Features
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE IN ISRAEL
by Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda
Towards the end of 1986, I was privileged to participate in a training programme conducted by The International Agency for Agricultural Development Co-operation (CINADCO) in Israel. It was a five to six week course conducted and financed by the Israeli Government, and intended to help developing countries of Asia and Africa.
We Sri Lankans were five in number, drawn from the Agriculture, Agrarian Service, ADA and Mahaweli. The course was residential and consisted of lectures, visits to farms, factories, Hebrew University, and places of tourist and religious interest, including Jerusalem, River Jordan, The Negev, Golan Heights, Massada, The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Accommodation was in a Mashav (an Israeli type of Co-operative Settlement), not far from the capital Tel Aviv.
Our ‘journey” began with the surprise that our visa was not stamped on our passports, but came as a loose leaf document!. This was because some Arab countries would not grant visas to any person who had visited Israel. The reverse was not so! Also, our flights were routed via Paris, to minimize flight over Arab territories. It was said that during one of their numerous Wars with Arab neighbours, commercial aircraft manufacturers would not sell combat aircraft to Israel. So, they built their own!
Following the persecution of Jews in Europe during World War Two, and the establishment of the State of Israel, entry was freely available to those Jews who satisfied a few lenient criteria. This led to a great influx of Jews from all over the World, who brought along with them, a wealth of technical experience in many fields. It was said that when the first astronauts, from US and USSR met in space, they spoke to each other in Hebrew (or in some versions, German).
The Hebrew Greeting is “Shalom Aleichem” meaning ‘Peace be upon you’. Readers will note the identical “Salam Aleikum” greeting of the Muslims. What then are they fighting about?It is relevant to mention that the periodical “Shalom” published by CINADCO, regularly came to me until recently.
Emphasizing the central role of Agriculture and of Food Security, all immigrants were required to first farm lands allotted to them for two years before returning to their professions – as doctors, engineers or teachers. There were no exceptions. In fact, the First Prime Minister – Menachem Begin, too farmed for two years on entry.
That more than 30 years after, I can still recount some of my experiences, is evidence of how deeply I was impressed.Israeli Agriculture is heavily automated, with control of most operations such as land preparation, seeding, transplantation, irrigation, fertilization and pest control being computer controlled. We viewed a “driverless tractor” for the first time there.
Virtually, every bit of greenery had drippers or water sprayers to sustain them. Optimizing of water use and conservation, were the foundations on which Israel’s agriculture is based. Often, the same water was used for domestic needs, and farming (multiple use). Synthetic materials for use in protected cultivations had to be long lasting in the hot and dry climate. Thus, the manufacture of Plastic sheeting for the “Plant Houses” was a priority and has by now, advanced greatly.
Most of the fresh water was obtained from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret in Hebrew) fed by the Jordan River and said to be connected to the Rift Valley starting from the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and running Southwards for 6,000 kilometres. The entrance to the “National Water Main” was by an opening three Metres in diameter. This spot was the lowest point on earth – some 1,300 metres below Sea Level. Just imagine the cost of pumping this into all of Israel. As the road meanders along a hilly section, is the “Tongue in Cheek” road sign which says “You are now at Sea Level.”
The heavy level of automation is beyond the scope of most nations and is possible solely through the munificence of Uncle Sam and his deep pockets. The statement that Israeli Agriculture is operating at a loss is plausible, but is in conflict with the abundance visible to the mesmerized visitor.
It is hardly necessary to say that agricultural research is highly problem oriented. A researcher was required to devote 95% of his time and resources to “Applied Research”. The balance 5% is for him to indulge in whatever caught his fancy. The number of “Nobel Laureates” from Israel is moving testimony that there has been good use of the 5%.
The excellence of the records of performance in the State sector, is well seen in respect of the “Agricultural Extension” Sector. The most crucial indicator is the profitability in the “Range” of each officer. If the figure is upwards, reward follows. If neutral, an effort is made to identify constraints for remedy. If down – trouble.
Minimum restrictions are imposed. No traveling claims, attendance registers, overtime, mileage records, subsistence and ‘batta’. All that really matters is profitability. A single noteworthy rule is that not more than one day per week is for “Office Work”. Five days in the field.
Two experiences remain indelible for me. On a visit to a school, young pupils in a lower class were seen intently bending over a bed in the school garden, with ‘Clip Boards’ recording something. We learnt that the bed had cabbage plants, neatly arranged in numbered rows, as also along the bed, and the students were weekly recording features they saw. The lessons that followed were to explain what they had noted. For example, one may have noted “the plant was stunted and the leaves turned red”, another may have noted “dried lower leaves” another that the plants were “branching”. The teacher would then deal with the Science explaining “Why?” Plant nutrition and Phosphorus deficiency, leaf senescence, hormones and their role. How brilliant and imaginative a way of engaging young minds.
We also learnt that Chemistry began with the composition of “Dead Sea Water”. Logically, what can be done industrially with sodium chloride, Magnesium, phosphorus, minor elements, what value addition was possible? Export demand, security implications etc. How much more exciting than plodding along the Mendeleev’s Periodic Table, element at a time and the set pattern – occurrence, properties and properties of its compounds. Reminds me of the jocular statement that Chinese Zoology first classifies animals as “edible” or “non-edible”, whether they have backbones or not is a matter to be considered sometime later.
The organizational structures for Agriculture in Israel are complex. The design is aimed at improvements in all conceivable areas impinging on agriculture. An attractive feature that we heard about, concerned a central body for deciding on extents of land to be allocated for different crops, for each season. The frequency of meetings and their durations were pre-determined. The sizes were small and the meetings were so planned that all issues had to be studied ahead by all participants so that meaningful, effective, well-informed and timely interventions if needed, could be brought about in a business-like manner.
In contrast, no one could have failed to notice how much rustling of paper occurs as many of our meetings progress – quite obviously some members were perusing their papers for the first time. This is one reason for the duration (and frequency) of these Israeli meetings being limited, to ensure that the members had carefully studied their papers beforehand and decisions were well-informed.
At the time of our visit, in a previous season when water was in short supply, the Co0mmitee decided that cotton and avocado areas had to be reduced, as these two crops made the heaviest demands on irrigation water supplies. This was in spite of Israeli cotton being a prized long staple type ( I still wear a Tee Shirt gifted to us as a memento, and is now 35 years old but still in “mint condition”!) and avocado – a premium product. Growers were apparently paid a compensation for loss of crop, which would in any case, be more bountiful in the seasons ahead.
At the Hebrew University, we were introduced to two novel equipment designs. One was to simplify the process of cleaning soil sticking to harvested potatoes. It made use of the fact that when a soil covered potato was dropped from a height, the degree of “bounce” of the potato was different from that of adhering soil lumps.
The key component of the design was a long roller, rather like what is used in gardening, or on cricket pitches, with the difference that the roller itself was a series of disks of different thickness, rotating on a common axis. The potatoes were dropped by a chute on to the rotating roller. Baskets were so set that they “caught” the bouncing potatoes. The first run cleaned the potatoes of the bulk of soil and a second run, completed the task. Why the “sliced” roller was more effective, is a mystery.
The second example, addressed the problem of a fungus which produced its spores on the under surface of cereal crop leaves. The normal spray fell mainly on the upper sides of leaves – requiring a number of spraying rounds to clear the infestation. The solution was to use ultra-long span booms with spray nozzles directed downwards. Just above the delivery arm was a long canvas “balloon” also with nozzles pointing downwards.
A tractor-mounted compressor blew a strong stream of air past the spray arm. What happened was that the strong blast of air, turned the leaves of the cereal crop underside up and this surface caught the simultaneously- sprayed fungicide. Massive savings made allowed the “patented” devices to be sold abroad at a hefty price. This invention was by a girl undergraduate student, on a vacation assignment. It was mentioned that she drew a handsome lifetime royalty on each unit sold.
At the other of the scale was a small device called “The Mechanical Butterfly”. This was hand-held, and battery operated, not unlike a flashlight, at the end of which was a soft-bristled brush, which rotated at high speed. This was used to pollinate flowers at the receptive stage of the pistil. We saw it in use with cherry tomatoes in a plant house.
At the time of our visit (November/December), citrus plantations were a fantastic sight. Laden with thousands of fruits, like a Fairy Land, alight with orange coloured bulbs. Despite their seemingly ripe fruits, we were told that harvest time was January/February! How many millions of tons of vegetables and fruits do we lose annually, through negligence – of optimal harvest timing, handling and bruising, by bad packing and storage? Our losses are estimated to be about 35-40% between field and table. We have much to learn and to adopt.
Another special experience was a visit to a dairy enterprise. The herd was some 120 or so, run by just the young owner and a single helper. The animals were stall- fed, with a mixture that looked like broken up corn flakes – which we learnt was a mix of citrus peel from a nearby cannery, corn cobs, ground limestone and some chopped up coarse grass like our “bata” used by us as supports for bean creepers.
The farm had a central milking unit. The day began very early with the cows being sprayed with water to keep them cool. Water was too costly for customary baths. The stock was, as I remember a cross between Jersey and Friesian. Yields averaged around 45 liters per day, with yield records being maintained for each cow. The animals looked like ‘all udder,’ fitted with four legs and a tail. If the yield drops to the 30’s consistently, the animals were culled. Answering a question whether he identified the animals by name, the retort was “No! I am running a dairy herd and not a pet shop”.
Just next door, was a cheese factory run by the guy’s father. The logical reaction was, “how convenient”. The answer was “no” that all milk was sold to the co-operative and the father bought his milk from the co-operative. This neatly meant that two subsidies were collected – the one encouraging milk production and the other processing. This is why the Jews are considered a cunning and greedy lot.
Fresh produce – fruits, vegetables and cut flowers – command a huge clientele in Europe. Meticulous handling at farm level is matched by systems at the airport. On receipt (from cold storage in transit), the produce is immediately received into Cold Rooms. About half or one hour before being loaded on to cargo planes (flights times being rigorously observed), the crates are moved on to the tarmac to avoid any “temperature shock” Top quality on shop shelves is assured.
I was unashamedly thrilled with what we saw. Maybe the hospitality was lavished on us, for political advantage. My reaction is why not? – after all, there is no such thing as a free lunch!
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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