I was beside Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake at a meeting, possibly at Tolangamuwa Central. The Prime Minister was presiding and I think it was a meeting organized by the rural development society.
The speaker from the rural development society was speaking and used the word: aru. The PrimeMinister turned to me “What is the meaning of Aru. I replied that it was a derogatory manner of referring to a person. The Prime Minister kept on listening, when the speaker used the word MU. “GA what does that word Mu mean?. “It is also a derogatory manner of referring to a person.” I replied. “Stop him speaking at once “ordered the Prime Minister. He was angry. I got up, snatched the microphone away from the speaker and pushed him out of the stage. I was about to get back to my seat beside the Prime Minister when he ordered me. “Apologise to the people for the use of sauch foul language at this meeting” .
I grabbed the microphone and said that the Prime Minister ordered me to apologise for the use of that foul language at this public meeting.
Colombo, February 10: India and Sri Lanka had been at odds for most of the 20 th.Century. The question of the economic and political rights of the people of Indian origin troubled both pre-independence and post-independence governments in the two countries. Then, there was the dispute over Katchchativu island. From 1983, for about 30 years, the question of the political rights of the Sri Lankan Tamils bedevilled India-Lanka relations.
But now, there is a noticeable change in the ground situation that augurs well for a stable relationship between the two countries.
Questions relating to the Indian Origin Tamils’ status have been settled with the grant of Sri Lankan citizenship to them. The Kachchativu issue is a thing of the past after the demise of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa. And with the elimination of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009, the Sri Lankan Tamil political question has also receded into the background at least as far as India-Lanka relations are concerned.
However, a new factor, the intrusion of China into the economy of Sri Lanka through its massive Belt and Road projects in 2010, raised the hackles of the Indian government. New Delhi saw these infrastructural projects, especially the ports, as having a strategic/military dimension that could, in course of time, pose a security threat to India. China’s acquisition of the strategically located Hambantota port on a 99-year lease only underscored the fear, which was fed further by the notion that China is deliberately pushing Sri Lanka into a debt trap to acquire real estate of strategic value.
The Mahinda Rajapaksa government which brought China into the picture, believed that its ouster in the 2015 elections was an India-engineered plot. The successor government of President Mithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, were, at the outset, friendly to India. It signed many MoUs signalling a policy of being open to Indian investments also. But many of the MoUs were soon shelved and forgotten, creating disillusionment in New Delhi. The next government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, paid lip service to the commitment to give India a level playing field vis-à-vis China, but in fact, took away the Eastern Container Terminal project from India and asked India to execute the Western Container Terminal project, from scratch, at double the cost. India had no option but to accept the offer. The other MoUs signed in 2017 remained in the shelf.
However, despite these discouraging developments, the Narendra Modi government did not disengage or take a hard stand on Sri Lanka. It went in for a cooperative approach based on Modi’s oft-repeated ‘mantra’ that India will only execute those projects sought by Sri Lanka and will execute them at a pace with which Sri Lanka is comfortable.
New Delhi corrected its decades-long pro-Tamil tilt and began to address the concerns and sentiments of the Sinhala-Buddhist majority. Promotion of Indo-Lankan Buddhist ties was emphasized like never before. The primordial cultural and religious ties with India were emphasized along with a periodic demonstration of humanitarian concern which India has for Sri Lanka as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy.” New Delhi has frequently demonstrated its claim to be the First Responder” whenever there was a natural disaster in Sri Lanka.
On Chinese investments, the fear psychosis appears to be receding as Sri Lanka has repeatedly stated that it needs Chinese investments for infrastructural development which had been stalled by 30 years of non-development thanks to the war. To assuage India’s anxieties, Sri Lanka has been repeatedly assuring India that it will not do anything that jeopardizes India’s security.
Only recently, Colombo called off a Chinese renewable energy project on three islands in North Lanka that are close to India. The Chinese are miffed, but Colombo stood by its decision not to give the project to the Chinese. It is likely that Colombo will continue to respect New Delhi’s security concerns vis-à-vis North Sri Lanka which is largely Tamil with cultural and emotional links with India.
While there is no movement in regard to many MoUs signed in 2017, there has been significant forward movement vis-à-vis the Trincomalee Oil tanks, a long-standing issue with Sri Lankan governments. On January 6, this year, Sri Lanka and India signed a fresh agreement on the 99 giant oil tanks to supersede the controversial one signed in 2003. The 2003 agreement had given all the tanks to India for 35 years. Through the new agreement, 85 of the 99 tanks will be under the control of Sri Lanka, either directly or indirectly, the latter being through a joint venture with India in which Sri Lanka will have a 51% share. India will manage only 14 tanks.
This is a major Indian concession to Sri Lanka which should warm the cockles of Sri Lankans’ hearts. Referring to this deal at his meeting with the Indian Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar on February 7, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L.Peiris said that the oil tank agreement signals a closer integration between two countries, resulting in substantial benefits; a win-win situation for both.” The deal lays the ground for the implementation of the already envisaged renewable energy sectors.
Peiris and Jaishankar also discussed potential Indian investments in priority sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing and manufacturing. The two Ministers agreed on the early finalization of several agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, culture and education, that are pending.
Peiris appreciated the financial assistance to the tune of US$ 2.4 billion that India has extended to Sri Lanka at this critical juncture when Sri Lanka is facing an economic and forex drought. He then went on to state that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka has evolved from a transactional relationship into a strategic partnership.” Peiris stated that it is increasingly recognized by the people of Sri Lanka that India is a true friend whom Sri Lanka can rely on at all times.”
India’s generous help during the COVID pandemic and also its US$ 1.5 billion aid to overcome the ongoing forex crisis, and Sri Lanka’s fulsome appreciation of them, indicate that the two countries have found common ground and that the fears of the past have begun to recede.
Both India and Sri Lanka are aware of their respective compulsions and national developmental and security imperatives, and both are prepared to take these into account in formulating their policies.
However, two issues which will continue to bedevil bilateral ties are the Sri Lankan Tamil demand for devolution of power and the issue of poaching of Tamil Nadu fishermen in North Sri Lankan waters. In regard to the Sri Lankan Tamils’ demand for a federal structure, New Delhi can do little because the demand will never be conceded by Colombo and India has no leverage to force anything of this sort on Colombo, especially when India is itself not a federation in the true sense of the term. India’s advice to the Tamil parties has been that even as they agitate for their aspirations, they should unitedly fight to get the existing devolution system under the 13 th. Constitutional Amendment fully implemented. They should also concentrate on economic development, an area in which India can help without alienating Colombo.
On the issue of poaching, the two countries have agreed to urgently activate the dispute solving mechanisms. With mid-sea clashes taking place now, Colombo is worried. Peiris said that the situation has reached a flashpoint. The situation should worry India too partly because the impoverished fishermen of North Lanka could become anti-India, and also go into the waiting arms of China which is eyeing the North Lankan fisheries sector for its investments. Two Chinese aided projects are already functioning and more may be on the cards. The ball is now in India’s court. How India will play it, remains to be seen.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday challenged the main opposition for an immediate election to show the government’s strength, a challenge which was accepted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya today.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa challenged the Opposition to a battle in an election and to see if they could defeat the government.
He said that they won’t make decisions thinking of the impending elections.
If we had made decision thinking of impending elections, there would not have been Norochcholai coal-fired power station, Hambantota port and the Colombo Port City and even the war victory,” the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, SJB MP S. M. Marikar said Premier Rajapaksa at the SLPP rally in Anurhapura challenged us to face an election. We are ready for it and we urge the government to hold the local government election immediately. Let’s see which way the people will go,”
He said the SJB will also hold a rally at Salgado Stadium in Anurhapura to challenge SLPP.
A delegation headed by the Deputy Director-General for Administration & Financial Affairs of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Nedhal A. Al-Olayan visited Sri Lanka recently to sign a loan agreement to construct and equip the Medical Faculty at the University of Moratuwa.
The visiting delegation which included Deputy Director for Operations for East, South Asian & Pacific countries Yousef Al-Bader called on Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and the Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena.
The loan agreement was signed by Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka S.R. Attygalle and Deputy Director-General Nedhal A. Al-Olayan on February 02 at the Finance Ministry in Colombo, in the presence of the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa.
Following the signing ceremony, the delegation also had a brief discussion with the Finance Minister.
During the courtesy call, Foreign Minister Peiris, while recalling the mutually beneficial partnership between Sri Lanka and Kuwait, expressed his gratitude to Kuwait for granting financial support to one of the most prioritized projects in construction and equipping the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Moratuwa.
The Foreign Minister spoke of other important areas of the health sector such as nursing and healthcare support and worker training facilities for the youth in Sri Lanka in order to meet the job demands in Kuwait and other Gulf countries.
Deputy Director-General Nedhal A. Al-Olayan assured Kuwait’s support for prioritised development projects in Sri Lanka and to further advance bilateral engagements between the two countries in the spirit of friendship.
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Sri Lanka Khalaf Bu Dhhair and senior officials of the Department of External Resources were present at the signing ceremony while senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present at the meeting with the Foreign Minister.
The District Court of Colombo has issued two enjoining orders against the Government Nursing Officers’ Association and its chairman Saman Ratnapriya calling for the immediate suspension of their trade union action.
The enjoining orders were issued after taking into account a request made by the Attorney General.
He had filed action against the said union and its chairman, seeking an enjoining order from the court to immediately suspend the trade union action of the said association.
The Attorney General also appraised the court of the current deplorable conditions at hospitals due to patient care has been gravely affected.
Accordingly, District Court Judge of Colombo, Aruna Aluthge issued two enjoining orders, preventing the union from continuing the said trade union strike, which puts the lives of the patients at risk.
Additional Solicitor General, President’s Counsel Vikum De Abrew with State Counsels Chathura Gunatilake and Sehan Soyza appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
The Ministry of Health says that another 1,297 persons have tested positive for Covid-19 in the country today (10), as the daily count of fresh cases continues to rise.
This brings the tally of Covid-19 cases registered in the country thus far to 624,545 while presently approximately 14,847 patients infected with the virus are undergoing treatment island-wide.
The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 31 coronavirus related deaths for February 09, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 15,723.
The fatalities reported today includes 16 males and 15 females, according to the figures released by the Government Information Department.
Five of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years while the remaining 26 are in the age group of 60 years and above.
Meanwhile this also brings the Covid-19 deaths reported in the country within the last three days to over 100. Sri Lanka had confirmed 36 deaths for February 08 and 35 for February 07.
Professor Chandrika N Wijeyaratne, Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo unveiled a vintage photograph showing staff and students of the Colombo Law Faculty (1972), in the Board room of the current Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, today (Feb. 09, 2022), in the presence of the members of the Faculty of Law, and several invited Guests from the 1969 batch of the Colombo Law Faculty.
Professor Chandrika N Wijeyaratne, Dr. Sampath Punchiheva ( Dean of the Faculty of Law), Dr. Wasantha Seneviratne(Head of Dept, Faculty of Law), Dr. Srilal Perera, Professor of Law (USA), Senaka Weeraratna ( Attorney at Law) and Ms. Chandana Jayaweera Bandara ( Attorney at Law) spoke at the meeting.
A fuller account of the proceedings will be released in due course of time. Some of the photographs (4) taken of the unveiling are attached to this email.
The speech made by Mr. Senaka Weeraratna, Attorney at Law, is appended below and attached, for your information.
Unveiling of the Law Faculty Photograph
Madam Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chandrika N Wijeyaratne, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Sampath Punchiheva, Dr. Wasantha Seneviratne, Distinguished Members of the Law Faculty, Visiting Professor Srilal Perera, Ms. Chandana Jayaweera Bandara, Ladies, and Gentlemen.
It is indeed an honour for me to be present here today. I must thank the Dean, Dr. Sampath Punchiheva, and his colleague, Dr. Wasantha Seneviratne for extending a kind invitation to me.
We are gathered here today to unveil a photograph of the Law Faculty staff and students which was taken in 1972 to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Dept. of Law of the Faculty of Arts.
Simple as the function is, this photograph has archival value. It has a story to tell and will outlive all those who are seen in the photo, both teachers and students. It is the first-ever group photograph taken of the students and staff together. In that sense, it is a rare first.
Let me go back in time. The Dept. of Law was established in 1947 under the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Law was established in 1967, with Professor T. Nadaraja as the foundation Dean. My batch the ‘1969’ batch was the third batch after the Faculty was formed. The numbers were small compared to today, fifty students were the size of my batch. Today the number of new entrants is over six times that size. The walls of the faculty building when we entered in 1969 were more or less empty. There were no pictures of any kind, group or individual, giving an insight into the institutional history. Any info on the history of the Law Faculty or Law Dept. came only by word of mouth. Mostly inaccurate. We had a Newsletter called ‘Jura’, a brainchild of our batch which filled a long-felt need to stay connected through an exchange of news and views. The first Editor was A.P. Niles and the person who succeeded Niles as Editor was Sri Lal Perera, who is here with us today. He did a splendid job, in bringing out several editions of ‘Jura’.
It is only when 1972 dawned that we came to know via Dr. Mark Cooray that it was the year of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Dept. of Law. Mark Cooray was a doer, with a sense of direction and knowledge of the past. He organized on behalf of the Faculty staff a commemorative dinner at the Akase Kade, Ceylinco Bldg. Fort in January 1972. I attended that dinner with Mr. Ifthikar Hassim, a batchmate. The then Minister of Justice Mr. Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike was the Chief Guest. Mr. K. Shinya, a distinguished alumnus delivered a memorable speech. I was thrilled to meet both old and young lawyers (former students) then holding notable appointments in several sectors of employment.
We the students decided to do something different as our contribution to the commemoration activities. The Law Faculty Students’ Union decided to mark the event with a photograph of the entire Faculty. Something that has not been done before. We retained John & Co. an old photography studio in Kollupitiya for that purpose. Nihal Amaradasa of that firm, a former Cricket Captain of Nalanda College (in the mid-nineteen fifties) took the photograph in Sept. 1972. The location was the outdoor premises of the Colombo Campus. A handsome big sized photo with only the seated ones named in the picture was displayed prominently in the Faculty Staffroom. One day the picture disappeared from the staff room. It had walked out, so it appeared. It was missing. I was then in Australia.
I returned to Sri Lanka in 2000. I realized the value of the photograph and the need for someone to take the initiative to get a replacement. Fortunately, I had with me in my possession a smaller version of this photograph which I had purchased from John & Co. in 1972. I approached Mrs. Mendis, the proprietor of Plate Studios in Kollupitiya, and asked her whether she could have it re-photographed and enlarged for the purpose of replacing the one that was missing. She agreed. Thereafter copies of the photo became available at Plate Studios for anyone interested in keeping a copy framed in their homes. A number of my 1969 group batchmates proceeded to do exactly just that.
Years passed by but there was no sign of movement in this matter. Furthermore, there was a missing factor. Only the names of the ones seated in the front row were set out and not the ones standing in the back rows, which constituted the bulk of the students. In the interest of completeness and to enable everyone in the photo to be identified by name we set about doing what was initially seen and decried as an impossible task. Finding names to fit the image. Many of them were scattered all around the globe. No one had their addresses or contact details.
True to the Proverb ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’ with great determination we set about gathering the names. We had to call people overseas and little by little the names started trickling in. Several offered help to track down others. Many months were taken until the work was completed. The framing took place thereafter.
Before I conclude I will give you a small hint of what more is in store. This photograph shows a section of the students who passed through the portals of the Faculty at a given period of time. Likewise, another medium in the form of a book of essays in honour of a distinguished alumnus is in print and expected to hit the shelves of Bookshops sometime in March. It has seminal articles on the Law Faculty, its history, its achievements, its teachers, and the students. It is a book that should be in the possession of every law faculty-student, past, and present.
I wish to thank everyone who has made a contribution in whatever way to the success of replacing the missing photo with a new one with all the names of the subjects inscribed. I am particularly indebted to my former batchmate Ms. Chandana Jayaweera Bandara for her logistical support a practice she has gotten used to ever since she became the sheet anchor of law alumni get-togethers. This is a happy occasion. Thank you, Madam Vice – Chancellor for unveiling this memorable photograph. Thank you, Dean, for making it a success.
Colombo, Feb 9 (DailyMirror) – A rising number of ruling SLPP Parliamentarians are now resorting to using filth in Sinhala such as ‘P ***** ‘ and ‘P ****** ‘ in Parliament to stifle the opposition from raising their voice against the burning issues in the country as well as to prevent them from highlighting the corruption within the government.
One such incident occurred once again yesterday when SLPP MP from the Puttalam District, Mayadunna Chinthaka had continuously used such bad language at TNA Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam when he was delivering his speech in Parliament.
Despite being told by some opposition MPS including Rasamanickam himself, to stop using those words as it brought disrespect to the House, it is alleged that Mayadunna had continued to stifle the TNA Parliamentarian by continuously using these words at him, which angered the opposition MPS.
The Daily Mirror learns that in recent months, complaints against the use of such filth especially by the SLPP MPS have been brought to the attention of the Chief Government Whip, Johnston Fernando, but Opposition MPS alleged that no action has been taken.
The matter has also been raised with the Speaker of Parliament.
Opposition MPS have alleged that the frustration of the government’s failures has led to an increase in the use of such filth in the House and when the matter has been raised with senior politicians in the government as well, they have been told to ‘ignore it’.
Yesterday’s incident too was brought to the attention of Johnston Fernando but opposition MPS fear that no action will be taken once again. (Jamila Husain)
Anil Kapoor left his fans stunned with his ageless charm
The much adored and evergreen Bollywood star Anil Kapoor left his fans stunned with his ageless charm as he enjoys some memorable moments exploring the beauty of Sri Lanka.
Anil Kapoor was spotted enjoying a ‘gala’ time by the gorgeous beach donning a gray T-shirt with black tracks.
The legendary star looked young as ever posing by the calm sea waves and the clear blue sky.
Not only this, but the star also helped himself to a game of snooker.
Taking to Instagram, the Malang star uploaded captivating glimpses from his tour.
It is still unsure who Anil Kapoor was vacationing with.
Sri Lanka is committed to honour all forthcoming debt obligations and the country is not on the brink of a sovereign default, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reiterated on Wednesday (February 09).
In a statement, the Central Bank dismissed the recent media reports on an impending sovereign default as totally unsubstantiated”.
The attention of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has been drawn to certain recent media reports which have claimed that Sri Lanka is at the verge of a sovereign default.”
The Central Bank said it regrets that these reports carry many obviously factual inaccuracies despite the availability of credible official data published by the CBSL according to international standards.
The statement noted that the local and international investor community and the public can rest assured the government and the Central Bank are committed to honour all upcoming debt obligations and thereby maintain Sri Lanka’s unblemished record of debt servicing.
Sri Lanka successfully settled the USD 500 million International Sovereign Bond (ISB) that matured in January 2022 despite the adverse speculation in certain quarters that such settlement would not be possible,” the Central Bank explained.
In fact, with the repayment of ISBs totalling USD 2.5 billion from January 2020 onwards, the total outstanding ISBs have now reduced to USD 12.55 billion and will reduce to USD 11.55 billion by July 2022, broadly in line with the Government’s strategy to reduce ISB debt gradually to around 10% of GDP.”
Towards that objective, the government and the Central Bank have already taken necessary measures to secure alternative forex inflows via a number of bilateral and multilateral funding arrangements to meet the upcoming debt obligations, including the USD 1 billion ISB maturing in July 2022, the statement read further.
In that background, with the realisation of expected forex inflows and the resulting build-up of international reserves, the need for initiating discussions with investors on debt restructuring (as claimed by these media reports) does not arise, as the government would be able to ensure the settlement of its sovereign debt without any interruption or default.”
Accordingly, the Central Bank informed the public and the investor community not to be misled by such inaccurate stories, misleading opinions and deliberate misinterpretations spread by certain parties with vested interests who are fuelling speculation regarding Sri Lanka’s capacity to service its future debt obligations.
The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 36 new coronavirus-related fatalities for February 08, moving the death toll in the country from the virus to 15,692.
This includes 27 males and 09 females, according to the Department of Government Information.
Eight of the deceased were in the age group of 30-59 years. Three others were aged below 30 years and the remaining 25 victims were aged 60 years and above.
The Ministry of Health says that another 1,263 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (February 09).
Sri Lanka’s tally of Covid-19 cases confirmed in the country thereby climbed to 623,248.
According to official figures, 593,602 positive cases have recovered.
Following the new development, the number of virus-infected people who are undergoing treatment moved to 13,954. Meanwhile, the death toll stands at 15,692.
This is the eleventh consecutive day Sri Lanka recorded more than 1,000 daily cases of Covid-19.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today urged the people of Anuradhapura to place their trust in him and the government, as he pledged to increase the farmers’ income by 100%.
It came during the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s first rally for the year, titled Public Rally 2022” which kicked off at the Salgado Stadium in Anuradhapura this evening.
When I did my first public rally for the presidential campaign here, I promised that fertilizer will be given free of charge and paddy will be given a certified price.”
The President vowed to increase the income of the farming community by 100%, with or without fertilizer.
Speaking further, he blamed those who were in power over the last five years for not doing anything for the agricultural sector. They are now trying to drag the country down by lying to the farmers with their illusions of the presidency.”
President Rajapaksa criticized the former administration for destroying the national security established in the country, as well as the intelligence agencies. It ended with the Easter Sunday bombing.”
The former government betrayed the country’s war heroes and they forfeited Sri Lanka’s sovereignty before the international community, he alleged, noting that his administration managed to rid all these things within the last two years after it came to power.
He appealed to the members of the public to join him and place their trust in him.
There are local and international forces trying to divide the government and sabotage the journey the country is currently on.”
Speaking on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that plagued the entire world, the President said, As a leader, and as a government, we have to face the new challenges. We have faced these challenges.”
He said many people have now resorted to strike actions due to the influence of various forces. I urge them to look at the people because your responsibility is not towards the government but towards the people.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who also addressed the rally, called on the opposition to leave aside conspiracies and to battle the government on equal grounds.
The European Union (EU) has strongly urged Sri Lanka to lift forthwith import restrictions that prevent many European products from entering the island nation’s market.
This was conveyed during the 24th meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission on February 08 in Brussels.
A joint statement issued by the EU and Sri Lanka said the meeting, which was held in a friendly and open atmosphere, reviewed bilateral relations and entailed an exchange of views and updates on a wide range of topics of bilateral interest – ranging from governance, reconciliation and human rights, to trade, development cooperation, climate change and environment, sectoral cooperation, security and counter-terrorism, and cooperation in multilateral fora.
The meeting provided an opportunity for updates on developments, relevant action and legislative initiatives in the EU and Sri Lanka.
The discussion focused on democracy, governance, rule of law, human rights, including the rights of minorities, women, children and labour rights, and freedom of expression and association.
During the meeting, the Joint Commission has taken stock of the conclusions of the Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation held virtually on January 26. The EU and Sri Lanka noted the significance of bilateral trade relations.
In this regard, the EU called for lifting of import restrictions. In response, Sri Lanka explained that temporary constraints were imposed on non-essential items, strictly as an interim measure, due to a foreign exchange shortfall resulting from the impact of the global pandemic. Sri Lanka noted that these measures are subject to continuous and progressive review.
Sri Lanka appreciated the valued contribution of the GSP+ regime to the country’s sustainable development. The EU acknowledged the constructive engagement by Sri Lankan stake-holders during the GSP+ monitoring mission in September 2021.
According to the joint statement, the two sides have reviewed Sri Lanka’s compliance with 27 International Conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and good governance covered by the GSP+ scheme.
Sri Lanka, reiterating its commitment to effective implementation of the 27 conventions, noted its adherence to the principle of non-discrimination, and the removal of any further impediments in the exercise of labour rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU then invited Sri Lanka to provide further updates on progress.
The Joint Commission also discussed the conclusions of the Working Group on Development Cooperation, which took place on 2 February 2022.
The Working Group reviewed all aspects of EU – Sri Lanka development cooperation, and discussed priorities of the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2021-2027.
They also discussed the interventions adopted in 2021, including the COVID-19 response package. The EU noted that the MIP, which focuses on Green Recovery and Inclusive and Peaceful Society, supports Sri Lanka’s development priorities, and is aligned with the external dimensions of the European Green Deal, and the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Appreciating the EU’s development cooperation, Sri Lanka reiterated the need for it to complement Sri Lanka’s national and developmental priorities.
The EU and Sri Lanka expressed their commitment to work together on joint priorities under the MIP.
In addition, Sri Lanka apprised on progress in reconciliation and in the independent institutions, notably the Office of Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR), the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).
The EU strongly encouraged Sri Lanka to continue cooperation and engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
In this context, the EU underlined the importance of independence and effective functioning of the Independent Institutions.
The EU and Sri Lanka concurred on the importance of empowering civil society and giving it the necessary space to function in all its diversity. The EU reiterated its continued commitment to support Sri Lanka in justice reform and reconciliation.
Sri Lanka reiterated its objective to achieve measurable, tangible and verifiable results on the ground in meeting its commitments.
In this context, the EU welcomed the submission by the Government of Sri Lanka of amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). However, the EU noted that important elements had not been included in the Amendment Bill gazetted.
Sri Lanka took note of the views expressed by the EU to take further steps to make the PTA fully compliant with international norms.
In the interim, while taking note of the administrative steps taken in the form of directives issued by the Inspector General of Police, the EU urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the PTA, and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges.
The EU and Sri Lanka agreed on the importance of continued cooperation in deterring and eliminating IUU fishing practices, and honouring commitments of the partnership.
Issues related to migration and readmission were also discussed.
The EU and Sri Lanka exchanged on ways to deepen cooperation in higher education and research and technical cooperation under the Erasmus+ programme, the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie programme, and the Horizon Europe framework programme.
The EU welcomed Sri Lanka’s update on its Nationally Determined Contributions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the country’s commitment to ambitious targets.
The EU looked forward to working closely with Sri Lanka, bilaterally and in multilateral fora, on climate action and environment protection. Both sides exchanged views on priorities ahead of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).
The EU and Sri Lanka reviewed ongoing cooperation in the area of security and counter-terrorism. Sri Lanka appreciated the EU’s continued listing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation.
Both sides stressed the importance of adherence to international norms and standards in the fight against terrorism. They reiterated willingness to further enhance cooperation in Maritime Domain Awareness.
The EU and Sri Lanka highlighted their commitment to continue joint efforts in the promotion of a rules based international order and effective multilateralism. They also discussed regional developments, and cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The EU presented Global Gateway, the new EU plan for major investments in infrastructure development around the world, which was launched on 1 December 2021. The initiative was welcomed by Sri Lanka.
The EU and Sri Lanka agreed to convene the next Joint Commission meeting in Colombo in 2023. They also discussed the timeframe of the next Working Group meetings under the Joint Commission.
Central Bank says with the realization of expected forex inflows and the build-up of international reserves, the need for initiating discussions with investors on debt restructuring as claimed by media reports does not arise.
The Sri Lankan Government would be able to ensure settlement of its sovereign debt without default.
The first question I ask the Minister in charge of the Electricity Board is as to why he skipped the CPC and went to the IOC for such a large volume of fuel from a foreign Agency that will drains millions of Foreign Exchange? I know he will say the CPC refused my request?
Now that already the Government has been compelled to sign an agreement with the IOC to purchase all the fuel required by the CEB, I wonder whether this is the next step in handing over Trinco Oil Tank Farm A Marvel in the East’ (as one writer has described it) and the Trico Harbour, including 85 acres of land adjoining the second best natural harbour in the world and the best in the East, to India, the much awaited Dream by India for more than the past 50 years.
Dravida Munnetra Kasagam also once agitated to annex it, to India as their future Port of EELAM. In that backdrop now I suspect this this deal as a part of a subversive agenda on the part of India to get a tighter grip of this Island nations security and the economy to defeat all attempts by India’s arch rival China and USA currently in tow with India on Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Program, (that could disappear at any moment the USA finds a better ally in the region than India or the Indian interests overtake those of the USA. A tighter legal hold on Trinco will be a geopolitical asset to India to control not only Sri Lanka but also the entire Indo pacific region from a strategic angle. India’s strength here might definitely paralyze the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of this Island nation, in view of it’s focal importance on the great East West naval route. It is in this backdrop and long- term security and economic concerns of this Island nation one has to look at both these deals and not from the point of view of short- term implied benefits.
To me both these agreements by the Sri Lankan government are extremely short-sighted political and economic bungles that lack political and strategic wisdom and maturity or far sightedness. It reminds me the story about chopping a goat’s neck to save the pot that we have learnt in grade 11 in the village school. I can understand the stands of the two respective Ministers, each driven by the urge to overdo the other arguing for his case. But surely what the others including the Defense and Trade Minister were doing. Well even if the whole Cabinet gave its nod why the Prime Minister, the senior elder statesman or the President the Head of the Cabinet and the State brought their concerns to these imminent serious long- term economic, security and geopolitical implications and asked the two Ministers to settle it among them as an internal issue by asking the Electricity Minister to first, settle the 97 million bills with the CPC. That would have settled the problem and the CPC would have then supplied the fuel required.
However now that the government has got caught in the trap let us wait and see as to how they will come out of it. It is said that there are hundreds of Advisers to the Ministries, the Prime Minister and the President, led by a Chief Advisor. What the hell they had being doing when the government is getting trapped like this. Were they sleeping or just planting the stake to save their positions? In this scenario I think not only the Cabinet but also all these Royal Advisors are responsible to the nation for all the future repercussions that will befall the nation on account of these two disastrous Agreements.
As I see it as a layman, both these agreements are the clever manipulations of the Indian Kautilyan bureaucracy. They first signed the Trinco Oil Farm Agreement and put the first noose. Then they agreed to give US $ 500 Million swap as aid to help Sri Lanka to meet its Dollar crisis. But they were very careful to tie up that 500 m with the purchase of fuel from India too. Third the IOC agreed to provide fuel to CEB, which they refused at first, and set off the bills against that US$ 500 million swap. The money is Indian, fuel too is Indian, IOC Indian and finally the profit with interest for the loan as well as the fuel is back to the Indian coffers. See how nicely and cleverly they have manipulated it and how our entire Cabinet and the bureaucracy have been caught up in the Indian trap with all their pants down, with hardly any future chances of lifting them up? What a disgrace to the dignity and the wisdom of the entire Cabinet of the first country in Asia to get universal franchise that was once decorated with men and women of the calibre like DS, S.W.R.D. Kannangara, Sirima, NM, Philip. Colvin, T.B,Ilanagaratna, Felix, JR and Lalith and Luxman Kadiragaama.
Why did the energy Ministry bypassed the CPC to purchase fuel from the IOC
Isn’t this surprising and shocking and extremely dangerous that the Energy Ministry has decided to bypass the CPC and has decided to purchase its fuel requirements from the IOC an Indian agency. I can’t understand why the Cabinet has given its nod without studying the pros and cons of this deal, including economic losses and geopolitical and strategic concerns to the country and its serious long-term implications down the Kautilyan line. Why can’t the Ministry of Energy buy this from CPC? So that the profit will accrue to this country, instead of it going to India and draining the total 500 m US$ credit facility given by India back to India with interest? Is there a deal behind this as well? Worth looking in to, by those interested and competent. For India this is fishing in troubled waters and making hay while the sun is shining Because for them always ‘India is first” Here they have surpassed even Kautilya and perhaps borrowed the dictum Ends justify the means” from Machiavelli in attaining its political goals, though we cannot blame India for the follies of our politicians.
The Minister of Energy in my view should have,
1 First Settle the outstanding bills with the CPC Rs. 90 billion due to fuel already purchased
and
2 Thereafter buy the diesel and Petrol from the CPC. So that the profit from this deal will not go to India, but the CPC will get it. CPC being a giant State Corporation that plays a vital role in the process of economic development and the life of the people of this country, in my view, it is the inalienable duty of not only the Minister of Power and Energy but also of the whole Cabinet headed by the President, to Protect the CPC. The Minister Concerned in my view has betrayed not only the Minister in charge of CPC but also the whole country by resorting to purchase fuel from IOC. Had the fuel being purchased from the CPC, the CEB will also function with CPC fuel and CPC, a Sri Lankan Government’s business concern will also prosper and contribute to economic development at home instead of funding econ development of India, with the loan money take from them going back to India making a double payment to India by the Government of this country.. CEB purchasing fuel from CPC means it leads to development at home and profit for the country. I wonder what has happened to the often-spoken collective responsibility of the Cabinet. If I were the Minister in charge of the CPC, I would have resigned forthwith in protest against this decision of the Cabinet. In fact this callous decision of betraying the interests of the country and those of the people warrants an open apology to the people of this country by the government for betraying the trust they had kept in the present Government in Nov 2019 and May 2020.
If I were the Head of the State, I would have ordered the cancellation of the meaningless and mad Feb 4 wasteful celebrations (celebrations of an independence, the people of this country have never got up to date) along with it months old rehearsals etc and diverted that money to settle the CPC bills in time and made arrangements for regular supply of electricity to the people and rescued the CPC as well. Mr. President, therefore it is not yet too late even now to reverse this utterly treasonous Cabinet decision and retore the status quo, lest the Opposition brings a no confidence motion against the Government on this issue.
Does the Cabinet too want to close down the CPC and hand over the entire fuel distribution business to the IOC?
Does the Cabinet too want to close down the CPC and hand over the entire fuel distribution business to the IOC. The first mistake in this game was done by Ranil’s government in2002. Firstly, by handing over the distribution of fuel to IOC and Secondly, handing over the Trinco Oil Farm of 101 Tanks each with a capacity of 20,000 Metric Tons totaling to 1.2 Million MT. Mount Batton constructed these tanks in 1927 -32 to store all the needs to meet the requirements of whole of south East Asia. We never made use of these tanks after 1948.What an asset and a economic marvel for Sri Lanka.
Doesn’t this show that our Cabinet is more concerned about the IOC than the CPC and the well- being of Indians rather than Sri Lankans at Home. One should not get surprised if we hear next that they have decided to hand over the CPC as well, with all its assets to India. Next step in their march to vistas of prosperity will be handing over all 101 Tanks, the harbour and the 85 acres around it to India, perhaps on the advice of the Super High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda who had identified this Trinco Project as a Thrust Area’ item in is Policy Road Map” submitted to you before he left for Delhi under your compulsion as it was widely reported.?
Now that Trinco oil Farm and the Harbour and part of Hambantota, Colombo West Terminal and Kankasanture Airport and Declaration of the North and East as Traditional Homeland of South Indian Tamils, Tamil is made an Official Language all over Sri Lanka with Tamil only in the North and East, while even in India it is not, though they have 70 million Tamils in Tamilnadu alone and all illicit Tamils in Sri Lanka are given citizenship by JR/ Rajiv Accord it is only left for Tamils to declare unilaterally EELAM on this soil. And call it Mother Ilanka” thereafter, leaving two options for the Sinhalese, that is either integrate with the Tamils and live in Ilanka as a minority in future or jump in to the Indiana Ocean as a Nation.?
The relevant News item on the Cabinet decision is given below.
ECONOMYNEXT 2.2 2022.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will buy 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel and 40,000 metric tonnes of petrol from the Indian Oil Corporation following discussions, a governments statement said.
The Ministry of Energy has discussed with the Indian Oil Company to procure” the fuel, the statement said.
Indian Oil Corp has agreed to supply the fuel.
The cabinet of ministers had given the go-ahead to purchase the fuel.
The statement did not say whether a 500 million dollar credit line given by India to Sri Lanka to buy fuel will be used. (Colombo/Feb01/2022)”
Sri Lanka to purchase 40,000 Metric Tons of diesel from IOC
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 – 11:02
Local
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved to procure 40,000 metric tons of diesel and 40,000 metric tons of petrol from Indian Oil Company.
Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris concluded a successful two- day official visit to India from 06-08 February 2022. The Foreign Minister undertook his maiden visit to New Delhi after assuming office as the Foreign Minister in August last year, on an invitation extended by the External Affairs Minister of India Hon. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Peiris met with his counterpart Dr. Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Doval. Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla also called on the Foreign Minister.
The meeting between the two Ministers, followed by delegation level talks was held on 07 February at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. During the meeting, Minister Peiris thanked the External Affairs Minister of India for the invitation and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
Observing that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka has evolved from a transactional relationship into a strategic partnership, Foreign Minister Peiris stated that it is increasingly recognized by the people of Sri Lanka that India is a true friend whom Sri Lanka can rely on at all times. In this context, Minister Peiris appreciated the financial assistance that the Government of India has extended to Sri Lanka to the tune of 2.4 billion USD at this critical juncture. Minister Jaishankar assured that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will always be a source of support to Sri Lanka.
The bilateral talks focussed on a wide range of matters of mutual interest, which included economic cooperation, power and energy cooperation, connectivity, people to people contact etc. Particular attention was drawn to the energy security of Sri Lanka, and referring to the recently inked Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm agreements, Foreign Minister Peiris stated that it signals a closer integration between two countries, resulting in substantial benefits; a win-win situation for both. The prospects for renewable energy cooperation, particularly in wind and solar power sectors were also discussed at the talks.
Focussing on the economic development in Sri Lanka, the discussion centred on the potential for Indian investments in priority sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing and manufacturing for which Minister Peiris invited Indian investments. The ways and means to harness the growing Indian outward tourism to revive tourism industry in Sri Lanka were also discussed.
With a view to maintaining the momentum of the trajectory of the Indo-Lanka relationship, the Ministers agreed on the early finalization of several agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, culture and education, that are pending between the two countries.
During the talks, Foreign Minister Peiris also raised the fisheries issue with the Indian External Affairs Minister. Terming it as a ‘flashpoint’, the Foreign Minister pointed out that it has become a recurring issue, assuming a different complexion. The two sides agreed on the urgent need to convene all bilateral mechanisms in this regard.
Minister Peiris extended an invitation to Minister Jaishankar to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka in March this year. He also stated that Sri Lanka is very much looking forward for Hon. Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka for the forthcoming BIMSTEC Summit in March 2022.
The meeting between Minister Peiris and National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Doval was held on 08 February. The National Security Advisor of India and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka discussed a range of issues pertaining to the mutual strategic interests of the two countries. The status of the bilateral relationship was reviewed and priority areas for future cooperation were discussed.
The Foreign Minister, during his visit to New Delhi had a number of interactions with prominent Indian print and electronic media as well.
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris was accompanied to these meetings by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda and senior officials of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and the Foreign Ministry.
Bangladesh and Pakistan together make up 5 percent of the world’s population. The Possibilities of market value in the case of export and import between these two states are inevitably huge. But the trade between the two countries of 39 crore people is now only 6-7 hundred million dollars. This is a very small share in the exports of both countries. In 2019-20, only 50 million worth of goods went from Bangladesh to Pakistan. It has the potential to grow exponentially. The industrial sector of both countries has expanded tremendously in the last 50 years. The industrialists of the previous generation knew the details of each other’s people and markets. The next generation of industrialists is unable to make use of that historical experience due to a lack of political action.
India and China have been in the midst of a war frenzy for the past year. But in the meantime, it has done business worth about 109 billion dollars. The example of Pakistan-India may be more relevant in this regard. The two countries exchange gunfire every week. There have been three large-scale battles between them. But in the meantime, they are selling products. In the 2019-20 fiscal year, goods worth 300 million US dollars went from India to Pakistan. Last year it was almost four times more. They may go back to the previous state in the future. If Pakistan-India can continue to trade despite the fragility of political relations, Bangladesh can do the same with both countries. You need to be able to. Building a market in South Asia is becoming more urgent for Bangladesh to escape the European-American political caution.
Pakistan has put Bangladeshis on the priority list for visas since 2019. Both countries can make it easier to boost export trade. This will increase the market of jute, tea and tobacco in Bangladesh, Pakistan will also increase the export of yarn, sugar, etc. However, in order to make the current trade balance more favorable for Bangladesh, policy support from Pakistan is needed. After a long hiatus, Pakistan has already shown diplomatic interest in developing relations by sending an ambassador to Bangladesh. They have to go further. Islamabad has a lot of responsibility to heal the historical wounds of Bangladesh. Many Pakistani policymakers want Bangladesh to forget the 1971 Independence war and move forward. But it is not easy on the part of Bangladesh; Not even possible. Rather, it would be convenient in practical terms to solve the problems arising from the seventy-first chapter quickly. It is high time for Pakistan to realize the situation. Those are not to be avoided. Pakistan wants to increase trade relations with Bangladesh. The Canada-based International Forum for Rights and Security, a think tank, recently published a report on Bangladesh and Pakistan. It has been shown there that Bangladesh is ahead in all areas of the index. Many Western economists have called on all countries to follow the Bangladesh model in the development of South Asia.
According to Bangladeshi Media, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said that Pakistan is keen to boost trade and economic ties by maintaining good relations with Bangladesh on January 26, 2021. He said there were problems in some areas in trade with Pakistan. If they are removed, the trade will increase further. Both countries have huge potential to increase trade and commerce. This opportunity can be used. He made the remarks during an exchange of views with Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Dhaka Imran Ahmed Siddiqui at his office in Dhaka on Wednesday (January 26th, 2021).
The Commerce Minister of Bangladesh said Bangladesh’s trade with Pakistan is ongoing. Tea, pharmaceutical products, readymade garments, ceramic products, shoes, leather and jute products are exported from Bangladesh to Pakistan.
There is an opportunity to further increase these exports. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is advancing rapidly in all fields including economic and social. The development of Bangladesh is now visible. Bangladesh’s capacity in international trade has increased.
He said Pakistan had recently imposed anti-dumping on hydrogen peroxide exports. Such measures hinder the development of trade. Any existing problem can be solved through discussion. The problems can be identified and resolved at a meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between the two countries. Traders have an important role to play in increasing trade. Traders can increase trade by visiting each other’s countries. Necessary cooperation can be given in this case.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui said the Pakistani government wants to move forward by developing trade relations with Bangladesh. There is ample opportunity to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. Pakistan is keen to enhance trade and economic ties while maintaining good relations between the two countries. Ceramic products made in Bangladesh are being widely used in various government departments of Pakistan.
Envoy Imran requested that visas for visits to Bangladesh be made easier for Pakistanis for personal and business purposes and that Dhaka-Karachi direct communication is introduced for the transportation of goods. He also called for a single country fair for Bangladeshi products in Pakistan and stressed holding the 9th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC).
In the last fiscal year 2019-2020, Bangladesh exported goods worth. 50.54 million to Pakistan. During the same period, it imported goods worth 543.90 million US dollars. If trade complexities are removed in some cases, the export of Bangladeshi products to the Pakistani market will increase further. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh for the year 2020-21 was $721.67 million. Of which Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh in that time were $650.21 million while imports stood at $71.45 million. Bangladesh is one of the top 10 export destinations for Pakistani products. (Data are collected from reports of various media outlets).
According to recent media reports ( based on the data of the ‘State Bank Of Pakistan ) Pakistan’s goods and services trade with Bangladesh witnessed surplus of 46.65 percent during first six months of financial year (2021-22) as compared to the corresponding period of last year. The overall exports to Bangladesh were recorded at $399.408 million during July-December (2021-22) against exports of $ 274.246 million during July-December (2020-21), showing growth of 45.63 percent, SBP data revealed. Meanwhile, on year-to-year basis, exports to Bangladesh during December 2021 also increased by 52.01 percent, from US $ 54.433 million to US $82.746 million. Similarly on month-on-month basis, exports of Bangladesh were rose by 14.38 percent during December 2021 in comparison with exports of US $ 72.339 million in November 2021, SBP data said.
It is true that Bangladesh and Pakistan cam profit by growing business relations. Pakistan can export cotton, yarn, fabric, leather, inorganic chemicals, vegetables and electronics (fan), halal foods to Bangladesh. There is a high demand for these products in Bangladesh. On the other hand, Bangladesh can export its world-class medicines, apparel, agro-products, halal foods, ceramics, etc. Bangladesh can benefit from using Pakistan’s Gwadar port and China-run CPEC. Bangladeshi products can be exported to Central Asia and imported from the region easily. As a result, Pak-BD ties would boost up more. Both sides can also work in promoting cooperation in the areas of science and technology, information technology, health care, digital cooperation, SME [Small and medium-sized enterprises] development, tourism, etc. Bangladesh has vast experience in dealing with refugees, tackling climate change approach, countering terrorism, human resource development. Pakistan has experience in the sector of religious tourism. Both countries can exchange these advantages.
According to some reports of the media outlets and data of Pakistan’s central bank, in the first three months of the current financial year, the trade volume between Bangladesh and Pakistan is growing day by day. Bangladesh is now at the top of Pakistan’s foreign trade list. Although having some political problems between Pakistan and Bangladesh but the bilateral relationship between the two South Asian countries is growing. According to those reports, Bangladesh-Pakistan trade in the goods and services sector increased by about 37 percent (36.90 percent) in the first three months of the 2021-22 fiscal year compared to last year. The import of Pakistan from Bangladesh has increased by about 44 percent (43.96 percent) this year. From July to September of the 2020-21 fiscal year, Pakistan imported goods worth just over 12 million. Which stood at 17 million at that time in the 2021-22 fiscal year. It is true that bilateral trade is increasing between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistan and Bangladesh should reap the benefits from growing their trade ties.
However, there are many potentials in economic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. But this should be realized by the government of Pakistan for its own interest. Because they need Bangladesh’s help and support in reviving their fragile economy and raising various regional issues at all international forums. The sooner the Pakistani government realizes this, the better for them. Pakistan and Bangladesh can gain by growing trade ties.
Bangladesh has always been a shining example of religious unity and peace. “Secularism” is not only a phrase engraved in Bangladesh’s constitution as one of the four essential principles of the state, but it is also an automatism that molds Bangladeshi people’s social sustenance.
However, there has been an increase in the number of tremors in the non-perpetual tranquillity in the name of terrorism and religious fanaticism. Although Islamist groups were always active in politics, Islamist factions first arose in 1989 in Bangladesh and ran wild in the years that followed with the sole goal of establishing a Caliphate in the area. The attacks on Udichi, the bombing of Ramna Batamul, the countrywide series of bombings, the targeting of bloggers, the rise of Bangla Bhai and Shayokh Abdur Rahman all lowered public morale and drove the government to establish a fast force (RAB) to put a stop to them.
On July 1, 2016, the terrorist assault on the Holy Artisan, a ritzy bistro only a stone’s throw away from the American Embassy, tarnished all efforts and predominance against terrorism. The Dhaka bombing, along with a series of subsequent incidents, marked the beginning of a new era of terror in Bangladesh. Terrorists were attempting to engage the state with modern weaponry via an encrypted communication channel. Following that incident, Bangladesh initiated a full-fledged war on terrorism, which was generally successful. An early interview with Tamim Ahmed Chawdhury, the architect of the Holy Artisan assault, in ‘Dabiq’ (the online journal of the Islamic States of Iraq and the Levant) discloses that the grounds for using Bangladesh for terror strikes are the geopolitical advantage and near proximity to India. Bangladesh has frequently been used as a launch pad for assaults against India, not just from outside, but also from within, by Islamist terror groups.
Bangladesh, the subconscious guardian of its nearest neighbor, had frequently served as a coadjutor in combating insurgencies in India’s North East area. Aravinda Rajkhowa, the Chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), was arrested and handed over to India in 2009; Anup Chetia, a ULFA stalwart, was arrested in 1997 and deported in 2015 after 18 years in prison in Bangladesh; and ULFA leader Ranju Chowdhury alias Rattan Sarker was arrested in 2010. Bangladesh handed up the entire ULFA leadership as well as the leaders of the Bodo insurgents to India. Bangladesh’s zero tolerance attitude toward terrorism had greatly benefited India, as North-East insurgencies were a major headache for the country.
India may have returned the favor by secretly assisting Bangladesh in apprehending the fugitive assassin of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It is well known that India and Bangladesh have extraordinary real-time cooperation and collaboration amongst their intelligence organizations.
India has consistently praised Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance approach against terrorism, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Ramnath Kovind, Foreign Minister, Home Minister, and Chief Ministers of surrounding states expressing their gratitude and gramercy.
For the time being, the insurgency is at its lowest in India’s north-eastern region, which has prompted Chief Minister, Hemant Bishwa Sharma, to express thanks to Bangladesh and his desire to improve business and connection between Bangladesh and North-East India, as now they can concentrate on something other than insurgencies. It will happen eventually, benefiting both nations and boosting connections. Just as Bangladesh extended its hand to provide peace to the area, India requires Bangladesh’s aid to ensure the region’s growth. India wishes to access and link to the difficult-to-reach region via transit from Bangladesh, to which Bangladesh answers with a counter-proposal of transshipment. Last year, a trial run was conducted, therefore opening a new door of economic possibilities.
Regional commerce in South Asia remains below potential, but leaders in India and Bangladesh are forging strong bilateral relations to spur economic growth and prosperity. The Maitri Setu, or Friendship Bridge, erected across the Feni River is a critical corridor that will allow this to happen. Several connection channels have been resurrected, and while only a few projects are now active, many more are in the works. If a seamless connection is built, time and costs will be minimized, and both sides of the border would benefit immensely. This hard-earned ephemeral tranquility in the Northeast can only be eroded if livelihood and trade are harmed. Prosperity in the Northeast, like peace, may come to take Bangladesh’s hand.
Though insurgency is at its lowest; internal turmoil in seven sisters bubbled again last year. It is past time for India to focus on improving the livelihoods of the people in the Northeast. Connectivity and infrastructural development with Bangladesh are essential for this. This will also open up new routes through Bangladesh to the northeast, Bhutan, and Nepal.
There is an age-old belief that the interconnectedness of economy, survival, stability, development, and security lessens the likelihood of wars between states, particularly neighbors. Because of their shared interests, future, and destiny, India and Bangladesh’s stability, peace, growth, and security are inextricably intertwined and interdependent.
A peaceful neighborhood benefits business and the economy. The people of Bangladesh and India desire peace and prosperity.
Author profile: Benedict B. George is a Ph.D. fellow at the University of Texas, having a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. His area of interest is Asian Foreign Politics
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his Presidential address during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis (Parliament), on February 3 announced that the government is set to launch a “National Moderation Campaign” in a bid to eradicate religious extremism in the Maldives. Raajje, January 29, 2022.–SOUTH ASIAN INTELLIGENCE REVIEW
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) will soon commence regional workshops of the Janani Project, an initiative to build digital literacy and empowerment among grassroots female politicians. CaFFE Executive Director, Manas Makeen and the research team have already met with Assistant Elections Commissioners of the areas in which the workshops will be held to discuss the digital issues that grassroots female politicians face in the areas. CaFFE Executive Director and the research team have also met with representatives from the civil society, trade unions and CaFFE’s long term collaborators to further understand the unique challenges in each area as well as to lobby for their support for the successful implementation of the project.
CaFFE has officially requested the assistance of the Elections Commission and Assistant Elections Commissioners as well, and had received positive responses. The workshops will be held in three rounds, targeting the same group of women.
The first round of workshops will be an introduction to social media and digital safety and it will also act as a brainstorming session. CaFFE has conducted a research on the issues faced by grassroots female politicians in December last year and these sessions will complement that research. The second round of the workshops will focus on the legal aspects of digital media use and using existing laws to counter harassment, while the third round of workshops will focus on building the technical capacity of participants.
The workshops will be conducted by experts in the area with the support of the Elections Commission, Assistant Elections Commissioners, civil society organizations and a number of senior female political and social leaders. CaFFE has also established an Advisory Council including Former Minister Ferial Ashroff (UPFA), Former State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran (UNP), MP Rohini Kavirathne (SJB), MP Thalatha Atukorale (SJB), Former MP Hirunika Premachandra (SJB), Urban Councillor Samanmali Gunasinghe (JVP), Senior Research Fellow at LIRNEasia, Dr. Sujata Gamage and CaFFE Director Surangi Ariyawansha.
For further information or if you are a grassroots female politician interested in taking part in the workshops, please contact us at caffesrilanka.lk@gmail.com
(More Details : Manas Makeen Executive Director – 0776539793 )
To safeguard the world’s largest mammal, scientists and conservation organizations advocate for one of the world’s busiest shipping channels to be redirected. Researchers have been piecing together information about a little-known, vulnerable group of blue whales that lives off the southern coast of Sri Lanka since 2008.
What they’ve found so far points to a specific group of cetaceans, if not a subspecies. Rather than traveling immense distances, as other blue whales do, the Sri Lankan species should stay in the area all year, feeding on microscopic shrimp and communicating through different vocalizations.
The magnitude of the peril they confront has also become apparent. The whales’ habitat crosses a major shipping route that connects East Asia to the Suez Canal, putting them at risk of ship collisions and noise pollution.
On a typical day, the whales are bombarded by roughly 200 ships, many of which are cargo ships or oil tankers with lengths of up to 300 meters.
“The issue for these whales is that they live in a gigantic obstacle course that people have constructed,” said Asha de Vos, a marine scientist who spearheaded the region’s first long-term whale research in 2008.
It’s a global conflict that’s becoming increasingly heated. Shipping traffic increased by 300 percent between 1992 and 2013, with marine transport accounting for about 90% of international trade.ADVERTISING
After a study revealed that a modest alteration in the shipping route may significantly impact the whales, a drive is currently underway in Sri Lanka to address what De Vos characterizes as a “uniquely resolvable issue.”
A trio of international conservation groups has publicly called on the Sri Lankan government to submit the route modification to the International Maritime Organization, supported by her long-standing drive to shift the shipping channel.
“Studies show that establishing a shipping lane 15 nautical miles south of the existing lane would reduce the danger of accidents with blue whales by 95%,” the letter from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Great Whale Conservancy, and OceanCare stated.
The 15-nautical-mile movement was “insignificant” for ships traveling across the world, according to IFAW’s Sharon Livermore. This minor alteration in the shipping lane’s location would have a big impact on the conservation status of these whales.
While there are no exact figures on how many whales dwell in the region or how many have been killed by ships, numerous bodies have been discovered in recent years that show the collision.
Rerouting
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)
The rerouting would also aid the country’s burgeoning whale-watching sector and small-scale fishing villages, whose boats have been seen bobbing dangerously near to massive ships in the shipping lane.
Her organization addressed the Sri Lankan government in 2015 about shifting the shipping path, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to conserve blue whales, 90 percent of whom were murdered by whalers throughout the twentieth century.
From 2015 to 2020, authorities in Sri Lanka and India seized nearly 65 metric tons of sea cucumbers worth more than $2.8 million and arrested 502 people in connection with the attempted trafficking.
The sea cucumber fishery is banned in India and restricted under a licensing system in Sri Lanka, but growing demand for the animals in East Asia has turned the waters between these South Asian countries into a hotspot for the illegal trade.
The presence of the legal trade in Sri Lanka means Indian fishers can smuggle their catches into the country and launder them into the legal market for export.
The overharvesting of sea cucumbers has severely depleted their populations; from 21 species of sea cucumber deemed commercially viable for fishing in 2008, there were only nine by 2015, according to surveys.
COLOMBO/MANDAPAM — It was a calm October night over Sri Lanka’s northern seas, the silence broken only by the sound of a rapidly approaching motorboat from India. In Kalpitiya, a town further down the island’s western coast, it rendezvoused with a truck waiting on the beach.
Also waiting there was a Navy patrol team, which seized the illegal consignment of 1,196 kilograms (2,637 pounds) of dried sea cucumbers worth more than 16 million Sri Lankan rupees (nearly $80,000); authorities also arrested two trafficking suspects.
The previous month, on Sept. 19, the Indian Coast Guard made a similar arrest in the waters off Mandapam in Tamil Nadu state. The individuals arrested in that incident were carrying 2 metric tons of sea cucumbers meant to be smuggled by sea into Sri Lanka.
Seizures of illegally harvested sea cucumbers have become increasingly common in the waters between India and Sri Lanka. Between 2015 and 2020, the Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian Coast Guard made 502 arrests and seized nearly 65 metric tons of sea cucumbers worth a combined $2.84 million.
A group of men sorting sea cucumbers for processing. Image courtesy of Ganeshan Nishanthan.
Increase in smuggling
According to data analysis of sea cucumber-related seizures and arrests reported in the media, 2019 and 2020 saw a sharp increase in cases, making the Gulf of Mannar/Palk Bay region between the two countries a global hotspot for sea cucumber smuggling.
Despite their name, sea cucumbers aren’t vegetables; they’re echinoderms, from the same phylum of marine animals that includes starfish and sea urchins, and live on the sandy bottoms of oceans, where they perform the important ecological function of nutrient cycling.
Sea cucumbers aren’t typically eaten in South Asia. Instead, their harvest here is for demand from East Asia, where they go by many names, most often bêche-de-mer, and are considered a delicacy, eaten both fresh or dried, and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Exports of bêche-de-mer from this region have historically been low, but the trade has grown significantly in recent years as the demand for sea cucumbers has increased. Some species, like the sandfish (Holothuria scabra), sell for around $1,800/kg ($816/lb) while the white teatfish (H. fuscogilva) fetches about $401/kg ($182/lb) due to the high demand, making sea cucumber harvesting a lucrative business.
For the harvesters, the slow-moving sea cucumbers are easy pickings. But this has led to sea cucumber populations becoming overexploited across much of their historical ranges.
In light of this, India banned the sea cucumber fishery in 2001, while Sri Lanka tried to restrict the trade through a system of permits issued for collection, processing, transporting and exporting.
Sea cucumbers are slow-moving echinoderms, similar to starfish and sea urchins, and make for easy pickings for divers. Image courtesy of OceansAsia.
Risking legal loopholes
Given the current market trends, this disparity has allowed Indian fishers to exploit Sri Lanka’s legalized sea cucumber trade. They do this by smuggling their harvest to Sri Lanka to launder” the Indian sea cucumbers with the legally permitted supplies for export. Sri Lankan fishers also often violate permit conditions by gathering more sea cucumbers than allowed, as a bigger catch means more profit.
There’s also the problem of bottom trawling, which is banned in bothcountries. While 20% of the sea cucumber catch in India is deliberately targeted by fishers, the rest is incidental catch, mainly from bottom trawling. Even then, the incidental catch is hardly ever released back into the sea, said Deepak Bilgi, conservator of forests in Madurai, India.
This stock of sea cucumbers was confiscated by the Indian Coast Guard in September 2020, in which authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle the animals to Sri Lanka. Image courtesy of the Indian Coast Guard.
Indian link
Satish Sundaram, a forest range officer from India’s Mandapam and Ramnathapuram wildlife ranges in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, said that during his five-year tenure until November 2020, he had arrested more than 100 persons in connection with 70 cases of sea cucumber trafficking.
In Sri Lanka, records show that the Navy seized 16,576 kg (36,544 lb) of dried sea cucumbers and 11,840 kg (26,103 lb) of wet sea cucumbers from 2015 to 2021. While the dried consignments are mostly the smuggled lot, there are also instances that consignments are confiscated because they had sea cucumbers in their possession without a valid permit or in violation of permit conditions,” said Indika de Silva, a spokesman for the Navy.
The biodiversity-rich Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas, the main stretches of water between India and Sri Lanka, are the current hotspot for sea cucumber poaching. But over on the southwestern side of the Indian subcontinent, the Lakshadweep archipelago saw a significant spike in the number of reported smuggling and poaching incidents last year, showing that sea cucumber-related offenses are expanding and spreading to this remote island chain, said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research at OceansAsia, an organization that investigates and marine environmental crimes.
Bondaroff, who analyzed data compiled by the authorities and the media, said there was a sharp increase in cases in 2019 and 2020. The increase could mean two things: an increase of illegal activity and also the increase of patrolling,” he told Mongabay.
In Sri Lanka, the Navy continues its regular sea patrols and has also strengthened its surveillance along coastal areas where seizures generally occur, according to a Navy spokesman.
Most fishers and the fishing community along the northwestern coastal belt live below the poverty line, and the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem, driving people to look for alternative sources of income.
But fishers in and around the Gulf of Mannar and the Indian side of Palk Bay are used to collecting and trading sea cucumbers. This requires more study to understand whether the pandemic was a driver of illegal trade of sea cucumber,” said Sajan John, head of the marine unit at the Wildlife Trust of India.
Sea cucumbers were common in shallow coastal waters decades ago, but divers say they now have to go deeper in search of high-value species. Image courtesy of Chamari Dissanayake.
Fishermen’s woes
S. Chinnathambi, coordinator of Sri Lanka’s National Traditional Fishermen Federation, said fishers are constantly being exploited by unscrupulous traders into harvesting high-value threatened species.
Because sea cucumbers can be sold at a good price, fisherfolk try to harvest more. They will exploit any opportunity,” said Anthony Rajah, a diver from Mannar in the island’s north.
Rajah, who has been harvesting sea cucumbers for decades, told Mongabay that fishers used to be able to collect the animals closer to shore, but now they have to dive deeper and wade into unexplored areas to find them.
It is not that easy, and we need to put more effort now to collect them compared to then, but still this gives us a better income and I continue to engage in sea cucumber fishery,” Rajah said.
The license system in Sri Lanka has failed to effectively control the ongoing overexploitation of the country’s sea cucumber stocks, with reduced catch sizes reflecting the levels of depletion.
Sea cucumbers being dried in preparation for export. Image courtesy of Ganeshan Nishanthan.
A 2008 study listed 21 commercially viable species for fishing, but by 2015, this had dwindled to just nine. The latter survey also warned of the possible loss of more species, potentially leaving just five as feasible for fishing, according to Ganeshan Nishanthan of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
A scientific base for issuing licenses should be adopted based on species and available stocks, said Chamari Dissanayake, also from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. During her tenure at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Dissanayake conducted a sea cucumber stock assessment in 2008. That didn’t include the northern seas, given that this part of the country was under rebel control during Sri Lanka’s civil war, which only ended only in 2009.
So, it is time to have a countrywide stock assessment, before it becomes too late for the species,” Dissanayake told Mongabay.
This map shows the locations where arrests and seizures relating to the sea cucumber trade were carried out from 2015-2020. Image courtesy of OceansAsia.
The government is now promoting sea cucumber farming, which is expected to ease the pressure on wild stocks. While experts have welcomed the move, they caution it must be accompanied by measures to prevent it from becoming yet another way to conceal the illegal trade and export of wild-caught sea cucumbers.
While regulations pertaining to sea cucumber fishery should be reinforced, addressing the smuggling of stocks should be addressed as a bilateral issue with serious repercussions on the conservation of the species in both India and Sri Lanka, Bondaroff said.
This is a high-value trade, so penalties should not be normalized, and immediate action should be taken to protect the region’s sea cucumber populations from overexploitation, he added.
Banner image of processed sea cucumbers, known as bêche de mer, are a popular delicacy in East Asia and an ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, making them an expensive commodity. Image courtesy of OceansAsia.
(Photo : Elianne Dipp)
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)
