{"id":54534,"date":"2016-05-09T13:24:56","date_gmt":"2016-05-09T20:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=54534"},"modified":"2016-05-09T13:25:16","modified_gmt":"2016-05-09T20:25:16","slug":"proposed-economic-and-technology-cooperation-agreement-etca-with-india-views-from-a-public-through-an-economic-patriotic-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2016\/05\/09\/proposed-economic-and-technology-cooperation-agreement-etca-with-india-views-from-a-public-through-an-economic-patriotic-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement [ETCA] With India – Views from a public, through an economic patriotic vision."},"content":{"rendered":"

Kanthar Balanathan, Australia<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

In collating and prescribing views from a human angle on ETCA, reference is made to the article by the National Joint Committee, of SriLanka (SL), and various references, particularly, the best ever speech made by the president Obama of the USA.<\/p>\n

Citizens, politicians, and leaders have two kinds of affections towards their country. (i) Patriotism, (ii) economic patriotism.<\/p>\n

The standard dictionary definition for patriotism, reads love of one’s country<\/em>\u201d. It reads as follows: Ref: <\/em>http:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/patriotism\/#WhaPat<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Special affection for one’s own country<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. A sense of personal identification with the country<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Special concern for the well-being of the country<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Named as a central tenet of economic nationalism<\/em>,\u201d the Wiki entry defines\u00a0economic patriotism<\/em>\u201d<\/a>\u00a0as: The coordinated and promoted behaviour of consumers or companies (both private and public) that consists of favouring the goods or services produced in their country or in their group of countries. Economic patriotism can be practiced either through demand stimulation (encouraging consumers to purchase the goods and services of their own country) or through supply protection, the shielding of the domestic market from foreign competition through tariffs or quotas (protectionism). Ref: <\/em>http:\/\/www.theblaze.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/27\/what-the-heck-is-economic-patriotism\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

    During his 2008 campaign, then-Sen. Obama labelled President George W. Bush as unpatriotic<\/em>\u201d for adding $4 trillion to the national debt: Ref: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1kuTG19Cu_Q<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2018Economic patriotism\u201d is more of oratorical device than an economic theory. <\/em><\/p>\n

    Economic patriotism would be that instead of protecting businesses that are exporting jobs overseas, let\u2019s reward SriLankan workers and businesses that hire them.\u00a0 Let the group people work rebuilding SriLanka.\u00a0Investment in manufacturing, will place manufacturing jobs are right here, made in SriLanka.<\/p>\n

    Reference from White House: (Ref: https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/the-press-office\/2014\/07\/01\/remarks-president-economy<\/em><\/a>): <\/em>Economic patriotism says that instead of stacking the deck in the favour of folks just at the top, let\u2019s harness the talents and ingenuity of every American and give every child access to quality education, and make sure that if your job was stamped obsolete or shipped overseas, you\u2019re going to get retrained for an even better job.\u00a0 Economic patriotism says that instead of making it tougher for middle-class families to get ahead, let\u2019s reward hard work for every American.\u00a0 Let\u2019s make sure women earn pay that\u2019s equal to their efforts.\u00a0 Let\u2019s make sure families can make ends meet if their child gets sick and they need to take a day off.\u00a0 Let\u2019s make sure no American who works full-time ever has to live in poverty.<\/em><\/p>\n

    SriLanka is a small island with limited natural resources, however, the country has high proportion of human resource, in the trade, intellectual and professional sector. The political, economic and technological agenda of the country\u2019s leaders, has been driven to such a panic-stricken program, that most of the human resources intent is to get out of the country, and in most case, been driven to unpatriotic behaviour. From the time, the so called theoretical good governance assumed power, the intellectuals, literates and the balances can only observe, punitive and retributive acts along with acts of mortgaging the country for their own benefits. There may be hidden agenda of the RW\u2019s regime. Although we have an executive president, people see him as a dummy piece, since all decisions are made by the non-executive Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

    On the other hand, Tamils of the island are not at all patriotic, but engaged on activities to drive the country to a grinding halt, which does not benefit anyone at all.<\/p>\n

    Addressing the issues in SL, there are conflicts within the governing group. I.e. Presidents group, PMs Group and the minority opposition (Sambanthar & Co), who are waiting for an opportunity to crush SL, and the odds like Champica etc. SL\u2019s political culture has been observed to be dishonest, unpatriotic, and positioned with selfishness and self-centred egoism. India is considered worst compared with SriLanka.<\/p>\n

    Everyone knows that Indian politicians stockpiled their black money in foreign countries, which amount to several trillions of dollars. Any citizens in India who attempts to unravel this or talk about it are punished on flimsy charges.<\/p>\n

    There are two groups of people in the world. Ruling class and the non-ruling class. Ruling class members of the political sphere are looked after by each of the ruling class in every country. It is like a mafia fraud club. The non-ruling class and the proletariat are kept in dark, and not allowed to talk about it by constitutional changes, or media bans, or if published, may face punitive action. \u00a0Finally the fraud club members help each other, leaving the proletariat and the mass in wilderness.<\/p>\n

    It is an irrational credence that SriLanka is attempting to sign this ETCA with deep hidden motive to please India, which India may or may not even know. SL may be preparing to give Trincomalee as a base to US, which India may not welcome. By signing ETCA treaty, SL may try to throw some light to India that India could economically and technically benefit with US in SL. It is circulated through SL Media that SL has commenced to develop Trincomalee as a model town, which is a need for the US naval soldiers anyway.<\/p>\n

    Most people in the 21st<\/sup> century know that, development<\/em>\u201d means, ministers, PM, and the President & Co, are a target for kickbacks<\/em>\u201d. The author would like to refer some of the irregularities and illegalities already committed by members of the ruling group.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. President appoints his brother as the Chairman of SriLanka Telecom, which is a case of nepotism. <\/em>There was another story on websites saying that he has illegally granted the tender for insurance to Sri Lanka Insurance. This made a loss of Rs 3 billion to Mobitel. <\/em><\/li>\n
    2. Ref: http:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/109162\/Arjuna-and-Marikkar-in-verbal-battle. The argument flared up when Mr. Marikkar raised an oral question in the House on an alleged fraud at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and linked it up with the recent elections of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The alleged fraud was regarding spending a sum of Rs 113.3 million for two opening ceremonies of the Magampura Port. <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      See more at: <\/em>http:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/109162\/Arjuna-and-Marikkar-in-verbal-battle#sthash.AYq617q3.4qfi5vxc.dpuf<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. A Writ Application (SC\/Writs\/03\/2016) case was filed on 29th March 2016 by the Public Interest Litigation Activist Nagananda Kodituwakku against the Corruption Commission for its failure to initiate a credible and independent inquiry. Quote<\/em>: A charge levelled against Chief Justice SriPavan was that he has condoned the unlawful appointment of rejected candidates as MPs through the National List and the opinion expressed by him that the \u2018National List abuse\u2019 is \u2018not a matter of National importance\u2019. This stand taken by the CJ has been challenged as a clear abuse of office to confer a benefit to the Executive President<\/em> Maithripala Sirisena, who has appointed Justice SriPavan to the office of the CJ outside the due process<\/em>. (Ref: https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/chief-justice-dodges-corruption-case-against-him-and-predecessors\/<\/em><\/a>)<\/li>\n
      2. Courtesy Lankanews.org reports <\/em>corruption cabinet approval for renting of building for 960 million<\/li>\n
      3. A minister, Champika\u2019s accident was hushed up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The PM organised an economic forum meeting inviting foreign delegates to tell SL how to run their business and economics, which is rather ridiculous and questionable. SL has several Universities and Professors in all the field, however, those intellects have been overlooked and disregarded. This is to please the west, we presume. What was the outcome of this conference?<\/p>\n

        The PM and his group suddenly dream of a bridge between India and Mannar at a cost of $5 billion.<\/p>\n

        Now the ETCA dream is born to drive into a reality. As stated by the NJC, India exerts leverage over SL in all directions. E.g. SL has experience of such an act since the 70s. India training SriLankan Tamil youths and converted them to be the deadly terrorists in the world. Well, in simple words; India pose a threat to undermine the national security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

        Would not SL risk facing the same difficulties SL underwent in the past through flow of Indian labour?<\/p>\n

        Quote: item 5 of NJC\u2019s report. When legal, regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms are not in place, or inadequate, and when necessary measures to safeguard the nation, nationals and their businesses have not been implemented or developed, Sri Lanka going to sign any agreement that facilitates a country with over 1.3 billion people to freely enter Sri Lanka, engage in service provision, set up businesses and other ventures, bring their own labour and staff and reside in Sri Lanka, would be nothing but suicidal. <\/em><\/p>\n

        However, India has stringent regulations not to allow SriLankan workers into India. Further have we got the infrastructure services to cater for people from India, when SL is facing difficulties to service its own citizens?<\/p>\n

        Bribery and corruption prevails at every level in India, and SriLankans would not entertain such corrupt practice at citizen\u2019s level.<\/p>\n

        India is the worst HR violator in the world, and SriLanka should not entertain India\u2019s entry into SL.<\/p>\n

        It is recommended that SL should carry out the following:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • A risk assessment should be carried out in the domain of politics & political interference, technological advancement & stability, national security, risk to sovereignty, risk to social interaction, and material resources. A panel drawn from local University academics should carry out the risk assessment and place before the Parliament (Confidential).<\/li>\n
        • A Valuation Study should be carried out on (i) each and every large scale industry over a horizon of 50 -100 years, (ii) natural resources such as tea, rubber, and minerals etc. Risk on natural resources, raw materials, threat of war, financial and monetary (parity value<\/em>) stability etc. should be addressed in the study. Again, each ministry should carry out the study, with panel drawn from local academics. Final report should be tabled before the parliament. (Confidential)<\/li>\n
        • A study on diversification and growth should be carried out. Such study should address, brain drain & root cause, innovation, and creativity on local manufacture using local raw materials, SriLankan Diaspora Investment, and how government can promote registered microenterprises. Diversification of cattle, poultry and pig farms should be addressed.<\/li>\n
        • An attempt should be made to get the existing microenterprises registered with the Tax Department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \u00a0Conclusion:<\/em><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Corrupt two countries cannot enter into a business treaty as the victims will be the smaller country and the people in the smaller country.<\/li>\n
          • Politicians of SriLanka should bring in awareness to themselves that they are public servants to the people of SL and not bosses.<\/li>\n
          • Politicians of SriLanka should be free of corrupt practice and become patriots<\/em>\u201d and economic patriots<\/em>\u201d.<\/li>\n
          • Quote: The morality of a person, politician, and citizen plays the foremost, imperative role in understanding and practising factual democracy<\/em>\u201d. Ref: SriLanka, Sovereignty, Democracy & Terrorism, by Kanthar Balanathan ISBN 978-0-646-94127-1<\/em><\/li>\n
          • SriLanka is aware of India\u2019s culture, politics and corrupt practice. Knowing the negating effects of that society, SriLanka should not get buried in that unclear pond of mud.<\/li>\n
          • The author of this paper agrees and accepts all eleven items discussed in the NJC\u2019s paper, and strongly stress that section 157 of the 1978 constitution shall be observed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            The president of US, Mr. Barrack Obama is the most honourable, truthful, trustworthy, honest, high integrity, uncorrupted, well-read leader in the world having high quality oratorical leadership. US citizens should be proud of the best leader like Mr Barrack Obama. Secondly we in Australia are proud of a most honourable, truthful, trustworthy, honest, high integrity, uncorrupted, well-read leader having high quality oratorical leadership, which is our former Prime Minister, Mr John Howard. Australia should be proud of her uncorrupted honest high integrity politicians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Kanthar Balanathan, Australia In collating and prescribing views from a human angle on ETCA, reference is made to the article by the National Joint Committee, of SriLanka (SL), and various references, particularly, the best ever speech made by the president Obama of the USA. Citizens, politicians, and leaders have two kinds of affections towards their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54534"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54534\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}