Features
ON “REACHING FOR THE STARS” AND SOME TROUBLING ISSUES
Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda
There is frequent reference to the “Changing Skyline of Colombo”. Though not explicitly so stated, one can sense a sneaking sense of approval and none of censure or warning. Even a casual observer would see that the changes at ground level, although not as spectacular, are yet profound.
It seems that every square foot, (if not inch) of urban ground, is built upon. In addition to the resulting aesthetic discord, public health issues from crowding, are also seriously impacted. The current explosive increase of deadly Dengue cases and the Covid 19 epidemic, may well be just two of several public health hazards. .
More visibly, flooding of roads and of house-holds have become more intense, more frequent and slower to abate. Clearly, the unsightly structures tarnish the image of a “Green City” and is giving way to one of “Jerry- built chaos”, urban squalor and shabbiness. It seems as though, having exhausted all chances of horizontal expansion, we are now reaching for the skies. When the hoped for business hub of the Port City comes on line, the situation may well become even worse.
Civilization and progress involve massive re-distributions of materials. Buildings involve movements of cement, steel, sand and rock. The Colombo Port City rests on a foundation of extracted sea sand and quarried rock. One wonders whether there are structural and stability issues in supporting the plans and models of high-rise buildings that we have seen.
Regarding the stability of building on reclaimed land, there are many examples and from several countries, where reclaimed lands have been built upon, posing no problems arising from subsidence. No doubt our structural engineers are well aware of the technological aspects, and the need is for stringent adherence to necessary constructional norms. A single collapsed building may be sufficient grounds to seriously deter investors, in an already highly competitive environment. All too often we see instances where defects in control systems or human error, have led to catastrophic collapses.
Frequent pictures on TV of buildings that have been destroyed by environmental perturbations showing as earthquakes, forest fires and floods, over which we can have no control, are shattering. The tsunami of 2004 inflicted the greatest damage upon us, in particular to seaside hotels frequented by tourist visitors.
Recent views of Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, showing piles of shattered rubble, as all that remains of what were once houses and public buildings. The scenes are overwhelmingly distressing. Closer to home, were the devastating terrorist attacks on the Central Bank and surrounds in 1995.
One cannot forget the chilling scenes of terror that followed the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, (which is perhaps one of the best guarded cities in the World). It has symbolic merit in showing that it requires only a handful of determined and indoctrinated iconoclasts, to inflict horrendous damage. We must also remember how the horrors of “Easter Sunday” 2020, (now seen as an “intelligence failure”), are damaging precedents that we have to resolutely prevent.
There is little doubt that virtually all Sri Lankan loyalists fervently wish that the Colombo Port City endeavour should succeed. This positive should not lead us to believe that all is “Hunky Dory” and all limitations eliminated. This would be exceedingly naïve. The “Hambantota Fiasco” is still fresh in our minds, leaving no room for complacency.
Adding to this, we are told that the heavy debt owed to China in building the Hambantota harbor had to be bartered, permitting our creditor (China) to exclusively (?) operate the harbor (and Mattala?), and some 15,000 hectares of neighborhood land for “industrial Development”. To add to this, is the cynical joke that the relevant leases are for 99 years and renewable for another like period.
Since It is not likely that any of those responsible for this criminally cynical joke, will not live for 198 years, (themselves expiring before the relevant lease does so). Is this not a classic case of the sins of the Grandfathers (or great-grandfathers), being visited on the heads of their distant descendants? A massive hue and cry was raised, on the outright grant of some 18 hectares of Port City land to China, in exchange for bearing the cost of our adventure of filling part of the Indian Ocean.
Similar issues arose in respect of the exchange of army lands at Galle Face, for a new relocated army camp at Akuregoda, Sri Jayawrdenapura, Kotte . There is the gentle whisper that China would consider “re-scheduling” our loan repayments, only in exchange for an additional extent of Port City land. Gloomy fears for what the future may hold. We are told that a powerful, independent “Port City Authority”, (yet to be appointed), will ensure that Sri Lanka’s interests will be safeguarded as paramount. Bitter experiences of the past, do not justify much confidence.
Prospective investors (not here solely for our good) will seek basic guaranties to attract investment. As a minimum, they would reasonably expect :
· Reliable Law and Order systems to protect their investments, and speedy and effective instruments to rectify any systemic or operational defects. Needless to say that judicial process needs to be speedy and fair.
· Uninterrupted supply of power, communications, roads, housing, personal security and policing systems.
· A competent work force and technology inputs.
· Assured supply of basic household needs. The attractive opportunity for profitably utilizing idle or abandoned lands in the vicinity of Colombo, for protected (greenhouse) cultivation of quality market garden crops (specially fresh vegetables and fruits), for a demanding and discerning, but lucrative market.
· Security of offices, residences, equipment, telephone services and other facilities needed for effective global business. A more rapid attention to business needs such as legally required practices, regulations and speedy resolution of disputes.
· Infrastructure to provide for vehicular access, uninterrupted power, telephones, water supply, garbage disposal, fire protection and a pleasing environment. It is said that the power, water supply, sewerage and garbage disposals were planned for a city of one million. This has been spectacularly exceeded. It is said that excessive high-rise residences, are already showing signs of an overloaded sewerage system.
· Provision of uninterrupted electricity, sufficient to meet the increased demand for high buildings operating lifts, offices requiring air-conditioning and increased lighting will need to be factored in. Recent interruptions in supplies creates valid concerns. As a personal reflection, I look back on an experience of more than a decade of residence abroad (including four years in Iraq, then at war with Iran), during which there was not a single power interruption. Our recent experience is dismal in comparison.
· An over-riding healthy and salutary “Work Ethic”. This is tricky and worthy of a paragraph for itself.
Absence of a “Work Ethic”
A “work ethic” is hard to define simply and accurately. What it should not be, is manifest in our present work environment. It surfaces in diverse ways, and is variously described as a “dependency syndrome” or mendacity, reflected as indiscipline, lethargy and other qualities inimical to balance and orderly functioning. There is a certain subtle, but pervasive and inbuilt sense of conflict between employee and employer.
Consequently, this results in a negative attitude by Management towards Trade Unions, seeing them as troublesome wreckers, perhaps forgetting that both are bent on a common goal of harmony and progress of their employers/business. The fact that Trade Unions are often linked to political parties is not helpful.
A “work ethic” implies a host of qualities, seemingly tenuous, but blending seamlessly to define the ideal. These attributes include honesty, incorruptibility, courtesy, punctuality, tidiness, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, responsibility and pride in one’s employment role. The nearest equivalent is perhaps “personality”. We may be far from such a model identity, but the fact that so many of our citizens working abroad, have reached stellar heights in a range of fields, shows that our deficits are not in our genes, but are largely self- created and thus hard and slow to correct.
The early colonials are said to have chosen locations in a search for cheap labour. In current terms, the search is for talented and technically well-equipped persons. “Silicon Valley” in the U.S and Bangalore are shining examples of effective adoption of cutting edge technologies. Our youth are no less talented or receptive, given the opportunity.
It is not too early for Sri Lanka to program developing such competence. Not cheap labour, but competent technologists should be the magnet. Ample evidence shows that our youth are astonishingly skilled and receptive. Technological excellence and linguistic adequacy of well- rounded persons, are key. Much is spoken of a “Knowledge based” economy. We need to cater to such by designing correct training is imparted, not a job just today, but yesterday. Failing this will mean missing the bus, yet again.
Consistency in maintaining a balanced and systematic set of rules, devoid of sudden and precipitate change, is a must. A recent trend of governance via Google and Twitter, Gazette and Circular warrants curbing. It is obvious that such impulsive and rapid changes are disincentives to pioneer investors.
The infamous Nelun Kuluna (Lotus Tower), is a standing as an iconic example of colossal extravagance (or as an ego-building exercise), at taxpayers’ cost. There have been feeble attempts at justifying this horrendous judgmental error. The latest being as a facility for “Bungee jumping” enthusiasts. The high platform may also double as a launching platform for trainee parachutists to help them overcome any fear of heights.
In our schooldays, we were taught to “Reach for the stars and you may at least clear the treetops”. This is what inspired me to choose the title for this piece.
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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