Colombo, July 13 (Daily Mirror) – As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals –red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas – mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – and carry organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, a top police source said.
The government has initiated action to trap and bring them here for prosecution in terms of the Extradition Treaties signed with these countries. The source the UAE, as a country, is extending cooperation in tracking them.
In recent investigations into the shooting incident in Athurugiriya, it has been revealed that notorious criminal Kanjipani Imran masterminded the attack with the assistance of other criminals identified as Loku Patty and Gonakovile Shantha who are hiding in Dubai.
It has been reported that several wanted criminals and drug traffickers, who initially sought refuge in Dubai to evade capture while continuing their illegal activities in Sri Lanka, have now relocated to other countries.
Kanjipani Imran, who fled the country after being bailed out from a court case, is plotting criminal activities in Sri Lanka.
Recently, Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with Dubai authorities, arrested some Sri Lankan criminals based on Red Notices and subsequently extradited them to Sri Lanka. Besides, five criminals have been arrested in Sri Lanka.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) repatriated two wanted underworld figures allegedly involved in multiple murders and other illegal activities in Sri Lanka from Dubai.
The suspects, 48-year-old Dinesh Samantha de Silva alias Babi” from Nugegoda and 26-year-old Kankanamlage Dimuthu Chaturanga Perera alias Samitpura Chathu” from Samitpura, Mattakkuliya, were brought back to Sri Lanka at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. A team of four senior police officers from the CID escorted them back from Dubai.
Police said that ‘Samitpura Chathu’ will be handed over to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), while ‘Babi’ will be transferred to the Homicide and Organised Crime Investigation Division.
On February 15, 2024, Hapuarachchige Don Piyum Hastika alias Piyuma,” identified as a primary accomplice of notorious drug trafficker Salindu Malshika alias Kudu Salindu,” was arrested in Dubai and subsequently extradited to Sri Lanka.
In May of this year, notorious underworld figure and drug trafficker Ruwan Jayasekara alias Midigama Ruwan,” as well as notorious criminal Ramesh Mihiranga alias Manna Ramesh,” were arrested by Dubai Police and extradited to Sri Lanka. Midigama Ruwan” was arrested based on an Interpol warrant.
Manila: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $100 million policy-based loan to support and facilitate reforms in Sri Lanka, aimed particularly at enhancing the financial sustainability of the power sector in the island country.
As per a release from the regional development bank dated July 11, the Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability Program will complement the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility arrangement and bolster the operational efficiency and competitiveness of the island country’s power sector.
The program will help create a conducive environment for private investments, boosting renewable energy development, and modernizing power grids.
“Developing cost-competitive renewable energy and providing reliable and affordable electricity supply–with a transparent and independent power sector regulatory framework–will help Sri Lanka drive economic growth and address the current financial and economic crisis,” said ADB Principal Energy Specialist Jaimes Kolantharaj.
“The program will also support the development of renewable energy to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy as envisaged under Sri Lanka’s nationally determined contributions.”
It will support regulatory reforms with the implementation of the new national tariff policy that will improve financial sustainability of the sector through cost-reflective tariffs.
To help accelerate investments in renewable energy, the program will assist multiple initiatives under the renewable energy expansion plans for 2023-2030. The key initiatives include implementing a periodic revision of feed-in tariffs for small power plants and rooftop solar users, facilitating the integration of renewable energy projects into the national grid, and effective application of a competitive procurement framework for renewable energy projects.
ADB said it will provide an additional USD 1 million technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to support the power sector reforms in the island nation.
The island nation’s economy is stabilizing from a crippling financial crisis of 2022, which was triggered by depleting foreign exchange reserves. Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis as a result of past policy missteps.
Its economy has shown signs of recovery in recent months since then.
The island nation defaulted on its overseas debt in May 2022 after depleted foreign exchange reserves triggered the worst financial crisis since its Independence.
The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) has plqnned to launch a satellite next year.
Chairman of the institute Prof. Chandana Jayaratne emphasized the need for further infrastructure development to educate school children regarding satellite technology.
He made these remarks while participating in a programme aimed at educating students on the subject.
Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya has said that India, and Sri Lanka are working to trade in national currencies, a development that comes even as both sides have been focusing on financial connectivity.
Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, it makes more sense to pay for those goods in the local currency. So I think it’s a very good proposal, and it will also be very easy for the Indian tourists to come and they come to Sri Lanka and pay in Indian Rupees”.
The minister was in Delhi for the BIMSTEC grouping’s foreign minister retreat. He termed the India Sri Lanka ties being at all time high”, and pointed to India’s economic support during the financial crisis his country faced.
He explained, India’s role in helping Sri Lanka was fundamental in Sri Lanka making a quick recovery..”. On BIMSTEC, he backed increased connectivity and focus on FTA within the 7 member grouping. He also spoke on the expansion of the sea bed issue, Katchatheevu island issue etc. Full interview:
Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India, Sri Lanka ties?
Tharaka Balasuriya: It’s always good to be back in Delhi. Last time I was here was for the Raisina dialogue. The relationship between Sri Lanka and India is at an all time high. And we have our bilateral ties are very good. We are collaborating in different spheres. And I think what we need to do, is to make sure that some of the things which we have discussed will materialize in the future very soon. So, I will say that the relationship between Sri Lanka and India is at an all time high.
Sidhant Sibal: If you can talk about the current economic situation and the Indian support for your country.
Tharaka Balasuriya: I wouldn’t say we’re out of the woods, we still have a long way to go. We our debt restructuring has pretty much finished bilateral and also we have made the agreements with the bondholders, but we need in terms of generating new revenue streams, we need to be looking at new avenues to generate new revenue streams, and the India’s role in helping Sri Lanka was fundamental in Sri Lanka making a quick recovery whereas the multinational institutions should have stepped in, in such a scenario, it took a little bit of time for the multilateral institutions to step in.”
So it was India who stepped in with the $4.5 billion loan. At that time, we had queues which were two or three miles long, we did not have cash, we were short of medicine. It was very gloomy in Sri Lanka, but now I think you know, if you have visited Sri Lanka, you will see that most things are back to normal. And tourism is thriving. Tourists are back in numbers,” he said.
The economy’s doing quite well. In this year, the growth rate was 5.3% in the first quarter. So I think we are on the right track. And of course, in order to achieve that we also had to take very difficult measures, such as raising the taxes , such as not extending the public service and also such as making sure that reducing subsidies and making sure that the pricing was cost based. So we had to go through a tough period but I am optimistic to say that most of it is now behind us,” Balasuriya said.
And from my overseas travels, maybe one year back when you meet foreign dignitaries, the first thing they ask is how’s the situation in Sri Lanka, is there food to eat? most of the foreign dignitaries would ask those questions, but I think that you know now when you visit other countries, most of the foreign dignitaries are asking how are you how able to make such a quick recovery. And also the interest in Sri Lanka from all over is growing due to its location. So I’m very optimistic for the medium term and the long term prospects of Sri Lanka,” Balasuriya added.
Sidhant Sibal: India has also stepped up its support to Sri Lanka in terms of infrastructure development, whether it’s the oil fields we have been talking about or whether it is providing training to your civil servants.
Tharaka Balasuriya: So yes, indeed. I think one of the new revenue streams which we are looking at is pertaining to energy. Both my President and Prime Minister Modi are interested in making Trincomalee an energy hub. We are also looking at grid connectivity with India. So we are looking at connectivity with India in different spheres, people to people connectivity is very important. They are looking at the sea connectivity, maybe restarting the ferry service, maybe on a roll on- roll off basis, ferries, then we are looking at the air connectivity. Now there are flights flying to Chennai, flying to Jaffna but we are also in discussions with India to increase the length of the tarmac, So, large planes can come to Jaffna. Then we are looking at grid connectivity. So, we are looking at connectivity with India in a large way.
Sidhant Sibal: Are you also looking with India Sri Lanka and a third country for example, India, Japan and Sri Lanka when it comes to ports are India, Russia and Sri Lanka when it comes to the airports
Tharaka Balasuriya: Will you know depends on the industry I think, now if you look at the Mattala International Airport, it’s India, Sri Lanka and Russia and from the perspective of Sri Lankans, the highest number of tourists come to Sri Lanka from India. Second place number is from Russia. So it makes all the sense to have a tri party agreement and to make sure that more tourists visit Sri Lanka. So I think you know, we should not just be looking at India, but also through India, we should be looking at it as a gateway to the rest of South Asia and also to Southeast Asia.
Sidhant Sibal: So, you mentioned connectivity. Now, one connectivity which has been discussed is the land connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. This was one of the key outcomes from the earlier visit of the Sri Lankan President. How’s it going about and what’s the view in Sri Lanka regarding it
Tharaka Balasuriya: It’s proceeding well at the highest level. I think the terms of reference has been done and then also an RFP has been given to Sri Lanka. Now we need to select a consultant in that regard. The bridge itself will, I think, take about four years to build. So that will be a game changer. The BIMSTEC foreign ministers had a time with the Prime Minister Modi ji, and one thing I again emphasized was the bridge. And one point which the Prime Minister made was that if you look at the EU, and if you look at South Asia or Southeast Asia, for that matter, what he pointed out was that the reason that the EU succeeded is simply because of connectivity. So be you know, India and Sri Lanka or be it you know, the road network between India and Myanmar and Thailand, we need to improve connectivity in all its forms. So there’ll be more business transactions taking place if there’s better connectivity.
Sidhant Sibal: So you mentioned bridges in four or five years any year you’re looking at.
Tharaka Balasuriya: I hope construction on the bridge will start as soon as possible. I mean, just think in terms of tourist numbers. I believe that you know if you look at the internal tourists, local tourists, Tamil Nadu gets the most number of tourists, they get about 140 million tourists .Rameshwaram alone gets 10 million tourists. So whether Sri Lanka stands this. Sri Lanka at the moment, we have got about 1.1 million tourists this year. And we are looking to get 2.4 million tourists at the end of the year. I think you know if we have a bridge that 2.4 million or 5 million tourists coming from India can take place within months. We’ve been building walls for too long. So we need to build the bridges now.
Sidhant Sibal: Sri Lanka plans to expand its seabed. India also plans to expand its seabed, it has put up a proposal as well. What’s the update? Like? Is this an issue that is a thorny one between India and Sri Lanka.
Tharaka Balasuriya: No, certainly, not. I think we know each country has a right to claim beyond 200 nautical miles. So if there are areas of contention, those areas can be discussed and resolved bilaterally and we plan on having discussions with India and resolving this matter amicably.
Sidhant Sibal: Have you raised it with the Indian side so far?
Tharaka Balasuriya: No, this was the BIMSTEC meeting. So it wasn’t a bilateral meeting. I did have a meeting with Dr. Ashok. But we didn’t discuss this issue. There was other bilateral matters which we discussed in
Sidhant Sibal: In the past, has this been discussed because it looks like an old proposal?
Tharaka Balasuriya: I don’t think that it is a major issue, pertaining to this. We had a similar issue with the Maldivians and then we decided we will discuss with the Maldivian government bilaterally and can be sorted out amicably. So I don’t think these are these areas of contention.
Sidhant Sibal: Coming back to connectivity, I believe there’s so much to talk about connectivity. Financial connectivity, we saw the UPI being agreed on between India and Sri Lanka that will help a lot of Indian tourists go into your country. What are the other proposals? We are looking at the usage of the Indian rupee? Is this also on the anvil?
Tharaka Balasuriya: Yes, I think, from the Sri Lanka side we become less dollar dependent. If more Indian tourists come to Sri Lanka, you can pay for the Indian goods in Indian rupees, then you only save a lot of money in terms of the commissions and converting all money to dollars and paying your receipts in dollars. So it makes more sense to pay for those goods locally in the local currency. So I think it’s a very good proposal, and it will also be very easy for the Indian tourists to come and they come to Sri Lanka and pay in Indian Rupees.
Sidhant Sibal: So is there work happening on trading in the national currencies between India and Sri Lanka?
Tharaka Balasuriya: Yes, the work is proceeding well and I think by next year we will have identified a certain number of locations where these machines/ATMs can be used in order to trade.
Sidhant Sibal: There is another issue that maybe Sri Lanka and India might not see eye to eye. One is the visit of the Chinese research vessels. How have you assured New Delhi?
Tharaka Balasuriya: There’s a moratorium which is in place and will be until the end of the year, and at the end of the year, we will renew our position. But we are also very interested in developing our own capacity. So I think once we develop our own capacity as a sovereign country, then we can do the research ourselves. So this in terms of Sri Lanka’s issues is not a major priority. Of course time and again we have stated that we are very interested in India’s security interest. We want to make sure that no country uses Sri Lanka in order to threaten India’s security and we have given that assurance and we will work towards that. But we will also want to trade with other countries. Certainly, India does far more trade with China than you know Sri Lanka does with China. I think India’s trade with China is about $140 billion, whereas Sri Lanka’s trade with China is a fraction of that. So, perhaps, maybe even Sri Lanka can be an opportunity for these two countries to, to trade.
Sidhant Sibal: Any conversation on Katchatheevu island?
Tharaka Balasuriya: That’s an internal matter and it has not been raised by the Indian partners and it has been addressed in the 1970s. So I don’t think that’s a matter which we need to raise up. I think certain Indian politicians raised that matter from a historical perspective, to show that , from India’s perspective, perhaps it was a mistake. But Indians have not raised the matter of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka and three or four occasions when the matter has been raised by the Indians, once when Sri Lanka was still dominion of the United Kingdom, the Royal Air Force used for bombing purposes, India raised concerns. Then regarding the fishing rights, and then later on there were discussions on the islands being used by the smugglers. But I think historically, the sovereignty of the island has not been questioned. And I think it’s a matter which is done and dusted.
Sidhant Sibal: Last few questions this time on the multilateral aspect. You’re here for the BIMSTEC foreign ministers meeting. Where do you see this grouping going forward?
Tharaka Balasuriya: I feel that you know, there’s more political will. And I feel that you know, there’s 2 billion people which have been represented in the BIMSTEC. And certainly that we need to have closer integration within the BIMSTEC. We have been talking about an FTA within the BIMSTEC. And certainly, certainly, I think A FTA should come into place hopefully, and there’s more political will. Now just imagine BIMSTEC alone represents 2 billion people and in Thailand and Myanmar, are also represented in ASEAN. And then ASEAN represents a further 2 billion people. So you’re talking about 4 billion people. So I would think that within the next few years, there will be a closer dialogue with the BIMSTEC members and it’s only seven members so we can have close dialogue. One proposal which was agreed was at the United Nations, in September every year for the BIMSTEC foreign ministers also to meet and have discussions. So this was a foreign minister’s retreat. These discussions were very open and frank. It was very informal where our ideas and suggestions were taken into consideration. So we will be looking at the verticals in terms of energy security, in terms of food security, and in terms of the people’s security. And in all these the other subclasses can be put into the three areas.
Sidhant Sibal: What are your hopes from the upcoming summit in Thailand?
Tharaka Balasuriya: We want the summit to be successful and we want the things to materialize in terms of BIMSTEC itself, it is 27 years old. So the charter was passed during our presidency. But we want something concrete to come out of the group. . Now, if you say that you are a member of the EU, then you feel like you’re a member of the EU, you know you can travel freely within each country. So I think you know in order for the BIMSTEC to be successful, people in these countries, ordinary people in these countries need to feel that there’s an organization called BIMSTEC, and because of this organization, there are certain benefits that the people are gaining. And we are also hopeful that you know, FTA will come through in the BIMSTEC, there are other areas such as medical visas, e Visas to India are allowed. So, there was an array of areas which we discussed.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized his commitment to building a robust economic framework that ensures long-term stability for future generations, steering away from short-term solutions that could risk economic collapse. He made these remarks today (13) during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art swimming pool at the Anuradhapura Central College.
Reflecting on past economic and political crises, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the necessity of a national-level political apparatus capable of strategic governance beyond the five year electoral cycles. He underscored the need for governance focused not merely on short-term power dynamics but on sustainable national development.
During the ceremony, President Wickremesinghe inaugurated the state-of-the-art swimming pool and engaged with students participating in various activities. He also formally handed over the swimming pool premises to the Anuradhapura Central College and congratulated students who excelled in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination, personally acknowledging their achievements.
Principal Mr. Percy Mahanama presented a donation of Rs. 10,000 to the President’s Fund, contributed by the students of the Anuradhapura Central College, as a token of appreciation.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further commented;
The Government, along with support from the Alumni Association, has contributed to the construction of this swimming pool, providing your school with a valuable addition. This school, where the educational reforms initiated by Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara began in the North Central Province, holds the distinction of being its first Madhya Maha Vidyalaya.
Since then, the school has made significant strides. The principal has requested a three-storied building, and I will personally notify the Ministry of Education to facilitate its construction.
As we approach the 77th anniversary of the college and celebrate the completion of the swimming pool, I am pleased to announce that the President’s office is actively working towards establishing a fully-equipped fitness center for the college.
During a student’s speech on behalf of the school, the aspiration for a better future was prominently expressed. This aspiration is both reasonable and timely, especially considering recent years. It is imperative that we strategize on how to build this envisioned future.
By averting bankruptcy, we have achieved our first milestone. However, continuing with the current economic trajectory risks accumulating unsustainable levels of debt, jeopardizing the future these students aspire to. In the next 15 years, we could potentially face a severe economic crisis unless we chart a sustainable course forward.
As a nation, we must decide whether to advance or risk economic collapse once more. Considering that you will reside here for at least another 50 years, our focus as a government should extend beyond 2050 and aim towards securing prosperity by 2075.
Therefore, we are planning to transition our country’s economy from one reliant on imports to one driven by exports. This necessitates a fundamental overhaul of our existing economic structures, for which we have introduced the Economic Transformation Act.
Central to this transformation is the agricultural modernization program, crucial for revitalizing our economy. Thanks to the dedication of our farmers, who received essential fertilizer support, we achieved successful harvests in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recognition of their contributions, we launched the inheritance tax exemption program, benefiting farmers across the North Central Province.
Looking ahead, the global population is projected to increase by an additional 2 billion by 2050, necessitating a focus on utilizing modern technology to maximize agricultural output and ensure food security worldwide. From these arid regions, we aim to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, which will drive economic prosperity in Anuradhapura, Dambulla, and Vavuniya.
Furthermore, these provinces possess significant potential for solar energy projects and tourism development. Embracing innovation, we are embarking on ambitious initiatives such as the Trincomalee port development project in collaboration with India, which will also benefit Anuradhapura.
In line with our forward-thinking approach, plans are underway to establish three new technological universities, supported by foreign institutions offering technical expertise. Embracing advancements in artificial intelligence, we are poised to chart a new course towards a prosperous future.
As we navigate this transformative journey, it is imperative to continuously reassess and innovate for sustained growth and development.
Some politicians focus solely on gaining power for a five-year term or on ousting their rivals from office. This narrow approach to politics has historically led to economic and political crises in our country.
Through collaboration across political divides, I successfully revitalized the national economy. This effort marked the establishment of a national-level thinking group for the first time in our history. Such a system is crucial for our future, transcending partisan interests to prioritize the nation’s well-being.
Regardless of political affiliation, it is essential that every representative prioritizes the nation’s interests. Our collective success as a nation hinges on the decisions we make in the coming years. Therefore, I urge everyone to focus on the future and work towards our shared prosperity.
State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe;
Today marks a significant milestone as the swimming pool of this school, which holds a special place in Anuradhapura, is handed over to the students. The completion of this project faced challenges amidst recent turbulent conditions in the country. However, following successful economic stabilization efforts led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, funding was secured to finalize its construction. Under the President’s strategic initiatives, comprehensive measures were implemented to advance the nation’s economic recovery while restoring stability.
Through effective decision-making and a partnership with the International Monetary Fund, the government swiftly restored both the economy and livelihoods. President Wickremesinghe continues to spearhead reforms aimed at safeguarding the economy from future collapses, with new legislation and programs already underway. Concurrently, transformative initiatives are enhancing infrastructure across education, healthcare, and the broader economy, fostering a brighter outlook for the nation’s future.
The ceremony was attended by North Central Province Governor Mahipala Herath, Members of Parliament S.M. Chandrasena, Duminda Dissanayake, Rohana Bandara, former Minister P. Harrison, former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, Anuradhapura Central College Principal Mr. Percy Mahanama, members of the staff, parents, alumni, and students.
The European Union (EU) is backing Sri Lanka’s initiative of the newly established Department of Cinnamon Development through the Export Agriculture in Sri Lanka project, the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives said in a statement.
The statement highlighted that the EU will bring in the expertise of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to promote Ceylon cinnamon exports to higher-value markets by focusing on quality improvement efforts.
The project supports the implementation and enforcement of quality, builds the capacity of field officers and farmer organisations and provides technology, it added.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently inaugurated the newly established Department of Cinnamon Development, dedicated to the cultivation and enhancement of cinnamon production. This department aims to boost cinnamon output, leveraging advanced techniques and support systems to elevate the industry.
During the ceremony, selected cinnamon entrepreneurs were awarded the Geographical Indications (GI) certificates. These distinctions recognize the highest standards in cinnamon cultivation and production, setting a benchmark for quality and excellence in the industry, the EU delegation’s statement added.
A three-member panel of judges has been named to take up for consideration the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an order to prevent holding of the Presidential Election as the 19th Amendment to the Constitution has not been properly passed in Parliament.
Accordingly, the petition filed by Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri, is slated to be taken up for consideration before a bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Arjuna Obeysekara and Priyantha Fernando.
The relevant petition has been fixed for consideration before the aforementioned judge panel on Monday (15), Ada Derana reporter said.
The petition argues that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was not properly passed in Parliament and therefore calls for a referendum to ensure its proper passage.
The Election Commission and its members, the General Secretary of Parliament and the Attorney General have been named as respondents.
The petitioner claims that through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, Article 70 of the Constitution has been amended to deprive the President of the power to dissolve an elected Parliament after one year has passed.
The petitioner asserts that the amendment has not been approved by a referendum, even though a Supreme Court bench ruled that the amendment should be referred to a referendum.
The petitioner points out that the amendment cannot be considered as a law because it has not been approved by a referendum and signed by the President.
Therefore, the petitioner argues that it is wrong to continue to accept the 19th Amendment as a law.
On Monday (08), the Supreme Court dismissed a fundamental rights (FR) petition seeking an order preventing the calling of a Presidential Election until the Supreme Court delivers its interpretation on the date of the presidential poll.
The petition, which was filed by an entrepreneur named C.D. Lenawa last Wednesday (03), had requested that an interim order be issued to prevent the holding of the presidential election within the currently scheduled period until the court delivers its interpretation on the date of the next presidential election.
The soon to depart US envoy continues to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs with impunity primarily because the Minister in charge does not wish to question her on breaking diplomatic protocols & violating the Geneva Conventions. As a result the envoy has come to believe she can summon public officials to her office, question them & even give orders to them. Such was the fate that befell the head of the Office of Missing Persons. What is the pressing need for her to summon a public official, it is nothing but a gravesite in Kokkuthuduwai for which the govt has spent Rs.5.7m so far of public tax payers money. The said gravesite however dates back to 1996 & is of dead LTTE. Unable to name the alleged dead since 2009 or locate the skeletons, it is natural to want to unearth any grave and try to pin a number to prove their lies. We can understand the frenzy as the clock is ticking & with each year it is becoming more & more evident that the 40,000 dead” was a figment of imagination in the minds of many for political gain. But the more important issue here is the need to stop envoys from interfering in internal affairs of sovereign nations.
On top of interfering envoys, there are numerous other entities in the form of USAID-NED-NRI-IRI operating at grassroot levels under numerous camouflaged programs indoctrinating school children-youth-adults, elders & even public servants. None of these programs are being vetted by the State purely because of funds that silence the Minister & Secretaries approving these programs. Taken together, these programs eventually resulted in what took place in 2022 where it did not take rocket science to put together how the initiatives that were funded since 2021 became the outcome of 2022. It is not difficult to piece together what their other programs entail too.
An elected Government is tasked to not only preserve the sovereignty of the nation but to protect the people & ensure even the Public Sector serves the state not foreign entities who think they are above the law while promoting rule of law.
Too many envoys are going beyond diplomatic protocols and these violations are too many. There will soon come a time where public officials may be listening to the diplomats & not the elected government!
There should be a change of orientation in dealings with the IMF and Sri Lanka’s creditors. The aim must be to protect the living standards of the people and to promote the growth of the economy in ways that expand incomes, create good-quality jobs, and improve the trade balance. This means that the debt restructuring process has to be based on ensuring that the debt stock does not increase with interest payments; on a haircut on commercial debt that is far more than 30%; on multilateral and bilateral agencies also accepting a reduction of their contribution to the debt stock”
We* were invited to Sri Lanka between 9-11 June 2024, where we participated in consultations in Colombo with academics, researchers, activists and political parties.
We do not believe that the current economic policy program defined in the 17th Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provides a sustainable path of recovery for Sri Lanka or a credible means of resolving its external debt crisis. This is based on our analysis of the factors leading to the economic collapse, our assessment of the agreement and the policy package that accompanies it, and our estimation of the economic, social, and political burdens of fiscal consolidation under the current program. As political parties prepare for the upcoming Presidential and parliamentary elections, it is in the best interests of the Sri Lankan people that all actors commit to renegotiating the terms and conditions of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF. The need for such renegotiation arises from the following.
The program does not emphasise the urgency and relevance of countercyclical measures to stimulate employment and livelihoods while ensuring the basic needs of the people including education, health, and social protection.
The economic growth targets in the program are excessively optimistic, and do not recognise the adverse impact that the fiscal measures embedded in the program would have on economic activity.
This is turn means that the targets for a primary budget surplus, external debt servicing, gross financing needs and the public debt to GDP ratio are overly optimistic and unlikely to be met despite the very severe squeeze on the living standards of ordinary people.
The benchmarks and the quantitative goals take no account of structural conditions leading to Sri Lanka’s crisis or the global instability that will inevitably also affect Sri Lanka.
There is lack of sense in the methodology of the IMF’s debt sustainability analysis (DSA). The estimates of needed external debt reduction are extremely low. This is sought to be concealed by a diversionary inclusion of domestic debt in the restructuring process, and an emphasis on gross” financing rather than external financing needs. While domestic debt restructuring will not yield any foreign exchange to address the external debt crisis, it imposes burdens on the working people, by imposing haircuts on sovereign debt held by pension funds that are the repositories of the savings of workers. This should be reversed. In addition, the crucial problem of repaying foreign debt is underplayed, resulting in low haircuts from foreign creditors who lent at high interest rates that included a risk premium, which are unlikely to deliver the relief that is essential. Indeed there is likely to be little change in the total external debt. So, debt restructuring must focus on foreign exchange-denominated debt.
The benchmarks for economic reform and the austerity conditionalities in the IMF program impose a large burden of adjustment on the poor and vulnerable sections of society, which have already been severely hit by the crisis. The increase in indirect taxation is regressive, as the poor pay a disproportionately higher share of incomes than the rich. The increase in energy tariffs on electricity, cooking gas, and kerosene has increased the burden on working households in both urban and rural areas. Austerity policies have already led to electricity disconnection of one million households; falling school attendance; unemployment and under-employment. The devastating impact of such measures is largely borne by women and children in these households.
The legislative drive to take policy measures from a flawed agreement and convert them into binding laws through the Economic Transformation Bill, is detrimental and dangerous. It is an attack on democratic norms and the system, intended to tie to the hands of the incoming Government, irrespective of the mandate it receives from the people. The Parliamentary approval of the program should have been sought before the deal between the Sri Lanka’s Government and the IMF Staff was approved by the IMF Executive Board, not afterwards. On the verge of an election, the untimely approval of a Program already in place should not be seen as proof that the IMF Exceptional Access Criterion #4, Ownership”, is met.
Such legislation is also oblivious to future developments both external and internal that could require a change of policy. If such legislation is passed now, future governments seeking to change it could face investor-state-dispute-settlement cases brought under different Bilateral Investment Treaties that Sri Lanka is a signatory to.
Overall, there should be a change of orientation in dealings with the IMF and Sri Lanka’s creditors. The aim must be to protect the living standards of the people and to promote the growth of the economy in ways that expand incomes, create good-quality jobs, and improve the trade balance. This means that the debt restructuring process has to be based on ensuring that the debt stock does not increase with interest payments; on a haircut on commercial debt that is far more than 30%; on multilateral and bilateral agencies also accepting a reduction of their contribution to the debt stock.
The next Government should undertake that all future borrowing in foreign currency and under foreign law, or from the IMF, has to be scrutinised and approved by Parliament. Any prospective loan agreement should be disclosed to the public with adequate time for discussion. In renegotiating its current agreement with the IMF, a starting point is for Sri Lanka to embark on its own debt sustainability analysis, based on an open and consultative process. A minimum condition for any progressive and humane way out of this crisis is that the democratic space for citizens must be defended and extended.
* Martin Guzman is a Professor, Columbia University, New York, USA and former Minister of the Economy, Republic of Argentina; Charles Abugre, Executive Director, International Development Economics Associates, (IDEAs); Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA and former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; and C.P. Chandrasekhar, Director of Research, International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs) and former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
There are books written on history, economics, and wars. But the book written and published by Dr. Thomas Jeyendran (BA (Hons), MBA, Cert. Ed, DBA, FCMI, FIC) ‘The EVENTS THAT MADE HISTORY IN CEYLON AND BEYOND’ includes the story of the development of International Trade over the years,
The Battles for Trincomalee and HMS Trincomalee.
I consider this a must-read Historical Book on History.
I was inspired to write this article after reading his book which he presented to a few of his classmates including me. He also presented copies to His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe and the library of his alma mater Royal College, Colombo.
The article is also a review of his book from which much information is reproduced. I have also emphasized HMS Trincomalee as it is a Royal Navy Leda-class sailing frigate built shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars named after an important city in Sri Lanka.
Ancient Trade Routes
There had been hundreds of trade routes around Africa, Asia, and Europe. But the most significant trade routes were The Silk Road, The Incense Trade Routes, The Salt Trade Routes, the Saharan Trade Routes, The Amber Road, The Tin Trade Routes, The Tea-Horse Trade Routes, and The Spice Trade Routes. The author has discussed in detail the historical perspectives of each of these routes.
The Silk Road stretched to 4000 travel miles (approx. 6438km) and was deemed a difficult task for a single group of travellers to make the entire journey. As a result, so many trading points were evolved as trans-shipment hubs. These middlemen could also handle local customs, and taxes and provide security against highway robbers.
However, the Spice Trade Routes are significant in developing International Trade which was largely maritime-based. The maritime Trade Routes enabled the merchants to link east and west without entering various tribal and other forms of chiefdoms and kingdoms. As they can move their commodities avoiding taxes levied by the Chieftains and Kings. The sea routes were a cheaper option.
Historically Arab traders have been between the producers and the consumers. Their maritime capabilities and understanding of the seasonal variations, such as the Southerly winds and monsoons enabled them to move the goods safely. However, threats began to appear to undermine the Arab traders from European merchants. It was the beginning of the power politics played by the European Countries and the consequential military wars. Countries such as Ceylon and India had to endure many of these battles.
Colonial Era” of Ceylon
The author has identified the period between 1594 and 1948 as the Colonial Era” of Ceylon. During this period, three European powers colonised the Island. Initially, it was the Portuguese who came as visitors in 1505 and colonised the Maritime area in 1594. The Dutch expelled the Portuguese in 1658 and ruled the maritime area up to 1796 when on an agreement its possession in Ceylon and other countries were handed over to the British. Ceylon was made a Crown Colony of British in 1802.
In the year 1815, the British managed to capture the Kandyan kingdom (located in the central and eastern portion of the Island) and ruled the entire country till 1948 when independence was granted.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee was one of the world’s finest natural harbours located on Sri Lanka’s Northeastern coast. It was in early times a major settlement of Indo-Aryan immigrants. The Temple of a Thousand Columns (also called Koneswaram Temple), located at the extremity of the peninsula, came into use as a Hindu temple sometime in the 7th century or earlier (Encyclopaedia Britannica.)
The name is derived from the old Tamil word “Thiru-kona-malai” meaning “Lord of the Sacred Hill.” Thiru is a generally used epithet denoting a “sacred” (probably referring to Koneswaram temple site.) The word Ko, or Kone means in Old Tamil, a Lord or a king temple site, and Malai means mountain or hill. In Sinhala Trikuṇāmaḷaya, also known as Gokanna and Gokarna.
Dr. Thomas Jeyendran (left) presenting the book to Rohan Abeygunawardena
The author’s research indicates that Trincomalee was the sea farers’ marketplace for millennia. The spice and silk from East Asia, and metal and other goods from West Asia were the primary commodities exchanged in this market. The Chinese and Arabs were active in this trading centre in the Middle Ages and there were many claims that Chinese Warlords demanded protection money from Kings in Ceylon. The archaeological findings of pieces of porcelain and metal objects near the China Bay Sea confirm the status of Trincomalee.
[As you are aware China has embarked currently on a project called Belt and Road Initiative (also known as One Belt, One Road (OBOR)) aiming to strengthen Beijing’s economic leadership through a vast program of infrastructure building throughout China’s neighbouring regions. – History repeats]
The first Europeans to occupy the Trincomalee town and Port were the Portuguese in the 17th century (1624); they razed the temple and used the debris to construct a fort. It was a triangular fort equipped with guns captured from a Danish fleet ship. They named it Fort of Triquillimale.
This fort was captured by a Dutch fleet under Antonie Caan in 1639 and in 1665 a new fort was built by the Dutch to defend against the advancements of the British and the French. However in the late 18thcentaury British took over the fort after the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, but allowed the Dutch to man it. British named it Fort Fredrick.”
During the time of King Louis XVI who was competent in Latin and English saw himself and France as significant players in the international arena. For him, Trincomalee was seen as a central hub for French maritime activities and trade in the Indian Ocean.
The Anglo-French war started in 1778 and continued until 1783 with continuous skirmishes off the coast of Trincomalee.
On August 30th, 1782 French fleet commanded by Admiral Bailli de Suffren captured Trincomalee Fort manned by the Dutch and annexed it to France.
Later it was captured by the British Admiral Sir Edward Hughes but allowed the Dutch to occupy it.
As a result of the Treaty of Paris, the Dutch agreed to hand over Ceylon to the British on 26th August 1795.
HMS Trincomalee
At the end of the Napoleonic Wars between 1800 and 1815, Great Britain emerged as a growing Empire and the world’s dominant superpower. It was mainly due to its powerful Royal Navy (British Navy).
Royal Navy then decided to modernise its fleet with speedier and more maneuverable ships. The design of the 47 new vessels based on HMS Leda, Royal Navy constructed at Chatham Dockyard and launched on 18th November 1800. Leda’s design was based on the French frigate Hébé, which the British captured in 1782.
There was an oak shortage in Britain due to shipbuilding drives for the Napoleonic Wars. Despite the challenges, the Royal Navy continued to build ships strategically. They used other types of wood, such as elm, fir, spruce, and teak (mainly from India) for decking, yardarms, and masts.
A typical example was building HMS Trincomalee.
Royal Navy placed an order with Bombay (Mumbai) Dockyard for a new warship. Jamsetjee Boanjee Wadiya of Wadiya Group of Shipbuilders constructed a 46 gun Frigate using Malabar teak under this order. The cost of construction was 23,000 pounds back then.
It was named ‘HMS Trincomalee’ after the 1782 Battle of Trincomalee off the Ceylon port of that name. The shipbuilder Wadiya ceremonially hammered an engraved silver nail into the ship’s keel according to Parsi Zoroastrian tradition before the launch on October 12th 1817.
On its maiden voyage under Commander Philip Henry Bridges ship arrived at Saint Helena on 24th January 1819. This island was the place of exile the British government selected for Napoleon Bonaparte, after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. HMS Trincomalee stayed for 6 days and left with an additional passenger, Mr John Stokoe, a surgeon who had attended Napoleon at Longwood House. Longwood was specially constructed for the special refugee, Napoleon.
HMS Trincomalee received its first commission in 1847 and left Portsmouth on September 21st with a crew of 240 and Richard Laird Warren as the captain. The ship provided protective cover in the North American and West Indies region until August 9th, 1850. Some of the duties she undertook were to quell riots in Haiti and stop a threatened invasion of Cuba. She also served on an anti-slavery patrol. It returned to Devenport, (formally Plymouth Dock) in Great Britain when its first commission ended.
On April 30th, 1819 the ship arrived at Portsmouth Dockyard in Hampshire, She received its second commission under the command of Captain Wallace Houstoun in 1852. In August she was deployed to the Royal Navy’s Pacific Squadron based in Vancouver and she patrolled the west coast of North America and the Pacific Ocean. This six-footer disciplinarian, Houstoun, was much respected by his crew. He dressed his men in stylish red shirts and caps. At this time no formal uniforms were available for ratings, so more affluent captains often clothed their crew from their pocket.
When the Crimean War was declared by Imperial Russia against an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, the Great Britten, and Sardinia-Piedmont on 28th March 1854, HMS Trincomalee joined an Anglo-French Squadron of 11 ships assigned to destroy Russian frigates in the North Pacific.
In 1856 when the war ended, she was moved to Esquimalt (Vancouver Island). Her duties included mainly to make courtesy visits to Pacific Colonies and to undertake hydrographic surveys.
She returned to England in 1857, she was put back ‘in ordinary’ after arriving at Chatham on 4th September. Then in 1862 she was moved to West Hartlepool and was made a drill ship to train teenage Naval Volunteers.
On completion of its training duties, she was placed in reserve again in 1895. Geoffry Wheatly Cobb, an entrepreneur bought it two years later when the Royal Navy decided to sell it for scrap. He renamed it Foudroyant in honour of HMS Foudroyant, his earlier ship that had been wrecked in 1897.
HMS Trincomalee, renamed HMS Foudroyant, was used in conjunction with HMSImplacable as an accommodation ship, a training ship, and a holiday ship based in Falmouth.
After the death of Mr. Cobb in early 1931, his widow handed the ship over to the Implacable Committee of the Society for Nautical Research (ICSNR) where she was moored in Portsmouth as extra accommodation for the youth.
From 1947 to 1986 she remained an adventure training base for Sea Cadets, Sea rangers, and Sea Scouts under the Foudroyant Trust. She was then moved to shipyards of the Hartlepool.
Soon after HMS Warrior, the Victorian battleship completed restoration work at Hartlepool the elderly frigate HMS Foudroyant floated into Hartlepool on July 30, 1987 to begin its restoration.
Hartlepool has been at the centre of maritime shipbuilding in the North East of England for centuries and now it is the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Most of the historical sailing ships used during Napoleonic wars and before were restored at Hartlepool.
Her restoration commenced on 1st January 1990. In April 1992, the name of the Foudroyant Trust was changed to HMS Trincomalee Trust and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh became the Trust’s patron.
The 1854 figurehead has been in storage for decades (from BBC)
The restoration work continued till 2001. The restoration personnel realised the unique figurehead, the four-foot-tall turbaned man was made by the well-known carver Hellyer and Sons in 1845. It was a nobleman from the Chettiyars business community then believed to be living in Trincomalee region in ancient Ceylon.
HMS Foudroyant was restored and renamed back to HMS Trincomalee in 1992.
This ship which can boast two centuries of history has sailed more than 100,000 miles worldwide since 1817. She was the last ship to be built in India for the Royal Navy. While she is the oldest Royal Navy warship afloat, the oldest warship afloat in the world is the USS Constitution. She is 20 years older than HMS Trincomalee.
She is now a museum ship and the centrepiece of the National Museum of the Royal Navy based in Hartlepool and a major tourist attraction.
An opportunity for the Sri Lanka Tourism
HMS Trincomalee celebrated its bicentenary in 2017 (BBC)
There is an opportunity for the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to promote ‘Visit Sri Lanka’ among those visiting HMS Trincomalee. SLTDA and the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK should establish some mechanism to educate visitors on the history of Trincomalee and the wars that took place in the vicinity.
Do not forget the famous British admiral, Horatio Nelson, called Trincomalee ‘the finest harbour in the world.’
By Prof. Wasantha Gunathunga Courtesy Ceylon Today
This article delves into the realms of Buddhism and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their potential interrelationship. Understanding this interrelationship is crucial in a world where the teachings of the Buddha are often misconstrued. It’s therefore, essential for those engaging in this dialogue to be fully aware of the subjects at hand. To achieve this, it’s necessary to grasp the true essence of the Buddha’s teachings, untangling them from cultural and rhetorical interpretations.
Hence, this article will briefly describe what people today know as Buddhism, what it really is, what AI is, and whether any partnership or alliance is possible with what the Buddha taught.
The writer wishes to share his knowledge and wisdom gained through a two-decade-long expeditious research into what the Buddha taught and his experience as a medical specialist. This expedition was started to find what complete mental wellbeing is to impart this knowledge and wisdom to the trainee doctors. It included practising the Buddha’s teachings and getting into the Path to Nirvana with insight meditation. Hence, what the writer pens here is based on research into what the Buddha taught and his basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence. This expedition also included studying the fundamentals of many other contemporary religions and appreciating their contribution to human well-being.
Buddhism as it appears
In the contemporary world, many Buddhists engage in spiritual activities for temporary relief by being faithful and offering flowers, incense, lighting lamps offering alms, etc. They also listen to sermons, try to be virtuous and visit religious places for a favour in return. This is easier than pursuing a path that transforms a person to attain the final goal, called Nirvana. A lot of priority is given to the fun during festivals while deviating from this more meaningful and stable target. Though these activities provide temporary relief, they are not what the Buddha expected people to practice. Others, lay and ordained, seriously strive to enter the path to attain Nirvana but are either stalled or going on a tangent.
All these groups do not seem to have captured the essence of what the Buddha taught though all of them look for lasting happiness, contentment and peace.
What the Buddha taught
All in the animal kingdom are afflicted with a problem many do not understand but suffer from. This is mental and physical distress that takes many forms, varying from subtle to unimaginably grievous, that persists throughout life fluctuating in different degrees. This distress is felt frequently by many (code named ‘hell’) and less frequently by a small proportion that lives in comfort for long durations (code named ‘heaven’). One never understands fully what the other is going through. Hence, this distress that one goes through is mostly invisible and incomprehensible to others, making the concepts of hell and heaven mostly unfathomable and not discernible on physical scales.
People only know temporary measures to manage this distress that bounces back invariably after a short period of relief.
The Buddha found a permanent solution for this and taught it to people with the inclination and capacity to take it. This solution leads to four outcomes: first, comprehending this distress; second, eliminating its cause; third, experiencing the profound inner peace associated with the final attainment of Nirvana; and fourth, completing the necessary practice in reaching the final target.
Buddhist practice propagates from one enlightened teacher to his students, who will subsequently become enlightened through their own practice. This practice entails a precisely spelt-out mode of training of meditation, including complete physical and verbal discipline (Seela), contemplative exercise leading to a mental quietude (Samadhi) and an ontological self-reflection (Pragna), all three happening simultaneously. This description is deceptively short of the real experience, particularly because this training takes the person beyond the normal cognitive process and describing such experience to another using ordinary cognitive means is deceptive. The cognitive process, our regular operating system, cannot capture it. On this account, the reader is advised to exercise caution in interpreting these terms without experience in the Path. Only personal research in the Path will give this advanced inner peace and ontological wisdom. In what the Buddha taught, there is no serious belief in a supernatural power but a commitment to practice towards a meaningful target. Hence, this method is in line with the basic principles of modern science, experiment-observation-conclusion. A person of any faith can practice this while keeping their original religious identity if they wish.
Nirvana
I reiterate that Nirvana cannot be described using language to convey its true feel and wisdom. I make this mostly futile attempt for the sake of the article and for a minority with the mental capacity and personality traits conducive to taking up this challenge.
Nirvana signifies two major outcomes: profound inner peace and ontological wisdom. The profound inner peace is a quietude that is experienced with a complete cessation of thoughts that disconnects the physical body from the external environment and its own memory, which are the three sources of thoughts. This happens during meditation, and the person technically ceases to exist for this duration of meditation. These episodes give 100 per cent freedom from all distress a person goes through, which signifies one outcome of Nirvana. This article does not discuss how this status is maintained while not meditating.
The second outcome, ontological wisdom, is understanding what happens when this disconnection occurs. This understanding is fourfold. The first is comprehending that myself or ‘I’ is an ongoing interrelationship between the physical body, an array of thoughts occurring in it called the mind and a store of memories. This physical body-mind
-memory trio constitutes an individual, often, also divided into five aggregates, and termed in texts as dukkha. I have used the term distress interchangeably with dukkha in this article. Second, there is a driving force within the person to propel this process and connect the person with the three sources of thoughts: the environment outside the person captured through five sensors, the physical body of the person and the store of memories located in the physical body. This propeller is called desire or thanha. The third understanding is that this process can be halted, bringing total freedom from all the distress associated with its profound inner peace called nirodha or Nirvana. The fourth is that when this freedom is personally experienced, the endorsement that the method of training can deliver this outcome to a person who truly practices it, the patipada.
Both these outcomes occur simultaneously. Once the two outcomes are experienced, it is a matter of how long the person can maintain them during a meditation session. The final outcome is achieved when a person is able to maintain them for as long as he wants.
In daily life, such a person can engage in routine activities without getting attached and dragged into a ruminating thought process. Such a person is called an Arahath and has profound inner peace and permanent wisdom of ontological insight. What is important in this final achievement is that it is possible while living.
Computers versus the operating system in humans
The computer is very much analogous to how the human body, mind and memory operate. Taking from five sensors, eye, ear, nose, tongue and the body, processing in the mind and storing it in the memory for future use is very similar to how a computer works. Computers have input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, camera, scanner and joystick as sensors; processors do a job similar to humans’ minds and hard discs to memory.
The human operating system includes a command centre that is unique to each individual. This command centre selects what to accept from what falls onto the sensors and subsequently processes and stores it in the memory. This system has natural algorithms for retrieving such stored information, advanced decision-making, learning, adjusting reasoning, etc. No two individuals are identical in their operating systems, so diverse, complex and covert are these systems in humans. The command centre is linked and influenced by the transmigration of the mind across many births. This fact is often debated, and I will not expect the reader to accept or reject the occurrence of transmigration at this point. This is because one must know the phenomenon’s details to accept or reject it. In studying matters related to analysing the mind, one has to have sufficient experience on the path to Nirvana, where the transmigration of a mind can be comprehended. Two options are available; either stay neutral concerning it while accepting the ignorance about it or explore it to find out. This method of exploration is spelt out in what the Buddha taught.
Scientists in medieval times developed theories of monism and dualism of mind. These theories are based on thinking using the regular cognitive operating system, which has no mechanism to penetrate into how the mind works. I do not wish to dwell on this area because the objective of this article is peripheral to the body-mind dialogue of medieval or modern philosophers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is the technological capability of simulating human intelligence using computers. These capabilities include learning, reasoning, perceiving, problem-solving and language use, to name a few. AI can take some burden off humans and perform certain functions faster and more accurately. It will also perform functions that average humans may not be able to do.
Why AI is required
In a world where the population is growing and expectations are escalating, more facilities for better living are required. Compounded by competition among different entrepreneurs and the quest for supremacy among nations, more high-tech acquisitions are being tried out. The circumstances have created a huge and undisputed place for AI to create a better material world for people.
Similarities and differences
AI systems can simulate this operating system of humans. However, the diversity of the command centre cannot be simulated easily as this command centre in humans has programming transmigrated across an innumerable number of births to come to the present shape. It is too detailed to be programmed by an outside agency, and the method of tracking between births is not yet possible with cognition-based modern sciences. Capturing information from the sensors, memory and hardware of the physical body for routine functioning is programmed and re-programmed across many births and still continuously changing. Even the person himself or an outside agency cannot halt or govern this process in which algorithms are naturally formed, and some are deleted on an ongoing basis.
AI creates an autonomous system of generating information and automating functions in addition to nature’s autonomous systems. Then, the AI systems can stand between the natural environment and human perception, giving a doctored and unreal picture to a person in place of reality. It may create an altered perception of the external world in place of a more real picture that was there before. Is this for the betterment of human civilisation, or for desire-driven more political, economic and socio-cultural requirements? need a broad discussion. The dialogue on AI ethics is already ongoing and will be essential for the responsible use of AI to minimise its potential harm.
However, AI is more likely to create an unreal external world that an individual can get attached to, taking him in a direction diagonally opposite to non
-attachments that the Buddha advised. It will create more desire, aversion and dependence in an artificial system that one-day surrenders to the inevitable destiny of impermanence. This can lead to a chaotic situation within and outside a person.
Conclusion
AI has the capability to replicate a significant portion of human functions. This enables the realisation of materialistic achievements that were previously beyond human capabilities, catering to humanity’s ever-evolving desires. This is an over-expansion of the materialistic world from which we are encouraged to detach in pursuit of stable inner peace, happiness, contentment and wisdom offered by the teachings of the Buddha.
Though machines cannot fully supplant humans, there remains the potential for catastrophic outcomes of AI, particularly associated with weapons of mass destruction due to unforeseen algorithmic mutations or deliberate acts. Hence, the limits of AI and the directions of its applications need serious consideration.
About the author:
Professor Wasantha Gunathunga, Centre for Meditation Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that a robust economy can be established by enhancing the export economy, manufacturing, tourism, technology sectors, and modern agriculture.
He highlighted that the government has already laid the foundation for this vision.
The President made these remarks today (12), during the inauguration ceremony of the second and third phases of the Export Processing Zone in Bingiriya, which is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka. Addressing the ceremony, the President emphasized that efforts are underway to create new investment zones to further bolster the export economy of the country.
Upon completion of the Bingiriya Investment Zone, it is estimated that an export income of USD 2,600 million will be generated, and 75,000 job opportunities will be created.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the newly constructed Dongxia Industrial & Commerce Co. Ltd in the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone. During his visit, the President toured the premises and engaged in cordial conversations with the employees, said the President’s Media Devision.
Following the tour, President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a discussion with officials from the Board of Investment, the Urban Development Authority, investors, and entrepreneurs. During the discussion, the President instructed officials to take steps to develop the areas of Bingiriya, Dummalasuriya, and Madampe to metropolitan standards, alongside the development of infrastructure in the export processing zone.
Plans to develop Bingiriya into a major economic region of the country were also discussed at these discussions. These plans include the development of agriculture, the manufacturing industry, information technology, tourism, and the fishing industry.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said;
Dongxia started its business in Sri Lanka in 2018. Even when the country faced bankruptcy, they trusted us and stayed to open this new factory. So far, the company has provided job opportunities to around 400 people, creating a promising future for the youth of the country. We should establish more such investment zones. The Bingiriya area should be developed as an investment zone to boost the overall economy. In 2018, we initiated the Bingiriya Investment Zone, and today, another thousand acres have been added to this zone.
We all went through a very difficult time. When the country’s economy collapsed, no one stepped forward to take over. A party with only one seat in Parliament had to assume the presidency, an unprecedented event in the world. Today, Sri Lanka is free from bankruptcy. Through the debt restructuring process, we have received relief of USD 08 billion from our total debt. Additionally, the entire loan repayment period has been extended to 2043, giving the government some breathing room to stabilize the economy.
If this program is not carried forward, the country’s economy may collapse again. Even today, our import costs exceed our export earnings. If this continues, the country may face bankruptcy again in 15 years. Therefore, proper economic management should be maintained by controlling the acquisition of foreign loans. Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia have progressed to an export-driven economy, but Sri Lanka has not yet reached that level.
Therefore, we must uphold the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and advance the country’s economy. Steps should be taken to strengthen the export economy. The factory opening today is a good example of fostering an export economy. A strong economy can be built by developing the export economy, manufacturing sector, tourism sector, technology sector, and modern agriculture. The government has already laid the basic foundation for this.
If this program is preserved, there is a bright future ahead.
With the aim of developing the export sector in Sri Lanka, the Bingiriya Export Zone was established here in 2018. This initiative aims to develop Kuliyapitiya, Dummalasuriya, Madampe, Bingiriya, and Chilaw areas too. Through the development of this entire investment zone, 75,000 job opportunities can be created. Additionally, Iranavila, Bingiriya, and Chilaw are to be developed as tourist areas, with plans to build a golf course in the Iranavila area. There is also a focus on creating an IT zone and utilizing the estate of the Chilaw Plantation Company for an agricultural modernization program.
With the development of this investment zone, new housing and a new city will emerge, creating numerous business opportunities for its residents. We aim to develop Bingiriya as a major economic zone in the country through the advancement of agriculture, industry, manufacturing, information technology, tourism, and the fishing industry. This will also significantly improve the Pannala and Kuliyapitiya areas, and we believe that the restoration of Madampe will be achieved through these efforts.
All these programs have been implemented for the development of the country. We are currently in a period of gradual recovery after a difficult time. There are still unresolved issues affecting the people. To address these, we must adhere to a unified economic system. For success, we need to enact economic transformation in the country, with Bingiriya playing a pivotal role. Let’s build a new economy centred on Bingiriya and Iranavila areas. It should be stated that you all are part of this transformation.”
Historically there have been 17 invasion attempts by South Indian leaders but no one has succeeded in taking over entire Sri Lanka. Ironically, none of the 3 Europeans who arrived were also able to conquer the island. A common trait in all of these external elements holding power in the island was as a result of the betrayal of those who led the nation. It happened then & it is happening even now. We now again see history repeat itself. Connect the dots to all of the handovers taking place & piece the puzzle.
For accepting $4b after declaring default in April 2022, what has Sri Lanka had to hand over to India? Not only government-to government tie-ups but openly for Indian private companies to operate in Sri Lanka & joint ventures with pro-Indian local companies in the areas of logistics – energy & tourism, which include development of ports in Colombo, Trincomalee & Kankasanthurai, ferry services between India & Sri Lanka, air connectivity between India & Sri Lanka and even people-to-people movement. Is Sri Lanka to be sovereign” in only name?
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has very proudly outlined Sri Lanka’s fate & it is left for Sri Lanka’s citizens to decide whether Sri Lanka will remain sovereign or not after
Passenger ferry service where unlimited inflow of Indians will arrive (who will monitor their return)
Air connectivity with India
Flights between Chennai & Jaffna as well as to Trincomalee, Batticoloa
Cooperation in civil aviation, airport infrastructure at Palaly airport
Energy & Power connectivity with India
Offshore wind & solar project monopoly to a controversial Indian businessmen
Power grid electricity connectivity with India
Sampur solar power project & LNG infrastructure
Cooperation in green hydrogen & green ammonia
Trincomalee oil tank farm development
Economic zone exclusively to India where Sri Lankans cannot even enter
Multi-product petroleum pipeline from South India to Sri Lanka
Exploration & production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lanka’s offshore basins
Trade, Economic & Financial Connectivity
Facilitate investments from India in the divestment of Sri Lankan SOEs & in manufacturing/economic zones in various sectors in Sri Lanka
Resume ECTA
Designate INR as currency for trade settlements between India & Sri Lanka
Operationalize UPI based digital payments & transactions
Aligning India’s Digital Public Infrastructure with Sri Lanka
People-to-People Connectivity:
Popularize bogus Ramayana Trail
Cooperation between educational institutions & establish new higher education & skills campuses in Sri Lanka
Cooperation between research & academic institutes in agriculture, IT, business, finance, management, health, medicine, earth & marine sciences, oceanography, space applications, history, culture, languages, literature, religious studies & other humanities
Establish land connectivity between India & Sri Lanka to develop land access to the Ports of Trincomalee & Colombo
Defense cooperation since 2015
Capacity building training for Sri Lankan officers in India (Central Detective Training Institutes & National Security Guard) funded by India & free for Sri Lanka Police & includes VIP security, religious extremism. 130 Police officers were sent in 2024 alone.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet arrived to deliver spare parts to Sri Lanka Coast Guard ship Suraksha ($1.2m worth as grant)
Noteworthy is that Maldives stopped all exchange programs with India & asked Indian military personnel to leave Maldives as they feared Indian development” projects could impact Maldivian national security. How many in Sri Lanka’s Parliament are even bothered about this aspect!
India strengthening economic stronghold in Sri Lanka
Adani Group granted monopoly on large-scale renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka.
Plans to hand over management of Sri Lankan airports to Indian companies
Plans to establish a land bridge
Plans to establish a grid connectivity between India & Sri Lanka
Energy tie-ups:
India to build an oil pipeline from India to Sri Lanka & connect electricity grids of both nations.
Digital tie-ups:
Digital public infrastructure in government service
February 2024 – MOU between Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) & National Centre for Good Governance India to facilitate Capacity Building Programs for senior & mid-level civil servants in Sri Lanka over the next 5 years – includes training curriculum, training sessions for over 1000 officials
July 2024 – Sri Lanka cabinet nods approval to India to issue Sri Lanka NIC cards raising concerns about data privacy (which Sri Lanka’s MPs appear not concerned about) for Indian Rs 450m India is to get access to Sri Lanka’s biometric information, facial, iris & fingerprint data!
Currency tie-ups:
Using Indian rupee to settle bilateral trade
Operationalizing India’s unified payment interface (UPI) digital payment in rupees (already launched)
Chamber tie-ups:
Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry launched to facilitate joint ventures.
January 2024 – Sri Lankan President invited Indian firms to invest in state enterprises being re-structured while further liberalizing trade & service sectors.
India’s Reliance Group has expressed interest in Sri Lanka’s Telecom privatization.
If we have issues with our politicians, we have to equally question the credibility of our top private sector, many of whom were shortsighted enough to take part in the bankruptcy drama that unfolded in 2022 & trapping us to Indian credit line & IMF structural reforms, while they are happy to be the local partners of the western take overs & privatizations. Are their loyalties to themselves or the nation?
Upcoming:
Integrating Sri Lanka into India’s supply chain framework
Liberalizing FDI entry regulations & cutting red tape through digitalization
Resumption of ETCA
Central Bank cooperation between India & Sri Lanka & formulating a bilateral system
Building houses
Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Jaffna
Ferry service
between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai (Oct 2023) maiden ferry 50 passengers
Railways
Maho-Anuradhapura-Vavuniya-Omanthai
Railway line between Medawachchiya to Madu (opened May2018)
Railway line between Omanthai-Kilinochchi-Pallai (opened Sept 2013)
Railway line between Pallai-Jaffna-Kankasanthurai (opened Oct 2014)
Railway line between Madhu to Talaimannar Pier (opened Mar 2015)
Signaling & Telecommunication system between Anuradhapura to Kankasanthurai / Medawatchchiya to Talaimannar Pier (opened Mar 2015)
Supply of diesel multiple unit train (Uttara Devi) between Colombo & Kankansanthurai (Jan2019)
Airports
Upgrading Palaly airport
International flights commenced in October 2019 – Indian airline Alliance Air started flights between Palaly & Chennai
Cultural/Sports & Religious
Cultural Centre Jaffna
Restoration of Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Mannar
Renovating Duraiappah Stadium (Jun2016)
Education
79 schools damaged during conflict repaired in North (Jul2012)
Renovating 27 schools in North
Information Technology Park in Jaffna
44 ICCR Scholarships (2017-2019)
Setting up a Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna at Kilinochchi
Setting up a Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna in Kilinochchi (Dec2015)
Setting up India Corner at Jaffna Public library (Dec 2015)
Agriculture / Farming
3000 rain water harvesting systems in Jaffna district
500 tractors to agrarian centres in North
Medical
200 bed ward complex at General hospital Vavuniya (completed Dec 2015)
1990 Emergency Ambulance Service-297 ambulances (launched July 2018)
Medical equipment to general hospitals in Kilinochchi & Mullaitivu
Ports/Harbors/Fishing
Upgrading Kankasanthurai harbor
150 fishing boats & 150 outboard motors to 300 fishermen in Mullaitivu (completed 2018) while Indians are engaged in illegal fishing on Sri Lanka’s waters.
Equipment for fishing net factory in Gurunagar, Jaffna with training given.
Industrial Zones & Financial Assistance
Setting up Atchchuveli industrial zone
Supply of equipment, lab items & vehicles to Palmyrah Research Institute, Kaithady, Jaffna (Jul 2012)
1230 small business premises in Mullaitivu & Kilinochchi given financial assistance between Rs25,000 to Rs.200,000
IDPs / Demining
260,000 family packs (clothing, utencils, food, personal hygiene items) distributed to IPDs immediately after conflict.
Distributing 10,000 bicycles to IDPs in 5 districts in North (Feb2013)
Artificial limb fitment camp at Menik Farm & Jaffna for 2563 victims
Emergency medical unit in Menik Farm & Pulmoddai to treat 50,000 patients & conduct 3000 surgeries on IDPs.
175 fishing boats with outboard motors & fishing nets given to 350 IDPs in Mannar (Dec2012)
95,000 agriculture tool kits & 48,500kg of seeds to IDPs
Demining by Indian NGOs – Sarvatra & Horizon demining 70sq.m (completed Nov2012)
10,400mt galvanized iron corrugated sheets as shelter – each IDP family given 12sheets (95,000 families)
20,000mt (4 lakh bags) cement for IDPs – 8 bags to each IDP family (50,000 families)
Island-wide Projects
Setting up English language laboratories in all 9 provinces
600 houses in 25 districts (120 houses in Northern Province)
110 buses to educational institutions islandwide
Humanitarian assistance
Rice & milk powder under Akshaypatra program in Mannar (May 2022) to 25,000 families (40,000 Mt of rice & 500mt of milk powder)
When QUAD partners India & US envoys are going out of their way to help” the estate workers of the Central Province & drawing unnecessary attention to Sri Lanka’s tea plantations, these are signs that they are both up to mischief Equally, when the Governor of the East had his birthday celebrated in 100 villages in Tamil Nadu in 2020 where he promotes bull taming as a sport. How far Sri Lanka’s land & resources are safeguarded is indeed questionable.
In late 1970s and 1980s Tamil youth were clandestinely trained in India under state patronage to launch a military offensive against Sri Lanka. The arms that India supplied killed & assassinated many. India prevented the capture of Prabakaran in May 1987 by threatening to attack Sri Lanka, this followed the infamous parippu drop violating Sri Lanka’s airspace & the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord under virtual duress, under emergency law & with media banned from covering event. That Accord followed the passing of the 13thamendment breaking up the unitary state into a quasi-federal one by introducing provincial council system. Inspite of 2/3 majority in Parliament, no government has had the backbone to repeal the 13thamendment. The above interferences took place even without India securing much stake in Sri Lanka’s internal governance system. With the current level of stakes India now holds, one should be able to imagine the level of pressure India can now exert & when we lacked leaders to stand up on behalf of Sri Lanka then, we are in a pitiful state now!
Unfortunately, none of Sri Lanka’s political players realize that Sri Lanka will never be allowed to develop by India while none of them want to find ways to deal with this key obstacle & prefer to weather it so long as they can be kept in power. This is why Sri Lanka is always kept in limbo by default. If India aspires to balkanize Sri Lanka, India forgets that the real plan is to eventually balkanize India.
If US plays role of global bully, India is following in America’s footsteps by being Asia’s bully.
India is encouraging the Ramayana trail”. The Government of India and the Indian High Commission in Colombo are very active in the matter. It is quite possible that Ramayana trail idea may have originated in India.
The idea for a pilgrim centre at Seetha Eliya was first suggested by an Indian team that came on a familiarization tour of Sri Lanka in 1997. In 2011 Home Minister for Madhya Pradesh announced that he will promote the Ramayana trail. India will grant a subsidy of 50% per head to those wishing to visit the sites.
India is behind the plan to build a Sita temple at Divurumpola, 15km from Nuwara Eliya. This would be a prime tourist and pilgrimage location for the Indians. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan came to Sri Lanka in 2010 for the bhumi puja of the new Sita temple at Divurumpola where Sita is supposed to have performed Agni puja. He had offered one crore of rupees for its construction. This did not appear in our newspapers, but was reported in Indian Express of 29.6.2010 announced Bandu de Silva.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan had again mooted the Sita temple in September 2012 when President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Sanchi to inaugurate the Buddhist-Indic Studies University. (India Today).
In 2016 India sent an official team to inspect the site. A Bengaluru based firm had prepared a design and estimate htat it would take 12 to 18 months. The expected cost would be around Rs 12 crore to Rs 14 crore.
But in 2019, P C Sharma, Minister for Legal Affairs, Madhya Pradesh said that there was nothing on paper about this offer. We dug into the files to see if anything concrete was put on paper by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, but found nothing.” Government had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the temple but the money had not been released. Sharma said his government would look into the matter and see what could be done. The project is under consideration. But his government will take action only after studying all the aspects related to the project in detail.
Sharma agreed that that the Sri Lankan mainland is connected to the Hindu Epic Ramayana. Sri Lanka is considered to be the Kingdom of Ravana who abducted Sita and fought a war with Lord Rama’s army in Lanka itself, Sharma said.
A war of words erupted between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP over this matter, said Hindustan Times. I am surprised to hear that Kamal Nath government wises to conduct a survey in Sri Lanka to verify whether or not Sita was abducted, declared Chouhan. What can be more ridiculous than this?
The world knows that Sitaji was kept in Ashok Vatika in Sri Lanka where she also underwent an ‘Agni pareeksha’. When I had visited Sri Lanka, it occurred to me that there should be a magnificent temple at the site. The necessary approvals have been obtained from the Sri Lankan government as well as the central government in India, concluded Chouhan.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Ayodhya, India, arrived in Sri Lanka in May 2024, to initiate a new era in the country’s spiritual and cultural journey. He was accompanied by a team of delegates from Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir. He has been invited by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promote religious tourism between the two countries.
The visit was facilitated by Chairman of Supreme Global Holdings R. M. Manivanan, and Rogan Muralidihran of IGS India. The visit was aimed at reviving the millennia old relationship between Ayodhya and Sri Lanka, said the press release.
Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Ramayana Trail Project in Sri Lanka, where the project website was officially launched. ‘Ramayana Trail – The Sacred Mission’ is an ambitious project aimed at transforming nine key sites along Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail into world-class spiritual monuments.
Noteworthy locations include Ram’s Bridge in Mannar Basin, Ashoka Vatika in Sita Eliya, Welimada, Divurumpola, Ussangoda, Rumassala, Koneswaram, Manawari Temple (Chilaw), Ravana Cave in Ella and the Kataragama Ramayana Trail.
From Adam’s Bridge to Seetha Eliya, each site serves as a narrative canvas, recounting episodes of the Ramayana, for spiritual and cultural purposes. The main link was Seetha Amman Temple in Sita Eliya. This temple is important in the sacred stories of Ram and Sita. Just as Ayodhya’s Ram Temple stands as a symbol of devotion and unity, Sita Eliya Temple represents the strength and resilience of Sita. Together, they create a complete spiritual experience for devotees worldwide.
The Ramayana trail also emphasized the importance of King Vibhishana whose palace was said to be on the banks of Kelani River and who is venerated by thousands of devotees even today at many temples around the country as a guardian deity of Sri Lanka, concluded the media account of Swami Govind’s visit.
A historic milestone in the Indo-Sri Lankan cultural and religious bond was marked with the official launch of the ‘Sri Ramayan Trails’ project at Taj Samudra, Colombo, added the media. The initiative aims to draw millions of Indian and international tourists to the country. It is intended to strengthen the nation’s spiritual and cultural heritage while also boosting its tourism sector.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha hosted Swami Govind and his accompanying team at India House. The two sides discussed ways in which India can support the development of the Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka. The document titled Buddhist Circuit in India and Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka” demonstrates our shared antiquity.
High Commissioner Santosh Jha delivered a speech in Colombo on April 21, 2024 where he said that ‘Ramayana Trail’ reaffirms that the two countries are civilisational twins sharing the same antiquity.
We all know today that the Ramayana trail stretches from India to Sri Lanka. This was not so well known to many in our two countries even a decade or so ago despite references to this in our ancient epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. I myself discovered this first hand when I came to Sri Lanka in 2007 and worked at the Indian High Commission for three years. ‘’I had the pleasure of visiting these places in Sri Lanka multiple times during that period, High Commissioner Santosh Jha concluded.
India has given a lot of offers to establish Ramayana Trails in Sri Lanka, State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage said in February 2024 in Parliament. Sri Lanka has renewed the establishment of Ramayana Trails, which includes all the places believed to be associated with Ramayana. The places include Sigiriya, Ashok Vatika, a garden in the city of Nuwara Eliya, which is believed to be the place where Ravana kept Sita captive, Ravana Ella Falls, Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee and Divurumpola Temple in Bandarawela.
Sri Lanka wants more Indian tourists to boost the hospitality industry. India is even willing to invest in it. India has have given a lot of offers. They will build hotels even, Diana said. If we do this in the right way, we can bring 5 million tourists from India alone. This should have been done a long time ago. So now I am thinking that we should do it at least now, concluded Diana Gamage.” (continued)
Arrangements have been made for the enshrinement ceremony of sacred relics and treasures in the hemispherical dome of the historic Deegawapi Stupa on July 14 under the auspices of President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Chief Guest.
In line with the enshrinement ceremony, the newly constructed Shrine Room, dining facility and the Most Venerable Daranagama Kusaladhamma Memorial Pilgrims Rest consisting of 20 spacious rooms and four halls facilitating visiting devotees, will also be opened on this day.
A press conference chaired by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne was held today (July 10) at the main conference hall of the Government Information Department in Colombo to raise awareness about the enshrinement of sacred relics and treasures at the Deegawapiya Stupa.
Deegawapiya, a place visited by Lord Buddha is regarded as one of the sacred ancient religious sites among the sixteen places of worship of Buddhists, is being reconstructed under the supervision and guidance of the Defence Secretary and Author of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust and First Trustee, General Kamal Gunaratne, with labour support of the Tri Forces and Civil Security Department members and the devotees. The restoration work of the Stupa is funded by the ‘Deegawapiya Aruna’ Fund which is generously supported by philanthropists and devotees who are eager to witness the former glory of Deegawapiya Stupa.
Restoration work of the Neelagiri sacred religious place located in the Lahugala Forest Reserve in Ampara District which had also been left unattended over three decades due to terrorists activities is also being simultaneously underway with the support of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Civil Security.
During press briefing today, it was also revealed the current progress of the ongoing Stupa reconstruction effort and placing of statues on eight sides ceremonially on July 15.
Chief Prilate of Deegawapi temple Ven. Mahaoya Sobitha Thero, Director (Architectural Conservator) of the Department of Archeology Mr. Prasanna B Ratnayake and journalists were present at the occasion.
As a result of the efforts of State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the direct intervention of the Minister of Health Hon. Ramesh Pathirana, the Ministry of Health has granted approval to provide priority service to War Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country and their dependents when obtaining health services from government hospitals and clinics.
This move comes after State Minister Tennakoon, on learning of incidents of difficulties experienced by War Heroes in obtaining health services, had fruitful discussions with the Health Minister. As a result of a request by the State Minister at the discussion, the Ministry of Health had agreed to extend priority to ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card holders when they obtain health services from government hospitals.
Virusara card holding War Heroes and their dependents will be able to receive priority service when receiving treatment from the outpatient departments of government hospitals, as well as in medical, dental, eye, pediatric and prenatal and other clinics. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health has taken measures to inform all provincial health services and regional health service directors instructing them to inform all their staff including directors, doctors and nurses of respective hospitals of this facility.
These welfare initiatives are carried out as a show of gratitude to the War Heroes who sacrificed their lives and sustained injuries for the sake of the country.
By Engr. Kanthar Balanathan DipEE (UK), GradCert (RelEng-Monash), DipBus&Adm (Finance-Massey), C.Eng., MIEE, Former Director of Power Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd, Consulting Electrical Engineers Leading Engineer of the World 2006, UK Authority Award
Recent unrest at the Chavakacheri Base Hospital (CBH)and the A9 roadside will bring awareness to the government of the corrupt practices of some immoral and unethical doctors (maybe about 25 doctors) who did not practice medical practice true to the society and the government, but engaged in dishonest practice causing detrimental health hazards to the people of Chvakacheri. These doctors have been addressed by the people as the Maffia group. Dr Archuna tried to organise the Base hospital to serve the people true to society’s ambitions, however, some corrupt doctors have been directing the patients to another hospital (Jaffna) and private clinics. It could be justifiable if the Base hospital cannot attend and the expertise exists outside the Base hospital in private clinics with specialists. The corrupt practice hurts poor people and the proletariat. With more than twenty-five doctors in the CBH, it is presumed that the doctors can easily attend to these patients. Either these doctors are lazy or the GOSL must accept that they have invested funds to produce waste, incompetent medical practitioners.
The policy and ideology of the democratic government that healthcare is free to the citizens are vital and the government is put under pressure and unpopular with people. Some corrupt doctors intend to make money through their unsubstantiated acts and put people under pressure. It is speculated that most state-of-the-art medical equipment supplied to the CBH has been either stolen or illegally transferred to some private clinics.
The writer has already identified the government or private hospitals throwing medi-waste and hazardous waste on the roadside (Karainagar road) and Ariyalai. These acts have been identified in the North for now. Still, the damn Tamils want Tamil Eelam and autonomous power. They cannot manage their domestic waste, however want more power. Firstly a child has to prove that he/she can manage himself/herself in all their activities before granting independence. That’s what the British did before giving independence to Ceylon.
It is recommended that all those doctors and Nurses who corrupt the CBH be transferred out to some hospitals in the South to Deniyaya/Akurassa to teach them a lesson. If Not how is the GOSL intend to manage the hospital care?
Dr. Ramanadhan Archuna is an honest doctor according to his presentation and speech. The people were supporting the doctor.
Such a malpractice occurrence did not happen when Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) was the President of Sri Lanka. People in the North liked MR a lot. It may be that MR should become the PM or the President, however, not his relatives to occupy any chairs. Maybe Mr Namal Rajapaksa could be considered to be the potential candidate for the PM or the Presidency. The reason is that MR will not allow NR to go wrong. Please watch the following videos;
Why is the Northern administration keen on getting rid of RA?
Are these jokers scared that their malpractices may be leaked with proof?
The proof is that the people are with Dr.RA.
Why have some threatened Dr RA?
What happened to the expensive medical equipment that was allocated to CBH?
The Maffia group do not function the total time allocated to function but takes unofficial leave.
Maybe the private clinics have been throwing/dumping the medi-waste at Ariyalai/Kallundai.
The Tamils cannot be corrected as they are not flexible, but rigid in their thoughts and actions.
It is requested that the GOSL form a mobile audit group consisting of some CID personnel and qualified personnel to audit the Northern region hospital for correct functioning and against malfunction. The Governor should take some action to correct such occurrences. And not be lazy. And waste time in her office. It is high time now to form such a group (audit).
People in the North & East have suffered enough and GOSL shall not allow such practices and make a keen operable area.
Bribery & Corruption, Drugs, Sex scandals, illegal imports, and Child sex, always misdirect the public to political scandal.
The intelligentsia viewed the Ramayana trail with great concern. Ramayana trail is a deliberate distortion of Sri Lanka‘s history. There is a political purpose behind it, charged the intelligentsia.
At this symposium Malini Dias, the respected epigraphist, commented on a paper presented by N.C.K. Kiriella, Chairman of the Ramayana Trail, Ministry of Tourism, at a symposium held at the Indian Cultural Centre. Kiriella’s paper w as titled, ‘Historical evidence of Ramayana and Ravana in Sri Lanka.” His paper contained many errors including misinterpretations of early brahmi inscriptions, said Malini and gave examples.
Sigiriya has been described as Chitrakoota palace of Ravana’s brother Kuvera in Kiriella’s talk. Isurumuniya is turned into a temple for Ravana’s parents, Visravasamuni and Kaikali. The word Kubakara has been misinterpreted as Kubakana.
The cave inscription from Alulena (Rahalgala) in Aranayake in Kegalle District has had white ink put on the letters in the inscription to change the appearance of the letters and then photographed, said Malini. A new phrase ‘Maha Rakdhaha rawana puta’ has been surreptitiously added and translated as Ravana’s son. The Archeological Department takes ink impressions from the inscriptions. The ink impression is in black and white and is clear for reading, she said.
Cave inscriptions from Wegiriya devale have also been distorted with white ink and translated to suit the Ramayana. The Brahmi cave inscription of Molagoda Vihara in Kandy District has been misinterpreted. ‘Bamana’ has been read as ‘Bimana’ to show that it refers to the pilot of an airplane. The name Dutaka is translated as pilot. Participants at the RASSL symposium wanted to know whether legal action cannot be taken if inscriptions have been tempered with.
Kiriella later responded through the newspapers. The ink impression of a rock inscription is fine, he said, but standing before the entrance to the cave, following the letters carefully and taking photographs is always better than ink impressions. That’s the method I applied.
Danesh Wisumperuma speaking at the RASSL symposium said that there is no historical evidence to show that Rumassala, Ritigala, Dolukanda are remnants of rock brought here by Hanuman. Geologically they were formed around 542-4500 million years ago. Scientific evidence shows that the flora there are not Himalayan flora. They are Sri Lanka flora. The lack of tree cover on top of mountain ridges in several central hills is due to the climatic and geological conditions and not due to any link to Ramayana story.
Ussangoda, according to the Ramayana trail, was the landing place of Ravana’s plane before it was burned by Hanuman. Geologically, this is a serpentine rock formation and the surface is covered with Red Earth. This soil contains a high concentration of heavy metal. That is why the diversity of vegetation is low in such sites, Wisumperuma explained.
The Ramayana trail contained howlers as well, continued Danesh. The Asoka flower, said to be a rare Sita flower, is a common plant in the upcountry and is found in many forests and Patna lands. They said the Bovitiya is also a rare Sita flower. Seetha gangula is not about Sita.
The next speaker at the RASSL symposium, Ven. Hegoda Vipassi said he considered the Ramayana trail distortions as part of a much deeper anti-Buddhist programme. ‘I have found that an organized group is involved in publishing articles in the newspapers and books, which distort the history of Sri Lanka and also Buddhism. The distortions connected to Ravana in only part of larger project of distorting the history and Buddhism.
Scholars ignore these, saying they are not academic. However I received a large number of phone calls and letter of the public inquiring about these matters and this indicate that some members of the public have accepted these distorted ideas.
Ven. Hegoda Vipassi spoke about the Ravana literature that had sprouted along with the Ramayana trail. This is done methodically, he said. One person provides distorted inscriptions and others write books and essays based on these distorted inscriptions. Historians are silent. Some have written introductions to these works.
Suriya Goonesekera had written an article on Ravana, which Suriya said was based on information from ‘Dakunu Budu siripathula pihiti makkam saha ravana rajuge sel lipi’ by Jayantha Pathiraarachchi. Pathiraarachchi’s book is selling well, about 15,000 copies have sold, said Vipassi.
Pathiraarachchi is busy fabricating and distorting inscriptions, said Ven. Vipassi. Inscriptions have had lime put on it and new letters put in. Words are given new meanings. Gam and Ganga is seen as gamga. Jayantha Pathiraarachchi has also written, ‘Lanka ravana ithihasaya’ and Ravana sell lipi”. Public interest in the matter has been aroused. I received a large number of phone calls and letters from the public inquiring about these books.
When I started taking action against this, I got obscene and threatening phone calls, also death threats.One letter disparaged Mahinda and Sanghamitta. I lodged a complaint at the Mt Lavinia Police station and am awaiting leave to proceed. This is a well organized campaign. The Hindu akramanaya is starting, he concluded.
The Ramayana trail has come under fire for its political implications as well. Bandu de Silva spoke on the Foreign policy implications of Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka This is a move to subvert traditional history and focus attention on the pre Buddhist and pre Sinhala era in Sri Lanka. The 50 sites found in Sri Lanka are probably more than even in India, he said.
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Why is the Ramayana remembered now, he asked. Why is the Ramayana epic, which was not accepted in Sri Lanka for two millennia, making inroads now. Why is the Ministry of Tourism marketing Sri Lanka as the abode of Ravana. The government of Sri Lanka was supporting the venture.
There is Indian sponsorship of the Ramayana cult in Sri Lanka. ICC Colombo had a seminar on the Ramayan trail. BJP Madhya Pradesh chief Minister Chauhan laid the foundation stone for Sita temple at Divurumpola and offered a crore of rupees for its construction.
The tourists participating in the Ramayana trail will not be ordinary tourists but Hindus obsessed with the idea of the supremacy of Rama and Sita. Such pilgrimages can lead to violence. A confrontational situation can be created by Ramayana Trail because in the Ramayana, Rama ( India) invades Ravana’s kingdom ( Sri Lanka ).The Tamil issue was bad enough, a Hinduised intervention would be worse, concluded Bandu de Silva.
Susantha Goonatilake speaking at the RASSL symposium said the Archaeology Department has strict rules and laws against the destruction of archaeological sites. But there are no laws for the opposite, the creation of bogus sites and artifacts.
Government of Sri Lanka is supporting the Ramayana venture. An article titled Sri Lanka government approves Ravana a part of their history” is revealing. Sri Lankan government has declared “Ramayana no more a Myth – Now Authenticated” and has “recognized & authenticated Ravana’s existence”.
Susantha summarized the matter. The Ministry of Tourism is marketing Sri Lanka as the abode of Ravana. They have invented a series of mythical sites which have no historical basis. The Tourist Board’s ramayanaresearch” gives details while a series of videos titled Following the Trail of Ramayana in Sri Lanka” gives fictional sites.
They have established a committee called ‘Ramayana Trail executive committee’ chaired by Neil Kiriella. One of its members, Subash Chawla, is a Pettah shopkeeper, who is also chairman of a Hindu fundamentalist ‘Krishna consciousness” sect.
Susantha lists some of the observations made by Kiriella. Kiriella claims that there are rock edicts pertaining to Ravana and his dynasty in Sri Lanka. Kiriella says that at Sigiriya, there is “an inscription which confirms that Seetha was held in captivity” there. The Vessagiriya Man and Horse” sculpture is from the Ramayana. Lakegala is an abode of Ravana. Kiriella also said that Ravana “ruled over seven continents from Lanka.” A tsunami removed evidence of Ravana’s kingdom.
Gaston Perera noted that Sri Lanka is using an epic from a foreign country to attract Indian tourists into this country. This epic has political implications. The triumph of Rama over Ravana equals India over Sri Lanka, said Gaston, at the end of the RASSL seminar of October 2010. ( Continued)
You are in a gateway to a Presidential Election or Parliament Election. All of us sang a song about the value of democracy. Right to choose governing bodies. You will have another chance. At this time heightening your observations is very important for our country. Developing your power of observation on politicians has high value
This is a fight between good and bad. our candidates and the voters also represent good and bad. Firmly good people stand on the good side, as the same bad people stand on the bad side. Most people don’t understand this political game’s real picture and wait to observe propaganda campaigns.
If the presidential election comes first. think of the main candidates.
1 President Ranil Wickramasinghe
2 Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa
3 Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Nowadays we see these three leaders on the ground. The observers might think of them together. When you take them together all three leaders have worked together from 2010 to 2019. All these three leaders ruled together from 2015 to 2019.
All three leaders’ rule made the path of Gotabaya Rajapaksha to become Sri Lankan president with 6.9 million votes. He was ousted illegally. No one has taken legal action against that illegality yet. Now you have a chance to select a Sri Lankan president from these three figures. Think wisely what are you going to do? The choice is yours.
මේ රට ශ්රී ලංකාව බවත්, අමුතුවෙන් සිංගප්පූරුවක්, අයර්ලන්තයක් හෝ මැලේසියාවක් මෙහි සෑදිය යුතු නැති බවත් පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්රී මහාචාර්ය චන්න ජයසුමන මහතා පවසයි.