Features
“MAY THEY ALL ROT IN HELL, AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS”
TRUMP’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF PEACE AND GOODWILL TO OPPONENTS:
by Vijaya Chandrasoma
As we complete another eventful year, I would like to apologize for the many shortcomings I have displayed over the years. The most common complaint has been that my essays are tediously lengthy and boring.
The second complaint is that my obsession with Trump has become annoyingly tiresome. In my defense and contrary to the teachings of psychiatry and all religions, that hatred is self-destructive, my loathing of Trump has been of enormous therapeutic relief to me. Hatred that has made me a better person, because all the evil in my heart is reserved exclusively for the “Stable Genius”.
Trump’s unhinged and profane Christmas message on his Truth Social media network is addressed to those who recognize him for the narcissistic crook he is. He chooses this time of sanctity, not only for Christians but to people of every faith, who embrace and celebrate the universal message of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All, to spew the very essence of blasphemy.
“Merry Christmas to Crooked Joe, the out-of-control Deranged Jack Smith….and the SICK THUGS who are looking to destroy our once great USA”. Ending with “ROT IN HELL” as headlined above. Trump is a sick psychopath, nutty as a Christmas fruitcake.
Sadly, his visions of dictatorship and revenge appeal to his Republican base, who see him as the Savior who will take Hitler-like steps to save their worst nightmare of the loss of white privilege; that the country will fall under the yoke of an invasion of brown-skinned immigrants who will poison the pure blood of the rightful owners of the USA, the Christian white supremacists.
I thought it would be appropriate to end the year with a record of the legislative inaction of the Republican House, with just 22 laws passed this year, out of a total of 700 laws pending. The previous record for legislative inactivity was in 2011, when 73 laws were passed. Brevity would therefore be a given, and my best intentions to contain my propensity for prolixity would have been admirably served.
Unfortunately, the vulgarity of the Christmas wishes of the crass Trump hit the headlines, and I could not resist the temptation of reporting on a subject that highlights, as if any more highlighting were necessary, the vengeful lunacy of the former president. So brevity again went down the tubes.
Conservative Republican Congressman from Texas, Chip Roy agrees with my contention that the Republican Party has done very little this year. He recently took to the House floor to tear into his fellow Republicans. “Our party has become a complete, useless dumpster fire that does nothing to help the American people; because it is too busy investigating the president’s son, kissing the last president’s ass, and fighting each other….For the life of me, I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing – just one – that I can say to my constituents that we have done to help the American people”.
I can give him three, but instead of helping the American people, they have only focused on the Party’s disunity, in competition as to who kissed the former president’s ass most unctuously, initiated an evidence-free Impeachment Inquiry against President Biden and ruined Santa’s Christmas.
For starters, Republicans fired Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose ten-month tenure ended when he became the first Speaker in history to be ousted by members of his own party, hardline Trumpers with the brownest of noses.
On September 30, in a rare moment of empathy for his fellow Americans, McCarthy acted against the wishes of Trump, voting with the Democrats to avoid a government shutdown that would have caused chaos and embarrassed the Biden administration. Unfortunately for him, this is the only goal, the raison d’etre of Trump and his party. So he had to go.
In a poignant speech when he surrendered the Speaker’s gavel, McCarthy stated, to an almost empty chamber, “Do not be fearful if you believe your philosophy brings people more freedom. Do not be fearful that you could lose your job over it”.
We all remember McCarthy pleading with Trump over the telephone to call off the rioters, from the floor of Congress, during the January 6 insurrection. An expletive-filled shouting match resulted when Trump refused, ending with a furious McCarthy shouting at Trump, as the rioters were breaking into his office, “Who the f… do you think you are talking to”, before fleeing to safety.
Directly after the insurrection, McCarthy excoriated Trump, in Congress, for his complicity in the assault on the Capitol. Three weeks later, however, fearful of losing his job, he visited Trump at Mar a Lago, cap in hand and kissed the ring, showing us exactly who the f… he really was, how fearful he was about losing his job and how little he cares about the freedom of the people.
After ejecting McCarthy, the Republicans elected as their new Speaker Louisiana Congressman and avid Trumper, Mike Johnson, a backbencher who suddenly found himself to be second-in-line to the presidency, after VP Kamala Harris. Part of his six years’ experience in the House was his ardent support of Trump’s violent January 6, 2021 insurrection. Johnson is a devoted Christian who believes that the US is governed not by the Constitution but by the Bible, the current Republican version, according to which the “Orange Jesus” is the Son of God.
The Republicans, who have been trying to impeach President Biden since the day of his inauguration, voted, on December 13 to formally authorize an Impeachment Inquiry into President Biden. An evidence-free Inquiry into the yet unknown high crimes and misdemeanors (the constitutional requirement for the impeachment of a president) committed by the President. An earlier Inquiry fell through when the first of their “expert witnesses” opened with the admission that their investigation had uncovered no impeachable evidence against President Biden.
Republican Congressman James Comer, chief architect of the current Inquiry, was asked by Steve Doocy during an interview on Republican-friendly Fox News, for details of the high crimes and misdemeanors committed by Biden. Comer said that such evidence was what the Inquiry was intended to find, based on that famous American legal principle that “a man is guilty until proved innocent”.
Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin compared the proposed impeachment to one of Agatha Christie’s famous “Whodunit” mystery novels. The only difference being that the “who” and the “dun” are known, but the “it” is the real mystery.
The real reason for the impeachment of Biden was Trump’s plaintive, kindergarten cry: “Mommy, mommy, he started it. He did it to me, so we must do it to him!”
The Republicans enacted earth-shattering legislation last week, that public schools should serve schoolkids whole milk instead of low-fat milk, which had hitherto been on the cafeteria menu. Legislation that took precedence over funding for Ukraine and Israel, the climate crisis, gun violence and other relatively insignificant problems that could easily be postponed till after the holidays.
In an attempt to promote a healthy diet in school meals, Republican Congresswoman from North Carolina, Virginia Foxx, waxed eloquent on the benefits of whole milk in one of the finest political orations since Rev. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech in 1963.
“It’s Christmas time in America, with the tradition of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa and his reindeer to enjoy. It is a tradition in my family to leave only whole milk with the cookies. We only want the best nutritional option for Santa.
“Whole milk provides the nutrients like calcium, protein and Vitamin D to enable Santa to circle the globe in one night. It helps build and repair his muscles, necessary for hoisting heavy sacks of gifts up and down chimneys; it keeps Santa’s bones strong as he dashes from rooftop to rooftop; and whole milk is essential to keep Santa warm as he braves the cold wintry night.
“You see, it’s just not the magic of the season that helps Santa deliver presents worldwide – it’s also the fortifying nutrients of whole milk”.
Ms. Foxx’s dream was that one day, all public schools in America will recognize the value of whole milk, which will surely provide the nutrition necessary for all children to successfully complete their math homework, irrespective of the color of their skin or the content of their character.
Santa had heard rumors about the Republican whole milk plans before embarking on his annual trek. Shivers ran down his spine, not only because it was freezing cold in the North Pole. He had sent an urgent message to Congresswoman Foxx, long before Christmas Eve, that his reindeer, except for Rudolf, whose nose was suspiciously red, did enjoy whole milk during their arduous journey. As for himself, he would appreciate it if the nice people would leave him a large shot of single malt Scotch whiskey with the cookies, which would more effectively fortify him, and keep him snug and warm while dashing on rooftops and down chimneys on that cold wintry night.
Santa made this earnest request because Mrs. Claus, in her capacity as President of the North Pole, had recently enforced Prohibition in that continent. Santa had been forced to drink bootleg booze the past few months, and had been looking forward to a decent drink on Christmas Eve, as do we all.
Alas, his message had fallen on deaf years, and he had to drink that awful whole milk with his cookies. His traditionally booming “Ho Ho Ho” was strangely muted.
The Republican Congress added to their “achievements”, the denial of a woman’s fundamental rights to reproductive freedom, with a decision that could only be described as sadistically inhumane. A cynical ruling made by a few old white geezers who barely know what the hell a uterus is.
Ms. Kate Cox, married with two children, is a resident of Texas. A deep-red state with Draconian laws, Texas banned abortion under virtually any and all circumstances last year.
Ms. Cox sued to obtain an abortion after learning that her fetus had a fatal chromosomal condition and spinal abnormalities. Her doctor had informed her that there was no chance her unborn baby would survive birth or live for a few hours afterwards. A continuing pregnancy would jeopardize not only her own life, but also her future fertility. Tragically, abortion was her only option.
A lower court judge ruled in favor of Ms. Cox’s immediate abortion, but the Texas Supreme Court overruled that decision. Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, threatened to punish any doctor who provided Ms. Cox an abortion. Ms. Cox was forced to flee Texas and have the procedure done in a state with more humanitarian values.
With the election looming in November, the Republican House will likely continue to block every progressive measure proposed by the Biden administration. We can only hope that the economy will continue to thrive in the new year. More importantly, that moderate Republicans and Independents will finally realize that Trump, if allowed to contest and is elected to the presidency, will bring about an era of authoritarian terror, the white supremacist version of the Spanish Inquisition, from which the nation may never recover.
There are hopeful signs that many such moderate Republicans and Independents are beginning to feel apprehension and tiring of Trump’s continuing dangerous rhetoric, his monotonous whining that he is the victim of a perennial witch-hunt. Rival Republican candidate Nikki Haley seems to be gaining momentum to be a live threat to eat into Trump’s substantial lead in the Republican polls.
If she upsets Trump for the Republican nomination, or if Trump is constitutionally or criminally disqualified from seeking re-election, she would be a worthy, moderate candidate, a skilled politician to challenge President Biden, whom she currently leads by double digits in the polls in a head-to-head presidential race. In fact, she may attract votes from many Democrats who feel that Biden’s advanced age is a distinct problem.
And happily, Trump will finally face accountability for all the violent and treasonous crimes he has committed in a desperate attempt to remain in power and so avoid certain imprisonment.I wish readers a happy, healthy, Trump-free 2024, more with trepidation than confidence for the democratic future of the United States.
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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