By AJITH SIRIWARDANA Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, March 28 (Daily Mirror)-  Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has no suitable Presidential candidate at the moment, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said Namal Rajapaksa can contest for Presidency only after another five to ten years’ time.

“My stance is that we need to go for a Presidential election first and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who can take up the challenges and who revived the economy, should win,” he said.

Minister Ranatunga told reporters in Colombo that he stressed the need to go for a Presidential election first as no one will be able to form a stable government after a parliamentary election which could lead to anarchy in the country similar to that in Pakistan.

“We need to take decisions for the sake of the country. The country is first. The party is second. If we think of the country, we need to go for a Presidential election and allow the person who wins to form a government without going for a Parliamentary election and forming an unstable government. The SLPP must work for Ranil Wickremesinghe and if he wins the election, he should be allowed to form a government. If anyone else wins, he should be allowed to form a government. Then the country will not run into anarchy,” he said.

Courtesy Adaderana

The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on year-on-year basis has recorded a significant decrease in the month of March 2024, according to the most recent figures published by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

The CCPI-based inflation was calculated as 5.9% for the month of February.

According to the DCS report, the year-on-year inflation of Food Group was recorded at 3.8% in March, showing a minor increase from the 3.8% recorded in February, while the inflation of Non-Food Group decreased to -0.5% in March from 7.0% in February.

For March 2024, the contribution of inflation by food commodities was 1.19% while the contribution of Non-Food items was -0.32%. The DCS attributed this to the price decreases in groups of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, transport, health, clothing and footwear, furnishing household equipment and routine maintenance, as well as the price increases in groups of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, education, restaurants and hotels, miscellaneous goods and services, recreation and culture and communication, compared to March 2023.

CCPI March 2024 by Adaderana Online on

https://www.scribd.com/embeds/717925647/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-gNxf66yyAmlB2DHsCYnH

Courtesy Adaderana

The world’s largest refiner, China’s Sinopec plans to start work on a refinery in Sri Lanka by June, the power minister said on Thursday, advancing a project earmarked as the biggest investment in the crisis-hit island nation.

Sri Lanka is looking to attract investment in the battle to stabilise its economy and return to growth following a financial crisis caused by a severe shortfall of dollars in 2022 that led the economy to contract 2.3% last year.

Officials of Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding are visiting Colombo for talks with Sri Lankan authorities.

The officials indicated that the management of Sinopec has decided to double the capacity of the refinery from the original proposal,” the minister, Kanchana Wijesekera, wrote on social media platform X.

They intend to sign the agreements for the project and commence work by June 2024.”

Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved the project in November, an investment that Wijesekera has earlier tagged at $4.5 billion.

China is Sri Lanka’s biggest two-way lender, with its companies building highways, sea and air ports and other infrastructure on the island off India’s southern coast.

The investment by Sinopec, one of the largest producers of petrochemicals, is part of an effort to expand beyond China, in which it has acquired refinery assets in Saudi Arabia and petrochemicals production in Russia.

Iran built Sri Lanka’s only refinery at Sapugaskanda in the western region in 1969. It can process 38,000 barrels of crude a day.

Source: Reuters

–Agencies 

Courtesy Adaderana

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to make a statement in court on 04 April on his recent comments over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

The order was issued today (28) after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had reported the relevant facts to the court, on the instructions of the Attorney General.

Sirisena had recorded a statement for around five-hours with the CID on Monday (05) over his recent comments regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

The CID had summoned the former President in order to record a statement over the controversial statement he recently made on the Easter Sunday attacks, after Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles had instructed the IGP to carry out an investigation into Sirisena’s remarks.

On Friday (22), former President Maithripala Sirisena had stirred controversy when he claimed he was aware of the true masterminds of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and that he was prepared to disclose the information to the judiciary if inquired from him or if an order is issued regarding the matter.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, Sirisena had claimed that he is ready to disclose the relevant information and that at the same time, it is the responsibility of the judges to keep the information strictly confidential.

The comments sparked controversy in the political arena with some accusing the former President of allegedly willfully concealing crucial information about the heinous bombings that claimed the lives of more than 250 people.

Amidst the controversy, however former President Sirisena had later claimed that his statement was based on certain information he had received three weeks ago.

Courtesy Adaderana

Amidst growing pressure to amend its travel advice to Sri Lanka which was deemed overly harsh”, the United Kingdom (UK) has defended its decision and said it would continue to keep the island nation’s travel advise under close review.

UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon made this remark in the UK Parliament responding to a question raised on plans to update the travel advice to Sri Lanka to reflect the security situation in the country.

He defended the move, saying that the safety of British people is the main factor when determining UK’s travel advice for all countries, including Sri Lanka.

Our advice is designed to help British people make informed decisions about foreign travel and remains under constant review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks when travelling abroad.

Our travel advice is based on objective assessments of the risks to British nationals. These assessments are made by drawing on expert sources of information available to the government including local knowledge from our embassies and information provided by the local authorities in each country.”

Earlier this year, leading tourism providers including the Experience Travel Group published an open letter with 35 signatories calling for FCDO advice on Sri Lanka to be amended.

It criticized the mentioning of fuel and food shortages in the country dating back to the 2022 political unrest and continued references to the 2019 terrorist attacks and said the UK the government was systematically undermining the travel industry” in Sri Lanka.

By Sena Thoradeniya

1. How the Speaker Was Pressured?

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena deserves plaudits of all anti-imperialist, anti-fascist, anti-hegemonic, anti-anarchist Sri Lankans for the bold statement he made immediately after the No Confidence Motion of the joint opposition on 21 March 2024. He revealed for the first time foreign powers (it is obvious who they were although he has not named them), some local politicians, a prominent Buddhist priest and a Catholic religious leader have pressured him to take over the Presidency during the Galle Face Protest.

He disclosed how he received telephone calls from various anti-state forces.He said that the objective of those who made the request was not to resolve the crisis, or restore law and order and protect the country, but to aggravate the problems and make Sri Lanka another Libya or an Afghanistan. He further stated that he was determined to uphold democracy and safeguard the country.

According to his statement, among those who exerted pressure on him were leading Bhikkhus and leaders of other religions. Some prominent religious leaders – popular Buddhist priests and others had surrounded his official residence to harm him if he failed to take over the Presidency and form a new government – in other words if he refused to adhere to the conspirators’ proposal.

Both internal and external forces influenced me to take over the Presidency and form a new government even violating the Constitution.” According to his statement, he was asked to name a Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers to rule the country.

The Speaker for the first time revealed how the protesters tried to march towards the Parliament to set it ablaze.

2. Who Were They?

Omalpe Sobitha and Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the two godfathers of the Galle Face marauders, and Korean American Julie Chung, the self-appointed Viceroy of Sri Lanka are in the dock again, although the Speaker has not named names.

There were people who could not achieve what they wanted for more than 30 years”, was the most important reference he made in his accusation. Who were they? Obviously, the party that thinks that it has already won the Presidential and Parliamentary race, the Malimawa grandees who play a hide-and-seek game showing its duplicity.

3. Wimal Weerawansa’s Nine: The Hidden Story”

The Speaker’s statement confirms what Wimal Weerawansa stated in his book, Nine: TheHidden Story” published in 2023 and what this writer has stated in his book Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy, Politics, Religion and Culture in a Time of Terror in Sri Lanka” (2023), Julie Chung’s direct intervention in the regime change. After the publication of Weerawansa’s book, many political analysts said that the Speaker had not denied or acknowledged what Weerawansa had stated. With the Speaker’s statement, the matter has been settled, although the Speaker fails to name names. He confirmed the direct intervention of Chung and other external forces. But the Speaker maintains an apologetic silence about Weerawansa’s main allegation, that Chung had visited him.

Thus, the Speaker does not reveal the visit of the unanticipated visitor” Julie Chung to his official residence, how she pressured and commanded him to accept the Presidency. It should be reminded that the JVP called for an Interim Government headed by the Speaker as the acting President. This happened immediately after Anura Kumara met Chung for the first time.  We cannot dismiss the fact that the JVP was used by Chung to carry out her plan. Lal Kantha had admitted US intervention in the Galle Face protest.

The international conspirators wanted GR to sack Ranil Wickremasinghe as the Prime Minister with the connivance of Sri Lankan envoys in New Delhi and Washington respectively. Two letters were prepared for GR’s signature, one declaring GR’s resignation and the other sacking RW. At this time, plans were set afoot to storm the Parliament, capture it and occupy Supreme Courts Complex, signifying the fall of the national state, seats of the executive, legislature and judiciary falling into the hands of anarchic elements. A separate village was set up in front of RW’s private residence with the slogan Ranil Go Home” and his private residence was torched forcing him to resign. Against this backdrop installing the Speaker as the President would have hastened the destabilization process compelling the Security Forces to be mere onlookers.

Speaker has not answered another allegation made by Weerawansa that the Army Commander asking him to request RW to step down as he opined that bringing back normalcy was an uphill task to the security forces.

Weerawansa stated that after killing Muhammad Gadhafi, Americans installed an interim government in Libya headed by Speaker. Mahinda Yapa in his statement said that the conspirators wanted to make Sri Lanka another Libya or an Afghanistan.

Weerawansarevealed a leader of a very influential religious denomination (non- Buddhist) visiting the Speaker at his official residence and having a discussion with the latter and asking him to accept the Presidency after GR’s resignation. Weerawansa does not name this religious leader, but the Speaker in his statement some prominent religious leaders – popular Buddhistpriests and others”, confirms what Weerawansa had stated.

4. GR’s Action or Inaction?

The Speaker further stated that GR called him and sought his opinion on transferring power to him (the Speaker). However, I knew that if I have accepted the position without powers vested in me by the Constitution to do so, this country would have ended in anarchy”. What the Speaker says is that he has declined the offer as he was not sure that he will be able to appoint a new President within a month. 

It is interesting to note that GR does not discuss this crucial constitutional issue in his book, The Conspiracy” (2024). He says: After reaching Singapore, I informed the Speaker of Parliament Mahindra Yapa Abeywardena that I would step down from the Presidency in the coming few days respecting the request made of me by the political parties. I had by this time, made up my mind to hand over the mantle of President to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe because I saw him as the only person capable of restoring law and order in the country” (Pp. 156-157). He has miserably failed to disclose the role Julie Chung played in his ouster. We ask why? 

At this juncture we raise few pertinent questions: (1) Why does he respect the request made of him by the political parties”? (2) What are those political parties? SJB, JVP or Pohottuwa dissident groups? (3) Does he think that these parties have given him a mandate to be elected as the President of Sri Lanka? (4) Was he aware that RW and his close confidantes were playing an active role in the Galle Face ghetto? (5) Was he convinced that the only person capable of receiving Indian and American support was Ranil Wickremasinghe?  (6) Was he pressured again by Chung & Co. to accept the Plan B of the conspiracy by handing over the Presidency to RW? (7) Can an elected President hand over the reins of power to another as he distributes his household silver?

5. Presidential Aspirants Among the Conspirators?  

The greatest accusation made by the Speaker was that he was surprised to see some of those local politicians who imposed undue influence on him to become the President were among the signatories to the no-faith motion against him and voted in favour of the motion. How can that be? A person who was fit enough to become the President of the country a few months ago becoming unsuitable to be the Speaker of the Parliament a few moons later. Although the Speaker has not named names, we know that two of them are Presidential aspirants. The Speaker should have asked whether these two conspirators are fit to become the President of Sri Lanka.

The Speaker describes how he took action to safeguard the mace; what we infer is that he had sent the mace out of the Parliament, like Kandyan Kings hid the dalada to safeguard it (the sacred relic) from foreign invaders. The Speaker was not rightly advised by his advisors; if the protesters stormed the Parliament, elected their own government and passed legislation they can do it without a mace; what legitimacy they need after storming the Parliament and conducting sessions in an occupied Parliament?  When they abrogate the Constitution who needs a mace? An arm of a broken chair is enough if they want to have some decorum.

The Speaker does not disclose what really happened at the party leaders meeting that day. The party leaders who are privy to the deliberations keep mum. Why? It’s another political game they all conveniently play. What they demanded from the Speaker was drowned in pollical deception and hypocrisy. These are the people who cast themselves as paragons of virtue, devoid of any human foibles.     

The Speaker was the only person who has remained in the Parliament that day. It is apparent that other party leaders, guardians of parliamentary democracy” have left leaving the Speaker alone. I had to see the safety of all political party leaders in the Parliamentary Complex when it was surrounded by the protesters. They surrounded the Parliament during the party leaders meeting. I sent out all party leaders safely while I had to remain. It was also decided to send the mace out of the Parliament to ensure its safety. The Speaker does not say among the party leaders were those who pressured him to take over the Presidency.

In my book Galle Face Protest: Systems Change or Anarchy, Politics, Religion and Culture in a Time of Terror in Sri Lanka” (Pp 153- 174 ), I have stated how JVP and FSP had succeeded in becoming the leading force at Galle Face and other protest sites and how they were preparing for their third upheaval.  JVP stalwart Lal Kantha’s plan was to close all roads, besiege the Parliament, demand all MPs passing a motion to dissolve the current Parliament; MPs would not be allowed to come out from the Parliament without voting for a motion to dissolve the Parliament.

According to this plan two new protest sites were established at Polduwa Junction and Diyatha Uyana respectively. Slogans changed from Aragalaya Diyawannewen obbata” to Aragalaya Diyawannawata”, Anthima satana” and Last 24 hours”.  Pathum Kerner, a self-appointed leader warned the public to get ready for the 2.0 stage of their struggle. Lal Kantha called to bring Parliament under their control and that victory over the Rajapaksa dictatorship” would not be completed without seizing the Parliament. IUSF Convener too announced that they would take over the Parliament.  

The Speaker correctly stated that if the Parliament (we add: and the Courts Complex; already the seat of the Executive occupied by the protesters) was occupied by the rioters and forming of a new administration was delayed the country would have broken into divisions, riots would erupt in every part of the Island and various forces would have taken over different areas of the country.

The readers are reminded that after May 09, 2022, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) called for the formation of regional insurgent groups.

This is what happens in Haitinow.

6. Haiti: American Test Run Proposed for Sri Lanka?

In Haiti, former main rebel leaders in 2004’s overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide called for Haiti Prime Minister to resign. Heavily armed gang leaders have begun shooting and killing seeking to expand their territorial control as political groups in Haiti are attempting to take over from an absent government after the Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to announce his resignation, forcing deployment of an International Security Mission”. E-con E-News in its 25 February – 2 March issue reported, Increasing evidence links Julie Chung, the then US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and her boss Victoria Nuland to the murder of Haitian President Jovenal Moise in July 2021 by Columbian gangsters. Chung had met with Moise just before his assassination, nearly one year before the almost murder of GR, just after Chung was posted from that Caribbean crime scene to a new coven here in Sri Lanka”.

After the assassination of Moise, Ariel Henry was selected as the Prime Minister by a group of diplomats called Core Group” (remember Sri Lanka also had Core Groups”) consisting of ambassadors to Haiti representing Brazil, the EU, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and of course the US. Ariel Henry was accused of having links to the killers of Moise.

Head of Delma 95 gang, Jimmy Barbeque” Cherizier’s Viv Ansanm Alliance” are fighting to take control of Haitian cities. Cherizier has threatened reprisals against politicians and their families.  Armed gangs threaten politicians who join Transitional Council. Gangs continue to pillage homes and attack state institutions. State has become disintegrated; police stations torched; courts occupied by gangs. Capital’s bases/ brigades and homes of judges, Central Bank were attacked; Business District of the capital overrun by armed groups, paralysed by gang violence; power supply disrupted; sub-stations destroyed; gangs control roads; people in their thousands fleeing the capital Port- Au- Prince to find refuge in the countryside. Gang attacks began on February 29, gunmen targeting police stations. The main international airport remains closed. Gangs stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons and released more than 4000 inmates. State banks have stopped operations.

7. Avatars of 1988/89   

This reminds us JVP/DJV (Deshavimukthi Janatha Vyaparaya) killing spree during 1988-89) in Sri Lanka. As PRRA (Peoples’ Revolutionary Red Army) emerged in Sri Lanka to counter JVP/DJV attacks, vigilante groups have emerged in Haiti too. Vigilante groups blocking off their neighborhoods with felled trees began killing gang members; their charred bodies lying on the streets, hands cut off, metal wires wrapped around charred bodies; their houses set on fire.

If the Speaker had accepted the Presidency and protesters occupied the Parliamentary complex Warlords” of different regions would have emerged, – for example JVP/NPP Anuradhapura warlord, Badulla warlord, farmer warlord, trade union warlord, Ethera Api warlord, medical warlord, just to name a few – and run roughshod over the masses. Laurels to the Speaker for preventing such a catastrophe, for the simple reason for preventing such a blood bath as happening just now in Haiti. If not, Sri Lanka should have been the testing ground for the conspirators such as Chung, Nuland and Blinken to test a new ploy that they have invented.

8. Pied Pipers and Rats

Evidently two parties have prevailed in the protest movement, Protesters and Conspirators. The protesters were unaware of the conspirators’ agenda. We do not believe any protester wanted the Speaker to take over the Presidency. Conspirators knew if their plan succeeded total collapse and disintegration of   the State will pave the way for their military intervention.

We are not foolish enough to believe that RW, the American – Indian puppet installed by GR,  Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, when he was the External Affairs Minister under GR, who treated the Swiss Ambassador and others involved in the Garniar Barrister aka Sriyalatha Perera   fiasco with kid gloves and the present Foreign Minister, who plays a roaming role from Justice and Finance to Foreign Affairs  will initiate an inquiry, ask the Speaker to reveal the names of the foreign and local bigwigs who  pressured him, declare Julie Chung persona non grata or nominally ask the US government to recall her.

We urge the capitalist press and politicians to treat that the insinuation of foreign involvement in the ouster of GR is not merely a canard and not to dismiss it as a baseless conspiracy theory, an easy trick employed to dismiss anything and everything worthwhile as conspiracy theories, a fashion of the less informed and the prejudiced.         

By Raj Gonsalkorale

Political ethics requires leaders to meet higher standards than would be necessary for private life. They may have less of a right to privacy than ordinary citizens do, or no right to use their office for personal profit. Personal or private morality and political morality are often viewed as a conflict of interest – Andrew Stark, Conflict of Interest in American Public Life. (Harvard University Press, 2003

A senior politician said recently that he would like the SLPP, SJB, UNP and the NPP to work together. Of course working together does not necessarily mean entering into political coalitions. So far, efforts made by President Ranil Wickremasinghe for political parties to work together on a common program, especially an economic program, has not materialised and all Opposition parties have declined to work together with the government on such a program.  Working together on a common program without political coalescing requires personal sacrifices on the part of politicians as a common program has no personal political winners and losers. There can be only one winner, and that is the country.

On the other hand, political coalitions are power sharing models which are not necessarily altruistic models where the interest of the country supersedes personal interests. Politicians are interested in power and the public should not fool themselves and not allow them to be fooled by others who would like the public to believe in an imaginary world of working together for the sake of the country and the betterment of the country.

In the context of pursuit of power, and the justification of any means to achieve some political ends including engaging in corrupt activity and unethical behavior, the following three quotes by Mahatma Gandhi are of relevance today in Sri Lanka on the eve of presidential and general elections to be held in 2024 and 2025.

• When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall… think of it, always.
• It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
• My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest… no country in the world today shows any but patronizing regard for the weak… Western democracy, as it functions today, is diluted fascism… true democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting at the center. It has to be worked from below, by the people of every village.

Mahatma Ghandi epitomised the need for leaders to adhere to core human values of honesty, decency, love and kindness and service to each other. He did his utmost to change the political culture of India for it to reach its goals within the parameters of these core values.

Many believe, genuinely in most cases, that the political culture of Sri Lanka has to change as the present political culture is so sullied and a new breed of politicians are needed to resurrect something out of the mud everyone is in. It is uncertain though whether those who vocalise the need for a change in the political culture in fact are willing or even able to change it as they are representing a public who themselves appear to have distanced themselves from these core values. Religions have become so institutionalised, the teachings of the founders of religions have been overshadowed by ritualism that has no bearing on these core values.

The culture of a country plays a significant role in shaping its political system. A culture encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, and values that individuals have and hold towards each other in a society. A political system does not evolve by itself but from these attitudes, and the quality of a political system has a direct relationship to the quality of the country’s culture, therefore the values of its people. Mahatma Gandhi and leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr, were living embodiments of such values during their political struggles and these served to guide the destiny of their political movements.

Transfer of values and beliefs from one generation to another happens through political socialization, and this is a crucial factor in shaping the evolving political culture of a country. Various social institutions such as the family, education, religion, political parties, and media contribute to the formation and construction, and the evolution of political cultures. The development of political cultures is influenced by the changes in political consciousness and behaviour, as well as the values and attitudes prevailing in society.

In theory, political coalitions are welcome as an instrument to increase wider participation of those with diverse opinions on political governance and lessen tensions and inequities that lead to an uncompromising political culture often leading to extremism. However, if coalitions are entered into without any desire or intention of changing a political culture that is sullied with immorality, unethical behaviour, abject corruption and lack of any political standards, such coalitions will only lead to a country falling from a frying pan to a fire in respect of unjust, inequitable governance devoid of any morality and ethics.

It appears that there is unanimity in the public perception of an overwhelming number of Sri Lankans that Sri Lanka has gone beyond the point of resurrection when it comes to immorality, unethical behaviour, corruption, lack of law and order and poor governance. Paraphrasing Albert Einstein, they also appear to believe that it would be madness and suicidal for the country if the same people are elected to govern in the same way expecting different results. In such a climate, political coalitions formed for the sake of just power are bound to keep a lid on all these negatives and would be a means of perpetuating them as coalition agreements are bound to shield the corrupt and the dregs of society.

The problem for the country however is that those who are offering a new way of governance has not, as yet produced a document that outlines how they would govern differently and address the ills of the political culture and shortcomings in governance in the country. The absence of a specific, realistic plan of action to address these is a serious drawback to the country as any political combine riding the crest of a wave of popularity arising solely from the unpopularity of others, will not be any kind of panacea to address the ills facing the country. There is also the inherent consequential danger of what might happen if such a group fails to deliver on promises made on political platforms and on media interviews. Such a danger is even more acute if such a group, with a record of serious, series of violent political struggles, which they have not rejected as a possible weapon to gain power should a need arises for that, gains power simply on promises but not specific realistic solutions.

The oncoming elections, Presidential and General, poses a significant challenge for the future of the country. They will be called upon to decide between a popular group that has not presented any specific written plans as to how they would govern should they win one or both elections, and possibly a coalition of political parties opposed to the popular group, but who may coalesce just to oppose the popular group and to pursue power for themselves. It is highly unlikely that such a coalition will be able to change the sick political culture of the country as their coalition agreements will shield the many perpetrators who are in abundance in every party.

None of the Opposition parties have so far presented a realistic plan to the people as to how they would reduce the debt of the country which now exceeds the GDP of the country. The debt to GDP ratio stands at 120% now. In laymen’s terms this means that even if the entire country is sold today at its GDP value, it will still owe 20% of its value (GDP). None have presented specific alternate plans as to how the country could live within its means without resorting to more borrowings. None have spelt out the way they would settle outstanding foreign debt of some USD 52 Billion. None have spelt out a plan as to how they would change the political culture of the country and bring back morality, ethics, equitable law and order and address corruption that appears to be beyond a stage 4 cancer now. None have spelt out specific plans as to how they would reduce the ever widening gap between the haves and the have nots.

Promises made on political platforms and media interviews dot the political landscape today. One is reminded of a quote from Nikita Khrushchev, one time Soviet Union Prime Minister that politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.

අසෝක ඩයස්, ඇඩ්වොකාටා ආයතනයේ ප්‍රධාන විධායක නිලධාරී ධනනාත් ප්‍රනාන්දු මහතා සමග පැවැත්වූ පැතිකඩ සංවාදය Asoka Dias interviews, Mr. Dhananath Fernando, Chief Executive Officer, Advocata Institute මරණ තුනක් ඇති මිනිසා පැණි කයි ද? – ධනනාත් ප්‍රනාන්දු

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was held today (27.03.2024) at Great Hall, Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

Both countries agreed to continue to act under the friendship, peace, mutual respect and fivefold principle in international affairs that do not interfere in the internal affairs of a country. It was emphasized that bilateral relations should be based on mutual respect and mutual productivity between the countries, and acting according to that policy would set a good example for both countries.
The Chinese President also assured that China will support the schemes necessary for the development of Sri Lanka as soon as they are presented.
Chinese President assured continuous support of China to Sri Lanka’s efforts for political and socioeconomic progress. Chinese President said that China will always stand for safeguarding independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
The Chinese President thanked the Prime Minister’s father’s ancestry for their support to China during these discussions which lasted for almost an hour. The Chinese President also stated that the party representing the Prime Minister and other parties in Sri Lanka hope to further increase cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party.
Prime Minister thanked the President for assistance provided during the unprecedented economic crisis and extending debt restructuring facilities. He explained the progress in implementation of decisions taken during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to China. Prime Minister also thanked President Xi Jinping for the support extended to sectors such as school education, agriculture, health, technology, culture and religion.
State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Chines Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and senior officials also participated in this event.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

By Palitha Ariyarathna

In the intricate dance of religious syncretism, where diverse traditions intermingle, Buddhists find themselves at a crossroads. As they engage with other faiths, they must tread carefully, ensuring that their core teachings remain untainted. The allure of blending practices can be enticing, but hidden agendas and power dynamics often lurk beneath the surface. Buddhists must remain vigilant to avoid such manipulation. Let us explore this delicate balance, where vigilance becomes paramount.

No Matter Who’s Show Off: Religious syncretism, whether practiced by individuals or groups, often involves grand displays—visiting various religious sites to demonstrate openness and knowledge. However, true understanding lies not in showcasing diversity but in respecting the common practices adhered to by locals for centuries.

Aragalaya Ground – ”Extrime Religious Syncretism” Thease actions are legally and ethically flawed

Religious syncretism, the blending or merging of different religious traditions, has been a topic of debate and discussion throughout history. While some argue that mixing various religions enriches society, mindful individuals have increasingly recognized its potential dangers. In many places, syncretism has led to nuanced interpretations of religion. As a Buddhist, it is crucial to focus on its impact on Buddhism and consider the implications for adherents.

Buddhism, renowned for its adaptability, seamlessly integrates with local customs and beliefs. As it spread across Asia, it absorbed elements from indigenous traditions. For instance, in Japan, Buddhism harmoniously blended with Shinto practices, resulting in a syncretic phenomenon known as Shinbutsu-shūgō. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhism incorporates elements from Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet.

However, in Sri Lanka and many other countries, Buddhists grapple with a delicate challenge: how to maintain their core teachings while engaging with other faiths. Syncretism, when not approached with care, can inadvertently impact the essence of Buddhism. Legal implications loom large, as countries’ constitutional rights often prioritize the protection of Buddhism. The foremost place accorded to Buddhism should not be compromised by introducing concepts from other religions.

Governments and individuals must refrain from oversimplifying religious diversity by claiming that all religions are the same.” History reveals instances where Buddhist nations faced conversion pressures, leading to the erosion of their Buddhist identity. Such actions are legally and ethically flawed. Buddhism stands apart—it cannot be compared to any other religion. Even the founders of other faiths never made such claims.

As the author of this article, I have observed and explored the phenomenon of Religious Syncretism.” In this intricate dance of blending diverse religious traditions, I’ve tracked individuals who often exhibit certain behaviors—behaviors that carry hidden agendas and cultural hegemony. Their motivations, however, are not always rooted in valid reasons; rather, they seek popularity in today’s era through various means.

These individuals may suffer from what we can term maniac syndrome,” a mental and behavioral disorder characterized by abnormally elevated arousal. Their actions are driven by a desire to see others comment on their posts or articles, engage with popular Emoji” icons on their social media, and gain recognition. But upon closer observation, it becomes evident that many of these individuals harbor hidden agendas in their lives.

Syncretism, unfortunately, often occurs not out of genuine spiritual exploration but due to political or cultural motives. Throughout history, colonial powers have imposed their religious practices on indigenous communities, resulting in syncretism driven by power dynamics rather than sincere dialogue. As Buddhists, we must remain vigilant, guarding against any manipulation that threatens the millennium-long Sinhala Buddhist civilization.

As Buddhists engage with other faiths, vigilance becomes essential to preserve the authenticity of their teachings and navigate the complexities of syncretism. The delicate balance lies in appreciating cultural exchange while safeguarding the core tenets of Buddhism. Syncretism can be manipulated for political or cultural gain, as historical examples reveal when colonial powers imposed their practices on indigenous communities.

Once popular Dr. D. Large has been said ‘’Religious Syncretism like a poisoned cake cover with ice’’.

Let me elaborate on that quote: Imagine a cake—its exterior pristine and inviting. From the outside, no one suspects deception. But once tasted, its hidden poison reveals itself. Similarly, in the intricate dance of religious syncretism, appearances can be misleading.

Also, these activities are advantageous for propagating and reaching the goal of the Goodish Doctrine, as well as the hidden activities of Proselytization

Warning: Religious syncretism practitioners must critically evaluate its impact. As Buddhists, we seek neither popularity nor a diluted path. Instead, we foster open dialogue, respecting diverse perspectives. Let us remain vigilant, safeguarding the timeless wisdom of Buddhism.

Keep in mind that separatism, operating through the hidden agenda of geopolitical cartography, is quietly and secretly infiltrating our country via geopolitical, geo-economics, and maritime channels. It serves as a reminder of the Axis Powers’ Tordesillas Treaty, which caused immense suffering and claimed millions of lives. This evil historical event underscores Europe’s historical domination over much of the world, driven by a belief in their God-given right to divide the globe. Additionally, in a different context, ‘Religious Syncretism’ has victimized Asia through its multifaceted cultural activities. Ultimately, this marks the decline of the ‘’Light of Asia’’ Buddhism.

Nearly two decades ago, we lost Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero, a learned monk and a social reformer. His tireless efforts in propagating the Dhamma and revitalizing Buddhist practice within Sri Lankan society left a lasting impact. Ven. Soma Thero emphasized diligence, observance of the Five Precepts, and letting go of false views. His advocacy for vegetarianism and opposition to killing animals for meat continue to inspire many of us.

However, it is disheartening to observe that some young people, while standing up to protect Buddhism, inadvertently contribute to the erosion of our rich Buddhist culture. Their participation in multi-cultural, multi-religious environments may unknowingly facilitate the impact of Religious Syncretism” and proselytizing activities. These practices, overseen by certain churches and Arab-oriented mosques, pose challenges to the preservation of our Buddhist heritage.

As we reflect on Ven. Soma Thero’s legacy, let us remain vigilant in safeguarding our traditions and values while amidst a changing world.

As Sinhala Buddhists, we must remain vigilant. While cultural exchange enriches us, we must safeguard our core teachings.

Conflict and controversy often arise in this interplay. Clashes occur between traditionalists and innovators, and controversies emerge when syncretic practices challenge established Sinhala Buddhist Culture in Long Thousands of Years. Buddhists must remain vigilant, discerning genuine exploration from manipulation. Let us honor our tradition’s essence while engaging with the world.

By Palitha Ariyarathna

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

It is imperative to have a proper plan to face natural and other emergencies within the country and also build capacity to assist other countries faced with such calamities, said State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon making a visit to CBRN Response Regiment at Mattegoda.

State Minister Tennakoon arrived at the Sri Lanka Army Engineers in Mattegoda on a familiarization visit to observe the specialized capabilities and response preparedness of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) on Tuesday (26 Mar).

The State Minister was received by the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Engineers Major General M K Jayawardena on his arrival at the 14 CBRN Response Regiment at Mattegoda. He was accorded a Drive Past on his arrival by SLE troops.

During the briefing held at the Convention Hall, a comprehensive presentation on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Humanitarian Demining capabilities and operations of the SLE was presented. Minister Tennakoon after inspecting the CBRN/ EOD/ HDM kit and equipment on display at the facility also observed a demonstration of CBRN/ EOD/ HDM capabilities.

Senior Army officers including Colonel Commandant of the SLA Corps of Engineer Services Maj. Gen. Lanka Amarapala, Chief Field Engineer Maj. Gen. Shewanth Kulatunge, GOC 59 Engineer Division Maj. Gen. Kapila Dolage and Director General Disaster Management Centre Maj. Gen, Udaya Herath (Retd) were also present at the occasion.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang assured Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that China would assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy. During the high level bilateral talks held today in Beijing, the Chinese Prime Minister praised Sri Lanka’s economic progress after a period of economic downside. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena staying, “You and your family continuously worked for strengthening friendship between China and Sri Lanka”. He pointed out that Sri Lanka consistently followed ‘One China’ policy and supported China at international forums. Premier Li Qiang said his country world also extetend assistance to develop Katunayake International Airport, Hambantota Port and Colombo Port City. Premier Gunawardena thanked China for standing for Sri Lanka’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty and helping Sri Lanka when faced with international political issues or economic problems

Vichara

President Directs Completion of Urumaya” Program Granting Free Land Rights to 2 Million People by June ( President’s Media Division 22 March 2024).

President RW has declared his intention to contest the upcoming Presidential Elections. According to his supporters, there is a block vote of 2.4 million Asswesuma beneficiaries who are obliged to vote for him. Now the net is cast to capture another 2 million land owners who are to be given freehold titles to land they now occupy as LDO permit holders. If the dependants of the Aswesuma beneficiaries and land grant holders are taken into account UNP supporters estimate that the total would exceed 6 million votes. Whatever the optimistic statistics are, RW is on a grand fishing expedition. The fresh baits are free meals for school children and free rice to the poor during the festive season. There will be more in the next few months.

The doctrine of the Crown trusteeship of land has prevailed from the days of King Devanampiyatissa who was advised by Arhath Mahinda that even the King did not own the land but was only a trustee of the land. The President’s project of granting of free land rights is an irrevocable measure that needs careful examination.

According to our Constitution, the President is bound to abide by its provisions and written law enacted before or after the commencement of the Constitution. This is clearly stipulated in Article 33 of the Constitution which states:

33. In addition to the powers and functions expressly conferred on or assigned to him by the Constitution or by any written law whether enacted before or after the commencement of the Constitution, the President shall have the power 33(f) to do all such acts and things, not being inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution or written law as by international law, custom or usage he is required or authorized to do. is is further confirmed in:

APPENDIX II to The 1978 Constittion

Land and Land Settlement

State land shall continue to vest in the Republic and may be disposed of in accordance with Article 33 (d) and written law governing this matter.

A President is not above the law and is responsible to the Parliament.

The President of the Republic in terms of Article 32 of the Constitution must takean oath stating that he would uphold and defend the Constitution. Therefore it is seen that the President of the Republic is subject to the Constitution. In Mallikaarchchi Vs Shivapasupathi, Attorney General [1985] 1 SLR 74 wherein Sharvananda CJ at page 78 held thus: the President is not above the law” (SC_fr_351_2018)

The exsing law on State land is the CHAPTER 300 – LAND DEVELOPMENT  ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT AND ALIENATION OF STATE LAND IN SRI LANKA.

A layman’s view is that the President cannot violate the existing law on the alienation of State land. The proposed measure is completely contrary to the objectives of the 1933 Ordinance of the UNP government of D.S. Senanayake of which the key principles were to:-

1. Prevent the disposal of Crown land by outright sale.
2. Land to be alienated by a system of selection and not by auction.
3. Prevent land alienated to a particular class passing into the hands of other classes.
4. Prevent the fragmentation of land.
5. Ensure succession and keep the new owners out of courts of law in that aspect.

 Even the British administrators accepted the need for a protected tenure for state land given to landless peasants. Colonial administration’s Government Agent C.V.Brayne in 1920 envisaged a peasant proprietor system in which State land would be distributed to growing numbers of landless farmers under a form of inheritable but protected tenure, which disallowed sub-division as well as trading of alienated State land”.

The present flawed policy is inspired by the annulled draft agreement between the MCC and the government of Sri Lanka, MCC funding would be used to provide titles to state-owned land held by individuals, mostly smallholder farmers, thereby facilitating the sale of their lands to any buyer. Conversion of state lands to the private domain, creates a marketable and bankable title to this land in the name of the land holder allowing the use of land as collateral for loans and the free transfer of this land without government restrictions”.

One of the serious outcomes of the President’s political project is land fragmentation. When land consolidation is the proven policy in land administration we are on reverse gear discourging consolidation.

Handing over a piece of paper to poor permit holders giving them legal title over the land does not bring an end to the poverty, indebtedness and many other social problems traumatizing them. Once they get freehold titles the present holder will be forced to divide the land among the children or sell part of the land to outsiders. There will be disharmony among the children and litigation on land ownership and Parate executions will be common. Only the lawyers would benefit by never ending litigation on land.

While Sri Lanka is opening the doors to land fragmentation rest of the world is making every effort on land consolidation.

Many countries in Western Europe have a long tradition for the implementation of land consolidation projects. In most Western European countries, land consolidation has in the last decades developed into a multi-purpose instrument.

Land consolidation and land banking instruments started to develop in Central and Eastern Europe after 1990 and most of the countries have introduced land consolidation while only few already have ongoing national land consolidation programmes. The introduction of land consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe has been driven by the political aim to facilitate agricultural development by reducing land fragmentation and facilitating a structural development towards larger farms. (FAO REU: http://www.fao.org/europe/en/)

The importance of land consolidation for Sri Lanka is identified as the

fundamental measure for facilitating agriculture productivity, rural

development, and making land administration more efficient (FAO, 2003).

It also provides positive grounds for environment management (Crecente et

al., 2002). Conflicts on borders, water, and roads are one of the biggest

issues among farmers in rural areas where the lands are small.

Consolidation enables farmers to improve their spatial and economic

conditions by reducing the number of separate plots on a farm while

alternating the shape of the farm plots allowing mechanization

In Sri Lanka, particularly in the paddy sector, land fragmentation and micro

holdings are among the major issues that impede agricultural and land

productivity.” (www.harti.gov.lk”

National Security

Most of them under economic and social pressure make them easy victims of land grabbers. With the depreciation of the rupee, foreign parties would have a bonanza in purchasing these lands. Sri Lanka should learn a lesson from how the Jews became the major landowners in Palestine and how the Palestinians were confined to refugee camps. The land grab was funded at the beginning by-

  ewish National Fund

  Palestine Jewish Colonization Association

  Palestine Land Development Company

and later by organizations such as the Palestine Jewish Colonization Association (PJCA), Palestine Land Development Company and the Jewish National Fund.

The rich Tamil diaspora has only to buy some peasant lands to disturb the delicate ethnic balance in the Trincomalee District. Some of the Divisions in the Vavuniya District are as vulnerable.

This project is ill conceived and also contrary to prevailing National Land Policy. One of the selling points of the project is that the landowner is enabled to mortgage the land which was not there earlier. This is a deliberate falsehood. Article 43 of the LD ordinance (as amended in 1975) allowed the mortgage of the land to the Peoples Bank or the State Mortgage and investmen Bank.

Let the government refrain from rushing into irrevocable mesures harmful to the intended very beneficiaries and against national land policy and endangering national security for narrow polical advantage.

Vichara

By: Pramod Thomas Courtesy Eastern Eye

Dinesh Gunawardena said China would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external deb

Dinesh Gunawardena speaks during a press conference in Colombo. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

PRIME MINISTER of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (27) announced that China has committed to enhancing the strategic deep-sea port and the capital’s airport of the island nation following discussions with his counterpart in Beijing.

Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena said China — the island’s biggest bilateral creditor — would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external debt, a key condition to maintaining a $2.9 billion IMF bailout.

Beijing’s position on debt restructuring has not been made public, but Sri Lankan officials have said China was reluctant to take a haircut on its loans but could extend the tenure and adjust interest rates.

Sri Lanka in 2022 ran out of foreign exchange to finance essential imports and declared a sovereign default on its $46 billion foreign debt.

Months of protests forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office.

Gunawardena’s office said Premier Li Qiang had promised China would assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy”.

Gunawardena said Beijing had offered assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port, the statement added, without giving further details.

A Japanese-funded expansion of Colombo airport had been on hold since Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt default.

The southern sea port of Hambantota was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a 99-year lease for $1.12bn, sparking security concerns in Beijing’s regional rival India.

India and the US are both concerned that a Chinese foothold at Hambantota, on the island’s southern coast, could boost its naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka has insisted its ports will not be used for any military purposes, but New Delhi has objected to Chinese research vessels calling at Hambantota fearing that they could be used for espionage.

By Rathindra Kuruwita Courtesy The Diplomat

It underscores yet again the inconsistent and ad hoc foreign policy under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry recently confirmed allowing a German research vessel, the Sonne, to dock at Colombo Port.

This raised eyebrows among some observers, considering that just a few months ago, the Sri Lankan government announced a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels docking at its ports.

At the time of the ban, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry insisted that the country was only attempting to maintain stability in the region and that the South Asian nation will use this time to develop its own marine research capabilities so that it can take part in future foreign research expeditions as an equal partner.

A few months before the moratorium, China had sought permission to dock a research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, in Colombo in early 2024. It was widely acknowledged that the Sri Lankan ban had come after pressure from India and the U.S. and was aimed at Chinese vessels. China was likely frustrated, but Sri Lanka stressed that the ban applied to vessels from all countries.

However, by allowing the German research vessel, the Sonne, to dock, Sri Lanka has signaled that the ban was indeed selective.

Although the foreign ministry’s announcement about the Sonne’s docking at Colombo port came on the third week of March, some members of the Colombo diplomatic community were made aware of it in early March. Diplomatic sources claim that a senior People’s Liberation Army delegation was in Colombo when the Chinese found out about the docking of the German research vessel. The Chinese delegation, reportedly furious, sought to depart the island immediately.

The Sri Lankan foreign ministry is now attempting damage control by stating that the ban on foreign ships is for research purposes, not on replenishment” and that the country will allow research vessels to dock for such purposes. There were also reports that the Sri Lankan cabinet will discuss how to handle foreign research vessels in future and [that] the Foreign Ministry is in the process of drafting a cabinet paper for the policy.”

However,  the government announced in September last year that it had already finalized the standard operating procedure (SOP) it would use to grant permission for foreign warships, military aircraft, and research vessels. In November 2023, Sabry told journalists that the ministry has communicated” the SOP to the missions who have made such port calls to Sri Lanka during the last 10 years.”

In the circumstances, the decision to revisit the issue raises questions about the necessity of reinventing the wheel.

If anything, allowing the German research vessel in is another indication, among many others in recent months, that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration has indeed thrown its lot behind India and the U.S.

A day before Sri Lanka’s Independence Day on February 4, the Indian Navy submarine INS Karanj docked at Colombo Port and left after the Independence Day celebrations. The symbolism of the docking as well as the timing of the arrival and departure was not lost among those in Colombo’s political and diplomatic circles.

Earlier this month, the United States concluded a three-day training session with Sri Lankan troops, focusing on instructing the Sri Lankan Air Force in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight operations. The Air Force said this collaboration underscores the evolving military partnership between the two nations and that this ultimately encourages greater interoperability between the United States Department of Defense and the Sri Lanka Tri-Services.” Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s participation in U.S.-led naval missions in the Red Sea reflects a shift that comes at the expense of its traditional allies.

At an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York in September 2023, Wickremesinghe described the strategic tripartite Aukus security pact that includes the U.S., Australia and Britain as a strategic misstep” and a mistake,” and went on to dismiss concerns over Sri Lanka.

In January 2024, Wickremesinghe announced his decision to deploy a Sri Lankan Navy ship to the Red Sea. About a month and a half later, Sri Lankans learnt from a speech given by the U.S. ambassador in Colombo that Sri Lanka had indeed sent a ship to the Red Sea to support the U.S.-led anti-Houthi operations. The Houthis, who have launched their latest series of attacks on selected ships on behalf of the Palestinians, are allies of Iran, Russia and China. Not only is Sri Lanka drawing the ire of these two countries, but also it risks losing its friends in the Muslim world.

Since 1977, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy has not only been inconsistent, but also irrational if we go by the definition of American political scientists John J. Mearsheimer and Sebastian Rosato, who said that rational decisions in international politics rest on credible theories about how the world works and emerges from deliberative decision‑making processes.” This is the opposite of how the Wickremesinghe government makes foreign policy decisions.

Instead of a deliberative decision-making process, it appears evident that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is predominantly shaped by Wickremesinghe and a select group of his close associates.

Moreover, international politics is an information-scarce environment, which often leads to misunderstandings. When a country makes decisions on well-known principles, it helps other nations to rationalize their own policies. This was one of the main benefits of the non-alignment policy that Sri Lanka adhered to before 1977. These well-known principles allowed both sides in the Cold War to determine Sri Lanka’s behavior in international politics with a degree of certainty.

Given the unpredictable shifts in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy under Wickremesinghe’s leadership over the past year, it raises the question of whether any foreign country, lacking access to Wickremesinghe’s inner circle, can accurately ascertain Sri Lanka’s stance on various issues.

Given that China and its allies have many ways to retaliate against Sri Lanka, the vagueness of potential benefits of band-wagoning with India and the U.S. axis, the ad-hoc changes in the direction of policy and the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, it is safe to argue that the foreign policy of the Wickremesinghe government is not only bad but irrational.

Courtesy CGTN News

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, with the two sides agreeing to deepen friendship and promote greater cooperation.

Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and that the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples.

Xi said China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by “independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support,” to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

He said China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship.

China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and exploring the path of modernization in line with the country’s national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development to the best of its ability.

He urged joint efforts to deepen cooperation in logistics, energy and industry and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture and tourism and marine economy.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of Sri Lankan specialty and high-quality products, Xi told Gunawardena. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and hopes that the Sri Lankan side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for them, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, China, March 27, 2024. /Xinhua

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in rural poverty alleviation and help Sri Lanka realize economic transformation, upgrading and sustainable development, Xi continued.

He also called on the two sides to further promote the five principles of peaceful coexistence, strengthen collaboration in international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of China and Sri Lanka and international justice, and promote the building of a global community with a shared future.

Prime Minister Gunawardena, for his part, said Sri Lanka unambiguously adheres to the one-China principle, unambiguously pursues a policy of friendship and cooperation with China and has always prioritized China in its foreign relations.

He said the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi have injected new impetus and positive energy into world peace and development, adding that Sri Lanka will actively support and participate in these initiatives.

Gunawardena also said Sri Lanka is keen to deepen friendly relations, promote building the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation in the economy, education and poverty alleviation.

Courtesy The South China Morning Post

• Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Premier Li Qiang had promised Beijing would also help the South Asian nation’s debt restructuring process continuously
• New Delhi and Washington are concerned that a Chinese foothold at Hambantota could boost its naval advantage in the Indian Ocean

The Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP

Sri Lanka’s prime minister said on Wednesday that China has pledged to develop the island nation’s strategic deep seaport and the capital’s airport after talks with his counterpart in Beijing.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said China – the island’s biggest bilateral creditor – would assist” Sri Lanka’s restructuring of external debt, a key condition to maintaining a US$2.9 billion IMF bailout.

By Pranjal Pandey Courtesy Eurais Review

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has worsened due to IMF deals, causing social unrest, unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity, and posing significant challenges for its people.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on March 21, 2024, that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka regarding the next phase of financial assistance, granting access to $337 million from the previously approved $3 billion bailout allocated in 2023 for the financially strained nation. A staff-level agreement represents an initial consensus achieved between the personnel of the IMF and the governing authorities of a member nation concerning economic policies and reforms.

Over two weeks starting from March 7, a team from the IMF, led by senior mission chief Peter Breuer and deputy mission chief Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, conducted the second review of the bailout program in Colombo. The initial bailout, totaling $2.9 billion and spanning four years, was approved in March 2023. Two tranches of $330 million each were disbursed in March and December 2023.

Upon approval by IMF management and subsequent completion by the IMF executive board, Sri Lanka will now gain access to SDR 254 million (approximately $337 million) in financial assistance.

Sri Lanka had declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 in April 2022.

The Sri Lankan Uprising of 2022

The 2022 protests in Sri Lanka, popularly referred to as Aragalaya (The Struggle), began in March of that year as a response to the government’s policies. Criticisms were aimed at the government’s handling of the country’s economy, which had plunged into a severe crisis. The crisis, which sparked widespread unrest, was fueled by a combination of factors, including rampant inflation, frequent power cuts, and shortages of essential goods like fuel and domestic gas. 

Massive protests culminated in a governmental collapse in Sri Lanka on July 13, 2022. A significant number of demonstrators had marched toward President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence asking for his resignation. Rajapaksa left the country for the Maldives, leaving Ranil Wickremesinghe to assume the role of acting president due to his position as prime minister. By evening, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe too had resigned, paving the way for the establishment of an all-party government. 

Wickremesinghe, who had previously held the position of Prime Minister on six occasions and was serving as acting President, was elected as the eighth executive President of Sri Lanka following a parliamentary vote on July 20, 2022.

Crisis in the Sri Lankan Economy

Sri Lanka finds itself embroiled in a severe economic crisis, exacerbating the already pressing issue of food insecurity within the nation. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 6.2 million individuals, constituting 28 percent of the population, are somewhat food insecure, with an additional 66,000 facing severe food insecurity.

The crisis, fueled by soaring inflation and prolonged political turmoil, has reshaped the landscape of governance in Sri Lanka, disproportionately affecting its impoverished communities. Once spending 32 percent of their income on food in 2019, in 2022, the same figure was a staggering 75 percent. The brunt of this crisis is borne most acutely by informal sector workers, with 86 percent of households reducing food intake, and some even skipping meals.

The food security challenge in Sri Lanka has been compounded by a significant decline in food production, impacting the 26.41 percent of the population dependent on agriculture. The United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’s (OCHA) Needs Assessment Reporthighlighted a serious decline in domestic agricultural output stemming from an unsuccessful transition to organic farming. In April 2021, the former government had imposed a ban on importing chemical fertilizers, which, even after being lifted in November, led to a 40 to 50 percent reduction in agricultural outputs for both Maha and Yala monsoon seasons.

Two in three households adjusted their children’s eating habits during the crisis: over half of all children (54 percent) had to eat cheaper or lower quality food; over one-third (35 percent) had to reduce the quantity their children were eating; and about one in ten children (12 percent) had to reduce the frequency of their children’s food intake.

In 2022, the youth unemployment rate in Sri Lanka reached a staggering 24 percent, reflecting a concerning trend in the labor force ages 15 to 24. Poverty levels have been on the rise since 2019, increasing from 11.3 percent to 12.7 percent in 2020, which equates to over 300,000 new individuals falling below the poverty line during that period. This trend continued into 2021, with poverty rates doubling between 2021 and 2022, soaring from 13.1 percent to 25.0 percent. This sharp increase has pushed an additional 2.5 million people into poverty in 2022 alone. Households have been profoundly affected by this economic turmoil, facing multiple challenges such as a 46 percent increase in prices, a contraction in service and industry jobs (forcing workers into lower-paying agricultural roles), a decline in remittances, and negative impacts on agricultural incomes due to the ban on chemical fertilizers implemented in 2021.

Austerity Measures and the IMF

IMF packages in Sri Lanka have negatively impacted the people. Austerity measures and structural reforms have led to cuts in public spending, increased unemployment, and reduced access to essential services. Privatization and deregulation have resulted in higher costs of necessities, exacerbating poverty and inequality. While these packages offer short-term financial aid, their long-term effects deepen social hardships for the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.

With the imposition of various bailout packages, the Sri Lankan government has also implemented a series of austerity measures, increasing the challenges faced by its citizens amidst the country’s severe economic crisis. These measures entail significant reductions in government expenditures across different sectors, including critical areas such as social protection measures, and essential public services like healthcare and education, further undermining the well-being of the population. Notably, each ministry’s annual budget has been slashed by 5 percent.

In addition to these detrimental cuts, Sri Lanka’s tax system has come under scrutiny for its regressive nature, characterized by a disproportionate reliance on indirect taxes such as the value-added tax (VAT), which accounts for 80 percent of tax revenue. This disproportionately affects lower-income individuals, who end up paying a larger share of their income in taxes compared to their higher-income counterparts.

Furthermore, the government’s decision to privatize state-owned enterprises as part of its austerity measures has had negative consequences for both employees and consumers, leading to job losses and reduced access to essential services. Similarly, recent economic policy initiatives promoting labor flexibility” have resulted in the erosion of workers’ rights and welfare, exacerbating income disparities and labor exploitation.

Changes in pension regulations, such as the gradual reduction of pension gratuities for retirees, have further increased the financial insecurity faced by vulnerable segments of the population, particularly retirees relying on fixed incomes for their livelihoods.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s adoption of a significantly tighter monetary policy stance, characterized by successive increases in policy interest rates has had adverse effects on borrowing costs of both industries and citizens and economic activity in terms of production and consumer expenditure.

• About the author: Pranjal Pandey, a journalist and editor located in Delhi, has edited seven books covering a range of issues available at LeftWord. You can explore his journalistic contributions on NewsClick.in.
• Source: This article was produced by Globetrotter

Courtesy Adaderana

MP Namal Rajapaksa has been unanimously elected as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s new national organiser, a post previously held by former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The new appointment was during the SLPP’s executive committee meeting convened on Wednesday at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence at Wijerama Road in Colombo.

State Minister D.V. Chanaka communicated this to media persons following the meeting.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The signing of nine new agreements between China and Sri Lanka took place today (26.03.2024) under the patronage of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Prime Minister today paid floral tributes to the martyred war heroes at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at Tiananmen Square, and after receiving the guard of honour from the Chinese military, bilateral discussions were commenced. Later, in the bilateral talks held in Great Hall in Beijing, more attention was paid to increasing overall cooperation in the social, cultural, educational, and agricultural sectors in addition to economic cooperation.

The Prime Ministers of the two countries confirmed that a new chapter in the long-term friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and China will begin through the nine memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the secretaries of nine ministries signed on behalf of China.

A group including Ministers of the People’s Republic of China, Sri Lankan State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ashoka Priyantha, and MP Yadamini Gunawardena participated in this event.

e-Con e-News

blog: eesrilanka.wordpress.com

‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’

e-Con e-News 017-23 March 2024

The USA is now naming Sri Lanka as a ‘partner’ in its Indo-Pacific wars. US military magazine Indo-Pacific Defense Forum recently outlined the US Indo-Pacific Command’s planned ‘military engagements’ for Sri Lanka.

     The US Navy earlier established a logistics hub to support US warships operating in our ocean called Indian – this was revealed immediately after Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, under sweeteners and pressures from US-funded politicians & NGOS, overturned then-President Maithripala Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament and removal of then-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, on 7 December 2018 (see ee Quotes).

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     The earliest US navies were involved in trafficking enslaved Africans, then demanding ‘equal opportunity’ in the English opium trade imposed on China. The US Marine Corps were first set up to wage war on North Africa (they called the ‘Barbary States’) to protect US opium trafficked through the Mediterranean, from Turkey to China.

     The US navy was also involved in abolishing the import of slaves from Africa, but only to create scarcity and raise the price of slaves, because the US had escalated horrific slave-breeding camps inside the US – an early exercise in sanctions aiding import substitution.

States like Maryland & Virginia, which formerly employed slaves

on the production of export articles [were transformed]

into states which raised slaves in order

to export these slaves into the deep South.

– Karl Marx, in Vienna’s Die Presse, 25 October 1861

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The laziness of the Sinhala worker is still a common theme in the capitalist media, especially when comparing them to the imposition of Indian laborers on Sri Lanka. Yet, ‘the Sinhala villager was not averse to wage labor’, observed SBD de Silva, ‘they were opposed to plantation bondage’.

     This ee traces the revolution and evolution of such slavish practices shaping corporate ‘human resources’ and the ideas of economists & economics in Sri Lanka. Indeed, the ‘most profoundly cherished ideals & beliefs’ in the North Atlantic world, eg, ‘liberalism’ (Englishman John Locke, so-called Father of Liberalism, was involved in the slave trade) & ‘neoliberalism’, have been shaped by enslavement & colonialism. Also, the so-called bourgeois science of ‘economics’ as promoted by the media’s ‘economists’ has been shaped by these slave practices to this very day.

     And just as we hear now of how much corporations wish to promote ‘gender equality’ etc, we recall that the 1868 US law declaring Africans as ‘human’ in the US was passed in order to declare corporations as humans too!

     It is also hilarious that US ‘NGO’ EconomyNext keeps claiming how neoliberals were opposed to slavery and to ‘apartheid’ South Africa.  It is blatantly untrue. So-called neoliberals have always opposed the independence of the ‘colonies,’ and in fact many of their supposedly common-sense economics are actually a translation of white supremacist demands!  

‘He distilled the question of membership in ‘the West’

down to the quantifiable figure of how much interest

the nation would have to pay to borrow money.

The most pertinent criterion was not cultural, ideological,

or geographic, but lay in investor confidence’

(see ee Focus, The Role of Economists

in the White Atlantic’s War on the World)

• The English slave system in the Americas is very much linked to corporate labor relations in Sri Lanka, as promoted in the tea plantations, overseen by 1,000s of Indian kanganies who recruited these workers by devious means, and now represent the Indian worker in parliament too!

     This ‘kangany’ bondage’ like chattel slavery in the Americas was first transferred from the North Atlantic to Asia due to the world’s first successful slave revolution, in Haiti (& it’s no coincidence that the US, Canada & France are planning to invade Haiti again!). This chattel slavery was transformed into indentured slavery in Asia and practiced on Asians transported to Indian & Pacific Oceans, and to the Americas, then to the wage-labor conditions enacted in Sri Lanka. This has infected & infiltrated the mind & body politics & economics in Sri Lanka. SBD de Silva discussed all this in his classic The Political Economy of Underdevelopment in his chapter on ‘Problems of labor supply & the recourse to migrant labor: The response of indigenous labor to the plantation system’.

     As a qualifier, ee also reproduces Stephen Joseph Scott’s ‘Governance, Race, Property, & Profit’, which looks at white supremacism & liberalism’s more specific origins in Barbados. And yet to this very day, the media continues to ignore how much of the ‘human resource’ aka ‘personnel’ practices emanate from there. Indeed, many of the top corporations in Sri Lanka (with Unilever in the lead) maybe traced to the early agency houses established under this slave system.

     In 1840: English slaver Robert Boyd Tytler arrived in Lanka bringing his ‘expertise’ in the ‘West India System’ of coffee planting in Jamaica. He brought a copy of Pierre Joseph Laborie’s Coffee Planter of Santo Domingo (1798) which became the authority on ‘plantation development,’ excerpting book extracts in Ceylon Miscellany Vol 2 (1842).

     Laborie, who fled Haiti (aka Santo Domingo), recommended: ‘Punishments must be certain, immediately inflicted, proportionable to the fault, and never excessive. Racks, tortures, mayhems, mutilations, and death are reserved for crimes of an atrocious nature, and fall only within the province of the public magistrate: through perhaps more speedy executions, and particularly on the spot, would have more striking effect.’

     In 1863: Coffee Planter of Santo Domingo (1798) reprinted in Lanka with the preface: ‘Laborie, though an old writer, is still the authority on all that relates to Coffee planting. The principles laid down by him so many years ago in the West Indies, are those which still guide the managers of Ceylon properties.’

     Indeed, there is no rush to produce an economic history of Sri Lanka for this very reason. For it would expose the slavish origins of many of our (predominantly ‘minority’) merchant leaders to this day. This is why it is most important to examine carefully and write the history of our villages, especially those who produce wage workers for the Western Province.

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• Dumbara beyond Colombo’s English Mists & Myths

‘Returning to Kandy in 1949 Minnette de Silva set up practice, away from Colombo

but at the heart of traditional Lanka – the home of lacquer work,

Dumbara mats and religious & feudal architecture’

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‘The Hilton pays homage to the country’s culturally rich heritage with

Dumbara-inspired motifs, a nod to the country’s traditional weaving craftmanship’

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‘Clothing & accessories made from traditional crafts

such as Dumbara weaving, Beeralu lace, batik’

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The Dumbara Valley in the central highlands of Sri Lanka is inextricably and umbilically linked with ‘the hereditary craft of textile weaving’. At least, in the minds of the ruling denizens of the country. These minds rarely venture south, east & north out of that constipated suburb of London (& now NY) known as Colombo, and if they do, it’s only to ensure their cut of the tea plucked, rubber tapped, coconuts husked, graphite mined, & garments assembled, then exported, along with workers….after all these commodities have, of course, been duly hanged, dried, quartered & calculated.

     Dumbara usually recalls some motif, some weave they may step on, or some cloth they may exotically incarcerate their bodies in, to claim some occasional fashion, a sarong or a scarf, to scale some sartorial bridge to the dominant though repressed national culture – the Barefoot School of faux adoration & patronization of handicrafts, who the children of this valley appear to be in no hurry to inherit. This Colombo has little idea of the role that the people of this quantum of geography have played and still play in the drama of all our lives.

     Enter stage left then is Sinhala critic & award-winning novelist Sena Thoradeniya’s latest oeuvre Dumbara Rata: Vol I, published last week.This seminal work on Dumbara consists of 4 volumes, and if we dare measure this initial salvo by its cover, it indeed promises to unleash grand fireworks of what he ventures as ‘a new field of study – Kandyan Affairs’. The Kandyan Kingdom aka Sinhale spread to all corners of the country… (see ee Random Notes)

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Contents:

ධරණි රාජසිංහම් සේනානායක

MARCH 22, 2024 සංස්කාරක COMMENTS OFFON ජාතින්ගේ ධනය සහ න්‍යායේ දුප්පත්කම: ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සම්පත්වල ශාපය සහ මහ බැංකුව පුද්ගලිකරණය -ධරිණි රාජසිංහම්

ධරිණි රාජසිංහම් සේනානායක

සීතල යුද්ධයේ වර්තමාන අවධියේදී උත්සන්න වෙමින් පවත්නා  යුක්රේනයේ සහ ගාසාහි චාලක යුද්ධ මගින් ලෝකයේ අවධානය වෙතකට යොමු කරවමින් පවතින අතර ආසියාව, අප්‍රිකාව සහ දකුණු ඇමෙරිකාව ඇතුළු ගෝලීය දකුණේ රටවලට එරෙහිව මෙන්ම ලෝකයේ වෙළඳපොළවල් එකිනෙකට සම්බන්ධ කෙරෙන චීනයේ වෙළඳ පථ සහ මාර්ග සමාරම්ක ව්‍යාපෘතියට(Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) එරෙහිවද දියත් කෙරී ඇති හයිබ්‍රිඩ් යුද්ධය උත්සන්න කෙරෙමින් පවතී. කොවිඩ්-19 වසංගත ඇඳිරිනීති හෙවත් රටවල් වසා දැමීම මගින් අටවන ලද උගුලට සිරවී මධ්‍යම ආදායම් ලබන රටවල් 56ක් සිය ආර්ථිකය විනාශයට පත් කරගත් අතර කොල්ලකාරි ජාත්‍යන්තර  ස්වෛරී බැඳුම්කර අලෙවිකරුවන්ගෙන් සහ පුද්ගලික මූල්‍ය ජාවාරම්කාර සමාගම්වලින් ගිනිපොලියට ණය ගැනීම හේතුවෙන් මෙම රටවල් තවදුරටත් එම ණය උගුලේ සිරවෙමින් සිටිති.

ෆිච් වාර්තාව (Fitch report) i අනුව ආර්ජන්ටිනාව, ඉක්වදෝරය, සූරිනාම් හි සිට ඝානා, ලෙබනන්, සහ ශ්‍රි ලංකාව දක්වා ස්වෛරී ණය ගෙවීමට නොහැකි බංකොළොත්වීම් ගණනාවක් පසුගිය වසර දෙක පුරා සිදුව තිබේ.මෙම රටවල දේශිය මුදලේ සහ වැටුප්වල වටිනාකම අසාධාරණ ලෙස වරප්‍රසාදිත ඇමෙරිකානු ඩොලරයට එරෙහිව පහළ වැටී තිබේ. මෙය සිදුවන්නේ ඇමෙරිකා එක්සත් ජනපදය ඩොලර් ට්‍රිලියන 34 කටත් වඩා ණය වී සිටියදී මෙන්ම විනාශකාරි යුද්ධවලට මෙන්ම නේටෝ-ක්වාඩ් (NATO- QUAD )යුද යන්ත්‍රයටද  දිගින් දිගටම අරමුදල් සපයමින් සිටින අතරය යන කරුණ මෙහිදී සිහිතබා ගැනීම වැදගත්ය. ඉහත රටවල මුදලේ වටිනාකම ක්ෂණික ලෙස පහත වැටීම විසින් බුද්ධිගලනයකටද හේතු වී ඇති අතර එමගින් තත්ත්වය වඩාත් බරපතල වෙමින් පවතී.

ඉහත ණය බරින් පිඩිතව සිටින රටවල දේශිය ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණයට මැදිහත්වීමටද, ණය පිළිබඳ සංඛ්‍යාමය දත්ත විකෘති කරමින් ඒ්වා විශාලනය කිරීමටද වොෂින්ටන් සම්මුතියට අයත් ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලටද අවස්ථාව උදාකරගත හැකි වූයේ මෙම යුරෝ බැඳුම්කර ණය යටත් විජිතවාදය සහ ” බංකොළොත්වීමේ තත්ත්වය” උපයෝගී කර ගනිමිනි. සංවර්ධනය වෙමින් පවතින රටවල් ණය උගුලකට හසුකරගැනීමට කටයුතු කරන්නේ යැයි චීනයට චෝදනා කරන අතරම එක්සත් ජනපදය විසින් තවදුරටත් සිය පොලී අනුපාතයන් ඉහළ දමමින් බාහිර ආර්ථික කම්පන ප්‍රහාර මේ රටවල ආර්ථිකයන්ට එරෙහිව දියත් කරමින් ආර්ථිකයට” විලාප නැගීමට සලස්වා තිබේ.

දූෂණය මර්දනය කිරීමට යැයි කියමින් ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ණය අර්බුදය සදහා වන ප්‍රතිකාර” යටතේ පෙරට දමා ඇති ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ” යටතට මහ බැංකුව පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට වගකියන තත්ත්වයෙන් නිදහස් කර ස්වාධීන ආයතනයක් බවට පත් කිරීමේ නීතිය පසුගිය වසරේදී ක්‍රියාත්මක කරනු ලැබිණි.ii 2022 දී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවඉතිහාසයේ පළමුවරට බංකොළොත් තත්ත්වයට පත් වීමට හේතුවූයේ ලංකාව විශාල ලෙස ණය ගැනීමක් කරා යොමු කරන ලද 2015 ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුව තුළ සිදු වූ බැඳුම්කර මගඩියයි.

මහ බැංකුව පාර්ලිමේන්තුවෙන් ස්වාධීන කිරීමේ සිය මෙහෙයුම යුක්ති සහගත කිරීමට ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල කටයුතු කළේ එමගින් මූල්‍ය අක්‍රමිකතා සහ දූෂණ මැඩීමට වැඩි බලයක් මහ බැංකු නිලධාරින්ට ලැබෙන බවට වහසි බස් දොඩමිනි. ඒ සඳහා ඔවුහු ආණ්ඩු ක්‍රම ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ” සහ නව නීති ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමට බලකරමින් ඒවායින් සිදුවන යහපත පි‍ලිබඳව මහත්සේ වර්ණනා කරන ලදි. කෙසේ වුවද මෙලෙස පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට වගකීමට තමාගේ ඇති බැඳීමෙන් මෑතකදී නිදහස” ලබාගත් ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුවේ නිලධාරින් විසින් ණය බරින් පීඩිත” රට වෙනුවෙන් කරන ලද පළමු වැදගත්ම කාර්යභාරය වූයේ සිය සමස්ත නිලධාරි මණ්ඩලයේ වැටුප අසාමාන්‍ය ලෙස වැඩි කරගැනීමය. සාමාන්‍ය වහරේදී මෙය හැඳින්වෙන්නේ හැන්ද අත ඇති එකා තමන්ගේ පතටම බෙදාගැනීමක්” ලෙසය. මෙම මගඩිය විසින් පෙන්නුම් කර ඇත්තේ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල විසින් අතිශයෝක්තියෙන් වර්ණනා කරමින් ප්‍රවර්ධනය කරන ලද” ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ” සහ නව නීතිය විසින් ඔවුන්ගේ ප්‍රකාශිත අරමුණට වඩා සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම වෙනස් ප්‍රතිඵලයක් අත් කර දී ඇති බවය.
වොෂින්ටන් සම්මුතියේ ආර්ථික සහ භූ උපායික අවශ්‍යතාවන් ඉටු කරගැනීමේ අරමුණ සාර්ථක කරගැනීම සඳහා රටේ ඉහළම මූල්‍ය පාලන ආයතනය වන ශ්‍රි ලංකා මහ බැංකුව ආක්‍රමණය කරමින් එහි පාලනය බාහිර බලවේග සහ මූල්‍ය උපදේශකයන් යටතට ගැනීමට හැකිවන පරිදි එය පුද්ගලීකරණය කර තිබේද?
මේ අවස්ථාවේදී, යටත් විජිතවාදි පැරිස් කණ්ඩායම සහ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ණය දී ඇති පුද්ගලික මූල්‍ය සමාගම් විසින් ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල විසින් මෙහෙයවන ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ වැඩ සටහන තුළ ණය සඳහා ස්වභාවධර්මය හුවමාරුකරණය”(Debt for Nature Swaps) හෝ පාරිසරික,සමාජීය සහ ආණ්ඩුකරණ ණය බැඳුම්කර (Environment Social and Governance- ESG Bonds) වැනි ණය බැඳුම්කරද ඇතුළත් දළ ජාතික නිෂ්පාදිතයට සහ සාර්ව ආර්ථික ක්‍රියාකාරිත්වයන්ට සම්බන්ධ බැඳුම්කර, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සඳහා යෝජනා කර තිබේ.
ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ නියෝගය පරිදි ක්‍රියාවට නංවන ලද නව ශ්‍රි ලංකා මහ බැංකු නීතිය විසින් ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහබැංකුව පිළිබඳ පාර්ලිමේන්තු අධීක්ෂණය මෙන්ම ජාතික ආර්ථික ස්වාධිපත්‍යයද, ප්‍රතිපත්ති සම්පාදන සඳහා වන ස්වෛරීත්වය ආදිය අහෝසි කර දමා තිබේ. මෙම තත්ත්වය විසින් නව බැඳුම්කර වංචාවන් සහ දූෂණ සඳහා දොරටු විවර කරදුනහොත් එය පුදුමයට කරුණක් නොවේ.

ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණය සඳහා යෝජනා ඉදිරිපත්වීම: ණය අර්බුදය සඳහා වන ප්‍රතිකාරය විසින් ණය උගුල වඩාත් ගැඹුරු කර ඇත්ද?

එක්සත් ජාතින්ගේ සංවිධානයේ මහලේකම් අන්තෝනියෝ ගුටරේස් විසින් මෑතකදී iii ලෝක බැංකුව සහ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණයකට ලක් කළ යුතුව ඇතැයි ප්‍රකාශ කරන ලද්දේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාව වැනි රටක් ” බංකොළොත් බව ප්‍රකාශයට පත්කිරීම” වැනි අසාමාන්‍ය සිදුවීම් නිසා මෙන්ම බහුධ්‍රැවීය ලෝකයක් වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටින සහ ගෝලීය දකුණ නියෝජනය කරන BRICS සංවිධානයේ අවශ්‍යතාවන් පරාවර්තනය කිරීමට ඉඩ සැලසීමේ අරමුණෙන්ද වන්නට ඇත. මේ වනවිට BRICS රටවල ආර්ථිකයන්ගේ විශාලත්වය බටහිර කේන්ද්‍රීය G7 රටවල ආර්ථිකයන් අභිබවා ගොස් තිබේ.

බ්‍රෙට්න්වුඩ් ආයතනයන් තුළ පවත්නා කාර්යක්ෂමතාව සහ හැකියාවන් සංවාදයට ලක්කරමින් ගුටරේස් වැඩිදුරටත් ප්‍රකාශ කර සිටියේ එම ආයතනවල නියෝජනයේ සීමා සහිත ස්වභාවය සහ ප්‍රාග්ධන හිඟය හේතුවෙන් වර්තමාන ලෝක ආර්ථික අවශ්‍යතාවන් සපුරාලීමෙහිලා ඒවායේ විශාලත්වය ප්‍රමාණවත් නොවන බවය
.” සත්‍ය තත්ත්වය නම් ඒවා බෙහෙවින් කුඩා බවට පත්වී තිබීමය. වර්තමාන ගෝලීය දළ ජාතික නිෂ්පාදිතයන්ට සාපේක්ෂව ලෝක බැංකුවේ සමස්ත වත්කම් ඉතා අඩු ප්‍රතිශතයක් නියෝජනය කරයි. එනම් අද එය සතුව ඇත්තේ 1960 දී පැවැති ප්‍රතිශතයෙන් පහෙන් එකකි. එහෙයින් අර්ථවත් ප්‍රාග්ධන සැපයීමක අවශ්‍යතාව අප හමුවේ පවතී” යනුවෙන් ගුටරේස් ප්‍රකාශ කළේය.

ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණය රඳා පවතින ප්‍රධාන කුළුණු 3කි.

මේ අවස්ථාවේ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල විසින් දියත් කර ඇති ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ වැඩ සටහන් ප්‍රධාන කුළුණු 3ක් මත රඳා පවතී.
එයින් ප්‍රධානතම එක වන්නේ ගිජු ලිහිණි අරමුදල්” ලෙස හැඳින්වෙන බ්ලැක්රොක් වැනි කොල්ලකාරි ජාත්‍යන්තර ස්වෛරී ණය බැඳුම්කර අලෙවිකරුවන්ගෙන් දිගින් දිගටම ණය ලබාගැනීමට සිදුවන තත්ත්වයක බංකොළොත් බවට පත් ණය ගැති රට සිරකර තැබීමය. බ්ලැක්රොක් යනු ලෝකයේ විශාලතම වත්කම් කළමණාකරණ සමාගම වන අතර එය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ප්‍රධානතම ණය හිමියාද වෙයි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ඉහළ මධ්‍යම ආදායම් ලබන රටක් ලෙස නම් මගින් ලෝක බැංකුව විසින් අටවන ලද උගුලට ගොදුරු වූ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට සහන පොලී අනුපාතයන්ට ණය ගැනීමේ අවස්ථාව අහිමි කළ පසුව එයට ණය ගැනීමට සිදුවූයේ ඉහළ පොලී අනුපාතයක් ගෙවීමට සිදුවන බ්ලැක්රොක්, වෑන්ගාඩ් , වැනි මූල්‍ය සමාගම් වෙතිනි. ශ්‍රි ලංකාව මත විශාල ණය කන්දක් ගොඩගැසීමට හේතුවූයේ මෙම අධික පොලී සහිත ණයයි. මෙම තත්ත්වයට වගකිව යුතුවන්නේ මුග්ධ දූෂිත සහ ආකාර්යක්ෂම දේශපාලනඥයන්, මහ බැංකුවේ ප්‍රධානීන් සහ ඔවුන්ගේ ව්‍යාපාරික හවුල්කරුවන් ආදින්ය. දේශිය ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ යට මැදිහත් වූ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ගුප්ත මෙහෙයුම් විසින් රැකියා නියුක්තිකයන්ගේ අරමුදල් වැනි පොදු අරමුදල් සහ වත්කම් ගසාකමින් දූෂිත විදේශිය ණය ගෙවීමේ බර සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම අසරණ සහ දිළිඳු රටවැසියන් වෙත පවරා තිබේ.

ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ වැඩසටහන රඳා පවතින දෙවැනි කුළුණ වන්නේ අධ්‍යාපනය, සෞඛ්‍ය, ප්‍රවාහනය වැනි මහජන සුබසාධන වියදම්ද ඇතුළු රාජ්‍ය වියදම් කප්පාදු කිරීම සහ ආර්ථිකයේ වර්ධනයක් සිදු කරනු වෙනුවට එය තවදුරටත් කඩාවැටීම සිදුවන පරිදි බදු අයකිරීම් ඉහළ දැමීමය.

ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ වැඩ පිළිවෙළ රඳා පවතින තුන්වන කුළුණ නම් භූමිය, බලශක්තිය සහ සන්නිවේදනය, ප්‍රවාහනය වැනි උපාය මාර්ගික වශයෙන් වැදගත් වත්කම් පුද්ගලිකකරණය කිරීම සහ කුණු කොල්ලයට විකිණිමය. මේ මගින්ද රාජ්‍ය ආදායම අඩුවන අතර ඒ හේතුවෙන් ඉහළ යන පාරිභෝගික මිල හේතුවෙන් ජනතාව හිඟමනට පත්කරවා ඇත.
මේ සියල්ල මගින් තහවුරු කරනුයේ කලක් අපව යටත් කරගෙන සිටි අධිරාජ්‍යවාදි හාම්පුතුන්ගේ නව යටත්විජිතවාදි ණය ගැති වහල් බන්ධනයයි.

ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණ මෙහෙයුම් මූලික වශයෙන් සැලසුම්කර ඇත්තේ යුරෝ බැඳුම්කර ණය උගුලේ කාලය දිගු කිරීමට සහ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල, පුද්ගලික අංශයේ ණය දෙන සමාගම් සහ ඒවායේ නියෝජිතයන්වන යටත්විජිතවාදි පැරිස් කණ්ඩායම, ඔවුන්ගේ අවහ්‍යතාවන් වෙනුවෙන් පෙනී සිටින ලසාර්ඩ් ඇන්ඩ් ක්ලිෆර්ඩ් චාන්ස් වැනි ගිණුම් සහ නීති උපදේශක සමාගම් ආදියේ දිගුකාලීන බලපෑමට ලංකාව යටත් කිරීමේ අරමුණෙන් බව පැහැදිලිව දැක ගත හැකිය. සම්පූර්ණ ක්‍රමයම දූෂණයට සහ වංචාවන්ට ගොදුරු කෙරී ඇති අතර ණය පිළිබඳ දත්ත විකෘති කරමින් රටේ ණය ගැති භාවය දෙගුණ තෙගුණ කරමින් පවතින අතර ණය හිමියන් කවුරුන්ද ඔවුන්ගෙන් ගෙන ඇති ණය ප්‍රමාණයන් හෝ ඒවා ලබාගත් දින වකවානු ගැන කිසිදු පාරදෘෂ්‍යභාවයක් රහිතය.

මේ අතර බටහිර අධිරාජ්‍යවාදයේ නව සීතල යුද්ධය රතු මුහුදේ දී සෘජු උණුසුම් යුද්ධයක් බවට පත්වෙමින් පවත්නා තත්ත්වය තුළ, ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ණය හිලවු කිරීමේ ප්‍රතිකාර” යටතේ නව යටත්විජිතවාදයේ ස්වෛරී ණය බැඳුම්කර  උගුලට තවතවත් සිරකරන ලද ශ්‍රී ලංකාව වැනි ගෝලීය දකුණේ රටවල් එම යුද පෙරමුණුවල කුලී හමුදාවන් බවට පත්කිරීමේ ක්‍රියාදාමයද උත්සන්න වෙමින් පවතී. ශ්‍රී ලංකා නාවික හමුදාව ඇමෙරිකාවෙන් පරිත්‍යාග වශයෙන් ලැබී ඇති නාවික යාත්‍රා කීපයක් සමගින් ගාසා යුද කලාපයේ යේමන් හූති හමුදාවන්ට එරෙහි යුද මෙහෙයුම්වලට සම්බන්ධ වී තිබේ.

සැඟවුණු හයිබ්‍රිඩ් ආර්ථික යුද්ධය දැන් සිදුවෙමින් පවතින්නේ ලෝකයේ සාගර සහ අභ්‍යවකාශයේ සිදු කෙරෙන සයිබර් මෙහෙයුම්, නීතිමය යුද්ධ, ජීව විද්‍යාත්මක යුද්ධ සහ සෘජු බලශක්ති ආයුධ (Directed Energy Weapons- DEW) මගින් දේශගුණ විපර්යාස දියත්කරමින් සිදු කෙරෙන දේශගුණික යුද්ධ, දත්ත විකෘති කිරීම, Deep Fake වැනි සජීවිමය ග්‍රැෆික් විකෘතිකරණ වැඩසටහන් සහ කෘත්‍රිම බුද්ධිය මගින් සිදු කරන ප්‍රචාරක සහ සාවද්‍ය තොරතුරු ව්‍යාපාරය ආදිය උපයෝගි කරගනිමිනි. මේ සියල්ල මගින් හෙළිදරවු වෙමින් පවතින්නේ සර්ව අවකාශ ආධිපත්‍යය (Full Spectrum Dominance – FSD) අත්පත්කරගනු සඳහා ක්ෂිතිජයට එහා මෙහෙයුම් (Over the Horizon Operations -OTH) මාදිලිය යොදාගනිමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව වැනි ණය යටත්විජිතවාදයේ ගොදුරු බවටපත් භූ උපායික වශයෙන් වැදගත් ගෝලීය දකුණේ රටවල් වෙත එල්ලකෙරෙමින් පවතින අනවරත පීඩනයයි.

ගිල්වා දැමිය නොහැකි ගුවන් යානා ප්‍රවාහක නෞකාවක අසාමාන්‍ය ” බංකොළොත්වීම”

.ඉන්දීය සාගරයේ හරි මැද පිහිටා ඇති ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ලෝකයේ අතිශය කාර්ය බහුල වෙළෙඳ, බලශක්ති සැපයුම් නාවික මාර්ග මෙන්ම මුහුදු යට සන්නිවේදන කේබල් පද්ධති යා කෙරෙන වැදගත් සන්ධිස්ථානයක ස්ථානගතව තිබේ. මෙවැනි වාසි සහගත භූගෝලීය පිහිටීමක් සහිත රටක් වන ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට එහි ස්වෛරී ණය ගෙවාගත නොහැකි ලෙසින් තමන් බංකො‌ළොත් වී ඇති බවට මෙම ආසියානු 21 වන සියසේදී” ප්‍රකාශ කිරීමට සිදුවීම අසාමාන්‍ය සිදුවීමකි.

සංචාරකයන්ගේ ආදරයට ලක්ව ඇති උපාය මාර්ගික වශයෙන් වැදගත් මෙම දිවයින දළ ජාතික නිෂ්පාදනය සහ ඉහළ මානව සහ සමාජ සංවර්ධන දර්ශකයන් අනුව දකුණු ආසියානු කලාපයේ ධනවත් රටක් ලෙස තවදුරටත් පවතී. ලෝක බැංකුව විසින් ශ්‍රි ලංකාව ඉහළ මධ්‍යම ආදායම් ලබන රටක් ( Middle Income Country- MIC) ලෙස 2019 දී ලැයිස්තු ගත කරන ලදි. මෙම දිවයින ” වටිනා බිම් කැබැල්ලක්” සහ ” ගිල්වා දැමිය නොහැකි ගුවන් යානා ප්‍රහාරක නෞකාවක් ලෙස ද ඇතැමුන් විසින් විස්තර කර තිබේ.

මෙම සාරවත් ඝර්මකලාපීය දිවයින සතුව තමන්ට අවශ්‍ය ආහාර නිපදවාගැනීමේ හැකියාව පවතී. එමෙන්ම එය සාගර සහ ඛනිජ සම්පත්වලින් පොහොසත්ය. කෙසේ වුව ද ලෝක බැංකුව විසින් මධ්‍යම ආදායම් රටක් ලෙස ශ්‍රී ලංකාව නම් කර වසර 3ක් ගතවීමෙන් අනතුරුව 2022 දී ඉතිහාසයේ පළමුවරට සිය ණය ගෙවාගත නොහැකි මට්ටමට තමන් ආර්ථික වශයෙන් බංකොළොත් වී ඇතැ”යි ප්‍රකාශ කිරීම සිදු විය. මෙම බංකොළොත් බව ප්‍රකාශ කරන ලද්දේ හුදෙක් එහි විදේශ විනිමය හිඟය හෙවත් ” අයුක්ති සහගත ලෙස වරප්‍රසාදිත තත්ත්වයක පසුවන ඇමෙරිකන් ඩොලර් ” ලංකාවට ප්‍රමාණවත් තරමින් නොමැති වීම නිසාය. ඩොලර් හිඟය හේතුවෙන් රටට අත්‍යාවශ්‍ය ආහාර සහ ඉන්ධන මිලදී ගත නොහැකි බවට ප්‍රකාශ කෙරිණි. ඒ අතර රටට තෙල් සහ ගෑස් ගෙන එමින් පැවැති සැපයුම් නෞකාවන්ට රටට ඇතුළුවීම අවහිර කරමින් සම්බාධක පනවා තිබිණි. ඒ අතර එක්සත් ජනපද රාජ්‍ය දෙපාර්තුමේන්තුව, සහ විවිධ ජාත්‍යන්තර රාජ්‍ය නොවන සංවිධාන විසින් මෙහෙයවන ලද සමාජ මාධ්‍ය ජාලා ක්‍රියාකාරිකයන් විසින් අරඹා මෙහෙයවන ලද ” අරගලය” නම් ව්‍යාජ විරෝධතා ව්‍යාපාරය මගින් ආර්ථික වශයෙන් පීඩාවට පත් ජනතාවන්ගේ විරෝධය ගසාකමින් එය නොමග යවමින් සැබෑ ලෙසම සිදුවෙමින් පවතින කුමන්ත්‍රණකාරි හයිබ්‍රිඩ් ආර්ථික යුද්ධය වෙතින් ජනතාවගේ අවධානය වෙනතකට යොමු කෙරිණි. මෙම ඊනියා අරගලය තුළ කිසිදු අධිරාජ්‍ය වාදයට හෝ ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල සහ ලෝක බැංකුවට එරෙහි කිසිදු සටන්පාඨයක් පෙරට ගැනීම ඉතා දැනුවත්ව සහ සංවිධානාත්මක ලෙස වළක්වමින් පැවැතිණි. අරගලය හරහා ජනාධිපති ලෙස බලයට පැමිණි රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ සමච්චල් සහගත සිනහවකින් යුතුව පැය 15ක විදුලි කප්පාදුවක් සහ සාගත තත්ත්වයක් පිළිබඳ භීතිය වපුරමින් ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ගුප්ත මෙහෙයුම්වලට ඉඩ සලසා දුන්නේය.

මේ වසරේ ජූනි සහ ජූලි වන විට එක්සත් ජනපද නාවික හමුදාව සහ සාගර දර්ශන මෙහෙයුම් (Sea Vision Operations) ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පුරවැසියන් සහ ධීවර ප්‍රජාවන් මත මත පනවන ලද විවිධ ලොක්ඩවුන් සහ බාධක බලසම්පන්න රටවල් විසින් දියත් කරන ලද ජීව විද්‍යාත්මක යුද අභ්‍යාස එහි උපරිමය කරා ළඟා විණි. එක්සත් ජනපද ආරක්ෂක දෙපාර්තුමේන්තුව(DoD) විසින් මෙහෙයවන ලද මෙම ‘සාගර දර්ශන’ (‘Sea Vision’) මෙහෙයුම් පැවැත් වෙන අතරතුර තෙල් සහ ගෑස් සම්බාධක හේතුවෙන් ශ්‍රි ලංකාව මුළුමණින්ම පාහේ වසා දමා තිබිණි.
එක්සත් ජනපද ආරක්ෂක දෙපාර්තුමේන්තුව විසින් මෙහෙයවන ලද මෙම සාගර දර්ශන මෙහෙයුම තුළ එක්සත් ජනපද නාවික හමුදාව විසින් ශ්‍රි ලංකා නාවික හමුදාව සමග යුද අභ්‍යාස සිදුකරමින් සිටින අතර තුර ලංකාව වෙත රුසියන් ඉන්ධන රැගෙන පැමිණි නෞකාවන් අභිරහස් ලෙස අතුරුදන්වීම සිදුවිය.
කෙසේ වුව ද ඉන්දියානු සාගරය මැද පිහිටි මෙම දිවයින ඇමෙරිකාව, ඉන්දියාව, සහ QUAD මිලිටරි සන්ධානය විසින් මුහුදෙන් සහ ගොඩ බිමෙන් පනවන ලද සම්බාධක සහ අවහිර කිරීම් මගින් වටලා තිබිණි. එක්සත් ජනපදයේ සහ ශ්‍රි ලංකාවේ නාවික හමුදා විසින් ඒකාබද්ධව පවත්වන ලද සාගර දර්ශන මෙහෙයුම පැවැත්වෙන අතරතුර ශ්‍රි ලංකාවට පැමිණි ගුවන් යානා දකුණු ඉන්දියාවට හරවා යවන ලදි.
ඉන්දියානු තෙල් සමාගම (IOC) ඉන්ධන සුළු ප්‍රමාණයක් අලෙවි කරමින් දැවැන්ත ලාභයක් ලබාගනිද්දි ඉන්ධන සහ ගෑස් හිඟයෙන් පීඩා විඳි ජනතාව විරෝධතා ආරම්භ කළහ. වොෂින්ටනයේ විශේෂ උපදේශකයන්ද ජාත්‍යන්තර මුල්‍ය අරමුදලේ නියෝජිත කණ්ඩායමද කොළඹට පැමිණි අතර ආර්ථිකය සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම වසා දැමිණි.
මේ අනුව අරාබි වසන්තය ආකාරයේ ආණ්ඩු පෙරළීමේ අත්පොතට අනුව දියත් කරන ලද මෙහෙයුමකින් වොෂින්ටනයේ ආර්ථික ඝාතකයා වූ රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ බලයට පත් විය.මාස තුනකට පෙර මානව සංවර්ධනය සහ සමාජමය දර්ශක අනුව දකුණු ආසියාවේ ධනවත්ම රටවල් අතරින් එකක් ලෙස සැළකුණ  ලංකාව ඔහු බලයට පත්වී කෙටි කළක් ඇතුළත බංකොළොත් බව ප්‍රකාශයට පත් කෙරුණේ පැය 15ක විදුලි කප්පාදුව, සම්පූර්ණ ඉන්ධන කප්පාදුව, සහ සාගතය පිළිබඳව ද අනතුරු අඟවමිනි.
(ධරිණි රාජසිංහම් සේනානායක, විමර්ශන, සැප්තැම්බර්  19, 2022   ලංකාවේ  ණය අර්බුදය පිටුපස ඇමෙරිකන් මිලිටරි සහ මූල්‍ය මෙහෙයුම් ) 

භූ උපායික සම්පත්වල ශාපය

විදේශ විනිමය තැන්පතු ලෙස එක්සත් ජනපද ඩොලර් හිඟයක් පැවැතුණද ශ්‍රි ලංකාව සෙසු මිණුම් දඬු අනුව පොහොසත් රටකි. ලෝකයේ සියලුම දත්ත හෝ න්‍යායන් මගින් හෝ මෙම ආනුභූතික යථාර්ථය(අඩු තරමින් සමාජ විද්‍යාඥයන් සඳහා හෝ ) ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කළ නොහැකිය. අනෙකුත් කවර හෝ දකුණු ආසියාතික රටක සංචාරය කිරීම මගින් පැහැදිලි වනු ඇත්තේ ණය පිළිබඳ ප්‍රෝඩාකාරි දත්ත ක්‍රීඩාව මගින් ප්‍රවර්ධනය කරන ලද ” බංකොළොත් බව” හෝ සාගතය” පිළිබඳ ආඛ්‍යානයන් මගින් කුමක් පැවසුණ ද මෙම දිවයින සතුව වඩාත් යහපත් යටිතල ව්‍යුහයන් සහ හෞතික ජීවන තත්ත්ව දර්ශකයක් (Physical Quality of Life Index-PQLI ) පවතින බවය.

ශ්‍රි ලංකාව පළමුවරට තමන්ට ස්වෛරී ණය ගෙවාගත නොහැකි ලෙස තමන් ආර්ථික වශයෙන් බංකොළොත් බව ප්‍රකාශ කිරීම සිදු වූයේ ගුප්ත විදේශිය බැංකුවක් වන කැරිබියන් කලාපයේ ස්ථානගතව ඇති හැමිල්ටන් රිසර්ව් බැංකුව විසින් නිව්යෝර්ක් අධිකරණය හමුවේ නඩුවක් පැවැරීමත් සමගය. මෙම නඩුව මගින් ශ්‍රි ලංකාවට එරෙහිව නගන ලද චෝදනාව වූයේ ශ්‍රි ලංකාව විසින් තමන්ට ගෙවීමට නියමිත ණය වාරික සඳහා පොලිය ගෙවීම පැහැර හැර ඇතැයි යන්නයි. කෙසේ වුවද මෙම පැහැර හැර ඇති බවට සඳහන් මුදල රටක් බංකොළොත් බව ප්‍රකාශ කිරීම සාධාරණීකරණය කළ හැකි තරම් විශාල වූවක් නොවේ. මෙය සිදුවන අතර වර්තමාන ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ බලයට පත්කිරීම සඳහා එක්සත් ජනපදයේ ” ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදය සඳහා ජාතික භාරය” (National Endowment for Democracy – NED) විසින් අරමුදල් සපයන ලද ” අරගලය” නම් උද්ඝෝෂණය හරහා තත්ත්වය ව්‍යාකූල කිරීමේත් නොමග යැවීමේත් උපාය මාර්ගයක් දියත් වෙමින් පැවැතිණි. රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ බලයට පත්වනතෙක් මෙම උද්ඝෝෂණ ව්‍යාපාරය පහසු සහ නිර්බාධිත ආකාරයකින් පවත්වාගෙන යාම සිදු විය.

ලොව පුරා හමුදා කඳවුරු 800කින් පමණ සමන්විත එක්සත් ජනපදය විසින් මෙහෙයවන නේටෝ යුද යන්ත්‍රය තුළ මෙම උපාය මාර්ගික දිවයින යටත් කර ගැනීමට දිගු කලක් තිස්සේ දැඩි උවමනාවක් පැවතිණි. චීනය සමග ආර්ථික යුද්ධය උත්සන්න වීමත් එක්සත් ජනපදයේ ආසියාවර්තන උපායමාර්ගයත් (pivot to Asia ) හේතුවෙන් මෙම උවමනාව තවත් උත්සන්න විය. මෙම දිවයිනේ ජනතාවන්ට දුක්විඳීමට සිදුව ඇත්තේ එය සතු භූ උපායික සම්පත්වල ශාපයට ගොදුරුවීමත් නිදහසින් පසු එය පාලනය කළ දේශපාලන සහ ව්‍යාපාරික ප්‍රභූ පෙළැන්තිය ආර්ථික විවිධාංගීකරණයට සහ කාර්මිකකරණයට අසමත්වීමත් යන හේතුවෙන් යැයි යමෙකුට තර්ක කළ හැකිය.

එක්සත් ජනපදය ආසියාව වෙත හැරීමත් සමගම ” ආර්ථිකයට විලාප නැගීමට සැලැස්වීම” සඳහා විවිධ බාහිර ආර්ථික කම්පනවලින් සමන්විත හයිබ්‍රිඩ් ආර්ථික යුද මෙහෙයුම් උත්සන්න කෙරිණි. ISIS නම් ත්‍රස්තවාදි සංවිධානයක් විසින් දියත්කළ බව කියැවෙන පාස්කු ඉරුදින දියත් කළ ප්‍රහාරයන්ද අයත්වන්නේ මෙම හයිබ්‍රිඩ් යුද මෙහෙයුම් ගණයටය. ඉන් අනතුරුව ඊනියා කොවිඩ්-19 වසංගත ආඛ්‍යානය යටතේ දියත් කළ නිරෝධායන ඇඳිරි නීති මගින් රට වසා දමමින් රටේ ආර්ථිකය වසර දෙකක් පුරා බිඳ වැට්ටීමට ගත් ක්‍රියා මාර්ගයද, එම්වී පර්ල් සහ ඩයමන්ඩ් නෞකාවන් අභිරහස් ලෙස ගිනිගැනීම සහ එය උපයෝගි කරගනිමින් වරායන් සහ ධීවර ජනයා ඉලක්ක කරමින් දියත්වුණු ආර්ථික ප්‍රහාරයන්ද, අරගලය මෙහෙයුමද මෙම ආර්ථික කම්පන මාලාවන්ට අයත් විය. මෙම කම්පන විසින් මුග්ධ අකාර්යක්ෂ්ම සහ දුෂිත දේශපාලනඥයන් යොමු කරන ලද්දේ කොල්ලකාරි ජාත්‍යන්තර පුද්ගලික මූල්‍ය සමාගම් වෙතින් ඉහළ පොළියට ණය ලබාගැනීම සඳහාය. මෙම ණය ලබාගැනීම් විසින් රට ආර්ථික වශයෙන් බංකොළොත්” යන නාටකය රඟ දැක්වීමට අවශ්‍ය වේදිකාව නිර්මාණය වූ අතර ඒ මගින් එක්සත් ජනපද ඩොලර් ණය උගුල උත්සන්න කරවන ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ගුප්ත මෙහෙයුම්වලට අවකාශය නිර්මාණය විය.

අප ජීවත්වන්නේ නව යටත්විජිතවාදි යුගයක මිස පශ්චාත් විජිතවාදි යුගයක නොවේ. බ්ලැක්රොක් වැනි යුරෝ බැඳුම්කර අලෙවිකාර සමාගම් විසින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ණය උගුලක හසුකරවන ලද බව වඩ වඩාත් පැහැදිලි වෙමින් පවතී. එක්සත් ජනපද රජය විසින් එහි CARES පනත යටතේ කොවිඩ්-19 ඇප අරමුදල් මගින් බ්ලැක් රොක් සමාගමට දැවැන්ත අරමුදල් ප්‍රමාණයක් ලබාදුන් බවත් එහි අරමුණ වූයේ කොවිඩ්-19 ලොක්ඩවුන් විසින් සහ සැපයුම් මාර්ග බිඳහෙළීම විසින් බිඳවැටුණු ආර්ථිකයන් සහිත ගෝලීය දකුණේ රටවල වත්කම් තුට්ටු දෙකට කොල්ලකෑමට අවශ්‍ය ප්‍රාග්ධනය සැපයීම බවත් එමෙන්ම පැහැදිලිය. මෙම මෙහෙයුම දියත් වූයේ වොෂින්ටනය විසින් මෙහෙයවන දේශිය ප්‍රභූ පෙළැන්තියේ ආධාරයෙනි. චීනයට සහ එහි වෙළඳ පථ සහ මාර්ග සමාරම්භක ව්‍යාපෘතියට (BRI) එරෙහිව බටහිර විසින් දියත්කරන ලද සැඟවුණු හයිබ්‍රිඩ් යුද මෙහෙයුම්ද මෙම උපාය මාර්ගය තුළ ප්‍රධාන ඉලක්කයකි.

මෙම සැඟවුණු මෙහෙයුම් විසින් මතුකරන ලද දූවිල්ල සහ දුමාරය කෙමෙන් පහව යනවිට ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ” අසාමාන්‍ය සහ අස්වාභාවික බංකොළොත්වීම” පිටුපස පවත්නා සත්‍ය හෙළිදරවු වෙමින් පවතී. මේ හේතුවෙන් එක්සත් ජනපදයේ දකුණු සහ මධ්‍යම ආසියානු කටයුතු භාර රාජ්‍ය ලේකම් ඩොනල්ඩ් ලූ ට ” ශ්‍රි ලංකාවේ ආර්ථික පුනරාගමනය” පිළිබඳ සුරංගනා කතා මවාපෑමට සිදුව තිබේ.

මේ අතර මෑතකදී ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකු නිලධාරින් විසින් තමන්ටම ඉතා දූෂිත ආකාරයෙන් ඉතා ඉහළ මට්ටමකින් වැටුප් වැඩි කර ගැනීම මගින් පෙන්නුම් කෙරෙන්නේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ මූල්‍ය කටයුතු පිළිබඳ වගකිව යුතු ඉහළම ආයතනය තවදුරටත් ශ්‍රි ලංකාවේ මහජනතාවට සහ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට වගනොකියන බවද? එමෙන්ම යහපත් ආණ්ඩුකරණයේ නාමයෙන් ” ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල විසින් දෙන ලද නියෝග අනුව ශ්‍රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුවද පුද්ගලීකරණය කෙරී ඇති බව ද?

මේ මොහොතේ පැන නැගෙන ඩොලර් මිලියනයක් වටිනා ප්‍රශ්නය මෙයයි. නව මහ බැංකු පනත යටතේ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට වගකීමට තමාට ඇති බැඳීමෙන් නිදහස් වූ”  මහබැංකුවේ නිලධාරින් විසින් තමන්ටම සිදුකරගන්නා ලද වැටුප් වැඩිකරගැනීමේ සිදුවීම සමග, ස්වභාව ධර්මය වෙනුවට ණය හුවමාරුකරණය, නිල් සහ හරිත බැඳුම්කර ආදිය යටතේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තවදුරටත් යුරෝ බැඳුම්කර ණය උගුලේ දිගින් දිගටම හිර කර තබාගැනීමටත් එහි වත්කම් සහ ස්වාභාවික සම්පත් කොල්ලකෑමටත් කටයුතු කරමින් සිටින යටත්විජිතවාදි පැරිස් කණ්ඩායම සහ කොල්ලකාරි ණය හිමියන් විසින් යෝජනා කරන ලද ණය ප්‍රතිව්‍යුහගතකරණය වැඩපිළිවෙළ යටතේ එන දළ ජාතික නිෂ්පාදනය හා බැඳුණාවූ සාර්ව ආර්ථික ප්‍රතිපත්ති පිළිගැනීමට මහ බැංකුවේ ඇති අනාගත සුදානමේ සම්බන්ධයක් පවතීද?
මේ අතර සිවිල් සමාජ කණ්ඩායම් විසින් ණය ආපසු අයකිරීම අත්හිටුවමින් වසර 10 ක සහන කාලයක් ලබා දෙන ලෙසත් පුද්ගලික මූල්‍ය වෙළඳ පොළෙන් ණය ලබාගැනීම තහනම් කරන ලෙසත් කරන ලද ඉල්ලීම සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම නොතකා හැර තිබේ.

(මතු සම්බන්ධයි)

මූලාශ්‍ර

[i] Sovereign Defaults at Record High.

[ii] The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is the apex financial institution in Sri Lanka. The CBSL Act No. 16 of 2023 (CBA) brought into law in September 2023, supersedes the Monetary Law Act (MLA) No. 58 of 1949 that established the CBSL In 1950 as a semi-autonomous body. Under the new act, the CBSL shall be autonomous and accountable.

[iii] IndepthNews: UN Chief calls for reform of IMF, World Bank, stresses BRICS roll

(The Wealth of Nations and the Poverty of Theory: IMF, Sri Lanka’s Resource Curse, and Privatization of the Central Bank ,Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake, Posted on March 10th, 2024)

වෙනත් ලිපි

1.මැතිවරණ, බැඳුම්කර වංචා සහ මුදල් දේශපාලනය: ජාත්‍යන්තර මූල්‍ය අරමුදල සහ බංකොළොත්වීමේ ව්‍යුහ විද්‍යාව – ධරිණි රාජසිංහම් සේනානායක
2. බැඳුම්කර මගඩි හරිත ශෝධනය කිරීම සහ සොබාදහම මූල්‍යකරණයට ගොදුරු කිරීම: දේශගුණික විද්‍යා ප්‍රබන්ධවලට එරෙහිව දේශීය යථාර්ථයන්
3. ප්‍රංශ වසන්තය මැද ජාත්‍යන්තර මුල්‍ය අරමුදලේ ගුප්ත මෙහෙයුම: රනිල් පැරිසියේ බාල් නටද්දි මාක්‍රොන් BRICS ආර්ථික හවුලේ පිහිට පතයි.- ධරිණි රාජසිංහම් සේනානායක

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon the Sri Lankan community abroad to get involved in the current economic drive of the Motherland by sharing their professional experiences and adopting innovative methods created in their respective fields.
Speaking at a meeting of Sri Lankan professionals in China at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing on 25.03.2024, he said that he was amazed by the high professional standards reached by expatriate Sri Lankan in new emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and digitalization. You obtaining knowledge through the free education system and other facilities in Sri Lanka and you owe something to the Motherland. Hence, I urge you to use your professional abilities and the avenues available in your adopted country to help your Motherland. You can be development partners of Sri Lanka and advance your careers while helping the fellow citizens of your Motherland,” he said.
Prime Minister made the following comments at this event –
When we visit different capitals and cities, we only meet a few. But for Sri Lanka, it is a new challenge that we face to meet as much as possible the countrymen who could contribute to the progress of our country. We are all Sri Lankans. As I have met the most senior I have seen in China, I have heard of him when he lectured at the Sri Lanka China Society how they arrived in China almost half a century ago. I guess his whole life is a story to be recorded not only for China but for Sri Lanka and also for human history.
Because China today is the second largest economy in the world. Why I said for human history, 50 years ago the situation was not so. All the planners, all the researchers, all the economists never thought that the world will change. China has been able not only to change and advance the nation to a key giant in the world but also influence the world affairs. So it’s an important moment for President Ranil Wickremesinghe and our government to enhance our relationship in China.
I don’t want to take much time. I’m very proud as Prime Minister to meet you all. Especially when you get up and say I’m in research, I’m in business, I’m handling various… projects, it’s a challenge met by our countrymen, for which we owe you all much as we move along. Because Sri Lanka also needs to engage with the Chinese economy in many aspects, import export, research, or in the services, or in decision -making, as Professor mentioned, in economic management, academic work, these are the new areas that are opening up.
So we look forward for you all, my acting ambassador, would allow me, to say, you are all our ambassadors. The network has to move fast. As mentioned, various platforms are taking over. The challenge is that we should move fast for which the IT sector will play an important aspect. Sri Lanka has relaxed and continue to relax our regulations which obstruct international cooperation, investment, and even new areas of development which is only limited to the state.
Except for security areas, the rest are being relaxed today to move forward. So myself and the Deputy Minister and the Members of Parliament take this opportunity to invite you all to take the new areas of communication which is the way that we could move faster than before. How China moved faster than others is a lesson to be learnt. The second biggest population for a long time, though there are third biggest population today, Asia has a challenge to meet because this century is for Asia if we all contribute together as nations of Asia for the progress of mankind.
Maybe most of you all are well settled in China, that you are spending more years and more years. Research is important. All those that come a long way from Sri Lanka, from many places to the universities to study, you also have an obligation to pay back something to motherland. That is what we expect. But also pursue new areas of possible cooperation and to delve into new areas in China. China will continue to grow. We all agree on that. They’ll grow as a giant nation for Sri Lanka. We have a very special relationship – Colombo, port city development.
It’s a Chinese investment which can take us to the entire maritime and Gulf states after Singapore if we move on this project as we have planned now. Secondly, Hambantota, the second port that was developed. There were so many arguments, counter -arguments about Hambantota. But the word itself is a port that had come centuries long away, as a port. Hamantota will also be a key port in the next decades to come as we progress with the Chinese support and other countries’ assistance in order to make Hamanthota a successor. If I may deviate a little, Colombo port did exist for 500 years. Please, remind ourselves, 500 years, but it has developed as a key port in the last 50 to 60 years. So, a port takes a long time with maritime and other new areas of development, a port to develop.
So we have taken the challenge, established Hambantota and Colombo port city development for which China has given a very strong support unprecedented in recent time, for which we should all work in the state, the private sector, and all others, even the foreign investment to play together an important role in the international trade as well as Sri Lanka’s development.
As you all have not asked any question, I don’t want to ask. I asked my deputy minister, what should we do? So they’re not asking any questions. So my answer would be, go ahead and have more strong shouldering responsibilities in the areas that you are working today, whether you are in universities or research programs or in the business circles.
We wish all of you all success. And we hope, as a government, that the programs that we have started anew can bring faster results with our citizens who are right across the world. In tourism, today China plays an important role. How? When there is a surplus income, people like to travel. People like relax are all over the world. Chinese tourists are today traveling around the world across many countries, Sri Lanka, must be an important place for the Chinese tourists to come.
It is for you, who are in China, with our officials, in university, as a younger generation. Speak of your country, invite all, percentage would participate. So the investors the businessmen, would look forward to the hub that is developing in Sri Lanka, this new development that’s taking place for business circles. Once again, I invite all of you all to this great challenge that we have to carry forward. It is a challenge for our motherland. We have to advance, we have to progress in new areas that we have not yet embarked on.
That is the way we would be able to open, most of you all would agree, the new doors where investment can come and progress. I invite all of y ‘all for this important challenge that The whole country is today embarked on to join us. And I wish you all success in the work that you all have engaged while being in China
Large gathering of top Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and professionals who have established lucrative businesses, and top positions in their respective fields attended the meeting together with Sri Lankan students in China at this function. Several Chinese ministers, senior office-bearers of Chinese Communist Party and heads of top corporations including Sinopec, Huawei and Chairmen of Exim Bank, Agriculture Bank, China Harbour, CIDCA and NDRC were present at this event and State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe, Piyal Nishantha, Ashok Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawarena and Secretary to the Prime Minister Anuara Dissanayake also interacted with the Chinese leaders and the Sri Lankan community.

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

A two-story building of Naminioya Monty Gopallawa Model Primary School, Wilgamuwa built utilizing Rs. 7.6 million of the Central Provincial Council funds on the request of the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon was declared open and vested in the school authorities by the State Minister today (Mar 25).

The construction of this new facility was carried out with the direction of the State Minister of Defence and the supervision of Director General of the Civil Security Department (CSD) Air Vice Marshal Roshan Biyanwila with the technical contributions of the Department personnel.

Accordingly, the education of the students at Naminioya Primary School will immensely benefit from this new facility.

Ven. Maha Sangha, Secretary of the Central Province Education Department, Menaka Herath, Principal of Monty Gopallawa Model Primary School, I.G. Ariyasinghe, teachers, students and parents attended the event.

Prime Minister’s Media Unit

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena arrived in Beijing, China today (25th March). Prime Minister was welcomed by Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong and senior officials and Acting Ambassador K.K. Yoganandan.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena left for Beijing in China yesterday evening (24.03.2024) as the chief guest of Boao Conference, which is China’s premier annual international conference, at the invitation of the Government of China.

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister, Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara, on Saturday said that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to digitize the entire foreign employment sector.

While noting this will be implemented at the earliest the Minister stressed that this will help liberate the foreign employment sector from the clutches of traffickers and fraudsters, will improve communications between migrant workers and authorities and will also improve grievance handling procedures.

The Minister said this while participating in a discussion with Journalists in the Matale district on the sidelines of the ‘Jayagamu Sri Lanka’ programme held in Matale.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that this initiative would empower the Foreign Employment Bureau to thwart unnecessary interference and combat illegal activities effectively.

When the sector is digitized it will encompass everything from the affairs at the embassy, to the recruitment of employees and the SLBFE. This system becomes more efficient. Along with that, every employee will have an ‘App’ on their phone. The embassy, the person concerned with our office in Colombo receives a message when a migrant worker is in distress. Accordingly, we have developed a system to contact the relevant person immediately. We will inform you about it in the future. When this system is established, a majority of problems in the sector can be solved” the Minister said.

Responding to questions from Journalists the Minister said under the laws stipulated in the current Act, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has no responsibility regarding sub-agents. 

Therefore, the SLBFE Act has been amended to deal with sub-agents and it is now in the final phase and with the Attorney General’s Department. It will soon go to Parliament. It contains that these sub-agents are regulated as limited to a licensed agency. But that agency has to be responsible for these sub-agents” he added.

The Minister said with the digitization process all these things will be changed and affairs related to the foreign employment sector will be streamlined and will be more transparent.

by A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary AMJSL

All praise belongs to Allah, who enabled us to become Ahmadi Muslims and it is He alone that we worship. We believe, just like all other Muslims, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the greatest of all the prophets and Khatamun-nabiyyeen (seal of Prophets), Allah gave him the eternal guidance, the Holy Quran, and thus perfected Islam, the religion that reflects the natural state of Man. We follow all the teachings of Islam, as contained in the Holy Quran, the Sunnah (practice) and Ahadith (sayings) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Let us look at this statement in detail.

We believe in the six articles of Faith, which are described in the Holy Quran, and summed up in the following sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

The requirements of Faith are that you should believe in Allah and His Angels and His Books and His Prophets and in the Last Day and that you should believe in Allahs determination of good or of evil (Decree of Allah). (Muslim – Book of Ahadith)

Accordingly, we, as Ahmadi Muslims, believe in the absolute Unity of Allah, believe in the Angels, believe in all Divine Books, revealed to various Prophets by Allah. However, the Holy Quran is the only one free from human alteration. It is the final, and the eternal guidance. We believe in all the Prophets that Allah raised for the guidance of humanity.

Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the Leader and the Seal of all of them. He brought the final Law and he was the perfect human being. We believe in the Day of Judgment to be an indubitable fact.

We believe in the Decree of Allah. Allah is the All-powerful, and we have firm faith in all His determinations.

Our Practice Five pillars of Islam. (1) Bearing witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger (Declaration of faith) (2) Observance of prayer (3) Paying Zakah (4) Pilgrimage of kabah, the house of Allah (5) Fasting during Ramadhan. (Bukhari)

After describing our beliefs and our practice, let us see what distinguishes from the other Muslims. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) had foretold the appearance of grand reformer (named Messiah and Mahdi) in the latter days for the revival of Islam.

We believe Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be on him) to be this Promised Messiah and Mahdi. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) came according to the prophecies of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), who had also instructed every Muslim to recognize the Messiah and partake of his blessings.

Hazrat Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, followed and taught the exact same religion that was practiced by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If this is so, then- What is the basic difference that distinguishes his followers from other Muslims? Is the difference confined to the acceptance of the Promised Messiah only, or does it go beyond that? The answers are: Ahmadi Muslims are those who accepted the Promised Messiah as commanded by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). However, mere acceptance is not enough.

As a result of the acceptance of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him), Ahmadi Muslims have corrected the errors that had, over time, found their way into the beautiful religion of Islam. Let us see what these were: Meaning of Khatamun-nabiyyeen- Both Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis believe that the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) is khatamun-nabiyyeen (Seal of the Prophets) but they differ as to the interpretation of this Quranic term. The relevant verse (33:41) is: Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the prophet.

The prophecy of the second advent of Jesus, the Ahmadi Muslims believe, has been fulfilled by the advent of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him), who came in the spirit and power of Jesus, just as John had come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Non-Ahmadis are excepting a Mahdi who will wage war and spread Islam by means of the sword. The Ahmadi Muslims reject all such incorrect doctrines. The Mahdi according to them, is no other than the Promised Messiah who was to come to spread Islam, not with the sword, but by heavenly sings and arguments.

In the 1880s Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian declared himself to be the Promised Messiah and the Mahdi under Divine commandment. For all Muslims, it is very important to understand his mission, as foretold by the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH). He would resort faith back to the earth even if (figuratively) it had ascended to the Pleiades i.e. he would re-establish faith by means of heavenly signs (Muslim).

As hakam and adal (Divinely appointed arbitrator and judge) he would show by clear arguments, the wrong beliefs and practices that had crept into religion (Bukhari).

Hazrat Ahmad, peace be on him, rendered an inestimable service not only to Islam but to humanity at large by his powerful refutations of incorrect doctrines.

As a result of this, his followers have been and still are severely persecuted by ignorant Mullahs and their followers.

In March 23, 1889, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat under Divine guidance. Its main objective is to re-establish the original purity and beauty of Islam. In The beginning he was all alone, lacking all worldly resources, and only a few responded to this call. His opponents who were strong and powerful raised an unprecedented storm of hostility.

In this moment of trial, Allah the Almighty stood by him with the Divine assurance: I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earth. Today, there is an organized and dynamic community of millions of Ahmadi Muslims living in more than 196 countries of the world. They are now led by his fifth successor (Khalifa) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah strengthen his hands).

It is certainly fortunate that through the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, the grand spiritual revolution of the latter days, as foretold by the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) is gaining momentum throughout the nations of the world. This is a Divine mission which is bound to succeed and no power on earth will ever be able to Block its onward march, Insha Allah (if Allah so wills).

In Sri Lanka, this Community was established in 1915 and now it has considerable members in various places. Mr. S. Nizam Khan is the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Sri Lanka. To mark the event, special programs were organized in all Ahmadiyya Centers in the country.

The writer can be reached at: pressamjsl@gmail.com

LOVE FOR ALL; HATRED FOR NONE.

Aruna Laksiri Unawatuna (AAL)

It was reported in several media today that a lawyer who appeared in a court and presented facts was remanded and suspended from practicing as a lawyer until the case is over. In a publication by Manopriya Gunasekara in the Lankadeepa website titled ‘අධිකරණයට අපහාස කළ නීතීඥවරයෙකු රිමාන්ඩ්‘, it is mentioned that 3 judges of the Supreme Court have ordered the Attorney General to file charges of contempt of court against the lawyer.  

The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka enacted the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act No. 8 of 2024 with effect from 01 February 2024 to make provisions for the uniform application of the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution provide for the procedure in punishing the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution and provided for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

By the said Act, it has been questioned whether the lawyers or parties presenting legal arguments, legal facts, documentary or oral evidence before the court have been given the opportunity to do their work freely, independently, without threat to live safely and without insults.

It is the duty of the judge to consider the facts presented by each party before him and judge according to the law, and when a lawyer presents legal matters in court, if a judge takes steps to deprive him of his professional rights or remand him, a situation arises where a lawyer must understand the judge’s personal attitudes and personal aspirations before appearing in the court. It is a situation that is not suitable not only for the independence of the judiciary but also for a fair trial, thereby causing an unbiased judgment to be lost and legal schools that act on the judges personal attitudes and goals begin to emerge.

In observing the above news, Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act No. 8 of 2024  should be formally reviewed and the judges’ dignity, security, protection and integrity should be respected as well as the lawyers’ dignity, security, protection and integrity.

The civilized world should not approve of granting the jurisdiction to the accuser to remand the accused or the suspect. If it is approved, the principle of natural justice which says that it is inappropriate to solve one’s own case is also broken.

A judge who imposed a life imprisonment by altering the evidence in his sole discretion in a High Court case is still serving.

Judiciary is a golden temple which provides protection of law. The people who are battered by the illegal hand of the executive come to the court for safe. Adjudication of one’s own case, not giving the opportunity to question one’s own statements and reports, and finally taking the judgment to be taken at the first instance is an adverse feature of the rule of law on the existing law related to the law on punishment for Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act No. 8 of 2024.The legislators should work to amend them.

If supporting the legal issues in the court or using the rights given by the law leads to remand in the first instance, such a law is self-evidently against morality.

* A translation of the article ‘චූදිතයෙකු ජීවිතාන්තය දක්වා සිරගත කළ හැකි වන ලෙස සාක්ෂි සටහන් වෙනස් කළ විනිසුරු තවමත් නඩු අහන රටේ, අධිකරණයේදී නීතිය කතා කරන නීතීඥයන් රක්ෂිත බන්ධනාගාර ගත කරන අධිකරණයට අපහාස කිරීමේ නීතිය නිවැරදි කළ යුතුය…!’ (2024.03.20)
https://neethiyalk.blogspot.com/2024/03/blog-post.html

https://neethiyalk.blogspot.com/2024/03/in-country-where-judge-who-changed.html

නීතීඥ අරුණ ලක්සිරි උණවටුන
B.Sc(Col), PGDC(Col), සමායෝජක,
වෛද්‍ය තිලක පද්මා සුබසිංහ අනුස්මරණ නීති අධ්‍යාපන වැඩසටහන. දුරකථන 0712063394

Ven. Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thero

පූජ්‍ය අම්පිටියේ සුමරතන නාහිමිපාණන් වහන්සේගේ සංකල්පයකට අනුව සහ උන්වහන්සේගේ 54 වන ජන්ම දිනයට සමගාමීව විහාරස්ථානයට ප්‍රවිෂ්ට වන මාර්ගය ජන සතු කොට පූජා කිරීම සහ අභිනවයෙන් ඉදිකරනු ලැබූ සංඝාවාසය සඟ සතු කොට පූජා කිරීමේ මහෝත්සවය. ✅මේ සඳහා සහය දුන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද හමුදාව, ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොලිසිය, ශ්‍රී ලංකා සිවිල් ආරක්ෂක බලකාය සහ ලක්වැසි ලෝවැසි ගම්වැසි සියලූම දෙනාට අපගේ පුණ්‍යානුමෝදනා පූර්වක ස්තුතියි පුදර සිටිමු. සියලු දෙනාට තෙරුවන් සරණයි!

ශ්‍යාම් නුවන් ගනේවත්ත උපුටා ගැන්ම දිවයින

වත්මන් ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ, ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව පත් වූ අනුප්‍රාප්තික ජනාධිපතිවරයෙකි. ඔහුට බලය ලැබුණේ ජනවරම හිමි ජනාධිපති ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ ජනපති ධුරය අතහැරීමෙන් පසු, පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් බහුතරය ඇතුළු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ගේ ඡන්දයෙනි. මේ නිසා මේ අනුප්‍රාප්තික ජනාධිපතිවරයා ඇතුළු ආණ්ඩුවට මේ කරමින් සිටින සහ කිරීමට සැලසුම් කර ඇති බොහෝ දේවල් කිරීමට, මේ රටේ ජනයාගේ සැබෑ ජනවරමක් නැත. ඇත්තවශයෙන්ම මේ තවමත් පවතින්නේ ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතාට ලැබුණු 69 ලක්ෂයේ ජනවරම මිස අන් කිසිවක් නොවන බව අමුතුවෙන් කිව යුතු නොවේ.

ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට ලැබුණු ජනවරම ඔහුගේ අසාර්ථකත්වය නිසාම (පසුගියදා ප්‍රකාශයට පත් කළ ඔහුගේ නවතම පොතින් එය කුමන්ත්‍රණයක් බව කීවත්) ඔහුට ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමට නොහැකිව ජනාධිපති ධුරය අතහැර රටින් පලා යෑමට සිදු වූ බව ද අපි දනිමු. එසේ ඔහු රටින් පැන ගියේ නිකන්ම නොව තමන්ට මහජනයා දුන් ජනවරම රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ වෙත පවරා දෙමිනි. එය ඇත්ත වශයෙන්ම තමන් කෙරෙහි අසීමිත විශ්වාසයකින් ලබා දුන් ජනවරම මේ රටේ මහජන ඡන්දයෙන් මන්ත්‍රීවරයකු වීමටවත්

පසුගිය මහ මැතිවරණයේ දී ජනවරමක් ලබා ගැනීමට අසමත් වූ අයෙකුට පාවා දීමකි. ගෝඨාභයගේ එම ජනවරම සඳහා මේ රටේ ජාතික බලවේග ද විශාල දායකත්වයක් දැක් වූ බව රහසක් නොවේ. එහෙත් අද එම ජාතික බලවේග සිටින්නේ කොතැන ද? එට්කා ගිවිසුම ඇතුළු රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ ජනාධිපතිවරයාගේ මේ ආණ්ඩුවෙන් ක්‍රියාත්මක කරන බොහෝ දේවල්වලට එරෙහිව එම ජාතික බලවේග පෙරට පැමිණ ඇත.

මේ පසුබිම තුළ වත්මන් ආණ්ඩුව විසින් 69 ලක්ෂයේ ජනවරමට පටහැනිව දියත් කරමින් සිටින, අප උතුම් මාතෘ භූමිය ඉන්දීය ආධිපත්‍යය යටතට පත් කිරීමේ, තිස් අවුරුදු යුද්ධයෙන් දිනාගත නොහැකි වූ ඊළම බන්දේසියක තබා ද්‍රවිඩ බෙදුම්වාදීන්ට පිරිනැමීමේ, මේ රටේ ජනතාව සතු රාජ්‍ය ආයතන දේශීය සම්පත් හා ජාතික උරුමයන් විදේශීය මහා පරිමාණ බහුජාතික සමාගම් වෙත කුණුකොල්ලයට විකුණා දැමීමේ, අපේ අනාගත පරපුරට උන්හිටි තැන් නැති කිරීමේ අදූරදර්ශී, දේශද්‍රෝහී, ජනතාද්‍රෝහී වැඩපිළිවෙළ වහා නවතා දමා 69 ලක්ෂයේ ජනවරමට අනුව කටයුතු කරන ලෙස බල කරමින් ජනතා සංදේශයක් වත්මන් රජය වෙත ඉදිරිපත් කරන බව සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයට අනුබද්ධිත ජාතික උපදේශක සභාව පවසයි. එම තීරණයට අනුව ප්‍රධාන කරුණු දහයකින් (10) සමන්විත ජනතා සංදේශයක් අගමැති දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධන ප්‍රමුඛ සියලු ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණු පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් සහ පාර්ලිමේන්තුව නියෝජනය කරන සියලු දේශපාලන පක්ෂ නායකයන් වෙත දශලක්ෂයකට අධික මහජන අත්සනින් යුතුව ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමට එම ජාතික උපදේශක සභාව විසින් සැලසුම් කර ඇත. එකී ජනතා සංදේශයේ ඇතුළත් ප්‍රධාන කරුණු දහය පිළිවෙළින් මෙසේ සඳහන් කළ හැකිය.

ජනාධිපතිතුමා ප්‍රමුඛ ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණු ආණ්ඩුව අද මේ ක්‍රියාත්මක කරමින් සිටින්නේ 2019 ජනපතිවරණයේදී හා 2020 මහ මැතිවරණයේදී 69 ලක්ෂයක ජනවරමෙන් අනුමත කරන ලද ප්‍රතිපත්ති මාලාව නොවේ. 2001 – 2004 කාලය තුළ යළි පුබුදමු ශ්‍රී ලංකා වැඩපිළිවෙළ යටතේත් 2015 – 2019 යහපාලන ආණ්ඩු සමයේත් ක්‍රියාත්මක කීරීමට උත්සාහ කොට ජනතා විරෝධය නිසා අතහැර දැමීමට සිදු වූ, ජනතාව විසින් දිගින් දිගටම ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන ලද, කිසිදු ජනවරමක් නැති වැඩපිළිවෙළකි.

රටේ පවතින බරපතල ආර්ථික හා දේශපාලන අර්බුදය හමුවේ පොදු මහජනතාව පත්ව ඇති අසරණ හා වික්ෂිප්ත තත්ත්වයෙන් අයුතු ප්‍රයෝජන ගනිමින් ආණ්ඩුව විසින් අත්තනෝමතික ලෙස ගනිමින් පවතින රටේ හා ජනතාවගේ අනාගත පැවැත්මට දැඩි සේ හානිකර මතු සඳහන් අදූරදර්ශී පියවරයන් සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයේත් බොදු මහජනතාවගේත් දැඩි කනස්සල්ලට හා කම්පාවට හේතු වී ඇත.

උතුරු නැගෙනහිරට පොලිස් බලතල හැර අනිත් සියලු බලතල ලබා දී 13 වැනි ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය සපුරා ක්‍රියාත්මක කරන බව ජනාධිපතිතුමා පවසයි. එවිට පූර්ණ පෙඩරල් පාලනයක් ඇති වේ. සම්බන්දන්ලා ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ පූර්ණ පෙඩරල් පාලනයකි. දැනටමත් ඉඩම් හා මූල්‍ය බලතල උතුරු නැගෙනහිරට ප්‍රායෝගික වශයෙන් ලබා දී ඇත. ඊළම කරා යෑමට තව තැබීමට ඇත්තේ එක පියවරකි. පළාත් සභා ඡන්ද පැවැත්වීමෙන් පසු ඒ පියවර තැබීමට හැකිවනු ඇත.

බෙදුම්වාදීන්ගේ ඉල්ලීම් පරිදි සත්‍ය සෙවීමේ කොමිසමක් පිහිටුවීම සඳහා ආණ්ඩුව පනත් කෙටුම්පතක් ඉදිරිපත් කර ඇත. මේ නව පනත සම්මත කිරීමෙන් සිදුවන්නේ තිස් අවුරුදු යුද්ධය නිම කොට රට බේරා ගැනීම සඳහා ජීවිත පරිත්‍යාගයෙන් සටන් කළ රණවිරුවන්ට යුද අපරාධකරුවන් සේ සලකා දඬුවම් කිරීම සඳහා යහපාලන ආණ්ඩු කාලයේ පනවා ඇති පනත් 7 ක් බලගැන්වීම සහ රට නැවත බෙදුම්වාදයට යට කිරීමයි. එය මහා ඓතිහාසික පාවාදීමකි.

ආණ්ඩුව මහජනතාවට පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට හෝ ඇමැති මණ්ඩලයට නොපෙන්වා තායිලන්තය සමඟ නිදහස් වෙළෙඳ ගිවිසුමක් අත්සන් කර ඇත. ඒ අනුව බදු සහන යටතේ තායිලන්ත බඩුවලින් ලංකා වෙළෙඳ පොළ පිරී ගොස් දේශීය කර්මාන්ත පද්ධතිය බිඳ වැටෙනු ඇත. මේ අත්තනෝමතික තීරණය නිසා වන්දි ගෙවන්නට සිදු වන්නේ සිය නිෂ්පාදන අලෙවි කර ගැනීමට නොහැකි වන මේ රටේ සුළු හා මධ්‍යම කර්මාන්තකරුවන්ට ය.

මහජන විරෝධය නිසා 2017 දී අත්සන් කිරීමට නොහැකි වූ සේවා වෙළෙඳාමට ඉන්දියාවට ඉඩ සලසන සහ ඉන්දියානුවන්ට අපේ රටට කඩා වැදී වෙළෙඳාමෙහි යෙදීමට, සේවා සැපයීමට හා රැකියා අවස්ථා ලබා ගැනීමට ඉඩ සලසන එට්කා ගිවිසුම, 2024 අප්‍රේල් මස අත්සන් කිරීමට දින යොදා ගෙන ඇත. මේ ගිවිසුම අත්සන් කිරීමේ ඒකාන්ත ප්‍රතිඵලය වන්නේ ලක්ෂ ගණන් ඉන්දියානුවන් අපේ ශ්‍රම වෙළඳපොළට කඩා වැදී ලාබෙට ශ්‍රමය සැපයීමට ඉදිරිපත්ව අපේ ශ්‍රම වෙළඳපොළ ඩැහැගැනීමත් අපේ ඉදිරි පරපුරට උන්හිටි තැන් අහිමිව රට හැර යෑමට සිදු වීමත් ය.

එසේම සේවක හා මහජන විරෝධය නොතකා

ශ්‍රී ලංකා රක්ෂණ සංස්ථාව, නාරාහේන්පිට ලංකා රෝහල, ටෙලිකොම් ආයතනය, පශු සම්පත් මණ්ඩලය හා සම්බන්ධ රජය සතු ගොවිපොළවල් 32 ක් සහ තවත් රාජ්‍ය ආයතන 54 ක් විදේශීය ජාවාරම්කරුවන්ට විකුණා දැමීම සඳහා පිඹුරුපත් සකස් කොට ඒ සඳහා විශේෂිත ආයතනයක් හා ක්‍රමවේදයක් ද හඳුන්වා දී ඇත.

රජයේ සංස්ථා සියල්ලම සමාගම් බවට පත් කරන බවත්, නීති 42 ක් සම්මත කරගෙන තිබෙන බවත්, තව නීති 62 ක් ගේන්න තියෙන බවත්, සිංහරාජය, හෝර්ටන්තැන්න ඇතුළු ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානවලට අලුත් නීති ගෙන එන බවත් ජනාධිපතිතුමා පසුගියදා ප්‍රකාශ කළේය. රාජ්‍ය සංස්ථා සමාගම් බවට පත් කරන්නේ ඒවා විකුණා දැමීම සඳහා ය. සිංහරාජය හා හෝර්ටන්තැන්න ද විකුණන ලැයිස්තුවට ඇතුළත් වී ඇති බව එයින් පෙනේ. මේවා රටේ සමස්ත ජනතාව සතු සම්පත් ය, ජාතික උරුමයන් ය. ඒවා විකුණා දැමීමේ අයිතියක් කිසිම ආණ්ඩුවකට නැත.

9ග කොළඹ, ත්‍රිකුණාමලේ හා කන්කසන්තුරේ වරායවල් ආශ්‍රිත කටයුතු, කටුනායක, මත්තල, රත්මලාන, මඩකලපුව හා යාපනේ ගුවන් තොටුපළවල පාලනය, ත්‍රිකුණාමලේ තෙල් ටැංකි හා වරාය ආශ්‍රිත සංවර්ධන කටයුතු, ශ්‍රී ලංකන් ගුවන් සේවය, රටේ බලශක්ති සුරක්ෂිතතාවය අදානිලා, අම්බානිලා, ටාටලා වැනි මහා පරිමාණ ඉන්දීය ව්‍යාපාරිකයන් අතට පත් කිරීමේත්, එට්කා ගිවිසුම අත්සන් කිරීමේත්, ධනුස්කොඩිය හා තලෙයිමන්නාරම යා කරන පාලම ඉදිකොට එහි සිට ත්‍රිකුණාමලය දක්වා නව දුම්රිය මගක් ඉදිකිරීමේත් අනිවාර්ය ප්‍රතිඵලය වන්නේ අපේ රට ඉන්දියාවේ පූර්ණ යටත් විජිතයක් බවට පත් විමයි.

සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනය විසින් 2020 වර්ෂයේදී නිකුත් කරන ලද විකල්ප ව්‍යවස්ථා යෝජනාවලිය මගින් ජාත්‍යන්තර සම්බන්ධතා හා ගිවිසුම් සම්බන්ධයෙන් හා මහජනයා සතු සම්පත් අන් අයට පැවරීම ඇතුළු වර්තමානයේ ගැටලුකාරී තත්ත්ව නිර්මාණය වී ඇති බොහෝ කරුණු සම්බන්ධයෙන් එවකට පැවති රජය ඇතුළු අදාළ පාර්ශ්වයන් දැනුවත් කර ඇති නමුත් මේ දක්වා ඒ සම්බන්ධයෙන් නිසි අවධානයක් යොමු කොට නැත.

මේ අනුව සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනය විසින් ආණ්ඩුවට බලකර මෙසේ කියා සිටී.

‘69 ලක්ෂයේ ජනවරමට පටහැනිව, ආණ්ඩුව රටට, ජාතියට හා ජනතාවට එරෙහිව සිදු කරන මේ අත්තනෝමතික අමනෝඥ ක්‍රියාවලින් සිදුවන්නේ නිදහස් ස්වාධීන රටක් වශයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පැවැත්ම අවසන් වීමයි. එය කිසිදා සමාව දිය නොහැකි මහා පාවාදීමකි, බරපතල දේශද්‍රෝහී අපරාධයකි. මේ මහා පාවාදීමේ ක්‍රියාවලිය වැළැක්වීම පිණිස ගත හැකි සෑම පියවරක් ම ගෙන ඒවා වැළැක්වීමේ පැහැර හැරිය නොහැකි වගකීමක් හා යුතුකමක් අගමැතිතුමා ප්‍රමුඛ පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ සියලු පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ට ඇති බව මේ රටේ බහුතර බෞද්ධ ජනතාව නියෝජනය කරමින් සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනය ලෙස අපි ඔබ සියලු දෙනා වෙත දන්වා සිටිමු.’

මේ අනුව සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනය විසින් පහත සඳහන් කරුණු ක්‍රියාත්මක නොකරන ලෙස මේ ආණ්ඩුවට බලකර කියා සිටී.

● 13 වැනි සංශෝධනය සපුරා ක්‍රියාත්මක නොකරන ලෙස

● ‘එට්කා’ අත්සන් කිරීමෙන් වළකින ලෙස

● රාජ්‍ය ආයතන හා ජාතික සම්පත් විදේශීය ජාවාරම්කරුවන්ට විකුණා දැමීමෙන් වළකින ලෙස සහ

● සත්‍ය සෙවීමේ කොමිසම් පනත ඉවත් කර ගන්නා ලෙස

සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනය විසින් මේ බව කියා සිටින්නේ නිකන්ම නොව මහජන අත්සන් දශ ලක්ෂයකට අධික පෙත්සමක් අත්සන් කිරීමෙන් බව එහි සභාපති චන්ද්‍ර නිමල් වාකිෂ්ඨ මහතා පවසයි. මේ ගැන කරුණු පැහැදිලි කිරීම සඳහා ඊයේ (20) කොළඹ 07ල සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලන මූලස්ථානයේ ගිහි පැවිදි විද්වත් පිරිසකගේ සහභාගිත්වයෙන් මාධ්‍ය හමුවක් පැවැති අතර එයට විද්‍යෝදය පරිවේණාධිපති ආචාර්ය බලංගොඩ සෝභිත නාහිමි, මහාචාර්ය පූජ්‍ය

කොන්ගස්තැන්නේ ආනන්ද නාහිමි, පූජ්‍ය බෙංගමුවේ නාලක නාහිමි, අමරපුර මහා නිකායේ කල්‍යාණ වංශික පාර්ශ්වයේ අනුනායක පූජ්‍ය කොටපල අමරකිත්ති අනුනාහිමි, පුජ්‍ය අගුලුගල්ලේ සිරි ජිනානන්ද හිමි, රාජකීය පණ්ඩිත වල්පොල පියරතන හිමි, සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයේ සභාපති චන්ද්‍ර නිමල් වාකිෂ්ඨ, වෛද්‍ය ගුණදාස අමරසේකර, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නීතිඥ කල්‍යානන්ද තිරාණගම, සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයේ සමලේකම් ඉෂාන් බුද්ධික එදිරිසුරිය, සේනක කුමාරසිංහ, මේජර් ජනරල් ජගත් ඩයස්, හිටපු ආණ්ඩුකාර අනුරාධා යහම්පත්, වෛද්‍ය වසන්ත බණ්ඩාර සහ සුරේන් අභයගුණසේකර ඇතුළු පැවිදි සහ ගිහි පිරිසක් එක්ව සිටියහ. ඒ අය එක්ටා ගිවිසුම ඇතුළු රටට අහිතකර වෙනත් යෝජනා සහ ගිවිසුම් ගැන විරෝධය පළ කරමින් අදහස් ප්‍රකශ කළහ. මෙම දශලක්ෂයක මහජන පෙත්සමට අත්සන් කිරීම ආරම්භ කෙරුණේ ඉන් පසුවය. මුලින්ම ගරුතර මහා සංඝරත්නය මාධ්‍ය හමුවේ දී අදහස් දැක්වීමෙන් පසුව මහා සංඝරත්නය විසින් එම ජනතා සංදේශයට අත්සන් තබන ලදි. ඉන් පසුව සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයේ සභාපති චන්ද්‍ර නිමල් වාකිෂ්ඨ මහතා ඇතුළු ගිහි විද්වතුන් මාධ්‍ය හමුවේ දී කෙටියෙන් අදහස් දැක්වීම් සිදු කළහ. ඉන් පසුව ඔවුන් ද එම ජනතා පෙත්සමට අත්සන් තැබීම සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලන මූලස්ථානය ඉදිරිපිට තනා ඇති විශේෂ කුටියක දී සිදු කෙරිණි. මේ සංදේශයට ඊයේ (20) එම ගිහි පැවිදි පිරිසගේ අත්සන් තැබීමෙන් පසු සාමාන්‍ය ජනයාගෙන් අත්සන් ගැනීම ආරම්භ කෙරිණි. ලබන බදාදා (27) දක්වා සතියක කාලයක් මේ සඳහා අත්සන් කිරීමට මහජනයාට අවස්ථාව ලැබේ. එසේම රට පුරා බෞද්ධ විහාරස්ථාන හරහා ද මේ සඳහා මහජනයාගේ අත්සන් එකතු කර ගැනීමට කටයුතු සලසන බව සමස්ත ලංකා බෞද්ධ මහා සම්මේලනයේ සභාපති චන්ද්‍ර නිමල් වාකිෂ්ඨ මහතා පවසයි.

මේ කරුණු කාරණා ගැන තවදුරටත් දැනුවත් වී තම යුතුකම ඉටු කිරීමට මෙන්ම තම මහජන වරම අවභාවිත කිරීමට එරෙහිව පෙරට ඒමට මහජනයා කටයුතු කළ යුතුව තිබේ. මේ නිසා රජය මේ ජනතා හඬට කන් දෙමින් කළ යුතුව තිබෙන්නේ කිසියම් භාරකාර පාලනයක් ගෙන යෑම පමණක් බව අපගේ අදහසයි. ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතා සහ පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ නිර්මාතෘ බැසිල් රාජපක්ෂ මහතා අතර හමුවක් අද (21 දා) සවස සිදුවීමට නියමිතය. මේ හමුව සඳහා ජනාධිපතිවරයා විසින් බැසිල් රාජපක්ෂ මහතා වෙත ආරාධනා කර ඇත. මෙහිදී ඉදිරි ජනාධිපතිවරණය සහ මහ මැතිවරණය ඇතුළු ඉදිරි දේශපාලන කටයුතු පිළිබඳ කරුණු රැසක් සාකච්ඡා කිරීමට නියමිතව ඇතැයි වාර්තා වේ. එම දේශපාලන කරුණු සාකච්ඡා කරන අතරම විශේෂයෙන් ඉදිරි ජාතික මැතිවරණ තෙක් 69 ලක්ෂයේ ජනවරමට එරෙහිව කටයුතු නොකරන ලෙස ජනපතිට සිහිපත් කිරීමට බැසිල් රාජපක්ෂට හැකියාවක් තිබේ ද යන්න ගැන නම් අප දන්නේ නැත.

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