Features
Giving life to days
UHKDU Palliative Care Services Unit
By Sajitha Prematunge
Fifty six year-old Somalatha was diagnosed with end stage cancer and was already bedridden by the time she was admitted to hospital. With proper care she was able to walk again and was looking forward to making a secure future for her children. But tragedy struck Somalatha’s family again. After her husband suddenly died of a stroke, she was forced to fend for herself. Soon after her condition worsened. Unfortunately Somalatha didn’t live to see her kids receive scholarships with the help of the dedicated University Hospital, Kotelawala Defence University staff, who cared for her.
Although her name is fictitious her predicament is all too real and thousands like her die annually without vital palliative care they are denied just because they couldn’t afford it. It is true that the Sri Lankan healthcare system is one of the best in the world, in that it is almost exclusively free of charge. But no system is infallible. It is patients like Somalatha who have to bear the brunt of its shortcomings, falling through the cracks of the Sri Lankan healthcare system.
In this light, University Hospital, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Palliative Care Services Unit, inaugurate on February 3 should be lauded as a timely intervention, although they had been practising palliative care long before. The UHKDU Palliative Care Services Unit was initiated at a time when repeated attempts to establish such services by various institutions had failed.
Palliative care
“The simple definition of palliative care is to optimise the quality of life of patients and care givers or loved ones, from the moment the patient is diagnosed with a chronic illness. The definition of ‘chronic’ here has wide implications, ranging from terminal cancer, schizophrenia, chronic neurological diseases, motor neuron disease, stroke to multiple fractures. Any of these conditions require palliative care,” said Consultant Oncologist Dr. Sachini Rasnayake.
It is difficult to believe that this personage of slight build heads Palliative Care Services at UHKDU, deftly fielding inquiries of changes to medication, pain management, financial issues and fears of patients, while breaking bad news to patients as gently as possible on an all too regular basis. “The responsibility of the palliative care giver is to uplift lives of the patients physically, psychosocially and spiritually,” said Rasnayake.
Goals
UHKDU Palliative Care Services was established with four main goals in mind. The first of which was to appoint a palliative care team. Rasnayake said that having so many expert consultants from different fields within the UHKDU was an added advantage. “A number of consultants volunteered to provide their services,” said a grateful Rasnayake. She opined that this team spirit was vital in establishing palliative care services. “A team of consultant anaesthetists volunteered to conduct a pain management clinic,” said Rasnayake, who pointed out that pain management is key priority when dealing with any chronic illness. “A group of physicians volunteered to attend to medical issues of palliative care patients. Onco-surgeons and the surgical team looks into the surgical aspect of palliative care.” For example, a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube is surgically inserted into a patient’s stomach through the abdominal wall for feeding purposes. “This is much more desirable than the nasogastric (NG) tube. An NG, inserted through the nose, past the throat, and into the stomach, is very uncomfortable for the patient.”
The team at UHKDU has performed the procedure on multiple long term paralysed patients and patients with throat cancers. “Long term bedridden patients require catheter care and may suffer from urinary incontinence, accidental or involuntary loss of urine; or faecal incontinence, accidental or involuntary loss of faeces or flatus.” Rasnayake explained that indwelling catheters could cause a host of other problems such as urinary track infections. “Genitourinary (GU) surgeons are tasked with addressing such issues.” Rasnayake appreciated the fact that the few oncologists at KDU were able to volunteer for palliative care despite their heavy workload. “Palliative care at UHKDU has no designated Medical Officers. But with much difficulty we were able to secure one nurse. The whole oncology team along with the pharmacists are all experts at palliative care and are wholeheartedly supportive of this initiative.” The rest of the palliative care team consists of a dedicated group of psychiatrists, psychologists and ENT surgeons.
Their second goal is to conduct ongoing medical education programmes. She explained that the team, including the supporting staff had undergone training. “By 2022 we hope that the whole hospital staff would be trained in palliative care,” said Rasnayake hopefully. “It’s vital that everyone undergoes training, since every service accompanies a component of palliative care.” Rasnayake informed that virtual teaching clips were used to train and online assessments used to ascertain the success of candidates, validated through a certification process. “If there is one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s how pragmatic and applicable virtual training is. For example training a whole staff at the same time would mean that they would have to expend vital work hours. But with virtual training clips the potential care-givers can learn at their own pace.” UHKDU, Executive Director and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Jayan Mendis was the first to identify the crying need for a palliative care facility within the University Hospital. Mendis reiterated the significance of such an initiative, pointing out that the training students receive at the facility will be crucial.
The third goal is to provide palliative care home visits. Rasnayake explained that such a service would be beneficial to bedridden patients who experience financial constraints. “Unfortunately we still don’t have a free a
mbulance service.” Rasnayake said that while serving in Polonnaruwa the Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation provided an ambulance service free of charge, which facilitated Rasnayake’s travel to distant parts of the country so she could provide palliative care services to patients who could not afford to travel. “With home visits we can address issues such as constipation, administer IV drips, train care givers and optimise the condition of the patient’s accommodation, including lighting and ventilation.”
The fourth goal is to establish a palliative care hospice. “Palliative Care Unit, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Onco Sergeon Dr. Krishantha Perera has achieved just this,” said Rasnayake. “There isn’t such a hospital in Colombo.” She explained that a hospice would see to the psychosocial well being of a patient, in a homely environment, providing symptomatic support. Towards achieving their last goal KDU Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris has announced his agreement to allocate 10 such rooms from the KDU hotel, to extend this facility to short term palliative care patients. “For the first time in Sri Lankan health tourism, UHKDU has introduced the hospital hotel concept,” said Peiris. “Moreover, in an emergency the patient can be transferred to the hospital in less than five minutes.”
Rasnayake informed that a host of other services concerning palliative care is provided in-house by physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers. Providing radiation therapy at the palliative care facility is also in the works. “But to establish such services and facilities we must have the man power and resources,” Rasnayake pointed out. Rasnayake said that manpower, resources and understanding are integral to palliative care, aspects Sri Lanka is lagging behind in, compared to developed countries. “Unfortunately this has not been well communicated to the community. Most don’t know how they can provide such services,” said Rasnayake. She explained that this is the greatest difference between a hospital and a hospice. “At a hospice you can offer your services, clean and wash patients, subject to supervision, and even entertain them. In a hospital there are rules and regulations that prevents this.”
“One doesn’t have to be medically proficient to practise palliative care. Many who’ve had fallen on hard times in their lives later want to help others through such times,” said Oncology Department, Research Assistant, Dr. Sandini Liyanage. Liyanage and her ilk are stuck between a rock and a hard place. “We want to help, but there’s only so much we can do. We can only treat the patient, with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. But a lot more goes on in the patients’ lives. A terminal illness entails a host of psychosocial issues.” For example, Liyanage explained that, from the moment someone is diagnose with stage four cancer, they’ll invariably start to worry about everything from money, treatment to how to educate their children. “They will mentally fall apart.” Liyanage who is volunteering for palliative care service said that the services are available to any patient, although most who currently receive services are oncology patients. “It’s not just about treating the cancer. The families are also devastated. Cancer takes not only lives but a lot of other things from the family the patient leaves behind.”
Socio-economic constraints
As medical officers of palliative care those like Liyanage are able to build a complete picture about the socio-economic background of a patient by studying their history. She pointed out that most of the patients who require palliative care services are of lower socio-economic backgrounds, who were struggling to make ends meet when the illness in question exacerbated the situation.
“That’s why communication is vital. Palliative care strives to provide a patient-friendly environment,” said nurse Yashmi Kaushalya. Oncology Department nurse, the only such working full time for the Palliative Care unit, Kaushalya is a far cry from the average nurse. With a temperament befitting palliative care, Kaushalya’s calm and measured speech will no doubt assuage her patients. “As nurses we are required to communicate with patients and family members.” Palliative care nurses must be privy to psychological, physical, socio-economic problems of patients. She opined that palliative care is instrumental in caring for patients who have little family backing.
As a nurse new to palliative care, Kaushalya has not broken bad news to a patient’s family yet, for which she would accompany Rasnayake tomorrow. “It can’t be easy breaking bad news,” admitted Kaushalya. “In fact, our services have a lot more to do with caring for patients psychologically than physically,” said Kaushalya. “This is what makes palliative care nurses different from the average nurse.”
“When the patient does not have money to buy drugs, palliative care ends then and there. Although palliative care has been practised for ages, when social and financial capability is curtailed the quality of service drops. This is why social and economical support is vital,” admitted Rasnayake, who had bought drugs for patients out of her own pocket on several occasions. She reiterated that trust and continuous social care services and above all financial support is imperative for maintaining sustainable palliative care.
Rasnayake is positive that money will not be an obstacle for the continuity of the programme. Cancer Care Association founder and Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa provides much needed support, while Indira Caner Trust Director Dr. Lanka Dissanayake and Cancer Society President Anuja Karunaratne have pledged support for the programme. Rasnayake emphasised the significance of establishing a palliative care trust and a governing body to coordinate funds and all stakeholders, to ensure continued support for patients. Rasnayake appreciated the support of senior journalist and former diplomat late Bandula Jayasekara in making the programme a success.
Rasnayake readily admits that Oncology Department Head, Senior Oncologist Dr. Jayantha Balawardhane is the driving force behind the programme. Balawardhane explained that the main objectives of palliative care is to relieve and comfort patients. He pointed out that palliative care can be conducted in the ward, acute care hospital, palliative care unit or hospice, hostel, nursing home, elders home or one’s own home. “Place is immaterial when it comes to palliative care.” Balawardhane emphasized that pain relief is an integral part of palliative care. “Relieving pain is half the battle in palliative care.” Other discomforts such as bedsores, loss of bladder and bowel control adds insult to injury.
Psychosocial issues
Psychosocial issues such as sense of abandonment, anger, frustration and resentment exacerbate the psychological condition 
of the patient. “Patients maybe embittered, therefore we must address such psychosocial issues with care,” reiterated Balawardhane. Social abandonment, resulting from stigma, due to myths such as cancer is contagious or associating those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy could adversely affect others, and busy schedules that prevent loved ones from visiting are among the major social issues faced by palliative care patients. “Cosmetic mutilation is also a major issue,” pointed out Balawardhane. Treatment results in hair loss, palloring of skin and weight loss and this contributes to patients becoming social outcasts.
“Palliative care must also respect cultural differences and religious inclinations. For example, one who may believe in reincarnation may attempt to weigh one’s merits and demerits, contemplating on where he or she would be reborn. All this contribute to the suffering of the patient,” said Balawardhane. Quoting from American neurosurgeon, pathologist and writer, Harvey Cushing, Balawardhane said that, “‘A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man – he must view the man in his world’, meaning that palliative care is holistic care. Most importantly it should be patient centred, family centred.” Palliative care should be comprehensive, leaving no stone unturned, continuous and proactive, delivered by a coordinated team and subject to regular review.”
The palliative care team consists of nurse, dietician, pharmacist, occupational therapist, paramedical aid, General Practitioner, bereavement support worker, social worker, councillor, domestic care provider and even the funeral director plays a vital role in the team. Palliative care is a support system that facilitates an active lifestyle for as long as medically possible. “This requires a lot of distractions such as games like carom, card or scrabble, listening to music or watching TV.” Palliative care practitioners use their clinical expertise and judgement to anticipate problems and treat them proactively before they manifest. “Integration of psychological, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care between patient, family and caregivers is imperative to the functioning of the palliative care process,” emphasised Balawardhane.
Palliative care trains the patient to regard dying as a normal process, by improving the quality of life for the remainder, explained Balawardhane. “Quality is subjective, it differs from person to person.” he explained that the care provider must not enforce what he or she assumes as ‘quality’ on the patient and in stead must cater to patient demand. Palliative care promotes a degree of acceptance by the patient and immediate family, regarding the final outcome and assists the patient in the decision-making process that would result in a peaceful and dignified demise. Bereavement support helps loved ones to accept loss and does not abruptly stop with the demise of patient under palliative care. “The objective is to give life to days, whatever the remaining number of days, and not give days to life.”
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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