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On rising from the ashes
The Galle Face demonstration has many lessons for us. The power of peaceful protest, common causes unite people, corrupt uncaring leaderships are self-destructive, tenacity and resilience among the demonstrators are crucial and we are a society of humane people.
The often heard comment is that this demonstration is doomed to fail, for lack of leadership – meaning political participation. In this respect, The Samagi Jana Bala vegaya (SJB) has astutely gained traction, by the organized Kandy to Colombo march culminating at Galle Face, on May Day. I see this as a demonstration of endorsement, rather than as a hijack. Some have foretold chaos (Arajitha yugaya) if the Rajapaksa hierarchy is disturbed. We hope not.
For the Prophets of doom, I can only say, “Just you wait and see”. This is a triumph for youth. Once they reach their goal, then a difficult future awaits. The tenacity and stubborn resistance of the old guard is not hard to understand.
Apart from a desire to continue in power and savour the benefits and luxury, enjoyed even by their wayward offspring, there is an element of fear that any spoils of office, stashed away in safe havens, are at risk.
I am no expert on such matters, but my understanding is that the old anonymity (the so-called numbered) Bank Accounts can no longer enjoy protection from scrutiny, especially if they pertain to suspected illegal transactions, involving State resources;. I believe that following the widespread thievery of State Funds, by the likes of Marcos (Philippines) and Suharto (Indonesia) among other despots, the shackles that protected their accounts from embarrassing disclosures, no longer remain. Unfortunately, South Asia has had more than their fair share of delinquents. The recent ouster of Imran Khan, probably relates to his declared crusade to remove the over-powering stench of political wheeler-dealing in Pakistan.
While the immediate future for our country lies in Sri Lanka addressing the real economic plight of the country. IMF or not, rescheduling or debts or not, the fact remains that beyond immediate relief, there has to be a system change. There can be no progress without change, but all change is not necessarily progress. Two radical truths of the recent rebellion are, to my mind, the strength of “people power”, and the reluctance and obstinacy of those on the gravy train of untrammeled theft of national resources, to give up.
Unfortunately there seems to be an understanding, within the polity, of a “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours;” call it collusion, unholy alliance, partners in crime or whatever, it has led to a relentless journey towards national destruction.
The apparent hostility and opposition within political groupings is fake. The real battle is between “politics” versus “the people”. I would call it the “Cahoot Principle”. “Cahoot” meaning partnership, conspiracy, company, collusion, bunch, group, band or similar collective. A structure of solemnity, and principle is built around this. Cabinets and Parliaments are two such structures that manifest as symbols of this reality. They cloak themselves in a nobility that makes them invincible and incapable of being reduced to nudity.
The last month, Galle Face and widespread peoples’ rallies, processions, Satyagrahas and “fasts unto death” are possibly signs that at long last, this truth is being recognized – the penny has finally dropped. Our vocabularies have new words to enrich them – “games”, being one of the main ones in use – with the flavor of dark conspiracies, unholy alliances and political play acting.
All the while, the play-acting, which shows in the body language and conviviality continues. The pretended hostility displayed on political shows, though palpably fake, still deceives some. Meanwhile, the public coffers are robbed, champions of truth are murdered, hallowed institutions especially of Justice and judicial structures are relentlessly raped, law enforcement authorities compromised, dissenters murdered, boot lickers rewarded and nepotism rampant .These are indicative of moral decay.
Unless the well-articulated demands of the masses are respected and implemented, more violent expressions are possible. This could lead to further discontent and less manageable hell. The Rajapaksa cabal, which has exploited its power in manifold directions, has to go. The rank absurdity of enormously expensive cars, carrying their unworthy contents, from house to house, all through the night is repulsive.
The wholly unethical bribing of politicos for their shifty loyalty, merely enrages the already restive crowds. While the nation writhes in near-death agony, this buffoonery of head counts, alliances, no-confidence motions are irrelevant and must stop. The key villains in the political circus, cannot hide themselves for ever. Already the multitude are learning that surrounding their hideouts is an effective weapon. What is now a trickle may become a deluge. One hopes that “sleight-of- hand politics” has had its day: the time for honesty has begun.
The two major problems that assail the Nation are (i).The dire state of the economy, crippled by debt and thievery, leading to a possible collapse of our economy, ( if it has not already done so), and (II) Political instability.
No temporary fixes will be sufficient. But within that reality, somethings needs to be done. The Rajapaksas will soon be out. Resigning or escaping with their ill-gotten wealth. They should be retained, until every one of them and their accomplices, in this robbery of national assets, are stripped of the money they have robbed. Everything, whether held as cash or real estate (locally and abroad), should accrue to the State, and be sold by auction. Those officials who have aided and abetted in illegal cash transfers, should also be punished.
Dubai, Seychelles, Western capitals and more recently Uganda as a minimum, deserve priority. The complicity/unwillingness/inability of successive Governments to stop this haemorrhage is astonishing. This unlawful activity could possibly not have gone unnoticed. The obvious inference would be that most of them have been in this game themselves.
The fear must be that any systematic effort (paper chase) may well take them to surprising destinations. This country has to be rid of this abominable crime. The “Cahoot” principle is probably operative. If one were to just Google (“Ten richest politicians/people in Sri Lanka”) may reveal some unexpected names. The leading horses will be no surprise but the other “jockeys” might.
If these, perhaps largely undeclared largesse of dubious origins, and held as financial and real estate, in their names, proxies and their immediate and peripherally related family, were unearthed, withdrawn or sold, much of our current liabilities could be covered, international respect be restored and any future miscreants be discouraged.
A thought that constantly crosses my mind is –what would their offspring think of the rotten depths to which their parents have descended, in acquiring this astronomical wealth, which is now theirs to flaunt? Or, have these disgusting degenerates themselves been dulled to believe that crimes are OK, if only they are smart enough to not get caught? Time was when our parents were our role models, and thievery, lies, deceit, deception and debauchery were simply not morally acceptable.
The expected response, if seizure of assets is demanded, would be – “But the Law does not provide”. The choices would be (a) Change the Laws or (b) Defy them. The first may take too long, the second may provoke lengthy legal process. Regarding the second, the usual response to perceived State injustice is to challenge the complainant to “go to ourts”. Everybody knows what that means in wasted cash and time. But here is a case where the plaintiff is the State and the respondent is the presumed miscreant.
It is painfully true that even if the “Galle Face Forces” triumph in evicting the ruling cabal, along with its innumerable sidekicks and stooges, “What next”? I hopefully believe that “behind the scenes,” options are lined up, and await the cleansing of the seats, after which there would be a team or a seamless take-over.
The oft heard remedy as lying in a new constitution is highly debatable. But this would make this contribution too long and stretch the indulgence of the editors too far. This has to remain the subject for a separate piece.
Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda
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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