Features
Dedicated and distinguished public officer, true patriot, friend of the downtrodden
Susil Sirivardana
I begin this tribute to a distinguished son of Sri Lanka with reference to the most magnificent accolade paid him by a Head of State. Susil was closely associated with the late President Premadasa in a housing program. Seeing him as an enthusiastic and dedicated officer, he once told Parliament that Susil Sirivardana was the most efficient and dedicated public officer he had ever worked with. I do not think any public officer has been so complimented by a Head of State in any country. I was closely associated with Susil when I was appointed an Asst. Secretary to the Ministry of Land, Irrigation and Power (M/LIP) and endorse President Premadasa’s compliment unequivocally.
Before I proceed to recall my working with Susil in M/LIP there was an incident, which I came to know through colleagues; in the examination for the intake of officers for the SLAS Susil was placed first in the written exam. An interview followed. He went for it in his customary national dress and slippers, carrying his documents in a reed bag (pan malla). Seeing him thus clad, a member of the interview board had asked whether Susil had a Sinhala degree from a Lankan university. Susil replied he had a First Class Honours degree in English from Oxford.
I’ve seen Susil’s desire to promote locally manufactured products at his home where the door curtains were of finely woven Dumbara mats rather than expensive imported material.
My close association with Susil needs explanation. The late Dudley Senanayake, following his father, realized the immense agricultural possibilities in Sri Lanka and its potential for youth employment. He therefore initiated the implementation of an islandwide Agricultural Youth Settlement Scheme both to promote the country’s agriculture and to demonstrate to youth that farming was a noble profession. The aim of this project was to make the country self sufficient in crops, not only rice but also subsidiaries like onions and chillies as well as spices like cardamoms.
The officers of M/LIP who administered this islandwide project were Messrs Cedric Foster and Susil Sirivardana. As District Land officer for the Kalutara District I had implemented three such projects, mainly for the cultivation of tea. Cedric decided to migrate to Australia and knowing my interest in the subject recommended me to the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to fill his vacancy. As a result Susil and I were in charge of implementing and administering the Agriculture Youth Settlement Project island wide.
In administering this project, Susil worked with such enthusiasm and energy that I found it difficult to keep pace. When I made visits to assess implementation and solve any problems that arose, I stayed in a government rest house or a reasonably priced hotel. Not so Susil; he stayed with the youth in the schemes not only to advice them but also to increase their commitment to the project. He often used the Sinhala term thrupthimath karanda (perfrom to the satisfaction of all). Susil had an excellent command of the Sinhala Language though his degree was in English from Oxford. Another excellent trait of Susil is that he treated all youth, whether Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim with the same respect and dignity. To him all citizens were sons of this country.
In implementing the AYSSP Project Sri Lanka received aid from a Dutch Organization ,referred in Dutch as N.O.V.I.B,(Novib), with Mr Von Vflyman beign the President and his representative in Sri Lanka being Miss Noyens. Novib gave technical assistance by making available the services of an irrigation engineer and an agriculture expert. Since only medium technology could be used in labour intensive agriculture, NOVIB funded the Import of Yanmar hand tractors from Japan. The Japanese Manufacturer, of these tractors, sent two technical persons to train the youth in the use and maintenance of the tractors. the World Food Progamme assisted the Scheme with the supply of several items of food .
Susil’s generosity was another trait which demonstrated his selflessness and his consideration for others, especially those in need. As I was administering the Project, Novib invited me to participate at a conference in the Hague on the subject of Youth in economic development. All costs involved ,including the air fare and hotel accommodation, were met by NOViB. This was at a time when the rigid close economy prevailed.. Anyone travelling abroad was entitled to British Pounds 3.50 only, and was permitted Pounds 50,for warm clothing, which was totally inadequate. I therefore had to purchase, the only warm clothing available in Sri Lanka, which were used clothing, known as “Bale”, as the import of such new clothing was banned. I did not have the funds even to purchase this “Bale”. Susil very generously financed me.
I was informed that Susil’s generosity led him unwittingly to be associated with the J.V.P. uprising in1971. According to unconfirmed reports, Susil ,being a patriot , desired to make available his talents to the unsophisticated rural folk out of the Colombo Metropolis. He therefore obtained a position in a rural school in the Anuradhapura district. Susil had befriended a person , perhaps another teacher, in the school he taught . This friend was in the process of constructing a house, but could not complete the house as he had run out of funds. It was reported that Susil gave his friend the money to complete the house. By some strange coincidence his friend was involved in the J.V.P. uprising. Susil being very methodical had kept records of monies he had lent to persons, with no intention of demanding repayment. I am aware of Susil keeping records, as Susil’s Father requested the return of the money lent to me as he had to employ lawyers for the legal case against Susil.
From my close association with Susil , I am convinced that Susil, due to his generosity and empathy for others, inadvertently came to be associated with the person, who had connections with J.V.P. sympathizers ,arising from his Anuradhapura connections. In my assessment Susil had no involvement with the insurrection . I was informed that there was some political pressure brought to bear on Susil’s been convicted, leading his incarceration. It was reported that Susil accepted his incarceration with his characteristic attitude of calm and composure. He refurbished the prison library at his expense and increased the stock of books there.
My close association with Susil in the M/LIP led to another incident. I lived at a place named Walana, close to the Panadura town. As at that time public officers were not entitled to official cars to travel from home to office, and were paid, what was called mileage, if their cars were used for official purposes. I had therefore to travel by bus to office. To permit me to do some reading, I used to take a bus to the Panadura town main bus stand, so that I could get a seat on the top deck of a double deck bus. On the day of the insurrection, there was a disruption in the bus services. and I boarded a single deck bus from near my residence at Walana junction, which is close to Panadura. At the Dehiwela bridge the bus was stopped at an army check point, and the passengers were asked to get off the bus. The army personnel, then searched the bus and a bomb was found under the seat where I was seated. It has to be noted that one place the J.V.P. had assembled its arsenal of bombs was at a cemetery in Panadura. All the passengers were detained. I informed the Officer in charge that I was the Deputy Controller of the Import and Export Control Dept. and I had to attend to some urgent office work. The Army Officer then permitted me to leave the place, and I boarded another bus to office.
When I was in my office , about an hour after I arrived, I had an anonymous telephone call asking me whether I could assist them , to transport bombs to several destinations. The fact the bomb in the bus was under my seat should have made the anonymous caller understand that no one will risk his life by carrying a bomb under his seat in the bus. I assumed the possibility that the Police gathered information, that I had worked with Susil. I was somewhat unnerved and I called the late D.I.G. Mr. Edward Gunewardene, my geography batch mate at the Peradeniya Unuversity. At that time Edward ( fondly called Edda at the University) was of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police. He replied that he was assessing the situation countrywide and asked me to contact him if I had any problem. The need did not arise.
Generosity was a virtue in Susil’s family. I chaired a Committee at E.S.C.P. on the subject of the transposition of the Standard International Trade Classification (S.I.T.C) to the new Customs Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System ( The Harmonized System). The last two sessions on this subject were to be at the United Nations Statistical office in New York. E.S.C.P. nominated me to represent E.S.C.P at these sessions.
I had made arrangements to stay with a friend of mine who lived in the outskirts of New York. When I arrived in New York the entire transport system had come to a halt due to a strike in all the transportation sectors. Due to the strike and the difficulty of commuting to New York all rooms in the reasonably priced hotels were booked .Susil had given me his brother’s address and telephone No. I contacted him and he picked me up at the U.N.. Susil’s brother not only provided me with transport to and from the U.N., but also so kindly invited me to stay with him .
I had lost contact with Susil after my assignment in the World Customs Organization and I was Shocked that Susil had passed away, as Susil was very much younger to me.
The best Tribute we can pay to the memory of Susil is to tread in Susil’s footsteps of Dedication and commitment to duty; Patriotism ; Empathy and Humility.
Susil, though you have left us so suddenly the exemplary memories that you have left with us, will not only be etched in our hearts and minds, but also in the annals of History of your beloved Motherland.
Elmo de Silva
elmodesilva@email.com
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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