Features
Pandora’s box of incendiary papers; no national acclaim for our singer of international fame
Oh-me-gosh! Financial secrets may be out! Even if censorship is imposed, some damage is done to corrupt rogues who often enrich themselves at the expense of their motherland. The damage? Burning anxiety, sleepless nights, stress and fear of being stripped metaphorically naked to public view. That itself is half punishment.
Pandora Papers
Very interesting to write about these papers that have very recently jack-in-the-box-jumped out in bang bang fashion, probably unexpectedly but with sure fire defamation of some very high world VVIPs, a couple still heading their countries like Putin. Discussion about these papers in reference to our beautiful island gone rotten with corruption is flying around among our expat Sri Lankans in the US and Australia, and surely in other countries too. Most probably ours too, but Cass is no Facebook aficionado.
The papers were compiled by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) – an ensemble of 600 journos from 150 media outlets in 117 countries. The papers shed light on previously hidden dealings of the elite and corrupt and how they have used offshore accounts to shield asset collections worth trillions of dollars. (Wish we could get some to pay off parts at least of our national debt! The couple mentioned should be fined, Cass shouts). Millions of documents – “largest trove of leaked data exposing tax haven secrecy in history” – reveal off shore deals and assets of more than 100 billionaires, 30 world leaders and 300 public officials.
Sri Lanka has had one, actually a husband and wife, exposed as listed in the Pandora Papers. That’s the one leak over here. Since she is a relative of the ruling Rajapaksas, she may escape actual punishment by law, but her reputation as a smart woman and previous MP are shattered. May be a reputation and earned esteem from people is much more valuable than rupees or dollars or pounds sterling, however large that haul may be.
One matter that Cass – old, experienced and of worldly wisdom – cannot understand is the urge, nay madness to go on amassing stolen wealth. Hasn’t the hidden message that Covid-19 brought in – the ephemerality of life; how a life having youth, good health and all the wealth in the world can be snuffed out gasping for oxygen? We Ordinaries have believed the truth of the sheer impermanence of life, taught by the Buddha –- but consequent to the suffering during the pandemic, we have realised the truth. Do not those who previously had no money to go on an educational tour, or travelled by push bike, or even were well-to -do, know that money amassing should have a limit? Doesn’t look like it. Some said, wait and see – retribution will come for corruption, while others said – no, they get on fine. Now a sword of Damocles has appeared. Maybe ineffective in good ole Sri Lanka but … Sharp minds with good advice to successfully stash away ill-gotten wealth may escape but one never knows…
A world acclaimed singer – unsung officially in Sri Lanka
Cass wrote about Yohani de Silva in her last Friday’s column but she avers it is very much in order to give her a further paragraph or two this Friday too. She was labeled by ole Cass as ‘sweet singer’. Kudos have been showered on her (internationally it must be mentioned) and my goodness, President Biden no less, is reported to have said he would like to hear her sing after hearing the young violinist play the tune of Yohani and Satheesha’s Menike mage hithe on a Californian street, just as his ambassador to Sri Lanka – Alaina B Teplitz –praised Yohani. She was near mobbed by adoring fans when she went to India to give a performance but rushed back to keep a singing date. And she remains her unsophisticated, sincere self. Thank goodness! It’s her home and school upbringing (she acknowledges her Major General father’s admonitions) and her higher education and wide exposure to the world that keeps her unswollen head firmly on her shoulders. What a sharp and appreciated contrast to many of our starlets, models and one beauty queen. (I wonder who the young woman was who was questioned by a reporter whether she was with Lohan Rat when he visited the Welikada Prison. She replied sharply as if the journo was grossly unfair to her that she had never seen or spoken to the said Lohan)
Well, the above bit about lovable Yohani is due to watching a YouTube titled ‘Talk with Sudaththa’ in which he spoke glowingly (completely justified) in praise of Yohani and commented that the government has failed to acknowledge the fame and recognition she has brought to the country. He said SJB MP Nalin Bandara had proposed this recognition in Parliament but not taken up at all with only a nod from the Speaker. He used some choice epithets for the MPS – nari rela et al.
Recognition by the powers that be seems to be choosy and favoured. I remember how Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala was hardly recognised for her stupendous feat of summiting Mt Everest on May 21, 2016, and was hardly mentioned by any VVIP. No national honour given her and her climbing companion Johan Peries who succeeded to summit Everest two years later.
Another missed honour-giving was when Kumar Sangakkara led the cricket team for a World Cup in 2007. Our team was tops but there definitely was a jinx; apparent in Kumar’s facial expression and body language as he walked to the centre of the grounds to toss the coin. Sri Lanka were runners-up to India, but no kudos at all, while on a later date, Cass believes, winning a series against Australia got the cricketers brand new cars. Correct Cass if she is wrong
as she writes from memory. We all remember full well Sangakkara’s brilliant MCC ‘Spirit of Cricket’ address at Lords in 2011. He received the rare honour of a standing ovation over in the UK and here at home, a threat from the then Minister of Sports. Aluthgamage, to have his speech “investigated”. Both these so absurdly laughable; proving again you have to be a stooge to be honoured in this Land like no Other or better, belong to a certain family! Favour goes to those who run behind politicians. Cass adds this does not seem to be the case with the colour green and now the telephone symbol.
Dazzling but lacking in haute couture elegance
Talking also of grace and dignity, plenty of which Yohani presents in her clothes, grooming and demeanour, one wonders who designs the clothes for the female compere and the woman judge – small screen star and dancer – in the Hiru channel’s Dream Star Contests. The finals were this last weekend and the previous weekend. The woman judge was all a glitter with epaulets of hanging gold tassels, which quite debased her natural good looks. The female compere sported a shimmery broad-shouldered dress with outsize sleeves and the skirt so short it was right up where the thigh meets hip. The leggy creature left little to the imagination, but a blush of shame on Cass’ mug. Cass merely glances at this show to gape and gasp at the fashions or lack of same. Such show off borders on the vul – sorry – lack of real taste. Imitation of Emmy and Grammy dressed stars does not suit our locals and anyway those foreign singers/dancers dress stunningly but with saving grace. In contrast to most locals, Upuli Panibaratha, who was a judge at another dance contest, was in an Indian traditional silk draped beautifully, complementing her and enhancing her dignified personality.
Final guffaw
A quote from abroad brought to Cass’ notice the anguish suffered and reward offered for finding Chi Chi, the fabulously expensive angora cat belonging to the family of the youngest son of the PM of Free Sri Lanka. It was answered by another anguished man who said his son was lost but had no wealth to reward the finder or info giver. Was the famous feline found? Had it temporarily escaped luxury and comfort desiring a mundane existence or was it stolen?
Talking, and seriously this time, Mohamed Zahran writes a letter to Editor of The Island on Wednesday 6 October on the Smell of Garlic, commending the all-too-rare whistle blower, Exec Director of Consumer Affairs Authority – Thusan Goonawardena – for boldly exposing the garlic scam. “The government should not allow him to resign but grant him a promotion. We need more people of his calibre …” Yes, most definitely yes adds Cassandra as she takes your leave for a week.
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 . )
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
