Features
Exciting Events at Babylon Oberoi
Part Four PASSIONS OF A GLOBAL HOTELIER
Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil
President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada
Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum
chandij@sympatico.ca
Setting the Stage
As the new Food & Beverage Manager at Hotel Babylon Oberoi I wanted, in 1989, the hotel to make a name in hospitality and catering in Iraq. I was also keen to create and promote a string of international food festivals in Baghdad but encountered several challenges. With my experience ding this many times before, I was well-prepared, motivated, and confident of creating a buzz and present hospitality events and entertainment in Baghdad.
The first obstacle was staffing. We needed enthusiastic Iraqi employees alongside experienced foreign workers. The Iraqi government mandated the recruitment of young men returning to civilian life after eight years of war. During interviews, the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was evident; many hopeful employees looked decades older than their actual ages. Injuries due to various situations faced in the war front which killed around half a million, were clearly visible in their bodies, faces and mental state. I was saddened about these young men, who were forced to experience the horrors of war.
After recruitment, and initial orientations (to civilian life, hotel industry and Oberoi culture and hotel standards), the training we provided was intensive. With the support of expatriate managers and senior supervisors, we conducted both on-the-job and off-the-job training sessions. Once the basics were mastered by the trainees, we introduced new hospitality products and services, setting the stage for our food festivals, events, and entertainment.
Piano music and cocktails at the lobby
Music and entertainment
We made music and entertainment as an essential part of our hospitality offerings, creating vibrant atmospheres that drew in guests from near and far. At our night club, Githara, we hosted top Western bands who electrified the stage, while renowned Arabic musicians serenaded guests by the poolside, creating a harmonious blend of cultural experiences. The rooftop bar, aptly named Hanging Gardens, came alive with exotic dancers and musicians, providing an enchanting escape under the stars. Meanwhile, the lobby bar echoed with the sophisticated melodies of classical pianists, offering a serene backdrop for evening cocktails.
The entertainment never ceased at the Hotel Babylon Oberoi’s casino, where we curated an array of captivating performances that kept the excitement flowing well into the night. Drawing from my successful tenure as the Director of Food and Beverage at Le Galadari Meridien Hotel, in Colombo I knew that integrating entertainment deeply into our food and beverage operations was key to creating unforgettable guest experiences and optimizing revenues and profits.
Unlike most nightclubs in Baghdad, which operated only three or four nights a week and focused on the weekend crowd, we envisioned something bolder for Githara. By introducing live bands every night, we transformed it into a seven-day hotspot, a gamble that paid off remarkably. This relentless dedication to providing top-notch entertainment set us apart, turning every evening into an occasion worth celebrating.
Poolside Barbecue
After re-organizing the coffee shop, restaurants, bars, pastry shop, night club, 24-hour room service, banqueting operation, and the casino at this prestigious venue, we focused on new products. Recognizing Iraqis’ love for barbecue, we launched a daily poolside barbecue featuring popular street food. As an important part of the cradle of civilisation, Baghdad has been home to many cultures and empires. From the Sumerians to the Kurds to the Jews of Baghdad, each have left their own distinct mark on Iraqi cuisine. Baghdad’s rich culinary history, influenced by diverse cultures and empires, inspired our menu.
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- Executive Chef O. P. Kantwal carving a lamb
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- Chef OP and me with Moroccan employees welcoming guests to the food festival
We included local favourites such as:
Masgouf (filleted fresh carp fish, individually grilled around a fire slow cooked),
Tikka Kebab (whole pieces of spiced chicken or meat),
Sheesh Kebab (ground beef, lamb, or chicken),
Maqloube (slow cooked yellow rice, vegetables, and meat), and
Kubba (a round patty of ground meat covered in a light dough).
Our varied menu ensured unprecedented popularity. This blend of street food with five-star service by an Olympic-size swimming pool became a hit.
Despite the popularity of the venue, during the summer months we could not continue this new addition at the poolside. During the scorching summer months, with temperatures reaching 120°F (50°C), we moved indoors. Even brief trips outside felt like stepping into an oven, as my three-year-old son Marlon aptly described.
I am (extreme left) with Oberoi’s restaurant employees at the Indian Food Festival
Moroccan Food Festival
Based on popularity, Executive Chef O. P. Kantwal and I chose Morocco as the theme for our first food festival. As I had travelled to Morocco and had an enjoyable time tasting their food and experiencing warm hospitality in Casablanca, I insisted on including my favourite: Moroccan Lamb Stew with Couscous, in the menu. We used suggestions about menus, beverages, decorations, uniforms, and music, from a large group of Moroccan employees at the hotel to make our product authentic.
They said, “Chef OP and Mr. Jay, let’s fire up the grill!” In Northern Africa that term can mean many things, from freshly caught fish, to heavily spiced merguez (spicy lamb or beef sausages) , to meshwi, where the word for “fire roasted” is given to a feast of lamb, roasted whole and stuffed with offal and dates. We decided to do all! I agreed with OP, that every evening during the festival, he would carve a whole lamb. Moroccan Food Festival was a great success and it drew customers from outside Baghdad as well.
Indian Food Festival
During the Moroccan food festival, we surveyed our Iraqi customers for future themes for food festivals. Given Oberoi’s Indian roots and our popular Indian Executive Chef, an Indian Food Festival was a natural choice for the next festival. This event surpassed even the Moroccan festival in popularity.
I am (extreme left) with Oberoi’s restaurant employees at the Indian Food Festival
Following the resounding success of the Indian Food Festival, there was a growing demand for a permanent Indian restaurant at Hotel Babylon Oberoi. My only experience working in an Indian restaurant prior to landing in Iraq was as a part-time waiter, at a unique Indian Restaurant in London during my graduate student years. In 1982, Oberoi Hotels’ key competitor – Taj Group had invested wisely to open the best Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom – the Bombay Brasserie. It paved the way for Indian and Bombay cuisine in London.
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- A full house at Anlil on the opening night
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- Volunteer hosts at the opening of Anlil
Anlil: The Best Indian Restaurant in Iraq
In a life in hospitality one can strengthen the career foundation with diverse experiences at different levels. My waiter experience at the Bombay Brasserie in London became useful when I led the opening of the most exclusive Indian Restaurant in Baghdad in 1989.
We swiftly conceptualized Hotel Babylon Oberoi’s eleventh food and beverage outlet. With assistance from Oberoi’s flagship hotel in New Delhi, we recruited a specialist Indian chef and imported essential equipment, including two large tandoori ovens. While the menu and staff training were promptly finalized, the engineering side lagged, threatening our planned opening date set by the hotel’s owners, the State Organisation for Tourism in Iraq (identified as ‘Tourism’).
Recognizing the urgency, General Manager and Vice President Madan Misra stepped in. He understood the critical importance of meeting our deadline to maintain our reputation and partnership with the Iraqi government. Misra, known for his decisive leadership, called an emergency meeting with all managers, contractors, and the Engineering Department. After a brief update from me, he took charge, declaring, “We will open this restaurant within 24 hours. I will not tolerate any delays. I want all of you to work non-stop until the restaurant is open. I will do the same. Understand?”
With Misra’s direct management style, we worked tirelessly through the night. At 12 midnight, he positioned himself in the middle of the restaurant floor, continuously issuing orders. Despite the gruelling hours, Anlil Indian Restaurant opened on schedule the next evening, marking a triumphant debut.
The opening night was a grand affair. Clad in colourful Indian sarees, wives of three senior managers, including my own, volunteered as hosts. The restaurant was packed, and our team excelled in delivering the finest Indian cuisine in Iraq with impeccable five-star service.
Anlil quickly garnered immense popularity and rave reviews from the media. The success of Anlil not only enhanced Oberoi’s reputation but also positioned the brand for further expansion in Iraq, beyond the three five-star hotels we already managed.
An Unorthodox Opportunity
“Mr. Jayawardena, meet Mr. Abdul Tawwab, the Head of Tourism in Iraq,” Madan Misra introduced me to a distinguished looking gentleman during Anlil’s opening. Tawwab, a senior Baath Party member, influential politician, and a confidante of President Sadam Hussein, dined at the head table with his wife and other VIPs. After that meeting, I encountered him frequently at the hotel, where he enjoyed the fine dining restaurants, gym, and spa. Each visit was anticipated, and Misra, the Resident Manager, and I, ensured a warm welcome and farewell.
One day, Tawwab arrived at the hotel visibly angry and had a long, private conversation with Misra. After Tawwab left, Misra summoned me to a one-on-one meeting. “Mr. Jayawardena, close the door and sit down. I must tell you something highly confidential.” Misra’s excitement was palpable. “Oberoi and Tourism are very happy with your work. Would you like to take over the food and beverage division of another five-star hotel in Baghdad, in addition to your current responsibilities?”
Seeing this as a promotion, I eagerly accepted. However, Misra kept the hotel’s identity a secret, only revealing that it was a 350-room property with seven food and beverage outlets and a large banquet operation. “Keep this confidential but start the ground work discreetly. Identify chefs, restaurant managers, and bar supervisors who can be transferred with promotions at short notice. If needed, we’ll bring in more managers from India, Egypt,
and Sri Lanka when we sign the management contract.”
Misra explained that all expatriate managers at that 350-room hotel, managed by an international company, would be dismissed by Tourism. Shocked by the abruptness, I asked why. Misra revealed, “Today, when Mr. Tawwab entered that hotel, their American General Manager had displayed disrespect. He failed to welcome Mr. Tawwab and remained seated at the coffee shop even after seeing him. Consequently, it was decided by Mr. Tawwab to expel that hotel company from Iraq, pending our readiness to take over the hotel for management!”
To be continued, next Sunday…
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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