Features
Striking gold in the yellowing pages of faded ink and dry dust
Second-hand bookshops of Maradana
By Tharishi Hewavithanagamage
Books quench our thirst for knowledge. Sir Francis Bacon’s famous quote ‘Reading maketh a full man,’ refers to the notion that by reading, one is able to fill the mind with knowledge relating to a variety of topics. Literature often enables a person to enter and explore territories which are difficult to explore in person, and it expands the imaginative capabilities of the mind by helping the reader perceive ideas they might find foreign. Through books, we learn about how things work, understand different cultures, and comprehend histories. We can learn new languages, how to improve ourselves and even how to build things. The right books are full of useful information that helps us become smarter, sharper, skilled and more open to new ideas.
The old-fashioned secondhand bookshops lining the D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha are hard to miss, but something that may not be instantly evident to the casual onlooker, is the sheer volume of literature and knowledge contained within the walls of each deceptively tiny shop.
The tale begins with one Premadasa Weerarathna who was the pioneer in the used book business in Maradana. He is credited with paving the way for other book shops to prop up on the same block. Premadasa Weerarathna was a soldier in the British Royal Navy and in the 1940s he was severely injured following a gas explosion. Unfortunately, he lost his left arm and right leg, putting an end to his military career. He was assisted by the British High Commission in Colombo, who regularly sent him prosthetic limbs, along with a pension. It was then that he decided to set up shop, at first on the pavement outside the Maradana railway station, selling and lending books acquired from various distributors. He began collecting English novels and Reader’s Digest from his old colleagues in the Navy, for which there was a big demand, as it was cheap, and there was a big demand for English readings at the time. They also received new books delivered by businessmen who would go around delivering and collecting books to and from rich households in Colombo for around 50 cents, at the time.
Reading was popular although the book trade wasn’t popular as it is nowadays. However, Premadasa being an ingenious man was able to gather a regular customer base and built an up-and-coming business. The shop’s collection began expanding to include rare novels and other highly sought-after books, which put them on the map. Leading up to the Non-Aligned Summit that was held in Colombo in 1976, a majority of the shops in Maradana were relocated and the Premadasa Bookshop was moved to its current location on D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha. Not long after, many others entered the book trade and set up shop in the vicinity.
In 1976, with Premadasa’s guidance, his former assistant, Peter Appuhamy established his own shop, ‘Peters Bookshop,’ which now stands two doors away from the old Premadasa Bookshop. In the same year, Premadasa encouraged Sarath S.T. Hannadige, his nephew to start his own book shop, and so the old ‘Premadasa Bookshop’ became ‘Sarath Books.’ Although the founders no longer work in these shops, their knowledge and skills have been passed down to the newer, younger generations.
The shops are home to books full of faded ink, dry dust, and many untouched chapters. They receive a majority of their books from their own customers who do not want to throw away their collections, so the little shops are crammed with a variety of tomes, from the latest in popular fiction and chic-lit in profusion, to novels (both Sinhala and English), textbooks of various subjects, self-help books, and magazines. It’s akin to digging through a gold mine, and one would strike gold if they happen to come across a book that is no longer in print, or is the last remaining copy of its kind. Everything available in these shops are sold at an affordable rate. The bookshops also have lending services (mostly for novels), for those unable or unwilling to purchase.
Reading today is very different, especially with technological advancements coming into play. People have become so busy that they can no longer spare time for leisure. It has become more efficient to carry a phone, laptop or a tablet around, with hundreds if not thousands of books, varying in genre, available at your fingertip, from anywhere around the world. The advent of audio books has also reduced the demand for the tangibility of actual books. The owners acknowledge that, as times changed, their customer base and sales have remained stagnant, but haven’t declined.
“It’s true that technology is advancing every day and we see a majority of the younger generation leaning towards things like e-books, audio books and so on. Some people are so occupied with their work that they cannot find time to read or enjoy other leisure activities. But there are people who still enjoy reading a book, flipping through the pages and simply enjoying the tangibility of it all. We also get a lot of parents coming this way, looking for foreign textbooks that are generally very expensive. We provide them with used books in good condition at an affordable rate,” the owners explained.
Although times have changed, their most loyal customers have been coming to the bookshops for many years, sometimes bringing in the younger generations along with them. It’s not surprising that people want to re-visit the shops given that they receive the best customer care from the good-humored owners. “Our top priority are our customers. We have customers of all ages coming in, looking for books that you can’t normally find in popular bookstores. Besides, we have no use in hoarding books, so our goal is to pass on the invaluable knowledge stored in these pages. We want our customers to gain something by reading,” said one book seller. The rapport they maintain is vital to the longevity of the bookshops.
Conversely, there is also a silver lining to all these technological advancements. The existence of social media platforms has allowed people to reach a large audience, all in one space, and the ability to interact freely. A few owners have launched online platforms and websites, and even carryout delivery services, in order to expand, cater to and interact with a larger audience. “Not everyone knows that we exist on this tiny strip of land. We have a website and a social media platform to reach out, but I don’t plan to direct my business activities online. I’m not very tech-savvy,” said Sanjaya S.T. Hannadige, the current owner of Sarath Books.
However, they are not without complaints and they share their own set of challenges. When asked about how they were affected during the COVID-19 lockdown, many admitted that it was difficult and not good for business. But they understand the pros and cons of being in the book-trade. They hope that business will return to normal as lockdown initiatives have ended and the economy is almost back on track. The lack of sanitary facilities and space in the shops are just a few of the problems that aggravate the situation.
“We pay a monthly rent to the municipal council here, and yet, even basic facilities are not available to us or the customers. We’d also like to make our shops a little more spacious,” they explained. Furthermore, with urban development projects working their way through cities, the bookshops and their original location is threatened. “We’ve been here for a long time, and many of our loyal customers, have been visiting us here for many years. The structures still stand as a sign of authenticity and originality, while the environment surrounding the shops adds to the general ambiance as well.”
Regardless of the problems they face and the many improvements required to develop the area, both the customers and sellers continue their day with broad smiles on their faces. “The book trade isn’t what it used to be. But it isn’t all that bad. We’re happy to be working here. It gives me a sense of happiness,” one said. They are hopeful that someday someone, be it the municipal council or the government, will look into their problems and aid them in preserving their trade and location, as it is a part of Sri Lanka’s history. They are also well-known among tourists and serve as a tourist destination, which is important, considering Sri Lanka has a significant tourism sector. In their last remarks about their future prospects, some mentioned that they hope to establish branches at other locations, especially in the more rural areas, where it is difficult for people to get access to books and other texts freely. They are hopeful that their businesses will flourish and that people will take more interest in preserving the art of reading and gathering knowledge, as the country gets back on its feet.
For those avid readers, collectors, bookworms, or those simply looking to check these bookshops out, head to D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha and dive into their treasure trove. The owners will be more than happy to assist and help any and all customers find exactly what they are looking for. Some shops will take part at the Colombo International Book Fair in ‘Hall H’ at the BMICH. Book lovers can surf books of Priyankara Bookshop at www.2ndhandbooks.lk and Sarath Books at http://sarathbooks.lk/. They also have a Facebook page of the same name. The knowledge offered between the walls of the shops are infinite and priceless, and it is anyone’s for the taking, and at the end of the day it could be the best step taken forward to building a better individual, society, country and world.
Pics by Jude Denzil Pathiraja
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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