Features
Some incomprehensible lapses in Easter Attack Commission Report
By Kalyananda Tiranagama
(Continued from yesterday)
Links of Zahran group with Muslim Politicians in the country
The country expected the PCoI to inquire into and find out the links the Zahran group had with Muslim political leaders like Rishard Bathiudeen, Azaad Salley, Hisbullah and Rauf Hakeem, whose conduct was subject to much discussion through the media and recommend how to deal with them. However, the PCoI has failed to make any definite findings and recommendations against any one of them.
In Chapter 22 of the Report titled Contributory Factors dealing with the activities of individuals resulting in aiding and abetting or causing racial and religious disturbances, the role of individual persons has been discussed and findings and recommendations made: i. Rishad Bathiiudeen; ii. his brother Riaj Bathiudeen; iii. Mohommadu Shibly Farouk; iv. Hisbullah; v. Abdul Razik; vi. Galagodaththe Ganasara Thera.
Out of all the persons whose activities are discussed, Galagodaththe Ganasara Thero was identified as the person who is mainly responsible and most severely to be dealt with. No such recommendation is made against any of the Muslim leaders.
i. Rishad Bathiudeen
There were lot of suspicious circumstances suggesting the involvement of Rishard Bathiuddeen with Zahran and other extremist Muslim groups. Not only among the general public of the country, but also among political circles there was much suspicion about Rishard’s involvement, about his contribution to the extremist forces. That is why several political leaders and Buddhist priests made complaints to the CID against him. That is why the Opposition Members of Parliament brought a no-confidence motion in Parliament against him for his removal from the Cabinet. Following the commencement of the fast unto death by Rathana Thero demanding his arrest, due to the resignation of all Muslim Ministers belonging to different political parties from the Cabinet with a view to protecting him, no-confidence motion could not be proceeded with.
The following are some of the allegations made against Rishard in the no-confidence motion on which he had been questioned by the Parliamentary Select Committee: i. Having links with Zahran’s terrorist group; ii. The treasurer of his Party Alaudeen is a terrorist involved in the attacks; iii. His links with Mohomed Ibrahim, the father of two suicide bombers; iv. He knew the suicide bomber, having attended his wedding; v. His support to Ibrahim’s import export business activities; vi. The Industrial Development Board under his Ministry issuing unusually high amount of scrap metal used for making explosives to Colossus (Pvt) Ltd belonging to the suicide bomber Inshaf at a discount not given to others; vii. The two suicide bombers Inshaf and Ilham, sons of Mohomed Ibrahim, being the major source of financial support for Zahran; viii. A Pradesiya Sabha Member of his Party, one of his Coordinating Secretaries, arrested at Mannar with some detonators; ix. A house belonging to his sister at Wattala leased out to suicide bombers x. Repeatedly making inquiries about a terrorist arrested at Dehiwala from the DIG, Army Commander and the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardane xi. Visiting the arrested terrorist’s house at Dehiwala; xii, Ignoring the information given by Turkish Embassy about 50 trained terrorists present in Sri Lanka; xiii. Terrorists using vehicles belonging to Sathosa under his Ministry for their transport.
The Report does not mention anything about inquiries conducted on most of these allegations. It mentions only about two matters: i. Inquiries made from Army Commander about Ihsan Meinudeen – a terrorist suspect, arrested by the Army ; For that the COI has recommended the AG to consider instituting criminal action under any suitable PC provision. No criminal action can be instituted for making inquiries about a person in custody, though the COI has recommended.
ii. Chairman of the Industrial Development Board under Rishard had issued unusually high amount of scrap metal to Colossus (Pvt) Ltd belonging to the suicide bomber Inshaf, who is related to Bathiudeen, at a discount not given to others causing a loss of Rs. 4.6 million to the State. Inshaf and Ilham were the major financiers of Zahran – P. 334 Zahran has given Rs. 500,000 received from Ilham to wife of Mufeez to obtain bail for suspects in the Mawanella incident. The only recommendation is that this matter to be referred to the Bribery and Corruption Commission.
It is strange that the COI did not probe whether this resulted in facilitating terrorist attacks with financial support and material that can be used for the preparation of explosives used in the Easter Attack;
ii. Riaj Bathiudeen
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Riaj is a brother of Minister Rishard Bathiuddeen; He is a member of the Minister’s staff; He had close contacts with Inshaf, one of the biggest funders of Zahran; His connection with sale of scrap metal and in irregularities committed therein. – P. 335 The COI recommends that these matters to be referred to the Police to conduct necessary investigations.
Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has stated that the April attacks were carried out by those who wanted to strengthen their political power.
Are not these suspicious circumstances sufficient in identifying the real culprits responsible for the Easter attack?
iii. M. Mohammadu Shibly Farouk
Shibly Farouk is a Member of the Eastern Provincial Council elected from the Batticaloa District in 2012 and functioned until 2017. He got to know Zahran and Rilwan around 2015 and had a close association with Zahran and his group. Shibly helped Zahran to get loudspeaker permits from the Police for his meetings. Farouk had visited the hospital with Rauff Hakeem to see Rilwan after he received injuries. Zahran and the NTJ received the political patronage of Farouk at least till March 2017. No finding or recommendation against Farouk.
Azath Sally
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The Report mentions about Sally’s involvement in the investigations into the Mawanella incident as well as the release of two suspects Nafrith and Navith arrested at Wanathawilluwa. – P. 118 Nafrith and Navith are brothers-in-law of Mufeez, the suspect arrested at Wanathawilluwa with explosives and a note written in English with instructions on making bombs; Salley admitted his involvement in making representations for the release of the two suspects Nafrith and Navith.
Salley had contacted Thassim Moulavi, a cousin of Abdul Latheef, father of Jameel Mohomed who died at the Tropical Inn, Dehiwala and inquired about Mawanella incident. With information received from Maulawi Salley had immediately called IGP Pujitha Jayasundara and Defence Secretary, Hemasiri Fernando and requested for a meeting, which was granted. Salley informed that Moulavi would surrender the two brothers, the main suspects in the Mawanella incident during the day, but that did not take place. These interventions had the effect of hampering independent police investigations. – P. 122 – 123. It was to Mufeez’s wife that Zaharan had sent Rs. 500,000 received from Ilham for obtaining bail for Mawanella suspects.
All these show that Sally had close links with the main suspects involved in the Mawanella and Wanathawilluwa incidents and that he tried to get them released. However no inquiries / no investigations conducted by the COI on Salley’s connections with terrorists and no recommendation made against Sally. The only recommendation made is the introduction of a penal offence criminalising any intervention by a Member of Parliament, Provincial Council or local authority into police investigations and about terrorist suspects in custody or detention. – P. 124. Though Sally is in custody at present, that is not on any recommendation made by the COI.
iv. M.L.A.M. Hisbullah
Hisbullah has played a prominent role in the Arabization of Kattankuddy. In his view Wahhabis manner of practicing Islam is the proper way. At times he has spoken of violent extremist actions. Among his associates are people like Adam Lebbe Mohammadu Mumthaz, Thowheed follower and supporter of the IS ideology and Dr. Zakir Naik, extremist preacher and owner of Peace TV, who is banned in India and Bangladesh. The COI finds that the acions of Hisbullah facilitated the spread of extremism within Kattankuddy. – P. 342-343
However no penal action recommended against Hisbullah.
v. Abdul Razik
Abdul Razik was the Secretary of Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamaath since 2005; In May 2014 he equated triple gem of Buddhists to three gem stones and went on to say that Lord Buddha consumed human flesh. An Action was filed by Police in M. C. Colombo case B7467/1/14 in respect of this statement, but no charges filed yet even after seven years, File was sent to AG three years back. In 2017 in a speech at Dehiwala he stated that IS is Islam; He openly speaks against Buddhism being given the foremost place in the Constitution; He was instrumental in converting Sara to Islam. He chose Hasthun to marry Sara and provided Mahr; Led a demonstration in Colombo advocating implementation of Sharia law. Only recommendation: AG to consider expeditiously whether criminal charges can be filed against him. – P. 429
But the COI has not recommended any criminal action against him under the ICCPR Act as against Gnanasara Thero.
vi. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera
Findings and recommendations against Gnanasara Thera: Bodu Bala Sena to be proscribed as its actions are a threat to religious harmony. His utterances and actions contributed in part to radicalisation of Muslim youth. AG to consider instituting criminal action against him under the ICCPR Act for his speeches made at Aluthgama in June 1914 and on Feb. 17, 2013 at Maharagama.
When charged under the ICCPR Act he cannot get bail and is liable to be punished with a heavy jail sentence.
– S. 3 (3) A person found guilty of committing an offence under this Act, shall on conviction by the High Court, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
– An offence under this Act shall be non-bailable, and no person suspected or accused of such an offence shall be enlarged on bail, except by the High Court in exceptional Circumstances.
No recommendation is made against any other person to be indicted under the ICCPR Act. One cannot understand why only Gnanasara Thera was selected to be dealt with under this harsh provision of law.
Incomplete Findings and Lack of Recommendations on some material issues
As shown below it appears from the Report that the Commission has not been able to conduct full inquiry and make due recommendations on several matters which are of vital and practical importance.
1. Persons having links with dangerous foreign terrorists
Yusuf al-Qardawi – is a devoted member of Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, committed to the doctrine of suicide bombing- P.52, a person banned from entering the UK in 2008 and France in 2012 – p. 53; Egyptian Embassy in Colombo has issued a press release on 15. 06. 2020 identifying al-Qardawi as a fountainhead of the banned terrorist Muslim Brotherhood, fanning religious hatred and promoting a cult of violence. He is a person stripped of Egyptian citizenship and sentenced to life imprisonment by Egyptian Court. – p. 54
The COI has received a photograph of al-Qardawi taken on 28. 04. 2013 along with three Sri Lankans – Inamullah; Naimullah, former Member of Central Provincial Council and N.M. Ameen, President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka.
No findings made against them due to time constraints, but recommends that an investigation be conducted into their association with al-Qardawi. P. 54
2. Officially Promoting Terrorism through Education
Quotes from Yusuf al-Qardawi are contained in Islam Tamil Civilization Teachers Guide Grade 12 at P. 79; Islam Sinhala Teachers Guide Grade 13 at P. 44, 63, 109 and 123; Books written by him are recommended for further reading in Islam Sinhala Teachers Guide Grade 12 at p. 72. – p. 54
Islam Sinhala / Tamil Teachers Guide Grade 12 / 13 contained recommended reading material written by several extremists – Abul Ala Maududi; Qyyim Al Jawziyya; Mohommed al-Ghazali, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood; Rachi al-Ghannaouchi, of the Muslim Brotherhood – a terrorist organization banned in Egypt;
Their teachings – Islam cannot be fulfilled without the power of govt and that govt. and Islam are twin brothers; their objective is not only the religion but the land and the governing power. – P. 54 – 57
The COI has not inquired about the persons responsible for introducing these terrorist material into Teachers Guides and the impact of these material on the teachers and children;
It has only recommended removal of these material from the books.
One cannot understand why no recommendation has been made for the removal of these persons who introduced this terrorist material into Teachers Guides from their positions and legal action to be taken against them for promoting terrorism.
3. Promoting Wahhabisam through SLBC
The COI heard evidence of Wahhabist programmes being aired over the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation over a period of time. A person who spoke against the IS and Wahhabism was later not given any air time. It was one Ahamed Munuwar who has done that at the instance of Sri Lanka Jamath Islami; Munuwar’s son is married to the sister of Jameel, the terrorist who caused the explosion at Tropical Inn, Dehiwala.
The Report states that No findings made against Munuwar due to time constraints, but recommends that an investigation be conducted into his activities in the SLBC. – P. 58
4. Sri Lankan Diplomats concealing vital information of preparations of IS operatives for terrorist attacks
On 10. 08. 2018 Pakistan authorities have shared with the SL High Commission in Islamabad vital information of a Sri Lankan IS operative in SL who is an active member of IS online networks and was planning / in the process of preparing explosive devices from easily available chemicals. Jihad material retrieved from the suspect included material relating to preparation of bombs. Some pictures of the suspect were also handed over. This communication does not appear to have reached the SL Defence authorities – P. 76
Pakistan Govt had provided this information in August 2018, long time before the attack and after the disclosures made by Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakse in November 1916 in Parliament about 32 Sri Lankans who had links with IS terrorists in Syria.
If this information was conveyed to the Defence Authorities in Sri Lanka they could have taken preventive steps and this failure to convey this vital information to defence authorities may have contributed to Easter Attacks.
Who are these High Commission Officials who withheld this information from SL Govt? Are they still in the SL foreign service? Why did not they convey this information to the Govt? Are they persons having links with IS terrorists or Wahhabist groups in Sri Lanka? All these need to be probed.
The COI has not conducted any inquiry as to this failure of the High Commission officials.
It has only recommended that an investigation be conducted into this omission. – P. 154
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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