Features
An Island’s Eleven by Nicholas Brookes: A social history of Sri Lankan cricket?
by Priyan Dias
Nicholas Brookes has written a wonderful book about “A history of cricket in Sri Lanka”, which is his sub-title. It is much more than a history of the game however, and captures the spirit of cricket in this country, and also its vicissitudes – ‘poignant’ is an adjective that came to mind while reading the book. It is this poignancy that I wish to capture in this article, and not so much the cricketing facts, which are also described with great detail and drama – for example the way Mahadevan Sathasivam scored a famous double century at Chepauk, the first hundred incentivised by a bet for a bottle of Scotch, and the second fuelled by it; or why Michael Tissera made a surreptitious start-of-play declaration to surprise Pataudi at Ahmedabad and win Ceylon’s first ‘test’ overseas; or again how Thomson dispatched both Duleep Mendis and Sunil Wettimuny with his thunderbolts at the Oval during the first World Cup in 1975, causing a constable at the hospital to inquire whether they wished to press charges! The book is a labour of love, with extensive endnotes reflecting the painstaking research involved. I bless the Warden of S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavina for giving the author a home in his school while writing the book, and hope its students were able to imbibe some of the author’s sentiments.
History can be a dry and dusty discourse, but generally not when it comes to social history honestly portrayed, something for which an ‘outsider’ like the author can have a genuinely favourable vantage point. Cricket of course was introduced to the island by the British, which is the author’s nationality. And while many aspects of colonial rule are critiqued today as arising out of the colonisers’ naked self-interest, the author’s descriptions of Ashley Walker, who promoted school cricket while a teacher at Royal College from the 1870s; and of George Vanderspar (in fact born in Galle in 1951), who promoted both club cricket and international tours (both incoming and outgoing) from the 1880s, portray them as Englishmen with a genuine love for both cricket and Ceylon. In spite of this altruism, Sri Lankan cricket in the early days was largely an European preserve. The difficulty for ‘natives’ to overcome such prejudice is plainly articulated, for example in the captaincy of the Ceylon team that played the Australians in the mid-1930s going to W.T. Brindley, a high-ranking English police officer, rather than to the more deserving Ed Kelaart, a Burgher clerk in a tea firm.
But sport has a way of creating social mobility. The author spends some time on the exploits of M.K. Albert, a grounds boy from Kalutara who was included in the Ceylonese side touring Bombay in 1919, and who for most of the 1920s was “Ceylon’s most reliable run-getter, and a powerful symbol challenging the class boundaries which so rigidly segregated the island”. In fact, Albert captained Ceylon on tour against the Indian Central Provinces in 1931. The country had to wait till 1999 again before someone from outside the elite Colombo schools, i.e. Sanath Jayasuriya, held the reins again. Throughout the book, the author captures the way in which dominance in the island’s cricket moved from Europeans to Sri Lankans; and also from the so-called elite schools (Royal and S. Thomas’ receive special mention, as does their annual encounter) to a broader base. Such movement can perhaps be seen as one of the most redeeming features of colonialism and elitism – which on the one hand contribute to a social polity by pioneering innovation and excellence, but on the other are prepared for such excellence (and its attendant privileges) to become more widely dispersed.
Another theme in the book is the way that Sri Lankan cricket lost the services of many of its best players due to limited opportunities for their advancement in the game; or to conflicts with opportunities in their careers as a result of the game. Laddie Outschoorn, Gamini Goonesena and Stanley Jayasinghe are examples from the first category – all of whom played county cricket in England with distinction. Although they were ambassadors for Ceylonese cricket, the Ceylon team itself was deprived of their services. Mentioned in the latter category are Darrel Lieversz, Michael Tissera, David Heyn and Anura Tennekoon, all of whom contributed much to Sri Lankan cricket, but were constrained by their work commitments, since theirs was the age of amateurism. In fact, Heyn, while on tour in India, found that his immediate superior at work had passed away, and that the position earmarked for him had been allocated to someone else in his absence! No doubt it hastened his departure to London to seek better prospects for his family.
The author is also forthright in his commentary on imbalances in political power, all of which serve as a backdrop for his cricket narrative. While cricket is supposed to be the epitome of fair play (the absence of which is often decried as “It’s not cricket”), the British brutality in the aftermath of the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots is described as dismantling the notions of ‘British justice’. Later on, the introduction of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike’s 1956 Sinhala Only Act is portrayed as setting the island on a “collision course”; and a subsequent government as “playing with fire” by “promoting a singular religious identity to a patchwork nation” through the 1972 constitution. It is not that the author is averse to national identity formation. He endorses team meetings becoming increasingly conducted in Sinhala rather than English and short Buddhist ceremonies before away trips as the islanders’ embracing of their Sri Lankan-ness. But he does not shrink from calling a spade a spade.
There are many stories in the book about Sri Lanka’s cricketing exploits, and those of her sons. But these exploits are inextricably interspersed with descriptions about them as persons. Arjuna Ranatunge, for example, who will be forever remembered for his captaincy of the World Cup winning 1996 team, is portrayed as a complex character. His support for Muttiah Muralitharan is of course well known, when the latter was unfairly accused of ‘chucking’ in Australia. Murali’s comments about Arjuna in the book: “He supported me wholeheartedly… At the time war was ongoing: I’m a Tamil and he’s a Sinhalese Buddhist. But he never thought about race or anything … he took the decision that we are Sri Lankans. We are not divided by religion or race”. Less known is how Arjuna persuaded Aravinda de Silva to house Ravindra Pushpakumara at the latter’s parental home in Ratmalana, since commuting from Panadura was not easy for meeting training schedules. Pushpakumara says that Ranatunga’s parents also housed Sanath Jayasuriya and others. And Arjuna reportedly took cans of food from home while on tour so that he could eat with the youngsters, who were often left behind when the seniors went out for dinner. But Ranatunge’s later spell as Chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket is not described favourably. The author’s commentary: “The very qualities that had made him a superb captain hindered him when it came to running the board. In trying to operate with the same bullish single-mindedness, he seemed to alienate the players and taint his own legacy”.
Kumar Sangakkara is arguably one of our greatest products; not only on the field with an enviable batting average of 57.4; but also off it, having been both President and Chairman of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and also being called to deliver the Colin Cowdrey Lecture on the Spirit of Cricket in 2011. He ruffled many feathers back home with his somewhat adverse comments about Sri Lanka’s cricket administration. But everyone remembers the speech for his promoting of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Sri Lankan identity. The author however, gives a clue to Sangakkara’s formation. On the one hand, his father instilled a strong work ethic in his son, something many have observed in the latter’s commitment to batting excellence. On the other, the Sangakkara home would have been the source of his values. The author writes: “In July 1983, when Sri Lanka turned in on itself, Sangakkara’s parents bravely sheltered thirty-five Tamil friends in their home. Had they been discovered, there is every chance that young Kumar would not have reached his sixth birthday”.
Where batting artistry is concerned, the author goes into raptures about Aravinda de Silva, and especially his century for Kent in the Benson & Hedges Final in 1995 (in spite of Kent losing the game in the end). The author says: “Go and find footage of his innings online; I defy you to watch it and not feel joy course through your veins”. But Aravinda the person is described through Kent teammate Graham Cowdrey’s words: “I cannot believe any player, anywhere, has been so popular. Ari was an inspiration to me and the whole side felt the same. When he packed his bags, he hugged each of us and I have never known a professional sports team so close to tears”.
I return to 1996, which the author describes not only as a watershed for Sri Lankan cricket (through their World Cup victory), but also for the game itself – which took “a giant leap…from Victorian relic to modern money-spinner”. The resulting tensions between players and administration are also alluded to from time to time. Contrast this with the early days, e.g. in the lead up to the 1975 World Cup in England, when it was not possible to budget for meals, and it was “arranged for the squad to attend endless functions where free food would be provided”. I encourage readers of this piece to read the book itself. Although you will not get much change from five thousand rupees, it will enlighten your mind and nourish your soul.
(The writer is an engineering professor at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology; an emeritus professor of the University of Moratuwa; and a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka.)
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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