanka in 237BC.
This negates the fake history started by Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam who made Malabars into Ceylon Tamils in 1911 and Chelvanayagam who began promoting a Tamil State in 1949. India who secretly trained Tamil militants, drafted the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987 making use of this bogus history to their advantage to secure the world’s most sought after natural harbor – Trincomalee. The inclusion by India was not to provide any self-determination for Tamils, but to use Tamils to gain control over North & East of Sri Lanka. This was why India began training a separate Tamil militant group under the leadership of Varatharaja Perumal & why India tapped LTTE’s deputy Mahaththaya as their agent.
The TNA has to :
Prove on what basis TNA is claiming a homeland in North Sri Lanka & present historical & archaeological evidence – the President must demand this.
Explain why they failed in governing the Northern Provincial Council without land & police powers since 2013 & why they need land & police powers to administer the province?
Disprove Tamil lineage to Africa or Tamil Nadu & prove Tamil lineage in Sri Lanka’s North to claim a homeland”- Tamils cannot be demanding homelands all over the world. It will create an ugly precedent.
The question to President Ranil is
How can a fake history become the basis to separate an Island nation?
When previous Presidents have refrained from giving land & police powers after realizing the dangers of a fake history is likely to materialize into a separate state,-why should an interim president sign into effect a likely separation of Sri Lanka?
Does the President not realize that the issue is now more complex with not only Tamil leaders desiring a separate land but foreign nations also vying to take over the land that is likely to be separated & then work themselves down to take over the rest of the land too?
India thinks that breaking up Sri Lanka is advantageous to India, but Sri Lanka & India does not realize that the moment Sri Lanka is balkanized, India is next on target. If Sri Lanka falls, India’s fall is imminent & will take place sooner than India bargains for.Therefore, both President Ranil & Prime Minister Modi, need to play their cards discretely. The West are playing India against Sri Lanka while attempting to destabilize both countries. It is not to India’s advantage to destabalize Sri Lanka.
If India thinks, destabalizing Sri Lanka is advantageous to India, that gain is nowhere near the gain US/West will get by balkanizing India thereafter.
India appears to think that a greater Indian hold over Sri Lanka will prevent India’s destabalzing, however, that calculation is also incorrect. The Sri Lankan populace have never forgiven India for secretly training Tamil militants & preventing the capture of Prabakaran in May 1987 that would have ended militancy & not resulted in any of the deaths and assassinations that took place after May 1987 including that of PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 & close to 2000 Indian soldiers by 1990.
The first thing Sri Lanka’s Parliament must do is to finally nullify the fake history drummed by separatist Tamil politicians and foolishly accepted by Tamils. Unfortunately, we have no foreign policy strategists to devise an appropriate strategic plan to develop international relations with India, so that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty & territorial integrity is protected. All experts” have been happy to forsake Sri Lanka’s sovereignty & we have nothing much to now give up. We are trying to protect & preserve the little that we have. The officials are primarily to be held accountable. They cannot pass blame on the politicians only. They had a role to play but did they deliver? What’s, left is now the voice of the citizens who wish to ensure the sovereignty of Sri Lanka continues without being outsourced for the political survival of a handful, who are foolish to think that they will survive after handing over all to foreign hands. The ground reality is that they will be the first to be ousted – the Politicians are foolish not to understand this.
When the Eelam war ended in 2009, the government made no attempt to integrate the north with the rest of the country. Instead they paid puja to its Tamil-Hindu culture, ignoring the fact that this was one of the arguments used for waging the Eelam war.
In 2009, soon after the war ended Peoples Bank announced the opening of 5 new branches in Jaffna district. The advertisement, 12 inches by 8, in the Daily News showed a Hindu kovil.
In 2010 Mahinda Rajapakse went bare bodied to Nallur when he went electioneering to Jaffna. The German Ambassador participated in the Thai pongal festival at Nallur, bare bodied, in 2010 . In the same year, observers complained that the Central Cultural Fund was engaged in projects depicting Sri Lanka as a Hindu country. In 2011 the government indicated that it planned to give Kovils such as Thirukeetheswaram recognition as National monuments.
Kovil building received state support. In 1997 Rs 22 million had been released to rehabilitate three Hindu religious sited on order of President Chandrika. In May 2000 The Kathiresan Hindu kovil at Anuradhapura was renovated and restored on the directive of President Chandrika and was opened with a special a pooja attended by dignitaries of all religions.
There will be a cultural renaissance in Hindu temples in Kegalle district, said the media in 2003. 20 Hindu temples will be given funds for maintenance; Hindu cultural Ministry has allocated Rs 8 lakhs for the project.
The Tamil Separatist Movement made it a point to set up kovils all over the country. The intention was to present Sri Lanka to the world as a Hindu country. There was an explosion of kovil building from 1999 onwards. In 1999 Hanuman temple was constructed in Nuwara Eliya, facing Sri Pada and overlooking Kotmale.
The small insignificant Sita Eliya temple has been developed into a conspicuous edifice patronized by persons going along the Nuwara Eliya- Badulla road. This is now presented as a tourist attraction. Buddhists go there eagerly.The idea is to create a Hindu base for Nuwara Eliya and the Hill country. The construction of this temple was assisted by Forces commander Rohan Daluwatte in order to promote good relations between Tamils and Sinhala. It was done by workmen from Tamilnadu on visas.
A new kovil appeared in Akkaraipattu in 2000. A Kovil was constructed over night in Trincomalee on Orrs Hill, constructed in one day, reported the media in 2002. A large kovil was getting built on the Kandy Colombo road during this time.
Jaffna was not left out of this kovil activity. All the kovils in Jaffna are new ones, said Susantha Goonetilaka who had lived and worked in Jaffna some time back. In 2016 ‘Nan’ reported that she went to Jaffna and saw new kovils in very many places, including Kayts and Karainagar.
In 2016 it was announced that Shiva Sena in Mumbai has extended its support to a Sri Lankan Tamil outfit called Siva Senai, a group of Hindus in Vavuniya led by Maravanapulavi Sachithananthan. This is Sri Lanka’s first right wing Hindu organization. It accuses the government of supporting a Sinhala Buddhist colonization to undermine the importance of Hindus. (Island 15.10. 16 p 3)
Hindus agree that Hindu religion is highly decentralized. There is no central control over the practice of the religion. There is no higher authority which gives orders, and no control whatsoever over the setting up of kovils and the appointment of priests. A Hindu priest is not selected or certified by any central authority. He is accepted as a Hindu priest by his community if there is evidence of training, preparation and competence.
Village deities have been accepted into mainstream Hinduism, but kovils dedicated to these deities are not officiated by Brahmin priests. The traditions of those kovils are often morbid including the practice of blood sacrifices and ritual slaughter.
However, Hinduism is not completely without controls. There are standards and requirements for the Hindu priests officiating in the well recognized temples. The primary responsibility of a Hindu priest is to conduct daily prayers (puja) at the local temple and officiate in Hindu rituals and ceremonies.
.In order to perform a puja, the priests are required to have prior skills and knowledge. To be a qualified priest, they must know the required chants (mantrams and stotrams) fluently in Sanskrit, and be familiar with the materials required to perform the puja for various ceremonies and rituals. From an early age, they are trained to memorise hymns in order to chant them during rituals and ceremonies.
There are rules and regulations for building Hindu temples as well. This is to be expected.There are conditions laid dowon for the selectin of the site, the way the foundation is laid, there are rituals when insstllign the main deity and inviting the god to occupy the statue.
I have not been able to find an authoritative book on Hinduism, telling me all I need. I have therefore used sentences from authoritative statements obtained from Google. I trust that I have not hurt Hindu sensibilities in the above short account.
Hinduism in Sri Lanka has started to impact on Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Buddhists need to start looking deeply at the status of Hinduism in Sri Lanka .There are no legal provisions for registering Hindu temples in Sri Lanka said K.C. Logeswaran.
Hindu temples in Sri Lanka belong to two categories, he said. One where there was a Brahmin priest to conduct the ritual of the temple. These are less than a thousand in number. Other category is small temples under rule of madaalayam where no Brahmin poosaries and pandarams officiated. Over 70% of the Hindu temples in Sri Lanka were these, he said. I think Madalayam in this context means chapel.
In India courts have ruled that the temples belong to the gods, in Sri Lanka courts have ruled that the Hindu temples belong to the trustees, said K. Kanag Iswaran. In Sri Lanka the ownership of the Hindu temple is vested not in the priests but in the persons who built the temple and pays for the rites, observed the anthropologist B. Pfaffenberger. The owner of the temple got the donations, such as produce, etc which came not only form worships but also request for passing exams, journeys etc. (Continued)
‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’
In 1782, while the newly ‘independent’ USA was beginning its forays into the Indian & Pacific Oceans, the French & English fought 4 battles: The Battle of Sadras south of Madras, the Battle of Providien near Trincomalee, the Battle of Negapatam off Cuddalore, where the French seized Trincomalee forcing the English to surrender; and the Battle of Trincomalee.
In 2023, it appears Trincomalee has been captured without a shot. Or, is this what all that 3-decade bloodshed & terror, and this impasse, is all about? (see ee Quotes, Indian Warship in Trinco)
Also in 1782: There was a 2nd major English parliamentary investigation (1st, 1772) into the English East India Co (EIC). Edmund Burke noted: When English employees of the Company squabbled, ‘their complaints inter alia reveal the misery of the natives, but when the staff are all in agreement, the natives are said to be likewise content.’
The history that Canada’s ambassador in Colombo lives in, seems unsettled. He’s all ‘past tense’. He declared genocide in Canada was a thing long gone. Well, tell that to the ‘Indians’. (Or whatever it is they call the people whose land they stole and refuse to return – the ultimate ‘land acknowledgement’!)
*
• Planning was turned into a synonym for sex in Sri Lanka. Most of the world – what English headlines always refer to as ‘developing’ – has a different meaning for the word ‘planning’.
Yes, planning in Sri Lanka was turned solely into ‘Family Planning’ in the so-called public mind. What the f#$#^%$#! Well, it’s no wonder. ‘Planning the economy’ – as in the sense of the USSR & China’s, and our very own sabotaged 5-Year Plans – was banned by the USA’s World Bank after 1977. Soon, government ministries, departments and NGOs adopted the sunny word ‘development’ to their names. And 7 decades hence, we ‘keep on developin’ – as any Mississippi satirist might twang.
‘The voters in our villages didn’t elect us to tell them with whom or how many times they should make love every night.’ Did Philip Gunawardena say that? Or is it yet more patient English fiction? The means and media, schemes and plots, literary and other, employed to sabotage a national industrial plan, let alone kill leaderships, besmirch Philip Gunawardena and other national-minded politicians, and then massacre 100,000s more, is the real ‘underrepresented anglophone tradition’ – the unwritten English fiction in Sri Lanka. We doubt apartheid’s Standard Chartered Bank and opium’s HSBC would sponsor such an award.
• Policy analyst Vagisha Gunasekara asserts that ‘green energy’ is being distorted to thwart industrialization in our countries. She was speaking at the recent Gamani Corea Foundation’s Innovators Forum on Industrial Development. This ee concludes its look at that forum, complete with audience inputs and panel responses. Dhammika Fernando, chair of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association, who also spoke, noted that the exports of the apparel sector add little (less than 30%) to their costly imports. Therefore, economists Bram & Howard Nicholas as well as industry experts provide the calculus of what is and isn’t industrialization. The main conclusions are: we need the audacity of a plan and we need the optimism of the will!
Indeed, one question we’d have liked to ask JAAF director Fernando: How has the apparel fraud prevented its transformation into a bona-fide modern industry? – by not making a pin, let alone making a machine that makes machines that make pins, and other metalwork! Further, SBD de Silva linked high labor costs to the failure of rural industrialization that would reinforce rice production and labor.
ee also carries excerpts from Russian leader V Putin’s meeting in the Kremlin with the heads of Russia’s industrial enterprises. There Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Manturov noted that the main driver of Russia’s economy today is the state-owned companiesthat provideprocurement.
This recalls SBD de Silva’s MA thesis, published in Melbourne, 1954, Long-term Contracts & Bulk Trading, about how the English government during their World War 2 bought and sold important commodities wholesale in Ceylon. Despite all the media rhetoric opposing state involvement in the economy, it shows how English government always intervene to ‘rescue’ themselves & capitalism…
The Tamil agricultural laborers who migrated to Jaffna in the 17th century, probably set up shrines to the village gods they worshipped back home. The Bhakti religion had incorporated local gods into its philosophy. Due to their low caste they would not have been allowed into the major temples that existed at the time in Tamilnadu. They probably knew nothing about Siva or Vishnu.
This group could not have developed a strong Hindu culture in the North. They were an ignorant, low ranking, subordinate group of labourers, ruled by the Dutch. The Dutch were trying to push their own brand of Christianity. They would not have encouraged village Hinduism.
A small but strong Hindu community was created in Jaffna, much later, by Arumuka Navalar (1822-1879).The religious awakening among the Tamil Hindus in Jaffna was largely due to the pioneering efforts of Arumuka Navalar, said analysts.
When the American missionaries started converting Tamils to Christianity in Jaffna, Arumuka Navalar started to do the same for Hinduism. He established Hindu secondary schools and published books on Hindu theology and Hindu practices.
According to journalist Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar, Arumuka Navalar also encouraged the building of Hindu temples The Naga Pooshani Ambal temple at Nainativu was erected by Arumuga Navalar in 1882, Chelvatamby said. The first Kumbabhisekam of Durga Devi temple, at Tellipalai, Jaffna was performed in 1829. The poojas were performed by priests from Kanchipuram. In 1894, local Hindus led by Arumuga Navalar built the present temple.
Arumuka Navalar only taught the elite Tamils in Jaffna, he was not prepared to teach Hinduism to the low castes. The resulting Hinduism was therefore heavily caste based.
Low castes could not worship in high caste temples. Maviddapuram Kandasamy temple is one example of a high caste temple which chased away low caste Hindus. The situation is the same today. A few temples allow low castes to come into certain sections of the kovil, but most are continuing to worship village deities.
Hinduism entrenched itself in Jaffna and the north in the mid 19th century. Hindus seem to have worshipped both Vishnu and Shiva. The 1871 Census the Hindus were listed as Saivite and Vaishnavite, not Hindu.
Tamils have given an ancient origin to the Hindu temples in north and east. Hindu writers declare that the north-east had Hindu temples of ancient origin. Sri Lanka was blessed with five of the most ancient shrines of Lord Siva, they said.
Of these 5 temples Thirukoneswaram, (Trincomalee ) Thiruketheeswaram (Mannar) Munneswaram (Chilaw) and Naguleswaram (KKS) are functioning today. Nakuleswaram Temple in Jaffna is the oldest Siva temple in Sri Lanka.
Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee was a great centre of Saiva worship said commentators. Religious songs were sung in honour of it by Saint Thiruganasampanthan in the 7th century. Thirukoneswaram (Trincomalee) and Thirukeetheswaram (Mantota) were part of the nine sacred sthalams of Hindus. The other seven are in India.
The origins of these prehistoric temples are shrouded in mythology. Commentators therefore felt free to say anything. One writer said that Vijaya promoted Hinduism in Sri Lanka and ordered five Shiva temples to be built in the four corners of Sri Lanka .
Another spoke of a local myth which states that a temple named Maviddapuram Murukan temple was built by a Pandya princess who was cured by the Keerimalai springs. This temple was destroyed by the Portuguese ‘but memories of the temple have existed in the minds of the people’.
However, there is no evidence to support the existence of these Hindu temples. Two explanations are offered for the lack of any archaeological evidence for these ancient kovils. One explanation is that the Portuguese destroyed all the kovils, the other is that the all the kovils fell into the sea. In Koneswaram the original temple fell into the sea during a flood and is still there said historian S. Pathmanathan in his book ‘ History of Hindu temples of Sri Lanka .
The bland statement that Portuguese destroyed all the Hindu temples in Jaffna cannot be accepted. The Portuguese did not destroy the Buddhist temples which they found in abundance everywhere they went. The argument that the kovils somehow managed to slide off into the sea cannot be accepted either. It is much more likely that these kovils never existed.
Hinduism as well as Islam got entrenched in Sri Lanka during British rule. There is no mention of Hindu Kovils and Muslim mosques in the Udarata Kingdom. The British rulers gave special recognition to the three religions that believed in God, namely Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
During British rule, Churches, mosques and kovils came up all over the island. Many of the Hindu temples we see today were built during British rule. Hindu temples were constructed on an unprecedented scale in the 19th century, said .Pathmanathan. The American missionaries in Jaffna had commented on this.
Old Hindu temples in Jaffna, Trincomalee and Batticaloa were restored” in British times, continued Pathmanathan. British administrators have readily and unquestioningly accepted Tamil statements as to the antiquity of these temples. C. Pridham in his book ‘Historical, political and statistical account of Ceylon’ (1849) wrote about Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee, saying it was regarded with great reverence by its devotees. It is one of the peaks of the legendary Mahameru.
The idea of finding and restoring the Thirukeetheswaram temple came from Arumuga Navalar. He initiated the search for the site. He wrote a tract where he said that Illankai is fortunate to have two temples for Siva worship, Thirukeetheswaram and Tirukoneswaram, mentioned in hymns ‘sung by our saints.’ So many temples are coming up in different parts of Sri Lanka now, why are the Hindus not interested in Thirukeetheswaram, he asked.
The British administration was contacted. The British officials seem to have believed what they were told without asking for evidence. P de Hoeft, referred to as ‘Colonial Secretary’, visited the ruins several times in 1894-95 and wrote up his findings. ‘There was a low wall which was pointed out as a relic of the temple. And some broken pierces of sculpture of Hindu saints. .
W.J.S. Boake, AGA Mannar reported in 1886 that Thirukeetheswaram is one of the 64 sacred places of the Hindus. Its temple rivaled that of Rameswaram and was probably built at the same period. Nothing remains above ground except a few fragments of sculpture.
W. Twynam, Government Agent, Northern Province reported in 1887 that ‘there is a tradition that this temple was large and Hindus made pilgrimages to it from all parts of India as they now do to the temple as Rameswaram. The Portuguesa had destroyed it. Some images were found at the site.
This shows that the so-called ruins at Thirukeetheswaram were movable items that could have been brought there from elsewhere. Archaeologists would not accept such items as evidence. The British administrators accepted such flimsy evidence because they wanted to bring the northern coastline under ‘Ceylon Tamil” control.
S.Vaithilingam, Thambaiyah, Mudaliyar of Colombo made an application for the purchase of the site of the temple, so that it could be rebuilt. The Government Agent put the land up for sale in 1893 and 44 acres were bought by R.R. Palaniappa Chettiyar. Excavations started under the supervision of Pasupathy Chettiyar in 1894. The original location of the temple was found and the southwest corner wall located. A small temple was erected and consecrated in 1903.
Thereafter the project was managed by the Nagarathar, a Chetty community residing in Madampe but the temple came under the control of the Kathiresan temple in Colombo. The central shrine was improved in 1921 by Hindu public servants working in Mannar. A ‘Society for the restoration of the temple at Tirukketisvaram’ was set up in 1948 and work commenced under the guidance of Sir Kanthiah Vaithianathan. A new design was developed in 1952 and the building completed in 1969. In 2009 under Uthuru Vasanthaya the government renovated the temple.
Nallur Kandasamy kovil originally had a cadjan roof and two main halls. It was rebuilt for the fourth time in 1734 by Ragunatha Mappana Mudaliyar who worked at the Kachcheri. He had persuaded the Dutch to let him rebuild it. Descendants of Ragunatha continued the work.
Arumuga Mapaana Mudaliyar built the first bell tower in 1899. The main hall was refurbished using rocks in 1902. The fortified wall which demarcates the large kovil was built by him in 1909. It was renovated in 1964 ‘to have the present attractive and grand look’. Kumaradas Mudaliyar, the tenth custodian, is credited with restoring this kovil to its present position as the largest Hindu kovil in Sri Lanka, said journalist Dishan Joseph.
Coomaraswamy Mudaliyar, father in law of Ponnambalam Arunachalam, belonged to the first generation of Tamils to settle in Colombo. He was the first Tamil representative in the Legislative Council. A staunch and devoted Hindu hailing from Manipay, Jaffna, and Coomaraswamy Mudaliyar built two Hindu temples in Colombo, Kathiresan temple at Gintupitiya and Muttuvinayakara temple. Muttuvinayakara was built in Sea Street in 1856. Nattukottai chettiars gave the money. The Nattukottai chettiars were wealthy money lenders who spent large sums on religion. They built several Saivite temples in Ceylon, mainly dedicated to Kathiresan and Kataragama gods.
The Arulmihu Sivasubramaniya kovil was initially in Dam Street, built in 1822. The property was acquired by the British around 1867. They gave 500 pounds, a very big sum at the time, to Ponnambalam Mudaliyar, father of Ponnambalam Arunachalam to construct a new temple at another site in Colombo. Ponnambalam Mudaliyar built the new temple at Kew Road, Slave Island in 1870 and named it Kathiresan kovil. Ponnambalam Ramanathan enlarged it in 1902 and re-named it Shri Sivasubramaniya swamy kovil. A Board of Trustees was appointed in 1942. It was renovated in 1975. A gopuram of 82 feet was constructed in 1995 and a golden chariot in 1998. This kovil is a tourist attraction today.
The Ponnambalavanesvara temple in Kochchikade, near St Anthony’s Church was built in 1856 and consecrated in 1857. Dharmavan Ponnambalam Mudaliyar bought the land, originally a coconut plantation, using his own money. He constructed a small temple on the site in 1857, built modestly with lime and mortar. The indenture of 1857 gave the responsibility of the temple to the Arunasalam Ponnambalam family.
When Ponnambalam Mudaliyar died in 1887, the trusteeship devolved on his son Ponnambalam Ramanathan. He got down experts from India, started the renovation in 1907 and completed the temple in 1912. It was constructed entirely out of black granite from the Veyangoda quarry. The temple is similar to those in South India with gopuram and gateways facing east and west.
Mention must also be made of the four Hindu temples in Bambalapitiya practically adjacent to each other, ending at Vajira Road. Two are Pillayar temples, the other two Kathiresan. The total extent of land is around five acres or so, it extends from Galle Road down to Duplication Road. This huge extent shows that the land was probably given to these temples during the British administration.
Hindu temples were built in towns elsewhere in the island during British rule. Bandarawela Sri Sivasubramaniya devasthanam was built in 1837 by A.S. Muthiah Pillai and others. Pullaiyar kovil in Kandy, near Police station was built in 1840. Nuwara Eliya Hindu kovil was built in 1850. The Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman kovil in Matale was built in 1874 by the Hindu community in Matale, mostly traders who came from Tamilnadu and Kerala to do business in and around the tea estates. (Continued)
It was the Roman lawyer, Cicero, who in his De Re Publica, uses the literary device of the Dream of Scipio to give the authority of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, the greatest of the Roman Republic’s citizen soldiers, to the proposition that the ‘populus’, the people, served by a true republic is not any assemblage of individuals, but an assemblage associated in a particular common interest. And that common interest is in doing of justice to each other. For Cicero, a true republic is a state which serves the ‘res populi’, the thing of the people, that is the common good, by securing the practice of justice between them: a notion that the French citizens of 1789 would come to call ‘fraternité’. Hon Justice Patrick Keane AC https://www.monash.edu/_data/assets/pdf_file/0018/817101/01_Keane.pdf
The verse in the National Anthem that all children are of one mother(EkaMawakageDaruwo), would have been written with a view to promoting unity amongst all Sri Lankans, but it is possible that this verse in fact has had the effect of promoting disunity as it could have had the unintended consequence of not recognizing the challenges that cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of Sri Lankans pose when it comes to equality and equity. On the one hand, it could be said that they all are of one mother, at least at the time they were born, and until they are labelled as Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Islamists etc, etc. On the other hand, it is possible that historical and contemporary cultural, linguistic, and religious realities assign different motherhood status in the minds of some considering that the country’s diversity has not been recognized and translated to equality for all children in all instances and it possibly has been difficult for them to identify all children of Sri Lanka as one mothers children.
Although the verse implies equality of all children of Mother Sri Lanka, it has not been the case with some being regarded as more equal than others. This has resulted in diversity becoming a hinderance rather than a positive quality towards achieving unity. If Sri Lanka is taken as the mother of all children, one must reflect whether this mother has treated all children equally and equitably. The National flag of the country has four Bo leaves representing Karuna, Metta, Muditha and Upekka, essentially love and compassion, but it is questionable whether these have in fact been practiced by all Sri Lankans when it comes to diversity amongst the communities.
Whatever the intent of this verse was, no doubt a very noble one, it is possible that communities have distanced themselves from each other wittingly or unwittingly rather than cohabiting with love and compassion and understanding, to live as children of one mother.
The psyche of inequality felt by some, and superiority felt by others, leading to discriminatory practices by one community over others, could have been the root cause of the ethnic conflict involving the North/East Tamil community and the Sinhala Buddhist community.
The pursuit of reconciliation between the aggrieved and the triumphant, has to recognize this anomaly and find ways and means of addressing it from within the ambit of realities rather than from the perspective of unrealistic and unfounded rhetoric.
Unless and until political and religious leaders demonstrate by example that all are equal and neither history nor the present day has accorded equals to become more equal than others, it is unlikely that followers of such leaders will think as they should.
It is unlikely that true, lasting reconciliation will happen until such a mindset change occurs. Reconciliation cannot be achieved through legislation; it has to be embedded in the minds of people.
Reconciliation also cannot happen if it is seen as a one-way process and where the triumphant is considered to be solely responsible for reaching out to the aggrieved with the latter not understanding and appreciating some reasons that would have contributed to the triumphalism. The deep-rooted desire of the Northern and Eastern people for self-governance and a deep-seated mistrust of the Tamils by the Sinhala Buddhist majority makes reconciliation a major challenge.
As an example, the demand for a land area as a homeland of one community based on questionable historical claims could have contributed to another community asserting their claim of historical superiority with both positions unhelpful for reconciliation due to this mistrust. A demand for a homeland area that provides a sense of cultural comfort and safety would have been a more reconcilable discussion point.
The 13th Amendment
The debates and discussions that are ongoing about reconciliation are centered around the 13th Amendment to the constitution. In reality, the 13th Amendment could be looked at as more of a drawback than a helpful way forward to achieve reconciliation through a deeper understanding, appreciation and acceptance of the diversity between the communities in question.
This far-reaching constitutional amendment, forced on the people of Sri Lanka as a panacea for overcoming the ethnic conflict has never been discussed publicly as it should have been. The Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka was passed in 1987 as part of the Indo-Lanka Accord as a solution to the ethnic conflict that had become an armed conflict between the armed forces of the country and those of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).The amendment in fact had no impact as a measure to overcome the armed conflict that lasted for more than 20 years since the enactment of the amendment. It is ironical that even the leading Tamil political parties considered the 13th Amendment as inadequate to meet the aspirations of the North and East Tamil people, a position they hold to this day.
Looking to the future
Neither the 13th Amendment or any other amendment and in fact the entire constitution becomes meaningless unless it reflects the will of the people and ensures justice for all. Justice Patrick Keane’s speech referred to earlier amplifies on this. It is debatable whether the 13th Amendment reflects the will of the people and whether it assures justice for all.
In regard to the ethnic issue, the amendment is supposed to provide limited measures for the Northern and Eastern Tamil people to achieve their aspiration of self-governance, while not providing an avenue for the creation of a separate State as demanded by the LTTE.
Tamil political parties representing the Northern and Eastern Tamils maintain that this amendment does not provide for achievement of their aspirations and that this is only the first step in moving towards eventual self-governance of the North and East of Sri Lanka by the Tamils in these two provinces.
In designing the Indo Lanka Accord in 1987, Indian political strategists perhaps provided for political devolution to all provinces as an appeasement to the Sinhala Buddhist majority to enact the 13th Amendment although at the time, such devolution was not called for by the Sinhala polity.
Three issues need to be considered. Firstly, whether devolution provided for in the 13th amendment is appropriate, adequate, inadequate and in fact necessary. Secondly, whether it address North and East Tamil aspirations of self-governance within what is referred to as a united Sri Lanka, and thirdly, whether consideration has been given to the aspirations of the rest of the country for Sri Lanka to be a unitary State.
Leaving aside the 13th Amendment, and any other legal, constitutional approaches, it will be useful to consider whether there are any other ways to address the aspirations of the Tamil and Sinhala population of the country, and of course all other communities in the country.
While it cannot be denied that the Tamils in Sri Lanka have been discriminated and treated inhumanely, with 1983 in particular being a turning point in inter community relations where the alleged complicity of sections of the State apparatus in the pogrom against the Tamils deepened the mistrust between the communities and with the State’s ability to provide security to some of its own citizens. Mass scale migration of Tamils began in 1983 and the Tamil Diaspora has become a strong lobby for the rights of Northern and Eastern province Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Having said this, no event could be looked at in isolation as enunciated in the theory of dependent origination. All events are linked to each other in one way or another. Colonialism, especially British colonialism, has had a deep-rooted negative impact on a substantial segment of the Sinhala Buddhist population and which in turn impacted negatively on Tamil/Sinhala relationships.
A futuristic question is whether constitutional approaches that has and will have the effect of segregating communities will be the answer to community amity and whether it will advance social healing and help in developing a better understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity amongst the people of Sri Lanka. In this context, it also needs to be questioned whether the four Brahma Viharas, Karuna, Metta, Muditha and Upekka would be practiced by all unless attitudes towards others change and give rise to more favourable relationships. .
Sinhala Buddhist institutional hegemony and the political power it wields does make equality of all Sri Lankans a challenging issue from a practical context although constitutional equality as already enshrined in the Constitution provides for legal equality. Unless Sri Lanka becomes truly secular in words and deeds and Sinhala Buddhist political dominance gives way to a multiethnic, multi religious power sharing model, a self determination model for Tamils in the North and East, leading even to a federal model could become inevitable. Whether it will end there is another matter to be considered.
Politicians from the present generation who are deliberating and sitting in judgement on avenues for reconciliation must give thought to how their decisions will impact on future generations. It would be unwise and unfair to leave behind a solution that could create more problems for the generations to come. A meaningful discourse must happen with the younger generation and their views sought as to how inter community amity maybe advanced. In the technology oriented, globalized world they live in and will continue to live in, historical reasoning may have little to do with how they would choose to charter a path for a more considerate, inclusive Mother Lanka.
Nearly 90% (33 of 38) of central banks monitored by the Bank for International Settlements raised interest rates in 2022, a dramatic shift away from the loose financial conditions that characterized the previous decade. With a rapid rise in rates, the risk of unintended consequences and policy error is high, with possible overshoot leading to a deeper and more prolonged economic downturn and potential global recession».
This is the alarm raised by the Global Risk Report 2023 of the World Economic Forum released during the annual international summit last January in which two of the major dangers foreseen for the next two years were the Crisis of the Cost of Living and the Geoeconomic Comparison, respectively in first and third place.
The NWO Great Reset Plot Behind Interest Rate Rises
It seems projected towards the goal of skyrocketing the public debt of states from the most fragile economies or the most indebted (such as Italy) leading them towards a forced privatization” through a diabolical plan already put on paper by the International Monetary Fund .
This could lead many stocks to go the way of Sri Lanka which has become hostage to the infamous New York investment fund BlackRock which controls most of its public debt.
The rate hike by the Federal Reserve preceded yet another increase, by 0.25% (decided on Thursday), also by the European Central Bank, which is also under pressure from criticism, including political ones, to put an end to this escalation infinity.
The US Federal Reserve has decided to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, between 5.25% and 5.5%. The decision comes after the Fed interrupted its cycle of rate hikes in June, leaving them unchanged.
«The Federal Reserve approved a much-anticipated interest rate hike that takes benchmark borrowing costs to their highest level in more than 22 years» NBC highlighted.
Brief Reminder on Bank Seigniorage
For those less accustomed to financial matters, we would like to remind you that both the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB) produce monetary liquidity without having the necessary financial backing in gold, silver, oil or any valuable commodity and therefore relying on the so-called phenomenon of bank seigniorage”.
An interesting article on the US money supply and Federals Reserve role – link a the bottom of the article
Furthermore, the FED is controlled by private banks that have participated in it since its inception, exactly like most of the National Central Banks which, like Banca Italia, after privatization plans must answer to private credit institutions which consequently also hold the public debt of states determining their reliability.
The Federal Reserve System is composed of several layers. It is governed by the presidentially-appointed board of governors or Federal Reserve Board (FRB). Twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, located in cities throughout the nation, regulate and oversee privately-owned commercial banks. Nationally chartered commercial banks are required to hold stock in, and can elect some board members of, the Federal Reserve Bank of their region.
I apologize to the economics specialists if, for the sake of brevity, I have made a rough synthesis of much more articulated financial concepts.
But the question is another. If it is understandable that the US raises the cost of money to defend itself from the swings in devaluation following the suicidal maneuvers of the G7 to impose sanctions on Russia for the war in Ukraine, forcing Moscow to develop new alliances in Africa and Asia which project these markets towards even faster de-dollarisation”.
From a financial point of view, the behavior of the president of the ECB Christine Lagarde who stubbornly follows the course of the FED is totally incomprehensible despite the alarm raised by the World Economic Forum of which Lagarde herself is a member of the Foundation Board. To understand a maneuver that would appear suicidal, or indeed confirmation of a projection towards the Great Reset, it is essential to re-read the curriculum vitae of the manager herself.
As a lawyer you practiced for 20 years at the international law firm Baker McKenzie of which in 1999, you became Global Chairman. In 2005, you joined the French government as secretary of commerce. Two years later, she was the first woman to hold the position of finance and economy minister of a G7 country. Between 2011 and 2019 she became the first female managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Since November 2019 you are the President of the European Central Bank.
It is therefore clear that Lagarde, already a protagonist in the use of the dangerous bazooka” of Quantitative Easing in the midst of the pandemic, certainly has the interests of the IMF more at heart than those of the poorest citizens of the European Union who are already paying dearly price in real estate mortgages the surge in the cost of money post-pandemic which has not corresponded to a dynamic recovery in turnover in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Tragic Italian Situation
To highlight the situation, let us refer to Italy and take up an eloquent passage from an article in the newspaper Il SOLE 24 Ore of 7 July 2023.
«In March 2023, the total of unpaid installments by almost one million Italian families stood at almost 15 billion. The continuous rise in interest rates adopted by the ECB to counter the race of inflation weighed heavily on household budgets and on the possibility of meeting the payment deadlines of mortgages and loans».
«For the general secretary of the banking union, Lando Maria Sileoni, «it is now clear that the action of the European Central Bank to combat inflation is not generating the desired results. Prices are not falling significantly and the rapid increase in the cost of money is causing a rise in interest rates on loans and mortgages which is putting both households and businesses in difficulty».
The Alert of the World Economic Forum on the Cost of Living Crisis
The Global Risk Report 2023 of the World Economic Forum warned (PDF at the bottom of the article among the sources together with the full report in English):
«The next decade will be characterized by environmental and societal crises, driven by underlying geopolitical and economic trends. Cost- of-living crisis” is ranked as the most severe global risk over the next two years, peaking in the short term. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse” is viewed as one of the fastest deteriorating global risks over the next decade, and all six environmental risks feature in the top 10 risks over the next 10 years. Nine risks are featured in the top 10 rankings over both the short and the long term, including Geoeconomic confrontation” and Erosion of social cohesion and societal polarisation”, alongside two new entrants to the top rankings: Widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity” and Large-scale involuntary migration”».
And then he went into even more detail:
«Economic warfare is becoming the norm, with increasing clashes between global powers and state intervention in markets over the next two years. Economic policies will be used defensively, to build self-sufficiency and sovereignty from rival powers, but also will increasingly be deployed offensively to constrain the rise of others. Intensive geoeconomic weaponization will highlight security vulnerabilities posed by trade, financial and technological interdependence between globally integrated economies, risking an escalating cycle of distrust and decoupling.
«As geopolitics trumps economics, a longer-term rise in inefficient production and rising prices becomes more likely. Geographic hotspots that are critical to the effective functioning of the global financial and economic system, in particular in the Asia-Pacific, also pose a growing concern».
In greater detail, the chapter on Economic Downtown” highlighted:
«Last year’s edition of the Global Risks Report warned that inflation, debt and interest rate rises were emerging risks. Today, governments and central banks – led by developed markets, notably the United States of America, Eurozone and the United Kingdom of Great Britain – are walking a tightrope between managing inflation without triggering a deep or prolonged recession, and protecting citizens from a cost-of-living crisis while servicing historically high debt loads».
In a subsequent paragraph it is added:
«However, for developing economies, there is a risk of further economic distress and tougher trade-offs. Stubbornly high inflation and more disorderly containment will raise the likelihood of stagnant economic growth, liquidity shocks and debt distress on a global scale. Energy importers in particular will bear the brunt of higher energy prices stemming from a strengthened US dollar, but its continued strength is importing inflation worldwide».
Reread in the light of the continuous and obsessive rises in the cost of money by the FED and the ECB, these do not appear to be alarms but rather strategic objectives” comparable to budget forecasts to which the WEF itself has already found a solution which, just as in the case of Covid vaccines, risks being far more devastating than the problem…
The Tremendous Example of Staged Default in Sri Lanka
«Growth agendas, including the critical pivot to greener economies, have been based on the availability of cheap debt. The extent to which countries can continue to finance development will be dependent on domestic political and debt dynamics» The WEF Global Risk Report 2023 still stands out, which then cites the most striking case… .
«Sri Lanka’s recent crisis provides a very real example of the spiraling risks to human security and health that can arise from economic distress, where a debt default and shortage in foreign currency limited imports; disrupted access to food, fuel, healthcare and electricity; and led to violent protests and the resignation of the President» we can read in the dossier.
The financial experts of the WEF, however, forget to highlight that the instability of the Indian Ocean island was artfully created and represents a pilot project of the experimentation of new invasive action tools of the International Monetary Fund supported by the so-called Club of Paris and by the strong powers of the USA.
In fact, Gospa News International has the good fortune to have among its most assiduous collaborators the Sri Lankan professor of social anthropology Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake who works in Colombo and has published more than a dozen articles on the staged default” of Sri Lanka.
The professor, author of a worldwide appeal with other academics for the cancellation of the debt, analyzed both the causes and the objectives: the main one is to place the island, also strategic from a military point of view in the InfoPacific context at least as much as Italy is in the Mediterranean Sea.
«BlackRock, the world’s largest asset and investment management company with over $10 trillion is the largest holder of Sri Lanka’s opaque ISB debt that caused the country’s Staged Default in April this year. ISBs amounts to almost fifty percent of Sri Lanka’s external debt»
Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake remarked on Gospa News International highlighting a similar situation in Argentina which, precisely because of its economic problems, has asked to join the BRICS, the alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa which has created a alternative financial platform to the IMF thanks to the New Development Bank, of which the sanctions against Moscow for the war in Ukraine has increased the global weight.
The devilish IMF plan to give states to private funds
But are these plans to privatize” sovereign debt to create geopolitical dominance over the state the result of a random plan? Absolutely not!. The Global Risk Report 2023 of the World Economic Forum explains it very well.
Here are the essential passages of the paragraph Acting Today” of the chapter on the Economic Crisis”:
«In recognition of the risks posed to broader financial stability, timely and deeper debt write-downs could allow a faster return to developmental progress for vulnerable countries and render a future default less likely. The private sector could be incentivized to participate in debt restructuring through a variety of mechanisms, including issuing of new bonds with stronger legal protections, loss reinstatement commitments and value recovery instruments – with the latter enabling private creditors to gain from upside developments in debtor countries in the future, such as GDP-linked instruments in Costa Rica, Argentina, Greece and Ukraine».
The ranking of global risks in the next 2 and 10 years according to the study of the World Economic Forum
«Finally, we are unlikely to be able to double down on debt to the same extent to cushion the next crisis. A more proactive approach to countries that are not yet on the verge of debt distress could help mitigate the systemic risk of sovereign debt contagion. Recognition of simultaneous crises – debt, climate impacts and food security – could be integrated into greater flexibility and more concessional forms of financing available to vulnerable markets».
So here is the diabolical solution of the privatization of public debt together with the implicit one of national political autonomy:
«With particular respect to the climate agenda, there is a growing expectation that packages will include grants, rather than rely solely on loans that add to overall debt burdens. Bilateral and multilateral underwriting of risk could also enable much-needed flows of private capital, while support for longer-term projects that can help crowd-in private capital, such as the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, is also critical».
BlackRock and the Perils of Project RTD
«The IMF’s mandate is to promote members’ balance of payments stability, as well as foster global financial stability and economic growth. Today, low- and vulnerable middle-income countries confront the challenges of inflation, rising debt levels, and geopolitical uncertainty, as they also face longer-term, structural risks to macroeconomic and balance of payments stability, such as climate change and pandemic preparedness».
Here is the description of the project that will allow private funds to devour public debt with the support and promotion of the International Monetary Fund:
«The IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) helps low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries build resilience to external shocks and ensure sustainable growth, contributing to their longer-term balance of payments stability. It complements the IMF’s existing lending toolkit by providing longer-term affordable financing to address longer-term structural challenges, including climate change and pandemic preparedness».
The IMF’s existing lending instruments support members facing short- and medium-term challenges through two key financing sources: the General Resources Account (GRA) which is accessible to all countries; and the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) available to low-income countries on concessional terms (currently zero interest rates).
The RST will complement the existing lending instruments by providing affordable, longer-term financing to contribute to prospective balance of payments stability to enhance economic resilience and sustainability.
The RST will amplify the effect of the US$650 billion general SDR allocation implemented in 2021 by channeling resources from economically stronger members to countries where needs are greatest.
This new Trust allows the Fund to broaden its lending support within its mandate, while at the same time limiting risks to members’ financial positions at the Fund by permitting a subset of the membership—those with strong external positions—to pool financial resources that are separate from the Fund’s general resources for the benefit of another subset of the membership—low-income countries and vulnerable middle-income countries.
Here are some of the main features of the new financial instrument.
The RST is a loan-based trust administered by the IMF, with a governance and financial structure broadly similar to that of the long-standing Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT). RST resources are be mobilized based on voluntary contributions from IMF members with strong external positions, including those wishing to channel SDRs for the benefit of low-income and more vulnerable middle-income members.
The financial architecture is designed to ensure the safety and liquidity of contributors’ loan and deposit claims on the RST, which will retain their reserve asset character, while minimizing the need for budgetary contributions.
Fundraising for the RST aims to secure SDR 33 billion (about US$42 billion) to meet expected loan demand as well as for an adequate reserve account.
As of October 12, 2022, contribution agreements have been signed with 6 members for a total of SDR 15.3 billion (about US$20 billion), and good progress is being made to finalize contribution agreements toward pledges of SDR 29 billion (about US$37 billion).
At the moment, staffing agreements have been reached with our first three countries: Barbados, Costa Rica and Rwanda. The council will likely consider their approval requests by the end of 2022. Good progress is being made with 5 other countries.
BlackRock can already uncork a few Nebuchadnezzar bottles (15 litres…) of Champagne Krug.
The above article with links to the Sri Lanka crisis is available at : https://www.gospanews.net/en/2023/08/04/great-reset-fed-ecb-imf-ready-to-sell-the-nations-to-blackrock-devilish-plot-rst-thanks-to-interest-rate-hike/
It has been 14 years since Sri Lanka promised 13 Plus to the UN (May 29, 2009) but no government since then implemented it as a Constitutional amendment. For good reasons. When the President visited India recently, the Indian PM made it very clear that Sri Lanka must devolve more powers to Tamils. As this obviously goes well beyond current 13A it can be termed 13 Plus. Now is the perfect time for 13 Plus as there is very little opposition to it in parliament.
SJB, TNA, SLMC, CWC, EPDP will not oppose it due to Indian and own interest. SLPP leadership will not oppose it as they rely on the president for own safety and survival. SLPP breakaways will not oppose it wholeheartedly as they too have presidential ambitions. All elected presidents supported 13A.
A presidential election must be declared within the next year. Given the fragmentation of the Buddhist vote, minorities have become kingmakers. Appeasing minorities is key to winning the next presidential election and this means 13 Plus.
Hunger, frustration and hopelessness have made people immune to threats to national security. In fact, everything near and dear to the nation has become matters of laughter for most young Sri Lankans.
All these make 13 Plus a real possibility and a threat.
More minority appeasements will be dished out in the coming 12 months ahead of the next presidential election.
Tragedy of any kind can yield tears. Tragedy of any kind can also yield resolve. There are other harvests too. Apportioning of blame, absolving responsibility, anger, revenge-intent and collapse of one kind or another for example. It’s seldom just one thing. And so, in this country where there has been so much death, dismemberment, destruction and displacement, we’ve seen all of it.
Jagana Krishnakumar is not an exception. Jagana recently visited his father’s ancestral home in Mannipai, Jaffna. He sat there and imagined.
He imagined what life must have been back then in and around what is now called Innuvil Road 200 years ago. Imagination was his only recourse even to think of how things were just a few decades ago, for all he had to ‘work with’ were the remnants of the entrance.
How, what, where, when, who? Who would wish this on a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, a neighbour, a stranger or even an enemy? Jagana believes, ‘no one.’ He is kind and generous, for there must have been total disregard for life, lifestyle, livelihood and property to produce the outcomes that left behind the rubble he sat on as he imagined the past and visualised the future.
Histories matter. Lessons must be learnt. I don’t think Jagana is naive about such things. And yet, he did not fail to pick the warmth and hope in the people who have lost so much and nevertheless embrace the troubled, challenging and tense present with fortitude.
It was not only Jagana whose thoughts ventured into the long ago going back several decades and beyond. His father had excitedly talked about how life used to be. Maybe the time for rancour had passed. Maybe that was how he was — knew the past, accepted realities and resolutely refusing to let any of it dampen his spirit.
Jagana says that he was touched by his father’s excitement. It had made him want to rebuild the property. Not just the property of which only the broken pieces of an entrance remain, but the property that is the nation.
Here are his words:
‘In the same light, can we find inspiration and purpose to rebuild this our own country, because at the end of the day this is our home, our sanctuary, and our fortress, whether we’re from the North or the South, the East or the West, we are Sri Lankan, and we must come together now more than ever before and work towards a common and shared goal, which is towards the progress of this great and sacred land.’
Jagana is convinced that ‘humanity will never progress if we hold on to anger, hatred and revenge, instead forgive, understand and accept,’ and that ‘change, real change can only be ushered in, when we shed ourselves of what divides us, and embrace what unites us, and that is first, we are all human, second we are all Sri Lankan.’
There will always be people who affirm quite the opposite, people who hold on to anger, hatred and revenge, who will not forgive, understand or accept, and who will think first and last is nothing but self or a particular identity. ‘Sri Lanka’ could be a proposition or reality they cannot identify with, but the disavowal of humanity if not in word then in deed, what can be done? Jagana has the answer. Well, two answers.
The first has many parts.
‘Let’s not blame. Let’s not point fingers. For decades, we have been doing that. We have all made that mistake because the veil of political bias has always shrouded our judgment, we pick sides, when in the end all sides are the tentacles of the same octopus. Now it’s time we lift this veil of delusion, it’s Time we transcend the farcical political divide, the racial and ethnic dogma, and make informed and thoughtful decisions when we elect and select our representatives and leaders.’
Such sentiments are often expressed. Sometimes they are expressed by those who seem to have dedicated their lives to the exact opposite. But what makes Jagana’s words meaningful is the other, the second answer which came to his mind that day sitting on a broken pillar in his father’s ancestral property. Rebuild.
Rebuild resolve. Rebuild commonality. Rebuild understanding and acceptance. Rebuild unity. Rebuild humanity. It’s all in those intangibles that we’ve misplaced, forgotten or allowed anger, distrust and inhumanity bury in the darkest and most forlorn recesses of the mind. Those intangibles that have been laid waste and like so much rubble are scattered in desolate landscapes.
The entrance is intact. It is always intact. It cannot be destroyed. Jagana Krishnakumar is a witness. He wants to rebuild our ancestral home. We can but lend a hand.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Ali Sabry said his country is eager to attract investment from Iran.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on Saturday, Sabry praised Iran for its progress under the pressure of sanctions.
We want to have good relations with Iran. We are also keen to see more Iranians traveling to Sri Lanka,” the foreign minister added.
Describing his country as the gateway to East Asia, Sabry said, I invite the Iranian companies to pay attention to Sri Lanka. Two-thirds of growth in the future will happen in Asia. We call on your (Iranian) companies to make investments in our country (Sri Lanka).”
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said they have held talks on a broad range of bilateral and international issues, including economic and trade cooperation between Tehran and Colombo.
We share views about the existence of joint political will to expand scientific and academic cooperation, as well as the use of new technologies and the capacity of knowledge-based companies,” he added.
Amirabdollahian also noted that Sri Lanka’s role as the new chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) would provide a suitable opportunity for Iran’s cooperation with the other member states.
IORA is an inter-governmental organization that was established in March 1997. It is now a dynamic organization of 23 members and 11 dialogue partners
The core objective of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project (SL-UDI) is to gather biographic and biometric information, such as facial, iris, and fingerprint data.
India has extended crucial financial support to Sri Lanka’s unique digital identity project with an advance payment of INR 450 million. The project is a significant step in the island nation’s digitalization efforts. The funds were handed over on Friday, showing India’s commitment to the initiative.
In a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, key stakeholders, including Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley, and First Secretary of the Indian High Commission Eldos Mathew, engaged in extensive discussions on the project’s execution.
The Indian High Commissioner presented a substantial contribution of INR 450 million, constituting 15 percent of the total required funds for the successful implementation of the project as an advance payment. Ratnayaka stressed the significance of following a well-defined timeline to ensure a smooth and efficient execution of the project.
Acknowledging the project’s profound importance in Sri Lanka‘s economic recovery, Ratnayaka conveyed sincere gratitude to the Indian government for its steadfast support in this undertaking.
Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity Project: Aim and Significance
The core objective of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project (SL-UDI) is to gather biographic and biometric information, such as facial, iris, and fingerprint data, which will be stored in a centralized system to issue identification cards adhering to the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This project’s successful implementation is expected to lead to more effective and efficient delivery of government services, poverty reduction, welfare programs, and financial inclusion by providing better access to banking and other products and services.
The project commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and India in March 2022, and an Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) was established to oversee the project’s progress.
The Government of India is responsible for overseeing the software development for the SL-UDI, supporting Sri Lanka’s digitalization journey.
TEHRAN, Aug. 05 (MNA) – Iran and Sri Lanka agreed to take action regarding the release of prisoners of the two countries in a humane way in the near future, the Iranian Foreign Minister said
Today the potential of the Asian continent has attracted the attention of the world powers, and Asian countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in his joint presser with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry on Saturday.
Asian countries should take advantage of dialogue and interaction in line with the interests of the nations, he said.
“In today’s meeting, we discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues, including economic cooperation, trade and tourism development, and increasing cooperation in regional and international organizations,” he said, adding, the two sides enjoy a common political will to expand cultural, tourism, scientific cooperation.
“We discussed the latest status of the previously signed documents between the two countries and also discussed agreements for signing more documents in the future,” he said.
The export of technical and engineering services, medical services and equipment, and new technologies in addition to cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, and energy were among the issues of mutual interest between the Iranian and Sri Lankan diplomats.
According to Amir-Abdollahian, the two sides also discussed the issue of Iranian and Sri Lankan prisoners.
Based on the agreements, the two sides agreed to take action regarding the release of release prisoners in the two countries in a humane way in the near future.
He also said that the two sides stressed strengthening cooperation in the field of the fight against drug trafficking and human trafficking and other trafficking issues and trade ties.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India has sparked both excitement and concern among the citizens of Sri Lanka. The visit, aimed at strengthening economic ties and exploring various cooperation opportunities, has the potential to bring about much-needed development to the island nation. However, there are concerns that this visit may compromise Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and economic independence, turning it into a vassal state of India.
During his visit, President Wickremesinghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a range of issues and signed several agreements. One of the key outcomes of the visit is the decision to expedite the work to connect the electricity grids of the two countries. This move has the potential to address Sri Lanka’s energy shortages and increase its power generation capacity. Additionally, talks on an economic and technological cooperation pact were initiated, which could pave the way for increased trade and investment between the two countries.
Furthermore, the leaders agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a petroleum pipeline, which would allow Sri Lanka to import oil directly from India. This move could reduce Sri Lanka’s dependence on other oil-exporting countries and result in significant cost savings. Additionally, the viability of constructing a land bridge connecting the two countries is being examined, which would further strengthen trade and transportation links.
While these outcomes from the visit present numerous opportunities for Sri Lanka, there are concerns that the country may become overly reliant on India and lose its sovereignty and economic independence. India’s increasing interference in various affairs of Sri Lanka, such as settling trade in Indian rupee and the implementation of the 13th Amendment, are seen as signs of growing Indian influence. There is a fear that accepting Indian aid may further deepen this interference and compromise Sri Lanka’s decision-making autonomy.
Moreover, this visit is seen by many as a way for President Wickremesinghe to secure Indian aid in order to bolster Sri Lanka’s economy, thus increasing his chances of winning next year’s presidential election. While economic development is crucial for the country, it is important to ensure that the aid received does not come at the cost of compromising Sri Lanka’s interests and sovereignty.
On the other hand, India sees this visit as an opportunity to address its own concerns, particularly related to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and security cooperation. India has long-standing expectations from Sri Lanka regarding the Tamil issue and hopes that President Wickremesinghe will respond positively to these expectations.
Additionally, given the strategic location of Sri Lanka, India is keen on strengthening security cooperation between the two countries to counter potential security threats in the region.
Bilateral relations between Colombo and New Delhi face several challenges despite their commitments to stronger engagement. These challenges can be attributed to three main factors.
Firstly, the Indian central government is under political pressure from the Tamil Nadu state government to address the demands of Sri Lankan Tamils for rights and autonomy. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is less popular in the southern Indian states, and opposition parties have joined forces in an ‘India’ alliance to challenge the BJP. The Indian side is primarily motivated by Wickremesinghe’s promise to implement the 13th Amendment, excluding police powers and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
However, the Sri Lankan president faces political obstacles in implementing the 13th Amendment. To avoid the political costs, he intends to shift the responsibility to the Parliament by convening an all-party conference on national reconciliation. However, this offer has been rejected by the Tamil National Alliance, who view it as another empty promise. Additionally, two key opposition parties, Samagi Jana Balawegaya and National People’s Power, have refused to participate in the conference. Clear divisions between the pro-devolution and nationalist factions in parliament further complicate the matter. Minister of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila of the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist party, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, plans to introduce a 22nd Amendment to the Constitution to remove police powers from the 13th Amendment.
The second challenge is managing Indian concerns over China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. Traditionally, a new Sri Lankan president’s first official visit is to India, highlighting the key role India plays in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. However, since taking office in July 2022, Wickremesinghe has visited nine other countries before his official trip to India. Notable among these visits are the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Singapore.
This shift in priorities reflects the urgent need for political leadership to secure consensus among key bilateral creditors regarding foreign debt restructuring. In early 2023, the Sri Lankan president obtained assurances from the Export-Import Bank of China, which were crucial in securing an IMF bailout package.
The third challenge stems from growing opposition within Sri Lanka towards bilateral issues. In early 2023, Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen strongly protested the government’s plan to issue licenses to Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. Although the fisheries conflict has long existed, this issue was not addressed in the recent bilateral discussions.
Furthermore, in June 2022, a domestic controversy arose over an Adani project in Sri Lanka. A government official stated that the renewable energy project in Mannar was awarded to the Adani Group due to pressure from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It was recently confirmed during the official visit that the Adani Group’s renewable energy project in Mannar will be completed by 2025.
While the recent visit by Wickremesinghe to India and the agreements reached in various areas were significant and timely, both governments face several challenges. Strengthening bilateral ties will require efforts to address these key challenges. Despite some improvements, further actions are necessary to bolster the relationship between these neighboring countries.
In conclusion, President Wickremesinghe’s visit to India has the potential to bring about significant development and cooperation for Sri Lanka. The planned initiatives, such as connecting electricity grids, exploring an economic and technological cooperation pact, and examining the viability of a petroleum pipeline and land bridge, present numerous opportunities for economic growth and regional connectivity. However, it is crucial for Sri Lanka to balance these opportunities with safeguarding its sovereignty and economic independence. Accepting aid from India should not come at the expense of compromising the nation’s decision-making autonomy. It is equally important for India to respect the wishes and interests of Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to the Tamil issue, and ensure that cooperation is mutually beneficial. Only through a balanced and mutually respectful approach can President Wickremesinghe’s visit to India truly be an opportunity rather than a crisis for Sri Lanka.
The vision to transform Colombo into a beautiful city is already in motion, with plans provided by Surbana Jurong while similar plans have been prepared for Trincomalee, aiming to enhance the development in that region as well, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
He said Surbana Jurong is also actively involved in creating a tourist zone from Verugal Aru to Batticaloa and Arugam Bay areas, contributing to the growth of the tourism industry.
The President made these remarks at an international conference on architecture organized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chapter in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Italian Embassy of Sri Lanka, on the theme: “Architecture: A Lasting Impact,” held this morning (05) at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The President said the focus on expanding the tourist industry is expected to create opportunities for non-government universities in Sri Lanka.
The recent enactment of the new Act, allowing Provincial Councils to establish universities, marks the beginning of this endeavour. There is a growing need for skilled professionals, including engineers, architects, IT specialists and others, with the demand estimated to be at least 10,000 engineers alone.
To address these requirements, discussions are underway with Japan, which has shown a willingness to assist in the past. Despite some challenges posed by the recent crisis, the commitment to progress these plans remains strong, with the hope of securing the necessary support to meet the country’s developmental needs,” he added.
The President also said in visioning the future, the potential for architects to participate in the development of the Port City holds significant promise.
“A notable portion of the Port City land is under government ownership and is slated for diverse utilization. The involvement of the private sector in this initiative offers an added avenue to harness architectural expertise. This exploration requires collaborative dialogues involving relevant chambers and stakeholders.
“These emerging opportunities symbolize valuable prospects for Sri Lanka. Seizing these chances has the potential to establish a notable standing for the nation. It is imperative to acknowledge that as India’s progress persists, architectural possibilities might also arise there. Those with established recognition could potentially tap into this market, mirroring the engagement of architects in Africa for house design,” he added. (Ajith Siriwardeana)
The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry has planned to re-construct the Talaimannar Pier to facilitate passenger vessels from Rameswaram, India after 37 years.
The pier was destroyed and had been abandoned to deteriorate during the conflict era in the north. Accordingly, under the instructions of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has been vested with the re-construction of the pier.
The estimated cost of the investment is Rs. 1,800 million. Parallel to the re-construction of the pier, about 10 acres of government-owned land bordering the port will be acquired for port infrastructure development activities.
Under these new developments, a modern passenger terminal and warehouse facilities will be constructed. It has also been decided to call for RFPs for these investments to be carried out under PPP. In the past, a passenger ferry service existed between Talaimannar and Danushukodi.
However, the Dhanuskodi port was completely destroyed due to cyclones. At present, India has completed developments at the Rameswaram Port, and the Indian government has declared clearance to commence a passenger ferry service between Mannar and Rameswaram.
The Minister emphasized that the commencement of the ferry service between Talaimannar and Rameswaram will also facilitate Sri Lankan pilgrims to India by providing low-cost travel facilities.
He also said that these measures will facilitate the exchange of goods between the two countries and will be a commendable opportunity to popularize the products of the people of northern Sri Lanka in India. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
The opposition has awakened from their slumbers on the recent liberalization of food and fruits and vegetables. Any person who had read the IMF staff papers and the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) signed by the President and the Governor Central Bank which sets out the specific plans and policies that Sri Lanka intended to implement under the IMF-supported program.
We are back in 1977 and the floodgates of imports are open. IMF has won the day.
Article 21 of the MEFP the government clearly spells out the specific policies envisaged.
21. We will phase out the administrative measures imposed to support the balance of payments, including those introduced on an emergency basis, once conditions allow. These measures include import restrictions, exchange restrictions, multiple currency practices (MCPs), and capital flow management (CFM) measures.
While the mentioned import restrictions, exchange restrictions, MCPs and CFMs could help mitigate FX shortages in the near term, we believe they should not be a substitute for the comprehensive policy package and ongoing macroeconomic adjustment. We are committed to phasing these measures out as the balance of payments stabilizes. To this end, by June 2023, we will prepare a plan for the phased removal of these measures during the program period, we will not: (i) introduce or intensify exchange restrictions or MCPs;
(ii) impose or intensify import restrictions for balance of payments purposes; The government assurance is confirmed by the IMF Technical Memorandum of Understanding (TMU) where in Other Continuous Performance Criteria it is specified that: During the program period, Sri Lanka will not:
· Impose or intensify restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for current international transactions;
· introduce or modify multiple currency practices (MCPs);
· conclude bilateral payment agreements that are inconsistent with Article VIII of IMF Articles of Agreement;
· and impose or intensify import restrictions for balance of payments purposes.
It is noted that in the Govt memorandum and in the Performance Criteria imposed by the IMF the restriction is on import controls for ‘balance of payment purposes’. What has happened now is the liberalization of imports of even food and fruits and vegetables which affects the domestic production of these items. These imports would not have any serious impact on the balance of payments and therefore do not fall under the restrictions imposed by the IMF or the self-limitation inflicted on themselves by the government. Therefore, the government should restrict imports which have an adverse effect on local production.
There can be an argument that imports of fruits and vegetables are necessary to ensure the high quality demanded by the tourist industry.
This does not take into account that any high quality particularly vegetables can be produced under greenhouses, and it is already done.
Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23) unit enhances maritime collaboration through a successful goodwill exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Samidare, Murasame-class destroyer was used in the naval exercise alongside the SLNS Gajabahu. Source: viper-zero/Shutterstock
In a demonstration of commitment to fostering regional cooperation and advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 unit, under the Maritime Staff Office for Japan, recently concluded a successful goodwill exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.
Japan’s proactive defence approach includes reinforcing strategic alliances and collaborations with key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Defence ministers of Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines agreed to step up security cooperation to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China’s growing maritime assertiveness, according to GlobalData’s Japan Defense Market 2023-2028” report.
Japan’s objectives aligned with progress
The goodwill exercise on 29 July marked a stride towards achieving two crucial objectives. Firstly, it aimed to enhance the tactical capabilities of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, solidifying its strength in maritime operations.
Secondly, the exercise was a testament to the friendship and mutual understanding fostered between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Sri Lanka Navy.
The exercise, conducted off the coast of Colombo, witnessed the collaboration of two naval units. Representing the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force was the JS Samidare (IPD23 First Surface Unit), while the Sri Lankan Navy’s Gajabahu represented the Sri Lanka Navy.
The exercise encompassed a range of activities, including tactical manoeuvring exercises and a photographic exercise, among others.
A diplomatic voyage
The JS Samidare, as part of its engagement with Sri Lanka, embarked on a port visit to Colombo, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, from July 20 to 29. During this time, the vessel underwent a thorough hull inspection and maintenance at the Colombo Dockyard, underscoring the commitment to maritime operational readiness.
The culmination of this collaborative endeavour was punctuated by the sight of JS Samidare and SLNS Gajabahu standing side by side, showing cooperation. The exercise served as a testament to the shared goals of enhancing tactical acumen while nurturing mutual camaraderie.
As the maritime landscape continues to evolve, such exercises reaffirm nations’ determination to stand shoulder to shoulder, reinforcing the pillars of co-operation and security.
French telecommunications corporation Orange has taken delivery of its new cable laying and repair vessel (CLRV), said to be designed for the maintenance of cables for offshore wind projects.
Source: VARD
The vessel, named Sophie Germain after the pioneering French mathematician and philosopher, is currently on its way from Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard to France.
The CLRV is expected to arrive at Orange Marine’s base of La Seyne sur Mer around mid-August, when it will replace Raymond Croze, launched in 1983.
The newbuild vessel was designed by Norway’s VARD and is of the VARD 9 03 design for the maintenance of submarine cables, both fiber-optic telecommunication cables and inter-array power cables used for offshore wind farms.
The cable layer is 100 meters long, has a beam of 18.8 meters and a deadweight capacity of 1,800 DWT, can achieve a speed of 14.5 knots and has accommodation facilities for 76 persons. It has three cable tanks to carry fiber optic and power cables, one of which is fitted with a carousel system.
Source: Colombo Dockyard
This is Colombo Dockyard’s first-ever CLRV to be delivered to the European market from Sri Lanka.
To remind, Orange revealed at the end of 2020 that it was targeting the offshore wind sector with the order of a cable vessel specially designed for the maintenance of submarine cables, including inter-array cables used on offshore wind farms.
”We will have a new and high-performance tool, with a low environmental footprint, which will allow us to offer high-quality services for several decades to our customers, not only owners of submarine telecommunications cables but also operators of offshore wind farms,” Didier Dillard, CEO of Orange Marine, said at the time.
