The chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Ratnayake says he would seek legal action to defend the independence of the commission.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo today (Jan. 20), Ratnayake explained that the PUCSL had initially decided to oppose the retrospective electricity tariff hike green-lighted by the Cabinet of Ministers.
However, following a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, three members have gone back on the decision taken at the commission’s board meeting and have agreed to the Cabinet decision to implement a retrospective electricity tariff hike.
President Wickremesinghe had called a meeting with the other PUCSL members, excluding Ratnayake.
Now three PUCSL members are insisting on implementing the proposed electricity tariff hike.
Meanwhile, the National Council, which met yesterday, stresses that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the PUCSL should discuss this matter and take a final decision on tariff revision. Accordingly, the CEB and the PUCSL will be called to the National Council again on January 24.
A bilateral agreement pertaining to increasing the limit of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) implemented in Sri Lanka with the support of the Indian government was signed today (Jan 20), the President’s Media Division (PMD) says.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardana, signed the agreement on behalf of Sri Lanka while the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay signed on behalf of India.
The agreement related to the community development project in Sri Lanka, first signed in May 2005, doubled the individual project limit from Rs. 300 million to Rs. 600 million.
Through this agreement, the total HICDP funds will be doubled from Rs. 5 billion to Rs. 10 billion.
This agreement guides many community development projects in Sri Lanka with the support of the Indian government, the PMD said further.
The documents were signed after Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe earlier today.
During the meeting, it was agreed upon to implement a joint program between Sri Lanka and India.
Prior to the official meeting, President Wickremesinghe hosted the visiting Indian EAM for breakfast and tea at his official residence at Paget Road, Colombo.
In addition, during the official meeting held between President Wickremesinghe and Dr. S. Jaishankar, many political, economic and social issues as well as investment matters between the two countries were discussed at length.
During this discussion, special attention was paid to the debt-restructuring program in Sri Lanka which had received a positive response from the Indian government.
The Indian External Affairs Minister recalled that in 1991, during the tenure of former Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, India had to face an economic crisis similar to what Sri Lanka is currently facing. He added that the Indian Government overcame the crisis by pledging the government’s gold reserves.
Therefore, Dr Jaishankar said that India has a good understanding of the situation Sri Lanka is currently facing and said that the Indian government will provide all possible support to solve the current economic problems faced by Sri Lanka.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe and visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar have virtually declared open the Academy for Kandyan dancing in close proximity to the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy today (Jan. 20).
Indian PM Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of the Academy for Kandyan dancing during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2017. The academy was built as a gift given to Sri Lanka by the Indian Government and its people, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.
Further, the handing over of 300 completed houses in Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts under the housing project implemented in Sri Lanka with the support of the Indian Government, was also done virtually by the President and the Indian External Affairs Minister, according to the PMD.
In this project of 60,000 houses, 50,000 houses have been completed. The third phase of the project of 400 houses for the people of the upcountry estate sector is currently underway and over 3,300 houses built under it have already been completed and are ready to be handed over to the beneficiaries, it added.
The handing over of houses built in Anuradhapura and Badulla districts under the Model Village Housing Program” implemented with the support of the Government of India for low-income families in Sri Lanka have also been symbolically handed over to the beneficiaries.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed three representatives for the Constitutional Council for a period of three years, the President’s Media Division said.
Accordingly, Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. (Mrs) Weligama Vidana Arachchige Dinesha Samararatne will serve as Constitutional Council members.
Despite tourism challenges, two Sri Lankan hotel players have remained firm in their efforts to uplift local communities as they rebuild their business.
Homegrown Teardrop Hotels, which has seven hotels across the country, maintains at least nine community projects, according to Manoj Devaraj, group head – sales and marketing.
Teardrop Hotels and Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa are relying more on local food producers, one of their ways to ensure the local community benefits from tourism business
Each hotel has an adopted charity organisation, while the head office supports two others – Teardrop Care Centre for Children with Disabilities, where the company is the main sponsor for Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities’ Welimada centre, scheduled to open this year; and a collaboration with the Tea Leaf Trust, where the company provides employment opportunities for impoverished young people raised on tea estates as well as organises field trips and workshops to expose these youths to personal growth opportunities in the tourism industry.
The team at Fort Bazaar, a hotel set within the historic port city of Galle, supports Sambodiya Home with regular infrastructural refurbishment and maintenance.
Recalling the progress of the hotel’s work with Sambodiya Home, Devaraj said efforts initially were not structured. It took a partnership with Travelife in 2020 to realise that a guided approach was needed for work to be meaningful.
Travelife also led us to scrutinise our use of resources and cut down on imported items,” added Devaraj. As a result, Teardrop Hotels has improved the conditions of its four fruit and vegetable gardens across the country so that more produce could be harvested for use in hotel kitchens. Today, 30 per cent of its fruit and vegetable supplies are from these gardens.
Seafood, meats and other ingredients are also obtained from local producers as much as possible”.
Close to 85 per cent of ingredients used in Teardrop Hotels kitchens are now locally sourced – up from about 60 per cent pre-pandemic.
We have even looked at how suppliers work with us,” he added. To encourage local producers to deliver orders more sustainably, the company supplied reusable, stackable crates.
The pandemic and import disruptions made us realise that relying on local producers is more reliable, offers greater value, and enables us to support our own people,” Devaraj said.
The slow return of tourism business has not dampened the company’s community commitment. Devaraj said: Some of them were initiated during the pandemic, and we continue to do whatever we can with the manpower and resources we currently have.”
Over at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, efforts have been ongoing the past three months to raise the digital literacy of the teachers at a local village school. The effort is a long-term investment to build a more tech-savvy pool of young people that the hotel and other businesses could eventually hire.
General manager Refhan Razeen told TTG Asia: Tourism will return to Sri Lanka, and we need to be prepared for that. One way is to work on local human resources.”
Next on Razeen’s to-do list is the establishment of a hotel school in Hambantota, which will give locals a chance for employment at both Shangri-La hotels here and in Colombo”.
He said the plans are drawn up” and awaiting approval from the top.
Besides investing in education, the hotel will soon launch the Green Passport, a hotel-wide sustainability programme with a goal of 15 Rs – Respect, Rethink, Responsible, Resource, Restore, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Reclaim, Replace, Refill, Refocus, Recycle, Refuse and Reward.
Fleshing out the objectives of some of the Rs, he said Rethink would involve reviewing daily practices towards a sustainable future, while Restore would mean fixing damaged items so that they could continue to be used and not simply thrown away.
Razeen acknowledged that the Green Passport is an ambitious project”, but it provides a clear structure for all staff to follow through on their sustainable journey.
A green champion will be appointed to lead topical efforts, such as water conservation, and come up with an action plan to bring ideas to fruition.
Razeen is hopeful that achievements could be used as case studies for other Shangri-La hotels as well as for local university students specialising in sustainability.
To further support the local community, Razeen is looking to engage a village near Yala to produce and supply the hotel with vegetables.
This community is dependent on wildlife safari, which is seasonal. By having them grow and supply food to our hotel, they can earn income during the off-season,” he explained.
The project aims to address concerns surrounding the use of electric vehicles while concurrently promoting climate action.
eTukTuk, the world’s first Cardano-based automotive project, has announced its plans to launch operations in the South Asian nation of Sri Lanka. This development, announced at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, has the potential to transform the transportation industry for people around the globe.
The company’s mission is to address the high cost and lack of charging stations for electric vehicles worldwide by creating a sustainable and dynamic multi-income model, according to a recent report from City A.M., The project further exemplifies the utility of blockchain technology in solving real-world issues, as it uses the technology to develop a model that pays rewards to drivers and passengers within the system.
The eTukTuk ecosystem also utilizes the Cardano blockchain to expand its network of charging stations and proprietary electric vehicles to assist areas with limited EV infrastructure in moving away from fossil fuels. In addition, it addresses global issues such as air pollution, health conditions related to CO2 emissions, and financial disparity.
eTukTuk’s solution has the ability to drive economic change throughout Colombo and indeed, Sri Lanka. The current TukTuk drivers are in need of the affordable and sustainable solution that eTukTuk provides – one that places their take-home pay, safety, and the environment at the forefront of their plans,” Her Worship Rosy Senanayake, the Mayor of Colombo, remarked, speaking on the development.
Initial Focus on Emerging Economies
At this point, the company’s main focus is on emerging markets, which account for 63% of the world’s total carbon emissions and where inefficient transportation exacerbates an already pressing economic situation.
To achieve this goal, eTukTuk plans to closely collaborate with the local government and well-established industry partners to launch its services in Sri Lanka, where 1.2 million traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) TukTuks are currently in use. The aim is to offer an affordable transportation network that is independent of fossil fuels, mitigates air pollution, and substantially decreases the number of traditional ICE TukTuks used by the general public.
Additionally, the use of Cardano’s secure transaction system eliminates the need for physical cards or cash, promoting a decentralized system that is more interconnected and supporting the development of robust smart cities. The goal is to serve as a model for similar projects in other countries, resulting in a positive global impact on the environment and economy.
‘Pongal assurance given with an eye to next national poll’
Rebel SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should seek a fresh mandate if he intended to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
UNP leader Wickremesinghe couldn’t under any circumstances go ahead with his plans at the moment, the rebel SLPP National List lawmaker said. The President shouldn’t forget that his responsibility is to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term,” the MP said.
The leader of Yuthukama civil society group said so when the media sought his response to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Thai Pongal declaration in Jaffna that the 13th Amendment would be fully implemented. MP Cumaratunga represents Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya a constituent of the Nidahas Janatha Sandhanaya in the Local Government fray.
The assurance was given in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena last Sunday (15). Sri Lanka enacted 13th Amendment to the constitution in line with Indo-Lanka accord signed on July 29, 1987 under a threat from India.
Lawmaker Cumaratunga pointed out that Sri Lanka needed a new Constitution. In fact, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, having comfortably won 2019 presidential election initiated action in that regard. The 09-member expert committee that finalised draft constitution handed it over to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and leaders of political parties, including Ranil Wickremesinghe some time back, MP Cumaratunga said.
The MP emphasised that President Wickremesinghe couldn’t take a unilateral decision on 13th Amendment. The lawmaker said that he was quite surprised and disappointment by the President’s declaration.
Commenting on talks initiated by President Wickremesinghe meant to secure an all-party consensus on the national issue, MP Cumaratunga said that there was absolutely no dispute over the need to address accountability issues as well as other matters such as land disputes. But, unfortunately, the Sinhalese driven out of the Northern and Eastern provinces hadn’t been able to return to their lands, the MP said, urging President Wickremesinghe to address that issue as well.
MP Cumaratunga said that Sri Lanka couldn’t forget India caused terrorism here to facilitate the enactment of the 13th Amendment. Recalling violent protests in the aftermath of Indo-Lanka accord, MP Cumaratunga said that full implementation of land and police powers could destabilise the country. Sri Lanka’s unitary status could be at stake, the MP said, expressing confidence Premier Gunawardena and those who backed Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential candidature would intervene.
Meanwhile, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, who is also the chairman of Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya, in a letter dated January 16, has warned President Wickremesinghe granting of land and police powers to Provincial Councils would definitely subject the country to a separatist agenda.
Lawmaker Weerawansa has alleged President Wickremesinghe’s Thai Pongal declaration was meant to secure the backing of Tamil community at the next presidential election.
In a lengthy letter, the former JVPer warned the President of dire consequences if he sought to appease the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that backed terrorists??? instead of addressing the grievances of the people.
The NFF leader dealt with overall strategies adopted by Western powers and India pertaining to Sri Lanka struggling to come to terms with the continuing political-economic-social crisis.
Referring to the re-entry of one-time Norwegian peace broker Eric Solheim, lawmaker Weerawansa has questioned whether President Wickrekmesinghe wanted to resume his interrupted agenda. The former minister was referring to the dissolution of the Wickremesinghe government in 2003.
MP Weerawansa suggested that if the UNP leader was keen to resume his project, he should seek a fresh mandate at a presidential election. That could be a referendum on his agreement/understanding with the TNA and Tamil Diaspora.
Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera declared in parliament on Tuesday (17) the UNP leader Wickremesinghe couldn’t abuse executive powers.
Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has requested the Judicial Service Commission to investigate the action of Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte who had offered food to a suspect.
This was mentioned by the Minister in response to MP Premanath Dollawatte and others who wanted action against the magistrate.
It is the Judicial Service Commission which has the power to take disciplinary action against a judge. I am therefore prepared to request a probe against the magistrate if the MPs send me the complaints against her in writing,” the Minister said.
MP Premanath Dollawatte who referred to the Daily Mirror story that appeared on Thursday titled Lawyers urge Attorney General not to interfere with the Judiciary” said the judicial officer concerned had acted in an unacceptable manner, This is a bad precedent as other judicial officers may also follow this example . One wonders as to what action should be taken against this magistrate? he questioned.
MP Samanpriya Herath said the magistrate concerned has made a statement saying the Aragalaya has been launched for the betterment of everyone and some action should be taken against her. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)
The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was passed in Parliament a short while ago, with a majority of 61 votes.
Accordingly, the Bill was passed in Parliament with 97 voted in favour, while 36 MPs voted against the Bill.
The debate on the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was taken up in Parliament today (19 Jan.), despite the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms previously deciding to postpone the debate by one month.
Several political parties in the opposition including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), however, expressed their discontent about scheduling the debate for today, citing the government’s attempts to pass the bill hastily in a bid to postpone the local government election.
Sri Lanka’s first 3D animation movie using motion capture technology will be released in theatres tomorrow (Jan. 20), bringing a novel cinematic experience to Sri Lankans.
Directed by Chanaka Perera and co-produced by John Fonseka and Chamika Jinadasa for Studio 101, the 3D animation movie Gajaman” is a breakthrough in Sri Lankan cinema.
This movie is based on the popular Gajaman” cartoon by veteran Sri Lankan cartoonist Camillus Perera.
The two lead characters are dubbed by sought-after dubbing artist duo Suneth Chithrananda and Gaminda Priyaviraj who came to prominence as Chooti Malli” and Podi Malli” in a popular comedy sketch.
The cast also includes other well-known artists, namely Dasun Pathirana, Yureni Noshika and Praboda Sandeepani.
Meanwhile, the music for this movie was composed by Anushka Udana of Wasthi Productions.
The trailer of the movie was released in April 2018 and it was screened on January 17, 2023.
Watch On Topic” on TV Derana this Saturday (Jan. 21) for more details on the moviemaking process of Gajaman”.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena today (19 Jan.) announced his plans to establish a public fund, in order to collect the Rs. 100 million he was ordered to pay as compensation in relation to the Easter Sunday Attacks of 2019.
Speaking at a press conference today, Sirisena explained that he is unable to pay the ordered sum of Rs. 100 million and therefore decided to collect the sum of money from the public.
I don’t have the financial stability to pay Rs. 100 million. I don’t even own a motorcycle. I will have to collect money from all over the country because if the money isn’t paid, I will be jailed”, the former Head of State said.
Although we are siblings, I play no part in Dudley Sirisena’s businesses. There are 11 of us in our family. My father had five acres of paddy fields, and three acres of land. The five paddy fields are being shared amongst my sisters, while I grew mangoes in the remaining acres of land. I have no other source of income”, Sirisena emphasised.
Earlier this week, Sirisena mentioned that he was abroad and receiving treatment at a hospital in Singapore, at the time of the Easter Sunday attacks, adding that none of the officials of the security forces notified him regarding the matter, despite receiving intelligence information in advance.
Nearly 85 pages of this judgment include that although the officials had received information, the president had not been informed in any way regarding the matter”, Mr. Sirisena claimed.
The compensation was ordered to be paid with regard to a violation of fundamental human rights, he said, pointing out that the Supreme Court’s judgment has mentioned that if the officials appointed by the President committed any mistake, the President should also take responsibility for the mistakes committed by the said officials.
The IGP is appointed by the President and the Defense Secretary is appointed by the President, but the Director of Intelligence Service is appointed by the IGP, not the President.”
However, I have also been ordered to pay Rs. 100 million compensation, that I was also responsible for the non-fulfilment of the responsibilities by them.”
On 12 January, the Supreme Court found the former President, along with former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, former National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis and former Chief of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena in violation of the Fundamental Rights of petitioners, by failing to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks despite receiving sufficient intelligence information.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered Sirisena to pay Rs. 100 million in compensation to the petitioners, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and the former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena were each ordered to pay Rs. 75 million, former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to pay Rs. 50 million and former National Intelligence Director Sisira Mendis was ordered to pay Rs. 10 million from their personal money.
Two days after China opposed a supposed visit by the Dalai Lama to Sri Lanka, an official for the Tibetan government-in-exile said the spiritual leader has no plans to visit the island nation although he has been invited.
On Tuesday, China had said Sri Lanka, currently a bankrupt nation, must safeguard its bilateral relationship with Beijing.
A top Chinese embassy official met the powerful Buddhist prelates in the central town of Kandy to express opposition to the visit, a PTI report had said quoting a statement from the Chinese embassy.
Invitation issued
On Thursday, the official for the Tibetan government-in-exile told The Federal that the Dalai Lama did not intend visiting Sri Lanka.
At the moment, the Dalai Lama has no plans to visit Sri Lanka,” he said.
He said the spiritual leader was urged to visit Colombo by a Sri Lankan delegation which attended a Pali conference of Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya, Bihar last month. Monks from Sri Lanka and Thailand, among other nations, had participated in the event.
His Holiness was invited by a Sri Lankan delegation but he did not commit to any date,” the official who did not want to be quoted by name told The Federal. He has no plans to visit Sri Lanka at the moment.”
Asked if it would be advisable for the Dalai Lama to visit Sri Lanka in the wake of China’s objection, the official said: This question should be asked to the Sri Lankan people, not us.”
Exile in India
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. India is also home to some 100,000 Tibetan exiles.
Although he has stepped down as the leader of the government-in-exile based in Dharamsala in India and he no longer advocates independence for Tibet, Beijing still calls him a splittist” and opposes countries hosting him.
The Dalai Lama is highly respected in Sri Lanka, a Buddhist-majority country.
Prabakaran was not privy to the contents of the Indo-Lanka Accord drafted by India
Prabakaran did not demand Indo-Lanka Accord (in fact he did not know its contents. Prabakaran was not shown the draft of the Indo-Lanka Accord to even agree or disagree. Which means Prabakaran never gave his consent to the Indo-Lanka Accord.
He was flown to Delhi on 21July 1987 with his family in 6 Indian helicopters & kept at the Ashok Hotel.
Prabakaran was kept by force in New Delhi until Indian PM signed the Accord in Sri Lanka on 29 July 1987. Prabakaran was flown back to Jaffna only after Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi returned on 2 Aug 1987.
Prabakaran was kept in Delhi from 21 July to 2 Aug 1987 (close to 2 weeks)
Prabakaran had no access to his fighters during this period showcasing India was in total control of the situation.
LTTE maintained that Indian intervention ‘was not in the interest of the Eelam Tamils”. Thus, if as TNA claims, LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamil people, this means Tamils too did not agree with the Accord. LTTE emerged sole representative only after eliminating the leaders of other Tamil militant groups sending a message to those that supported these militant groups, that they could not dictate to LTTE. It is possibly this attitude that resulted in orders to eliminate Prabakaran just 2 months after IPKF landed in Sri Lanka.
Indo-Lanka Accord was signed under duress
No one in Sri Lanka was privy to the contents of the Accord
It was signed under State of Emergency & Curfew.
No media was allowed.
Even the country’s Prime Minister boycotted the signing while other senior ministers did not attend & Minister Gamini Jayasuriya resigned in objection.
India violated Sri Lanka’s sovereignty & territorial integrity
India announced it was sending a convoy of 19 ships carrying 38 tons food, fuel & medicine on 2 June 1987 – it was turned back on 4 June 1987 by Sri Lanka Navy.
India then carried out an airdrop of 25 tons of food with 35 national & international journalists inside the planes which was accompanied by armed Mirage crafts ready to fire (Operation Poomalai/Eagle Mission 4)
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Delhi – Bernard Thilakaratne was summoned & Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh informed him at 3p.m. that at 4p.m. the Indian Air Force would be dropping supplies over Jaffna & if the Sri Lanka Air Force reacted they ‘would be met by force”. The Indian planes returned to Bangalore at 6.15p.m. A crime of aggression by India against Sri Lanka.
The Accord was signed under coercion.
India sent ships violating Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.
India violated Sri Lanka’s airspace giving only 30 minute notice & threatening Sri Lanka not to react.
India whisked a wanted terrorist to safety in 6 helicopters.
Sri Lanka’s President J R Jayawardena accused India of violating its sovereignty. India defended by saying it was a mercy mission.
India violated:
Article 2(4) of the UN Charter requiring members to refrain in the international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State”.
Article 51 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treatiesexpression of a state’s consent to be bound by [a] treaty which has been procured by coercion of its representative through acts or threats directed against him shall be without legal effect”
Article 52 of the same Conventiona treaty is void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.”
Historical incorrect clauses in Indo-Lanka Accord – claiming North & East as Tamil Homelands & ‘areas of historical habitation of Sri Lankan Tamil speaking people”.
There was never an independent or sovereign Tamil kingdom to warrant homeland claim. Tamils have to prove they are separate to South Indian Tamils & evolved in Sri Lanka instead of India to claim a homeland in Sri Lanka.
The term Sri Lanka” itself was coined in 1972 with the Republican constitution. The term Ceylon Tamils” was coined only in 1911.
The Sri Lankan officials should have demanded a rephrasing of this clause.
India cannot decide the official language of Sri Lanka.
Tamil was never an official language prior to colonial invasion & occupation nor was Tamil an official language after colonial invasion & occupation.
Thus Tamil, that was not official before 1505 or after 1505 cannot claim a grievance in 1956 at the time of introducing the Official Language Act. English was the official language. The mistake made in introducing Sinhala as the official language with reasonable use of Tamil, should have been to continue with English.
There can be no grievance when Tamil was never an official language.
India failed to fulfill its obligations promised in the Indo-Lanka Accord
Sri Lanka’s obligation to adhere to the Accord was condition to India’s performance & implementation of 5 key steps that India failed to honor.
The principle of international law Pacta Sunt Servanda” (for agreements to be kept both parties must execute their mutually agreed obligations)
India breached its obligations under the Accord.
India claimed it would preserve the unity, sovereignty & territorial integrity of Sri Lanka – it failed to do so
India claimed it would disarm LTTE in 120hours – it failed
India claimed to bring peace & normalcy after signing Accord – it failed.
India claimed traditional friendship between Sri Lanka & India would intensify – it didn’t
India claimed Sri Lanka would be safe & prosperous – Sri Lanka wasn’t
India claimed that the merged North & East forming one administrative unit with provision to separate via referendum in East Sri Lanka would be held on 31 December 1988 – it was not held. TULF even objected to the merger.
India assured right to return to areas for the displaced – Sinhalese & Muslims have yet to return to where they once lived before being chased out by LTTE.
India assured cessation of hostilities within 48 hours of signing Accord – it didn’t happen
India assured all militants would be disarmed within 72 hours of signing Accord – it didn’t happen
Indo-Lanka Accord mentions only 2 provinces & elections in only these 2 provinces.
The 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord mentions only the North & East provinces.
There is no mention about any provincial system for the other provinces or even elections in these 2 provinces.
The Accord merged the North & East and a referendum was required to be held after a year asking the people if they wished to remain merged. Such a referendum was not held. Eventually elections was held only in 2008 in the East & 2013 in the North after the Sri Lankan Armed Forces eliminated the LTTE.
Merging of only North & East is mentioned in the Indo-Lanka Accord.
Elections in only North & East is mentioned in the Accord
There is NO MENTION of any system or election in any other provinces.
Merger of NE was included in 1987 Accord following proposal by G Parathasarathy who was Indira Gandhi’s representative who proposed merger via Annexure C in Aug/Nov 1983 but the proposals were not tabled during the Dec 1983 All Party Conference. Paratharasathy was not included to PM Rajiv Gandhis team.
India that claimed to disarm Tamil militants via Accord created the Tamil National Army
India that claimed to disarm LTTE/Tamil militants within 72 hours went on to create another India-friendly group, armed by the IPKF to support Indian stooge Varatharaja Perumal who became Chief Minister of merged NE Province. This was breaching India’s own commitment in the Accord to preserve unity & sovereignty in Sri Lanka. It also showcased that the India that secretly trained Tamil militants could not be trusted to disarm the very entities they created.
Mention of Trinco Port/Trinco Oil Tanks in the Indo-Lanka Accord had nothing to do with Sri Lanka’s conflict or LTTE demands.
Inclusion of Trinco Port & Trinco Oil Tanks in the Indo Lanka Accord was to fulfill India’s interest only & it is the reason why the merger of North East provinces was also included.
Indo-Lanka Accord nor exchange of letters between Rajiv Gandhi & J R Jayawardena does not mention Devolution
India was pro-Russia & distant from US in the 1980s/90s today India is a partner of US. If India would have objected to US using Sri Lanka’s Ports then, why is India okay with US using Sri Lanka’s Ports now.
How do we know if China, that is India’s enemy today may become India’s friend tomorrow when the reality dawns on India that US will balkanize it as planned!
Indo-Lanka Accord does not mention 13th amendment / Provincial Council System though PC system was discussed before Indo-Lanka Accord.
Indo-Lanka Accord does not mention amending Sri Lanka’s constitution.
13th amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution was passed on 14th November 1987 after discussions since 1986.
If Indo-Lanka Accord does not mention 13a – India has no basis to demand implementation of 13a given that it is not part of Indo-Lanka Accord & is a domestically passed amendment. Sri Lanka does not need to seek permission from India to annul 13a as a result. Sri Lanka’s leaders & political parties have no reason to be asking for permission from India either or allowing India to make statements regarding a domestic legislature.
13a is only being used under 2.15 of Indo Lanka Accord residual matters shall be resolved between India & Sri Lanka”.
The PC system is a waste of public funds.
How can a provincial council system solve a supposed ethnic problem”.
How ethnic” is the problem when the terrorist LTTE killed even Tamils
Similarly, it is important to note that out of the 37 subjects to be devolved to the provinces 36 have been devolved. In over 30 years what is the success that the PC system can boast of? Is their failure because land powers & police powers are not given? The people of the provinces are not asking for land & police powers – so who wants it & why?
TULF letter to PM Rajiv Gandhi on 28 Oct 1987 reveals the 13a & PC system with NE merger was birthed by India & not Sri Lanka’s Tamil politicos or the LTTE.
This letter by 3 TULF leaders which included R. Sambanthan claimed 13a Bill & PC Bill did not meet Tamil aspirations.
1984 Draft District & Provincial Councils Development Bill by J R Jayawardena to decentralize powers at District level to Provincial Level.
TULF rejected proposals.
Thimpu Talks commenced in July/Aug 1985.
Sri Lanka agreed to form separate PCs with limited powers.
This was how Sri Lanka was trapped into creating PCs amending SL’s constitution.
LTTE rejected the PC proposals.
TULF proposes to combine North & East into single Tamil linguistic state in Dec 1985 within framework of a UNITED Sri Lanka with Indian nod of approval.
Note: replacement of UNITARY with UNITED Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka rejected TULF proposals citing UNITARY
India secretly trained Tamil youth in armed militancy. The Jain Commission report names this camps & by 1986, Indian intel had trained over 3500 Tamils in India, armed them & sent them to Sri Lanka to commence attacks against Sri Lankan troops. Tamil self-determination bid launched from Tamil Nadu was prevented by passing the 16th amendment in 1963 & by supporting Tamil militancy in Sri Lanka. Having created the conflict in Sri Lanka, India began engaging Sri Lanka claiming to help solve what they had created. By this time, geopolitical players saw the advantage of using LTTE, Tamil militancy & its slogans & began to enter the fray in various disguises & formats. All attempting to cut a piece of Sri Lanka claiming to deliver peace.
By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D. Director at Center for Global Poverty Alleviation
Where would be without the Army? Have we forgotten what the Army did to rid the country of the LTTE terrorism.
Perhaps the Army could be given the task of economic development, like in the USA where the US Army attends to many tasks like building hydro electricity schemes and even keeps the city of New Orleans alive saving it from the Atlantic Ocean waters as the city is below sea level.
My paper on Laya Waves may be kindly considered by the Army. It is a plan to get the Army to work on economic development.
Laya Waves: A Cosy Holiday for now: A Catalyst for Future Development
On my second visit to Laya Waves I was struck with some new ideas.
To get down to the hospitality track, the sleuths who have forgotten their guns for now and are on an entirely different – hospitality track; they are a marvel. The accommodation was spick and span., cleanliness perfect, the front desk manned by Dilruksha and Chandima courteous and very helpful, even attending to my car for a small defect, and last but most important of all, the chef, Nishanta Perera, a great chef, with a hand that makes every meal tasty- mouth watering in the extreme. At the end of a meal we wait for the next to see what he offers and he was always up to the mark. It is very rare to find a chef of that ability.
In my working life in Sri Lanka, the Administrative Service has taken me to work in eight districts and my covering the whole island for agricultural loans, fertilizer distribution and paddy cultivation work for some five years. I am thus aware of what is where. These range from the Guava belt in Belihul Oya-Balangoda, the Ranbutan belt in Dompe, the Mangosteen belt in Kalutara, the Coffee belt in Kitulgala, the Pepper belt in Wellawaya, the Tomatoe belt in Hanguranketa, the Flower and Vegetable Belt in Nuwara Eliya- Bandarawela, where flowers grow wild and I bagged more than my salary from flowers and vegetables in my years’ stay at Nuwara Eliya, the Avocado belt from Galaha to Peradeniya, and the Dry Zone Areas-Padaviya to Anuradhapura and Moneragala to Tissamaharamsa, where in any one season November to February all the fruit needed to make Sri Lanka self sufficient in all fruit and juice can be produced. I know of the Cardamom- Spices belt in Kotmale- sadly denuded today by the Kotmale Dam.
It is a sad fact that these resources are not put to full use, though Mother , Nature has provided all bountifully. The produce goes to waste and the people remain within the bound of poverty. In the Fifties and Sixties we made progress but the rot set in, in 1977 with President Jayawardena accepting the International Monetary Fund’s Structural Adjustment Programme with open arms. That was our undoing. We had to abolish and abandon the development infrastructure that our leaders had painstakingly developed- the Cannery and the Veg and Fruit Marketing Scheme, of the Marketing Department and to this day we have failed to bring back that development infrastructure to enable development to commence once again.
On this Visit to Laya Waves what struck me was the two large plots where aloevira grows wild. I have never seen that wild growth anywhere else. I inquired and the sleuths who now maintain the garden told me that the trick was perhaps the salty water and the climate.
My craze for travel has taken me to Lanzarote, an island in the Mediterranean, where some uncultivable land on rugged sedimentary rock is being developed and aloe vira is grown on a large scale with a factory producing a full range of aloevira products sold everywhere in the Harrods and Selfridges of Europe and USA,
My find of aloevira thriving at Laya Waves tells ,me of a great possibility in development. Its potential if tackled prudently can easily earn billions of dollars, annually to our depleted coffers, a task, if done at the pace I worked as the G.A. at Matara in 1971-1973, can easily be accomplished within two years. Working singlehandedly in Bangladesh, I designed and established the Youth Self Employment Programme and trained the Bangladeshi officialdom to continue it after my two year assignment was over- and the result- a programme that has guided three million youths to become employed, all accomplished within nineteen months. The task of developing aloevira will be a far easier task.
The task to develop aloevira in Pasikuda can easily be accomplished within two years at most. This estimate of time is not out of the hat but a calculation based on sheer experience in similar exploits. My working life has been full of such exploits. So that estimate of timing can be held firm.. The best method of indicating that this task can be accomplished is to hark back to a similar or more daunting task accomplished by me earlier.. I enclose details of a similar task- establishing Coop Crayon in the Appendix.
Accessing Aloevira products at Orzola, Lanzarote, I find the following products:. Gel, Oil, Drink, Cream, Moisturising Cream, Anti Aging Cream, Face Cream, Foot Cream, Night Cream, Dog Shampoo, Shampoo, Hand Cream, Relax Gel, Bath Gel.
Conducting experiments to make Aloevira products will be far easier than finding the art of making crayons and establishing the Crayon Factory. .
It is suggested that the Sri Lanka Army may kindly initiate action to conduct experiments at making products with Aloevira. Nishantha Perera the chef at Laya Waves could provide the leadership for the experiments at the initial stage. Further the science lab at a College or University has to be commandeered. An alternative will be to get the Army to put up a tent and get going in Laya Waves itself and to buy essential equipment.
It would be ideal to have some officer from the army who has a background qualification in agriculture, chemistry or biology to be in charge.
This Project has to be handled by a person of standing like a Brigadier as there has to be contact with many high ranking officials in government institutions, the Ministry of Industries, Food Technology Institutes, Department of Education , Ministries etc and the person appointed at the initial stage must be a tough guy who can shake up matters when Government Departments are lethargic. After a few years when the industry is well on keel, the high ranking officer can be removed and an officer like a Lt Colonel or Major could handle the project.
May I also suggest that the land of the Army Bungalow next to Laya Wave be used to cultivate Aloevira, The land has to be prepared immediately if the planting is to be done with the November rains.
An idea may be for an officer from the agriculture and land cultivation section of the Army to be consulted , specially to find whether any crown land suitable for the cultivation of Aloevira is available in the vicinity. If land is available the Army can open a farm. Simultaneously the army can have seed farms, distribute to private farmers and collect the crop.
I am aware that there is a section of the Army that attends to agriculture and is actively involved in producing food crops. A Unit of that section can be put on the task of producing Aloevira at Pasikuda. Full details have to be worked out and I am dead certain of success not only in production but in developing foreign sales which will bring in an income in foreign exchange.
It may be interesting to note that in the USA the Army is used for many development projects. At New Orleans, a city below the sea level, levees(bunds) are constructed and maintained by the Army. On the Columbia River there are stupendous hyrdo projects constructed and manned by the Army. The US Army is deployed in many ways for civilian functions. In my travels in the USA-I owned a Motorhome and have clocked 50,000 miles crossing the USA thrice and have seen for myself the stupendous civilian work being done by the US Army all over the USA.. It is my opinion that the Sri Lankan Army can and has to play a major role in bringing about economic development.
I am dead certain of success. The success does not depend on the ability to grow Aloevira. I am aware that planting Aloevira is in progress at Wilpattu. However that is at an infancy stage and there is ample scope for a few industries to be established in Aloevira.
Success will depend on the leader chosen, who has to have a personality; foreign sales will depend on the charm of the officer selected. Both must be of the type that can, as the saying goes- take fire under water. ,
I wish to be associated with any initiatives and can assure success.
, M.Phil (Edinburgh) & Ph.D. (Michigan State University)
Former SLAS, G.A.Matara.(1971-1973)
Commonwealth Fund Advisor to the Ministry of Labour & Manpower in Bangladesh, 1982-1983, who designed, directed and established the Youth Self Employment Programme in Bangladesh, the premier employment creation programme the world has known, a programme that has left its imprint on the sands of time.
Author of
How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka & Alternative Programmes of Success.(Godages) 2006
How the IMF Sabotaged Third World Development(Godages/Kindle,2017) Garvin Karunaratne, former GA Matara, Ph.D Michigan State University.
The war was begun in February 2014 with a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin and continues until now.
Putin told the Russian people that he was conducting a special military operation” to denazify” Ukraine and prevent NATO from expanding to Russia’s borders.
Many in the West see the war, which many consider it the most disruptive conflict in Europe since 1945, as a war of choice by Putin, but he says that NATO’s 2008 decision in favor of eventual Ukrainian membership brought an existential threat to Russia’s borders. This article, aim to list the reasons for the start of the war, its process, and the costs of the war.
Reasons of war
Several important reasons for the beginning of the war have been listed.
Russia declared one of the reasons for starting the war to help the Russians living in the two republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine in Donbas.
Russia has repeatedly stated that the two regions have a Russian majority and should either become autonomous or join Russia.
The Kremlin has declared racism against the Russians as the reason for the war.
Story of two provinces
After the Russian annexation of Crimea, Russians established self-rule governments in these two provinces. They were only able to take over parts of the two provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, so a struggle started to conquer the two provinces. Ukrainian government forces also engaged in a military conflict against the separatists. As a result, more than 14,000 people were killed and a many were displaced.
In 2015, with the mediation of France and Germany, an agreement was signed between Russia and Ukraine, which became known as the Minsk Agreement. The main goal of the deal was to end the conflict between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists in Donbass. According to the agreement, in exchange for regaining control of its borders with Russia, Ukraine gave these two regions autonomy in many areas, which was supported by the United States and its allies.
But the agreement was annulled by the war, and once again Donbass became the core of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine and Putin said in his speech before the start of the war: The people’s republics of Donbass have asked Russia for help.
NATO expansion to the East
As mentioned above, one of the most important reasons for the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine was Kyiv’s decision to join NATO; in another word, to expand the military coalition to Russia’s borders and threaten the country.
In his speech, Putin said: I will begin with what I said in my address on February 21, 2022. I spoke about our biggest concerns and worries, and about the fundamental threats that irresponsible Western politicians created for Russia consistently, rudely, and unceremoniously from year to year. I am referring to the eastward expansion of NATO, which is moving its military infrastructure ever closer to the Russian border. It is a fact that over the past 30 years, we have been patiently trying to come to an agreement with the leading NATO countries regarding the principles of equal and indivisible security in Europe. In response to our proposals, we invariably faced either cynical deception and lies or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while the North Atlantic alliance continued to expand despite our protests and concerns. Its military machine is moving and, as I said, is approaching our very border.
Nuclear threat reason for start of the war!
Some sources say that another reason for the start of the war was Kyiv’s threat to resume its nuclear program, and to prove it, they point finger at the statements of Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and prime minister of Russia and the current deputy of the Security Council of this country.
Ukraine’s threats” to resume its nuclear program were largely the reason for Moscow’s special military operation,” Medvedev said on Nov, 7, 2022.
One of the reasons for conducting the special military operation” was the threats” by Ukrainian leaders that hinted resumption of the nuclear program, which Kyiv relinquished under the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, Medvedev wrote in a message on the country’s VK social network, according to TASS.
What do we see in contrast next to our own borders? Poor puppets from an inferior state, now weeping bitterly about the decision taken under the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 to withdraw the nuclear arsenal located on their territory and inherited from the USSR,” Medvedev said, following statements describing South Africa’s accession process to the Nonproliferation Treaty.
Later, Medvedev said that Ukrainians always perceived Kyiv’s accession to the international treaty as a forced step decided under harsh pressure from Washington,” adding that this was the case even though Ukraine did not have the means to support the ‘might’ (nuclear weapons) that had fallen to it by chance.”
He further said Ukrainian leaders, from former President Leonid Kravchuk to current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have expressed that they would be happy to use it (nuclear weapons) against us (Russia) and their own citizens (Ukrainians).” Whatever the reason for this war, it cost a lot for the parties, especially the European Union, which was highly dependent on Russian energy.
This cost can be examined in two dimensions.
Direct costs
The war in Ukraine, which is called the most destructive in Europe after World War II, has cost a lot to the parties involved.
Ukraine imports most of the weapons it needs. Although the country does not pay for the purchase of these weapons, its supporters – Europe, the US, and NATO – who are forced and committed to supplying Ukraine with weapons, bear the most costs.
Although the exact costs of these countries cannot be assessed, the cases announced by them show that Europe and the United States have incurred a lot of costs, some of which are as follows:
Short-Term Military Support ($17 billion): This includes the transfer of weapons, both U.S. weapons and those purchased from allies, training of Ukrainian military personnel, and intelligence sharing.
Long-Term Military Support ($10.4 billion): This consists of money that Ukraine can use to buy new weapons, mostly from the United States but also elsewhere.
U.S. Military Operations ($9.6 billion): In the spring, the United States sent about 18,000 troops to Europe to strengthen defenses and deter Russia. These deployments cost money above what was planned in the DOD budget.
DOD General Support ($1.2 billion): This covers a wide variety of activities, some only tangentially related to Ukraine, to prepare DOD for future conflicts.
Indirect costs
Indirect costs can also be referred to human costs, war refugees and the EU energy debate.
Europe, as a place on the front line of Ukrainian immigrants, suffered from two aspects. First, Ukrainian refugees directly entered Europe. Second, there was the issue of gas and energy crisis.
Nearly 8 million refugees fleeing Ukraine have been recorded across Europe, while an estimated 8 million have been displaced within the country by late May 2022. Approximately one-quarter of the country’s total population had left their homes in Ukraine by March 20, 2022.
Another impact of the Ukraine war was on the European benchmark natural gas prices.
The countries of the European Union, as importers of Russian gas, were deprived of energy due to their positions, and the energy challenge has turned into a super crisis for several months.
The benchmark price spiked to 227 euros after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and to around 350 euros in late August. As of Jan. 3, 2023, the benchmark price is about 74 euros.
Of course, the same cases are also true for Russia; the country has also suffered a lot of financial losses in addition to the loss of lives.
The sanctions of the European Union and the United States against this country, especially in the field of energy, are one of these losses.
Colombo, January 18: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has set debt sustainability goals for Sri Lanka for the latter to receive the IMF’s Extended Funding Facility (EFF) and get its creditors to restructure their debts.
On April 12, 2022, Sri Lanka declared that it was defaulting, when its overall loan external burden was US$ 50 billion.
It is understood that the IMF’s expectations from Sri Lanka in regard to the restructuring of its debts are: (1) reduction of the ratio of public debt to GDP to below 95% by 2032; (2) bringing the annual gross financing needs to below 13% of GDP on an average between 2027-2032; (3) scaling down the annual foreign currency debt service to below 4. 5 % of GDP every year between 2027-2032; (4) closing its external financing gap.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that in a letter to the IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva dated January 16, an Indian Finance Ministry official, Rajat Kumar Mishra, had said that India will extend its support to the IMF’s plan and give financial assurance” (which is IMF-speak for debt restructuring.”)
Reuters quoted the Indian official as saying: We hereby confirm our strong support for Sri Lanka’s perspective EFF-supported program and commit to supporting Sri Lanka with financing/ debt relief consistent with restoring Sri Lanka’s public debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program, and ensuring that the program is fully financed as projected by IMF staff. This financing/ debt relief will be provided by Export-Import Bank of India.”
India has also promised to continue its talks with the Sri Lankan government along with the Paris Club (of creditors) on a medium-to-long-term debt management through maturity extension and interest rate reduction or any other financial means that would provide financing or debt relief.
The financing or debt relief provided by the Export-Import Bank of India will be consistent with restoring debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program, India has said. The IMF’s debt sustainability assessment will be underpinned by the program targets stated earlier in the story.
Sri Lanka owes US$ 1 billion to India.
Sri Lanka’s Job
However, India has made it clear that Sri Lanka will have to seek equitable debt treatments from all commercial creditors and other official bilateral creditors, as well as adequate financing contributions from the multilateral development banks. India will support Sri Lanka’s efforts in this direction. India will keep having in-depth discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities, the IMF and the Paris Club of creditors.
It is now up to Sri Lanka to mull over the points made by the IMF and India and take necessary action. Debt restructuring and the IMF’s conditions will be among the major items on the agenda of the talks between the Indian Foreign Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar and the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Colombo beginning on January 19.
Other Creditors
Given the Indian moves, Japan is expected to follow suit as India and Japan are allies vis-a-vis Sri Lanka. But China is problematic because Beijing likes to act independently, based on its own economic and financial calculations which clash with India’s and Japan’s.
However, a visiting high-level delegation from China’s Communist Party led by the Vice Minister of the International Department, Chen Zhou, told Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena recently that Sri Lanka would have some good news soon” with regard to debt restructuring.
Sri Lanka owes US$ 7 billion to China.
The United States comes into the picture because most of Sri Lanka’s private creditors are from the US. These private creditors own almost 40% of Sri Lanka’s external debt stock, mostly in the form of international sovereign bonds.
The private creditors also get higher interest rates on the basis of risk in lending to Sri Lanka. They receive more than 50% of external debt repayments, according to economists. These private lenders pose a problem because they are generally averse to restructuring their debt. One US lender went to court immediately after Sri Lanka defaulted in April 2022.
New Delhi, January 18 (The Pathfinder Foundation): The Sinhala translation of renowned Indian author Jairam Ramesh’s book The Light of Asia; the poem that defined the Buddha”, Budusiritha Lowata Genagiya Maha Kavyaya; Asiyawe Alokaya, translated by award winning translator Niluka Kadurugamuwa was launched recently. Budusiritha Lowata Genagiya Maha Kavyaya; Asiyawe Alokaya is a publication of the Pathfinder Foundation and could be contacted at pm@pathfinderfoundation.org .
The Light of Asia; the poem that defined the Buddha” is a work of deep scholarship based on extensive research and serves as a biography of both the epic poem The Light of Asia and its author Sir Edwin Arnold. The book describes how the poem The Light of Asia, which is based on the life of the Buddha, captivated and inspired many iconic personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Anagarika Dharmapala, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It also reveals how the poem got translated into over thirty languages, including Sinhala, and inspired movements for social equality, incarnating itself in music, dance, drama, art and cinema.
Translator Niluka Kadurugamuwa
Jairam Ramesh, the author of The Light of Asia; the poem that defined the Buddha” is a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament representing the State of Karnataka, and was a Union Minister of India between 2006 and 2014. He has held the ministerial portfolios of Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Environment and Forests. He has authored several well-known books.
The translator of the book, Niluka Kadurugamuwa is an officer of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, presently serving as Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi. He has won the State Literary Award for the best translation of a novel into Sinhala in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Budusiritha Lowata Genagiya Maha Kavyaya; Asiyawe Alokaya is Kadurugamuwa’s eighth translation.
The order is a part of a Line of Credit extended by Export-Import Bank of India, under the Economic Assistance Scheme of the Indian government.
Over 5,000 Ashok Leyland buses are currently in operation with SLTB. (Representational Image)
Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland on Wednesday said it has bagged a contract for supplying 500 buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), of which 75 buses have already been delivered to the Island nation.
The order is a part of a Line of Credit extended by Export-Import Bank of India, under the Economic Assistance Scheme of the Indian government, it said.
The company, however, did not disclose the financial details of the deal.
Sri Lanka Transport Board is the state-owned single-largest bus transport provider in Sri Lanka with 110 depots throughout the country and operates buses in city routes, hilly and rural routes and also long-distance inter-city routes.
Over 5,000 Ashok Leyland buses are currently in operation with SLTB, the company said.
These new 32-seater buses are expected to be put into operation on rural routes throughout the island.
We thank the Government of India for assistance towards strengthening Public Transport Infrastructure in Sri Lanka,” said Amandeep Singh, President – International Operations, Ashok Leyland said.
The Hinduja group flagship has a bus and truck manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka as well.
The first batch of buses in the project was handed over to the company at Colombo this month, Ashok Leyland said.
These buses will help combat the heavily crowded public transport in the island nation, supporting mobility and accessibility in Sri Lanka, the company added.
Days ahead of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka, the neighbouring giant has sent financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Hindu reported.
A top official source in Colombo has confirmed to The Hindu that the written financing assurances from India were sent to the IMF Monday evening”.
By taking the step that will help ease pressures on Sri Lanka, India becomes the first creditors to officially support the country’s debt restructuring programme.
With the assurances extended by India, Sri Lanka comes one step closer to the much awaited US $ 2.9 billion bailout package from the IMF.
The IMF was firm on the crisis-struck island nation receiving financing assurances from its official creditors and making a good faith effort to reach a collaborative agreement with private creditors.
China, Japan and India are Sri Lanka’s three largest bilateral lenders. Having received the support from India, the island nation now awaits similar assurances from Japan and China to gain access to the IMF assistance. Sources familiar with Sri Lanka’s ongoing negotiations with creditors said the Paris Club, of which Japan is a member, is likely to send its financing assurances soon”, The Hindu reported.
Following the staff-level agreement with the IMF in September 2022, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said efforts are underway to obtain the IMF support before the end of the year.
However, as negotiations with creditors did not conclude within the expected time frame, the bailout was delayed. Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Tuesday that the ongoing discussions with India and China have been a success.
Refuting allegations that the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill was brought in to suppress Aragalaya members, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today said drafting of the Bill commenced in 2004 even before some of the Aragalaya people were born.
He told Parliament that the Bill was initially drafted to rehabilitate drug addicts and ex-LTTE combatants.
He said the Bill included provisions to rehabilitate ex-combatants and members of violent groups, as it was commenced drafting during the time of the war.
The Minister said a huge uproar was created against this Bill after it was presented in Parliament as it was done when an Aragalaya emerged in the country.
The The Bill is now restricted to the Rehabilitation Bureau aiming to rehabilitate drug addicts after the Supreme Court determination. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
(This was an article I wrote to Asian Tribune in 2006.)
The mountain “where Buddha laid his foot on”
By Sudath Gunasekara (S.L.A.S), Asian Tribune, Oct 21, 2006
The wonder that is Lakegala from where Ravana ruled Lanka and Lord Buddha preached Lankavatara Sutra and laid his Foot Print
Lakegala, Sri Lanka — Wrapped in mystery and legend, on the northern end of this village, rising above the surroundings like a colossal giant is the world famous Lakegala, the highest bare rock outcrop in the world. “The Resplendent Rock”, “The Rock of Lanka’ or “The Target Rock”, Lanka Pabbata, Lankagiri, Laggala, Samudramalaya or Samudragiri are the different names given to it as it was differently called by different people at different times in different contexts.
However, it ever remained Lakegala (The resplendent Rock) for the people of this village. At first, looking at it no one will believe that this is a natural phenomenon. It is so breathtaking and so unbelievable that it portrays more a painting by a maestro artist than a mere creation of nature – an epic poem, Mother Nature has created for men to adore as long as the sun and the moon shall last.
A triangular panorama unseen and unheard anywhere in the world, it towers majestically over the secluded ancient village of Meemure situated in the eastern boarder of the Kandy district. It is also the only rock in the whole world, which has been named after the country where it stands. Also probably the most elegant rock (Lakegala) in the world as the people of Meemure have veryaptly named it.
The following folk poem aptly describes the fame of this rock.
Epita konata Kalupana keleya Mepita konata Laggala Meemureya Desiya dekak usa eti gomareya Sondai parakasa Laka Meemureya.
(Yonder lay Kalupana the great forest Laggala and Meemre lying at the near end The rock that is two hundred and two high Famous is the name, Lakegala in Meemure)
Geographically Lakegala is located almost right at the center of Sri Lanka (80.46 E and 7.30 N). It forms the tail end of the eastern extremity of the Dumbara hills (popularly known as the Knuckles). It is a giant steep vertical erosional monolith with a perpendicular bare rock face of an abrupt drop of nearly three thousand feet (914 m) overlooking the great eastern plains.
Its triangular face that stands on a base of about 2.5 miles in length from west to east with a sharp apex rising over 3000 feet from its base towards the heavens is perhaps the most fascinating and breathtaking creation of mother nature on this earth.
The surface area of the southern face of this rock must be at least in the region of 15 million square feet if not more. It also could be the world’s biggest visible rock mass. Its perimeter is about 5 miles and the area of the base is around 2 square miles.
It has three peaks and the southernmost facing Meemure is the highest and the most enchanting. The whole mass exhibits a SW-NE trend with a dip slope to the SW. The three peaks are arranged in a NW-SE direction with a horseback like summits. These summits are covered with a thin layer of earth not more than few inches deep with few-stunted pigmy bushes struggling to survive.
The patanas (grasslands) on the southwestern dip slopes are extensive and the villagers of Meemure and Laggala use them to drive their buffaloes during the off-season. One can also see the eastern sea from the top of this peak on a clear day. This may be the reason why the ancient people called it Samudramalaya, meaning the mountain from where you can see the sea.
Its summit is 4329 feet above sea level and this never aging and ever-youthful monolith has remained unchanged ever since it sprang up millions of years ago from the earth’s surface, in spite of the fact that the entire world around it has undergone tremendous changes. From the day the tip of this rock first emerged from its surrounding plains, it must have witnessed with deep sorrow how the surrounding plains are being carved out by day and night in to beautiful valleys leaving behind the hanging and precipitous mountains with rugged and fragile peaks, abutting them.
At times Lakegala must have felt sad to witness how the rich layers of good earth around it is being churned and robbed by the streams- the ruthless transport agents of the sea. But at the same time, it must also have felt proud that it could boldly stand all alone undefeated all the beatings of nature down the ages when all others have succumbed to sorrowful defeat. It not only has resisted and withstood successfully the beatings of the elements of weather throughout the ages but it also has absorbed all the sorrows and pains of the people who lived under its daunting shadow from the dawn of civilization.
Since I first saw it as a little child some sixty odd years ago the village has undergone tremendous changes. People have died and many new comers are being born. But this giant sentinel still stands unshaken above the village in the same majestic manner I saw it first, casting its majestic but romantic and seductive looks, perhaps with much disappointment and pain at what has been continuously going on over the ages under its own shadow. I do not think that there could be a better witness than this lonely sentinel to what happen under its shadow over the ages. I wish therefore that Lakegala would correct me where I go wrong in this pursuit.
It is in recognition of this unique historical and aesthetic role Lakegala has played in its environs and the indelible image it has left in my mind as the most prominent landmark both in this village and in the Island that I decided to name my book on Meemure Under the shadow of Lakegala”
In the Pali chronicle Rasavahini Lakegala it is called Lankapabbata.
Professor S. Paranavitana in his God of Adamspeak has identified it as Lankagiri, which means the Rock of Lanka. Legend has it that this Island owes its name Lanka to this rock. The names Lakgala and Laggala are also used to describe this rock. All three words Lakegala, Lakgala and Laggala mean beautiful or resplendent rock.
Lake behe (O what a beauty) in Sinhala denotes excessive beauty. Lake behe and Kisi lakak nehe (no beauty at all) are common terms used in the day-to-day conversation in this village.
All these terms therefore speak of the captivating beauty of this rock. All these words starting with Lak, Lanka or Lag also means that it is the Rock of the Island of Lanka. If this argument holds true then this Island will be the only country in the world, which has been named after a rock found in that country and similarly this will be the only rock in the whole world, which has been named after the name of the country where it is stands.
Legend has it that the Lankapura of Mighty Ravana the capital of his kingdom was located around this Rock. It is also said that Ravana the epic King of Lanka used Lakegala as a device to calculate time for this Kingdom depending on the relationship between this rock and the sunrise and sun set. Ravanas Kingdom is supposed to have extended even beyond the shores of Lanka covering a large part of Dhakshina Bharata including Dandakaranya Forest, over which his sister Suparnakha ruled. It is said that Ravana met Sita, the alluring Queen of Rama in this forest.
When the day begins as the morning sun makes its first appearance over the eastern horizon it casts its soothing crimson rays on Lakegala illuminating it like a red ruby. The aura displayed by the morning sunrise on Lakegala in the month of Duruthu and Nawam is perhaps the most mesmerizing and breathtaking spectacle I have seen in my life.
The golden rays of the sun that fall on the bare and shining face of Lakegala reflects back and illuminates the entire valley below, long before the direct sun rays reach the valley as if they beckon the villagers to rise from their deep slumber in the previous night. As this rock sheds these early morning reflections the humming of bees and singing of birds awaken the whole world around it.
The cooing of Alukobeiya (Ash dove), ear piercing clarion call of the Walikukula (Jungle fowl), the rhythmic cry of jungle birds provides the nature’s morning symphony orchestra that set the alap and the rhythm for the days beginning in this village.
From its partly covered and slightly dipped western leg Lakegala rises east gradually but rhythmically up to its summit and then falls abruptly by about 2000 feet forming in to a slightly concave horizon at the lower level intercepted by few projections of trees shooting in to the sky. There after it merges with the Matalagala –Komalepatana ridge which glides and finally disappears in the Heenganga valley.
Looking at its southern profile from a distant at times, I imagine Lakegala resembles a high ocean tide that sprang up during the geological past, rolled over land, rising in the west and breaking up in the east that got petrified and remained there mourning for millions of years over the parting ocean around it. But would not it be more appropriate to compare her to a dancing heavenly nymph whose alluring and seductive looks have kept everyone around spellbound throughout the ages.
Her right leg and right arm stretched to the west and the left leg and the left arm rhythmically gliding in the east. She is dancing the cosmic dance to the accompaniment of the heavenly drums with no beginning and no end. She must have been dancing in this manner with no break from the time she came of age, enticing the whole world around her. I can see no beginning or end to this eternal and perhaps a part of nature’s cosmic dance, which probably will come to an end only on the day this planet earth, stops its endless journey around the sun.
The most fascinating view of this natures wonder is seen from the south. Its beckoning, enchanting and endearing disposition really makes you go mad. The crest of the rock as seen from Udawanatha or Watagode muduna clearly resembles the natural features of a human face, the eyes, nose and the mouth quite visible, as if casting her amorous looks at the playful village youths of Meemure who may be not aware of such comely castings shot at them by this heavenly dame.
The thicket at the summit and the grass cover on the western slopes resembles a flock of loosened hair adorning her back. The silvery waterfalls that roar down the western flanks in the months of November and December after every rain add further colour to her dancing costume. Another noteworthy thing associated with this rock is the isolated patch of vegetation seen at the lower central part of the rock. It is really surprising that this patch with no visible supply of water remains green throughout the year.
It is also interesting to see how this thicket divides Lakegala in to two halves, one eastern and the other western. To use a poetic simile, one could compare this thicket to a Vasaroda that disappears under the Manimekhaladama of this goddess of dancing. This spot is said to be full of caves, excavation of which might unearth some unbelievable evidence on the history of this Island.
An early morning view of this rock, before the sun casts its rays on the ground around, particularly in the months of Nawam (January-February) when the morning sun casts its first rays over the eastern horizon or a spectacle on a full moon day in the month of Vesak (May) as the full moon is shining on the high heavens are perhaps some of the most enchanting spectacles one could see on this earth.
Some eminent scholars believe that Lord Buddha on his third visit to Sri Lanka has left his footprint on this rock. They also believe that Ravana, the legendary Lord of Lanka mentioned in Valmikis Ramayanaya had his abode on the summit of this mountain and his Capital Lankapuraya was located around it. According to Lankavatara Sutta, Buddha on his third visit to Lanka has visited Lankamalaya (Lakegala) and preached Lankavatara Sutta to Ravana the Lord of Yakkshas of Lanka on the peak of Samudramalaya, which was situated in Lankapura.
Again Huen Tsien, the Chinese traveler in the seventh century AD has stated that in this Island to the south east is the Lankapabbata and on this mountain Buddha preached Lankavatara Sutta.” Furthermore, according to Fa-Hsien (411AD) Buddha has laid his foot print on two places, one to the north of Anuradhapura the then capital and the other on a summit of a mountain, fifteen leagues south of Anuradhapura. Some authorities have identified Lakegala as the mountain, where this second footprint was laid.
The first European to write about this mountain was Major Forbes in 1832. He has made an unsuccessful attempt to climb this peak and camped out the night at the foot of the hill on the western side (Miriyagolla) and left the next morning to Matale. He has left an interesting account of this rock and Meemure in his famous book, 11 Years in Ceylon (P 101).
From various names of neighboring places, and for other reasons, I believe the Yakka town of Lankapoora was situated around this mountain; and this circumstance, conjoined with still more ancient traditions, has obtained from native superstition a belief that its formation was miraculous, and that the sounds of its falling rocks are mysterious prognostics of public misfortune. Quoting from one of his guides he makes the following reference to an age-old legend prevailing among these villagers,
Through the vale of Meemoora while sweeps the wild storm, The red thunderbolt’s gleam shows Lak’galla’s rude form. Hallowed region of spirits when tempest run by, Frowning o’er their dark course, thy scathed peaks shoot on high.
Here stern Rawan was vanquished and in that dread hour Lakagalla was rent by the conqueror’s power; It was Rama’s keen shaft cleft the mountain in twain, And Lak’galla’s bright lake made a desolate plain. (P 103)
The first white man to climb Lakegala was Dyson the Colonial Government Agent of Kandy. He climbed this peak in 1943 in the company of my father and few villagers. The only approach to the summit of Lakegala is on the western side. The first leg is a steep stretch of patana land with low bushes of mixed vegetation and grasses.
Occasionally one could see few Gammalu (Pterocarpus marsupium roxb), Aralu (Terminalia chebula Retz), Bulu (Terminalia belerica), Nelli (Phyllunthus embilica) and short bushes appearing here and there. The climb in this section is about 2000 ft. The second leg is a steep climb of bare rock slab of about 500ft, which is the most difficult part to negotiate.
The climb here is extremely arduous and it has to be done with the help of a rope along a difficult narrow gully that brings down the waters of the top portion during rains. Half way on this gully is the most difficult point obstructed by a bolder that has come down and got struck in the cavity? The last leg to the summit again is a stretch of stunted shrubs and grass of about 500 to 600ft with a steep gradient.
The summit, resembling a horse back, is about 20 ft wide and it stretches from S E to N W for about 650 ft in length like a horseback. It has dry shrub type low montane vegetation. The height of the tallest tree here does not exceed 8 ft and the girth of the biggest tree is not more than few inches (6-8). The dominant trees are Ankenda (Acronychia pedunculata), Miiriya (Palaquium grande), Naha, Varav (Calotropis gigantea), Karapincha (Murraya spreng), Pihimbiya (Felicium decipiens), Nelu (Stenosiphonium cordifolium), Getapichcha (Jasminum Anqustifolium), Maldunkala (Sonchus wightianus), Butiya (Melastoma malabathirikum), Kina (Callophylum cuneifolium), Walwaraka (Anicoxanthum acuminata), Kirindi (Coix lacryma), Maratu (Echinochloa crusgalli), Galidda (Walidda antidysenterica) and Labutarana (Tarenna asiatica) etc and creepers such as Kalawel (Derris parviflora), Iramusu ( Hemidesmus indicus), and grasses like Pohon and Mana (Cymbopogon rendle).
The southern and eastern sides are abrupt precipices. The drop is definitely more than 3000 ft. When you reach the summit after about 3 hours of arduous and strenuous climbing starting from the base one feels as if you have reached the heavens alive. Paradise itself exists here in the Paradise Island of Lanka. From the top you can see one of the most panoramic views one-can see anywhere in the world.
The aerial view of the Meemure basin some 3500 ft below and the Knuckles ranges with the Dumbanagala-Kehelpothdoruwegala-Telambugala crescent range encircling the Meemure basin are really unforgettable memories. But the most rewarding is the panorama of the eastern plain extending up to the sea dotted with irrigation canals and tanks occasionally disturbed by the hills rising above the ground. Sections of the Mahaweli Ganga flowing north girdling the eastern boarder of the Dumbara hills also could be witnessed. The Parakrama Samudraya, Giritale Tank, Minneriya and Ulhitiya Tanks (all man-made massive reservoirs) decorating the landscape of this great ancient eastern agrarian civilization could be clearly seen even with the naked eye.
There are two accesses to the point (Meeriyagolla) from where we start the accent. One is on the south, through Meemure, and the other on the North through Laggala. The southern access is easier. One has to trek about three miles uphill through difficult terrain from the village whose elevation is about 1200 ft. to reach the base. It takes about two hours to reach the base. Today more than thousand people annually climb this peak. It is interesting to note that even young village lassies of Meemure do climb this now.
The best time in the year to climb this mountain is August and early September. Before August the summit is swept by strong southwesterly Monsoon winds and after mid-September the sky is not clear due to convectional activities that are active prior to the onset of the North East Monsoons. In this village there is also a tradition that every young man should climb this peak before he is formally qualified to take the hand of a village lass.
The villagers consider the climb as a mark of bravery and courage. Of cause before one attempts this feat it is customary and compulsory too that they should first visit the village Devale (The temple of the gods) and obtain the permission and blessings from the presiding gods of the region. It guarantees a safe and easy climb and return without any misfortune. It is also customary that the climbers on their descent too visit the Devale for thanks giving.
Post script,
I climbed this mountain on Friday the 20th full moon day of the month of September 2002 at the age of 64 years, in the company of another 48 men and stayed the night on its summit. We started from the village Devale at 2.15 pm after the rituals and reached the base by 4.30. After a little rest we again stated to climb and having negotiated the most difficult part in between the patana and the summit, as it is a steep bare rock, we finally reached the summit by 7.30 pm in the day. The long and strenuous trudge was fully rewarded as we finally reached the summit. Elated by our adventure, I felt, as if I have reached the summit of the world. It reminded me the emotions Tenzin and Hillary may have got as they reached the summit of Everest. I am more than convinced now that proper development plan could make this mountain a unique center of attraction for the tourist, mountaineers, adventure travelers and nature lovers the world over. I dream the day someone will make a Dagaba on its summit, which I had conceived the day, I heard my mother reciting the following verse to me, as she was caressing my head while seated on the bench at the corner of our ancestral home, from where we could see the Corbet’s gap, the entry point to our village, about nine miles away on the distant horizon, beyond which my mother always wished to be born in her next birth.
Galei usa boya gala usa balannata
Gale wata boya galawata duvannata
seke beriya padhakaralaa kiyannata
Lakegala sondayi daagaba badinnata.
(The height of the rock is too high to be calculated
The circumference is too long to run
It is impossible to be described in poetic verse
Lakegala is an ideal place to be adorned with a Daagaba)
By Scott Ritter Special to Consortium News Courtesy The Consortium News
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