Features
Wesley College Colombo – Celebrating 150 years of Excellence
by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera
Wesley College Colombo is celebrating its 150th Anniversary in March 2024 with a programme of events, projects and initiatives taking place at the school and other venues. The school is proud to be recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s leading and progressive institutions. Wesley provides a fine all-round education reflective of its long-held customs and traditions.
As I write this brief history I am ever reminded of the wisdom of Kahlil Gibran: “Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.” This is an attempt to summarise the school’s long and tortuous journey from its lowly beginnings. Collating information belonging to three centuries is no mean task. On December 23, 1816, The chapel of the Wesleyan Mission House was opened for public worship in Dam Street, Pettah. There was a small school associated with the Mission House.
Its popularity grew and the student numbers increased. This early success led to its rapid expansion. With the vision and wisdom of Rev Daniel Henry Pereira, Wesley College was established on this site on March 2, 1874. The school then had around 100 students. Dam street in those days was quiet, dignified and respectable. Rev. Samuel Rowse Wilkin became its first Principal and Rev Pereira his deputy. By all accounts, together, they were impressive.
As Pettah rapidly became industrialised the school got lost in the urban sprawl. With the increasing noise, dust and grime of the area, the environment became less suitable for a school. The student numbers continued to grow and the space became too cramped and restrictive. It was around 1902 when Rev Henry Highfield , the Principal, decided it was time to move the school to better surroundings. In those distant days finding a suitable place for the new school was a monumental task and seemed like an impossible dream. He made a colossal effort to achieve this. The Rev Highfield made representations to the Methodist Mission in London for financial support. He cycled the length and breadth of the city and travelled the country calling for donations from his affluent past students and personal friends.
Wesley College in 1907
There was a substantial grant from London. With the money raised from local donations, Rev Highfield acquired five and a half acres of prime land at Karlsruhe Gardens to build the new Wesley College. The work began in 1905. Rev Highfield sought the help of the British Architect Edward Skinner and a handsome set of buildings were completed in 1907. This included dormitories for 100 boarders and science laboratories. The school with 639 students was opened in January 1907 with much pomp and pageantry. The Coronation Band played on as the Cadet Corp provided the guard of honour for the British Lieutenant Governor. When the school moved it took with it the spirit, culture and the ethos of Wesley College in Pettah.
The new school retained the motto “Ora et labora” (pay and work) introduced by Rev Arthur Shipham and the School Song composed by Mr H.J.V.I Ekanayake in 1889. These remained a rallying and unifying force and an important part of school life. The school crest introduced to the school in Pettah was later enhanced and altered by Rev John Dalby (1929-40). Rev. Albert Hutchinson (1925 – 1928) established the praepostor (prefect) system and the House System. Mr C.J Oorloff (1950-57) gave the primary school their own “Houses”. Rev P.T Cash’s wife Edith trained Wesley’s first choir in 1907, starting another noteworthy tradition of bringing music into the mainstream of Wesley life. It was Rev. P.T Cash who founded the Wesley College Scout Troop in 1917 and registered it as the 14th Colombo S.T.
Rev Henry Highfield is considered the father of the present school in Karlsruhe Gardens. A man of great determination, charisma and passion, he made a pioneering contribution to education in Ceylon, at the turn of the 20th Century. There are few Principals who have left a legacy that has profoundly and irreversibly changed the landscape of education in our Island. Wesley College has emerged from its quiet 19th-century grand traditions to embrace modernity. The fine original buildings still remain a tribute to Rev Highfield. This magnificent architectural masterpiece reflects the vision of a great man. After his dream was realised and Wesley became a successful institution, Rev Henry Highfield left for England for the final time in April 1925.
The seeds of decline and failure are almost always sown after periods of sustained success. The school progressed from strength to strength until the scourge of WW2. In a short period of time, 1940-44, we had the disruption of having three Principals in quick succession. Adding to our problems, in April 1942 the school buildings were taken over by the military. We lost much of our furniture and equipment in the process. The school was then exiled to Carey College and later to cadjan huts at Kitiyakkara in Campbell Place.
During those war years we lost many of our teaching staff. The student numbers reduced to a meagre 100. Our Principals’ steered the school through these difficult times until the buildings were returned to us at the end of 1945. Rev James Cartman then had the massive task of recruiting staff and getting the school into action again. His force of character helped to turn the school’s fortunes around and he did so with such resolve and dedication. During his principalship, Wesley College arose from the doldrum of the war years to become one of the best schools in the country. In grateful memory we have named our school library “The Cartman Library”.
This is a timely moment to express our gratitude to all our British Principals. They left the comfort of working in a rural Parish in Britain to be Missionaries in Ceylon. Life in Ceylon in those days was difficult. Medical facilities were rudimentary. Cyclical epidemics of Typhoid , Dysentery, Small pox and Cholera took their toll. Mrs. Highfield succumbed to typhoid fever.
To live as foreigners in a country struggling for independence could not have been easy. The achievements of our British Principals show their resilience and character. Many stories exist of their immense love for Wesley College and for the many students who were in their care. We are eternally grateful to the Methodist Missionary Society of Great Britain for sending us their best educationists. They have helped us in no small measure to enhance the stature of the school as one of the finest in the country. I must mention also the British Chaplains during my time at Wesley, Revs Wilfred Pile and Hugh Tattersall, both wonderfully kind people who provided the pastoral care immersing themselves fully in the life of the school.
With the birth of a new nation after Independence in 1948, there was the inevitable surge of ultranationalism. The Government policy on education was switched to satisfy a country caught up in this nationalist fervour. During the Principalship of Mr C.J Oorloff in 1951 Wesley was made a Government Assisted School stifling his freedom to manage the school as before. Being a former Civil Servant, with his flair and intelligence he was able to guide Wesley into calmer waters. In 1961 the Government decided to take over all assisted schools.
Mr P.H Nonis (1957-61) had to make the drastic and radical decision for Wesley to become a private but non-fee levying school. This made our financial situation precarious. We had to sell the small park and staff flats to survive. The Welfare Board was established at this time to collect funds to run the school. During this period of perilous uncertainty Mr A.S Wirasinha (1962-83) was the Principal. With robust planning he steered the school through the rapids for a challenging 22 years. We value immensely his huge and impeccable personal effort.
Until the dawn of the new millennium, serious financial pressures sent the school into a spiral of decline. While the times were difficult mistakes have been made, for sure. Then the voices of dissent became loud and clear and the leadership came under close scrutiny. For many the prick of personal pride hurt deep within. This caused great worry and consternation to the past students, well-wishers and also to the Methodist Church. We were fortunate to have a succession of dedicated Principals to forge us forward.
Thankfully we had as Principal, Dr Shanti McLelland (2009-14). He secured success and prosperity to the school by his new management style of collaboration and cooperation with the Department of Education, the Old Boys Unions, the Methodist Church and the Board of Governors. He established economic stability and returned the school to the top of the league table again. We now have a young energetic Principal in Mr Avanka Fernando. The academic standards and sports are in the ascendancy. Wesley College is a much sought after institution of education. The current principal is an old boy of Wesley College and is well aware of the ethos, heritage and traditions of this great school.
As an institution the school remembers its Principals. Their names are prominently displayed on a board in the Great Hall. A school is only as good as its teachers. James Hilton In his literary masterpiece also made into a film, “Goodbye Mr. Chips”, he has a touching account of the dying Chips recalling the names of the pupils he had taught. I daresay that is bound to be a common trait amongst teachers. From its very inception Wesley College was largely influenced by the traditions, values and the spirit of British public schools. We are proud of our legendary and dedicated teachers. Many remained at Wesley all their professional lives and developed a close rapport with generations of students.
Those teachers are remembered with great fondness. Their photographs adorn the walls of the Great Hall. Students of every generation will have their own special teachers who have performed beyond the call of duty. Those from the Highfield era, Mr C.P Dias and Mr. W.E Mack among others are remembered for their loyalty and dedication. During my time at school in the 1950’s I feel immensely indebted to the colourful personality of Mr L.A Fernando and the doyen of cricket Mr Edmund Dissanayake. We remember all our teachers with affection and admiration. “Their names liveth forevermore”.
The success of a school is judged by the achievements of its alumni. Over the 150 years Wesley College have produced many who have achieved eminence and greatness in every walk of life from medicine, politics, security services, academia, education and high finance. The first Governor General of Ceylon is a product of Wesley as are three Air Vice Marshalls who have been entrusted with the security of the nation. The immense loyalty, affection and gratitude shown by the Old Boys Unions worldwide is an indication of their appreciation of the fine education they have received.
Every student who has been through the school gates will remember with affection and respect the many ancillary staff who have cared for the school buildings and the grounds while keeping the gardens neat and immaculate. During my time we had Ranis Appuhamy who rang the bell and the peon, Marshall, who did the errands. Each of them served the school for over 40 years. We recall with gratitude the laboratory staff and those who cared for Campbell Park. Wilbert the groundsman looked after the park and the pavilion with great dedication.
The boarding has been an integral part of the school since the days in Pettah. This provided a home away from home and a safe sanctuary for students. The excellent facilities have helped to make living and learning a great experience for boarders. I was a boarder 1952-58. The close-knit community helped to create lasting friendships. It fostered cultural diversity, independence, and self-reliance. The boarding prepared me for life beyond the school gates. More recently there has been a gradual decline in the popularity of boarding for students. After over a century of its existence, the school boarding closed its doors for the final time in 2019.
The birth of the school tuckshop is lost in the fog of time. There may have been a room or hall for the day boys to have their lunch from the days in Pettah. On personal communications it is my considered opinion that the tuckshop was first started after WW2 during the principalship of Rev Cartman. An entrepreneur and businessman Mr D.S Wijemanne was a former student of Wesley. He established the tuck shop adjacent to the hostel kitchen in a wooden shed with a corrugated metal roof. The “tuck” did brisk business during the school intervals. It was also a lifeline for the hungry boarders in the evenings. Mr Wijemanne fed several generations of Wesleyites until his demise in the early years of the new millennium.
During my years at school in the 1950’s there were 1200 students on the roll. As the population of the country increased the demand for education grew. Presently the numbers at school exceed 3000. These required more buildings and classrooms. The new Highfield Block was completed in 1959. The Labrooy Memorial Building, A.S Wirasinha building and the New Primary Block (Rev D.H Pereira Memorial Building) appeared in quick succession to accommodate the increasing numbers. The New Chapel is a place of refuge from the storms of school life. There is a new swimming pool. We have new feeder Primary Schools in Havelock Town and Tampola. Campbell Park belongs to the Colombo Municipal Council but is now on a long lease to Wesley College. The park remains our venue for all the major sports providing space for the pavilion and the OWSC (Old Weleyite Sports Club).
The school is immensely grateful to the many affiliated organisations for their support. Tradition has it that the Old Boys’ Union of the school was inaugurated on December 1, 1874, the year the school was founded. The Old Boys Unions of the school now active in almost every continent have united old boys worldwide. They have provided financial support to the school to tide over hard times and helped in the refurbishments needed to maintain the infrastructure in good repair. OWSC has been active since 1941. It is a place often dripping with nostalgia reigniting tight-knit friendships in the familiar surroundings of Campbell Park. There are many Wesley websites that ride the ether providing current information. There has been a whole galaxy of old boys who have been immensely loyal to the school. Although I am greatly tempted to mention the names of a few I will refrain from doing so as the list is far too long for this brief discourse.
I was a student at Wesley College 1950-62. I remember with great clarity and with some pain receiving six of the best from the Principal for my indiscretions. The sore bottom in no way has altered my love for the school. Throughout the centuries Wesley has stood for the freedom of the human spirit and the community of all her sons, to whatever race or religion they may belong. The Principal and staff stuck to their task to provide a fine education to all its students irrespective of their backgrounds and abilities.
Presently the school and the Wesley fraternity are a successful, busy and vibrant community. We can now look to the future with confidence. The support and loyalty of its alumni will be crucial to help and guide the school to be an educational institution worthy of its rich heritage. The school’s success will once again depend on the Principals and teachers for their dedication and devotion to prepare pupils for the rest of their lives. As always the onus will be on the students to learn and acquire the skills to be good and useful citizens of this wonderful world.
Writing the history, it becomes evident more than ever, that we live finite lives. As John Donne has said “No man is an island”. During our lives we are part of a family, a society and a community for which we have our affections and loyalty. It is for us to record history accurately and with respect. Everyone who has been associated with the school since its very inception has been an important part of our community. They will always be remembered with affection and warmth. Let the spark of history we leave behind enlighten others and light the flame to pass on into the future.
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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