Features
University of Moratuwa celebrates its Golden Jubilee
I was lent a copy of the Golden Jubilee publication of the University of Moratuwa (UoM) by a friend with the injunction I write about the coffee table book and the University which by far, as he said, is the best in Sri Lanka. “All graduates passing out are employed and employable.” That is saying much!
50th Anniversary Publication
The coffee table publication is excellent: gold bordered and lettered stating 1972-2022 50th ANNIVERSARY University of Moratuwa with the name in the three languages. Below this is the legend ‘Golden Jubillee’ in beautiful slanting script. Within, every feature matches the excellence of the book’s binding and cover. The contents, covering two pages, is uniquely filled in with pictures and titles and pagination in large digits. Next runs three pages of Acknowledging the contributors of the past, listing Chancellors from Sir Arthur C. Clarke to Dr Ray Wijewardena to Dr Roland Silva to Prof KKYW Perera. Next listed are 13 Vice Chancellors followed by Deputy VCs, Deans of Faculties, Registrars, Librarians (3) and Bursars. Each section is also two paged with a broad band of dark golden orange. Section One is: Introduction: The years preceding University status; Section two: The early years and the journey of the University of Moratuwa; three: The pillars of the past; stories of past Vice Chancellors; four: Impact: Stories of Research, Innovation and Service; five: The University of Moratuwa: what we are today.
The entire book carries hand drawn painted pictures – some full paged, interspersed with photographs of persons, sites, buildings and events – some very old, which pictorially traces the history of the UoM.
Three highlighted sections
The entire publication deserves detailed description but that is impossible in a newspaper column, hence I decided to draw the attention of the reader to, and quote from four sections. I add again that going through the entire book would be very informative and will gladden the spirit which is at present downcast. Facing an almost surreal painting of the grounds of the UoM, is the title University of Moratuwa and underneath Wisdom is all Wealth.
I quote from the introductory pages and the last page of summing up; one VC’s ‘story’ and the section on U
oM’s research and innovations.
The message from the present VC – Prof N D Gunawardena runs to two pages. He writes: “The University, which traces its beginning to 1972 as a small institution in Katubedda is now at the forefront of tertiary education providing Engineering, Information Technology, Architecture, Business and Medical Education for over 10,000 students in both undergraduate and post graduate levels.” His final paragraph reads thus: “Sri Lanka has much to offer to the world. In an era of brain drain and fleeting dreams, I am confident that our university can make a difference. We possess the knowledge and skills within our shores to make this island a world hub in Design, Technology, Business and Sciences. All we need is resilience, fortitude and funds to make it happen. I am determined to ensure that on this momentous occasion, we lack nothing.”
One VC’s message
My second comment is from Section Four on Vice Chancellors. I select one VC because I knew him from way back when. On the timeline that runs through this section from 1972 to 2017, 1989 is raised above in large bold digits. The legend carried on the page with a portrait of Prof G T F De Silva, seventh VC from 1989 to 1996, and a photograph of him as a young academic listening to Dr Arthur C Clarke is: “The very first academic to join the then Ceylon College of Technology (CCT) which is today the prestigious University of Moratuwa … Professor Dr Silva faced the worst years of the insurgency when the University suffered much turmoil and closures… He has contributed immensely to the progress of the university.”
During the second JVP insurrection in the 1980s, the vacancy of VC was not filled, hence senior members arranged for seven members of staff to take over VC responsibility for one week each. This temporary arrangement was eliminated by Prof De Silva consenting to be VC at this dangerous juncture in the dire country situation. His philosophy was Bahu jana sithaya, bahu jana sukaya – the wellbeing of the people. He stipulated one condition: that he continue teaching while being VC.
Some of his many ventures to improve the university were to establish a well-stocked library; improve hostel facilities, initiate more student societies and set up a bursary scheme for deserving students. “The Professor was also a visionary in that he took risks with the betterment of the University in mind.” He was a nature lover; an ancient nuga tree that had fallen was made to rise again. He wished and worked towards making UoM akin to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) which Jawaharlal Nehru instituted “Thus it was the Professor’s view that the university needed to produce practical engineers who would be of service to the common man’s requirements … He underlined that people must have access to solar and wind energy, low cost housing etc built by the University.” He authored a book in Sinhala – Memories of a Vice Chancellor of a University that moved from Darkness to Light. A ship that traversed the ocean of Technology.
Moving to the personal, I said earlier I knew GTF long ago as a just passed put undergrad. He came to a Maha Vidyalaya down South to substitute for a teacher on maternity leave. He blazed new trails in science teaching to scholarship holders in Grade 8 by conducting classes in the lab, which the teacher on leave had avoided due to fear of demonstrating preparation of gases et al to eager beaver students. GTF even organized a science exhibition with the kids. I met him off and on after that and found him to be just the same simple soul of almost 60 years previous, concerned about people and with dynamism and enthusiasm undimmed.
Mr S Rubasingam was one of three librarians serving from the inception of the UoM 1971- 1998. He was conscientiousness personified. How do I say this? I attended the SL Library Association course in Librarianship and Info Science and Mr Rubasingam was a lecturer in all three years of the course. He was a tireless lecturer and expected his students, varying in age, intelligence and commitment, mostly female, to be the same. I spent a lot of my time waiting with trepidation to see this almost chain smoker insert the chalk he had in hand between his lips or draw on the blackboard with his lighted cigarette! He helped develop the UoM library so it is an integral and useful part of the university.
The person who lent me the book to comment wanted me to pay special attention to Section Four Impact: Stories of Research, Innovation and Services which carry sub headings among which I highlight two: Innovation and Success Stories, and Service and Recognition. I quote from the introductory page: “The UoM graduates are held in high esteem today in their professional fields as well as by foreign universities, … won coveted awards, competing with the best of the best.. made a monumental and lasting impact on the country and its people.”
Innovations are listed, liaising with prestigious foreign universities, the ADB and others. Students under Faculty guidance invented the first electric car, a Hovercraft, hydraulic ramp pump, solar photovoltaic cells, electrical biogas cooking facility and of course the traffic light system installed all over the island. Machines to be powered solely by carbon neutral sources were installed in the MAS Intimates Thurulie clothing factory; claiming to be the world’s first such factory.
Clever persons from the UoM even restored the stained glass window of St Paul’s Church in Kandy after a terrorist bomb caused severe damage. The Fashion and Textile Design Dept is moving streets ahead in innovation. An unmanned aerial vehicle and robot technologies are also within the UoM’s research and technology section “The lasting impact the university has made on the nation is unparalleled and everlasting. The future is already here. … teams of academics who venture into uncharted waters, into a world presenting new problems to solve every day”
History
The UoM grew from the Government Technical College, Maradana, established in 1893 which, in 1906 changed to Ceylon Technical College. The Ceylon College of Technology established in Katubedda in 1966 offering a Diploma in Technology changed its status to the Katubedda Campus of the University of Ceylon in 1972. The Dept of Architecture was transferred from Colombo to this campus with its first president Dr L H Sumanadasa. In 1978 it acquired the status of an independent university under the name of University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. To the existing Faculties was added that of medicine.
The UoM strives to produce ‘world class graduates’ in technology fields; which it does. Its vision is “To be the Most Globally Recognized Knowledge Enterprise in South Asia” Both these ideals have been met; proof being that while other institutions in Sri Lanka, educational included, have not maintained standards or had even deteriorated, the UoM has progressed and made an international name for itself. Its ‘remarkable journey of providing world class education’ reached 50 years in 2022 – a landmark to be celebrated and a university with an excellent record to be congratulated and praised.
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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