Features
Bamboo: An untapped goldmine
By Shantha Ramanayake
At the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok in 2009, the World Bamboo Day was declared as 18th of September. This was an effort to bring the potential of bamboo to a more elevated exposure, protect natural resources and the environment, ensure sustainable utilization, promote cultivation of bamboo for new industries and promote traditional uses and community economic development. In this context, what has Sri Lanka achieved in developing bamboo cultivation and utilising it for the economic and environmental benefits?
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a global economic crisis and we must think of new avenues of being self-sufficient in areas where we have the potential. Lockdowns and the closure of many industries and organisations have led to the loss of livelihoods everywhere.
Against this backdrop, the potential of a bamboo as a means of creating new lively hoods needs to be reconsidered. There is an increased awareness of the value of bamboo as an environment friendly fast growing source of wood that can be substituted for timber. Bamboo flooring, panels, mat board, strand woven bamboo, ply wood, etc., are now industrially manufactured in many countries, especially in China, which is the global centre for bamboo industries. These products are sought after for their durability and strength in the building construction sector and in making furniture as a timber substitute. This indirectly protects forests as valuable forest trees need not be harvested for timber. India, Indonesia, some Latin American and African countries endowed with bamboo forests have also started bamboo based industries and planted large extents of useful bamboo. These well-managed bamboo plantations have higher yields than natural stands. Thus, bamboo farming and related industries have become a new means of lively- hood generation. Thus it is considered the miracle plant of the 21st century!
There are a few industrial applications of bamboo in Sri Lanka but the raw material is mostly imported. A recent news report mentioned that bamboo sticks imported from India for making incense sticks are no longer available. Many tons of bamboo sticks were imported annually. These can be easily turned out here if the cutting and splitting machinery is locally turned out and bamboo stands identified and permits issued for harvesting and transport. Bamboo strips are imported to weave boxes for tea leaf packing, bamboo yarn for clothing, bamboo culms for making flooring are among some local applications of bamboo which depend on imported raw material. These are all however relatively small-scale applications. Fresh edible shoot are also available in the local market at times.
Regretfully unlike our neighboring countries, Sri Lanka is not utilizing bamboo profitably although we are located in a region where bamboo grows naturally. Its main use is in the handicraft sector and as scaffolding for building construction. Most of our handicrafts do not have the novelty and finish required for the export market. Bamboo blinds are also turned out depending on demand. The local market is declining as the craft workers find it difficult to compete with cheaper plastic substitutes available locally. This has been an ancient craft with skills handed down over generations and needs to be revived.
Over one million plants of bamboo has been planted from 2004 to date as claimed by the Mahaweli Authority. Surviving plants are scattered, because of poor aftercare, in various locations and it is difficult to harvest and transport them. Mahaweli authority of Sri Lanka has the technology for mass scale production of bamboo by tissue culture and an output of nearly 200,000 plants per year. They must incorporate more useful species in their production lines. Thus we have the capacity to raise sufficient plants for plantation establishment which is not available in many other countries in the region.
To realize the potential of bamboo for new industries it is absolutely necessary to raise plantations with suitable bamboo species. This was hindered due to the misinterpretation that large-scale bamboo cultivation – as required for a bamboo based industry- was not viable for our country. Baseless reasoning that bamboo leads to depletion of soil water, desertification, cause soil erosion and invasive etc. voiced by certain individuals has misled the authorities. This is similar to the misinformation about oil palm guzzling up water more than rubber when an erroneous comparison was made on the evapotranspiration of the two crops.
There is a myth that bamboo will deplete water in the soil. Bamboo is a grass and its roots do not penetrate deep into the soil. It has an underground network of rhizomes and roots that bind the soil preventing erosion. Local farmers were aware of these facts in the past and planted bamboo in suitable locations. The rhizome traps the leaf litter and run off water during rains. Thus water is absorbed into the soil and stored in the rhizome and culms. The soil is gradually built up and ameliorated when planted in degraded lands. Bamboo is fast growing and will need water like any other tree crop. During drought it sheds leaves to conserve water. Plants do have various methods to conserve water. A well-established bamboo plantation will thus store soil water and limit evapotranspiration. There is a report that in India when bamboo was planted in a soil degraded due to brick making, the soil soon became richer and the water table rose and inhabitants were able to grow crops and also supply bamboo for industries that were created. A similar report in China also mentions that bamboo cultivation in a degraded soil caused the water table to rise.
It is reported that bamboo in general is invasive. Bambusa bambos (katu una) growing in some parts of the dry zone has grown extensively to become invasive. The local farmers do not harvest this because of the thorns but in India it is utilized in many ways (for paper pulp, as a timber substitute etc.). Recent recommendation was to burn it down! If proper cutting equipment and protective gear are used this could be utilized even as a fuel wood. I have seen this species planted along a stream near Katugastota Matale road from the time it was planted until now. It has become an impenetrable row extending some distance- ideal if planted to grow into fences replacing electric fences in villages attacked by elephants.
Another misinformation is bamboo as a mono crop plantation will have adverse effects. Many plantation crops like coconut, rubber and tea are also mono crops. Mixed bamboo species could be grown together. Bamboo is recommended for cultivation in underutilized or degraded soils where no other agricultural crop could be raised. Many such places are available. Abandoned tea plantations with degraded soil in the upcountry are ideal. Bamboo planting along river banks has been curtailed by certain organizations as they infer that bamboo will damage the riverbank. This is due to sand miners digging into the river bank dislodging bamboo. In fact bamboo should be planted behind the flood line which needs to be extended with the prevailing heavy rainfalls that often lead to flash floods. Giant bamboos with a large rhizome which can hold the river bank as a live wall is suitable whereas smaller species like reed bamboo can be grown along stream sides. Bamboo is a grass and the older culms need to be removed to induce new growth. The old culms die and collapse into the river if not removed. Thus the plant needs to be managed by sustainable harvesting of culms a resource much needed by craftsmen. Clump management practices and preventing illegal activities rather than stopping bamboo planting is what is needed.
There are many other uses of bamboo such as manufacture of paper pulp. This is the oldest industrial application and is done on a large-scale in India and China. Edible bamboo shoots are a thriving industry in Indonesia. Dendrocalamus asper is the most suitable species and it grows well here. Bamboo is used to make rayon for clothing, for making charcoal and as a fuel wood especially in tea factories and for generating electricity (dendropower), etc.. to name a few.
Constraints to the development of a bamboo industry in Sri Lanka
It is necessary to assure the growers that they will be able to harvest their produce with least state interference.
Most of the land available for bamboo cultivation is state owned and it is important to ensure security of land tenure and ownership of plants to encourage cultivation.
Restrictions on harvesting and transport of bamboo need to be updated. Legislations on bamboo protection made as far back as 1992 by the Forest Department need to be reviewed as the present situation demands. Sustainable management practices have to be enforced and license to harvest issued based only on such practices.
The Central Government of India recently categorized bamboo as a grass enabling its harvest from bamboo plantations while bamboos in forests still remains categorized under trees to prevent their over-exploitation. Similar actions are needed here and the Government of Sri Lanka must pay serious attention to reviewing and amending constraints to cultivation of bamboo.
There are many young entrepreneurs who are ready to start new ventures. We all can get together to promote the potential of bamboo towards alleviating poverty and ensuring economic development of the country!
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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