Features
The World and Sri Lanka in 2022
The Editor of this newspaper titled his editorial on January 1st 2022 ‘Our Annus Horribilis’. Justified since the year was horrible but most of the recent past years have been horribilis and unpardonably so
because the horrors were man made by our leaders.
The late Queen Elizabeth II brought the Latin expression to prominence by using it to label the year 1992 in a speech she made at the London Guildhall celebration of her Ruby Jubilee (40 years) as queen. In that year she suffered three immediate family breakups and divorces, and fire at Windsor Castle to cap it all.
I failed to find out who first used the term and when to name a year of disaster and misfortune. Many have used it. Kofi Anan, UN Secretary General said 2004 was an annus horribilis for the world as so many upheavals occurred – in Afghanistan, the Congo, Palestine and even allegation of corruption leveled against UN officials in Iran. In 2020 the US awarded the Golden Raspberry to that year as the worst calendar year of events.
To come back to the editorial of the first day of the New Year, the Editor listed the political, agricultural, economic and health disasters that battered Sri Lanka. The saddest and most unacceptable fact is that Nature, though it blew tornadoes, stormed, flooded, ignited forest fires, warmed some countries and caused cold blizzards in others, left our country only slightly bruised by heavy rains and slight droughts, and even these few and far between. All the horrendous disasters were mostly man-made as I said earlier and accusing fingers can justifiably be pointed at one family and its cohorts for much of what hit us.
Global disasters
I list these according to my opinion of the gravity and how badly affected people were. The worst was the war in Ukraine which ushered in a war in Europe after about 78 years. The UN set up to prevent international conflicts seemed helpless. On February 4 Russia launched a ‘special military operation’ that it said was needed to force the ‘demilitarization and denazification’ of Ukraine. Warnings of what was comingt had been issued by many countries and organizations, but no serious note of these were taken. Hence Ukraine was taken somewhat by surprise though Russian troops and vehicles had been massing on its border.
I well remember columnist Gwynne Dyer whom I never miss reading in The Island, pronouncing Russia would not advance on Ukraine nor attack it. However, to the surprise of the Kremlin and most military experts, Ukraine withstood the onslaught. It continues to see- saw and Putin remains adamant in his desire to recreate a modern USSR, not minding one jot the mass murder of his men and Ukrainians as they are showered with Iran made drones. Of course NATO and western countries are pumping arms and ammunition to battered Ukraine. Let us admit President Volodomyr Zelensky, ex-comedy actor, is proving his mettle and leading his country courageously.
Many more disasters are ongoing such as protests in Iran over the death of young Mahsa Amin who was caught in public by a morality police with her head uncovered – no hijab. Her death drew millions out in protest. They continued their marches and slogan “Women, life, freedom’ even in the face of government decreed public executions. No peace or settlement of this women’s issue is seen.
Sad stories of people escaping their countries seeking greener pastures is daily news and many of these attempts to start new lives end in death – at sea on frail boats or unseaworthy trawlers or by suffocation in prime movers of cargo. Refugees in 2022 numbered well over 32 million it is estimated, and over 100 million when internally displaced, in-country refugees are added. This is a severe indictment on governments the worldover.
A disaster which affects the entire world is climate change. Forty years ago scientists warned the world was heading for trouble and that if not taken serious note of and remedied, could and would turn catastrophic. Heat waves intensified; just as freezing descended in winter. These disasters severely affect the people and the economies of countries; so also food production. The UN Panel of Scientists on Climate Change warns that the deterioration of the climate if not checked could soon be irreversible. There however are positive signs that the world, threatened by extinction, is waking up to danger and attempting remedial measures. To mention but one advance: electric cars are on roads, even a few in Sri Lanka. On the other hand this country is still importing coal to generate electricity with the sun beating down on us but not harnessed to produce solar energy.
COP 27 held recently did not achieve startling success in curtailing emission of poisonous gases to the atmosphere but ended with ‘loss and damage agreements’ where wealthy countries are called upon to compensate poor countries harmed by climate change. President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act with very important steps outlined to reduce emission of heat trapping gasses that cause climate change.
Britain had many PM changes during the last year. It pushed out Boris Johnson of the ‘endless parade of scandals’ and installed Liz Truss who holds the record of being the shortest serving PM of Britain having been in that position for only 45 days. Finally the first Prime Minster of colour, Rishi Sunak, was appointed and seems to be turning the economy of the country around.
The most noted event was the death of the longest reigning royal of Britain and its former Empire. Queen Elizabeth II lived to 96 serving her nation as she promised “as long as I live.” The entire world realized how honourable and duty bound she had been; a woman to be greatly admired and respected. People loved her and sorrowed at her death. King Charles III seems to be doing fine.
I read a line running below BBC TV news broadcasts –”Harry: I want my father and brother back.” It’s wrong in meaning and syntax too. Father and brother did not leave Harry, so how say he wants them back. He should say, I want to go back to my father and brother. This prefaces the fact that Prince Harry will release his book provocatively titled Spare on January 10. It was ghostwritten by J R Moehringer. To me he seems unable to accept the fact he is second prince in waiting. Perhaps Meghan and her prejudices have encouraged even that grouse. Will his book be another mean expose like the documentary Harry and Meghan and the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey? Or perhaps it will create no ripples and have no comments forthcoming from Buckingham Palace. .
Needless to say Covid 19 was a minus factor, which however reduced from pandemic level to almost just another virus infection. China is again under its spread; and losing its dynamism in development.
Our country
Many have detailed the happenings in Sri Lanka during the year just passed. It was an Annus Horibilis, but not at all the only one. We have suffered other horrible years – 1989; worst of civil war years; suicide bomb explosions on Easter Sunday 2019. Turmoil we suffered in 2022; the worst was Mahinda Rajapaksa, just before or after resigning as PM, unleashing thugs who were offered lunch and alcoholic drinks and then sent forth to destroy Gotagogama. The previous day he placed his head against the sparse branch of the sacred Bo Tree. Then he mingles with the dregs of society and gets them to do his bidding, never mind even killing peaceful protesters.
He, the projected father figure, carrying babies from among adoring crowds, was the violent one, while his brother Gotabaya, dreaded ordering shooting, sheepishly crawls out of President’s House and is secretly sailed to Malé. This topsy turveyness continued. A leader who lost his seat at the last elections and saw total defeat of his party is made in double quick succession PM, Acting Prez and President. The most hard-to-believe double turn is the projected conjoining of the elephant and the pohottuwa: SLPP and UNP
Women were seen and heard more – the good, the bad, the OK. Sandya Ekneligoda, widow of 12 years who seeks closure of the mystery of the disappearance of her journalist husband, traveling annually to Geneva, was nominated one of 100 famous women by BBC. Shocking Diana Gamage acts concerned about Sri Lanka while allegedly being a British citizen, or so reported, and threatened to bring crashing down the entire SJB if she loses her parliamentary seat. Powerful lass promoting gambling in Mannar, growing cannabis all over the isle and keeping bars open24/7. The OK dame is Hirunika. I admire her. Rip Van W of the Sunday Times considered nominating her Person of the Year. Not a bad choice, I add.
The Editor pronounced 2022 was annus horribilis. I say it was not all disaster and misfortune. We suffered a surfeit of these which will move to 2023, but there were the bright spots too. The brightest to me was the clean, self sacrificing Aragalaya of true patriots who protested peacefully. They achieved much: drove the President out and added the bonus of kicking out the PM too. With him departed the most incompetent Minister of Finance and son and nephew. But the brother keeps coming back from his home in the USA to develop his kumanthrana.
Also the Aragalaya opened people’s eyes, ears and more importantly, mouths. We speak freely now. Most significant of all: politicians and those in high posts cannot just rob and enjoy pickings. The public is alert.
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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