Features
Covid, Quarantine and Organics
By Lionel Rajapakse
lrajapakse@hotmail.com
Following the onset of Covid-19, people nave realised the importance of quarantine as it helps to prevent or at least to slow down the spread of this deadly human disease, from one country to another, and also within the communities. Human quarantine is only one aspect of the concept of quarantine. Plant quarantine and animal quarantine laws are followed by almost all the countries around the world, for centuries, to prevent the entry and spread of exotic pests and diseases. In Sri Lanka, responsibility of plant quarantine lies with the Department of Agriculture. Sri Lanka fortunately strengthened its quarantine system with the establishment of a well-equipped quarantine facility, in Katunayake, with the help of the Japanese government, in the early 1990s, under the banner of the National Plant Quarantine Service.
With the Indian ocean, acting as a barrier for exotic pests including insects, diseases and weeds, Sri Lanka is geographically situated at a very fortunate position to implement a strong quarantine programme. The size of this country, with only few entry points for sea and air travel, makes it easier to prevent the entry of exotic pests with an effective quarantine service. However, by looking at the introduction of several exotic pests into the country, during the last few decades, it is doubtful whether Sri Lanka has made the best use of the aforesaid advantages. These invasive exotic pests include some new species of mealy bugs (piti makuna) and weeds like Giant mimosa (Yoda nidikumba). Also, several exotic ornamental plants can be seen around the country, which were not visible a few decades back. Are they legal imports, gone through the proper quarantine channels? An active plant quarantine service, with active inspection staff, armed with legal powers, at all the airports and seaports, is a must for Sri Lanka, as introduction of any exotic agricultural pests including insects, diseases and weeds into the country, will benefit Sri Lanka’s agriculture-based economy.
Australia and New Zealand have a similar geographic advantage, like Sri Lanka. They have quarantine centres to work with the Customs to protect their agriculture and unique environments. These two countries are armed with a world class quarantine inspection services at entry points. Thanks to these exemplary quarantine (biosecurity) services, both countries are able to keep many destructive exotic pests away and maintain their image, and their products fetch high prices in the world market.
With the sudden introduction of the ban of importation of chemical fertilisers and chemical pesticides, the word “organic agriculture” has become widely known in Sri Lanka. While everyone wholeheartedly agrees on the need to promote organic agriculture, the scientific community has quested the abrupt manner in which inorganic fertiliser was banned without proper consultation, advance planning, stage by stage implementation and realistic timeframes. It is sad to see the protests by the farming community in most fertile areas in the country, as they are the worst affected party by this sudden decision. However, government sticks to its decision.
One of the major challenges is to find the alternative methods to supply the necessary crop nutrients, usually provided through the imported chemical fertilisers to date. Initially, we heard there was a plan for the importation of compost to fill the vacuum created by the ban of chemical fertiliser. Then we heard, through the news, that the Director General of Agriculture was not going to allow this import as it violates the country’s quarantine laws. If that news was true, it was a commendable decision taken to protect the agriculture as well as the environment of this country. It was reported there were two container loads of compost already imported to Sri Lanka from India. Not sure what happened to them. Hope they are still sitting on the wharf or exported out of the country.
Latest news is the Cabinet approval for the importation of “sterilised solid organic fertiliser” to meet a part of the major nutrient requirements for the paddy cultivation in Maha season 2021/2022. Following this decision, State Ministry of Production, Supply and Regulation of Organic and Natural Fertiliser has called applications for pre-qualification from eligible and qualified applicants for importation of “sterilized solid organic fertilisers” (in addition to the liquid organic fertilisers and natural minerals – potassium chloride).
Ministry has quoted Sri Lanka Standard 1704:2021 developed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute for specifications for the “sterilised solid organic fertiliser”. According to this standard, “sterilised solid organic fertiliser” is defined as follows.
“Any product in solid form, of plant (except by- products from petroleum industries) or animal origin that has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply total nutrients to plants comprising Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) at a minimum of eight percent (8%). This shall not contain microorganisms, but shall contain naturally occurring minerals with no added chemical or inorganic fertiliser material in the finished product to affect the nutrient content”.
Further, it defines “organism” as follows:
“Organism included any active, infective, or dormant stage of life of an entity characterised as living, including plants, bacteria, algae, fungi, phytoplasma, mycoplasma, mycoplasma-like entities, protozoa, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, as well as entities such as viruses, viroids, plasmids, phages or any living entity, related thereto, whether natural, genetically modified, living modified, or otherwise”
From a quarantine point of view, if Sri Lanka can truly import this type of dead organic fertiliser, without any of the above mentioned organisms from overseas, it poses only a minimum or negligible risk of introducing exotic pests including insects, diseases and weeds. In that case, it will be a win – win situation for both farmers and the government. The Million Rupee question is whether this will happen as planned and expected?
To make sure the importing sterilised solid organic fertilisers are meeting the standards, set in the mentioned Sri Lanka standards (and other additional nutrient requirements set by the Ministry), government expects to carry out pre-shipment inspections and sampling by accredited independent surveyors in the country of origin who will be appointed by the Sri Lanka Standard Institutes upon the request of the National Fertiliser Secretariat (NFS). The independent surveyor is required to draw 10 representative samples from each consignment before shipment and send one sample each to the following agencies:
1). Atomic Energy Authority to check for chemical adulterations, radio active substances, 2). National Plant Quarantine Service to ensure zero living organisms included, 3). Sri Lanka Standard Institutes for nutrient analysis, 4). Independent accredited laboratory selected by the NFS (purpose not specified), 5). National Fertiliser Secretariat for reference purposes, 6). Animal production and Health (propose not specified).
Two samples to be provided to the supplier.
One sample to be retained by the independent surveyor for future reference.
Independent surveyor to arrange the remaining sample to be analysed by an accredited lab in the exporting country and authorise to send the analysis report direct from the laboratory to the National Fertiliser Secretariat in Sri Lanka.
This pre-shipment sampling and analysis scheme sounds like a very well thought out plan, formulated by a committee who understood the risk of landing organic fertilisers without meeting the required standards on Sri Lankan soil. If a single consignment of organic fertiliser, contaminated with exotic organisms, land on our soil and gets released, it may be another catastrophe, worse than the recent X-Press Pearl disaster.
When looking at the above-mentioned list of sample receiving agencies, the most important responsibility lies on the National Plant Quarantine Service of Sri Lanka. They have to test the sample and make sure it is free from any of the above-mentioned living organisms. Hope the National Plant Quarantine Service in Sri Lanka has the expertise and necessary facilities for this challenging task.
Is the National Plant Quarantine Service going to rely only on the test results of the sample provided by the third-party foreign surveyor when making decisions to release these consignments? Hope not. Usually the quarantine services in importing countries do not totally rely on the samples or certificates provided by a third party in the exporting country. They sample the imported commodities using their own quarantine staff at the border (sea port or airport) and examine/analyse (test) those samples by themselves or by the laboratories accredited by them. Hope the National Plant Quarantine Service in Sri Lanka already have their own plans to inspect the future imports of “sterilised solid organic fertiliser” consignments at the landing ports and draw their own samples and examine/test them by themselves. It is their responsibility to be one hundred percent sure these imported organic fertilisers are free from any exotic organism before those consignments are released from the border and end up in the farmers fields. Once applied to the soil, it is impossible to correct the mistakes.
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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