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ශ්රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂිකයින් රැකගැනීමට සහ ආරක්ෂා කිරීමට ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ කැපවී සිටින බව විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ පවසනවා.
ඔහු මේ බව කියා සිටියේ අද ශ්රීි්ර දළදා සමිඳුන් වැඳපුදා ගැනීමෙන් අනතුරුව මාධ්ය වෙත අදහස් දක්වමින්.
ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ ප්රමුඛ ඒකාබද්ධ විපක්ෂයේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට එරෙහිව සකස් කළ අසත්ය තොරතුරු ඇතුළත් තවත් අත්පත්රිකා තොගයක් පානදුර නගරයේ පිහිටි නව ප්රජාතන්ත්රවාදි පෙරමුණේ මැතිවරණ කාර්යාලයක තිබී පොලීසිය සොයාගෙන තිබෙනවා.
ඒ, එම පත්රිකා බෙදාහරිමින් සිටින බවට ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ නියෝජනය කරන හිටපු මන්ත්රීවරුන් පිරිසක් පොලීසියට කළ පැමිණිල්ලකට අනුවයි.
මේ අතර සූරියවැව ප්රදේශයේ අද පැවති මාධ්ය හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ නියෝජනය කරන, සූරියවැව ප්රාදේශීය සභා මන්ත්රී චතූ සේනාධීර කියා සිටියේ තමන්ට, අමාත්ය සජිත් ප්රේමදාසට සහය පළ කරමින් රැළියකට එක්වන ලෙස ඉල්ලීමක් ලැබුණු බවයි.
එම මාධ්ය හමුවට එක්ව සිටි පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්රී ඩී.වී. චානක එම ඉල්ලීම ඇතුළත් හඬ පටයද මාධ්ය වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කළා.
මේ අතර පසුගියදා රාජිත සේනාරත්න අමාත්යවරයා සමඟ මාධ්ය හමුවකට එක්වූ පුද්ගලයෙකු සිදුකළ ප්රකාශයකට අදාළ ස්ථානය මීට පෙර මොණරාගල දිස්ත්රික් ලේකම් කාර්යාලයට අයත් නිල නිවාසයක් ලෙස භාවිත කළ බවට අනාවරණ වී තිබෙනවා.
එම ස්ථානය මොණරාගල ඩිපෝවට යන මාර්ගයේ පිහිටි නිල නිවාසයක් වන අතර, පසුව එය ජාතික ශිෂ්ය භට බලකාය භාවිත කළ බවට වාර්තා වනවා.
මේ අතර අමාත්ය රාජිත සේනාරත්නට එරෙහිව එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂ කඹුරුපිටිය හිටපු සම සංවිධායක උදය දිසානායක අද අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට පැමිණිල්ලක් ඉදිරිපත් කළා
වතු කම්කරුවන්ගේ වැටුප රුපියල් දහස දක්වා ඉහළ නංවන බව ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ පවසනවා.
කොටගල ප්රදේශයේ අද පැවති ජන හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ඔහු මෙම අදහස් කළා.
මෙම ජන හමුවට විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ, ලංකා කම්කරු කොංග්රසයේ නායක පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්රී ආරුමුගම් තොණ්ඩමන්, පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්රී මහින්දානන්ද අලුත්ගමගේ ඇතුළු දේශපාලනඥයින් රැසක් එක්ව සිටියා.
ඉදිරි ජනාධිපතිවරණය සම්බන්ධයෙන් විදෙස් මාධ්යවල අවධානයක් යොමු වී තිබෙනවා.
රොයිටර් පුවත් සේවය සහ ‘ද හින්දු’ වෙබ් අඩවි වාර්තාවල දැක්වුණේ ඉදිරි ජනාධිපතිවරණයෙන් ජය ගැනීමට ඉඩ ඇති වඩාත් ජනප්රිය අපේක්ෂකයා බවට ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ පත්ව සිටින බවයි.
රොයිටර් පුවත් සේවයේ අදාළ වාර්තාව මගින් පෙන්වා දෙන්නේ ඉදිරි ජනාධිපතිවරණය පිළිබඳ නිල මත විමසුමක් පවත්වා නොමැති වූවද, හිටපු ආරක්ෂක ලේකම් ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ ජනාධිපතිවරණයෙන් ජයගත හැකි වඩා ජනප්රිය අපේක්ෂකයා බවයි.
ඔහුගේ ප්රතිවාදී අපේක්ෂකයා වන අමාත්ය සජිත් ප්රේමදාස මන්දගාමී ගමනක නිරත බවද එහි දක්වා තිබෙනවා.
ඉන්දීය ‘ද හින්දු’ වෙබ් අඩවිය වෙනුවෙන්ද මෙරට ජනාධිපතිවරණය පිළිබඳව වාර්තාවක් සම්පාදනය වී තිබුණා.
ශක්තිමත් නායකයෙකු, යුද්ධය නිමා කිරීම සඳහා කළ මෙහෙය මෙන්ම යටිතල පහසුකම් සංවර්ධනය කිරීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් ජනතාව ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ කෙරෙහි බලාපොරොත්තු තබා සිටින බව එම වාර්තාවේ සඳහන්.
දකුණු පළාතේ පිටිසරබද ප්රදේශ නියෝජනය කරන සජිත් ප්රේමදාසට සහය දක්වන ඇතැම් පිරිස් පවා ප්රකාශ කරන්නේ එම ප්රදේශවල බහුතර ජනතාවක් ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය දක්වනු ඇති බව යැයිද ‘ද හින්දු’ වාර්තාවේ දැක්වෙනවා.
ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක අමාත්ය සජිත් ප්රේමදාස පැමිණි හෙළිකොප්ටර් යානය කදුරුවෙල සීවලී ආදර්ශ ප්රාථමික විද්යාලයේ ක්රීඩාංගණයට ගොඩබැස්වීමේදී ඒ ආසන්නයේ තිබූ වෙළඳසැල් කිහිපයකට අලාභහානි සිදුව තිබෙනවා.
අද පස්වරු 3 ට පමණ හෙළිකොප්ටර් යානයකින් අමාත්යවරයා එහි පැමිණියේ කදුරුවෙල පැවති ජන හමුවට සහභාගී වීම සඳහායි.
මේ අතර එම ස්ථානයේ සිටි දෙදරු මවක් තුවාල ලබා ඇති බවයි වැඩිදුර තොරතුරු වාර්තා වන්නේ.
මේ අතර පසුගිය 7 වනදා ද දෙනියාය මොරවක ජන රැළියට සජිත් ප්රේමදාස පැමිණි හෙළිකොප්ටර් යානය ගොඩබැස්වීමේදීද කොටපොළ ජාතික පාසල් ක්රීඩාංගණය ආසන්නයේ තිබූ ගොඩනැගිලි කිහිපයකට හානි සිදුවූණා.
අද පස්වරුවේ කදුරුවෙල සීවලී විද්යාලයේ ක්රීඩාංගණය ආසන්නයේ පැවති ගොඩනැගිලි කිහිපයකට හානි සිදුවූ අයුරු පහතින්.
>යාපනය – නැදුන්කර්නි ප්රාදේශිය සභාවේ සභාපති පී. රොෂාන් අද ශ්රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය පළ කරන බව ප්රකාශ කළා.
ඒ, යාපනයේදී මාධ්ය හමුවක් කැඳවමින්.
තමන්, පසුගිය පළාත් පාලන මැතිවරණයේදී දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධානයෙන් නැදුන්කර්නි ප්රාදේශීය සභාවට තේරී පත්වුවද ප්රදේශයේ සංවර්ධනය වෙනුවෙන් කිසිදු ආධාරයක් හෝ සහයෝගයක් ලබාදීමට දෙමළ සන්ධානයට නොහැකිවූ බවටයි ඔහු එහිදි චෝදනා කළේ.
‘‘අපි ප්රාදේශීය සභාවේ පාලනයට ඇවිල්ලා අවුරුදු 2 ක් වෙනවා. කිසිදු සංවර්ධන කටයුත්තක් සිද්ධවෙලා නැහැ. මම මේ සභාවට තේරී පත් වුණේ දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධානයෙන්. හැබැයි අවුරුදු දෙකක් ගිහිල්ලත් ඒකේ කිිසිදු මන්ත්රීවරයෙක් මොනවද වෙන්න ඕන කියලා මේ දක්වා විමසීමක්වත් කරලා නැහැ. ගම්පෙරළිය වැඩසටහන හරහා පමණක් මිලියන 65 ක මුදලක් අපට ලැබුණා. ඒ හැර මේ රජය හෝ දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධානය කිසිදු ආධාරයක් අපිට කරලා නැහැ. ඒ නිසා අපි ප්රදේශයේ ජනතාව වෙනුවෙන් ඔවුන්ගේ ඉල්ලීම් වෙනුවෙන් මෙම තීරණයට ආවා. ඒ නිසා අපි එළඹෙන මැතිවරණයේදී පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහයෝගය ලබාදෙන්න තීරණය කළා. මම අවුරුදු තුනක් පුනරුත්ථාපන කඳවුරේ හිිටියා. වර්තමාන විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ ඇවිත් මම ඇතුලූ 800 දෙනෙකු එකවර පුනරුත්ථාපන කඳවුරෙන් නිදහස් කළා. ඒකෙන්ම ඔහුගේ විශ්වසනීයත්වය තහවුරු වෙනවා. ඒ නිසා ඔහු පිළිබඳව විශ්වාසය තියලා තමයි අපි මේ වගේ තීරණයකට එළඹුනේ.
කලාකරුවන් ලෙස රට වෙනුවෙන් අත දීම සිදු කළ යුතු මොහොතකට මේ වන විට රට පැමිණ ඇති බව ජනප්රිය නිලි සංජිවනි වීරසිංහ පවසනවා.
ඇය මේ සම්බන්ධව අදහස් දැක්වුයේ මාතර අද (12) පැවැති මාධ්ය හමුවකට එක්වෙමින්.
එහිදී වැඩිදුරටත් අදහස් දැක්වමින් ඇය කියා සිටියේ කතාකරුවන් නොව වැඩකරුවන් මේ වන විට රටට අවශ්ය බවයි
The Ruwanwella Police has sought legal advice from the Police Legal Division over steps to be taken against mudslinging leaflets against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Presidential Candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa found from the Magammana area in Ruwanwella.
Police said that the leaflets were found after information was received that they were being distributed in the Magammana area.
During further investigations more leaflets were found from an office of UNP Parliamentarian Jayampathi Wickramarathna in Ruwanwella.
Attention has been drawn to the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka, by several foreign media.
According to articles published on both Reuters and the Hindu, former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the hot favorite to win the presidential election this Saturday.
The article published on Reuters stated that even though there are no formal opinion polls, former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the hot favorite to win the presidential election this Saturday while his chief opponent Sajith Premadasa, is seen to be trailing.
Meanwhile, in an article published in The Hindu, the people are hopeful of Gotabhaya Rajapakse being their future leader.
The article asserts that the reasons pulling voters towards Gotabaya Rajapakse this time go beyond war victory”. Some of them are looking for a respite from the everyday economic strain they associate with the incumbent government.
The article, further states in most parts of the Southern Province, almost every local, including those supporting Gotabaya Rajapakshe’s main opponent Sajith Premadasa, asserts that a majority will vote for Gotabaya Rajapakshe.
The five-year ban imposed by the Indian government on the Liberation LTTE has been confirmed by a tribunal set up to examine whether the prohibitions on the terror organization should continue.
According to sources in the Delhi High Court, the tribunal headed by Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal confirmed the ban on the LTTE on November 7th and the confirmation order has been sent to the government, in a sealed cover, for notification.
India had banned the LTTE after the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Since then, the ban imposed on the group has been extended after every five years.
[T]here is no friendship when nations are not equal,when one has to obey another and when one only dominates another.” Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India Closing Speech at the Asian-African Conference, Bandung, 1955
Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) are agreements integral to US national security and self-defense strategies, whose goal is American Self-Preservation,” an ideology incompatible with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
MCC, crude and dogmatic alignment with US National Security Strategy
A clarification of MCC’s role in America’s national security and ‘self-defense’ strategies is required. The alignment is crude and dogmatic, designed to advance US influence globally and secure allies and partners by imposing upon developing countries, mostly those branded failed states,” fundamental political, legal and economic reform of the state apparatus and a ‘rule of law’ that benefits US interests in the long-term.
MCC’s central role was ‘codified’ in the 2002 National Security Strategy of US President George W. Bush, which for the first time contained the controversial doctrine of ‘pre-emptive’ war. It elevated development aid to the level of defense and diplomacy as one of the three pillars of the global War on Terror.” The current President’s 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) links US military strategies to the imperative of political and economic reform, claiming consolidation of its military victories” were made possible only bypolitical and economic triumphs built on market economies and fair trade, democratic principles, and shared security partnerships”.
One of the most novel and coercive features of MCC is the ‘pre-emptive’ method used to administer aid – it will reward countries that have demonstrated real policy change and challenge those that have not to implement reform.” Before receiving aid, the country must successfully pass 16 eligibility criteria devised by the Bush Administration ranging from civil liberties to ‘days to start a business.’ In a March 2018 speech on US-Africa relations, the then US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, described the coercive essence of MCC that goes far above and beyond the particular project targeted. Referring to a $524 million compact signed with Cote d’Ivoire to improve its education and transportation sectors, Tillerson declared, This was only possible after the country had implemented policies to strengthen economic freedom, democratic principles, human rights, and to fight corruption. Spurring reforms before a dollar of U.S. taxpayer money is even spent is the MCC’s model.”
The 2017 National Security Strategy reaffirms MCC as a coercive tool to bring fragile” and developing countries under America’s influence to counter Russia and China, by achieving radical transformation of the recipient State, based on free-market principles, privatization, and good governance: “We already do this through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which selects countries that are committed to reform and then monitors and evaluates their projects.” MCC is “a model to achieve greater connectivity” in the so-called Indo-Pacific.
It is notable that unlike the MCC of the Bush era, the Trump Administration will no longer provide MCC assistance” in the form of “grants,” but “loans.”
American self-preservation and the right of self-defense
The US-Sri Lanka ‘defense’ agreements, which logically flow from the infamous US-led Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, are explicit recognition by the Ranil Wickramasinghe regime of America’s global leadership and its hegemonic status, which commit the country to a global unilateral system for America’s ‘self defense’.
The US view of ‘self-defense’ is rooted in ‘self-preservation’ and not on some reciprocal relationship between equal subjects of international law, but on combatting a threat to its own interests. It is based on the ideology of ‘American Exceptionalism’ that arrogates to itself exclusive prerogatives and special responsibilities for global governance, which continue to guide US national security and defense strategies. The US President’s 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) and the 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report (IPSR),bothaffirm US global leadership is grounded in the realization that American principles are a lasting force for good in the world.”
The notion of American Exceptionalism was best expressed by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “If we have to use force, it is because we are America; we are the indispensable nation. We stand tall and we see further than other countries into the future.” In May 2015, the then US Secretary of State, John Kerry, claimed America’s leadership of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ because we have a strong economy and an ability to be able to project”. It is the worldview of a global hegemon that sees itself destined by divine providence for full-spectrum domination – air, maritime, land, outer space, and cyberspace, and full-spectrum force (2017 NSS).
Historically, self-preservation” and self-defense” was used by Nazi Germany to occupy neutral Belgium, neutral Norway, neutral Netherlands, neutral Denmark, neutral Luxembourg, and Poland.
Doctrine of pre-emptive, preventive wars
The 2002 US National Security Strategy (NSS) under President Bush introduced the controversial doctrine of pre-emptive and preventive war, using the 9/11 terrorist attacks as a pretext, which provided the new enemy in the form of terrorism. The existence of terrorists, described as the unknown unknown,” by the then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, served to justify a unilateral right to pre-emptive and preventive use of force in ‘self-defense’ against states even before an armed attack” occur. The US argument was an act of violence by the terrorists amounted to an armed attack.”
In Afghanistan, for 18 years, the US continues to claim self-defense, extending the right to preventing the return to power of the Taliban. Such unilateral intervention is expressly forbiddenby the UN Charter and unequivocally rejected by both the International Court of Justice and the Security Council.
The US justifies the illegal act by an abusive interpretation of the right of self-defense” in Art. 51 of the UN Charter, the only exception in the Charter to the use of unilateral force. Contrary to US claims, however, self-defense under the Art. 51 is permitted only under narrowly defined conditions: (a) it is an armed attack”; (b) the armed attack actually occurs,” and is not just an imminent or potential threat”; (c) the state using force was the object of an attack on its own territory, not elsewhere, as a sine qua non; (d) it is a temporary right until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security”; (e) it is proportional; (f) it does not affect the authority and primary responsibility of the Security Council; (g) it must be at the request of the victim; (h) the victim must request assistance from the state claiming to act in collective self-defense.
Committing Sri Lanka to the logic of war, not the logic of peace
The 2018 US National Defense Strategy that translates into military terms the strategic objectives outlined in the US President’s 2017 National Security Strategy is based on the indefensible illogical logic that the surest way to prevent war is to be prepared to win one,” which is antipodal to the logic that drives the UN collective security system – that war must be prevented at all costs to achieve international peace and security. The documents are replete with bellicosity – enhancing joint lethality,” credible combat-forward posture,” forward force manoeuvre,” forward deployment”… It is a clarion call to war, but not to any kind of war. It will be a more lethal war – more deadliness, more carnage and more destruction, to be fought together with a robust constellation of allies and partners.”
It must be recalled that ACSA, SOFA, and MCC are part and parcel of the US concept of a Free and Open Indo Pacific” (FOIP), a sinister security system whose objective is to impose on countries of two distinct regions and Oceans, a single US-led geographic and geopolitical order founded on rules determined by Washington. The concept not only excludes China from the region as a hostile existential threat to US interests, but is aimed at putting in place a networked security architecture” under US leadership to fight and win” a war against China. China as principal adversary is named in the 2017 National Security Strategy, the Pentagon’s 2018 National Defense Strategy, and 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report.
By entering into such US ‘self-defense’ agreements in the context of big power rivalry and the threat of war, the Ranil Wickramasinghe regime is committing Sri Lanka to the logic of war, not the logic of peace, a partner in crime that poses a grave threat to regional and international peace and security and drags Sri Lanka into a war not of its own making.
This warmongering vision of the ‘global’ order is shared by the ruling UNF Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa as reflected in his 2 October exchange with foreign diplomats at which he outlined his foreign policy objectives not in terms of Sri Lanka’s national interests, but in terms of Washington’s FOIP strategy: open trade,” freedom of navigation,” air and maritime connectivity,” rules-based world order,” and violent extremism”.
However, it was unequivocally rejected by Sri Lanka’s opposition party leaders, by letter of 9 August 2019 addressed to the Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association, demanding that the UN Charter-based rule of law be restored in the Indian Ocean by, inter alia, implementing the UN Declaration of the Indian Ocean as Zone of Peace, which designates the Indian Ocean, for all time, as a zone of Peace, together with the airspace above and the ocean floor subjacent thereto.
The Declaration, it must be recalled, was adopted at the initiative of Sri Lanka, joined by Tanzania, backed by the Non-Aligned Movement. While preserving free and unimpeded use of the zone by the vessels, whether military or not, for all nations in accordance with international law, it called on the “great powers” to eliminate from the Indian Ocean “all bases, military installations and logistical supply facilities, the disposition of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction and any manifestation of great power military presence… conceived in the context of great power rivalry,” and halt “further escalation and expansion of their military presence in the Indian Ocean.” The Declaration also calls on littoral and hinterland States, the Permanent Members of the Security Council and other major maritime users of the Indian Ocean to enter into consultations to ensure that, inter alia, warships and military aircraft would not use the Indian Ocean for any threat or use of force against any littoral or hinterland State.”
Threat to peace and security
Sri Lanka is committing itself not to defending its own national interests, its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, but to combatting threats to US prosperity and security,” which are named in NSS and NDS as the revisionist powers” China and Russia, the rogue regimes” North Korea and Iran, and ‘transnational terrorism.’ None of the countries mentioned pose a threat to Sri Lanka’s national interests. On the contrary, Sri Lanka has excellent relations with all four countries within the framework of the United Nations and close bilateral ties with China, Russia and Iran.
However, the ‘defense’ agreements involve the use of Sri Lanka’s territory, airports, harbours, defense installations, and infrastructure, for transport of military equipment, training and joint operations with Sri Lankan forces, and other activities, known and unknown, to enhance joint lethality” in preparation for an act of aggression against one or more friendly states in the ‘Indo-Pacific’. In doing so, Sri Lanka will find itself a partner in crime and potential target of reprisal or retaliation, posing a grave threat to Sri Lanka’s security.
It was not so long ago that British occupied Ceylon was targeted by Japanese bombs, during World War II, characterized by the independence movement as an imperialist war, which resulted in the panicked fleeing of civilian population to India by boat. The Japanese military raids also took place on an Easter Sunday, in 1942.
The threat to Sri Lanka’s security will not only come from outside. When US forces are permitted to freely roam the land, in their vehicles, without permission, armed, in uniform and with impunity, Easter Sunday type carnage or protests against US occupation could result in Sri Lanka itself becoming America’s military target in the name of self-defense”.
Bilateral agreements, inherently unequal
The so-called partnership” entered into with Washington is not between equals.
Bilateral agreements between a global hegemonic power and a small developing country heavily indebted to international capital markets dominated by the power and highly dependent on its market for exports, are inherently unequal.
Since the Bush Administration’s ‘War on Terror,’ which coincided with emerging powers challenging US hegemony, it has increasingly resorted to preventive and pre-emptive unilateral interventions imposing decisions on weaker states or to bilateralism with significantly weaker states to establish US-led collective defense systems (or collective self-defense” systems), which allow Washington to modify international norms and rules or impose decisions not in accordance with international law, thus, retaining its hegemonic status.
ACSA, SOFA and MCC are pre-existing institutional arrangements that are an integral part of the US national security and national defense strategies designed for ‘American Self-Preservation’ to achieve strategic US goals and objectives grounded in the realization that American principles are a lasting force for good in the world” (US National Security Strategy, 2017). ‘American Self-Preservation’ is rooted not on reciprocal relationships between equal subjects of international law, but on combatting a threat to its own interests. Its sheer hegemonic power makes the principle of reciprocity impracticable in bilateral negotiations with weaker states such as ours, and it is illusory to believe that ACSA, SOFA and MCC can be “re-negotiated” or “amended” for “mutual benefit.”
Historically, bilateralism is associated with the commercial policies of Hitler’s Germany; it is inherently discriminatory in contrast to the system of collective security based on the UN Charter. The US shift to bilateralism is also reflected in its free trade and economic agreements as an important tool to coerce or reward potential allies and partners to support its geopolitical agenda.
International collective security v. US-led collective ‘self-defense’
Washington’s unilateral vision of a US-led global order for ‘American Self-Preservation,’ justified by a divine mission, is diametrically opposed to the universally recognised international order under the UN Charter, based on sovereign equality and international cooperation, respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states.
Contrary to the US-led collective system for America’s self-defense, the universally recognised collective security system under the UN Charter seeks to prevent war – not make war – to achieve permanent universal peace based on equal rights and justice for all, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
The UN collective security system is a system without military alliances. It is based on multilateralism, the duty to cooperate, and respect for the principle of sovereign equality of States. It expressly prohibits war, as it does the use of force or the threat of use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and all forms of foreign interference and intervention in its internal affairs, including by the United Nations. The Charter expressly prohibits any unilateral or preventive action outside of the UN framework.
The primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies with the Security Council, with member States agreeing that it acts on their behalf in carrying out its duties. Despite being at the highest level of the international legal hierarchy, the Security Council is required to act in accordance with the Charter, and not violate fundamental norms of international law, customary international law, and treaties, in the accordance with the UN Charter.
The generally binding international law obliges states to resolve any dispute that may endanger international peace and security through peaceful means, firstly by parties seeking a solution through negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice”. Any member State or non-member may bring such a dispute to the attention of the Security Council or the General Assembly. Legal matters should be brought before the International Court of Justice of which all UN members are ipso facto parties.
The role of regional arrangements is strictly limited to efforts toward pacific settlement of local disputes before referring them to the Security Council. Regional arrangements are forbidden from taking enforcement measures unless authorised by the Security Council.
The use of armed force in the case of collective action is only permitted under the authority and supervision of UN Security Council, and only once it has determined the existence of threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression” and that other measures would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate to “maintain or restore international peace and security“.
Non-Aligned Movement and Friendly Relations
The Non-Aligned Movement, of which Sri Lanka is a founder member, has contributed in no small measure to developing the universally recognised principles on which friendly relations and cooperation among states must be based, including the landmark UN Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which is viewed as an authentic interpretation of the Charter.
The Movement recognised that State sovereignty, sovereign equality and international cooperation are fundamental features of an international order that would permit weaker states to exercise greater leverage over their former colonial masters, and, toward this end, focused every effort to enhancing the role of multilateralism, promoting a new international economic order based on justice and equality, and strengthening the collective security system based on the UN Charter.
The identity of the Non Aligned Movement is not determined by the existence of Great Power rivalry. It reflects the aspirations of newly independent states for an independent stand, based on a shared history and a positive perception of their own identity and views. It is essentially an anti-colonial, anti-imperialist alliance to defend their collective interests, protect their freedom and dignity, prevent the restoration of Western domination, support the struggles of peoples still under foreign domination and occupation, promote the right to development, and advance universal peace.
Their experience had shown that wars and alien domination result only in exploitation, oppression, death and destruction, not peace nor development nor social progress. At all cost, a return to Western domination, recolonisation, and war had to be prevented, and the ambitions of the most influential founders of the Movement was to unite the newly independent states to bring their collective weight to bear on the side of international peace, against war. The Movement opposed military alliances and collective ‘defense’ pacts with Great Powers, especially in the context of rivalry between them, since they would be designed to serve Great Powers interests and allow them to intervene in their internal affairs. Such pacts would only bring them closer to war and destruction, and strengthen the forces of war, not peace.
India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, speaking at the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, energetically opposed US-led collective defence pacts in Asia and the Middle East, including the short-lived anti-Communist Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), primarily aimed against China. He argued membership in such pacts would only result in demeaning oneself to a role of camp-follower of others” and hangers on,” and lead to the loss of freedom and individuality”: It is most degrading and humiliating to any self-respecting people or nation. It is an intolerable thought to me that the great countries of Asia and Africa should come out of bondage into freedom only to degrade themselves or humiliate themselves in this way.”
The Non-Aligned Movement and the principles on which it is based remain valid in a world that continues to be dominated by wars of aggression, foreign occupation and domination, unilateralism, coercion, intervention and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and in which the victims are from the global south and the perpetrators, the US and its Western allies.
Sri Lanka’s decision to go to war if necessary for the preservation of America against an emerging power identified with the developing world, and the threat this poses to the interests of friendly nations and to the multilateral collective security system that the Movement is committed to strengthening, will result in the loss of Sri Lanka’s credibility and its increasing isolation from the majority in the United Nations.
An isolated country is more vulnerable and easy prey to a global hegemon.
International agreements incompatible with UN Charter are null and void
International agreements that are incompatible with the international obligations of the State under the Charter of the United Nations and impede the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, in accordance with the Charter, are null and void under international law. Besides, secret treaties are incompatible with the UN Charter and unenforceable.
ACSA, SOFA, and MCC violate Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and undermine its ability to fulfil its international obligation to protect its population and ensure respect for a broad range of their individual and collective rights: the right to determine the system best suited for their needs and aspirations; the right to exercise permanent sovereignty over their wealth and resources, including maritime resources; their economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights; the right to development; the right to a clean and safe environment; and, the fundamental right to peace and to be free from war.
Sovereignty and its international corollary, sovereign equality of states, are non-derogable peremptory norms of general international law that form the basis of the United Nations Charter, which is akin to a world Constitution. An international treaty that violates sovereignty is null and void and, hence, non-negotiable.
In the event of conflict between a State’s obligations under the Charter, which it is duty bound to fulfil in good faith,” and its obligations under any other international agreement, Article 103 of the Charter, the supremacy clause, stipulates that it is their obligations under the present Charter that prevail. Subsequent treaties must conform to the Charter and are invalid if they impede the achievement of its purposes and principles, including its provisions concerning international peace and security, friendly relations among states, international cooperation, promotion of human rights and development.
Under Article 53 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, A treaty is void if, at the time of its conclusion, it conflicts with a peremptory norm of general international law.” The Vienna Convention is a restatement of pre-existing law that the International Court of Justice applies as generally applicable international law having reached the level of customary international law.
Toward a new era of peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka and internationally
MCC, ACSA, and SOFA are incompatible with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, as developed in the landmark UN Friendly Relations Declaration and in other international instruments, in accordance with the Charter. If Sri Lanka is to pursue an independent foreign policy that is in conformity with its international obligations, it cannot ignore those principles.
There can be no benefit to Sri Lanka from a bogus “partnership” that involves surrender of territory, institutions, infrastructure and resources to a foreign power to perpetrate acts of aggression against third states, thus also becoming a partner in crime and a potential target for reprisals. There can be no benefit to Sri Lanka from its armed forces’ involvement in hostile acts against friendly nations for ‘American Preservation’ There can be no benefit to Sri Lanka from fanning existing bilateral hostilities that may lead to regional conflagration and pose a threat to international peace and security. There can be no benefit to Sri Lanka if another terrorist attack in Sri Lanka with alleged international links turns the US forces against our own people.
If there is to be change rather than continuity, every effort must be made to restore Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and promote peace, development, and social justice, unequivocally rejecting externally imposed agendas to transform Sri Lanka into a permanent aircraft carrier for Washington’s hegemonic wars in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Western dominance must not be allowed to re-enter through the back door, taking the country and the region into war, not peace, and into full spectrum domination”.
The UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred de Zayas, in his full report based on six years of work on the mandate, underlined the importance of international efforts to peace: In a context of increasing confrontation and competition among world powers, we must re-centre peace as a unifying multilateral objective, and we must ensure that propaganda for war and sabre-rattling are banned.”
The DDCP was the major development programme undertaken by the Government of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranayake during her 1970-1977 rule.
This was also the first major islandwide development programme ever to be implemented in Sri Lanka. Earlier there was the Rural Development Programme and the Small Industries Development Programme which were smaller programmes aimed at rejuvenating the rural areas with small industries and Powerlooms. However, the DDCP was far major in scope and the Government had high hopes of great success. The Government head hunted the most eminent economist on the island, Professor HAdeS Gunasekera the professor of Economics at the University of Peradeniya. A new Ministry of Plan Implementation was formed under the Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranayake and Profesor Gunasekera was appointed as the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry. The importance given to the programme was such that helicopter travel was authorized for him.
The main aim of this DDCP was to bring about employment for the youth. The aims, in the words of the Budget Speech of Dr N.M.Perera, the Minister of Finance;
The main objective of this programme is to create employment opportunities in the rural areas and through small scale projects in agriculture, industry and the provision of infrastructural facilities, making use of the resources available locally; increase national production and involve the people in national development work.”
The method was to enlist the support of all officials and elected personnel in every Division. In detail,” An entirely new structure for planning is being established (within which) each local authority will be the focus for development planning and plan implementation. Popular participation will be secured through the Divisional Development Council in which the elected organs of the village, the cooperative society, the cultivation committee, the village council will have a planning and coordinating role in the overall development of their area.”.
The DDCP was a crash programme to create employment for the youth. The target was to create 100,000 jobs in the first year.
The Government enlisted the services of the Government Agents to implement this programme. Even before the Ministry of Plan Implementation recruited graduates as Development Assistants and Planning Officers the Government Agents selected the best officers who were working in the District and the programme was immediately commenced. I was serving as the Government Agent of the Matara District.
There was a major set back because of the Janata Vimukti Peramuna(JVP) Uprising on April 5th 1971. This took on the form of an attack on all Police Stations and army units. It was an attempt to capture power in a single day like what Fidel Castro did in Cuba. The JVP controlled the hinterland- the rural areas and had their kangaroo courts etc. and it took a few months for total order to be restored. The JVP had been instrumental in working for the SLFP – for Mrs Bandaranayake at the 1970 election and the DDCP was a programme that was specially meant to provide employment to the youth. No reasons were given for the sudden uprising but it was found that the North Korean Embassy had spent a massive sum of money at this time and there was some evidence of some connection with the Uprising. The Government closed down the North Korean Embassy. This was an unfortunate episode that delayed the implementation of the DDCP for months. Since that day officials travelled the least possible and further all investors- estate owners, rice millers etc.who had made rural areas their homes left for security reasons to the cities.
The development councils were formed in every division. The Councils comprised all officials and elected officials of cooperatives, cultivation committees and local government institutions. The Head of the Council was the Divisional Revenue Officer(DRO) of the area. He was given a new designation of Assistant Government Agent. Meetings were held and the Councils identified small scale industries and agricultural projects- farms which were funded and commenced all over the island.
In Matara District, in addition to a number of agricultural farms and small craft type of industries, the Councils suggested many industries and feasibility reports were prepared and approval sought. It was generally difficult to get approvals a few small industries were approved and the Ministry made an allocation of funds to buy the machinery, put up structures and also funds to pay a stipend to the youths till the projects were established and incomes generated.
I suggested that a Mechanized Boatyard should be approved to be constructed at Matara on land bordering the Nilwala River. A Feasibility Report was drafted and submitted. The Ministry called me for a meeting where the Director of the Fisheries Department was also present. The Ministry officials were not interested and there were objections by the Director of Fisheries. The meeting was ultimately put off for another discussion on another day. This was the first cooperative industry to make seaworthy 30 foot long boats and perhaps the Ministry was worried that it could be a failure and be a blot on the Ministry. Anyhow after a major battle, we obtained approval and the boatyard was established. It was a great success.
The Councils were agitating for more industrial units and we suggested that at Deniyaya we could establish a Water Colour Industry making watercolour paint boxes. This was import substitution in action because at that time Sri Lanka imported the bulk of our watercolour requirements. The Ministry submitted our Feasibility Report to the Industrial Development Board(IDB) and a meeting was held at the Ministry. The Ministry agreed with the IDB recommendation that this should not be approved because the Deniyaya area did not have any of the ingredients that went into making watercolours. I argued that if Japan could buy cotton from as far as Egypt, take it all the way to Japan, make textiles and market the sales back in countries as far as Egypt, we too could do it. We were at an advantage because our country itself needed the watercolour paint boxes. I lost the battle. The Ministry was amply satisfied with the small craft type of projects and the farms that we had got working.
However, we wanted to do better. I suggested a Dairy Project in the Deniyaya- Mawarala area where we will get Estate owners to plant grass on all their unused land. We could get private farmers too to have more cows. The only proviso I insisted was that we should have a Creamery to make butter and cheese. because it was impossible to sell more milk. My feasibility report created problems. It was argued that small creameries were not commercially viable and the Ministry said that we did not have grasslands to feed the cattle. It ended up with heated arguments at the Ministry. I did not know then that Switzerland doted on small creameries.
It was quite evident that the Ministry was not going to approve any new industry for our District. The only sophisticated industry ever done in the rest of the island was a Paper Making Industry at Kotmale. The Ministry told me to get going making bricks and tiles if I was interested. I pointed out that in tiles and bricks the private sector had already established factories in the District and it would not be prudent to try to create a problem of oversupply. The Ministry and I clashed not once but many a time. It happened because once I had served as a Deputy Director of Small Industry and I knew more about industries than anyone in the Ministry. The Ministry never appreciated my ideas. Theirs was always on the beaten track.
The officers at the Katchcheri were very innovative and we had many meetings. Finally, I summoned my Planning Officer Vetus Fernando, a chemistry graduate of the University of Colombo, just out of the University who did not have a day’s experience in chemistry after graduating. I fed him all I knew about making watercolours. Once as Deputy Director of Industries, I had approved an allocation of dyes to a watercolour industrialist and I had seen him making watercolours. I knew the ingredients but not the proportions and details of mixing it- temperatures etc. Vetus and I decided to try to find the art of making crayons. The science teachers at the school also helped us. We commenced work at the Residency in the evenings and came to a point where we needed science equipment and it was suggested that we should use the equipment at a school lab. I approached Mr Ariyawamsa the Principal of Rahula College Matara and he readily agreed for us to use the science lab after hours. The Science lab at Rahula was our domain from around six in the evening till midnight every working day. The workers were the science teachers and Vetus, the only scientists and we, myself, and a few staff officers were all cheerleaders. The Cheer Leaders had to keep the momentum going when every night we tried different methods and we failed every day for close upon two months. Then Vetus got a brain wave. The crayons we made were never of good texture and he said that I should approve his going to Colombo to his university dons in chemistry and he was certain they will help. I readily agreed and authorized him travelling and subsistence payment. I was happy that he had thought of this method and I dreamt of success. Vetus turned up on the fourth day and narrated in disgust that none of the professionals at the University of Colombo was interested in helping him. He had begged of them but was told to get lost. My staff officers and I were not going to take things lying down to submission. We started experiments in earnest – from six till midnight sipping black coffee with a sing-song once in a way to keep the momentum going. In a month of experiments, we came across the method to make crayons. Then I supervised fine-tuning the art again and again till we got to be near the Crayola grade- then it was Reeves. We won the day.
Next came- how to establish a small scale factory. I could not get approval from the Ministry. I was certain that they will turn it down. I could have summoned Harischandra or an industrialist and I knew many personally and could have told them to put up a factory, but then it won’t be us. Finally, I decided that it should be cooperative. The Cooperative Unions had funds but not the authority to establish an industry. Then I thought of Sumanapala Dahanayake, the Member of Parliament for Deniyaya, who was the President of the Morawak Korale Coop Union because he was a maverick, a daredevil type if that was required. He was in charge of the funds at the Coop Union. When I broached the subject to Sumanapala he readily agreed to establish a Crayon factory. However, he had no authority to use cooperative funds for that purpose. The Government Agent too had no authority to direct cooperatives. However for purposes of coordination in the case of the agricultural development programme, the G.A.had been gazetted a Deputy Director of Cooperative Development. I usurped powers that I did not really have based on this gazette notice and authorized Sumanapala to spend cooperative funds and establish the Crayon Factory.
Sumanapala needed only a nod. He got cracking with purchasing the equipment and gas burners, recruiting youths. This was done in two days. A few rooms at the Cooperative Union at Morawaka were cleared and the Katchcheri staff too moved in to commence making crayons. It was a 24-hour operation, with youths working in shifts, working under the watchful eyes of Vetus Fernando the Planning Officer. There were Chandra Silva the DLO, Weimalaratne the AGA, Daya Paliakkara a Development Assistant. They were all involved in the experiments at Rahula College and were at hand went Vetus took a few hours rest. The youths had to get trained to do every single crayon to perfection- a difficult task. It was a hand made crayon-like most industries in China today. I broke rest on two days till everything got off the ground. We sipped black coffee and sweetmeats brought by Gunam Tambipillai, an estate owner who was very supportive of all our efforts at development. Sumanapala was in his elements and in around two weeks, Coop Crayon packets were printed and crayon packets made to fill two large rooms.
Then I took off with Sumanapala to meet the Minister of Industries, TB Sunbasinhe who was surprised to see the quality of the crayons. He readily agreed to come for the opening ceremony when we would commence sales. That was a grand occasion. With that aura of authoritative approval, I felt safe for all I had done without any Ministry approval.
Coop Crayon was fully functional. The Youths managed it well. However, one major hitch was the purchase of dyes that had to be purchased in the open market at high prices. I approached the Ministry of Industries, the people that gave permits of foreign exchange to industrialists- the place where I had worked two years earlier. They said that their foreign exchange was only for the private sector industrialists and not for cooperatives. The mandarins were not going to bend rules. We were lost.
In a few days, a brain wave struck us and we went to meet the Controller of Imports, Harry Guneratne, Harry was authorizing imports and confided that he was approving foreign exchange to import crayons. We argued that if he only gave us an allocation of a twentieth of what he would approve for the import of crayons to import dyes, he could cancel all imports and save the rest of the allotted foreign exchange. This had never been done earlier but Harry was an immediate convert. However, he said that this was the first time that such an allocation was made and wanted us to approach his Minister and get his approval. Minister Illangaratne not only approved it but also insisted that we should open a crayon factory at Kolonnawa his electorate. This detail has been included to show how we can save foreign exchange through establishing import substitution type of industries.
Coop Crayon was developed fast by Sumanapala and he stepped it up to have island-wide sales. All the units I had established in industries and agricultural farms were active and in good health. Coop Crayon and the Matara Boatyard were at the top performers in entire Sri Lanka.
In another year in April 1973, I left the Administrative Service to proceed to the UK for further studies. Sumanapala handled the Coop Crayon well. The other industries and employment ventures were well looked after by Vetus and the Katchcheri staff.
Then in 1977 came the General Election where the Government of Sirimavo Bandaranayake lost and the United National Party under JR Jayawardena won.
Before long President Jayawardena caved into the IMF which insisted that if he needed Financial Aid, he had to invariably follow the IMF’s Structural Adjustment Programme. (SAP) The main condition was that the Government could not handle any commercial undertakings. Everything that the earlier Governments had done in the name of commercial undertakings, to create employment etc had to be totally abolished. The DDCP industries and farms were totally abolished and hundreds of youths were inevitably consigned to the scrap heap of unemployment and poverty.
The political rivalry became the order o the day. My Headquarters Assistant GA Ranjith Wimalaratne, a kingpin in industries and who handled the Powerlooms with great efficiency was a persona non grata and was hunted down. To save his life he had to forego everything and run away to Canada.
A few years later, I met AT Ariyaratne, a senior member of the Administrative Service and when I told him that I had last served as the GA at Matara he spoke of a special assignment he got in 1978 when he worked as a Deputy Commissioner of Cooperative Development. He had been assigned to proceed to Morawaka to inspect Coop Crayon and somehow find fault with Sumanapala Dahanayake the Member of Parliament who in his capacity as the President of the Morawaka Coop union handled Coop Crayon. Coop Crayon was at that time in full swing with islandwide sales and was easily the flagship industry of the DDCP. The Government wanted Coop Crayon discredited and to also find fault with Sumanapala for him to get punished. Ariyaratne told me that he had spent days inspecting and auditing and could only report that Coop Crayon was a very successful cooperative industry, with all books kept in perfect order. Sumanapala was saved from a sojourn in the gallows. Ariyaratne was not an officer who would stoop to create evidence to put a person into trouble at the bidding of someone in authority.
In order to get foreign loans, the UNP caved in and destroyed all that we had created to bring about youth employment. The Matara Boatyard where youths built seaworthy inboard motorboats- some 40 every year and earned good incomes was scrapped and the valuable machinery was neglected, sold and also left in the scrap heap. Coop Crayon was stopped. All other industries and agricultural farms were stopped and a few hundred youths lost their jobs. Getting loans was the priority, and the UNP Government did not care whether youths who earned a living were destined to the realm of poverty. The aim was to satisfy the IMF. The IMF barked orders to be carried out.
Let us see what economist luminary Professor Jeffery Sachs had to say of the entry of the IMF and the World Bank to Africa:
The IMF and the World Bank virtually ran the economies of the debt-ridden continent recommending regimes of budgetary belt-tightening known technically as the Structural Adjustment Programme. These Programs had little scientific merit and produced even fewer results. By the start of the twenty-first century, Africa was poorer than in the late 1960s when the IMF and the World Bank had first arrived on the scene., with the disease, population growth and environmental degradation spiralling out of control. IMF led austerity led to riots, coups and the collapse of public services( From The End of Poverty)
As much as Africa became poorer with the advent of the IMF, from 1978, Sri Lanka too faced destitution. The UNP Government of President Jayawardena played poodle to the IMF and did everything that the IMF wanted it to do. As far as the DDCP was concerned all industries and agricultural farms were abandoned and the thousands of youths involved were destined to unemployment and poverty. Imagine what the youths who were making crayons felt in Morawaka, what the youths fromMorawaka who were selling crayons at both Alimankada and Pamankada felt and the youths that were making boats felt at the Matara Boatyard felt when they were ordered to close down and get lost.
A Presidential Elections is in the hustings in a few days in Sri Lanka and it is necessary to bring about employment for the youth and prosperity for the people. The DDCP was once the flagship that Dr NM Perera and PrimeMinister Sirimavo doted on to bring us prosperity. The United National Party of President Jayawardena sacrificed that at the behest of the IMF.
It is time that we rethink our strategies at development once again from scratch.
It is hoped that the combination of leaders former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya and former Premier Mahinda can effectively strategize a programme to end poverty and unemployment in Sri Lanka. I am certain that they will be successful.
I hope to see a development programme that is better than the DDCP in the new future and the only path to this development lies through a victory for Gotabhaya as President. There is no other option.
It was not long ago that they showed us their full colours by defeating the LTTE that attacked us all over our country for thirty long years.
That is the only hope for our Motherland.
These words come to you from a Sri Lankan administrator who once in 1982 and 1983 was working as the Commonwealth FundAdvisoir to the Ministry of Labour and Manpower in Bangladesh, who was able to obtain approval to establish a Youth Self Employment Programme, and within two years did create the Programme and trained Bangladeshi staff to continue it- a programme that has guided millions into self employment, which is today the premier employment creation programme that has withstood the sands of time.
*Garvin Karunaratne, PhD Michigan State University
Author of How the IMF Sabotaged Third World Development (Kindle/odages:2017)
How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka and Alternative Programmes of Success(Kindle/Godages:2006)
Professor George Axinn of Michigan State University hails this book: It is hoped that this timely book will enable international organizations to arrest the trend of failures. … I am delighted and proud to have been one of his teachers at Michigan State University.”
11/11/2019
I would like to place a few pertinent questions to my fellow countrymen with regard to voting at the forthcoming presidential election.
How gullible should be us in our knowledge not to suspect the ulterior motives of America in granting the valuable US $ 480 million for our well being? Their untiring efforts to force this on us can be taken as a reflection of true altruism. However, compare this with their just recent decision to pull out the US troops from the Syrian Turkish border without batting an eyelid exposing millions of refugees to the firing of their enemies. Just to safeguard their interests, death and destruction of millions look a small matter to them.
It was due to the countrywide strong protests to the MCC agreement and the brave fast unto death by the Most Venerable Ududumbara Kassapa Thero that saved us from inking this agreement.
The whole country breathed a sigh of relief when the government postponed the signing until after the election with the fervent hope it will be gone by then.
However it will be no surprise no sooner if this government returns to power with the election of Sajith Premadasa, the said agreement will be signed with aplomb. With opposition to this pact mounting what chaos the country is likely to face then?
The TNA has come on board to support Sajith Premadasa after forwarding a list of thirteen demands earlier but no word on how many were agreed upon by both parties. These demands go even beyond what the LTTE were clamouring for at the height of the war.
Are we ready to divide our country just to support the candidate of our party?
Then what about seeing those who are alleged to have aided and abetted the murderers at the Easter Sunday attacks celebrating the victory along with Sajith Premadasa, if he wins?
The UNP admits it could not do what it wanted to do to develop the country because the President and the Prime Minister did not see eye to eye.
Then won’t it be a much worst-case scenario if Sajith returns to power with Ranil as the PM?
The rift seems to be widening day by day now with Ranil’s side confirming him as the PM over and over and Sajith’s camp distancing further and further away from him. Are we ready to witness further endless disasters with a win to the UNP? Can you remember countless meetings they had to have just to nominate Sajith Premadasa as the candidate?
Even if Ranil is replaced who are the potential candidates to fill that role in Sajith Premadasa’s favourite group? Mangala, Kiriella, Karunanayake and Champika are the frontline candidates and I do not think any one of them will bring much enthusiasm to the public at large.
However, the most I fear is this. The UNP is banking on forming a phobia on Gotabaya Rajapaksha showing he has the potential to rule the country in a military-style.
But none asks the question of the person on whom Sajith Premadasa has already placed the post of Defence Minister, Sarath Fonseka!
Don’t you shiver to feel how he would run the defence when he has the power at his fingertips?
Now itself Sarath Fonseka is going from stage to stage claiming the MR clan should be hung in four corners at Medamudalana!
Will a peace-loving subject be at ease with such a vindictive person at such a powerful position? We will have daily nightmares probably. Who is more likely to bring white vans in we can guess.
The worst is to come. Mr Fonseka already has had confrontations even with his deputy at his Wild Life Ministry.
Are we naïve to ponder if things do not go according to his wishes even a government overthrow with his military might at hand?
The phobia should not be on Gotabaya but genuinely on Sarath Fonseka, my dear countrymen!
The Muslim Voice” vehemently hopes and prays that the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and it’s members will STRICTLY” follow point 07” of the guidelines stipulated statement issued please, Insha Allah, which they have published – http://www.ft.lk/…/ACJU-issues-guidance-with…/56-688638. Rizvi Mufti and the ACJU should be “neutral” at the elections.
In the last Presidential elections and general elections, though similar indications were made, The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama violated all election norms and preached from the MIMBAR” in all mosques to vote against the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA aggressively on the last Friday (Jumma prayers) before the polling day.
2019 Presidentail elections day is 16th., November which is a Saturday and 15th., November is a FRIDAY. Muslims all over Sri Lanka will be attending their Friday (Jumma) prayers on that day. Rizvi Mufti (Moulavi) and the All Ceylon Jamiyatul Ulama – ACJU comprising nearly 3500 moulavis/KATEEBS around Sri Lanka should make it a point that they will “NOT” use the “pulpit” (mimbar) of the mosques on Friday the 15th., 2019 to seek/lobby for votes in support of Sijith Premadasa or his symbol the “hansaya” or against Gotabaya Rajapaksa or the Pottuwa/SLPP. The Muslims should be allowed to vote according to their conscience without any pressure or false promises from any quaters, Insha Allah.
Let the people, especially the Muslim Vote bank who love our MAATHROOBUMIYA” patiently wait and see what The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and their Moulavis” do on November 15th., Friday Jumma prayers, Insha Allah. If they attempt to break the Elections Law, the Election Commision or the police should be immediately informed, Insha Allah.
IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE ALL CEYLON JAMIYYATHUL ULEMA AND THEIR MOULAVIS (not all Moulavis) NOT TO ACT DECEPTIVELY ON FRIDAY THE 15th., NOVEMBER 2019, Insha Allah.
We are in the last week of a very crucial and important presidential election campaign after the 1988 presidential election in which the results were manipulated and distorted by the JVP hooligans to carry out a contract from R.Pewmadasa to prevent village voters in the Sinhala areas from casting their ballots and assistance provided by disgraceful Chandrika by fielding a candidate against her own mother from her outrageous party the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya.
As anticipated by many the treacherous reactionary foreign and terrorist servile gang, the anti-Sri Lankan groups including the NGO vultures sustained by the so-called self-proclaimed international community and the terrorist diaspora convinced of their defeat in the election have launched their mud-slinging and smear campaign to mislead and misguide the voters.
A new trend hitherto unseen in the Sri Lanka is the arrival of many foreign residents Sri Lankans both male and female in Australia, U.A.E and other Middle East countries, Italy and several European countries to vote in the election and airline sources indicate that there are heavy bookings for seats in the incoming flights to Sri Lanka until 15th November. These flood-gates were opened yesterday and many passengers who arrived yesterday have told the media that they were amazed to see developments taking place in the countries they reside utilising the modern technology such as Nano-technology, aeronautics, robot-technology, digital technology, etc., and they are quite convinced that Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, being an experienced person in modern and digital technology is the only person capable of developing Sri Lanka within a short period and accord Sri Lanka its due place in the fast-emerging Asian economy male passenger . A female passenger said that she is very keen to vote in this election got Gota since she wants to have an undivided nation in which she will not need to visit her home in Vavuniya on a pre-arranged or border point visa.
Today (11th Nov, ) also a large crowd arrived and many of them expressed their utter dismay over the stalemate suffered by Sri Lanka during the last 4 ½ years due to abandoning of all ongoing development work and concentrating only on punishing the leaders and bureaucrats of the previous government who rendered a dedicated service to make this country a Wonder Nation of Asia.
Given below are experts from an interview given by the former Governor of the Central Bank Mr Ajith Nivad Cabral who was responsible for many development activities during the Mahinda Rajapaksa era.
We were prepared for the challenge of taking the economy forward. We didn’t come during early 2006 and say we must find what to do. We were ready with the plans and focused areas we were going to work on and started on each of those areas together. Sometimes we cannot wade through one to the other but have to do several things together. That was our key thrust. Then we started on the development, dealing with the war and that helped us to give confidence to the rest of the country and stakeholders and there were results.
Each year there was an incremental way in which it was going forward and it gave more confidence to the people.
What happened was at the beginning of 2018 the rupee was at 150 and then just a year later it was 183. If the rupee could have depreciated in one year we thought why can’t the opposite happen? Why are we thinking that we cannot do it? I was sure that with the right conditions put in place, we need is to have confidence restored back into the economy. Once that happens and investments come back and other macro-fundamentals start moving in the right direction.
We were in touch with all important industrialists and many of them told us that they have been taxed unfairly and which included the banking sector, hotels, small and medium enterprise sector, professionals and various traders. Hoteliers had a very good reason to be agitated because they have been made to pay any taxes. I believed that we need to rationalise all these quickly and suggested to cut taxes at least by 20%. Some of the obnoxious taxes such as those on apartment sales and remittances need to be scrapped because they are inhibiting growth.
Tourism is a sector that we wanted to support, as it will touch people and filter down fast. I was convinced that it is much better to forego some taxes and ensure that the people have jobs and their energy to do additional activities and that’s the philosophy that will drive the economic policy in future. If they are energized they will take Sri Lanka to a five million tourism product. Even a three-wheel taxi driver will have more hires.
When I left Central Bank, the portfolio of the Employers Provident Fund (EPF) had had an unrealised gain of Rs. 20 billion. That wouldn’t have been the case had there been pumping and dumping. The Greek bond case was a situation where it was challenged in the Supreme Court by Sujeewa Senasinghe, who wrote a book on the alleged Bond Scam. Details of the case are on the website of the Supreme Court. They specifically say ‘considering the totality of the circumstances, it is neither possible nor desirable to hold that the members of the monetary board in taking a decision to invest in Greek bonds have acted arbitrarily, unreasonably and in a fraudulent manner. In view of the conclusion reached, the Court is not inclined to express any opinion on the objections raised’.
Hedging is not fraudulent activity. It is an activity that people use in order to deal with some risk. It’s like insurance and was proposed by the Central Bank. But something went wrong with that as a result of certain factors. But no one alleged. That was not done by the Central Bank, but by the Petroleum Corporation. It was only an idea that was generated by the Central Bank’s economic research team. It was never alleged that there was anything fraudulent in that. There was a loss that occurred, but that was certainly less than what this Government paid as compensation for the Port City stoppage of work as well as the cancellation of the SriLankan Airbus. Coming back to the Greek bonds, although they say that there was a loss of USD 6.6 million what they said is that during the particular year, the Central Bank made its highest ever profit which was USD 430 million against a USD 50 million profit made last year and a USD 100 million the previous year. You can see that despite taking this loss into consideration, the Central Bank made its highest ever profit and it was a landmark year; although this loss was suffered.
The bond scam was twofold; it happened in February 2015 and again in March 2016.
The main way in which this bond scam took place was that the system of issuing bonds didn’t allow any bonds to be issued in a fraudulent manner.
I’m not afraid and I don’t think anyone in Central Bank is afraid to face any inquiry. We know that it wasn’t possible to initiate any bond scam with that system in place. But on February 27, 2015, that system was changed arbitrarily on the insistence of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. They changed the system which allowed this kind of thing to take place. If the system wasn’t changed, even Mahendran couldn’t have done that. Now we need to get to the bottom of that. During the past five years, there has been one cover-up after another. I’m writing a book on the cover-ups because people should know the extent of them. Those people have to account for their actions and the loss that we have suffered, not only the direct loss we suffered on the day of the scam.
There were losses that were suffered for thirty years as a result of what is being issued at higher rates of interests. Because of bad publicity, the confidence in the economy was lost and interest rates have still not come down. The Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR) was only 6.2% at the time I left the Central Bank. Today it is nearly 12%. This means that every single person who is paying interest has to account for an additional 6% premium that has been added to all transactions. The Commission that was appointed didn’t do its job properly.
As regard his sister having being employed on Perpetual Board he said that his sister was there for one year. She hadn’t attended a single meeting and she had never had any dealings with Perpetual Treasuries. People pretend as if they don’t know this. Even the Commission didn’t write about any involvement regarding her during that period. During the time I was Governor, Perpetual Treasuries had bid for about Rs. 2.7 billion worth of bonds at the auctions. They had only received Rs. 26 million. Billions bid but Rs. 26 million received. That was all they had got which was at normal rates. That was what all others had got. It was only after he left that the entire incident had taken place. My sister and he had never run away.
There is one area which may need a little clarification. Those days the prices you would have paid for telecom would have been much cheaper. Of course, the service is terrible.
That is what we need to accept as the difference. When you have a private entity they will charge the right price or a higher price to make a profit and ensure that the customer gets a proper deal. Take the Petroleum Corporation – tomorrow the CPC can increase the price and make a profit because it’s a monopoly. If it is handed over to the private sector, the first thing they would do is to bring in a price that would make money. But what does it do to the customer? Are we prepared to do that? If yes, that’s perfectly fine. At the time that the oil price went to USD 145 per barrel, we still gave petrol at a much lower rate.
That loss was accepted by the Government. The Government subsidised that. During that period of time, although it was a tough call, the Government took a political as well as economic decision that we want to ensure that the country’s economic activities don’t get stalled by this high price that it had to pay. So we took an economic and a political call and that was a deliberate action by the Government.
It had nothing to do with the efficiency of the Petroleum Corporation. Even if the CPC becomes inefficient the bulk of its expenditure is not on salaries or any other factor, but on the fuel price.
If the fuel price is high the price will have to be high. Here what has
happened is that there are certain times you have to offer support to the
consumers in order to bring that economic activity up to a certain level of
robustness.
At the same time, we need to ensure that these are companies which are not in any way a burden on the government taxpayer as well as the people of the country. So it’s a balance. Economics is always about a balance. Sometimes the most optimum solution is not found in that particular organization alone. It can be found elsewhere.
SriLankan Airlines is going to be restructured, but we should view tourism as a product. Who would support tourism during a downturn? We mustn’t get completely carried away by this privatisation thought and think that everything would be perfect with privatisation. Right now we are at USD 4000 per capita income and our economy isn’t robust enough to charge interests of that nature. Sometimes we need to hold the hand of certain state institutions to ensure that those also grow. I think we must do what is right for the country at the stage that it is in. Don’t embrace certain theories and principles, merely because they have been applied in other countries. So let’s give it some time and I would support the companies to make them better-managed companies.
We need to ensure that people have things they want at the right time. If we were to bring in so many other oil companies to Sri Lanka I don’t think we would be doing justice to consumers. We may only have a steep increase in the pricing alone. There’s a lot more focus on electricity as well, but what has happened? During the past five years, not a single unit has been added to the National Grid. So how do we tackle that? The Government is contemplating adding 500 MW of emergency power. The worse thing that you can do is have emergency power. The answer to that is not that you do a tender for emergency power, but have a long term power generation plan. This way you would ensure that each year there would be new amounts of units added to the national grid. Then we would be in a position to have better pricing and better relief to the consumers. In 2014 the electricity prices actually reduced after the 300 MW Norochcholai Power plant was commissioned. That was a promise that was given in the manifesto of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and it was followed because we were in a position to do that.
Last year the Central Bank report showed that due to the depreciation of the currency, Sri Lanka’s debt burden grows by Rs. 1063 billion. The Colombo-Katunayake expressway cost us only Rs. 37 billion. We could have done about 35 such expressways through the amount the rupee depreciation added on to our debt. That is the critical part of public sector management. All debts put together of SriLankan Airlines etc., won’t come anywhere close to it. So we need to manage our economy properly. If we don’t manage it we get into serious trouble. So we need to get our interest rates, rupee and the SOEs right. Why we are here in this situation, where people are wondering whether we could survive is because we have actually got into trouble in the mega areas of our economic management. We have done badly in terms of interest rates, rupee, fiscal deficit and foreign direct investments coming in and those need to be fixed very quickly.
Referring to SLPP, Mr Cabral said that it is a young party and it has been in existence only for about three years and there’s a lot more time for leadership changes. If you take the SLFP, it had the leadership of S.W.R.D Bandaranaike and then from him to Sirimavo and Chandrika, but then it changed. If you take the UNP from D.S Senanayake it went to Dudley Senanayake and then it changed. So there were times where you would have seen certain initial stages of the Party being dominated by a certain group or a certain family. But over a period of time as other leaders emerged and they come forward there will be changes taking place. He said that he is confident that even here there would be a certain transition and people accept the undisputed leadership of Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa and there has been a consensus that the person who should contest the Presidency is Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Speaking in a ‘ViyathMaga’ seminar Mr Cabral accused the government of blindly taking foreign loans for day to day consumption purposes and explained at the time of handing over of the Rajapaksa government the parity rate for the U.S.$ was Rs. 131 and it has reached nearly Rs, 200 due to bad fiscal management of this government.
Mr Cabral said that in the year 2018 the amount paid by the government as loan interest amounted to Rs.850 billion and Rs. 400 billion has been paid as additional loan interests. He said that for the construction of the Colombo-Kayunayake Expressway the Rajapaksa government spent only Rs. 37 billion and compared to that from additional loan interest paid by this government in 2018 alone 11 Expressways could have been built.
Meanwhile, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa addressing a meeting held at Colombo Exhibition Centre on 39th September said that Sri Lanka has become the country with the lowest economic development in Asia. He said that as per the latest report of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sri Lanka’s economic development rate has collapsed to 3e.6%, to lower than Afghanistan which has a rate of 2.7%.
Speaking further Mr Rajapaksa emphasized that we should safeguard our sovereignty and since we are a small country we should not get involved in the power struggles of big nations. He reminded that we had been a countr5y not aligned to any power bloc and strictly following a Non-Aligned foreign policy and this non-aligned policy is getting severely weakened due to our unnecessary involvement with certain countries.
Speaking about the economy, he said that they have a clear economic policy and a programme to revive the collapsed economy. He said that this economic programme has been formulated in a form of uplifting the downtrodden masses.
Mr Gotabhaya explained that Sri Lanka is situated in the centre of the fast economic development region of Asia and we should take the maximum benefit from this propitious situation. He said that we lost 30 years because of the heinous terrorism. We should not miss the opportunity of this auspicious market opportunity.
Unfortunately during the last 4 ½ years, the present government did not have a concrete plan to overcome from the economic downfall.
The biggest challenge this country had been facing was the terrorist aggression and we eliminated it in 2 ½ years and ensured the safety and security in the country. We were also successful in making the country attractive to foreign investors and generate employment for the people of this country.
Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa made the above comments delivering the keynote address at the special session of the Lanka Samasamaja Party.
He said that Lanka Samasamaja Party is a party that has rendered a tremendous service to this country and at the same time it has introduced a plethora of political giants such as Dr N.M.Perera, Dr Colvin R. de Silva, Robert Gunawardeme, Mrs, Vivienne Gunawardene, Bernard Soysa etc.
If there is no stability and security in a country it will not be possible for the people to live harmoniously in that country. We ended terrorism that scorched the country for almost thirty years. 13,000 hard-core terrorists surrendered to the army and we rehabilitated and socialized them. There were only 277 more terrorists to be rehabilitated. Those who were rehabilitated and socialized never returned to terrorism. We provided them employment and we even allowed them to join the army or other security forces. Unfortunately, this government did not provide them with any employment.
90% of the lands that were under the LTTE and the security forces were returned to their original owners. The owners of lands were also allowed to engage in the cultivation of their around the Palaly High-Security Zone. We were planning to establish a new city in that area in consultation with Mr Douglas Devananda and settle more people there. But we couldn’t accomplish it as the government changed.
Also, all the programmes we implemented were brought forward after ending the war. However, programmes related to those activities were not carried forward by this government. The Southern Expressway was not completed by this government.
This century in future will be called as a knowledge-based century. We should bein readiness for this situation. We have prepared a short term and long term plans to face these situations. There is a possibility of providing opportunities based on technology for those who have given up education abruptly, who have ailed advanced level education and become stranded, unemployed graduates. If 500,000students sit for the Advanced Level examination only 200,000 passes the examination. Out of them only 35,000 gains entry to Universities. Others get stranded. All the students should be provided with the opportunity for higher education. We are planning to invest a huge amount for this purpose.
It is not essential to become graduates in the computer sector. There is a possibility to engage our youth in the computer sector. We must secure these employment opportunities. A short term programme to train these youth for computer-based economically profitable employments. We have plans formulated for this.
During President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s time, we showed that we can do things. Then er worked as a team. We did not blame Ministers or officials, It was because that politicians and officials worked together we achieved results. We should activate and vitalize the public service. We should have a vision and leadership to identify the talents and utilize such people.
We did not bring foreigners to finish the war to develop our infrastructure. It was our talented personnel who finished the war. It was our talented people who beautified our cities and towns. Having plans are not sufficient. We should have the capability to implement the plans,
Please provide your assistance to take this country forward towards prosperity.
Speaking at a meeting of the upcountry youth forum held at Waters Edge in Battaramulla, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa said his economic plans were people-centric and aimed at uplifting everyone’s living standards.
He said that as a whole, his economic and development plans are not limited to one region but people-centric. Any development plan should be inclusive to increase the income of all citizens instead of making a selected group of people rich. Although the per capita income is high in the country, some people still live below the poverty line. There is no point if our development projects don’t benefit all citizens and if one faction is always poor. There should be a system to uplift the livelihood of people who are below the poverty line,” he said.
On a different note, he said the estate sector was the highest foreign exchange earner of the country and that it was time for export diversification.
He said that it e said that HmmmmmmmmmmmHHhh is unfair if we stick only to tea when speaking of the estate sector. The livelihood of the people in the region should be uplifted. The youth have to tap the tourism sector in order to do this. The children in the region should be given equal educational opportunities.
The biggest story at ASEAN was the convergence of moves toward Asia integration, leaving Delhi out for now
November 08, 2019 “Information Clearing House” -A pan-Asia high-speed train has left the station – and India – behind. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would have been the largest free trade deal in the world, was not signed in Bangkok. It will probably be signed next year in Vietnam, assuming New Delhi goes beyond what ASEAN, with diplomatic finesse barely concealing frustration, described as outstanding issues, which remain unresolved.”
The partnership uniting 16 nations – the ASEAN 10 plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and, in theory, India – would have congregated 3.56 billion people and 29% of world trade.
Predictably, it was billed as the big story among the slew of high-profile meetings linked to the 35th ASEAN summit in Thailand, as RCEP de facto further integrates Asian economies with China just as the Trump administration is engaged in a full spectrum battle against everything from the Belt and Road Initiative to Made in China 2025.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng was blunt: It’s the 15 nations that have decided to move forward first.” And he added there won’t be any problem for the 15 nations to sign RCEP next year,” when Vietnam takes over as the chair of ASEAN.
It’s not hard to figure out where the problem” lies.
Diplomats confirmed that New Delhi came up with a string of last-minute demands in Thailand, forcing many to work deep into the night with no success. Thailand’s Commerce Minister, Jurin Laksanawisit, tried to put on a brave face: The negotiation last night was conclusive.”
It was not. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad – whose facial expression in the family photo was priceless, as he shook hands with Aung San Suu Kyi on his left and nobody on his right – had already given away the game. We’re very disappointed,” he said, adding: One country is making demands we cannot accept.”
ASEAN, that elaborate monument to punctilious protocol and face-saving, insists the few outstanding issues will be resolved by February 2020,” with the text of all 20 RCEP chapters complete pending the resolution of one” member.
RCEP dwells across a large territory, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property and dispute resolution. The Indian problem” is extremely complex. India in fact already has a free trade agreement with ASEAN.
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CEP, in practice, would extend this agreement to the other big boys, including China, Japan and South Korea.
New Delhi insists it is defending farmers, dairy owners, the services industry, sectors of the automobile industry – especially hybrid and electric cars, and very popular three-wheelers – and mostly small businesses all across the nation, which would be devastated by an augmented tsunami of Chinese merchandise.
Agriculture, textile, steel and mining interests in India are totally against RCEP.
Yet New Delhi never mentions quality Japanese or South Korean products. It’s all about China. New Delhi argues that signing what is widely interpreted as a free trade agreement with China would explode its already significant US$57 billion a year trade deficit.
The barely disguised secret is that India’s economy, as the historical record shows, is inherently protectionist. There’s no way a possible removal of agricultural tariffs protecting farmers would not provoke a social cataclysm.
Modi, who is not exactly a bold statesman with a global vision, is between a heavy rock and a very hard place. President Xi Jinping offered him a 100-year plan” for China-India partnership at their last informal, bilateral summit.
India is a fellow BRICS member, it’s part of the Russia-India-China troika that is actually at the center of BRICS and is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Geopolitically as well as geoeconomically, it hardly makes sense for India to be out of RCEP – which means excluded from East Asia and Southeast Asia integration. The only feasible solution might be an elaborate bilateral India-China deal within RCEP.
Questions remain whether both players would be able to work that out before the Vietnam summit in 2020.
India was only part of the story of the summit fest in Thailand. At the important East Asia Summit, everyone was actively discussing multiple paths towards multilateralism.
The Trump administration is touting what it calls the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy – which is yet another de facto China containment strategy, congregating the US, India, Japan and Australia. Indo-Pacific is very much on Modi’s mind. The problem is Indo-Pacific,” as the US conceives of it, and RCEP are incompatible.
ASEAN, instead, came up with its own strategy: ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) – which incorporates all the usual transparency, good governance, sustainable development and rules-based tenets plus details on connectivity and maritime disputes.
All the ASEAN 10 are behind AOIP, which is, in fact, an original Indonesian idea. It’s fascinating to know that Bangkok and Jakarta worked together behind closed doors for no fewer than 18 months to reach a full consensus among the ASEAN 10.
The biggest story in Thailand was, in fact, the convergence of myriad moves towards Asia integration. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang was lavishly praising the prospects of integrating Belt and Road with something called the Master Plan of ASEAN Activity, which is the connectivity part of AOIP.
South Korea’s Moon Jae-in jumped in extolling the merits of his Southern Policy, which is essentially northeast-southeast Asia integration. And don’t forget Russia.
At the ASEAN business and investment summit, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev put it all together; the blossoming of the Greater Eurasian Partnership, uniting the Eurasia Economic Union, ASEAN and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, not to mention, in his words, other possible structures,” which is code for Belt and Road.
Belt and Road is powerfully advancing its links to RCEP, Eurasia Economic Union and even South America’s Mercosur – when Brazil finally kicks Jair Bolsonaro out of power.
Medvedev noted that this merging of interests was unanimously supported at the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi in 2016. Vietnam and Singapore have already clinched free trade deals with Eurasia Economic Union, and Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia are on their way.
Medvedev also noted that a trade and economic cooperation deal between China and Eurasia Economic Union was signed in late October. Next is India, and a preferential trade agreement between the union and Iran has also been signed.
In Thailand, the Chinese delegation did not directly address the United States’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy. But Medvedev did, forcefully: We are in favor of maintaining the effective system of state-to-state relations which was formed on the basis of ASEAN and has shown a good track record over the years.
In this regard, we believe the US initiative is a serious challenge for ASEAN countries, since it can weaken the association’s position and strip it of its status as a key player in addressing regional security problems.”
Summits come and go. But what just happened in Thailand will remain as another graphic illustration of myriad, concerted moves leading towards progressive, irreversible Asia – and Eurasia – integration. It’s up to Modi to decide when and if to hop on the train.
Pepe Escobar is correspondent-at-large at Asia Times. His latest book is 2030. Follow him on Facebook.
This article was originally published by “Asia Times“
We again had the misfortune witnessed a mockery of justice when President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned Jude Samantha Jayamaha sentenced to death for the brutal murder of Swedish teenager Yvonne Johnson at the Royal Park luxury apartment complex in Colombo in July 2005.
Needless to say, this pardoning has sparked outrage among all law-abiding citizens. They would have not objected if the death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. But to allow Jayamaha to walk out of prison is intolerable, to say the least. Is this a twisted view of human rights? Or is it because the convict is from a high-profile wealthy family?
This is the latest in four such unjustifiable Presidential pardons within a period of four decades.
During the murder trial, the court was told that the skull of the victim – who was strangled to death – was fractured into 64 pieces. Jayamaha should have been kept in prison at least till he reached old age if not a life term.
It was President Jayawardene who set a dangerous precedent by releasing convicted rapist and underworld thug Gonawala Sunil. He was even made a JP.
Thereafter President Premadasa pardoned Manohari Daniels jailed for killing dozens of civilians by exploding a car bomb in 1987.
In July 2009 Mary Juliet Monica Fernando sentenced to death (later commuted to life imprisonment) in 2005 for a double murder, walked away to freedom after being pardoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on International Women’s Day!
Juliet Fernando was the wife of former SLFP Minister Milroy Fernando.
Why this selective ‘compassion’?
Are not there other heartless murderers like Jude Samantha still in the death row?
The only convicts who may deserve pardon are those who have killed in self-defense or under sudden provocation in justifiable circumstances or caused death unintentionally (including negligence). These usually fall into the legal category of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Pardoning any convict or not should be decided not by a President but by a review board, depending on the nature of each case. It should be a legal process.
We hope the next President will give serious thought to this. If not criminals who deserve no leniency will walk away scot-free.
An independent team of Maha Sanga release special statements to the media says that ‘‘All religious leaders including Buddhist clergy to date have worked and contributed enormously to protect our motherland, nation, religion and culture. Similarly, all ethnic groups diligently and cordially have done their part. All communities and followers of all religious faiths in the future too must work together with the thought “All are Sri Lankans”.’’ ‘‘We appeal to you, including the Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders, to come together to defeat all forces that are attempting to divide this land or destroy the national unity’’ the statement adds.
Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara, Mahanayake Thero, Ven. Ganthure Assagee Thero, Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thero, Ven. Ambewela Paggasara Thero, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thero, Ven. Prof Kollupitiye Sangarakkitha Thero, Ven Kotapola Amarakiththi Theto, Ven. Prof Madagama Nandawasa Thero, Ven Dr. Walpola Wimalagana AnunayakeThero, Ven Prof. Pallekande Rathnasara Thero, Ven Mederipiteye Tapassi Thero, Ven. Prof. Kiwlegedara Narada Thero, Ven. Prof. Kahapola Sugatharathana Thero, Ven. Homagama Dammananda Thero, Ven. Omare Kassapa Anunayake Thero, Ven. Prof. Magammana Paghghannda Thero, Ven. Prof. Madagampitiye WijithaDamma Thero, Ven. Kumbuke Chandaloka Thero, Ven Prof. Agalakada Sirisumana Thero, Ven Prof Iththademaliye Indasara there has sign the statement.
full statement below,
A kind intimation to all Sri Lankans
Sri Lanka is a unique country. Our country’s physical assets such as the strategic location, climate, geography, environment, and water, coupled with our esteemed culture, the national heritage enriched with our archeological endowments elevate our country’s standing among the countries in the world to high levels.
The unfortunate environment that developed during the recent past and the devastating events that have taken place have made the Buddhist clergy and other religious dignitaries sorrowful. Further, degradation and erosion of territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, and ability to withstand foreign intervention, exacerbated by the breakdown of national security have been the cause for profound sadness and despair. It is so unfortunate that this uncertain climate and environment still prevails.
No one has been found guilty or accountable on the Central Bank bond scam where enormous amounts of money have been siphoned off. Those who killed hundreds of people by suicide bombings freely mingle in society. Furthermore, selling, leasing and disposing of portions of our country to foreign interests continue unabated, posing a huge threat to our independence. In the forthcoming Presidential election, some candidates willing to implement proposals of certain politicians that would ultimately lead to the division of our country and a federal structure, are in the fray. As it is our prime and noble intention to ensure that all communities and followers of all religious faiths live harmoniously and in peace, respecting the main cultural ethos and Buddhism, we would call upon all candidates to openly declare and promise that they would protect the unitary status of our country, oppose federalism, and ensure national security. Those who would not so declare should be firmly rejected.
All religious leaders including Buddhist clergy to date have worked and contributed enormously to protect our motherland, nation, religion and culture. Similarly, all ethnic groups diligently and cordially have done their part. All communities and followers of all religious faiths in the future too, must work together with the thought “All are Sri Lankans”. Therefore, we appeal to you, including the Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders, to come together to defeat all forces that are attempting to divide this land or destroy the national unity.
We are kindly appealing to all, to cast your valuable vote at the forthcoming Presidential election, to the most capable leader who will protect and preserve the unitary status of our country; ensure national security; enhance and promote local produce and production; pull the country out of the economic mess we are in; strictly enforce law and order; and restore civility by eliminating prevailing lawlessness. We further appeal to all the Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders to provide leadership to apprise the public of the need to elect our future president to ensure our country’s peace and prosperity.
May the noble Triple Gem bless you all
THE RECENT AWARD PRIDE OF ASIA” TO SRI LANKAN SPEAKER KARU JAYASURIYA HAS NO VALUE. IT IS MEANT TO HOODWINK GENERAL PUBLIC,
SURELY THE AWARD HAS BEEN CONFERRED TO HIM WITHOUT FULLY CHECKING CHECKING HIS WORKS. I MEAN, WITHOUT CHECKING HOW USEFUL HIS WORKS TO SRI LANKANS”.
I DO NOT THINK THAT Abdul Kalam Institute of Technological Sciences (AKITS).” HAD SPENT ANY TIME TO CHECK HIS WORKS.
AS YOU ARE AWARE SPEAKER KARU JAYASURIYA IS A MEMBER OF CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL. THIS COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF KEY FIGURES IN PUBLIC SERVICES ( FOR EXAMPLE IGP)
I KINDLY REQUEST ABDUL KALAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(AKITS) MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN RECOMMENDING THIS AWARD TO SPEAKER KARU JAYASURIYA THE FOLLOWING.
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY INSTITUTIONS (INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL) WHERE SPEAKER IS A MEMBER, TO PUBLIC SERVICES OFFICES.
FOR EXAMPLE FORMER IGP PUJITHA JAYASUNDARA IS ALREADY IN REMAND CUSTODY.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE VERY EXTENSIVE CHECKS TO FIND OUT SOME MATERIALS.
JUST CHECK THE PHONES OF SRI LANKA HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL MEMBERS AND SRI LANKA POLICE COMMISSION MEMBERS.
YOU WILL FIND PHONE NUMBERS OF ALL THE CRIMINAL POLICE OFFICERS AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS (MOST OF THEM ARE BEHIND ORGANISED CRIMINAL
GANGS) IN THE ABOVE MENTION PHONES OF MEMBERS OF KEY PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
SRI LANKA HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL MEMBERS AND SRI LANKA POLICE COMMISSION MEMBERS RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM CRIMINAL POLICE AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS REGARDING THE HANDLING OF THE COMPLAINTS LODGED AT THESE COMMISSION AGAINST THESE CRIMINAL POLICE OFFICERS AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS.
I DO NOT THINK I HAVE TO MENTION ANY OTHER PLACES TO CHECK. OTHERS ARE NO EXCEPTION.
SADLY, NOT ONLY SPEAKER KARU JAYASURIYA BUT ALSO PM RANIL WICKRAMASINGHA AND OPPOSITION LEADERS MAHINDA RAJAPAKSHA ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF ABOVE MENTIONS INSTITUTIONS, YOU MIGHT THIS BEYOND YOUR SCOPE. I JUST MENTION THIS TO INDICATE HOW CORRUPT SRI LANKANS KEY FIGURES ARE. ALL OF THEM EXPLOITS INSTITUTIONS LIKE AKITS TO HAVE SOME WHITEWASH. ( OR BRAINWASH THE GENERAL PUBLIC)
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Program is back on the news again. This time the government is keen to sign the agreements before the Presidential elections without going through the parliamentary process. There are protests from many quarters. The President, Opposition Leader, the Maha Sangha, the Cardinal, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) etc. had requested the government to delay the sign up, at least until the parliamentarians are made aware of the contents of the agreement. The lack of information has led to many interpretations and innuendos, highlighting the adverse impact of the agreement on the sovereignty of the country and its future generations.
Needless to say the map of Sri Lanka with a development corridor extending from Colombo to Trincomalee, quite likely to give shivers to patriotic lovers of the country. Many have asserted that the MCC projects signify a division of Sri Lanka into North and South with a buffer zone for an American military sector. The only winners are seen to be the TNA who are hell bent on securing a separate state exclusively for Tamils in the north (sans Sinhala settlements) as well as have the luxury of settling in any other part of the Island. If this is the underpinning scenario of the MCC concept then it is natural for Sri Lankans to question this arrangement, as the rest of the population (72%), may have to be settled in the South, which is more or less the same size in extent as the North. This is one of the fears currently circulating among the southern communities, in the absence of MCC program information.
In the midst of this confusion, the American Embassy has extended a so called, a hand of comfort, confirming the procedure of signing first and discussions later as compliant with MCC projects. MCC procedure is said to be
“Consistent with the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s worldwide policy in all partner countries, once the grant assistance agreement is signed, the Government of Sri Lanka will send it to parliament for approval. Inasmuch, Parliament will have ample opportunity to review the grant assistance agreement.
…This grant assistance agreement will directly benefit over 11 million Sri Lankans and meaningfully stimulate economic growth. …Parliamentary review and approval are required by MCC to ensure the grant assistance agreement has the support of the government and the people.” (The Island 2 Nov. 2019).
It is my view that the above procedure is fraught with several concerns, such as what would happen if the parliament disagrees with the proposals? In such a scenario can the agreement be cancelled and voided?
It appears the review period is limited to develop implementation plans. Here again what is the situation if there is a disagreement on the concept itself? Are we required to pay back the ‘gift’ of US$480 million in case of such a disagreement?
Also what research had been undertaken to claim that over 11 million people would directly benefit from these projects? Who would be these beneficiaries as nearly 21 million people live in this little island?
The MCC and the American Embassy need to explain the above scenarios as well as any other questions Sri Lankans may have so that the parliament and people can take informed decisions. What is in peril here is the sovereignty of our land, which, is home to 21 million people. Although the American Embassy has informed that the highlights of the MCC projects had been disseminated to interested parties, the Sri Lankan interest would be to review the full agreements, in particular the land project. The land project goal is said to be to develop a land bank to provide information on private lands and government lands, to increase land market activity. This would mean increased land sales for large-scale economic activity, possibly to multinationals.
Changes to legislation have already been undertaken to repeal Part 4-6 of the Land reform Act No 1 of 1972 to remove foreign ownership limit of 50 acres. The difficulties of managing a internationally governed contract based on international law were highlighted by Sri Lankan experts like Dr. Kohona, the former UN Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka and former Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a discussion at BMICH on 9 August 2019. (Pathfinder Foundation discussion, on Separating the Baby from the Bathwater: Evaluating the Millennium Challenge Corporation-Sri Lanka Compact”).
These uncertainties have created more queries than solutions. Thus far the govt. has not taken any steps to resolve these queries, at least to the parliament let alone to the public. To say the least it is unethical to sign an agreement with so much of discordance.
It should be noted that Sri Lankans could be different to other MCC partners, who were mainly African countries. Sri Lankans are astute enough to understand that there is nothing called a free lunch’. The USD$480 million grant is not a free gift. It is a payment for MCC projects and it is important that these projects are acceptable to Sri Lankan people and not only to a Cabinet of Ministers, who is currently struggling to manage the current economy. A grant at this stage can be a windfall to patch up the economy until the next parliamentary election, which a few months away. There is also an election for the President within a few days. It is important the new President is given a chance to review the contracts in detail before a commitment is made. I am confident the Embassy would understand the current Sri Lankan situation and take appropriate action in the interest of both our countries.
Janaki Chandraratna
November 10, 2019, 9:01 pm
President’s Counsel Ali Sabri showing the documents proving that SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa had given up his US citizenship.Pic by Thushara Atapattu
A panel of senior lawyers led by President’s Counsel Ali Sabri yesterday produced documents pertaining to SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s renunciation of his US citizenship.
Addressing the media at Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, they produced the original documents provided to Rajapaksa by the US State Department to the effect that he is no longer an American citizen.
Zabri said that the issue had been politicised by a group political opponents of Rajapaksa to mislead the public in view of their impending defeat at the Nov 16 presidential election. The matter had been challenged before the Court of Appeal with the same purpose but the court had thrown out the petition. “If they had any further doubt they could have gone to the Supreme Court. They knew the truth that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had renounced his US citizenship properly. So, they did not go to the Supreme Court and waited till now to mislead the people. There is a monk staging a protest at the Independence Square demanding to know the truth. He could have gone before his leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe or Sajith Premadasa who has very cordial links with the US Embassy and get the matter verified without wasting the time of others.”
Sabri said that when Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship the State Department had canceled the latter’s travel documents. He presented them to the media.
Kushan de Alwis, PC, said that he had personally checked all documents pertaining to the issue and Rajapaksa had no barrier to get elected and be sworn in as the next President of the country.
Mayura Gunawansa, PC, Razik Zarook, PC, and an attorney-at-law practising in the US Prof. Gamini Gunawardena also informed the media that Rajapaksa had renounced his US citizenship.
Sri Lanka was once known as the land of smiles
Admittedly, over the last four years, one does not encounter many people smiling on the streets of this lush green island.
It seems that there is a good chance that following the November 16 election, smiles may be back.
That’s what Gotabaya Rajapaksa, alias GR, a strong yet sensitive and ‘green’ leader aspires to. And he looks most likely to achieve it. He is the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who lost the 2015 election after having served two terms as President.
A constitutional amendment introduced by the Government precludes anybody from serving more than two terms – hence, Mahinda could not run again.
Gotabaya, his younger brother, is not a novice in politics. He became renowned for ending the war against terrorism as a Defense secretary. He also held a portfolio of public works and much of the country’s modern infrastructure (as well as several landmark buildings) carry GR’s signature.
All this is signified by a carbon-neutral campaign’ which has set new standards in environmentally responsible political contests. Run by his brother, Basil Rajapaksa, and supported by a group of young technocrats, GR not only has reduced the use of paper to the absolute minimum but has calculated the overall carbon footprint of his campaign.
Having also calculated the carbon equivalent, his supporters have embarked on a concerted tree-planting frenzy in order to offset any strain put on the environment by the campaign.
Admirable indeed! The environment is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka’s great assets. By increasing public awareness on the need to preserve it, GR is signifying that his plan for economic development goes hand-in-hand with his vision of a clean Sri Lanka, world-renowned for its organic farming.GR’s vision about equal opportunities and equality before the law is summed up by his quote.
“When I talk about prosperity I think of the whole country. Nobody shall be left behind. Those who stand to gain more from the development of Sri Lanka are those who today are the most deprived.
“GR’s economic policies laid down in an 85- page manifesto, aim ‘to guarantee a better life for each and everyone’.His manifesto includes an extensive chapter on education as GR places particular emphasis on the skills of the young.
His vision is to pave the ground for an internationally competitive Sri Lanka. And for ‘every new generation to live better than the previous generation’.This content is provided by BusinessWire India.
ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
The Sri Lankan presidential election is turning into a battle between two politically influential families; the Rajapakse and the Premadasa families. Gotabaya Rajapakse, a former defence secretary is the younger brother of former president Mahinda Rajapakse, while Sajith Premadasa, Housing Minister, is the son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa who was assassinated by the LTTE in 1993.
Other prominent candidates for the November 16 presidential elections are Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peranuma (JVP) and former army commander Gen Mahesh Senanayake, who are expected to cut into the support base of Premadasa and Rajapakse respectively.
Mahinda Rajapakse is the former president during whose tenure the three decades long civil war came to an end with the defeat of the Tamil separatist group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. But his ten-year long tenure as President ended in a surprising defeat in the 2015 presidential election, when he was ousted by a former colleague Maithripala Sirisena who formed a coalition with Ranil Wickremesinghe and his United National Party to win the presidential election.
Gotabaya is seen as the front-runner for the election; his campaign got an early start while Sajith Premadasa entered the fray much later as he had to force the acceptance of his candidature within the UNP’s old guard. But Sajith Premadasa’s chances got a significant boost after the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) indicated its support to him. The younger Premadasa is banking on the support that his father had among the people. Ranasinghe Premadasa is remembered in Sri Lanka as a grassroots leader who did not belong to Colombo’s ruling elite; he had a strong pro-poor outlook and had initiated several welfare schemes.
During the 2015 elections the UNP had the full backing of the TNA, but the Tamil Alliance has since been disappointed with the government’s failure to implement pre-poll assurances. The Tamil community has voiced their discontent at the incumbent government, but would be unwilling to vote for Gotabaya Rajapakse. Premadasa is seen as the better option. Both the main candidates have been wooing the majority Sinhala vote. The other significant minority, the Muslims are still shaky after the bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo and the resulting polarization that had led to communal violence. The Tamils and Muslims are not as united as they were in 2015, and voting may get fragmented, with many people disinterested in casting their votes.
Mahinda and Gotabaya, as defence secretary were credited with the victory over Tamil Tigers, but they also faced charges of human rights violations and killings of civilians and surrendering LTTE cadres during the last stages of the civil war. Isolated from Western countries over the human rights charges, the Rajapakse government turned to China, borrowing huge sums of money to build infrastructure, but eventually ending in a debt trap.
In the post-conflict political scene, the Rajapakse family increased their dominance as various members were appointed as heads of several important institutions. The Rajapakse dominance alienated many Sri Lankans, including several in his own party. The Tamils and other minority groups felt marginalised in the atmosphere of Sinhala chauvinism in the post-war period and the absence of any efforts towards national reconciliation.
Five years later, the mood has changed after the bombings in Colombo on Easter Sunday when 250 persons were killed in the terrorist attacks. There is a desire to elect a strong leader to deal with the challenges facing the country. Confidence in the present government was shaken after it became evident that the Sirisena government had ignored repeated intelligence warnings from India regarding possible terrorist attacks.
The Sirisena-Wickremesinge combine had promised good governance, accountability and national reconciliation in 2015 but its poor performance, inefficiency and corruption together with the infighting between the two groups lost it much of its support. The rivalry reached its lowest point last year when President Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinge as Prime Minister and offered the position to Mahinda Rajapakse. Sri Lanka was plunged in a constitutional crisis as
Wickremesinge refused to leave office and Rajapakse was unable to cobble a majority in the Legislature. The crisis was resolved after the Supreme Court held Rajapakse’s appointment as illegal.
Though Mahinda Rajapakse is not an electoral candidate, he remains the guiding force of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) campaign. A recent constitutional amendment enhanced the powers of the Prime Minister for running the government and set a two-term limit for the President’s position. Barred from contesting for a third term, Mahinda Rajapakse is widely believed to be aiming for the Prime Minister’s post after the National Assembly elections due to
be held next year. This may hurt the chances of a Rajapakse comeback to the presidential palace by reviving the memories of the Rajapakse dominance.
Supporters of Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a rally in Neluwa village in Galle. | Photo Credit: APMORE-INSri Lanka Presidential Elections
I brought my child along just so he can see our leader, even if from a distance,” said Sepalika Harshani, 29, carrying her toddler under an umbrella.
She was among thousands who flocked to Wellawaya town in Sri Lanka’s southern Monaragala district on Saturday afternoon, braving the rain. They had come for the rally of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, candidate from their favourite political clan, in the final lap of the November 16 presidential poll campaign.
I would be very happy if someone like him becomes President of this country. He got us freedom,” Ms. Harshani said, referring to the war’s end in 2009 under the Rajapaksa administration. Mr. Gotabaya, brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was defence secretary, directing the military that defeated the rebel Tigers.
Nineteen-year-old A.P.D. Seuvandi, too, was there to catch a glimpse of the leader she has decided to vote for next weekend. They saved the country,” the first-time voter said. She was barely nine when the war ended but has grown up listening to a popular story of its end; one quite different from what Tamils of the north and east would tell. He will make the country safe again, develop it and improve education standards for us.” For many Sri Lankans, safety has become a major concern after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April.
In the island’s southern hinterland, almost every local, including those supporting Mr. Gotabaya’s main opponent Sajith Premadasa, assert that a majority here will vote for Gotabaya”. Past election results are proof enough for that sentiment. Even in 2015, an election that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa lost, most of the southern districts gave him over 60% of the vote share. Historically a stronghold of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the southern belt seems to have readily embraced his newly-formed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or People’s Party).
The reasons pulling voters towards Mr. Gotabaya this time go beyond war victory”. Some of them are looking for respite from the everyday economic strain they associate with the incumbent government, or are utterly disenchanted with it, like daily-waged labourer D.M. Jayaratne. This government came to power saying they would catch corrupt thieves. Nothing happened in the last five years. Instead, they robbed the Central Bank,” he said, referring to the bond scam”, in which a former head of the apex bank was accused of manipulating bond auctions in 2015, causing a loss of millions. The scandal was a major blow to the government that rose to power months earlier, that too on the promise of good governance”.
Further, Mr. Jayaratne sees Mr. Gotabaya as a strong leader who will not give into Tamil demands” for war-time accountability and self-rule.
Many voters, across Monaragala [Uva Province] and the neighbouring Hambantota [Southern Province] district, began their poll analysis with a reading of the two main candidates — and less often of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s contestant Anura Kumara Dissanayake. But invariably, they spoke about pressing local concerns.
They pointed to land hunger, in the wake of mega development projects in Hambantota – a Chinese-built port and an adjoining industrial zone proposed over 15,000 acres. They worried about loss of livelihoods and falling incomes. There are no jobs here,” was a common refrain.
The irony was glaring. While billions of rupees have been channelled into the Rajapaksa-era development projects over the last decade, locals repeatedly speak of prevalent poverty. To the outside world, Hambantota is a high-profile emerging district, and a site of a regional geo-political tussle: with a Chinese-built port and the loss-making Mattala airport nearby, that India is interested in developing. But to many who live there, the development projects are at best distant and at worst, a threat.
Both, the Rajapaksas and Mr. Premadasa are closely associated with the southern districts — either by familial links, or their parliamentary seats.
The constant fear of further marginalisation is making some voters consider a shift towards Mr. Premadasa. While it may not dull the Rajapaksa sheen yet, it points to Mr. Premadasa’s growing base, especially in the rural areas.
For K. L. Pradeepa Priyadarshini, Mr. Premadasa’s candidacy brings back the hope she felt during his father Ranasinghe Premadasa’s rule in the early 1990s. Hearing about his poverty alleviation programmes on radio, I felt here is a national leader who has finally spoken about our need for food and water,” said the Hambantota-based farmer.
When you sit in air-conditioned rooms, you can’t feel the heat and dust that people like us feel every day.” To her, Mr. Premadasa appears different, with a largely unblemished political record and fair success as Housing Minister.
Supporters of Mr. Gotabaya are nostalgic about the past. Mahinda Rajapaksa ended the war, built roads and expanded rural electricity. But those drawn to Mr. Premadasa are looking at what he might do in future.
Some voters are tired of thinking about who to vote for. They’d rather think about what to vote for.
A group of women farmers in Monaragala district are basing their decision on candidates’ manifestos. We are looking at what they have said about women, farmers, national unity, rural debt, especially microfinance-induced debt, and education policy,” said S.A. Shanthi. They also challenged the idea of national security” that has become a chief election issue, in the wake of the Easter bombings. To ensure national security, “we don’t need a strong leader. we just need sound policies.”
Whose security are they talking about?” asked P.G. Podinona. Seeing the number of security guards around some candidates, it’s obvious who feels most insecure in this country. Whereas some of us don’t even have a dog to guard us.”
The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has requested Facebook to control campaigning on its platform during the ‘cooling period’ where political propaganda for the forthcoming presidential election will cease.
Accordingly, propaganda activities for the presidential election will cease on the midnight of November 13. This includes display of posters, banners, meetings, postal and distribution of leaflets, visits and social media campaigns or anything that may influence voters. The cooling period is for the general public to make their independent decisions without being influenced by any propaganda activity.
In a letter to the administrator of Facebook, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said it had no control over Facebook-related campaigning which was against election laws.
Due to the nature of social media, we are in a dilemma on how the implementation and enforcement of law and order on Facebook will take ground, especially during the cooling period,” he said in the letter.
Mr. Hettiarachchi said they strongly believed the Facebook administration would pay immediate attention and take necessary action in this regard.
PAFFREL has deployed a special technical team to coordinate with Facebook in order to control and mitigate propaganda activities on the public domain,” he said.
Issuing a statement yesterday, an independent group of eminent Buddhist monks requested people to cast their vote at the forthcoming presidential election to the most capable leader who would protect and preserve the unitary status of the country, ensure national security, enhance and promote local produce and production, pull the country out of the economic mess, strictly enforce law and order and restore civility by eliminating prevailing lawlessness.
We further appeal to Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders to provide leadership to apprise the public of the need to elect our future President to ensure our country’s peace and prosperity,” they said.
The statement had been signed by Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara, Mahanayake Thera, Ven. Ganthure Assagee Thera, Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thera, Ven. Ambewela Paggasara Thera, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Ven. Prof Kollupitiye Sangarakkitha Thera, Ven Kotapola Amarakiththi Theta, Ven. Prof. Madagama Nandawasa Thera, Ven. Dr. Walpola Wimalagana AnunayakeThera, Ven. Prof. Pallekande Rathnasara Thera, Ven. Mederipiteye Tapassi Thera, Ven. Prof. Kiwlegedara Narada Thera, Ven. Prof. Kahapola Sugatharathana Thera, Ven. Homagama Dammananda Thera, Ven. Omare Kassapa Anunayake Thera, Ven. Prof. Magammana Paghghannda Thera, Ven. Prof. Madagampitiye Wijitha Dhamma Thera, Ven. Kumbuke Chandaloka Thera, Ven. Prof. Agalakada Sirisumana Thera and Ven. Prof. Iththademaliye Indasara Thera.
The statement says, Sri Lanka is a unique country. Our country’s physical assets such as strategic location, climate, geography, environment and water coupled with our esteemed culture, the national heritage enriched with our archaeological endowments elevate our country’s standing among the countries in the world to high levels.
The unfortunate environments that developed during the recent past and devastating events that have taken place have made the Buddhist clergy and other religious dignitaries sorrowful. Further, degradation and erosion of territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and ability to withstand foreign intervention, exacerbated by the breakdown of national security have been the cause for profound sadness and despair. It is so unfortunate that this uncertain climate and environment still prevails.
No one has been found guilty or accountable on the Central Bank bond scam where enormous amounts of money have been siphoned off. Those who killed hundreds of people by suicide bombings freely mingle in society. Furthermore, selling, leasing and disposing of portions of our country to foreign interests continue unabated, posing a huge threat to our independence. Some candidates in the presidential election fray are willing to implement proposals of certain politicians that would ultimately lead to the division of our country and a federal structure. As it is our prime and noble intention to ensure all communities and followers of all religious faiths live harmoniously and in peace, respecting the main cultural ethos and Buddhism, we would call upon all candidates to openly declare and promise they would protect the unitary status of our country, oppose federalism and ensure national security. Those who would not so declare should be firmly rejected.
All religious leaders including Buddhist clergy to date have worked and contributed enormously to protect our motherland, religion and culture. Similarly, all ethnic groups diligently and cordially have done their part. All communities and followers of all religious faiths in the future too must work together with the thought “All are Sri Lankans.” Therefore, we appeal to you, including the Buddhist clergy and other religious leaders, to come together to defeat all forces that are attempting to divide this land or destroy national unity.”
Granting of the presidential pardon to the Royal Park murder convict was carried out on the recommendations of a special committee of officials, civil organizations, and several distinguished members of the society stated President’s Media Division.
Jude Shramantha Anthony Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death over the Royal Park murder case in 2005, was released on presidential Pardon, on Saturday (November 09).
Issuing a statement, today (11), President’s Media Division said that President Maithripala Sirisena received written requests and recommendations from religious leaders, former Supreme Court judges, lawyers, civil society activists, youth organizations and many other parties for a presidential pardon considering the positive aspects of Shramantha Jayamaha.
The statement stated that MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero took initiative and played an important role in gaining the presidential pardon for the convicted youth.
Along with Rathana Thero, Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero, Ven. Keradewala Punnaratana Thero, Ven. Balangoda Buddhagosha Thero and Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Galle Rev. Raymond Wickremasinghe had made requests for a Presidential Pardon.
Additionally, former Supreme Court Justice Rohini Marasinghe and Attorneys-at-Law Mahesh Madawala, Nalini Manatunga, Nilruk Ilakathrige, Kumudu Nanayakkara had also made recommendations and requests to the President on the matter.
Civil organizations such as the Wijayananda Social Services Development Foundation of Weliwatta Wijayananda Temple, Galle and the Nawa Jeewana Amadyapa Handa of Roomassala, Unawatuna had made requests to the President.
Further, The President also considered the recommendations and suggestions made by a special committee comprising high ranking officials from the Ministry of Justice on Shramantha Jayamaha.
In view of all these, the President granted Presidential Pardon to Shramantha Jayamaha considering the reports made by the Department of Prisons and recommendations other relevant government agencies regarding the conduct of the convict, read the statement.
The complete statement issued by Presidents Media Division:
Many religious leaders, former Supreme Court Judges, lawyers, civil society leaders and youth leaders have made representations to President Maithripala Sirisena, recommending granting a sympathetic consideration to the appeal for granting Presidential pardon to 34-year old Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, who is serving a life imprisonment on the murder taken place at Royal Park, Rajagiriya.
Ven Athraliye Rathana Thero, Member of Parliament, played a key role and coordinated in obtaining Presidential pardon for this youth and he has brought the parents and close relations of the youth to meet the President and give a lengthy explanation of the background.
Ven Rathana Thero also made a written appeal to the President explaining that the murder took place due to an argument over a love affair between the youth and the young girl and Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, while serving his sentence in prison with good behavior and conduct and undertook studies to successfully complete his external degree and now working for his PhD and he is an intelligent young man with a pleasant personality. He appealed to consider above and release him on a Presidential pardon.
Ven Rathana Thero also appealed to the President to consider this in accordance with the Buddhist teachings of compassion.
Ven Baddegama Samitha Thero too urged the President to pardon this youth as an intelligent person he would be a good citizen in the future and it would be highly appreciated.
Ven Dr. Keradewala Punnarathana Nayake Thero, Dwitheeya Adhikarana Sangha Nayake of Southern Sri Lanka, also stated that the President Should sympathetically consider granting pardon to this youth he has not indulged in any illegal acts apart from the crime he was found guilty. Ven Balangoda Buddhagosha Thero also stressed the importance of granting Presidential pardon to this youth.
When this crime took place Shramantha Anthony Jude Jayamaha was a 19 year old youth and considering that it was reported that the crime was committed due to instantaneous and uncontrolled anger and not a pre-planned murder and considering his good conduct during the last 15 years of prison life and he has completed higher studies and studying for Ph.D. and he is an intelligent and experienced person who has been rehabilitated and he has not been found guilty of any wrongdoings during the imprisoned period, and considering that he has an ability to serve the country as a good citizen and in other countries too such amnesty is given to prisoners, the President has decided to pardon Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha.
President’s Media Division”
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa those who do not believe that he had revoked his citizenship of the United States can take it to the courts.
Joining the Derana 360° political program, the former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he is no longer a citizen of the US as of April 17th.
Stating that the US citizenship is a personal matter of his, Rajapaksa said that he followed through the procedures set by the US government to renounce citizenship and was issued with the certificate ‘Oath/Affirmation of Renunciation of Nationality of United States’ which states that he is not considered a US citizen from 17th of April 2019.
Clarifying why his name was not included in the Federal Lists of individuals who had denounced their citizenship, Rajapaksa said that it is not something relevant to him as it sometimes takes one year or more time for a person’s name to appear on the list despite having denounced citizenship.
Presenting his US passport, he stated that it has been invalidated by the US government by punching two holes in the passport and stated that anyone who still has a dispute with this can go to courts on the matter.
Responding to a query on his silence towards challenges posed by Sajith Premadasa for a debate, Rajapaksa said that his responsibilities lie with the people. By engaging with opponents personally will only result in mudslinging and nothing else, he added.
He pointed out that he has not commented or even mentioned the name of his opposing candidates during his campaign.
Speaking on implementing national policies, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said while believing that there should be a national policy for every aspect of the country, it is also the responsibility of all governments to carry good policies forward.
He says while some policies, such as a national policy on education, can be carried out by all governments; there are some policies that might not be implemented under governments with different priorities.
Commenting on how to engage professionals in the government, Rajapaksa said that the roles of a politician and a professional are different.
Politician creates policies. These have to be implemented by officials. At this point, we need efficient officials who can work. Utilizing the proper persons to carry out the policies should be a skill of the government.
By this, I do not mean everyone should have a Ph.D. or a Masters. They should be able to achieve goals and show results. Knowledge alone is useless. The government should set goals for such professionals. We should give a chance to persons who are result-oriented.”
The presidential hopeful also commented on the topic of national security.
He says that during their regime, they had a good understanding of what national security is and why national security must be prioritized.
Following the war, we studied the situation and trained officers further on terrorism. We even sent them for US training. We appointed a separate specialized unit for this.”
However, the current government lost focus on national security once they came into power, according to Rajapaksa.
Then, working against terrorism or underworld became a crime. Officials who worked against terrorism, underworld, and drugs were interrogated and punished.”
Rajapaksa says that he believes that the mentality of the country is the most important.
When I first became defense Secretary everyone told me that this couldn’t be ended through a military solution. But we understood that this can be done and the mentality should be shaped for it. And we did it. But this current government completely broke down this mentality.”
Gotabaya Rajapaksa said: I know how the Commanders of the tri-forces, especially Army Commanders, committed to defeating terrorism. I have always mentioned this. But these same Commanders now go and say that we did wrong.
They even tried to imprison the Navy Commander under false accusations.
The IGP himself said that the law was being bent. Two higher-ups at the Attorney General’s office said that all these were done on political needs. Then the FCID chief said that these were done by pressurizing him. Is this the rule of law?
Can political leaders choose whom to file court cases against? Is this how the law should be implemented? Is this the justice of law? What else should we do if not release war heroes who have been falsely accused in this manner?”
Some United National Party (UNP) MPs are creating mudslinging propaganda in the face of defeat, according to Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He expressed these views to the media following a religious event held in Anuradhapura.
As opponents have nothing left to say, they will get liars to say many things, Rajapaksa points out.
Stating that they might bring even Zahran’s wife to make statements, Mahinda Rajapaksa said that if possible, Rajitha [Senaratne] might bring Zahran himself back from the dead.
Such offenses may result in 5 years’ worth of jail time, he added.
The Opposition Leader says that presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa will win the Presidential election by 54 percent and that this has instilled fear among the opponents.
ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතාගේ ඇමරිකානු පුරවැසිභාවය ඉවත්කර ගැනීම සනාථ කරන ලෙස ඉල්ලමින් පූජ්ය ඉඟුරුවත්තේ සුමංගල හිමියන් කොළඹ නිදහස් චතුරස්රයේ උපවාසයක නිරත වන්නේ මුදලට යටවී බවට උන්වහන්සේගේ විහාරයේ දායකයන් පවසනවා.
මේ අතර සුමංගල හිමියන්ගේ නිකායේ මහ නා හිමියන් අද එම ස්ථානයට වැඩම කර සුමංගල හිමියන්ගේ ක්රියාව දැඩිලෙස විවේචනයට ලක්කළා.
ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතාගේ ඇමරිකානු පුරවැසිභාවය ඉවත්කරගත් බවට වන ලියවිලි ඔහුගේ නීතිඥයින් විසින් මාධ්ය හමුවේ ප්රසිද්ධ කර තිබෙන පසුබිමක එම ලියවිලි ඉදිරිපත් කරන්නැයි ඉල්ලමින් පූජ්ය ඉඟුරුවත්තේ සුමංගල හිමියන් අද දෙවන දිනටත් උපවාසයේ නිරත වුණා.
අද පස්වරුවේ එම ස්ථානයට පැමිණි සෙයිජින් නිකායේ මහනායක පූජ්ය ඉගුරුවත්තේ පියනන්ද හිමියන් ඇතුළු භික්ෂූන්වහන්සේ පිරිසක් මෙම උපවාසය අවසන් කරන්නැයි ඉල්ලා සිටියා.
කෙසේ වෙතත් පූජ්ය ඉඟුරුවත්තේ සුමංගල හිමියන්ගේ ක්රියාකලාපයට විරෝධය පලකරමින් උන්වහන්සේ විහාරාධිපතීත්වය දරණ වැලිවේරිය – මණ්ඩාවල – ශ්රී නන්දාරාම පිරිවෙන් විහාරස්ථානයේ දායක සභාව සහ ප්රදේශවාසීන් එක්ව අද සාමකාමී විරෝධතාවයක නිරත වුණා.
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