This is significant in the context of Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement that a new Sri Lankan constitution will be drafted
Colombo, August 21 (newsin.asia): A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called on the Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay here on Friday.
The High Commissioner congratulated the TNA for their performance at the recent general elections. The envoy reiterated India’s longstanding position on peace and reconciliation and the full implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment of the Sri Lankan constitution which had created elected Provincial Councils in the nine provinces of the island nation with a modicum of devolved powers. The 13A came as a result of the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987.
Though elected councils came into being, the powers that they should have got as per the 13A have not been devolved. Powers over land and police are still not dissolved.
There has been speculation that the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will abolish the 13A as part of their plan to centralize the administration and cut needless expenditure. A section of the majority Sinhala community feels that the Provincial Councils are White Elephants and impositions by India. But political sources say that elected Provincial Councils will not be abolished because the Sri Lankan political class has developed a vested interest in their existence. They provide an institution vested with some powers between the grassroots level Preadeshiya Sabhas and the parliament.
TNA leaders M.A.Sumanthiran and R.Sampanthan
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is undoubtedly in favour of retaining the elected Provincial Councils. And in his speech inaugurating the newly elected 9th.parliament on Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa spoke only about the abolition of the 19th.Amendment, not the 13A.
Ironically, the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) opposed the 13A in 1987-88. Even today only the Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Douglas Devananda and a rump of the Eelam Peoples’ Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) faction led by the followers of the Late Pathmanabha support the 13A. Other Tamil parties want more than 13A. A section of them are even seeking self-determination for the Tamils and an internationally monitored referendum on the Tamil question.
When Mahinda Rajapaksa was Lankan President between 2005 and 2014, he had promised 13A Plus in response to pressure from India. But this was not delivered. During the United National Party-led Good Governance” regime between 2015 and November 2014, an effort was made to draft a new constitution but it was thwarted at the last moment by a lack of political will and a constitutional crisis in 2018.
On August 20, President Gotabaya Rahapaksa promised to draft a new constitution but it remains to be seen as to how far his regime would go to devolve power to the provinces or whether it will downgrade or upgrade the powers of the Provincial Councils.
As Sri Lanka struggles with outstanding foreign debt, rural households across the country have been living off borrowings after exhausting their savings. Meera Srinivasan reports on how those already struggling with severe economic hardships are now grappling with a pandemic-induced crisis
After doing seven jobs in the last three years in and around Colombo, Simran Enric is now back home in Sri Lanka’s hill country. He escaped the pandemic that struck the capital, but his last job at a grocery store didn’t.
I am ready to take up any job. It doesn’t matter which city, what work or how much they pay,” says the 19-year-old. He began working after dropping out of school before his Ordinary Level examination. His parents’ stagnant wages, from tea production on an estate in Maskeliya in the central Nuwara Eliya district, was not enough for three square meals for their family of five, including Enric’s two schoolgoing sisters. His Colombo income, they hoped, would support household finances. It barely did, but the family couldn’t afford to lose any additional source of income, however meagre, as they tried to cope. Over a period of time, Enric’s small savings proved valuable. And then the deadly virus arrived.
In Sri Lanka, though, the novel coronavirus didn’t seem all that deadly, going by the official data. While COVID-19 case numbers in the region and in powerful western countries increased rapidly, Sri Lanka stood out, drawing high praise, including from the World Health Organization, for containing the virus. To date, Sri Lanka has reported 11 deaths and fewer than 3,000 cases, of which only 127 are active.
After a stringent lockdown for two months and the efforts of the country’s efficient public health sector, aided by the military, Sri Lanka felt relatively fit to hold the twice-postponed parliamentary elections on August 5. Over 16 million of the country’s 21 million-strong population could vote in the elections, held with elaborate health guidelines mandated by the Election Commission. The turnout was 71%.
As was widely predicted, the ruling Rajapaksa brothers’ young party won comfortably, securing a rare two-thirds majority in Sri Lanka’s proportional representation system. With carefully cultivated political capital from projecting their war-victor image for a decade now, and aided by the former government’s abysmal failures, the Rajapaksas have consolidated their grip on the country like few have. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his older brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sit in the country’s two most powerful offices. They have no imminent threat to their political might. But their government faces an unprecedented economic challenge.
Reeling under the shock of last year’s ghastly Easter terror bombings, Sri Lanka’s economy contracted by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2020, even before the pandemic’s local and global spread was clear. The World Bank has projected a rather grim picture, warning it could contract up to 3%.
Of the country’s mounting external debt – equivalent to 42.6 % of the GDP in 2019, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka – nearly $3 billion is due for repayment this year. This includes a non-negotiable $1 billion sovereign bond maturing in October, besides bilateral and multilateral loans.
Aware of the daunting task ahead, the Rajapaksa administration wasted no time in requesting lenders for a debt freeze. On his visit to New Delhi in February, his first trip abroad after assuming premiership of the then-caretaker government, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sought a debt moratorium that is still being negotiated.
With the pandemic that hit Sri Lanka in March amplifying the economic crisis manyfold, the country’s looming debt crunch gave the government the jitters. The government went for new loans to service past borrowings, including over $5 billion from China and $960 million from India. In March, Sri Lanka signed an agreement with China for another $500 million loan after an urgent request” from Colombo, to deal with the pandemic’s harsh economic blow.
While the government struggles to cope with the fiscal crisis, the people, especially those on the margins, suffer.
Enric stayed in Colombo for almost eight weeks during curfew time” with a partial salary, lodging and food, until he lost his job. There was no chance of finding a new job,” he says. He returned home and the family was back to relying entirely on his parents’ wages.
No work today; there aren’t enough tea leaves on the bushes after last week’s heavy rains,” says his mother S. Bagyalakshmi, who recently pawned the only piece of jewellery she had kept for her daughters. Work has been irregular these days.”
Increasingly, many employers across estates are asking workers to stay at home once every few days, so they don’t have to pay the monthly incentive tied to a minimum number of days’ mandatory work, according to labourers. Citing the pandemic, Sri Lanka’s major plantation companies have virtually stalled talks with the government on a basic wage hike from the current LKR 700 to LKR 1,000 that workers have been demanding for over three years. Not that the companies were any more willing to pay the rate in 2019, when tea exporters reported a record high revenue of over $1.3 billion.
The estate workers were persistent enough to push their demand to poll manifestos, but not powerful enough to realise it. In January this year, two months into office, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured them of a wage hike by March 1, following up on his campaign slogan. Six months later, workers have resigned to yet another broken promise.
For those like Bagyalakshmi, pawning her hard-earned piece of jewellery was the only option to survive. As far as her family’s poverty goes, it was not introduced by the pandemic, but was gravely aggravated by it.
The nearly 1.5 lakh estate labourers among Sri Lanka’s million-strong Malayaha Tamils (hill country Tamils), whom British planters brought down from south India to clear forested mountainous land, plant and pluck coffee and later tea, have been historically neglected. Earners of precious foreign exchange, they remain on the country’s geographic, social and economic margins, their labour invisible and voice rarely heard.
Bagyalakshmi’s home, a colonial-era ‘line room’ with a living area barely 8X8 feet, is located on the edge of a winding, unmotorable road inside an estate. It is a silent witness to the violent colonial past her ancestors endured, as well as the exploitation that carried over into the years after Independence, making the lives of successive generations vulnerable and their livelihoods, precarious.
But it is not just estate workers facing the brunt. Like Enric, tens of thousands of Malayaha Tamil youth, employed in hotels and shops, often as cleaners or assistants, in Colombo and other cities, have now returned jobless to the hill country. There is a sudden increase in three-wheeler drivers in Maskeliya. That is because many of us had to come back from Colombo after the COVID-19 outbreak as there was no other option of making a living there,” says Murugaiyya Vigneswaran, 28, who lost his mason job in Colombo. I took a loan and bought this three-wheeler, but it is not easy to find hires.” He relies on his neighbours in the estate engaging his autorickshaw for an urgent visit to Maskeliya town, paying LKR 1,500 (or two day’s gross wages) for the round trip, as estate roads are not serviced by public transport.
Elders in the community note that it is over the last two decades that Malayaha Tamil youth from the estates ventured out looking for jobs, escaping the estates where their parents toil all day braving blood-sucking leeches and stinging wasps. But they couldn’t escape hardship.
While some migrated to the capital and big towns in the prosperous Western Province, others found jobs as domestic and construction workers in West Asian countries. Sri Lanka’s hill country, along with high-migration districts such as Kurunegala in the North Western Province and Batticaloa in the Eastern Province, supplies a steady flow of cheap labour abroad. Of the over 2 lakh workers who migrated from Sri Lanka in 2018, more than half were unskilled workers and housemaids, official data show. But the raging virus made their lives and jobs overseas even more perilous than at home.
As many as 47 Sri Lankan migrant workers have succumbed to COVID-19 in West Asian countries, according to Mangala Randeniya, spokesman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. This is more than four times the number of deaths reported in Sri Lanka. The migrant workers’ funerals were held where they were last employed, as their families in Sri Lanka grieved from thousands of miles away.
Some 40,000 workers, who are out of work in West Asia, are trying to return home. Wary of importing more carriers of the virus, after dozens who returned in special flights tested positive on arrival, the Sri Lankan government is staggering their repatriation in phases. Others wait, with savings for food dwindling, insecure accommodation, the constant fear of infection, and no clarity on their date of return or prospects in Sri Lanka thereafter.
Two of my nieces and a nephew are working abroad. We still don’t know when they can return, we are really worried,” says Bagyalakshmi. This is the prevalent anxiety among migrant workers’ families.
For over 10 years now, Somasundaram Mallika has been raising her older sister’s three children, in addition to two of her own, in Badulla district, in the neighbouring Uva Province. My sister is the only breadwinner in her family after her husband passed away. She had no choice but to leave the country for work. Thankfully she still has her job, but with this virus we don’t know when we will see her next,” says Mallika.
Her sister Somasundaram Yogam did many jobs abroad before her current one as a housemaid in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, she says: I don’t go out anywhere because of the COVID risk. I hear many housemaids like me have lost their jobs, I am very lucky to still have mine.”
Despite a secure job and a reasonable salary, many workers find it very hard to be away from their families. Unlike Yogam, many don’t have reliable relatives to care for their children. I miss them very much, but what do you do when you have to work?” she says.
Yogam would seem better off compared to hundreds of Sri Lankan garment workers in Jordan who were sacked after the pandemic. Around 200 of them returned last week, but another 500 are stuck there, according to Abiramy Sivalogananthan, Sri Lanka coordinator for the Asia Floor Wage Alliance, engaged in international campaigns for collective bargaining in the global garment industry. The factories first reduced the meals they are mandated to provide from three to two, and then stealthily obtained signatures from the workers in documents saying they were resigning, to be exempted from paying social security,” she says.
Moreover, skilled expat workers have been returning to Sri Lanka with less difficulty, even from high-risk countries such as the U.S. and the U.K. It’s not just the employers abroad who manipulate and exploit migrant workers, our own government discriminates against low-skilled workers by making their return very hard,” Sivalogananthan observes.
Desperate measures
Labourers like Bagyalakshmi or Yogam, or those back from Jordan might make an occasional news headline in Sri Lanka, but they almost never figure in policy talk on the national economy. Those discussions begin and end with the outcome of their labour – be it tea and rubber or garments that together make up about 65% of exports; or migrant remittances that are the main source of Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange. In 2019, inward remittances added up to $6.7 billion.
With all key foreign exchange earners – tourism, exports and remittances – of the country badly hit, Sri Lanka is facing its biggest foreign exchange crisis in history, by the government’s own admission.
The Central Bank and the government have taken several urgent measures. In March, authorities restricted import of non-essential goods and soon relaxed foreign exchange regulations, inviting deposits in foreign currency. The government curtailed outward remittances.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank recently obtained a $400 million currency swap from the Reserve Bank of India to boost its reserves, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an additional $1.1 billion currency swap. Sri Lanka has also sought emergency financial support from the International Monetary Fund, under its Rapid Credit Facility. The request is under assessment.
Faced with a tumbling currency – about LKR 187 (roughly ₹74) to an American dollar – fast-depleting foreign exchange reserves and a daunting repayment schedule this year, Sri Lanka has no time to lose while fixing its battered economy.
But the task is far from easy. The government can’t open up the country for tourists without increasing the risk of a spike in new cases. It can’t strengthen exports until other countries, or at least Sri Lanka’s key markets, are ready to buy what it has to sell.
Evidently, the newly installed Rajapaksa government is under enormous pressure – not only to keep Sri Lanka’s unblemished debt servicing record, but also to enhance local production and create local demand in order to keep the economy ticking until international markets brighten.
Sri Lanka’s rural economy, sustained largely by agriculture and fisheries, has been crying for attention for years – evidenced in the recurring farmer and fisher protests around cost of inputs, profiteering by intermediaries, and unstable incomes.
Also, it is not just the country that is growing more and more indebted. Many of its poor citizens too are mired in stifling debt. While the national spotlight is on the outstanding foreign debt, rural women across the country, including in the civil war-affected north and east, have been living off borrowed money, often microfinance loans that agents push at their doorsteps.
Trapped in servicing the exorbitant interest rates – even more than 200% in some cases – of multiple loans, some have tragically taken their own lives, just as Jaffna-based Surendrarasan Mariarata did earlier this month. The fast-growing concern about predatory microfinance loans, especially among women, evoked a poll promise from Gotabaya Rajapaksa ahead of last year’s presidential elections for relief from microfinance loans. The indebted women await action before more lives are lost.
Most policymakers in Sri Lanka agree that in order to tackle prevalent household indebtedness or generate greater local demand, the government must necessarily create jobs. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has recently resumed a programme to provide jobs to 50,000 unemployed graduates and 1 lakh low-income earners. But there are several thousand more, unable to complete school and desperately looking for jobs, others like the hill country youth who are now out of work, or the migrant workers who are back in the country with uncertain futures. They will need different kinds of jobs.
In the hill country, for instance, they could set up industries that do value addition. Why must those factories be based in Colombo when all the tea is produced here,” asks Fr. Isaac Daniel Dixon, pastor at a Maskeliya church attended mostly by estate workers. His congregation includes many youth who lost their jobs in Colombo and returned recently. Some end up as labourers in the same estates as their parents, doing the job their parents hoped they never would.”
Immediately after the new government was installed this month, and ministerial portfolios allocated, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasised the need to promote local industry. The thrust, aligned to the ruling party’s nationalist, populist election plank, is not new to Sri Lanka. Neither are leaders’ customary poll-time promises to alleviate poverty. Campaigning in the southern Hambantota district on the eve of the August 5 elections, the President pledged to build a people-centric national economy, fully owned by the people.”
Sri Lankans know well that for a promise to translate to policy and more crucially, action, the government’s political might alone will not do. Therein lies the Rajapaksa brothers’ next big test.
A smiling Sabry holds his mother after addressing the media at the Justice Ministry (pic by Shamindra Ferdinando)
Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, yesterday (17) said that four state institutions––the Police, Prisons, Government Analyst’s Department and the Registrars of Courts––were so corrupt that the country faced a daunting challenge to rectify the situation.
Addressing a gathering immediately after assuming duties at the Justice Ministry, Sabry explained how those responsible violated the rule of law.
Referring to recent explosive reportage of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) dealing in heroin, Minister Sabry briefly discussed how law enforcement authorities, Prisons, the Government Analyst’s Department and the Registrar of Courts contributed to unprecedented deterioration of law and order.
Among those present on the occasion were President’s Counsels Romesh de Silva, Gamini Marapana, Kalinga Indatissa and U.R. de Silva.
Separate Registrars are assigned to Magistrate courts, High Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Minister Sabry said that according to a survey, Registrars of Courts were among the most corrupt in the country and he would examine the situation before announcing a plan on how to tackle the situation. He sought the support of all stakeholders, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to address contentious issues.
The minister said he knew how the people suffered untold hardships due to law’s delays. Continuing system failures ruined lives, the minister said, pointing out how child abuse affected the community.
At the onset of his brief address, Minister Sabry apologised profusely for having the meeting in a small room which could hardly accommodate those present. In spite of display of notices restricting the gathering of people due to continuing threat posed by covid-19 epidemic, over 100 were allowed in with most of those present not wearing face masks. Minister Sabry had to fight his way to the podium to address the gathering with Ministerial Security Division (MSD) being helpless.
Pleading that he wouldn’t do anything inimical to the Constitution and the people, Minister Sabry thanked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for giving him the challenging responsibility. The new minister vowed to overcome what he called daunting challenges.
The Minister quoted the Rajapaksa brothers as having told him to do the needful as he knew what the shortcomings and problems were.
Minister Sabry emphasised that his responsibility would be to implement policy decisions of the government and the cabinet of ministers.
Delivering an anusasana at the onset of yesterday’s programme, scholar Ven Medagoda Abeytissa Thera said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accommodated Sabry in the cabinet of ministers, in spite of serious protests as he had confidence in him. It would be Minister Sabry’s duty and responsibility to maintain President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s faith in him.
The Ven. Thera said that there was no point in hiding the fact that opposition political elements instigated protests against the top the justice portfolio being assigned to Sabry.
The Ven. Thera appreciated the role played by Sabry as a civil society activist in helping the then Opposition movement led by the Joint Opposition to turn the tables on the then government.
Referring to a recent statement attributed to Minister Sabry that the 19th Amendment enacted in early 2015 would be amended to suit the new government’s requirements, Ven. Abeytissa stressed that President Rajapaksa and the SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) had received mandates in 2019 and 2020 to introduce a new Constitution. The scholar monk emphasized that there should be one law for everyone. Therefore, now in his capacity as the Justice Minister, it would be his responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of the public.
Referring to the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, Ven Abeytissa said that it would be the Justice Minister’s obligation to take measures to prevent the birth of more Zahran Hashims.
Commenting on the enactment of the 19th Amendment by the previous government, Ven. Abeytissa advised the Justice Minister to follow a policy of transparency in that regard.
Ven. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera warned of dire consequences unless the required far-reaching constitutional changes were introduced within a month or two. The Thera said that if the government failed to use its two-thirds majority immediately, it would have to regret its failure.
At the request of Maha Sangha, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to bring Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University and Buddhashravaka Bhiksu University under the purview of the Ministry of Education.
President also paid attention to the possibility of placing these two Universities under the University Grants Commission. President instructed the officials to conduct monitoring their activities in a proper manner under the supervision of the State Minister while safeguarding their identities.
This decision was taken by the President during the 05th meeting of the Buddhist Advisory Council held at the Presidential Secretariat today (21).
President said he will present the steps taken by the Government and their progress pertaining to the proposals and advice given by Maha Sangha at 04 previous meetings at the next session.
Pointing out that advice of the Buddhist Advisory Council have been used while formulating the structure of the State Ministries President said he expects the Maha Sangha to continue to guide the Government in policy preparations. He further said Dhamma Schools, Bhikku Education, Privenas and Buddhist Universities were brought under the direct supervision of a single State Ministry for their advancement.
Maha Sangha commended the President for his efforts to address the issues pertaining to Piriven education and endeavours to improve Dhamma school education by implementing a systematic procedure and regulation.
Anunayake of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Vijithasiri Nayaka Thero stated that the approach used to institute officers that of the Opposition Leader in the parliament was exemplary. Thero added that the people were repulsed by how the predecessors made appointments to the same offices.
Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero noted that the decision to minimize ministries will assist in saving taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
Additionally, Aranya Senasanadhipathi of Mithrigala, Ven. Udairiyagama Dhammajeewa Thero mentioned the importance of virtuous mind” (Yahapath Sitha) in life and highlighted the significance of introducing it to the classroom.
Ven. Prof. Induragare Dhammarathana Thero highlighted the requirement of initiating an insurance scheme resembling Agrahara Insurance plan for Bhikku teachers, their parents, and siblings in their times of need, when they are hospitalized.
Most Venerable Diviyagaha Yasassi Nayaka Thero pointed out the importance of introducing a procedure to give marks for Certificates of Dhamma School Final Examination and the Dharmacharya Examination when offering the government jobs.
Most Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera suggested that a discussion on Bhikkhu Education and Buddhist Education or a Sangayana on Theravada Buddhism is needed.
The Maha Sangha representing the Buddhist Advisory Council, officials including Principal Advisor to President, Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Prof. Kapila Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prof. Kapila Gunawardena and the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs Sunanda Kariyapperuma participated in this meeting.
Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, stated that he is requesting the Chairman of the Election Commission on behalf of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya to immediately cancel the National List seat given to Apey Janabala Party.
He was addressing a media briefing at the Sri Bodhirajarama Temple in Embilipitiya.
Relations between India & Sri Lanka has had their highs and lows since ancient times. The present resent & animosity by most in Sri Lanka against India has valid reasons. As two sovereign nations, there are certainly protocols to respect & follow and size should not matter. No country or its people would like to feel bullied by a larger neighbor simply because of its size. Let’s not forget that the country we call India came to be christened only in 1947 by Colonial Britain, which adds weight to Sir John Kotelawala’s oft quoted statement ‘the day Ceylon did away with England, it would go under India’. No one in Sri Lanka wishes that which is why it is important for policy makers & advisors to look at their short term actions & decisions with the detrimental outcomes in the long term. This is certainly applicable to relations with all foreign nations vis a vis the agreements Sri Lanka ventures into.
It was in 1948 that Sri Lanka opened its first overseas mission in New Delhi, India. If there was any leader who made friendships with India yet kept India in its place, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike will certainly take the cake. Not only does she still remain regarded as a friend of India, with close ties to the Gandhi family, but she did not allow that friendship to come in the way of her decision making. When tough decisions had to be taken, she did not mince words. She concluded a maritime agreement with China in 1963 and she even allowed refueling to Pakistan planes during the Indo-Pak War. Thus, both India & Pakistan continue to praise her diplomacy & leadership. India & Sri Lanka cooperated to formulate the non-aligned movement during the 1950s and 1960s. India & Sri Lanka joined in a quest to convert the Indian Ocean into a ‘zone of peace’. This was no neutral policy. This was no appeasing policy. Sri Lanka’s friends are as a result of that non-aligned policy and this is what Sri Lanka must continue to uphold. Flying policies and flicking fancy names every now & then to christen Sri Lanka’s foreign relations is just superfluous and will only distance Sri Lanka from the non-aligned status Sri Lanka has proudly held and to which Sri Lanka has many proud moments to recall.
During tenure of President J R Jayawardena
1987 – India forcibly halting Vadamarachchi military operation that cornered Prabakaran, Parippu drop on 4 June by India was a gross violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty & airspace, Indian Peace Keepers & their war crimes, signing of Indo Lanka Accord & 13thamendment forcing Sri Lanka to tweak its constitution & create a provincial council system based on a bogus history. India allowed LTTE to use Tamil Nadu as a logistics/training hub. India did not supply any offensive military equipment to Sri Lanka during the conflict. India airlifted Prabakaran to Delhi before signing of the accord (retired Indian Air Marshal Denzil Keelor received orders from RAW to airlift LTTE & its Leader from Jaffna to India – 2 choppers were sent from India to Suthumalai Amman kovil temple in Jaffna). Prabakaran met Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi on 28 July 1987. Indo-Lanka Accord signed on 29 July 1987. Prabakaran flown back to Jaffna on 2 August 1987.
Letter from PM Rajiv Gandhi addressed to President JR Jayawardena set out conditions Sri Lanka was required to adhere on foreign policy & defense matters unrelated to the Tamil issue which Sri Lankan President did not even object to. These demands included
Employment of foreign military & intelligence personnel would not be prejudicial to Indo-Lanka relations
Trinco port or any other port will not be given for use by any other country in a manner prejudicial to India’s interest (Why is India silent on US fleets regularly visiting Trinco)
Restoration of Trinco oil tank farm as a jv
Sri Lanka’s agreements with foreign broadcasting organizations are not for military or intelligence purposes.
During tenure of President Chandrika Bandaranaike
India prevented Sri Lanka securing state-of-the-art Chinese radar to counter ‘Air Tiger’ threats.
India opposed Sri Lanka setting up a China-managed Aircraft overhaul wing at China Bay SLAF base, Trinco & SLAF had to establish it in Katunayake air base
During tenure of President Mahinda Rajapakse
India’s national security advisor Ajit Doval demanded Gotabaya Rajapakse (Def Sec) to cancel USD1.4billion Chinese flagship project – Port City claiming it a threat to India’s national security.
India demanded Sri Lanka take over Colombo International Container Terminals Limited (CICT) a jv between China Merchants Port Holdings Company & SLPA
2007 – India declined to provide radar with 3D capabilities when Indian supplied 2D capabilities failed to detect LTTE aircraft in raiding SLAF base in Katunayake. China & US supplied though India objected.
India flouted its own policy of not voting for country-specific issues when India voted in favor of UNHRC resolutions against Sri Lanka in 2012/2013.
India fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
Indian pressure to acquire ‘Sri Lanka’s defense ‘needs’ from India (Training & Intelligence)
2014 Sri Lanka accepted Indian offer to build 2 AOPVs (Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels)
2007 – India objected to Sri Lanka purchasing a Chinese built JY-11 3Dradar system on the grounds that it would ‘overarch’ into Indian air space.
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval wanted all Chinese funded infrastructure projects stopped.
2014 – 2 visits of Chinese submarines to Colombo harbor upset India & precipitated India’s decision to remove Rajapakse.
2008 – proposal for undersea power line with submarine cable under Gulf of Mannar
2010 – plan to set up interconnection of electricity grid between India & Sri Lanka for Sri Lanka to source electricity from India.
During tenure of President Maithripala Sirisena
2018 – Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu declares India’s policy is ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ (Together we progress) – India’s other policy of ‘Neighbourhood First.’
2018 – India is alleged to have taken gene stocks of Sri Lanka’s plants (Samantha Gunasekera, former Deputy Director Customs-Biodiversity, Cultural & National Heritage Protection Division) Indian companies had stolen many of Sri Lanka’s genetic resources as Governmental protection has been poor or lacking.
India purposely neglecting its commitments on SAARC – boycotting 19thSAARC summit in Pakistan in 2016
Naval crew of INS ‘Sutlej’ conducted a beach cleaning campaign at Crows Island, Mattakkuliya
India & Yahapalana
Following regime change in 2015 – President Sirisena, PM Ranil, Mangala, RaviK – first overseas visit were to India.
President Sirisena & PM Ranil visited India 4 times
At least 10 high level visits between India & Sri Lanka
Indian PM Modi visited Sri Lanka twice (Mar 2015 & May 2017) first visit of Indian PM after Rajiv Gandhi in 1987.
Indian PM on visit to Norwood, Hatton declared Tamil plantation workers as Indian Diaspora. This was objected as they were now Sri Lankan citizens and not Indian.
2015 – 800 maruti cars imported to Sri Lanka with substantial slash in import duty but increase on import duty for hybrid vehicles.
Jan 2016 – INS Vikramaditya, India’s aircraft carrier, India’s newest and largest ship made its maiden overseas port call to Colombo. President Maithripala Sirisena was the first foreign head of State onboard the ship.
When Sri Lanka planned acquire 12 JF-17 fighter aircraft built in Pakistan in collaboration with China. India quickly offered its new Tejas fighter, still in its trial period, as an alternative.
2016 – Sri Lanka is a small country. You don’t need such development projects’ Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to WIjayadasa Rajapakse.
July 2017 – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) accepted Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) built by the Government of India owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
Sri Lanka offered 500 acres of land to Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop an industrial part (what is the status of this)
India wanted the Port City project stopped claiming Chinese presence in Colombo port was a threat to India’s security.
India also demanded Sri Lanka take over Colombo International Container Terminals Limited (CICT), a joint venture between China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (CMPH) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
India wants Sri Lanka to have full control of Hambantota port.
2017 – Sri Lanka announced plans to connect Sri Lanka’s power grid to Indian power grid to boost power generation within 5 years.
India encircling Sri Lanka
Kankasanthurai Port which adjoins Palaly military base & Northern Area Navy headquarters
Trincomalee Oil Tank
Mannar – Palk Strait Bridge with high way to Trinco
reconstructing the railway line from Talaimannar to Medawachchiya.
Colombo East Terminal
Mattala Airport
Joint naval exercises increasing with even air force personnel joining in
Deployment from China Bay of Dornier aircraft manned by Indian Navy, SL Navy & Sri Lanka Air Force conducting maritime patrol exercises & EEZ surveillance & rescue missions.
Indian Projects
Housing program in North & East – 42,000 houses in North, 14,000 upcountry & 4000 in East
India granted Sri Lanka credit line of $45.27m for financing rehabilitation of Kankasanthurai Port
India is helping agriculture & engineering faculties in University of Jaffna, Thondaman Vocational Training Centre & Saraswathy Central College Pussellawa
India gifts 16,000 books to Jaffa public library
2016 – Indian ‘Suwa Sawiya’ 88 emergency ambulance service worth Rs.7.5m – Hambantota, Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo initially, then to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu in North. In 2018 the service extended to Uva province – Hali-Ela, Badulla, Bandarawela & Moneragala – stationed in 26 selected police stations. Yahapalana passed 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation Act which was passed unanimously in Parliament. This Foundation can receive grants, gifts or donations & have its own fund& enter into contracts or agreements (new Govt must look into this)
Beverage factory importing fruit pulp & exporting juice – using 50m litres of ground water per annum – 50 acres land given in Gampaha. Residents who went to court failed to prevent project
ECTA – detrimental to Sri Lanka
India encircling Sri Lanka economically
Petronet LNG planning to set up liquefied natural gas terminals in Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka issues letter of intent for terminal to be set up in western coast (Yahapalana May 2018)
Sept 2018 – Cabinet approval given to CPC & Lanka IOC to form joint subsidiary company to develop 85 tanks in upper oil tank farm. LIOC gets 70 tanks, CPC only 15. LIOC will also get 18 currently used in lower section. The period of use by LIOC is to be decided by Cabinet. Land ownership with GoSL & a new lease superseding the 2003 one given by Ranil.
(Petroleum professionals objected claiming oil tank farms can be managed without India & they required only Rs.10m to do so. Earlier agreement was to allow CPC to handle this. CPC unions pointed out that if LIOC is given legal rights to entire oil tank farm, India could gain complete control of fuel distribution in Sri Lanka within a short period)
Samantha Kumarasinghe says Lanka IOC obtained 25% of petroleum distribution & 33% of Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd (ie CPC pipeline network) Only $40m has come though $70m was promised. Selection of IOC was done by cabinet paper of 2002 without competitive bidding process. LIOC owns 189 filling stations & entire sales from 2002-2013 is $3.6billion.
2002 – UNP allows India 1/3 of Sri Lanka’s petroleum business. Lanka IOC given without bidding. LIOC given fuel stations countrywide & marine bunkering at Trincomalee & Colombo.
2016 – Profits go direct to India as 75% shares are held by Indian Oil Corporation. 2014-2015 LIOC profit was $4.73billion.
100 of Sri Lanka’s best filling stations given to LIOC for $35m and when oil prices declained LIOC made billions with no tax benefit coming to the State.
Samantha Kumarasinghe also listed oil tanks in Trinco, Sampoor Coal power projects, Airtel Telecom project, Ceylon Glass, bus & lorry assembly plants, Indian construction projects, major land development projects, including major hotel projects in prime locations. (Perth Paradise housing project is 183 acres of prime land in Horana-Ingiiriya main road to build 1500 houses.
Sustainable Green Energy a Sri Lankan company headed by an Indian given government approval to start bamboo cultivation project in Vavuniya.
Memorandum of Understanding with India to develop the Trincomalee Port, establish a petroleum refinery and other industries. The Singapore firm of Subana Jurong will draw up the master plan for Trincomalee. There will also be a Colombo Trincomalee economic corridor.
The first India-Sri Lanka FTA (ISLFTA) was signed in November 1998 with just 4 consultations within 4 months became effective in 2000 but without any tangible benefit to Sri Lanka.
India encircling Sri Lanka economically – Trinco Oil Tanks
6 December 2016 – Cabinet approved proposal for oil tanks used by India be vested with CPC, 3 tanks to be taken immediately & rest within 3 months. CPC engineers visited China Bay Tank Farm following cabinet decision. The officials included a deputy manager were locked up by officials of Indian Oil Company for 1hour and the 2 vehicles they came in also held by IOC officials. The IOC complaint to the police was that CPC officials could only come on one particular day and the day they arrived was not a specified date, so they were considered as trespassing. India quoted 2003 agreement claiming it covered entire tank farm. Twice under Mahinda Rajapakse government LIOC was refused proposals to develop upper tank farm.
The 6 December 2016 cabinet decision was reversed by PM Ranil in March 2017 that LIOC and CPC would develop Trinco Oil Tank Farm as a JV with land in upper and lower oil tank farm to be leased to LIOC directly for 50 years and extended to 99 years.
For past 14 years LIOC paid lease charges of $100,000 for tank farm. During 15years India controlled oil tanks, GoSL received only Rs.75m as rental while GoSL paid LIOC Rs.650m for utilizing same tanks to store oil.
India encircling Sri Lanka economically – CEPA / ECTA
2002, Sri Lanka and India agreed to replace the existing India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement with a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). CEPA negotiations took place in 2005. CEPA was originally scheduled to be signed in 2008 during the SAARC summit.
Under CEPA India can bring down technical staff from 10% of total staff cadre up to 50%
Any Indian could bring his family into Sri Lanka and they can work anywhere they want. Family alone can take up about 5 jobs. Under CEPA there is no ‘business visa’ so there is no time limit for the stay either.According to CEPA there will be 50% Indian ownership of 25 cinemas, each of which could hold multiple cinema halls. In these cinemas, 40% cinema time would be for Tamil and Hindi films. Film makers when alerted objected.
India was asking Sri Lanka to recognize the qualifications of Indian doctors. 30 or so categories of paramedical professionals were also included in the CEPA.
No one had seen the agreement. CEPA was shot down by angry business men, very critical of India. President Rajapakse decided not to sign it, despite considerable Indian pressure to do so. Pathfinder Foundation defended CEPA.
2015 Yahapalana announced they will not sign CEPA but will enter in to an Economic/ Technical Co-operation Framework Agreement (ETCFA) with India. ECTA was drafted in great secrecy. The agreement was not made public and an attempt was made to sign it quickly. But this too was stopped. This time by the professionals, led by architects, engineers and doctors. Who pointed out ‘many irreversible loopholes’. Clauses were vague & open ended.
ECTA was CEPA in another name.
ECTA was India’s plan to get into Sri Lanka’s Information Technology (IT) and naval engineering sectors (dockyards). The Network Readiness Index 2015 held Sri Lanka in 65thplace & India ranked at 89.
Professionals National Front, a consortium of a dozen professionals’ associations was formed to combat ECTA. It included among others, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), the Electrical Engineers’ Association, the Customs Officers’ Union and the National University Teachers’ Association.
India encircling Sri Lanka – Education & Culture
Rs.600m grant given to University of Jaffna to develop Faculty of Agriculture & Faculty of Engineering in Kilinochchi. India will also be supporting CURRICULUM development, faculty exchange, training & research.
Rs.96m grant – India-SL MOU to renovate Saraswathy College, Pusselawa in Kandy District
16,000 books given by Indian High Commissioner to Jaffna Public Library in ‘India Corner’ inaugurated by PM Modi in 2015.
Setting up of the International Buddhist Museum in Kandy,
Restoration of the Thirukeeteswaram Temple in Mannar.
The Kapilavastu Relics were brought to Sri Lanka in 2012 by the Indian government. Several wrong historical facts were added , that the ‘Lanka’ in the Ramayana is Sri Lanka and that Odissi and Udarata dance are similar.
Unfair intimidations & demands by India on Sri Lanka
Demanding that Sri Lanka cannot give any of Sri Lanka’s ports to another country
Allegation that Israel & VOA were being used to spy on India
Demanding Sri Lanka review agreements with foreign broadcasting organizations – VOA & Radio Deutschewelle
Citing ‘concern for Indian national security’- India demands that Sri Lanka give India every inch of Sri Lanka.
India encircling Sri Lanka economically – demanding stake in Colombo Port
While demanding stake in Colombo East Terminal of Colombo’s Port, India is building and improving its own ports to divert transshipment handled presently by Sri Lanka to these Indian Ports. Sri Lanka will likely lose a major revenue. 70% of transshipment cargo to India is presently handled by Colombo Port. Has Colombo’s decision makers taken this important factor into account. Giving India hold over ECT has no change to India’s plans to transfer transshipment directly to Indian ports. This means 80% of India’s container traffic shipped through Colombo will go directly to Indian ports.
Appeasing policies by Sri Lanka – Detrimental to future of Sri Lanka’s Sovereignty
Giving Trinco oil tank farms because an investment project is signed with China
Giving ECT because Hambantota Port was given to China
Agreeing to give China-built Mattala airport to India
When US & India were not so friendly but now more than friendly
Late 1979 – State-owned CPC called for international offers to develop Trinco tank farm as a commercial venture. Shell & Chevron did not respond. US firm Coastal Corporation applied. India logged protests claiming India was worried about US access to Trinco as it was a security threat to India. Foreign Secretary Romesh Bhandari was sent to Colombo by Indian PM Indira to meet President JR Jayawardena. Fresh offers were called and tender board recommended Coastal Corporation. India again protested. JRJ sent Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel & CPC Chairman Daham Wimalasena to Delhi and India won the day!
360-degree change in 2007 when China began Hambantota Port project. India turns to US to contain China.
India is matching China’s Belt & Road Initiative with Asia-Africa Growth Corridor with Japan’s assistance announced in May 2017. AAGC will commence as a sea corridor linking Africa with India & then other countries of South-East Asia & Oceania. Plan to connect ports in Gujarat with Djibouti in Gulf of Eden, Ports of Mombasa & Zanzibar connected to Ports near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Kolkata in West Bengal linked to Sittwe Port in Myanmar.
India-Sri Lanka physical link – Hanuman Bridge
Land bridge linking Rameswaram & Talaimannar in Palk Strait – extension of UN-ESCAP Trans Asian Highway originally to stop at India.
But proposal was for 2 roads from Talaimannar to Colombo & Talaimannar to Trincomalee. With railway from Talaimannar to Medawachchiya.
Complaints against India
1968 – Rs.100m loan to purchase equipment to government departments but manufactured by India but India offered what they could not sell in international market.
Railway engines supplied by India failed to operate within short time and even the railway line ended up damage.
2007 – When China offered 3D radar India objected & installed 2D radar which failed to detect LTTE attack on Katunayake air base.
Indian trawlers coming in huge numbers from Rameshwaran & Nagapattinam are damaging Sri Lanka’s seabed and marine life and poaching on Sri Lanka’s waters.
Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka are given humane treatment by Sri Lankan fishermen arrested by Indian coast guards have been inhumanely treated – beating them & ordering them to kneel on heated iron, given rice with worms to eat and released only after pay Rs.75,000 each.
Indian consulates in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna & Hambantota are often accepted as RAW stations to spy on activities in Sri Lanka. With over 1million Indians living in UK – India has been given only 3 offices.
India is today pally pally with the very nation that searched President Abdul Kalam twice at US airports in 2011. The President’s shoes and jacket he was wearing were taken away for screening explosives. Even present PM of India, Modi was issued summons in 2014 when he visited US. Ironically, the Indo-US relations began to bloom after both engineered regime change in Sri Lanka in 2015. Now US & India are partnering to counter China.
There are no permanent friends in politics. Sri Lanka continues to make the mistake of not reading into and realizing the dangers of leveraging parts of Sri Lanka to foreign players and the likely outcomes decades later. No political party or politician has any right to be bartering the country for political survival or political gain. The nation’s sovereignty and safety of the citizens must come first. Using the justification that decisions are in economic interests but resulting in jeopardizing the national security interest is pointless for Sri Lanka & its People in the long term.
In view of the current power shortage, I enclose the Conclusion of my book; Wind Power for Sri Lanka’s Energy Requirements(Godages).
The fact that Wind Power if harnessed in
the manner that it has been harnessed in other countries like Spain, France and
the USA, can provide the full requirements of power for Sri Lanka has been
conclusively proved in the above book.
The Conclusion of this book is enclosed
for kind perusal
10.Conclusion
I am pleased to submit the
Papers I have so far written on Wind Power as a source of Energy, in a booklet
in the sheer hope that someday this will be read by one of our leaders who will
be convinced that Wind Power is the form of energy that Sri Lanka is blessed
with in abundance and will get going all out.
In nostalgia, I can
remember what did actually happen in Bangladesh in 1982, when I worked there as
the Commonwealth Fund General Advisor on Youth Development to the Ministry of
Labour and Manpower in Bangladesh., The Minister for Youth Abul Kasim was arrested on the charge of harbouring a
criminal in his residency. A day later, the Military took over the country in a
coup de etat. Immediately afterwards,
the Military Government in a high
powered conference chaired by Hon Aminul Islam, the Minister for Labour and
Manpower assessed the programmes of the Youth Ministry. That included imparting
vocational training to 40,000 youths a year. The Minister was not totally impressed with the work done.
Suddenly realizing me as the only outsider, I was confronted:
”What is the contribution
you can make for Bangladesh?”
I replied: It would be ideal to have a self
employment programme to enable the 40,000 youths that are being trained every
year to be guided to become entrepreneurs. Most of them are in the ranks of the
unemployed even after training, today. ”
My reply created an uproar. The Secretary to
the Treasury, the highest official in the land objected on the grounds that
such a self employment creation programme can never be achieved. He added that
the ILO had in the preceeding three years tried to establish a self employment
programme in Tangail, Bangladesh and spent a massive amount of funds all in
vain. I argued with the Secretary to the
Treasury for over two hours, quoting definite instances where I had
successfully established self employment projects for youths in Sri lanka. It was an intense battle between me and the
Secretary with the Hon Minister intently listening. Finally the Minister stopped our battle. He
immediately approved my establishing a self employment pogramme. The Secretary to the Treasury stumped with
the words, that he will never be providing any funds for this wasteful task. I
replied that I will find savings within approved training budgets which was
approved by the Hon Minister.
I got cracking with the
officials of the Youth Ministry and the Lecturers of the Vocational Training
Institutes that provided the vocational training, providing them with a basic
knowledge of national planning to identify
areas within the economy where there was a propensity to create
employment opportunities and training them in economic endeavour-structuring
projects for self employment on a small scale-even with a cow or a dozen chicks
and developing the enterprise. My task was to establish the self employment
programme and to train the staff to continue after my two year consultancy
ended. To a man the officers responded and today this Youth Self Employment
Programme has by February 2011 guided
over two millions to become self employed and it is an ongoing programme that trains and guides 160,00
youths a year to become self employed. Today, it is easily the premier
programme of employment creation the
world has known.
This experience of mine
itself indicates that though wind power for the task of creating power is at an
infancy today, we can easily develop it.
Let me hope that the
contents of these papers which prove beyond all doubt that Wind Power can offer
all the energy that Sri Lanka needs will someday find a Minister Aminul Islam”
who will authorize it. I am certain that
the administrators and engineers who will toil till it is a success can easily
be found.
Firstly, the country will
not depend on the supply of coal and oil for power plants and the country can
save all the millions and billions being
spent today to import oil and coal.
Secondly it will provide
employment for thousands in erecting the turbine towers, in establishing the
wind turbines and in the manufacture of the turbine mechanism itself at the
later stages. In my travels in France, Spain and Portugal I have seen workers
making the towers, blades, transporting
them in long trucks, erecting the towers and maintaining them. That is no
difficult task for our engineers and workers.
One of my readers happened to be an engineer,
Mr Kanaga. who was involved with establishing the five wind turbines at
Hambantota, the first to be built in Sri lanka. What is most intetresting in
his comment which I have totally enclosed in this book, is that the environmental lobby had decided that the
turbines should only be erected on the coasts and not in the mountains where
there is ample wind force.
It is sad that the
environmentalists were silent when the entire Kotmale Valley was denuded of
people and their activities all to create 200 MW of power. That could have been
easily achieved with fifty wind turbines scattered within Kotmale itself and
the inhabitants and the economy would have been spared extintion. The entirety
of Kotmale is dead today.
Currently the Kitulgala
Valley is being destroyed to build a dam to get some 38MW of power and the
entire Kitulgala Valley for miles will face destruction. Why were the
environmentalists silent when these two projects were approved and implemented?
Kanaga, that engineer
supports my recommendation that we
should use the wind in our mountain area to provide the energy we need.
To my mind it is a crime
not to use the wind power available and to spend millions and billions to
purchase oil and coal.
I am convinced that there
is an Oil Lobby and a Coal Lobby well financed to prove that wind is not a
dependable source.
Many opine that wind is
undependable. To them my answer is that
the wind is an utterly dependable source of energy. Spain has gone all out to
build wind turbines and even sells power to France.
Thanks are due to engineer
Kanaga for his comments which are immensely valuable so that I have quoted them
as an attachment to my paper.
A reader of my Papers,
Susantha Wijeytileke has even commented that once at Madugoda he saw a cyclist
being blown off the road by the power of the wind.
I must mention that I am
not alone in advocating the siting of wind turbines in the mountainous areas of
Sri Lanka.
In Windfair, on line editorial journalist Trevor Sievert quotes Lakshman Guruswamy, Sri Lanka has the
potential to generate 24,000 MW electricity from wind.” (http://w3.windfair.net/wind-energy/news/1q543-sri-lanka-high-wind-energy-potential)
Professor Guruswamy further states that studies have shown that nearly 5000
square KM of windy areas are available for potential wind power generation in
Sri Lanka.” (Dated 12/04/2018.)
In www.windpower.lk,
it is stated that in wind power the potential for Sri Lanka is 20,740MW”
Wind
Power in Sri Lanka,a publication by The Asia
Business Office (//www.asiabiomass.jp/English/topics/1601_04.html) states that
the wind potential in Sri Lanka is 20,740 MW. In its words there is strong potential for
wind power in the North Western coastal regions of Northern Province, the
highland areas of the Central Province, Sabaragamuwa and Uva.”
In Sri Lanka Wind farm Analysis and Site
Selection Assitance, M. Young and R
Vilhauer of The Global Energy Concept, Kirkland, Washington state:
Sri Lanka has considerable available land with wind resource
potentialsufficient for development. However, the wind power capacity expansion is limited by
the electricity transmission infrastructure. CEB estimates that the grid cannot
accommodate additional wind capacity more thgan 7% of the peak load. The CEB
estimates that installing more than 20MW
of wind capacity in any given region may adversely impact local grid
instability and power quality.
This Study states that the windy land can provide 50,000 MW.”
It is important to note
that it is not the lack of wind power that holds up the utilization of wind
power to produce electricity. Instead it is the grid capacity. Tackling the
grid capacity is another kettle of fish. This is an area that has to be
addressed. I will not be surprised if our
experts who yet think that wind turbines should be built to harness the
sea breeze and not the wind power in our mountains will come up with another cock and bull story
stating that a grid cannot be built.
In the construction of the
wind turbines at the Senok Wind Farm in Puttlam, where four wind farms
established have a capacity of 40MW, it was found that the existing port
facilities in the main port of Colombo and the road network was found wanting
for the import of the turbine towers and blades. Instead these had to be
obtained through barges from India. The
maximum height of the turbine tower is 90 meters and each blade is 50 meters in
length. I have seen long towers and blades being transported by road in France
and Spain. This needs special transport. In the hilly areas in Sri lanka it
will be more feasible to construct the towers and blades on site. These are
areas that have to be addressed in any development. Where there is a will,
there is also a way.
My thanks are also due to
the Editor of the Sunday Observer.lk who in Let there be Light” (Sunday
Observer:06/09/2009) commented that my suggestions are very valuable. Referring
tro my suggestion that the wind power in the Central Highlands should be
harnessed says, This is a timely and valid proposal and the authorities
should take appropriate action to locate
wind turbines in areas which will enable
them to reach their maximum potential.”
I am also thankful for Noor
Nizam for his Wind Energy Electricity generation is a reality” (Sri Lanka
Guardian:27/08/2009) In his words,
Garvin should be commended for his boldness to take to task the lethargic and
selfish bureaucrats on this issue of renewal energy development of electricity
energy in Sri Lanka…. His message should be well taken by others too handling national planning and development strategies to assist the little island of 21 million to
come out of the rut of poverty, misery, the destruction of the civil war and
the dependence on foreign powers.”
He adds in the affirmative, As Garvin Karunaratne wishes Wind Energy Electricity
Generation will be a reality in Sri
Lanka for the next generation”. It
is my fervent hope that this will be realized.
The last paper states of how the new owner of the Hambantota
Port has insisted on a massive payment as ground for the five wind turbines.
The CEB has decided to dismantle the five wind turbines. This is a sad epitaph for wind power use in
Sri Lanka.
However the contents of
this book convinces any sane thinking person that wind power can be harnessed.
We have to learn from mistakes, not make the mistakes rule us. As a country we
have to find ways and means of forging ahead,
heedless.
This study proves beyond all doubt that there is ample wind
capacity in Sri Lanka for self sufficiency in our power requirements through
harnessing the wind.. There is no question about this. However, as in any field
of development, be it agriculture or industry, there are problems that have to
be surmounted. As stated the national
grid has to be developed to carry the power from areas where it is generated to
the areas where the power is consumed. Perhaps there can be local grids to
carry the power generated from a local
wind farm to a local district capital. For instance if wind farms are located
in Dela on the Kirigalpotta hillock, a grid can carry the power to the town of
Ratnapura.
Sri Lankan engineers have in ancient times done
wonders. The gradient of the Jaya Ganga that carried the waters of the Kala
Weva to the tanks in Talawa and Anuradhapura has been constructed at a gradient
of six inches in a mile, a gradient that baffles the irrigation engineers of
today.
I am dead certain that Sri Lanka can become self sufficient in all its power requirements not for its present stage but also for its future development through using wind power. The wind power in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Hills is vast. Methods and systems have to be found to harness this energy. However as long as we build wind turbines on the coastal areas and ignore the areas where there is real wind power and satisfy ourselves with studies of the difficulties and constraints, our attempt will be like that of a squirrel trying to empty the water in the ocean , carrying a bit of water on its tail,
The government is the creation of patriotic deserving people of the country, the governmentwill deliver the expectations of people in a well planned short and long term strategy, state service officials must avoid corruptions, bribing, conspiracies of all formats, if such occurs we will use our powerful pens against them in every occasion. –Citizen of the Country
Our country is just
in front of a new horizon of governing with a new hope of better governing on
policies of better on improving the lives of deserving people. The hope is
blooming, in the hearts and minds of the people of the republic. I use this
platform to educate public in many ways and made aware themselves to take an
informed decision to choose right people of selecting to legislative assembly.
And they have done it. What a grace; our people have shown to select and
eliminate disgusting politicians out of legislature at this time. I am happy
like every Sri Lankan, as they have shown power of their mandate and they have
taken the most appropriate decision considering their electoral districts. The
commitment of the public is the clear indication of how much they are tired of
the previous rule and their governance of country. I do not want to write about
that bunch, but I need to write something about them, which will open a new
discussion and a platform for anybody interested. It is about UNP. What a
humiliating defeat they have been given by the public. It seems like people
have berried them in a 6’4’’ pit to death for eternity. There is a lesson to be
learned from the result; which is the most important to be remembered. Did
Ranil and the gang worked for the country or did they worked on an addenda of a
foreign country? It is a waste of time of discussing their tragedy.
Surprisingly he still want to be the leader surrounded by the bunch of his
appointees. They are being called working committee members of the party.The so
called democratic dictator still believe he will the up coming provincial
election? The country need a strong opposition for its ruling for good
governance.
I have been
consistently prioritizing the importance of security of the country and the
peace, which is equal importance to economic development. It has been more than
ever before has predominantly important for the consistent economic development
of the country. We are a small nation in the world map, but strategically in a
challenging spot in the Asia region; which is the next economic strategic place
of the world economy. Because of the Geo political economic shift, the country
has become the most vibrant piece of land for many powerful countries in the
neighbourhood as well as world only super power, which is heavily sick due to
Covid-19. Our own internal matters, economic development, eradicating drug
traffickers, establishing law order has been the most important priorities for
the country.
UNP politicians
only did want to snatch the power of the country. Past, present and future they
never had a national intentional plan to develop the economy of deserving people of the country. Just after
their humiliating defeat if anybody just listened to everyone and how they are
speaking; they are trying to defend one person of their party and that person
is Ranil Wickramasinghe. It seems like Ranil is the supreme leader for these 8
politicians, but for sure not for the people of this country. I am sure they
will continue to defeat in coming elections as well as future elections in this
country. Ranil wickramsinghe is not a leader; he is just a follower and a
promoter of neo liberal policies of western countries. That is the main reason
western powers welcome Ranil Wicramasinghe and his party in power.
These days we are
listening to another drama in this country. That is Athuraliye Rathana
Nadagama”. Rathana thera must be aware that his movement will not have any
acceptance among the people of this country. We are tired of listening to their
grievances on media. The media need to start some discussions on educating of
public of environment sustainability with development, Law and order education
for public. Our national resources and their management. National unity and
reconciliation. Etc. Media need to promote above and take lead by making their
platform to discuss national aspects of topics in the country. They must start
a discussion how to achieve economic well being for the public of the country
through the new state ministerial portfolios and resources. Such a discussion
will make more benefit to our people rather than announcing Rathana Nadagama”.
I am not devaluing Nadagam Kalawa of our country. Which is one of the best key
Ranga kala” item of our own. Rang Kala is something we will need to preserve
and promote among the communities of our country.
Election promises
are slogans common for us. Promising on a stage to support the people is one
thing. And active engaging for reality is another. So the question is how a
government follow through on their statement of solidarity? It is important to
be intentional. As a matter of fact poor people needs to be met and their
livelihood must be improved, By noticing, connecting, valuing and responding to
the needs of deserving people, the government can build a stronger relationship
and help to advance economic freedom by working on their behalf. The present
government’s prosperity vision is real. It has been vividly expressed
strategically by allocating state ministries and ministerial portfolios for
action by utilizing our own resources. One of the key perspectives has been to
promote small scale traditional but vibrant domestic, Batik, handloom,
sculpting, Weval, Clay, Art effects, Agriculture of export oriented pepper,
kaju, spices etc. When government take the initiative through state
participation it will grow, and which will improve the rural economy of people.
The concept is new and it will definitely well receive by the people of the
country.
A wave of
significant change is happening for better, within Sri Lankan government
institutions, society, law and order, manufacturing etc, just after the
landslide victory of present government. People were weary of previous
government. The most significant analysis of UNP defeat not yet revealed. It
could be understood if anybody could understand the basic meaning of Democracy.
Democracy mean understanding the people’s necessity and working towards the
will of the people’s need. The previous government worked against the will of
the people and they made their own grave in this election. I am thrilled of
hearing and knowing the state ministries portfolios and their subject
parameters. The government is going to provide more funding for inland and
rural communities in improving their, living standards through their manufacturing.
This seem to me the dawn of a new Horizon to our country. Precisely that is
very right to promote the rural deserving people’s livelihood by improving
their economy. Think about the clay manufacturing sector of rural economy.
Which is a huge manufacturing sector which we could bring foreign exchange to
our country. I know the famous Guruleththuwa”. Everybody want to drink water
in Guruleththuwa. The freshness of the water in that clay pot never ever
similar to cold water in a fridge. The water in a Guruleththuwa much more
refreshing than the water from a fridge. The concept need more improvement and
must prepare these items to international market as well.
The drugs,
addictions, has been devastation the communities and children due to substance
abuse over a period of time. It had been in tensed during past Ranil Maithree
yahapalanaya rule. It seems like yahapalana administration had been given green
light to continue the drug business to make a living for the people of
underworld. The political involvement has been identified as well. There were
many institutions, police officers, narcotic bureau officials, prison chiefs
and officers were to control the drug related abuse and control, but they were
unable to control or bring those people to justice as the primary level of
controlling. Since it has been malfunctioning and less efficient control those
responsible government officers have been involved to those drug related crimes
and by abusing law and order. Luckily the task force of present is in full implementation
of law to finding the people involved into substance, related crimes of
selling, trafficking, abusing, and much more. It is being found and revealing
the people of high ranking police and prison officers, and security forces,
involving taking bribes from the business. If the government didn’t timely made
the decision to eradicate underworld business and killing of each other, the
country would have been in its worst state of not being able to find solutions.
It seems like growing numbers of Pablo Escobars” type of killing about to
happen in Sri lanka, but we are fortunate and thankful to government as they
have come forward to save the country and its people from the problem. It needs
to be continue to arrest and jail those drug related businesses and people of
the country. The country needed more sophisticated electronic equipment to
identifying drugs and related crimes at entry ports of the country as well as
within the country.
Hon. President
worded Development could be initiated in small scale in every sector.” the
statement is a visionary idea of a new beginning. Think about state run
transportation system, it has the potential for better development. Introducing
car pooling systems in several congested locations., shuttle services, high
speed train systems of connecting Colombo metro. Etc. These are capital
projects which will incurred huge amount of money at the beginning, but in the
long run these projects are much needed investment to improve the economy of
major city of Colombo and suburbs. Five years from now people may need to get
things done effectively as well as efficiently. Even now people need such
efficiency. Believe me when these efficient systems introduced, everything will
be much convenient. Along with new improved traffic systems in Colombo metro
with specially trained police force to ensure law and order for safety of
passengers as well as for those properties. It will be important to ensure the
safe use of public transport systems and the safety of those by introducing of
laws of how to use public properties. The country will successful in South Asia if the Transportation Ministry
could introduce electric buses for public transport system and remove all gas
equipped buses from roads. Which would be very good for the environment as the
electric transportation will not produce carbon emissions. Sustainable
transport system of environment friendly, in Colombo metro and suburbs.
Over the week we
heard the story of unemployed graduates. As a graduate everyone has the right
to find a suitable jobs for living. The previous government economic plans were
not designed to increase exports or productions of the economy. They relied
market economy; one dominant feature of that policy being more towards bringing
products and services from neighboring China or India & then allowing goods
and services to compete in the market. Ranil and the gang called this as
globalization. Instead of jobs and opportunities they tried to introduce free
WI FI zone in the country to speak to their girl friends and boyfriends. Even
though they were not able to do that, it was just a election promise to snatch
the votes of people for power. So we were able to see many street riots ,unrest
and tear gas, rubber bullets gun shots over the years.It is because when they
are not find a way living through the education, it is obvious the graduates
will challenge the law of the country
through street fights and picketing campaigns. It was the tragic era of our
university graduates. Uncertainty was looming everywhere in the country. Many
people were uncertain whether they will have the uninterrupted train services
to get to work and come back from the work. As a result there were plenty of
anxiety built up in the minds of the people of the country.
Government has
identified this quite well & has designed the state ministries focusing on
increasing productions, services , export oriented economy, which will be
encouraging domestic handlooms, domestic manufacturing. If the approach would
have been identified early, and implemented 5 years ago, country would have
gained a much stronger economy. As everybody aware Covid-19 has changed
everything including economy. Covid-19 has encouraged every country to have
their own self sufficiency of basic needs. As previous government discouraged
paddy farming and introduced farming of roses for exports, and if continued
doing so, we would have been probably in a huge hunger with no food to eat. The
government is doing their best to create jobs to a better economy. It has been
on media that the investors are interested investing in the country due to
political stability and due to improved safety of the country. The political
stability dramatically improved and the safety of the country in its highest
ratings over the months and will continue to improve and nobody will argue of
its robust development. Our courageous security forces and the president’s
vision is the key for this achievement.
Due to improving
stability of the country it has been able to attract investments of logistics,
rubber related, chemical companies eyeing to do their business in the country.
It is because investing by now will have more economic benefits in the future
for their investments due to rapid future economic development of the region.
Once the country is a resourceful, and safe place for investments they will
invest millions in manufacturing. But
the BOI need to follow strict environmental guidelines before approving those
any project. People of this country don’t need an economic development,
which will cause the damage to our environment and natural beauty of the
country; as a result if the people of this country will need to buy oxygen bags
when they go out for their daily needs. Hon Minister of environment
need to introduce strict laws & regulations to protect them. He needs to
implement strict measures to protect our environment and ecosystems from the
adverse effects of manufacturing plants. Please establish a high powered bench
of expertise of environmentalist and their confidential approval before
starting any manufacturing plant in this country. Again environment
sustainability is the key for development, when BOI need to consider in terms
approving projects.
It has been over
the years and now Sri Lanka state is a transshipment hub in the South Asian
region. The next immediate development would be more advanced and true
logistics and trading hub in South Asian region. When it comes to this status
the companies will establish their manufacturing plants to assemble,
manufacture or value addition activities. When it comes to approving the BOI
need their deep learning with environment experts, and introduce only projects
which are environmentally sustainable. The BOI has to be introduced with a new
additional piece into its logo, which consolidate and critical of environment
sustainability of projects.They need consistently to engage to preserve the
nature of the country. Those
multinational companies bring their logic of multi country consolidation theory
which eventually 100% ownership. But the law of the country only allows 40% and
which must not be changed. The obligated internal compliance to law must not
need to change due to integral facts and environment factors.
The present
government is the hope of people, which would deliver the Sri Lanka; people
want and families long awaiting to achieve after the Independence.
පැහැදිලිවම
A
Bill titled “Provincial of the Teaching Sisters of the Holy Cross of the
Third Order of Saint Francis in Menzingen of Sri Lanka (Incorporation).” පනත්
කෙටුම්පත නීතියක් කිරීමේ ප්රයත්නයේදී තීරණය කර ඇත.
Lt Col. Anil Amarasekera (Retd.) K M B Kotakadeniya (Senior DIG Retd.) –Co-Presidents National Joint Committee
The
National Joint Committee (NJC) wishes to convey its best wishes to his
Excellency the President, and his Government elected with an overwhelming
majority, in Parliament. We have utmost confidence that the Government would
fulfill its pledge to remove numerous constitutional provisions introduced to
the Constitution through many amendments that has plagued the structure of this
state. It was reported in a lead news report that the Minister of Justice Hon.
Ali Sabry is drafting the amendment he intends tabling before Parliament in mid-September,
the contents of which we are unaware.
However
we are perturbed by certain statements supposed to have been made by him in a
televised interview the contents of which are referred to in same newspaper
that ‘Provincial Councils would not be abolished’. He justifies this statement
on the basis that the 13th Amendment involved international obligations on Sri
Lanka as it was promulgated under the Indo-Lanka Accord. We need to remind the
Hon. Minister that India failed to fulfill its part of the obligation including
their obligation to disarm the ruthless terrorists. It was our valiant soldiers
including his Excellency the President that saved this country from brutal
terrorism. Furthermore we do not need anybody’s permission to revise our
constitution. Therefore to say that his Government is not willing to abolish
the 13th Amendment is most unfortunate.
We
have now existed without these provincial councils for almost 3 years. The Provincial
councils are white elephants which this country cannot afford. The 13th
Amendment provides for the creation of ethnic enclaves by amalgamation of
provinces (Article 154A (3)). Police powers are given to the Provincial
Councils (although not implemented yet). The Provincial Police force is to be
controlled by the Chief Minister of the Province (vide clause 11:1 of Appendix
I of the Provincial Council List in the 9th Schedule). The LTTE is
commemorated by racist politicians even today.
Since
Parliament is able to repeal its own laws with a simple majority it should also
be able to repeal Provincial legislation too sans a two thirds majority.
(Article 154G (2) and (3)) The NJC is strongly of the view that the supremacy
of Parliament must be maintained and for that purpose the power of Parliament
hitherto exercised (prior to 1987) must be restored forthwith. The provisions
introduced for provincial legislation to supersede national legislation (Article
154G (8) and (9)) should be removed. The powers included in the Provincial Council
List pertaining to ‘Ancient and Historical monuments and records’ should also
be repealed.
Accordingly
we call upon the Government to rescind these obnoxious provisions forthwith. It
was also reported that the Government intends to amend some of the provisions
introduced by the 19th Amendment and to postpone dealing with other objectionable
provisions for a future occasion. It is necessary to place on record that this
Government came into power to restore the lost rights of the people forcibly removed
through these amendments more specifically by the 13th and 16th Amendments.
Therefore these injustices must be rectified forthwith as a matter of priority.
We also strongly urge the Government to do away with the existing proportional representation
system of elections and revert to the first past the post system as it existed
prior to 1978.
We
do not see any rational reason in abolishing the 19th Amendment and postponing the
correction of other historical injustices thrust upon the people by successive governments
through the present constitution and its amendments. Therefore we urge that
this Government harness all its available resources to rearrange the
constitutional structure of the state forthwith as a new constitutional
arrangement is the wish of all the people that voted this Government to office.
The NJC has done a comprehensive study of the historical injustices caused by
the aforementioned amendments and therefore we are in a position to assist the
Government in the preparation of a new constitutional arrangement if an
opportunity is given.
Lt
Col. Anil Amarasekera (Retd.) K M B Kotakadeniya (Senior
DIG Retd.)
The Bribery Commission has filed indictment against former minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and two others for allegedly causing losses to the state when leasing out the Modara Fisheries Harbour in 2014.
The other two defendants in the case include the former Chairman of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC) Upali Liyanage and its former Managing Director Neil Ravindra Munasinghe.
The indictment has been filed under section 70 of the Bribery Act and on five charges.
They are accused of causing losses to the government by persuading the Director Board of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation to lease the Modara Fisheries Harbour to a private company for an insufficient sum between the period from August 01 and November 01, 2014.
SLFP Central Committee decided to appoint a committee of experts to draft recommendations and suggestions for the proposed new constitution, headed by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
President assures a New Constitution with “One Country & One Law” and a change in the Electoral sytem
Full text of the Policy Statement delivered by President Rajapaksa at the inaugural session of the Ninth Parliament:
The election held on August 5th marked a turning point in the history of Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka.
We asked the people to give us a 2/3rd majority to form a stable government.
First of all, I would like to thank and extend my gratitude to all the patriotic Sri Lankans for giving Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and its allied parties a historic and resounding 2/3rd majority for the first time in the history in an election held under the Proportional Representation System.
Universal suffrage is a democratic right that we must all respect and uphold. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Sri Lankan voters who exercised their voting right in this election.
During the Presidential Election held last November, over 6.9 million people gave me a decisive mandate, placing a very high confidence in me. So far through my actions, I have proved that I will uphold the promise that I will not violate the trust they placed on me.
The period between the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election has been very challenging for us. What we inherited was an economy that had collapsed. Since we did not have a majority in Parliament we were compelled to function with a minority government. In addition, we had to face the COVID-19 pandemic that disabled the entire world during that period. At a time when even the most powerful countries in the world were left helpless in the wake of COVID – 19 catastrophe, we were able to successfully face the challenge. Even foreign nations praised our efforts to prevent the spreading of the pandemic.
The historic mandate received by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has proven that people are impressed with the way we have governed the country during the past 9 months despite various obstacles.
People appreciate the change taking place in the political culture of this country.
As representatives of the people, we always respect the aspirations of the majority. It is only then that the sovereignty of the people can be safeguarded.
In accordance with the supreme Constitution of our country, I have pledged to protect the unitary status of the country and to protect and nurture the Buddha Sasana during my tenure. Accordingly, I have set up an advisory council comprising leading Buddhist monks to seek advice on governance. I have also established a Presidential Task Force to protect places of archeological importance and to preserve our Buddhist heritage.
While ensuring priority for Buddhism, it is now clear to the people that freedom of any citizen to practice the religion of his or her choice is better secured.
The Government has paid special attention to the protection of national heritage, culture and our identity as well as the protection and promotion of performing arts and folk arts.
When we took over the government, the confidence of the people in the security of the country had been severely dented due to the Easter Sunday attacks that occurred in 2019. Establishing firmly that the prime policy of our Government is national security, we have restructured the security apparatus and intelligence services, eliminating the fears of the people thereby restoring the security of the country. We have re-created an environment where any citizen can live freely without any fear for the safety of themselves and their families.
As I have pledged, the launch of the methodical mechanism to protect the people against social evils such as the activities of the underworld and the drug menace that have been a hindrance to the day-to-day lives of the people has also increased the confidence of the public.
Accordingly, a virtuous and a law-abiding society is emerging as we promised.
We are working towards a significant transformation of the political culture of this country.
After I assumed office as the President, changing the existing system, a methodical procedure was introduced to appoint heads of Government institutions whereby qualifications of prospective appointees were examined through a panel of experts. A well-experienced team of professionals, entrepreneurs and academics was appointed instead of relatives, acquaintances and followers. This policy will continue in the future as well.
We also took measures to build a production economy. Paddy farmers were given a higher guaranteed price for their products. We took steps to protect local farmers by halting importation of exportable produce for re-export as well as banning importation of crops that could have been grown locally. Farmers were provided with required fertilizer free of charge. People were encouraged to re-cultivate abandoned lands throughout the country. Through all these, we provided a new lease of life to the agricultural sector in this country.
After we assumed office, we provided tax concessions targeting local entrepreneurs. Interest rates were brought down to encourage businesses. Competitive imports were restricted in order to protect local entrepreneurs and industrialists.
It is clear that people enthusiastically supported us in this election due to the trust we have been able to build in them in this manner. We will continue to serve the people in a manner that affirms this trust.
It is equally important to precisely interpret the mandate given by the people. We respect the trust that the people have placed in me and the Prime Minister and the newly elected people’s representatives. We have a clear understanding of the expectations with which the people gave such a powerful mandate to the government. We will leave no room for such expectations to be dashed for any reason.
It should always be remembered that the prime responsibility of a people’s representative is to serve the public. We will be sensitive to fulfilling the needs of the people, keeping in mind that all these positions are responsibilities and not privileges.
I travelled all over the country to support every candidate who represented our group in this election. Instead of holding political rallies, I went to the people during these visits and listened to their grievances directly.
A large majority of issues presented by the general public were not personal, but they were common issues.
Even after 72 years of freedom, simple issues have not been resolved.
There are people who do not possess proper deeds for the lands on which they have lived for many years. We will provide them with legitimate deeds utilizing a swift and due process. I assure you that without a proper alternative we will not evict people from their ancestral homes or farmlands.
Human-Elephant conflict has become a major issue to the people. A group of experts has already been appointed to craft a feasible solution for this issue. A separate state ministry was established solely for this purpose because we are aware that this issue needs a sustainable solution.
An incredible percentage of people across the country suffer from a shortage of drinking water. We will take necessary steps to address these humane issues. As a national policy, we will enact procedures to provide drinking water to every part of the country.
Parents request for their children’s education suitable schools. The shortage of national schools was evident in every area. Most schools have significantly inadequate facilities. The shortage of teachers, laboratories, libraries and sports facilities was frequently mentioned. Although we request students to follow science and technical subjects in order to successfully contribute to the economy, their schools do not even have basic facilities to teach those subject streams.
Funds expended by the government for children to pursue their ambitions and to hone their skills are an investment for the future. We will accord priority to resolve these issues through the ministries which had been assigned with new responsibilities.
Both resources and facilities in rural hospitals are inadequate. There is a considerable shortage of doctors, nurses and other staff in these hospitals. Patients in some areas have to travel long distances to seek treatment. We will eliminate these discrepancies in the delivery of free healthcare facilities for people.
Both Ayurvedic and indigenous medicinal systems will be preserved and promoted.
Instead of spending large amounts of foreign exchange to import medicine, we have already commenced operations to manufacture medicines locally. We will also eradicate corruption which occurs in the importation of medicine. This is why we formed a separate state ministry to manufacture, supply and regulate medicine.
A large percentage of citizens of this country, earn their livelihood through self-employment. Also, a large number of people depend on agriculture. Their sole requests are for adequate water and fertilizer during their cultivation seasons. We should address these issues. Therefore we will implement a broad set of activities to rehabilitate the tanks and to develop the irrigation system across the country.
Another major social issue faced by the youth is unemployment. Both short term and long term solutions have been discussed to address this issue.
We have already commenced a programme to provide employment for 100,000 persons representing the most underprivileged families in the country. Simultaneously, we have set plans in motion to provide job opportunities to 50,000 graduates and train them to render their services efficiently.
When offering government job opportunities, we will accord priority to poorest of the households. Further, we will have to ensure equal distribution of job opportunities for every province.
Every appointee to the government should contribute productively to the country. Therefore, no unnecessary and arbitrary enrollment will be allowed to any ministry or institution.
Both ministries and state ministries will work in cooperation with the respective private sector establishments in the industry to generate job opportunities.
In addition, we will take necessary steps to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship in each industry as well.
Our duty and responsibility is not to distribute job opportunities but to generate them.
In order to overcome both local and global challenges and revive the economy, we will have to adopt new ways of thinking. Out of the box thinking is required in order to meet the economic challenges. This time, the ministries have been formed with this thought in mind.
We have ascertained the requirement for a people-centric economy for our economic revival. When forming ministries, special attention was given in assigning their subjects and tasks to cover fields such as agriculture, plantations, fisheries, traditional industries and promotion of self-employed job opportunities which affect most of the people in the country.
Our basic aims are to strengthen the local economy and to increase export income.
Currently the income from tea, coconut and rubber industries is not at a satisfactory level.
We will commence operations to develop tea plantations and at the same time, the government will assist the small and medium scale tea estate owners as well. Due to the shutting down of tea factories, tea estate owners have encountered a number of difficulties. We will restart these factories and eliminate existing irregularities simultaneously encouraging the export of high quality tea products. We will reclaim the global brand name we held for Ceylon Tea.
We will also encourage planting of new coconut saplings. In order to enact a reasonable price for rubber, local rubber industrialists will be encouraged to utilize local rubber. Plantation of palm oil trees will be stopped completely.
We promote the production of export crops such as pepper and cinnamon. We will provide opportunities to generate substantial foreign exchange by providing a stable price to the farmers through value addition to agricultural products and exporting them.
In assigning responsibilities to ministries, special attention was paid to the development of urban as well as rural infrastructure facilities and to find solutions to the issue of housing for the people.
We have taken measures to identify several sectors that can directly contribute to the development of the country and to appoint State Ministers responsible for these tasks and to assign them the relevant subjects and activities.
As human resource development has been identified as a priority, the subject of education has been brought under one Ministry and four State Ministers were appointed for different responsibilities therein. Separate State Ministries for Pre-School, Education Reforms, Skills Development as well as Dhamma School and Bhikku Education have been set up due to their importance.
In achieving our future objectives, special attention needs to be paid to technical education. We will pay special attention in education reforms in respect of Grade 6 to Grade 13.
We will increase the capacity of Universities enabling all students who pass the Advanced Level Examination to pursue university education. Further, we will take measures to improve the Open University network and Distance Learning methods. The curriculum will be revised to ensure that these degree subjects would directly contribute to the growth of the economy.
The cost of electricity is an important factor that impacts the economic development process of the country. Therefore, a separate State Ministry has been set up to promote renewable energy sources.
Focus of relevant ministries will be directed to assist entrepreneurs to use modern technology for value addition, to encourage innovation and to explore new market opportunities in a creative manner.
Although our country is rich in natural resources, the value adding industries are not yet on par with international standards. Measures are afoot to earn a large sum of foreign exchange by adding value to the export of natural resources such as gems and minerals.
Methodical development of our traditional industries such as Batik, local apparel, brass, cane, pottery, furniture, gem and jewellery will pave the way for the country to promote self-employment, to generate new employment opportunities as well as to build businesses and earn a large amount of foreign exchange.
One third of country’s population depends on agriculture, plantation and fisheries as their livelihood. We should raise the living standards of these people. The development of these industries requires a new approach based on technology that goes beyond traditional methods. This is why ministries directly targeting several sectors related to agriculture, plantation and fisheries have been set up to focus attention on this matter.
We will take measures to introduce high quality packaging as well as proper transport facilities to deliver the best quality produce, minimizing wastage while taking steps to produce high quality seeds locally with the aim of providing such seeds to the farming community. We will take necessary measures to develop dairy and poultry industries.
We will also target to increase the production of organic fertilizer locally with the aim of producing toxin free foods and in the next decade to ensure total organic farming in Sri Lanka.
We are targeting a massive progress in the fisheries sector. We should halt the importation of fish into our country as our motherland is surrounded by the ocean. We will introduce a comprehensive programme to provide new technology and equipment needed to enhance the fisheries sector. All the fishery harbours will be modernized to provide facilities for multi-day fishing boats that fish in deep seas. Similarly, we will take steps to build new harbours as per any necessity.
We will bring a halt to the plundering of our oceans by unlawful foreign fishing vessels.
It is part of our strategy to introduce new technology to develop the inland fresh water fisheries industry.
The scopes and responsibilities of each Ministry and State Ministry have been demarcated very clearly. Through this initiative it is expected that the relevant Ministers will implement policies for related fields as well as to take steps to monitor the functions, activities and efficiency of State Ministries. The State Ministers are able to fulfill their respective duties and responsibilities without any hindrance as the monetary provisions required to implement development projects and financial responsibility are directly placed with them.
People are of the view that they are not getting the expected service from the public service in an efficient manner. Therefore, I request all the Ministers and State Ministers to take steps to provide fast and efficient service to the public via Ministries, Departments and Institutions that come under their purview. During my recent visits to several State institutions, I observed that some institutional procedures of those institutions do not add any value to the government or to the public but only waste the time of the public. You should identify new methods to provide efficient, speedy and convenient service to the public instead of continuing with prevailing traditional methods. You need to re-engineer the processes for greater productivity and customer satisfaction. We should find new technological solutions in this regard.
In the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, we promised the people that we would eradicate waste and corruption. This is a core responsibility of all of us. We will take steps to completely eradicate waste and corruption in all the Ministries and institutions. In future I will not hesitate to enforce the law against those who are involved in fraud and corrupt actions, irrespective of the status of any such perpetrators.
Constantly I will review the progress of the achievement of the goals of the Government that are implemented through Ministries and the public sector. If I find any Ministry failing to achieve its set targets, I will not hesitate to effect necessary changes to implement policies of the Government.
In the current political culture, most of the people’s representatives, after they get elected, neglect the prime duty of going to the people. When I travelled round the country in the recent past, this was confirmed by the people who voiced their grievance on this matter. Henceforth, ministers, state ministers as well as members of Parliament will fulfill this expectation of the people by visiting them often to understand their issues and find solutions to their issues.
The basis of the success of a democratic state is its constitution. Our Constitution, which has been amended 19 times, from its inception in 1978, has many ambiguities and uncertainties, presently resulting in confusion. As the people have given us the mandate we wanted for a constitutional amendment, our first task will be to remove the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. After that, all of us will get together to formulate a new constitution suitable for the country. In this, the priority will be given to the concept of one country, one law for all the people.
An unstable Parliament that cannot take firm decisions and succumbs to extremist influences very often is not suitable for a country. While introducing a new constitution, it is essential to make changes to the current electoral system. While retaining the salutary aspects of the proportional representation system, these changes will be made to ensure stability of the Parliament and people’s direct representation.
I love my country. I am proud of my country. I have a vision for my country. Our ardent desire is to build a prosperous nation with a productive citizen, contented family and a righteous society. What we have done so far as well as the plans we propose to implement in future will be aimed to achieve this objective.
We have arrived at an important landmark in history. The people have given the current government a massive mandate. We have been given the responsibility to take the country towards prosperity while safeguarding the people and protecting the sovereignty of the country without succumbing to any force. The present generation must fulfill that responsibility for the sake of the future generations.
This is the Motherland of all of us. Hence, the time has come for all of us to join hands for the sake of the country irrespective of race, religion or party differences.
I extend my hand of friendship to everyone to join me in building the prosperous nation we promised to our people.
According
to this individual going by the name of Basil Rajapakse, a new Constitution is
a must and it is being introduced to the people of Sri Lanka for their
betterment and cannot be changed at the will and pleasure of the people.
Reaffirming
what was said on 09 Jul 20, this brash individual likened the Constitution to a
shirt; Sri Lanka’s Constitution is torn in 19 places and has patches all over
it; it perforce must be replaced with a brand-new shirt, of Basil’s choice,
which will not tear easily.
The
immediate need before a new Constitution is introduced, is abolishing the 19th
Amendment” said our man Basil Rajapakse.
Who on
Earth or hell is this Basil Rajapakse and what gave Him the Right to decide
whether a New Constitution is needed and the type of Constitution?
B R
is sworn to look after US interests wherever he may be
The Basil
Rajapakse we are speaking of is an American. This American upstart is telling
us, why Sri Lanka needs a New Constitution and what type of Constitution we
must settle for.
He was
born in Sri Lanka and had been a member of the UNP. In 1997 he, with his
family, migrated to the US, forsaking his Motherland.
In the
US, Basil Rajapakse applied for US citizenship; he was made a US Citizen after
he convinced the US Government that he and his family would faithfully serve
the US and its interests, as loyal subjects of that country.
Basil
Rajapakse made this point emphatically (See the box below if you care to see
the Oath of Allegiance Basil took) when he swore that he had, without remorse,
severed all loyalties and fidelities to Sri Lanka and that he was disowning his
Motherland; he swore that he would always work with US interests at heart,
wherever that would be, even at the peril of risking his life to that end.
It
naturally followed that this Basil Rajapakse would physically take up arms,
even against Sri Lanka, on behalf of the US. If Sri Lanka and the US were to be
in conflict with each other, Basil Rajapakse has pledged that Sri Lanka would
be his Enemy.
Even
if Sri Lanka and the US were not in conflict with each other, it would, always
be US interest that this Basil would be pursuing, even if it meant jettisoning
Sri Lanka’s interest.
With what
authority is an American speaking to the Sri Lankan people and deciding on what
is good or bad for them?
Basil
Rajapakse happens to be a younger brother of Mahinda Rajapakse the Country’s
beloved and charismatic hero. Mahinda and his family would never dream of
forsaking their Motherland, pledging loyalty to a Foreign country and working
disgracefully towards achieving Enemy ends. Mahinda would rather die with his
boots on than denigrate himself to such low levels.
Mahinda
is a courageous man and for him, there are no Goliaths amongst the community of
Nations. The interest of all Sri Lankans is what matters to him most.
But Basil
is a different kettle of fish; to him, loyalties do not matter. What does it
take for a man, who without batting an eyelid abandons and sell his Motherland,
to plot the downfall of his own brother?
During
the recently concluded General Elections, there was a strong undercurrent of
forces working against Mahinda to oust him from Kurunegala and deprive him of a
seat in Parliament. This was the plan of the US that leaked out; the Americans
consider Mahinda a threat to their plans and wanted him out of Parliament; they
did not want him to be the Prime Minister.
With
Mahinda out of way (if the American plan had worked) the Americans had made
plans for Basil, Ranil and Premadasa. In those circumstances, who would the
Prime Minister have been? who would the Deputy PM have been, a post that has
been planned for by the Americans? Is this the reason why Ranil is yet sticking
on and insisted on having for himself the single slot that the UNP has in
Parliament? Is this the reason why Basil is making loud political sounds?
The
Americans failed to achieve their objectives at the Elections; they are
regrouping. Mahinda has to be careful and look over his shoulders. He and his
team in Parliament are needed to stop the MCC and prevent the American takeover
of the country
Basil’s
Need to repeal Amendment 19
Amendment
19 is undoubtedly an obnoxious piece of legislation and needs to be repealed,
but not entirely. Before Amendment 19 came into force Americans (and other
foreign Nationals) through the mechanism of dual citizenship had a ‘right’ to
rule Sri Lanka.
Amendment
19 put an end to it. With Amendment 19 in place, Basil Rajapakse the American,
is not eligible to enter Parliament nor eligible to be the President of the
country.
The
obnoxious clauses in Amendment 19 must be repealed but those provisions that
prevent the Americans from ruling this country must be retained at all costs;
indeed, this thread of thought must be extended to include all political and
public life including holding posts in political parties.
Why is it
unsuitable for Basil to hold any Political position/ post in this
country?
Basil is
an American and is compelled to look after American interest and not Sri Lankan
interests. At this moment, relations with the US are on edge and every
possibility of the situation deteriorating further.
At this
juncture the major issues with the Americans are the MCC, ACSA and SOFA;
critical decisions affecting our National Security and Sovereignty have to be
taken and to say that Basil is a security risk is a gross understatement; the
same argument holds for Moragoda and his team surrounding the President. In all
their decisions they are required to look at US interests and how all these fit
in with US designs in pivoting to Asia.
The need
for a new Constitution?
Basil has
indicated the need for a new Constitution. That is exactly what the Americans
want. The present Executive system of Government is what the Country needs
especially at this time because it provides for strong Government; strong
Government gives the President the best opportunity to meet the threats solidly
as it did during the terrorist campaign and to develop the country.
The
arguments adduced by Basil for a new Constitution are strangely, naïve. The
Constitution is not an ornament; the amendments to a Constitution reflect the
vibrancy of a democracy. India for example has a 104 Amendments, the US a 27,
Germany a 62 and so forth.
This is a
crucial period of our history and we shall overcome the threats from the MCC,
ACSA and SOFA. Mahinda got a strong mandate from the people and has the
political craftiness engrained in him. Gota is a good administrator and must
lean towards him. Together, they can steer the country out of the woods with
the people’s support.
“I,
Basil Rohana Rajapaksa, hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely
renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince,
potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a
subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of
the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on
behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform non-combatant
service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that
I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when
required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
This
paper details the concept of economic development to jump start the rural
economy and alleviate poverty beyond COVID 19.
The
strategy is to combine the presently available infrastructure and
administrative facilities and bring a new dimension of human motivation
factors, as well as, to adding new resources to strength the weak areas and
those that are non-existent presently.
The paper commences with the author’s assumptions, followed by three critical parameters necessary for accelerated development. They are:
(i) A motivated workforce (ii) Efficient infrastructure facilities (iii) A dedicated administrative structure
The
paper thereafter proposes the development of an action plan. The main features
being:
(i) Objectives, (ii) Activities to achieve the objectives, (iii) Work hours needed to achieve objectives, (iv) Cost estimation of the total project (v) Monitoring and evaluation methods, (vi) Expected benefits and ripple effects to the total economy.
ARTHIKA
DUPATHA (ECONOMIC OASIS)
(This is a concept to jump start the rural economy and alleviate poverty
beyond COVID 19 using presently available infrastructure and administrative
facilities and adding new resources where necessary. It is pertinent to mention
that agricultural and industrial revolutions took place in all ancient
civilizations and in the recent world in a similar fashion. In other words,
provision of administrative functions and supervision from a central node
radiating outwards in every direction. At the same time, the provision of
facilities for growing harvesting and manufacturing and social and recreational
facilities for comfortable living to every citizen)
Qualifications
and Assumptions by the author
The author is not aware of the present ground situation
Believes that a part of the infrastructure needs mentioned
below are in existence but not necessarily inter connected
Aware that agronomical activities are going on but without
the necessary support services that are necessary
Assumes that adding value to agricultural produce to the final
market is limited
Believes that there is no
sophisticated processing of goods to the local and export market
Structure is not adequate
to meet what is proposed here
Believes that product
planning and marketing of finished goods is weak or non-existent.
Believes that the farming
community and the entrepreneur circles do not have a coherent structure or plan
Aware that a coherent
administrative system existed under the British rule to cater to their
mercantile interests and unfortunately due to political expediency this
excellent system without being adopted to suit new independent Sri Lanka was
jerry meandered and torn apart.
The process of economic development with special emphasis on agroindustry
and poverty alleviation
The
economic advancement of a country depends on three critical parameters. They
are;
1. A motivated workforce,
2. Efficient infrastructure
facilities,
3. A dedicated
administrative structure
Critical Parameter 1.
– A motivated workforce
The
different facets of human development, motivating people and making them
productive and goal oriented are based on the well renowned and tested theories
of psychologists/behavioral scientists over the years. In order for us to succeed we must pay heed to
the observations of these experts.
In my opinion, any leader, be they, Civil,
Military or Political, need to listen and comprehend and thereafter be guided
by their observations.
Over the last 80 years, most developed
countries, as well as, fast developing countries have followed them and
benefitted in areas such as military strategy, economic development and
civilian administration
I have highlighted in this conceptual paper, the motivational theories of
four leading members of this group so as to give a background on human behavior
in relation to what is proposed here (see appendix 1).
Based
on the factors introduced here by the four renowned thinkers our planners and
movers can lay the foundations for success and longevity of this initiative
Arthika Dupath
as”
(It is important to read Appendix 1 before you
continue to read the rest of the paper)
The
process of economic advancement depends, not alone, on rules and regulations,
sweat and labor, but also, on the basic and secondary human needs of both the
administrators and the target group namely, the citizens. This is the reason
I have highlighted the theories of the four leading thinkers of human psychology
and motivation (appendix 1) so that the planners and administrators could evaluate
their own status as well those of the target group and utilize these findings
on motivation so that they will be guided by them when executing this project
or any other project
Therefore,
any plan needs to cater to their human needs, such as, comfort, security,
safety, relaxation, togetherness, laughter, camaraderie, fear for their children’s
future and security of work environment. Given below are
examples:
Comfort: Many households and homesteads
in the countryside do not have the space for relaxation in their homes due to
limited space
Security & safety: Many do not have a
secure place to leave the children while they work, store their valuables, emergency
call system in case of illness or accidents, nursing care, among others
Relaxation: In the villages
relaxation is limited due to cost of facilities such as TV, video, music
systems etc.
Togetherness: This is limited due to
long hours of work, chores of fetching water, washing clothes among others
Laughter. Due to heavy every day
burdens this is limited
Camaraderie: this normally develops in
the workplace and continues thereafter but is limited due to work pressure and
cultural barriers
Children’s future: Most parents wish to
give their children access to better education than they had but this is
limited in the country side. This is available in the cities, towns, the village
schools do not have adequate teachers on the STEM system (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics) neither do they have, well equipped laboratory facilities and
the required infrastructure.
Security of work
environment: the systems available in the
countryside are weak and lopsided in areas, such as, infrastructure facilities,
storage facilities, transport systems, cool rooms, and repair workshops. There are no schemes for forward guarantee,
fair pricing and guaranteed purchase schemes of the crops and products at
harvest time. On the side of post-harvest
activities scant attention is given to selection of quality products,
modern packaging, semi and full processing of products. This contributes to
waste and spoilage as much as 40% of the produce before it reaches the consumer
What
we really need is a new way of thinking to overcome all these deficiencies. The concept proposed below is to develop
satellite facility centers ARTHIKA DUPATAs” (ADs) that cater to the target
group, administrators, planners and the general population as a whole.
(2a) Administrative buildings (existing buildings could be
utilized, if available) for various administrative activities. The permanent
administrators, technical staff, teachers and other professionals will reside
permanently in the houses that are provided in the special housing schemes.
(2b) Health care facilities: This wouldconsist of a General Hospital, An Ayurveda hospital
complex, Maternity care center, infant
milk feeding center, Crèche, Day care
center, Seniors’ home and care centers
among others
(2c) Police Post and Court complex, correction facilities and other legal facilities
(2d) Library and reading facilities with computer backup
(2e) Outdoor and indoor recreational and Sports facilities such as volleyball,
badminton, basketball, tennis, swimming etc.
Indoor recreation facilities such as board games, carrom, darts, chess,
draughts, table tennis, among others. These facilities to be available to all
citizens in the ‘Arthika Dupathas’.
Musical center catering to those inclined to learn to play musical
instruments, to sing and learn various dance forms.
(2f) Banking and other financial facilities such as Development banking,
Commercial Banking, micro finance facilities, financial advisory centers among
others
(2g) Industrial complex with facilities for milling, grinding, forging, welding, arc
furnace, blacksmiths, wood working among others. A dedicated facility for canning, aseptic
packaging, crushing, mincing, juicing and bottling facilities, semi processing
products, freeze packaging among others, where entrepreneurs, farmers and
growers and small businesses could use these
facilities under supervision on a usage-based time payment basis.
Medium
to large scale Processing and Production facilities in partnership with the
private sector to manufacture finished products such as fruit juices, other
beverages, different types of sauces, jams and preservatives, milk and meat
products both for the export market and
the local market
(2h)
Efficient road network, transport system and communication network
(2i) Agrarian Center to propagate and sell plants and seedlings, plant nurseries,
compost organic soils, agricultural tools and gardening implements.
(2j) Educational facilities such as,
A Senior/ Secondary/ Primary school (a la Royal College). Existing
schools if any could be upgrade with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and
proficient and experienced teachers. Encourage top grade teachers to
permanently reside here, special allowances such as distress allowance, free
travel facilities to be provided. Apart from all the welfare facilities such
as, subsidized/free housing, social and recreational facilities mentioned
elsewhere.
(2k) Agri Skills training and Demonstration Centre for training of better
farming methods, preparation of fertilizer, skill training in apiary( bee keeping), aqua culture
(aquarium fish), sericulture (silk worm rearing), animal husbandry, manufacture
of milk products such as cheese, yoghurt, curd, butter, weaving and reed ware
etc.
(2 l) Technical school to teach theory and practice in technical and technological fields
(2m) Skills training Centre based on the German
Gymnasium system. In this system basic skills training is divided into 120 job
categories such as, scientific sewing, hair dressing, personals care, culinary
work, book keeping, draughtsmanship, secretarial work, woodwork, carpentry,
lathing, welding and soldering, electrical work, electronics, animal husbandry,
among others
(2n) Religious facilities: Places of worship for all faiths with assembly halls
for children’s religious education
(2o) Social facilities Centre such as theatre, film center,
facility for weddings, receptions and social gatherings, meeting rooms for
conferences and workshops
(2p) Last rites facilities: funeral parlous and crematoriums and cemeteries,
(2q) Food catering Center: Mixed food court (like in Singapore) where the common
man and the high official can eat in the same environment.
(2r) Storage facilities such as, large warehouses, silos for paddy and pulses, corn,
semi processed products such as cassava chips, pepper, cinnamon etc. Cool rooms
for tobacco leaves for export, canned fruits and juices, medicinal plants,
among others
(2s) Housing complexes for all administrative staff, teachers and other
professional staff so that they live on a permanent basis while they are employed
in the AD
(2t) A mixed market place. Market stalls for fresh vegetables, fruits and a wet
market for meat and fish, a market for dry goods groceries together with
facilities for a weekly ‘pola’
(2u) Water Body: If there is an existing lake (‘weva’) to be improved. In the absence of one, to create a water body
for example, by damning a river or building an aqueduct to transport water from
another water source
(2v) Waste processing and disposal Centre for proper sanitation environmental
care
(2w) Solar farms to generate electricity for the total complex
(2x) Rain harvesting system to conserve water to be used for non-drinking purposes
(2y) Bio gas production unit, incinerators etc., where agricultural and
other waste could be converted into gas.
Most
of the towns in our target areas came up unplanned, as such, the farming
community, micro, small and medium business community self-employed people and
town administrators who live around these towns do not have a planned network
to interlink their work.
All requirement s stated above may not be
present currently. Therefore, an attempt needs to be made to coordinate
existing activities and bridge the gaps with the introduction of additional
utilities.
Critical Parameter 3 – A dedicated
Administrative Structure
Action Plan
What
is planned here is a dedicated environment with planners executors, responsible
administrators in all fields, working in coordination with the target
population.
A
Working Plan (WP) to be devised with a Mission, planned specific activities, role of the administrators and
the target groups,
Therefore,
the Working Plan (WP) would consist of
(i) Mission/project objectives
(ii) Activities to achieve
objectives
(iii) Work hours needed to achieve all activities
(iv) Estimated total project expenses,
(v) Monitoring and evaluation systems, and
(vi) Expected total benefits
(vii) Ripple effects
The
plan should be accepted and endorsed by all through seminars, people
participation work groups, fact finding discussions etc. The target population
should be aware off all the activities and benefits and believe that they have
contributed to the plan
The administrators chosen for the task force must be knowledgeable,
dedicated and motivated to give off their best continuously.
WP (i) Project objective/mission
To
set up comprehensive package of facilities for less developed areas in the
country in order to enhance to the maximum all aspect of human life both social
and economic. This in turn will bring benefits to the total economy of the
country.
WP (ii) Activities to achieve objective
Selection of target area.
Initially the district areas to be identified
are from the periphery as they are more isolated as against districts with
major towns and better infrastructure. A tentative list is given below (later
to be prioritized by the project planners)
Initially, one Arthika Dupatha to be established in one District
as a pilot project. The location to be carefully selected avoiding any major
towns already developed
(a)
Identify already existing buildings and infrastructure facilities that are
currently available that can be altered and utilized for the activities 2a
to 2y mentioned above. If any are inadequate
or absent, then new facilities to be added or constructed.
(b).
Identify activities that bring economic benefits. These will be influenced by
what is feasible in the specific area.
Given
below are examples (see appendix 2)
(Please read appendix 2 before proceeding)
(
c) Administrative action
(i)Define
owner farmers and registered growers their extension of land, what is presently
grown and the average quantity in every harvest.
(ii) Invite private sector to invest in medium and
large farms, individually or in cooperation with local entrepreneurs and land
owners.
(iii)Based
on an overall plan, give contracts for production based on specific quantities
needed in the market so that oversupply does not reduce prices, create
wastage/spoilage, lead to protests and demonstrations.
(iv) Provide extension such as business and
technical advice, provision of top-quality seeds and seedlings (young plants),
encourage organic fertilizer, facilitate implements on loan from the Implements
Loan bank. Provide agricultural extension in all areas.
(v) In the case of animal husbandry, provide top quality
(good stock) milch cows (calves), kids (goats), sheep(lamb), pigs (piglets}
pullets(chicks), ducklings and veterinary extension.
(vi) Provide financial facilities to purchase
livestock, seed, seedlings fertilizer, farm implements, etc.
(vii) Provide collection and storage facilities,
inculcate good packaging techniques among others.
(viii) Guarantees for all producers. These
fundamental assurances mentioned below will be crucial especially during
harvest time such as, storage facilities, buy back at farm gate, transport into
cool rooms all perishable items, fixed prices, buy back guarantees with prices
mutually agreed upon
(ix) Organize
factory production in the complex for products such as fruit juices and
cordials, jams, preservatives, pickles, condiments, frozen goods, meat and
poultry by products, milk products using state of the art packaging techniques
such as aseptic packaging (tetra pack), frozen packs, bottling and tin cans, so
that all grown and produced items and their by- products are made ready for
local and international market
(x)
To aid micro businesses, organize Business Cocoons (a concept introduced by,
the author in South Africa) see appendix 3
(xi)
Bring back the old ‘Rajakariya” system, i.e., compulsory voluntary work from
all citizens. Suggest that each citizen to provide 7 days free labor/work per
year for the government).
Examples
of what they can provide, are cleaning the environment, tree planting, painting
buildings, cutting drainage canals, clearing roads and beaches of debris,
teaching, manning day care centers, teaching English, providing sewing classes
etc.,
(xii)
Environment friendly activities; organize a tree planting campaign on all roads
(both sides) as well as on the boundaries of rivers, reservoirs and other water
bodies, with a mixture of selected trees that has economic and environmental
benefits.
Examples
are, Food trees ( Jak, Bread
fruit, etc.), medicinal (‘aralu’,’bulu,’ etc) hard woods (Teak,
Mahogany , etc.,), soft woods (‘lunumidella,’ kapok, etc), flowering
trees (Jacaranda, Flamboyant, etc), shade trees (‘mara,’ ‘nuga’
etc,).
(xiii)
Plan and execute and back up for all items mentioned in 2a to 2y previously
(xiv)
Develop planning charts for every activity (templates available with the writer.)
C. Total work hours needed
Prepare
charts showing activity, work-hours of each individual involved with planning,
execution and monitoring, time span for completion, monitoring and evaluation
Projections
for work hours needed would include work hours of each individual both
administrative, supervision, labour hours for every activity from commencement
to completion. Please note accurate assessment of total work hours is
critical for cost calculations
D. Cost Calculations
Calculate
the cost of each activity which would include, capital goods, raw materials,
transport, intermediate goods, processing, storage, livestock, factory time
processing into finished and semi-finished goods, packaging marketing costs
etc. Add total work hours for every given activity.
There
are many ways in finding funds for the activities, Possible fund sources are
Government development funds already demarcated to the area, Foreign Aid from
World Bank, Asian Development Bank,
funds from the private sector, Donor funds from different countries, such as,
USAID (USA) GTZ (Germany) CIDA and IDRC (Canada) JAICA(Japan) Sasakwa
foundation (Japan) SIDA (Sweden) FINNIDA (Finland), DANIDA (Denmark) British AID
( UK) AUS AID (Australia), Development
Aid from India, China, Russia, among
others.
Funds
from local billionaires, millionaires, benefactors, investors and other
philanthropists
E. Monitoring and evaluation
M
& E will be based on the activity charts mentioned above. Depending on the
activity the monitoring group will monitor and evaluate on a weekly, monthly,
quarterly basis. If issues arise on projects such as disease and pestilence,
breakdowns and any other unplanned or unexpected cause, course correction will
place at these M&E meetings
F. Total Expected Benefits would include, among others
Appreciation of good benevolent administration/
government,
A development model that can be copied,
Agro based industry centric administrative system
A well-knit and functioning administrativesystem,
Multiple benefits to the whole economy,
Alleviation of poverty especially among the rural poor,
Income generation especially among the youth and women,
A satisfied populace in every aspect of life,
New income generation activities for all,
Social welfare and recreational facilities,
Health care for all,
Constructive law and order for all,
Affordable housing
based on income differences,
Better state of the art education in all relevant fields,
Technical job training,
Job Specific skills training,
Business
opportunities,
Financial intermediaries catering to all entrepreneurs
New entrepreneurship
avenues,
Raw material banks to
facilitate easy access to raw materials,
Farm implement and
tools banks for hiring of implements
Continuous industrial
and agricultural extension activities,
Planned cultivation
schedules based on market demand,
Efficient harvesting,
processing and storage facilities,
State of the art
manufacturing facilities,
Industrial cocoons to
breed new entrepreneurs,
Guaranteed buy back mechanisms for all produce,
Internal and external
marketing and sales structure,
Income/Profits for all
farmers,
Adequate and efficient
transport systems,
Fully employed productive labour ,
Supplementary service
providers,
New entrepreneurs,
New income generating
activities for women at home,
Self-employed individuals
through the cocoon system,
New stay at home
entrepreneurs,
Sub-contracting networks, among others
Ripple effects
Ripple effects would be that all involved in the AD,
individuals, men, women and children be they administrators, service givers,
school goers living in the AD will reach their maximum motivation and
satisfaction levels as described earlier under the analysis of the 4 psychologists
(appendix1)
For
example,
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (refer back) they would have achieved needs such as physical, safety and social, reaching towards self- esteem and self-actualization
needs.
Herzberg’s, both hygiene and motivator factors will be imbibed by most
of the participants both from the administration and private sector partners,
as well as, rest of the people involved in the programme
McGregor’s Theory X and Y. In this case,
those falling into the group under theory X will be compelled to fall in line
as the government and the private sector will need to impose a management
system of coercion, control and punishment to achieve goals defined in the
program and those who fall into the category of Theory Y the rewards and
benefits of the project will be the main motivator
McClelland’s Needs theory of motivation will satisfy those who desire the
need for affiliation, while those seeking the need for power will have their
objectives fulfilled. Those who desire the need for achievement will benefit
most.
In terms of the people and the
country
For the first time since independence a permanent solution to
development of the country will be in force.
When people have regular income and all other needs are
satisfied there will not be a need for insurrection, revolutions, mass
protests, nor will they want to spend their time in protests
People will not migrate to the cities in search of jobs which
will reduce slum dwellings and reduce crime and the drug menace
Government handouts will be less and the proposal is a boost
for poverty alleviation as anyone without employment will be absorbed into the
system
Appendix 1: HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE PEOPLE
Abraham Maslow’s* Hierarchy of Needs in his treatise on theory
of human motivation (1943). He described human needs in ascending order as
Basic Needs
i) Physical, being the need for air, water, rest,
health and physiological as breathing, food, water, sex, homeostats, excretion
and warmth.
ii) Safety and security of body, employment, resources,
morality, family, health, shelter, stability, property, protection, order, law,
limits and stability
Psychological needs
iii. Social, Love,
belonging
Need
for: being loved, belonging, inclusion.
Friendship, family, sexual intimacy
iv. Esteem, Ego
Need
for: self-esteem, power, recognition, Prestige, Confidence, Achievement,
Respect of others, respect by others, Feeling of achievement
Self-fulfillment needs
v. Self-actualization
Need
for: Development, morality, creativity, spontaneity, lack of prejudice,
acceptance of facts
*Abram
Maslow, US Physiologist (1908 to 1970) best known for his theory of Human
motivation ((1943) Hierarchy of needs and Self Actualization
2. Fredrick Herzberg’ s* Two factor theory of motivation- Hygiene factors
and Motivator factors.
Hygiene factors: salaries, wages and
other benefits, company policy and administration, good interpersonal
relationships, quality of supervision, job security, working conditions (when
in place) they result in general satisfaction and prevention of dissatisfaction
Motivator factors: Sense of personal
Achievement, Status, Recognition, Challenging/Stimulating work, Responsibility,
Opportunity for Advancement, Promotion and growth (when in place) they result
in High motivation, High Satisfaction and Strong commitment
*Fredrick
Herzberg. Behavioral scientist (1923-200 best known for his Two Factor Theory
of Motivation (1959)
3. Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Y
Theory X
Individuals who dislike work and avoid it whenever possible.
Individuals who lack ambition dislike responsibility and
prefer to be led
iii. Individuals who
desire security.
The management implications for theory X workers to achieve
organizational (development) objectives a business (government) need to impose
a management system of coercion, control, and punishment
Theory Y
individuals consider effort at work as just like Rest and
play
They
are people who do not dislike work. Depending on the working conditions, work
could be considered a source of satisfaction or punishment
The management implications for theory Y workers are that ,to achieve
organization objectives of rewards of
varying kinds are likely to be the most
popular motivator. Hence the challenge for management (administration) is to
create a working environment (culture)where workers can show and develop their
creativity.
*Douglas
McGregor, (1906-1964) management professor at MIT Sloan School of management
Famous for his Theory X and Y on Human work
motivation (1960)
David Mc Leland’s * Need theory of Motivation
Need for Affiliation
Need for power
Need for achievement
Those
in category one wants to belong to the group, wants to be liked
and will go along with whatever the rest of the group wants to do
Those
in category Two, Want control and influence others, like to win
arguments, enjoy competition and winning and enjoys status and recognition
Those
in Category Three, Sets and accomplishes challenging goals, take
calculated risks, like to receive regular feedback on their progress and
achievement, likes to work alone
*David
McClelland ( 1917 to 1998)Professor of Psychology Harvard University noted for
his work on Motivation need theory(1961)
APPENDIX 2 –
AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS
Paddy cultivation, identify a few high yielding
varieties that are popular with the consumers.
There are serious inefficiencies here which need to be addressed such
as, usage of land left fallow during the seasons when soil enriching other
crops could be grown, wasteful irrigation, haphazard use of fertilizer, primitive methods of
sowing, weeding, too many bunds wasting cultivable land due to the ande”
system and ownership issues, labour
intensive harvesting and threshing, primitive drying methods, bad bagging/packaging and storage. (see an
alternative proposal in Appendix 4)
Cash crops such as onions, chilies, seed potatoes, potatoes, yams,
cassava, sweet potatoes, pulses, soya beans, corn, maize, coriander mustard.
Mung beans, cowpea, Ginger, fenugreek, All varieties of vegetables and gourds
such as water /honey melons, pumpkins, Maringa, among others
Fruit farms (both for export and local consumption), such as, mango,
papaya, banana, pineapple, durian, rambutan, sour sap, oranges grapefruit,
pears, grapes, apples, star fruit, dragon fruit, guavas, straw berries, passion
fruit, pomegranate, tomatoes, limes and lemons,
Spice farms such as cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom, cloves among
others abandoned land/under cultivated/uncultivated land to be acquired and
leased or sold in 5acre blocks to private sector farmers to grow spices for
export (contracts to be sought with spice giants such as McCormic Co of Canada
or USA.
Raw material for small business, cane, reeds, ‘paang, cactus ‘patok’
‘bata’, bamboo, water hyacinth to be used in manufacture of reed ware baskets, mats,
bags, hats and other accessories
Tree fruits such as coconut, breadfruit, jak, durian, Pomelo, avocado,’
goraka’, tamarind, areca nut, wood apple, ‘beli’ fruit, among others
Vegetables of all varieties
Other possible projects
Seri
culture( silk work rearing), apiculture (bee keeping), aqua culture (fish
breeding in lakes and other water bodies),
edible sea fish breeding in netted cages in the estuaries, mangrove
swamp crocodile farming ( for their skins for export) aquarium fish breeding (for
export) edible frog farming for frog legs export, deer and goat farming for
export ,
*The
author is experienced in leading and introducing such projects in many
countries abroad
Micro and Small business. In fields such as,reed ware,
basket ware,
brassware,
ironware, copperware, wood products, bamboo and reed products, clay, stone and cement-based
products, among others.
Service industry: electrical and electronic repairs,
vehicle repairs, cellphone networksetc.
Appendix 3 –
THE INDUSTRIAL
COCOON CONCEPTS
Introduction
A
cocoon is woven by butterflies to grow its young and from this cocoon emerges a
beautiful butterfly. Similarly, we can nurture our aspiring entrepreneurs in a
business cocoon to become successful entrepreneurs
The concept
The
concept although similar to industrial estates, business hives, industrial
parks and incubators is somewhat different. For many years, countries have set
up industrial parks, estates but they have not been efficient or successful due
to many reasons
Why a Cocoon?
The
idea of a cocoon was developed to replace some of the shortcomings of the other
alternatives. The cocoon is a place where micro or small businesses are
assisted with working space, raw materials technical knowhow, machine and tools
on hire, other utilities such as, electricity, water, effluent treatment, rest
room facilities, first aid center,
training services, RD facilities, fire and hazard control, finances, product
design and quality and a market for the product through advance buying
contracts
They
could be clustered as single product cocoon (e.g. straw hats, bamboo table mats, reed
slippers) different products from the same raw materialcocoon,(e.g.
ekle bread baskets, ekle place mats, ekle blinds, ekle artificial flower stems)
handloom weaving etc., different parts to create a final productcocoon
(e.g. leather belts which is leather, metal buckles, decorative metal
studs, locking buttons, belt pouches etc.)
The cocoon will have facilities as per diagram attached
How
do you plan the venture?
1. Location and Premises. Least
expensive and simplest would be to utilize vacant (not in use) buildings such
as warehouses, railway yard buildings, old factory buildings etc.
Another
option would be, used and discarded containers, making them habitable by adding
a roof and cutting doors and windows
More
expensive would be constructing large hangers where factory space could be
demarcated as per diagram.
2. Skills training. Short Training of
entrepreneur skills for 15 days. Skills training on product processing 15 days
3. Utilities. such as, water, electricity, communication
facilities, waste disposal, firefighting equipment among others.
4. Manpower needs. Government/private
sector administrator, first aid nurse and attendant, one or two entrepreneurs
to act as providers of raw materials one entrepreneur as provider of tools for
hire, another entrepreneur as security and firefighting, IDB consultants for
business extension and advice, another entrepreneur to run a trading house to market
the goods
5. Entrepreneurs select 20 to 40 micro and
small entrepreneurs to produce goods
6.
Contracts, develop contracts to be signed by each and every
participant identifying each one roles and obligations, limits and authorities
7. Moving to their new locations after
3 years where they are provided for a fee their new premises within 300 to 1000
meters with access to all the facilities at the center, which will be for
another 2 years
8. During these 3 + 2 years the
entrepreneurs are guided in areas such as saving from profits, opening a
bank account and establishing good relations with banks, instructions on how to
save and invest for the future, establishing good relation with buyers and
suppliers of goods and other institutions, Look for land, location, market area
9. New batch is taken into the cocoon
every 3 years
10. Help is provided for the participants to move after the 5th year
to other locations and expand their businesses
* This concept was conceptualized by the author and activated in South
Africa under a small business Development project
Appendix 4 –
A possible alternative for land
utilization in the cultivation of rice (block farming)
There is considerable waste in the
field of Agriculture in the cultivation of rice
For example, in the case of land
demarcated for Paddy cultivation, the concept of inheritance and decimation of
land into minute blocks is totally uneconomical, leading to waste in land,
labor, water, fertilizer, apart from poor methodology of land use.
A possible way
forward is Block farming*. Amalgamating paddy lands into say 100-acre
blocks. A large stakeholder providing
the management and administration and in turn having a certain portion of
shares in the company for their financial investment. Every small holder farmer/ owner who
subscribes, pledging their land to the company to be issued shares on land
value.
The benefits to
the farmer are many folds, (i) holds ownership of land as well as being a
shareholder of the company (ii) receives share of the profit
(iii) obtains
permanent employment in the paddy estate with a daily wage for their labour(iv)
becomes exempt from all the laborious activities, of purchasing seed,
fertilizer, insecticides and weedicides, manually ploughing the fields, sowing
harvesting, security/ guarding, financing, storing, marketing etc.
The overall benefits
will be;
intelligent
use of mechanized agriculture,
water
conservation,
efficient
harvesting methods,
intelligent use and control of fertilizer,
pest control and prevention of vermin attack,
reduction and /or elimination of spoilage,
efficient scientific storage facilities,
the up gradation of farmer livelihoods,
improved scientific agriculture methods,
income generating short crops during the two
off seasons,
benefit to the farmer through elimination of
lost time, due to, ill health,
paucity of cash in finding funds for, seed paddy, fertilizer, storage, water
and farm implements etc.,
growing of better varieties for export,
A feasibility study
to be carried through a pilot project.
It may be worthwhile to look at the possibility of selecting
the land area under the Kattukurai kulam Resevoir, in the Puttalam district
where paddy lands are to be allocated to selected farmers on a quotient basis (News item Ceylon Today 13th may 2020). As a test case a private sector company could
be encouraged to involve themselves with the likely farmers as shareholders, as
well as, cultivators as suggested above
Please refer also to existing studies available at the Central
Bank and other Agriculture Research units and the Department of Agriculture on
wastage in harvesting and transport, vermin/rodent attacks on harvested paddy
etc. The perennial loss of cultivable best paddy lands. According to Dr A. Tennakoon’s
research, around 33% of the most suitable land is not cultivated due to the
‘Thatu maru’ system which waste cultivable land on ownership boundaries
(Niyaras)
*The writer introduced a similar scheme in Uganda for coffee small
holders details available with him
Author
Dr.
Anton Balasuriya is a Development Economist with extensive management
and development experience in the Asia Pacific Region, Africa and South
America.
He has worked on several development projects
in many related fields in 34 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. A
noteworthy sojournwas
in South Africa where as Senior advisor to the President Mandela Government he
was responsible for the small micro medium enterprise template for the country
as well as Government Capital budgeting.
In Uganda, he was Chief of Party for a project titled COMPETE which was
Championed by President Muzaveni designed to address Poverty Alleviation via
competitiveness mechanisms for the Fisheries, Coffee & Cotton sectors.
Dr. Balasuriya was a Senior Economist of the Central
Bank of Sri Lanka, a Senior Manager at Unilever, Founding CEO of the Sri Lanka Business Development
Centre, before venturing overseas as CEO of Technonet Asia, Singapore, an
international network of 13 Asian Pacific countries He was head hunted to lead
the New south African initiative on small enterprise development under the
Mandela administration. Over the last 24 years he has planned, participated and
lead several assignments in thirty-four countries principally in the
Development Economics genre.
Dr. Balasuriya earned a BA. Economics from
Peradeniya, Srilanka. MSc in Economic
Planning from the University of Stockholm, Sweden. DBA and Ph.D. from Edinburgh
thesis on Financial problems of Small
and Medium firms in Ceylon”
He has served as a consultant to innumerable
projects both in Sri Lanka and overseas on national development programs for
local & foreign institutions and Governments.
Colombo Dockyard (CDPLC) is set to start the construction of six Eco Bulk Carriers for Norwegian company Misje Eco Bulk.
The contract also includes four optional Eco Bulk Carriers.
Initially signed in March, the contract is expected to become effective next month after receiving the owner’s final board approval.
The 89.95m-long vessels will be able to accommodate the cargo capacity of 5,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).
The vessels will be powered by a four-stroke engine and will be able to carry bulk cargo, grain, timber, unit loads and containers.
The eco-friendly vessels will emit lower emissions than the traditional bulk carriers.
Wartsila Ship Design Norway provided the concept and the basic design of the bulk carriers while Colombo Dockyard is responsible for the detailed designing.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena was not informed about the foreign intelligence information with regard to possible terror attack by National Thowheed Jama’at (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim and his associates, former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena today informed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
SDIG Jayawardena made this statement while responding to a question raised by a commissioner. He was also questioned about the threat assessment report prepared by the SIS prior to President Sirisena’s visit to Batticaloa on April 12, 2019.
The threat assessment report did not refer to a foreign intelligence agency on April 4, 2019 which mentioned that a group including the National Thowheed Jama’at (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim and his followers could launch a terror attack.
In response, he said that it was not mentioned in the report, as it was not something relevant to former President’s visit.
SDIG Jayawardena added that the SIS regularly received information with regard to certain security threats to various VVIPs served in the previous ‘Yahapalana’ government, but most of them did not pay attention to those intelligence.
Chaturanga Samarawickrama Courtesy The Daily Mirror
The Government had decided to provide motorcycles for Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) to encourage and appreciate their services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Accordingly, more than 800 motorcycles would be given away as the first phase of the programme before August 30 in Colombo.
Director General Of Health Services Dr. J.M.W. Jayasundara Bandara said the programme will go ahead according to the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.
Cabinet had given its nod to a paper submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as his capacity of being the Minister of Finance to probe all alleged misdeeds of state banking network that had taken place during the past years.
The paper also sought to further strengthen the state banking network.
The state banks including the Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank, National Savings Bank and Rural Development Bank will be prepared and shaped to meet the challenges brought on by the COVID -19 pandemic while misdeeds that had taken place these banks since January 8, 2020 will also be probed. A study will also be conducted to determine whether these banks have violated the Banking Acts and whether they have carried out non-productive activities during the given period as per the cabinet paper,” a release from the Finance Ministry said.
Another objective of the cabinet paper is to determine as to which officers are responsible for misdeeds and also the external forces which have been involved in them and to ensure that there will not be any misdeeds in the future.
Former High Court Judge Sisira Ratnayake, Certified Accountant Susantha de Silva, Retired Additional Auditor General W. Premananda will be included in the committee appointed to conduct the probe.
Puttalam district – SLPP Chinthaka Amal Mayadunne (46,058) MNA Abdul Ali Sabri Mohamed (33,509)
Kurunegala district – SLPP Dr. Gunapala Ratnasekara (141,991) Asanka Nawaratne (82,779) Samanpriya Herath (66,814) U.K. Sumith Udukumbura (51,134)
National list MPs SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam (lawyer) Ajith Nivard Cabraal (former Central Bank governor)< Mohamed Ali Sabri (president’s counsel) Jayantha Weerasinghe (president’s counsel)< Manjula Dissanayake (widow of the late minister Salinda Dissanayake) Senior Prof. Ranjith Bandara Prof. Charitha Herath Gevindu Kumaratunga (Yuthukama) Yadamini Gunawardena (engineer) Dr. Surendra Raghavan (former northern province governor) Dr. Seetha Arambepola (former wesern province governor) Mohamed Falil Marjan (entrepreneur) SJB Diana Gamage (lawyer) ITAK Thavaraja Kalai Arasan AITC Selvarasa Gajendiran JJB Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
