Features
Educational reforms Sri Lanka demands today for a brighter tomorrow
The 32nd Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara Memorial Lecture titled ‘For a country with a future’: Educational reforms Sri Lanka demands today’ delivered by Prof. Athula Sumathipala, Director, Institute for Research and Development, Sri Lanka and Chairman, National Institute of Fundemental Studies, Hanthana, on Oct 13, at the National Institute of Education, Maharagama
Continued From Tuesday (25)
Research on the current school education system, in Sri Lanka, has indicated that teachers recruited for maths and science education are often placed in schools without adequate teacher education and professional development. Short-term training sessions for these teachers are primarily carried out by Teacher Centres and Divisional Education Offices. These in-service training sessions need to be modernised to help provide teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and values to meet the demands for high-quality teachers. It is a weakness, within the system, that there is no national level consensus on the objectives to be met on Sri Lanka’s teacher education and professional development. A number of institutions work on this matter in isolation, and an eminent Sri Lankan educator, Dr. G. B. Gunewardena, stated, in 2012, that it is a necessity to have a confluent system to liaise between all these separate institutions. It is also necessary to further study the effectiveness of in-service training sessions in improving the quality of teachers.
Principals’ professional
development
This is not a factor that has received much attention in the Sri Lankan education system. All that usually happens is that the divisional/provincial education office informs principals when a new circular is issued. This has led to principals focusing more on meeting the responsibilities imposed upon them, by senior officers, and working according to the circulars, rather than on working on their responsibilities towards students and teachers nor on attempting to build a high-quality education system. There is very limited research on professional development of principals.
The key institution that offers professional development training to Sri Lankan principals is the Faculty of Education Leadership, Development and Management affiliated with the National Institute of Education. It is, however, very difficult for principals from areas faraway from Colombo to attend such trainings. Travel and financial difficulties, and the resistance to residential courses, are the key problems, whereas there is also no motivating factor for principals to participate in such programmes. It is, therefore, rare that principals, from far away areas, such as Ampara, for example, opt for continuous professional development.
However, it is clear that the number of principals participating in these trainings has increased as the training has moved to online learning. This is clearly a benefit of online education. Research on education systems in other countries has shown that although online education is less successful for school children, it can be highly effective in adult education.
For the new educational reforms to be truly effective, it is important to emphasise on the need to consider the bigger picture. Accordingly, a significant change in the mentality of students, teachers and society that helps place teachers and the teaching profession at an honoured and optimal level is necessary.
(vii) Integrating research within the overall scheme of education
Children are by nature researchers. They are inquisitive and explore the world from the day they are born. Children want to know everything; they question everything they see. Some children take apart toys to see how the toy works. This is science. Scientists, who investigate the world, are those who do what children do, in a professional and systematic manner. In this sense, every child is a researcher and a scientist. Researchers go beyond asking questions. They seek answers, or solutions, to the problem, based on research methods, make observations, arrive at conclusions, based on the observed data, and derive theories from it.
It is, therefore, easy to turn every child into a researcher and explorer. It is questionable as to what extent our education system achieves this objective. The group and individual project work introduced for G.C.E. Advanced Level students was an excellent opportunity to achieve such an objective. However, it appears that the value of this project work was not fully appreciated, and, perhaps, because of it, individual project work was removed from the Advanced Level Syllabus. I do not believe there is sufficient emphasis on research. even within the university system. Moreover, research projects are frequently concluded with the limited objective of obtaining career promotion.
Research and development, innovation and
technological transformation
The post-industrial knowledge economy and its growth is closely interlinked with innovation and localised research capacity. University-based research has been shown to be an effective driver for such economically productive innovation. In order to remain globally competitive, it is, therefore, necessary for a country to utilise state investment in universities to stimulate research and development. In line with this global trend, most top Asian Universities have transformed, from ‘Teaching Universities’ to ‘Research Universities’.
A paradigm shift is required in Sri Lankan graduate and post-graduate education to position research and innovation as a key feature and to develop persons with the creative vision for innovation, along with the wide and deep knowledge necessary to convert that vision into a reality. Contribution from research and development is critically necessary for Sri Lanka to stabilise its economy, to ensure national security and for the sustainable development of strategically important sectors. Strategy should focus on capturing available opportunities in a dynamic world since scientific opportunity cannot often be predicted. Flexibility in responding to novel ideas and seizing available opportunities is important for success. For example, the knowledge gaps that were exposed during Covid-19 created unprecedented opportunity for research on as yet unexplored fields. It is also necessary to create mechanisms in co-operation with industry, for the commercial exploitation of innovative products arising from the research, as well as for knowledge creation and transfer.
Sri Lanka urgently needs reforms in higher education that lead to establishing a value chain of co-operation and integration between multiple fields, which can ultimately result in innovation being converted to new products and services. Mere imitation of what is being done in this regard in foreign countries will not, however, suffice in this instance. An in-depth study of the geographic, cultural and socio-economic factors that can impact the relationship between universities and industry is necessary, and these findings should be used to determine a model best suited to Sri Lanka.
Co-operation between universities and industry on innovative products should be developed within a format that benefits all stakeholders. Capacity building, job creation and creation of intellectual property should also be included as part of this process. The research agenda of higher education institutions should, therefore, be developed within a structured framework of scientific, economic and social factors, that can lead to practical solutions for supporting innovation, technological development and its disbursement.
Innovation ecosystem model is a mechanism that has successfully been adopted by many countries and economies with a research and development agenda, and this could be used to help convert Sri Lankan universities into innovation centres where research and development projects are carried out. Accelerating innovation requires the cumulative action and support of a research-friendly vision and culture, legal and regulatory framework, financial and human resources, infrastructure and finally, supportive end-market users. To identify the best mechanisms to stimulate innovation in areas where Sri Lanka has a competitive edge, the innovation process should be considered in its entirety, bearing in mind the inter-dependencies between various stakeholders.
As the first step, research prioritisation should be carried out to identify the sectors which are necessary for post-Covid economic restructuring. Priority should be given to areas such as health, nutrition, food security, import substitution and export promotion. Technological innovation can be used to investigate areas such as online learning, environmental protection, increasing local production, and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and tidal energy. Policy-making, at a national level, should be evidence-based and universities should be encouraged to play a pivotal role in this endeavour.
Secondly, research and development centres should be created with a global vision, adhering to the highest quality measures and research should be carried out on the most globally relevant fields, so that these institutions and the research benefits generated remain globally competitive. Building effective links with globally reputed research and development institutions, entrepreneurs and industry can add further value to Sri Lankan universities and entrepreneurs, leading to further national development.
In order to arrive at this transformation, attention needs to be paid to increasing resources through investment, identifying and utilising skilled human resources, recruiting and retaining the best researchers and innovators, and to carrying out critically necessary structural changes. Further, key factors necessary are: establishing the highest quality research centres, collective action to raise funds including sourcing donations, and, improving the ability to compete for international research funding. A ‘Department for sourcing, supporting and managing research funding’ should be established at university level. Post-graduate programmes should be structured around key research projects that can lead to effective outputs.
For knowledge creation, it is necessary to strengthen research in Sri Lankan universities.
The focus of research should shift from publishing research papers and using it for promotion towards commercial development of the outcomes of the research.
The new knowledge created from research should be useful for socio-economic development, yielding returns to the public. It is necessary to address the loopholes in this process, to remove obstacles and create opportunities for research that leads to intellectual property creation, innovation and commercialisation. The University Act could be used for this purpose.
Research findings should be used to inform policy-making at national, regional and international levels.
The obstacles to bringing in competitively won research funding from reputed foreign research funding institutions into the country, should be removed urgently.
We need to clearly understand that we live in an era which demands not one Dr. Kannangara but hundreds of, thousands of, Dr. Kannagaras in order to overcome the challenges ahead of us.
The single mechanism to overcome the multiple crises Sri Lanka faces now is to create productive citizens meeting the requirements of the modern world. Finally, I would like to emphasize that this is, indeed, the most appropriate time for a discussion on the broad educational reforms necessary to develop teachers, intellectuals, educators and politicians who can think beyond personal gain, have the knowledge, skills, attitude and the will, to help create such citizens.
Special thanks to Dr. Godwin Kodithuwakku, Former Director, Research and Development Unit, National Institute of Education.
References
1. K.H. M. Sumathipala, The History of Education in Sri Lanka 1796-1965. Tissa Prakashakayo. Dehiwala. 1968.
2. Dr. Swarna Jayaweera, ‘Expansion of educational opportunity–an unfinished task’. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Memorial Oration 1989. 13 October 1989.
3. Professor Narada Warnasuriya. ‘The role of the state in higher education’. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Memorial Oration 2008. 16 October 2008.
4. Professor Sujeewa Amarasena. ‘Medical Education and the Kannangara Philosophy’. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Memorial Oration 2017. 13 October 2017.
5. Mr. R.S. Medagama. ’A review of educational reforms in the Post-Kannangara era.’ Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara Memorial Oration 2014. 13 October 2014.
6. Institute for Research and Development, Battaramulla. ‘’Educational reforms the country demands to create a productive citizen adaptable to the modern world’. Gaveshana, January-March 2022. 39th edition.
About the auther….
Prof. Athula Sumathipala is the Director, Institute for Research and Development, Sri Lanka, which he proposed and co-founded in 1997. Since 2020 he is the Chairman of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies at Hanthana Kandy. He is a Visiting Professor in Psychiatry and Biomedical Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. Prof. Sumathipala has an academic background in Psychiatry and Family Medicine. Furthermore, Prof Athula Sumathipala is also an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Keele University, UK. He is also an Emeritus Professor of Global Mental Health, Kings College, London, UK. He is a Member of the Regional Expert Group on Mental Health for WHO South-East Asia Region. He is the only Sri Lankan to serve as an Editorial Board member of the British Journal of Psychiatry, since it was founded in 1850s.
He is considered an international expert in mental health, ethics and twin research. The majority of his research is based in Sri Lanka, and he has given leadership to multicentre research in collaboration with internationally renowned researchers. He has made an impressive global contribution to scholarly work exceeding 100 publications and text book chapters to publications arising from Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press
The greatest contribution in his academic career is the establishment of the Institute for Research & Development (IRD) in Sri Lanka, nurturing it from one room and a handful of people to what it is today: an internationally recognised academic research centre that conducts innovative research for policy impact, locally and internationally, and promotes capacity building at all levels.
The IRD received ‘Excellence in international collaboration for the advancement of science and technology’ National Awards Science and Technology Achievements 2018. Its founder Prof Sumathipala received. Individual outstanding leadership in promoting and developing science and technology. National Awards Science and Technology Achievements 2018. He has received HE President’s award (National Research Council of Sri Lanka) for publications in 2001, 2009, annually from 2010 to 2015, and in 2017.
He has been a research ambassador for Sri Lanka, representing the country as a keynote speaker, and panellist at a number of high-profile scientific meetings in numerous international locations.
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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