Features
Six Job Offers Within Two Weeks
CONFESSIONS OF A GLOBAL GYPSY
Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil
President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada
Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum
chandij@sympatico.ca
Job Hunting in Sri Lanka
At the beginning of 1985 spring season, I moved from the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka to launch the second stage of my career in hospitality management. I was 31-years old and had gained versatile experiences over 14 years. Also, a variety of qualifications, including a master’s degree in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey. I was ambitious and optimistic.
However, I was somewhat disappointed that I could not find a suitable management position with an international hotel chain in another country. Having worked and researched in over 16 five-star British hotels focusing on food and beverage management and operations for my master’s dissertation, I decided that my ideal next job should be as the Food & Beverage Manager of a large, five-star international hotel. I also dreamt of becoming the General Manager of such a hotel by the age 34.
Having considered the advice by a senior hotelier who interviewed me in London, I decided to go back to Sri Lanka and attempt to join a five-star international hotel in my own contry prior to launching my international hotel management career. My previous job positions in Sri Lanka were as a part-time trainee in 10 organizations during my college years, then as an Executive Chef of two well-known resorts, as the Manager of a couple of small hotels, as the Manager-Operations of John Keells/Walker Tours hotels, as well as a Senior Lecturer of the Ceylon Hotel School.
In addition, I had gained short work and training experiences in England, Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore. In terms of international hotel chains, I was briefly exposed to hotels managed by Trust House Forte, Hyatt, InterContinential, Holiday Inn, Taj, Hilton, Savoy Group, etc. I assumed that my efforts to build an interesting resume would impress my prospective employers.
On my first morning in Sri Lanka after two years, I embarked on an early morning two-hour walk in Colombo. That was nostalgic as well as energizing. While walking, I was thinking of my next steps in finding a suitable management position. I decided to write to all five internationally branded five-star hotels in Colombo (Le Meridien, Ramada Renaissance, InterContinental, Oberoi and Taj) that afternoon and then follow up with telephone calls.
As I returned home in time for breakfast with the family, my father-in-law, Captain Wicks told me, “Good news, Chandi. Some people have already heard that you are back in Sri Lanka. Three of the best known Sri Lankan hoteliers called and wanted to meet you as soon as possible to discuss job opportunities.” Two of them – Malin Hapugoda (Hapu) and Bobby Adams were my former bosses and the third, Prasanna Jayawardene (PJ) was equally respected in Sri Lanka as an innovative hotelier. I was naturally impressed and proud to feel that I was already in demand. Before calling three of them, I sent my resume to the five five-star hotels in Colombo.
Vice Principal – Ceylon Hotel School
I was then saddened to hear that my last boss in Sri Lanka, before leaving for England, Pearl Heenatigala, was seriously ill and in hospital. She was the Director/Principal of the Ceylon Hotel School (CHS) and always treated me like the son she never had. She was my favourite boss. I rushed to the hospital and quickly realized that Mrs. Heenatigala was terminally ill.
Seated by her bedside, I was surprised that the focus of her conersation was not about her condition, but about my future career. While I was struggling to hold my tears, she said with some difficulty, “Dear Chandi, as you know, I identified you as a potential Vice Principal for CHS after your Master’s. That position is yours if you are still interested. However, consider all other offers first. I personally think that you would do well in a dynamic international hotel chain.” That was our last meeting.
Food & Beverage Analyst – Galadari Meridien
Stefan Pfeiffer, the German national who was the first General Manager of the Galadari Meridien Hotel contacted me, before my departure from Sri Lanka in 1983. I knew him when he was the General Manager of Hotel Lanka Oberoi in the late 1970s. He returned to Sri Lanka during the pre-opening year of the Galadari, the only hotel in Sri Lanka to open with 500 five-star rooms. Although I never worked with him, he was keen that after my studies in England I join the Galadari.
As we agreed to keep in touch, I called him. He immediately offered me a middle management position as the Food & Beverage Analyst at the Galadari which I did not accept. I told him that my aim was to become the Food & Beverage Manager of a five-star internationally branded hotel. This was a position held only by Europeans in such hotels in Sri Lanka, up to that point.
Mr. Pfeiffer said, “Chandi, my Executive Assistant Manager (deputy to the General Manager), Mr. Garoute also works as the Food & Beverage Manager. When he finishes his three-year contract next year, he may return to France. After that, let’s talk again and look at possibilities. As the Meridien hotel chain is owned by Air France, they prefer a Frenchman for this top post.” We decided to keep the options open. In later years I joined Le Meridien twice, in Sri Lanka as the Food & Beverage Manager/Director and in Jamaica as the General Manager. If there is a will, the way can be found.
Training Manager / Operations Analyst – Hotel Lanka Oberoi
The new Indian General Manager of Lanka Oberoi was impressed with my resume. “Our Training Manager, is about to go on 12 months special leave to work at Dubai International Hotel. You will be ideal for that post” he said. When I asked him what would happen if their training manager returns in 12 months, he said that, “at that point we may consider you for a new senior management position we are planning to create – Operations Analyst.” I did not like the uncertainty of that offer, and did not accept it in 1985. Four years later, Oberoi hired me as an expatriate Food and Beverage Manager in Iraq.
Hotel Opening Manager – Coral Gardens Hotel
When I returned the call of Malin Hapugoda (Hapu), then the General Manager/Director for Ceylon Holiday Resorts Limited, and a former boss of mine, he reminded me of an offer he made to me the day before I left Sri Lanka two years ago. “The new Coral Gardens Hotel will be opened in a few months with 156 rooms. I would like you to open this four-star hotel as the Manager. The job is yours.”
I was most grateful to Hapu for such an offer, and told him that I will get back to him with a final decision in a week. Eventually, while considering another offer with a better designation and salary and benefit package, I reluctantly decided not to accept this offer. Hapu kept in touch with me, and 21 years later offered me the post of Chief Executive Officer of Aitken Spence Hotels in Oman. He was the Managing Director of that company then. I eventually did a short consulting assignment for that great company.
Deputy General Manager – Mount Lavinia Hotel
When I called Prasanna Jayawardena (PJ) then General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH), he was very convincing. “Chandana, I want you as my deputy. The sky is the limit for you at MLH. Can you come to meet the owner tomorrow?” he said and confirmed an appointment, with the Chairman of the company – Mr. U. K. Edmond and his second son, Sanath Ukwatte who was understudying his legendary father.
Built in 1806 initially as the British Governor’s residence, Mount Lavinia Hotel is the most historic and significant resort hotel in Sri Lanka. From the time I as a small kid attended a wedding there, I fell in love with this iconic hotel. My third trainee job and the first internship in the hospitality industry was there during the 1972/1973 tourist season. I was a trainee waiter there when It was Mount Lavinia Hyatt.
Mr. U. K. Edmond was one of those humble Southerners who came to Colombo and built significant businesses in the mid-20th century Ceylon. He was a great visionary business icon who ventured into railway catering, brewing and then the hotel business. Meeting him was a great pleasure. He was very observant and a good listener, but did not ask any questions from me during the interview. His son, Sanath, who had just returned after his business education in USA, asked me a few questions.
PJ then gave a glowing recommendation about me in Sinhala. PJ said, “This is the Sri Lankan with the highest academic qualification in hotel management. He is also a hands-on practical person. Chandana will be undoubtedly a big asset to our hotel.” That was enough for Mr. Edmond, who then asked his first question, “When can you begin work at my hotel?”
At that point, I told him that I have a few offers and a few more interviews. His response was decisive and quick, “No problem. Go to all those interviews and check the best offers they make. We will pay you more.” With that open offer, the interview ended. I did not accept their offer in 1985, but after considering two more offers, I eventually joined MLH to succeed PJ as the General Manager five years later.
General Manager – The Lodge and The Village
When I called my former boss at the John Keells corporate office, Bobby Adams told me of a position the largest group of companies in Sri Lanka had created six months previously. Bobby was the Director, Operations of this largest hotel chain in Sri Lanka. They were looking for a General Manager to manage their two largest hotels – The Lodge and the Village in Habarana in North Central Sri Lanka. Although he did not serve on the selection committee, I suspected that the Group Chairman, Mark Bostock, had strongly favoured my appointment. He was very fond of me and had arranged my first overseas training in England, his homeland, when I was a young 25-year old hotel manager in 1979.
I was determined to earn a five-figure monthly salary which was very high in Sri Lanka in the mid-1980s. After the final interview, I had to meet a main board member and the group’s Head of Finance, Mr. V. Kailasapillai. In an annoyed voice he asked me, “Chandana, why do you ask for such a high salary? What you are demanding is three times more than what we paid you in 1981.” After a little negotiation, he laughed and said, “OK, Chandana, let’s settle for Rs. 10,000 a month. Final offer”. We shook hands. Next day, I packed my bags and was chauffeur-driven 111 miles from Colombo to reach my new home in Habarana.
Habarana Resort Complex
The Lodge (now branded five-star Cinnamon Lodge Habarana) and The Village (now branded four-star Habarana Village by Cinnamon), are two of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. The 40-acre landscaped resort complex is surrounded by nature, water, forest, and wild life (with elephants, serpent eagles, kingfishers and monkeys etc.). Over 2,000 trees, the lake front and a fully-operational farm enhance a totally unique guest experience.
On a day when all 260 rooms in both hotels were full, my team provided hospitality and meals to 1,000 people – 520 guests, 120 tourist drivers, 360 employees and the family members of senior managers, who also lived in the resort complex. We worked hard, played hard, and looked after our guests, always aiming to exceed their expectations. We had very happy domestic customers as well – free accommodation and free meals to 90% of the employees, and lots of sports and recreational facilities for employees (football, volleyball, cricket, indoor games etc.). In Habarana, I felt like a mayor of a small town.
Having worked at the John Keells corporate office for a year in the early 1980s I was familiar with the Habarana Resort Complex. As the General Manager, I did a lot of public relations — with guests, tour leaders, drivers, associates and local communities. On my first day in the new job, I hosted a group of 12 British travel agents who were on a seven-day familiarisation tour of Sri Lanka.Over dinner, we became very friendly. One of them said, “You seem to know a lot about Habarana. How long have you lived in this beautiful place?” When I answered accurately as “One day” they refused to believe me.
After some laughter and wine, a female tour leader challenged me: “OK, if you started this job just today, what was your last job?” She was winking at her colleagues and giggling. I thought for a few seconds, and said truthfully, “my previous job was a part-time banquet waiter at the Dorchester in London.” The whole group laughed loud and shouted in unison, “Chandi, you are a bloody liar!”
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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