Features
Perils of Vaccine Diplomacy
by Dr Sarala Fernando
Prime Minister Modi led the global response to Covid 19 with his vaccine maithri diplomacy. By end of March 2021 India had supplied 60 million doses of its locally produced Astra Zeneca or Covishield to over 70 countries through grants in aid, gifts and commercial transactions. Sri Lanka was fortunate and grateful to be one of the earliest beneficiaries under the Indian gift, receiving 500,000 doses at the end of January. This, together with a similar amount purchased from the Serum Institute combined with the WHO first Covax donation of 264,000 doses enabled the vaccination roll-out in Sri Lanka to begin early.
However, in a twist of fate, the Modi government is now being criticized in India for generosity to the world without providing sufficiently for India’s own needs while at the other end of the spectrum, governments like the UK are being criticized for hoarding vaccines in an abundance of caution over new variants!
As a recipient country Sri Lanka’s dilemma was different, having made the initial mistake of deciding to control the import and distribution of the vaccines without private sector participation. These controls have led to unending charges of lack of equity and transparency, generating a public uproar which has become like a ticking time bomb for the government. Take for instance the first WHO Covax donation to Sri Lanka which was intended for the most vulnerable, the elderly, numbering some 2.65 million over 60’s . However the elderly are way down on Sri Lanka’s priority list. Now that Covax has confirmed it will provide a second round of Astra Zeneca, will the authorities target the elderly, at least those within the 600,000 waiting for the second jab?
When the vaccine shortfall erupted, it was thanks to Sri Lanka’s non-aligned diplomacy that it could turn to China which immediately provided a gift of 600,000 doses of its Sinopharm in March followed up by 500,000 doses in May. This gift was initially administered in both doses to the Chinese community in Sri Lanka and enabled a trial run to see its efficacy on new infections and morbidity rates. It is a pity the Sri Lanka government has not released this data which would help build confidence in the Chinese vaccine even as the Western manufacturers are ramping up their publicity for their own vaccines. France has recently announced free entry for visitors having one of the western vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna or Astra Zeneca, casting those with the Chinese and Russian vaccines into quarantine requirements.
However now that the US coming out of the Covid crisis, Sri Lanka’s best hope for meeting its urgent needs of the Astra Zeneca, resides with the US which is holding large stocks of this vaccine (which has not been authorized there). The question is whether Sri Lanka, applying its friendship-with- all foreign policy, will be able to lobby at the highest levels in the US and obtain the required second doses for those waiting here patiently for almost four months now. President Biden’s plan is to make available immediately some 19 million doses through Covax and he has refuted any political bias: “We are sharing these doses not to secure favors or extract concessions… we are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our example and with our values.” South Asia, including Sri Lanka, was supposed to receive some seven million of these doses through Covax. So why has there been no public announcement here on this second donation from Covax?
Mr Biden has spoken of an “arsenal of vaccines” and has pushed the G7 to match his pledge with another 1 billion doses in this new global campaign. However some worry that this American campaign may become part of a new Cold War to push back on the Chinese and Soviet vaccines that have come to the forefront thus far, supplying many developing countries in their time of need. Domestic politics is clearly playing into vaccine manufacture around the globe. President Biden’s new campaign to donate billions of vaccine doses will focus on the Pfizer vaccine developed by BionTech in Germany and produced in the US. Nevertheless, good intentions and public relations apart, the US campaign may run into trouble given that the Pfizer requires stringent cold chain conditions, not generally found in tropical developing countries.
The Government here has been unable to obtain vaccines in any predictable fashion although from time to time we hear that supplies for the missing 600,000 doses have been secured from one country or the other. Some say Sri Lanka is misreading diplomatic courtesy eg. “to give sympathetic consideration” to our request does not mean that the vaccine donation has been agreed. Even the Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka has not confirmed the press reports in Colombo that they have promised to provide the vaccines needed in Sri Lanka. How can Japan make such an announcement amidst their domestic crisis where infections are rising and there are huge protests over whether the July Olympic Games will become a health threat to the country. Nor is it clear whether any future Japanese donation, will be Covishield or Pfizer manufactured in Japan.
The Government has recently announced that 300,000 doses of Pfizer has been paid for and will arrive in July and that it will be like a “trial run.” Pfizer has to be stored and distributed at below zero conditions and in Sri Lanka for example, the only such cold storage is said to be at the Blood Bank. Significantly Japan has extended a grant of US$ 3 million through UNICEF to enhance cold storage capacity (cold chain equipment, walk in cold rooms, ice lined refrigerators, vaccine carriers) in Sri Lanka. This is only part of the problem, as everyone agrees the Pfizer is best given in hospitals and clinics and is not suitable for mass vaccinations such as at Campbell Park. Judging by the chaos of the vaccine roll-out so far, if indeed the purchased Pfizer vaccines are arriving in July in Sri Lanka, should they not be administered as a public-private partnership to better manage the huge crowds defying social distancing requirements? How will the government address the competing demands for different vaccines at a time when the Sinopharm and Sputnik are being rolled out around the island?
Another problem amidst the confusion on statistics is whether the government knows how many in fact have already obtained the second Covishield jab, by hook or by crook? At hospitals like Lady Ridgeway and Army hospital where the immunization campaigns were conducted professionally, they had retained sufficient to give the second jab to those vaccinated on their priority list. However several scandals have broken out recently alleging some have obtained the second jab through political pressure and “secret” vaccination campaigns such as in Galle are being investigated. It is well known that the GMOA had demanded and obtained the second jab at the National hospital for thousands of their members, families and households provoking much public anger. These scandals bring into focus the plight of those who are waiting patiently to receive the second jab of Covishield. Do they have reason to fear that any new stocks will not go to the intended beneficiaries, the elderly, despite the promises made recently by the Director General of Health Asela Gunawardene, who is at last speaking out and is probably the only credible voice on government vaccine policy.
Sri Lanka’s public health service has a fantastic reputation and is known for its stellar performance and ability to handle crises such as the Tsunami. Even during the armed conflict, children were vaccinated under a truce with the LTTE. Today it is apparent that this system has broken down and many are questioning the lack of vaccines, the modalities of the roll-out, even the accuracy of the statistics. No explanation yet about the validity dates of the Government held Covishield stocks still being given in driblets through various centres, while some African countries are reported to be destroying vaccines that had expired.
A larger problem is looming on the horizon with many manufacturing countries ramping up production. By the end of the year, some believe there may even be a glut of vaccines in the market leading to a price war. For all these reasons, the government should be cautious in trying to enter into any speedy local manufacturing of the Chinese or Russian vaccines in this country. There are several manufacturers now with long experience and reliability accelerating production in India including on the new Novavax and it is a matter of time by the end of the year when the Serum Institute resumes its exports of Covishield and fulfils its contractual obligations.
Instead of going into local manufacturing of vaccines, shouldn’t the government focus instead on a big problem that has already arisen in Sri Lanka on disposal of Covid waste, vials, needles, PPE and masks? Not so sexy as local manufacture of vaccines but perhaps a more enduring problem for the nation’s environment and wildlife.
(Ms. Sarala Fernando, retired from the Foreign Ministry as Additional Secretary and her last Ambassadorial appointment was as Permanent Representative to the UN and International Organizations (including WHO) in Geneva . Her Ph.D was on India-Sri Lanka relations and she writes now on foreign policy, diplomacy and protection of heritage).
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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