Features
THIS AND THAT
by Goolbai Gunasekara
The political scene changes from day to day….indeed from hour to hour it seems. Here are some thoughts on subjects being discussed among people like me who have no influence in politics but have plenty to say on the bizarre events that have shown a rich vein of eccentricity running through the events of the last four months.
Our opinions are not based on heated rhetoric. Nor are they politically biased. They simply seem to be based on commonsensical (albeit amateur) conclusions by people like me who know full well our opinions are never going to be heeded……..UNLESS !!!
RANIL
We are sure that Mr. Ranil,Wickremesinghe is under no illusions as to his popularity. He knows that next to the Rajapaksas he is greatly disliked at the moment (politically speaking that is.) Nothing personal is intended. He is a cultured and well read man. But he has made mistake after mistake in dealing with the aragalaya that keeps bubbling angrily in small groups because he has given the impression that he will cooperate with former crooks without a change of system. And we ALL want a system change. We still see old faces of corrupt men surrounding him and this upsets us…aragalaya and civil population alike. He has not so far brought miscreants to justice which the population desperately wants.
We ask this…..Surely Ranil has the power to get rid of the old guard and bring in new men, without character blemishes, instead of swearing in those cleared of wrongdoing by a justice system we are not totally happy with? And many who are NOT cleared.
He has the chance to act like an Enlightened Despot instead of a Potty Dictator. Let him do the right thing by the people who have spoken forcefully and he will go down as our best leader yet. So our view is that he should be given the chance to GET ON WITH THIS THANKLESS JOB and HOPE he will rise to the desperate call of Lanka.
ENERGY AND ELECTRICITY
We feel that young Minister, KANCHANA WIJESEKERA Has done a very good job in a most difficult situation. One can see he is trying hard. He speaks excellently on TV and tells the public what is happening with regard to the queues (which he has now dispelled.) He stands to be a mature politician in the making. Alas the energy crisis highlighted by the Chairman of the PUCSL.
The electricity hike is a shock and we need to be reassured that those rascally engineers comprising the so called ‘Engineer Mafia’ who are responsible for our sad plight are taking massive salary cuts and will be denied salary raises or bonuses. May we be told if this is being done? Surely the IMF will expect that sort of action? Mr.. RW must start acting and being very strict with these unpatriotic elements.
ECONOMY
In the face of gloom and rocketing food prices I wonder if the HOUSE really understands the mood of the people. I feel they listen to sycophants around them who tell them what they want to hear, not what they SHOULD hear. Force public servants who are a drain on the country’s finances to start taking the blame. For example how can a bankrupt nation like ours have a stock of SEVENTY unused buses doing nothing for seven years?
THE ‘HOUSE’ AND CUT BACKS
Our disreputable House (except for a few notable exceptions) need to have their salaries cut, their pensions withdrawn, their powers totally curtailed, their cars taken away and their unnecessary security withdrawn forthwith. If there are death threats against them they probably deserve them. We have NEVER seen such a useless bunch of people. Their behavior in Parliament is appalling. They do not have the courtesy to even listen to each other talk. They yawn, they chat among themselves, they get up and leave the chamber, they argue over trivialities and we wonder what they are doing to justify the money spent on these (mostly) uneducated men.
They have the audacity to complain they do not have enough petrol to get to Parliament. Let them use public transport as the Ministers of Sweden are doing or let them stay at home. They do nothing for the country or the people anyway.
SAJITH
Sajith’s father, the late President R. Premadasa, was the best administrator this country has ever had. His work ethic was amazing. He had foresight and wisdom and his economic policies were sound and rewarding. His son has had an excellent education and has great skills as a speaker. His English is impeccable and he can probably impress anyone from the IMF, World Bank, ADB et al. But so far he seems to be playing a passive role when he should be up and about acting as a possible leader of this country. He is certainly growing into the future leader we hope for.
ERAN, HARSHA AND GAJENDRAKUMAR
It says a lot for these politicians that they are recognized by their first names so easily. Eran and Harsha are two of the most trusted and admired men in Parliament at the moment. Gajendrakumar is rapidly earning a similar reputation and seems to have inherited his father, Kumar Ponnambalam’s ability. With men like this why on earth are we having to deal with the likes of Nimal Siripala and Rajitha Senaratne and others of their ilk?
M.A. SUMANTHIRAN
This is another universally respected man who talks commonsense and knows what the country needs. We have the talent but why are the above mentioned names not given Ministries regardless of party politics and just told to get on with bringing order to chaos. Ranil will be a hero by the time he has done this and returned this country to prosperity (if only he will). He will get the credit for tapping into this well of talent who will work with wisdom and foresight and get brilliant results. Most of all….they all have integrity.
If Ranil is allowed to go outside the Parliamentary elected sluggards he will find literally dozens of capable, educated, experienced citizens who will bring this country round. Among them are many women like Savitri Gunasekara, Radhika Coomaraswamy and Tara de Mel. There are many other women of course -especially among the business community. The names that springs to mind are those of Dawn Austin and Kasturi Chelleraja Wilson. Alas I am not very familiar with the many highly gifted women who run businesses with enormous success.
Let us compare the dozen or so names I have mentioned to the 200 greedy, stupid and corrupt men who comprise our Parliament. These men are simply wallowing on the luxurious featherbed of the state. Obviously I discount that small number who are both educated and able.
Are the 200 sordid lot not ashamed of themselves! The Sri Lankans have openly and volubly shown their contempt for the present government representatives who still attend Parliament driven in expensive vehicles, behaving as if they still represent the people. Don’t they FEEL the hatred they inspire? Don’t they fear the possibility of future violence now that peaceful protests have been suspended? How long will they continue with this social irresponsibility? How long will the voters put up with the appalling corruption so shamelessly displayed and so shamelessly not yet punished.
The uprising of the people, the continuing aragalya struggle and the constant demands for justice show that the people of Sri Lanka want these men OUT. They will support ANY man who will have the power and the nerve to change the system. Ranil Wickremesinghe has the power at the moment. Will he have the nerve?
Napoleon’s military success was no doubt due to his genius but it was also due to the fact that he had the ability to choose superb generals. His Napoleonic Code was possible because of this talent he had in acquiring the best men available. Sri Lanka has many such men available. Let Ranil Wickremesinghe SOMEHOW make use of them without concerning himself unduly about points of J.R’s absurd Constitution which prevents any real system change in the name of ‘Legality’. Legality is a much touted word. What crimes are being committed daily in its name.
Lest erudite Constitution experts dismiss all this as a mirage let me remind the reader that I started by saying this is an amateur’s opinion.As an afterword….I have just read in a morning’s paper of the Sept. 8 that the English Medium is being restarted as National policy in schools. Better late than never I guess, but what an appalling waste it has been all these years watching while the country gradually sank into virtual backwardness due to a foolish language policy applied wrongly.
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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