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World Science Day to highlight basic science
By Prof.Kirthi Tennakone
Today marks World Science Day for Peace and Development, proclaimed by the United Nations and celebrated worldwide every 10th of November since 2001. The theme this year emphasises the importance and essentiality of basic science for sustainable development. The year 2022 has been designated as the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development. The aim would be to conduct programmes highlighting the value of basic science in addressing developmental issues.
The premise of basic science
Basic science means examining things and happenings in nature for merely the purpose of inquisitiveness, and thereby correlating different phenomena, seeking explanations. The process leads to hypothesis, the tentative ideas proposed to account for the observations, to be tested by further experimentation. The sequence of arguments and confirming experiments lead to generalisations that we refer to as theories. Theories have explanatory as well as predictive power. They are subjected to continuous scrutiny, attempting refutations as well as confirmations. Unless proved, science doubts even the opinion of a genius. This year, the physics Nobel Prize was awarded to three scientists for showing Einstein was wrong in one of his assertions.
To most of us, the falling apple or coconut and the passage of moon across the sky are two incidental happenings far apart, taken for granted. Curious Isaac Newton, correlated these two happenings and arrived at the theory of gravitation. His theory explained motion of planets and enabled landing of a payload on mars precisely at a specified location. Albert Einstein noted a discrepancy in the Newton’s theory and arrived at a new theory – the general theory of relativity, which fully agreed with the Newton’s theory under ordinary conditions, but accounted for phenomena beyond the capability of the Newton’s version.
The premise of basic science, the scientific method, is the only avenue at our disposal to unravel the secrets of nature. It is a myth to believe nature can be understood by alternative methods. Neither pure logical arguments nor empherical experimentation have succeeded in understanding of the workings of nature. The ancient philosophies of the East and West, thinking exclusively on basis of speculative and idealistic arguments, did not succeed in correlating different observations and rarely paved way for innovations. The empirical technologies of ancient Sri Lanka and elsewhere provided many practically useful applications, but didn’t possess the capacity to explain and correlate the phenomena and make predictions. Contrastingly, modern basic science, with its marvelous explanatory and predictive power, has transformed the world astronomically ahead of empirical technologies.
Basic science is the progenitor of applied science and modern technology. All major technological innovations stand on the roots of basic science, pursued to satisfy human curiosity. Technology cannot thrive without a sound background in basic science.
Today we indispensably rely on electronic appliances, where the primary building block is the transistor. The invention of the transistor precedes more than five decades of basic scientific research, both experimental and theoretical.
The world managed to control the corona virus pandemic because of the previous knowledge gained from studies of viruses and how the human body develops immune responses.
Future threats to human civilisation, whether they are terrestrial or extraterrestrial in origination, will be solved by continuing the science effort. New scientific innovations would eventually solve the energy issues, saving the environment, before its degradation threatens human extinction. The NASA dart mission successfully perturbed the orbit of an asteroid – the first human intervention in planetary dynamics. My granddaughter, having heard the news, said, “It is a consolation, the human species would not suffer the fate of dinosaurs. An asteroid impact seems to have wiped out these reptiles 160 million years ago.
Non-material benefits of science
Laity and policymakers generally see the benefits of science in terms of technological accomplishments. Domestic electronic gadgets, modern communication and transport systems and miracle cures for many diseases attract the general public because of their immense usefulness. Emphasis and promotion of non-material benefits of science are equally important to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
A host of social ills, including wrong political and personal decisions, arise from the absence of rational thinking and evidence- based approach to solving problems. Exposure to basic science and the scientific method educates people to think rationally, seek evidence and act accordingly. Myths and occult beliefs not only harm the individual but collectively damage society and the repair, if possible, would be costly. Quack practitioners prescribe ineffective methods of treatment for illnesses where proven remedies are available. Many people avoid eating certain nutritious food items, saying they are heaty, a meaningless concept, but consume toxic decoctions, believing they are elixirs. Traditional medicine has served humanity for centuries. However, in the light of modern scientific medicine, some prescriptions and arts of treatment are obviously flawed and harmful. Telling the general public, the truth would not be a denigration of these practices. A background and confidence in scientific methodology will help people to realise the fallacy of beliefs related to healing and health. The same applies to numerous other confusions in matters of everyday life with adverse eventualities.
Astronomy – the study of heavenly bodies has revolutionised and sharpened human thinking. Yet, material benefits are few and are spinoffs from technology associated with the discipline. On January 1st 1782, the German philosopher and physicist Lichtenberg wrote in his diary:
“To invent an infallible remedy against toothache, which would take it away in moment, might be as valuable as and more than to discover a new planet, but I do not know how to start the diary of this year with a more important topic than the news of the new planet”
Lichtenberg referred to the discovery of Uranus in 1781, the first planet to be discovered using a telescope. In the above quote he implicitly points out that a fundamental discovery has far reaching implications than finding a solution to a specific problem. In fact, the drug metronidazole efficaciously relieving toothache was discovered accidently – not a product of goal oriented applied research.
Astronomical exploration vitalised the humanity scientifically and intellectually, although the effort was not geared to achieve economic gains via identified projects. The scientific and technological advancement we see today would not have happened if we didn’t look at sky and explore it.
Astronomy deals with phenomena at excessively large scales of length. Today science explores deep into the smallest scales of length, billionth times lesser than atoms and molecules, deriving remarkably successful theories. Nearly 50 years ago, British professor Peter Higgs and two other physicists suggested that an inconsistency in these theories would be resolved, if there exists a new elementary particle later named Higgs boson. The idea was so compelling that the atom smasher, Large Hadron Collider, was constructed by the European Council for Nuclear Research, Geneva (CERN) at a cost of 13 billion US dollars, primarily to find this elusive particle. In 2012, CERN physicists confirmed existence of the Higgs particle.
The Higgs boson would provide nothing of material value. It cannot be used to improve the physical quality of our lives or earn even one cent. Expenditure of 13 billion dollars is warranted, because the finding confirms we are on the right track in our quest for understanding the workings of nature at the deepest level, using methods of basic science. The story of the Higgs boson will motivate curious students worldwide for decades. They, after taking up science, will bring forth new ideas and innovations.
Basic science in Sri Lanka
Our technological performance stands glaringly below that of the affluent nations and even other countries in the region. Policymakers and their advisors blame the education system, saying it doesn’t cater for technology and useless subjects such as arts and humanities are entertained in our schools and universities. As the strategy to remedy the situation, technological courses and programmes have been introduced sacrificing basic science. Technologically oriented faculties, departments and courses mushroom everywhere. New universities have diverted entirely to this theme with little basic science component. So many programs in electronics, research laboratories for nanotechnology and making batteries. Unfortunately, innovations in these areas originate elsewhere. We have a university dedicated for value addition to minerals, but graphite and mineral sands continue to be exported without value addition. We are getting weaker in technological advancement and gap with other nations increasing fast. The programme for technologicalisation of education and research has turned counterproductive! Innovations popup when people are curious and think rationally. For which a thorough background in basic science and exposure to arts and humanities is essential. Innovations need dreaming and imagination. Reading, Guthila Kawya, Arabian Nights and Shakespeare motivate our minds to imagine, without looking at pictures in a screen.
It would be an idiocy to advocate that a nation can achieve technological advancement depending on developed nations for basic scientific knowledge. The American engineer, inventor and science administrator, Vannevar Bush, said: “A nation which depends on others for its new scientific knowledge will be slow in its industrial progress and weak in its competitive position in world trade, regardless of its mechanical skill” . The statement made long time ago, more relevant to us today than ever before.
Applied research demands quicker results and virtually ends on reaching the target. Whereas, basic research never ends and transformative results stem unpredictably. Consequently, basic research is financially supported by respective governments and industrial establishments fund applied research. In Sri Lanka, situation is different, we need to promote industries to support applied research and ensure that basic science is adequately taught and the research component in the theme not neglected.
A primary responsibility of universities is introducing basic science to students rigorously and engaging in research in the same theme to generate new knowledge. To avoid the burden of teaching and working on applied issues demanding quicker results, most countries have also established institutions devoted to basic science or fundamental studies. These institutions, generally funded by the government, employ a group of best brains to engage in intellectual inquiry. Sri Lanka has been one of the first few countries in Asia to plan setting-up an institution for basic scientific research- the Institute of Fundamental Studies. Unfortunately, the institute has heavily deviated from the intended theme, indulging in applied issues, more appropriately pursued elsewhere. Rectifying the deviation or creating an alternative organisation to cater for cutting – edge fundamental research is an urgent priority. Sri Lanka should not isolate and remain indifferent to frontier advanced research.
We have to promote the dissemination of the concepts of basic science and their findings to the general public and students. To most people in our country, importance of science means, only a requirement to enter the medical and engineering streams in the universities- for them science is only an avenue leading to a profession. Science is taught and tutored for that purpose, not as intellectual pursuit.
. Those who teach, tutor and learn science; resort to superstition and occultism. When curious children question the rationality behind religious practices, parents and teachers warn and condition them to accept things for which there is no evidence or logic.
Sri Lanka has invested in science education, research and science promotion programs, thinking engagement in applied science with little emphasis on basic science would lead to economic advancement via technological innovations. Evidently, the policy has not worked, we continue to remain technologically backward. Sri Lanka needs to reform education and research to strengthen basic science.
Author can be reached via email: ktenna@yahoo.co.uk
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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