Features
ARE WE BOLD ENOUGH FOR A RADICAL CHANGE?
by Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda
Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe (ex-PM, ex-MP and now President) is reported to have berated the present government authorities, for going around begging for funds to purchase the Anti-Corona Virus Vaccines from India (AstraZeneca (Oxford)) and from China (Sinovac). Yes, it is great shame that our nation has managed its finances very poorly and recklessly. Even before the “Robber Barons,” invited by RW’s uncle “Dickie” got here, the local models were well immersed in the technology of large-scale larceny. So, mendacity is not a novelty to us. In fact it possibly started somewhere in the fifties or early sixties. It has grown since, both in ubiquity and scale.
The sad truth, is that the title “MP” is synonymous with “Mara Paga,” or “Paga Mara “, in transposed form. One learns that the present Prime Mourner at our sorry plight, has been at the forefront of matters parliamentary, for more than four decades, and so cannot absolve himself from blame. If only his buddy Arjuna Mahendran returned in time from the wedding party in Singapore, to collect his loot, the nation’s sorry plight now may not have been so severe. In the historic robbery of the (James) Bond Scam, where craftily manipulated processes led to colossal losses to the EPF operated by the Central Bank, and other funds held in trust by the NSB, Insurance Corporation and wherever else.
Although much maligned, the Cardinal has to be applauded, for determinedly doing his duty by his flock. It is probable that his detractors do not know the meaning and authority, implied in the title “Cardinal,”. The Catholic clergy may wish to guide their flock on this matter.
The current shenanigans at the Central Bank, have astonished and fueled the envy of the working public. There is, to my knowledge, only one other Institution where the employees (unilaterally, and unanimously) decide their own salaries, allowances and numerous other perks to the level of obscenity. Yes, you guessed right – it is Parliament!
Doubtless, good karma earned them these privileges. One wonders where their next sojourn in Samsara may be, (where they will never encounter fuel cuts). Comments are often heard of our Honourables, who on their first day, pedalled in on a push bicycle and in a few weeks, seen riding in a chauffeur driven Mercedes, Volvo or Jaguar. Where does Aladdin hide his lamp?
We were told a while ago, that a single day’s sitting of Parliament, costs us some seven million rupees. This is possibly even for days on which the Assembly is adjourned, perhaps in less than ten minutes, because of uncontrollable hooligan behavior. The then President was said to cost us about thirty million and the war when active, put us back by some 90 million a day. Only less than six percent of MPs have declared their assets. It must be made the rule – at least on entry and on departure, if not annually. Government employees are compelled to do so annually. Value for money?
Nowadays, I understand that each MP is paid 200,000/= a month for “electoral work”. Why then are they paid an allowance (salary) monthly, and a substantial retirement pension as well? There is more justification for a risk allowance, when they go canvassing. The paddy farmers are in a state of financial ruin and privation because of the crass stupidity of the government. They have been pauperized, by an ill-informed and unworthy President, (Sir.Kiula). They are impoverished, having lost millions, due to the thoughtless and idiotic action to prevent the imports of palm oil for cooking, Glyphosate as a weed-killer, and then imported artificial fertilizer. All of these for “immediate implementation.” They are so furious, and rightly so, for their ruination. Their mood is far from cordial. Meanwhile, the sudden ban on turmeric and queer drop in duty for sugar, have cost us billions as lost tax revenue. Incidentally where are “Vipath Maga” stars these days?
Additionally, marauding elephants are raiding settlers and their crops, pests eg. the army worm -sena caterpillar), are devastating maize plantations. Many other hazards also threaten farm production.
The 13th Amendment created the local bodies. The justification (deceptively) was that this decentralization of administration, would lead to more efficient delivery through local bodies and persons drawn from among the locals, than government from the “centre”. If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, the taste is so nauseous, that both the recipe and the chef have to be replaced.
Despite this decentralization, this has to be a write-off. Roads are pot-holed, incomplete building are in collapse, hazardous bridges affect school children and the sick. The only structures that mockingly remain, are the massive concrete or granite slabs that glorify everybody from the president to the local politico- in short, all but the truly deserving stone-mason who crafted this abomination.
The social media suffer threats to disband or harass them. So low is the credibility of the government, that there is no alternative but to go to gossip and slander. Any clumsy attempts to curb, rather than pay heed and repair whatever possible, is too much to expect from a severe publication deficit. The government seems to believe that banning, water cannoning and tear-gassing, are sufficient to quell a rumbling disquiet. Dark clouds clearly loom ahead.
If only the MP’s set an example, then the less blessed and exalted humans, might be ready to make a new hole for their already tightened belts. Corpulent “kapati” suits certainly have the necessary tack to stabilize the system. Deeds are more effective than words. “Do as I say, not as I do”.
I have a suggestion here. Popular feeling is that unworthy MPs are grossly overpaid, much above their true market value. Obviously, not all MPs are mutts, but it is true that talent, generally moves in tandem with academic achievement. There is a good way in which wages can be linked to value. The House should agree on a fair method. I suggest that a “multiplier” should be agreed, say by a factor of five, 10 or even 15 times the last salary drawn in his/her job immediately before becoming an MP This should, of course be authenticated by that years income tax returns.
Thus an MP whose income was 5,000/= per month, as declared to Inland Revenue, would receive a pay check of 25,000/=, if the multiplier is five times, and if it is 15 times, it would be Rs 75,000/=. This is the simplest way to pay according to worth. Thus, a University don may be better paid than a tax avoiding drug baron, a chain-snatcher, pick-pocket or a cattle thief. Is it not fair that quality, or the sacrifice made on becoming an MP, be appropriately rewarded? In my view, this is a useful and easy reform, if it is genuinely meant to save burdens of the State, and improvement in attracting the best people to be in parliament. “Good things no cheap and cheap things no good”, as the itinerant Chinese cloth merchant would say.
Much has been said about the poor standards of MPs, related mainly to their poor academic records. What nonsense,.”Doctor members” are sprouting, like toadstools, after even a moderate shower of rain. This must surely raise the average. The genuine ones may be tempted to resign their doctorates. The same goes for “professors” This concerns me, because our growing up children will feel dismayed and disappointed at the decline of standards and possible unemployment.
I may find little popular support, but I am committed to pluralism, especially in the field of education. I cannot agree that the Sinhala Only Act, was a desired change, while it is only an example of crude political deception. It was a fatal assault on education, and led to a long and deadly conflict. Language is surely primarily only a means of communication, and need not be an instrument of oppression. It is less than intelligent to disagree that it was not merely a cunning devise by our colonial masters to exterminate our national culture and rich heritage.
This is nonsensical. What nearly five centuries of subjugation by powers, whose direct mandate would have been to willfully destroy the language and religion of the “natives.” In our circumstances, this means the substitution of Sinhala with English and Buddhism with Christianity. This has not happened, for 450 years of foreign rule and thus is unlikely to do so under our own governance.
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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