Features
Cambrian Cadetting 50 years ago
by Cecil de Mel
After more than 50 years I still cherish the nostalgic memories of my school days at Prince of Wales College, especially in relation to Cadetting. This period was dominated by great personalities like J.B.C.Rodrigo. ( Principal) , K.K.S. Ram (Vice Principal) A.P.M.Peiris, (Head Master) A.V.S.Fernandoand Eric Perera and therefore it is with pleasure that I recall the history of Cadetting in my heyday, i.e. from 1947 to 1954.
I should mention here that I came to Prince of Wales College from Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, a premier Buddhist institution. Most of the practices at Prince of Wales were then alien to me, but I took to them as a duck takes to water, including the singing of hymns at morning assembly, and even taking part in Founder’s Day Service choirs, in sharp contrast to ‘Pan Sil’ administered every morningm by P. de S. Kularatne, Principal of Sri Sumangala and singing oriental melodies of Ananda Samarakoon who was the music teacher.
Cadetting which was completely new, simply fascinated me. To see the Junior Platoon marching in formation and performing drill manoeuvres, under the command of their Sergeants who were my seniors, namely Aelian Peiris, Spencer Silva, and Kenneth de Mel, under the watchful eyes of Lieutenant Eric Perera, was a treat; but I was too young to join. Gradually I progressed from juvenile drill squads to the Wijemanne squad which was the spawning ground of young recruits to the Junior Cadet Platoon.
Mr. Wjemanne was an exceptional character who did not hesitate to shout at the youngsters in their own ‘Sinhala idiom,’ [Yakko] when they made mistakes. I did not stay there very long and was soon spotted by J.R. Jayawardene, the young Second Lieutenant, and given a place as a private in the Junior Cadet Platoon. This Platoon was led by Sergeant Shirley Mendis and we practiced and practiced in preparation for our first camp, jovially teasing our Sergeant, as often as possible, after the squad was dismissed.
Those days we had a great friend in ‘Charlie Aiya’ our middle aged ground boy with an enchanting unshaven smile, who made us a big mug of tea and two thick slices of bread [ quarter lb ] with a generous spread of butter and sugar, which was given to us after a grueling two to three hours of continuous drill after school. The school met all these expenses and we being very hungry would gobble it all in one mouthful and often looked for leftovers, with Charlie Aiya’s favour.
The first Camp we attended was at Boosa. We were quartered at the grandstands of the Boosa Race Course. The Journey to Boosa was by train, after a route march along Galle Road to the Moratuwa Railway Station. We were at our smartest best, as we knew that the eyes of all townfolk were directed at us, as we marched through, under the command of our smart young officer.
Everything at camp was in accordance with strict discipline. We rose up early at the sound of the ‘Reveille’ the stimulating morning bugle call, and went on after a quick wash, for a large mug of milk tea, and had PT (Physical Training) after which breakfast was served. Immediately afterwards we had to get into uniform and muster for parade. Programs of drill practices and competitions followed Including a route march to the Koggala airstrip and back in one day.
After tea time there were sports activities. The Army saw to it that we were well fed. The work day ended with the sound of the ‘Retreat” a somewhat sad bugle call at which we had to stand at ‘Attention’ wherever we were.
In the evenings the usual sing songs and other pranks went on till dinner time. Usually the Battalion Commanders and Adjutants came to see us at dinner time and inquired after the quality of food and our general well being. Every table was called to ‘Attention’ as they passed by and momentarily we stopped eating, till they signaled us to go on. Saluting all officers was a must at all times we wore the uniform and in our day we were called the Ceylon Cadet Battalion which later took the name of Ceylon Cadet Corps.
All the commands were given in English and all training was conducted in English, according to Standard British Army Practices. It was a great new experience to go for our first Junior Cadet Camp and we profited immensely in learning to obey before learning to command. The very next year, I was selected as the ‘Sergeant’ of the Junior Cadet Platoon on the results of a ‘Commandant’s Test’. The judges were Lieutenant A.P.M.Peiris, Captain A.V.S Fernando and Lieutenant Eric Perera. My enthusiasm for cadetting was well rewarded and in turn I dedicated myself to give leadership and motivation to the entire platoon, consisting of Lance Sergeant Nimal
Bhareti, Corporal Leslie Mendis, Corporal Rienzie Aponso, Lance Corporal Stanley de Alwis and over thirty others in my age group.
The next camp was also held at Boosa. I was in the habit of taking snaps with a Kodak Brownie box camera with Super XX Roll film and the pictures came out pretty well, with all my colleagues, but unfortunately the studio which did the processing did not do a proper job and the prints turned brown and faded off. Camp life and the activities were just about the same as in my first camp and we returned home in high spirits.
By now, I was preparing to sit for my Senior School Certificate Examination (SSC) which I passed in that year at 16-years of age, and had to bid adieu to my colleagues in the Junior Platoon. As the former Junior Cadet Sergeant, I was guaranteed a place in the Senior Platoon and went on to train in weapons, their handling, and firing practices with the .22 rifle.
In those days the College had an Armoury consisting of 33 rifles of .303 calibre, which were standard service weapons. We also had a British Army Bren Gun (an LMG). The College had a .22 firing range behind the tennis courts close to the Lunawa lagoon. All our weapons were looked after by our dear friend ‘Army’ Alwis (Armoury) an Army (Ordnance ) Civilian Employee, who was specially trained in handling weapons and their custody and upkeep.
He wore the National Dress and was also adept at palm reading. He made many a prediction after studying the palms of our Senior Cadets. I can still remember the serial number of the rifle assigned for my use. It was a .303 calibre (Mark I ) serial number M – 10881, a rifle well zeroed which fired very accurately. We practiced all arms drills, loading and unloading, using dummy rounds and stripping down and re-assembly of the Bren Gun, including action to be taken when the gun stops firing, which was bound to happen in real life.
By now Lieutenant P.H.S. Mendis had taken over the Senior Platoon as its OC Contingent and we had Sergeant Major Moses, of CLI (who was later awarded his Commission) for our training. Sergeant Major Carter of CLI was also a visitor now and then to train us in drill and weapons. I can still remember the memorable ‘ First shot ‘ I fired with live .303 ammunition at Galle butts, which was situated near the ’Butterfly Bridge ‘ facing the sea.
At the command to ’load ‘ I had gone down correctly and loaded my rifle with five rounds of live ammunition. Sergeant Major Carter of CLI. who was in charge of supervision, was seated nearby, on the concrete bund, but unknown to him, in the excitement, I had already taken the ’first pressure ‘ on the trigger. When the ‘fire’ order was given, I took the ‘second pressure’ thinking it was the ‘first pressure, with the nozzle of the rifle still on the ground, and with a ‘loud bang’ the bullet went straight into the ground, raising dust and concrete particles everywhere.
All hell broke loose! Sergeant Major Carter yelled and swore in raw army lingo and shouted orders to stop firing, unload, and fall back, in rapid succession. I had to eat humble pie and fall back to the end of the line and await my turn, after everybody else had fired. At long last my turn came and he gave orders to load, keeping a sharp eye on my trigger finger. Thereafter the ‘fire’ order was given and the first shot registered a ‘wash out’ as the red flag waved and I got the kick of the rifle on my cheek.
Having learnt the lesson of my life, I gritted my teeth and holding the rifle rock steady with the butt tightly pressed against my shoulder, fired again without even breathing. Targets reported bulls and inners and plates began to fall. I was simply amazed! Sergeant Major Carter stared at me in surprise. He had virtually written me off, but had to concede ‘Good Show’, then and there! At the grouping targets too I did pretty well and secured a twelve inch group.
The Senior Cadet Camp in 1952, was at Diyatalawa and of much longer duration. We had full training in weapons, warfare, strategies and tactics, methods of camouflage and exhausting exercises on ‘Fox Hill’ and ‘Stable Hill ‘ in full battle dress with bayonets fixed. As before, we were solidly fed by the Army. The Medical Corps took care of our health. We gained in overall fitness, and earned a few bucks as ‘bata’ in addition.
In my second year, as a result of my untiring dedication, I was promoted Senior Lance Sergeant. Seniors before me were, Sergeant Tilan Perera and Sergeant Herby Fernando. Don Premaratne was by then the incumbent Platoon Sergeant. The year 1953 became eventful with the August 12 ‘Hartal’, when we were just getting ready to go to camp as it marked the end of our possession of weapons at the College, which were all withdrawn.
We were very sad about that, but the next year things began to turn bright again for cadetting, with the Queen’s visit in 1954. We seemed to follow the Queen wherever she went. A new ceremonial kit was made to measure by army tailors for each one of us. We lined the streets with fixed bayonets at Kollupitiya, for the Queen’s Motorcade and at Kandy for the special Perahera , which was held in honour of the Queen. We were very lucky to be right opposite the Queens Hotel, where all performers put on a special display for the Queen.
All costumes for this Perahera, including those of elephants were newly designed. Sir John Kotalawala was at the height of his power as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and being a military man, he tolerated no nonsense . There followed a full dress ceremonial parade of all Armed Services, with massed bands in attendance, at Galle Face Green, which the Queen reviewed in person, standing up in a richly embellished jeep, which slowly moved across the parade ground. The martial music was superb and exhilarating. The young Queen Elizabeth II, was resplendent in her finery, and was the perfect picture of elegance and smartness. We were at ‘Royal Salute Present Arms ’ looking straight ahead as she passed by, but saw everything.
At the very last ceremonial function, when the ‘Gothic’ (Queen’s Yacht’) sailed away with Queen Elizabeth on board, we gave her the Royal Salute, called three cheers for her and sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and other English songs in farewell, with all bands playing in grand unison. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh waved back to us from the Bridge of the ‘Gothic’ till they were virtually out of sight. It was an unforgettable experience for all those who participated in these ceremonies who are now senior citizen.
My school career was over by now. I had sat the University Entrance examination and secured passes in two subjects. Having gained admission to the Technical College for professional studies as a Chartered Secretary and securing employment as an apprentice, I said farewell to my ‘Alma
Mater’ with the knowledge that life will never be the same again, as when we were in school, where we had such ‘great benefactors’, as our teachers of yore, who moulded us in every way. The certificates given by them, which I still possess, bear testimony to the responsibilities held by me in school.
“If you can keep your head when all about you, are losing theirs and blaming it on you ” keeps reverberating in me, from time to time in their fond memory. Fifty years is a long time, but it is a microscopic speck in ‘Long Sansara’. Our beloved teachers are still there, far out somewhere! May they all achieve the sublime bliss of Nibbana.
(First published in the centenary Magazine of Cadetting at Prince of Wales College Nov. 1904 to Nov. 2004)
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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